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Despite my attempt, he still sends a brief glare towards Domenic before directing his attention back to me, one eyebrow cocking as he takes me in. His gaze on me is contemplative. Surprisingly, he’s not turning any of his anger towards me. Even though I’m sure no one ever speaks to him this way.
“I’m Mateo, God of War.” His deep voice rumbles. He takes a step closer, his chest barely touching mine, yet his voice still sends vibrations across my body that I feel all the way down to my toes. He leans closer to me, and I crane my neck up to maintain eye contact. He breathes in a shuddered breath, briefly closing his eyes before his lips part once more. “You should memorize that name. You’ll be screaming it soon enough.”
Anger boils in my veins at his words while heat sweeps through me, making me want to cross my legs for some contact. I bite my lip and my eyes narrow, staring back at him, wracking my brain for a reason why this man makes me feel such conflicting emotions. His eyes rove my body, devouring every inch as though my defiance makes me even more enticing to him.
“In your dreams,” I growl out, taking a step away from him. The distance allows me to clear my mind momentarily. What is it with these gods? Apparently, I lose all of my senses around these men. I shouldn’t want to move in closer to him. He has been growly and possessive ever since he walked up to me. That really shouldn’t turn me on.
He chokes on a chuckle, quickly schooling his face as his eyes glance to make sure no one saw the slip in his rough demeanor. “If you want me to fantasize about you, all you had to do was ask.”
He steps in closer again so that our chests brush against each other once more. I shuffle back, attempting to move away, but the backs of my knees hit the lip of the fountain. The movement causes them to bend. Air rushes up around me as my ass falls backward following my momentum. My eyes snap-closed, waiting for the inevitable splash of cold water to slap against my ass and legs.
Instead, a powerful masculine arm wraps around my waist, thick fingers splayed against my back, pressing me into his hard chest. I pry one eye open, wincing as though his hand on my back is just an illusion and will disappear at any moment, plunging me into the cold water. Amusement sparks in his eyes, crinkling a fraction as he gazes down at me. The slight movement is barely visible.
“Falling for me already?” His deep voice rumbles, sending a shiver down my spine, and I unconsciously melt into him. His fingers glide over my shirt, smoothing the fabric, coming to a slow stop at the point where my shirt is tucked into my tight skirt.
My eyes narrow and I glare back at him, not appreciating his gruff, teasing tone. Logic wars with the rush of desire the small act of his hand running along my back kindled within me. I pull away, and his hand quickly falls off and I stumble to the side, careful not to repeat my previous mistake.
“You’re really going to make this difficult, aren’t you?” he grumbles, speaking more to himself than actually asking a question. Crossing his thick arms over his broad chest he sulks at the fact I didn’t just follow a stranger off to who knows where.
A rush of anger heats my skin at his bold words, as though being the god of war makes him something special amongst other gods and demigods. I shake my head at the sheer audacity, not allowing my mind to linger on the exact source of the heat burning inside me and turn on my heel, ready to march away. His voice pulls me to a stop.
“Can you at least tell me your name?” he asks. I turn, looking back at him. His eyebrow is cocked expectantly and his body language is impatient, as though I’m the one acting strangely. Despite the annoyance rolling off of him, I see a spark of intrigue light up his hazel eyes, taking pleasure in the perceived challenge.
“Nope,” I say simply, before I turn on my heel once more. A wide grin spreads across my face now that he can’t see me.
“Stay away from me.” I toss over my shoulder before sauntering away, making sure to put a little extra sway in my hips. I hear him exhale an amused breath, an echo of a chuckle at my words.
I spot Kali and Domenic waiting for me by a long corridor, not realizing they had given him that wide of a berth. Their hushed voices are still too far away to make anything out and they attempt to conceal their furtive glances.
“Oh, baby girl, if you think I’m going anywhere, you have another thing coming.” I barely hear the words over the echo of my heels on the marble floor.
As I approach my new friends, I steal a final glance over my shoulder, seeing Mateo still standing there, eyes glued on me.
With distractions like these, maybe this academy won’t be half bad.
* * *
Our steps are hurriedas we pick up our pace towards the classroom, barely making it in time. The halls are deserted after Mateo’s scene in the corridor caused the remaining students to scatter. Thankfully, it turns out our class is only a few doors down. I open the door just as the bell chimes, seemingly indicating the start of class. The professor, the tall slim red-haired woman, pauses before she raises from her seat, just about to begin her introductions. Projecting much more confidence in the smaller classroom than she had in the auditorium.
“Please take a seat,” she directs us with a sweet smile, motioning towards the few empty chairs at the back of the classroom. I hurriedly make my way towards an empty one, my eyes focused on the chair, not allowing myself to observe the scene around me.
As I take my seat, I finally notice the students around me. Many are unfamiliar, save for the three girls at the front of the class, perched by the professor’s desk expectantly, sitting up in anticipation. Rolling my eyes, I swiftly pull out my notebook and pens, mirroring the other students.
Thankfully, Kali takes the seat next to me, Domenic sitting a few rows over. I catch her eyes quickly, smiling at her gratefully. I have no clue what I would’ve done if they had left me. She smiles back kindly before whipping her attention back towards the front of the room as the professor steps away from the board I hadn’t noticed her writing on. The words ‘Professor Gabris’ and ‘Ethereal History’ are scrawled on the board.
“I know everyone must have questions. Let’s start with a few of those before jumping into our introduction.” She perches on her desk, crossing her long arms in her lap as she smiles kindly at the students.
‘Questions’ would be an understatement. Rushing thoughts invade my mind once more. I’m high-key freaking the fuck out again. Which is shaping up to be the norm for me at this point. Mavros having just tossed out the word immortal so flippantly, like it was just an everyday occurrence that one not only finds out about gods and demigods but that they can’t die.
They should really give out a brochure when they kidnap you. It might make these life-changing epiphanies a little easier to swallow. It should say, ‘BTW, you’re half god and can’t die’. It would probably give more information than most students got. Or maybe a business card, saving the trees and all that. I should really pitch that to Adrian. Blinking, I focus back on the classroom at the sight of hands rising around me. My anxiety sparks a maelstrom of racing, rambling thoughts bombarding my mind.
“Yes, in the back, please state your name.” I jolt up, the words startling me. I really hope I hadn’t somehow raised my hand while lost in a mental tangent. I sigh a breath in relief as Kali lowers her hand.
“Can you, uh, tell us a bit more about the Ascension?” Her voice is timid and a bright blush reddens her cheeks. “And Kali,” she blurts as an afterthought, sliding down in her seat. I touch her arm in support, giving her a small smile. Smiling back, she straightens a bit, looking more confident with the sign of support.
“Of course, Kali,” Professor Gabris starts, giving her a reassuring smile. “The Ascension takes place after final exams for your first semester. You must prove that you are proficient in the control techniques taught to have your powers unlocked. This is for everyone’s safety,” she adds as a few hands shoot up. They slowly lower them, listening, the entire class silent as we all hold onto her every word.
“It is an ancient ceremony, where the Tome of Agathos is used to reveal your true powers. From that, we can determine the god you are related to. This helps us to direct you into the appropriate studies for your remaining time at the academy. Helping you reach your full potential.” Her explanation brings even more questions as students’ hands shoot up eagerly.
