I frowned. Zephyrus had mentioned that students would be moving back in today. Something about a bonfire kickoff later tonight. Apparently, it was the thing to do. I’d considered using the massive distraction on campus as a potential time to escape, but I had nowhere to go.
The fact that Claire hadn’t reached out to me yet confirmed the Elemental Fae Council’s fear in having me return. Given what recently happened in that realm, I understood. The last notion they would want to entertain at the moment was a potential hybrid Elemental-Midnight Fae.
Except I didn’t feel any different.
Other than the fact that I couldn’t access my earth.
I really hoped Sol and Claire were holding the source together in my absence. They were the only others in existence who could access earth magic in a similar way to me. Their connections weren’t as strong as mine but should be enough to help the Earth Fae maintain their powers.
Blowing out a breath, I started reading again, when male voices trickled down the hallway.
Kolstov, I thought, recognizing the deep tone.
A knock sounded at my door, followed by, “That’s my five-second warning, princess. Try not to be naked again.”
I glowered at the door. “Dick,” I muttered, putting my book off to the side and standing just as he followed through on his five-second promise.
His bright gold irises slid over my shirt and jeans, amusement shining in his depths. “I’m almost disappointed to find you clothed.”
Uh-huh.“Well, Iamdisappointed that you’re back,” I returned, adding a saccharine smile at the end.
He chuckled. “Yeah, I missed you too, sweetheart.”
I rolled my eyes. “I bet.”
“Stop flirting and introduce us.” The smooth voice came from the hallway just as a male joined Kolstov in the doorway. I recognized him from my textbook.
“Trayton Nacht,” I said. “Huh. So the photos really do update in real time.” I’d wondered that when the images kept shifting around last night, some sort of magic allowing them to update with each passing moment.
“Have you been studying already?” Kolstov asked, a teasing note to his voice. “I suppose you did have a lot to catch up on.”
Not this again.“Yeah, I’ve had some time in solitary this week to read, and since my wand doesn’t work, I decided to study the different bloodlines instead.”
He leaned against my doorway, arching a haughty brow. “Learn anything interesting?”
“Yeah, the Death Bloods have more intriguing powers than the Elite Bloods.” I’d read in the texts that the two types of Midnight Fae had been at war for centuries, and Kolstov’s darkening expression confirmed it.
Score one for Aflora,I thought, smirking inside.
“I suppose you’re obligated to say that as the illegally chosen mate of the future Death Blood Monarch. Pity you couldn’t have been claimed by a worthier bloodline.”
And Kolstov evens the match by volleying an equally hurtful statement back at Aflora, my mental voice added, killing my inner victory lap. “Like yours?” I countered. “No, thanks.”
“Don’t knock it ’til you try it, baby,” he drawled.
Trayton shook his head. “Stop flirting with our new roommate.”
“That’s like telling Kols to stop breathing.” A petite female popped up at Trayton’s side, her white-blonde head barely clearing his shoulder. Her bright blue eyes met mine. “I’m Ella. Let me know if these two assholes are bothering you, and I’ll set them straight.”
Trayton gave her an indulgent grin as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Yeah? Tell me how you plan to do that.”
“Now who’s flirting?” Kolstov put in.
“Oh, I’m not flirting.” Trayton faced Ella and started to back her up against a wall. “We’re way past our flirting stage.”
Ella snorted as she grabbed his lean hips. “Always so romantic.”
“You love me anyway.”
