Page 33 of Monster’s Magic
After what feels like only a moment, we arrive at the entrance to the passage leading to the academy castle. My heart flutters with excitement as we emerge from the shadows, our physical forms solidifying once more. Shayde turns to me, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I have an idea,” he whispers, a smile playing on his lips. “Follow me.”
“Oh,” I ask, and lift a brow. “What is it?”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he slips his hand into mine and leads me through the grand halls of the castle, our footsteps echoing off the marble floors. Sentinels patrol the corridors and he pulls us to the wall, out of sight.
He holds his hand and manipulates the shadows once more. It draws closer, until the coming smoke envelopes us both. Our spiritual forms float through the halls, but the sentinels are oblivious to our figures moving in the shadows. With a deft touch, Shayde guides me through the maze of hallways, up the winding staircase, until we reach the third floor.
We arrive in front of a door adorned with intricate carvings and symbols. It swings open effortlessly, revealing a room saturated in darkness. I move inside, and my eyes widen at the sight before me.
Shayde’s room is a sanctuary of mystery and enchantment. The walls are draped in deep purple tapestries with silver moon symbols. The floor has thick rugs laid about and the air carries a faint scent of incense. Moonlight filters through the tall, arched windows, casting a soft glow upon a bed in midnight-blue silk.
I take in the room, feeling quite jealous at his decor and shameful at my lack thereof, and realize we’re not alone. As the shadows recess, we step out of the darkness and I find myself staring at Shayde’s roommate, Cazimir. He regards me with a knowing smile before slithering away without a word.
Should I say something?
Does it even matter at this point?
Shayde closes the door behind us, and the room fills with an almost tangible tension. He turns to me, his eyes full of desire and longing. “Teagan,” he murmurs, his voice husky with emotion, “It’s felt like ages since I last had you.”
I can feel my face heat quickly at his words. My heart pounds in my chest as I meet Shayde’s gaze. The room seems to shrink, leaving only the two of us in a world of our own. I take a tentative step closer, my gaze never leaving his face.
“Shayde,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “We can’t risk getting caught.”
A mischievous grin tugs at the corners of Shayde’s lips. “Don’t worry,” he says, his voice full of confidence. “The shadows will protect us.”
Before I can respond, Shayde reaches out, his hand finding mine. His touch sends a jolt of awareness through my veins, and I feel my resolve weaken. Shayde’s power over the shadows does feel intoxicating. I allow him to pull me into his embrace, my body pressing against his, and all thoughts of caution fade away.
Time seems to stand still as we lose ourselves in each other’s arms. Our lips meet in a fiery kiss, a culmination of desire, a flame long left burning. The room fills with an energy, as if the very air crackles with electricity.
Shayde walks us toward his bed and adrenaline rushes through every fiber of my being. I want this—needthis—from him. He’s right, it does feel like it’s been ages.
All I can think of is being naked and how his skin would feel touching mine. “I need to feel your body against mine.”
A rumble erupts from his chest and I can feel the vibrations against my breasts. “Fuck, woman,” he groans.
But just Shayde is about to remove my top, a knock at the door shatters the spell. Shayde groans, his head tilting back.
“This better be good,” he states. He looks back at me. “Don’t move.”
I smile. “Who, me?”
He reluctantly pulls away, his eyes raging with sexual frustration. He turns to the opening door and finds Cazimir, who has returned, on the other side with a smirk on his face.
“Give us a moment, Cazimir,” Shayde snaps, his voice on the edge of potential monster mode.
Cazimir chuckles, his serpentine eyes gleaming with amusement. “Of course, my friend,” he says, his voice nothing but a playful tone. “I need my book.” He picks up a thick bound book I can’t seem to make out. “Enjoy your time together.”
As Cazimir leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Shayde turns back to me and lets a long breath expel. “This time I locked it.”
I laugh. I can’t help myself. “I thought it was locked before.”
“As did I,” he states. “But alas, roommates.” He crosses the room back to where I’m standing and takes my hands in his. “Right, now, where were we?”
In a bold move of confidence, I glance down at my clothes, then back to him. “I believe you were just about to remove my top.” Hell, I hope I sound convincing because I’m scared to death right now, worried I’ll say or do the wrong thing and look like a damn fool.
“Oh, right,” he whispers and leans in, but doesn’t kiss me. Instead, he tilts my head up and to the side. Shayde glides his tongue up the length of my neck, from the collarbone to my earlobe. He nibbles on my skin gently and I can feel his breath; it’s warm and sends a shiver down my spine directly to the apex between my thighs.