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Glancing across the sky, I find a few other academic students on their dark beasts as well. It’s an amazing sight to behold. I close my eyes and relish the feel of the wind in my hair. That is, until I feel my beast bank and begin a quick descent.
“Whoa,” I yell out and grip another handful of mane. We’re coming quickly toward the earth and I begin to panic. Faster and faster we approach, before I scream out, “Stop!”
The daring dark creature hovers over the ground, then places one hoof a time down, as if to tip toe.
Fucking bastard.
I descend the mount and tug his reins. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” I don’t expect an answer, but when he snorts, that’s pretty much a yes in my book.
As the others land on training grounds around us, I feel my legs wobbling slightly from the adrenaline rush. I can’t contain my excitement, my face flushed with a smile I’m sure would be radiant on a dental commercial.
But my elation is short-lived as I notice a disturbance nearby. Dafni stands a few feet from her dark unicorn and moves one hand over the other, muttering something inaudible. Then, a fireball erupts over the palm of her hand. Without warning, she hurls it toward me and my dark beast. Fear grips me and I scream, anticipating the worst.
As the fireball hones on the intended target, me, I crouch to the ground and cover my head. I hear Diablo let out a scream of a neigh and watch as he flees backward. I close my eyes feel a powerful force of energy erupt around me. I chance opening my eyes and gasp. Shayde is standing over me in a protective barrier, and he’s transformed into his monster form.
The day we sparred in the gym is nothing to what I’m seeing now.
I hear a few screams from other students caused by the chaos of the fireball, Diablo rearing up, and Shayde’s transformation. It’s a lot to take in at once.
“What the hell is going on here,” calls out Professor Wright.
Shayde stands taller, his body is engulfed in ethereal flames that emit a comforting warmth rather than scorching heat. The runes etched across his body glow with an intensity that seems to breathe life into him, pulsating with energy.
“You should be askingherthat question,” Shayde motions toward Dafni. “I suggest you remove her before I do.”
My fear dissipates as I take in Shayde’s transformed figure. His eyes now flood with swirling flames, their vibrant glow illuminating the darkness around them. Like the night we shared under the stars, his eyes are now enraged with anger, where with me, they were full of trust.
Instead of feeling intimidated, I find myself inexplicably calm and safe in his presence.
With a low, rumbling growl, Shayde directs his fiery gaze toward Dafni, who stands frozen in shock. The air crackles with tension as his presence commands attention, radiating power and protection.
Dafni takes a step back, her eyes widening in fear and… is that rage?
Professor Wright makes his way toward her when Dafni suddenly bolts in the other direction.
“Stay away from her,” Shayde’s voice booms, carrying a note of warning that echoes through the field. His words hold an unspoken promise of dire consequences if Dafni dares to challenge him.
I rise to my feet, my gaze never leaving Shayde’s magnificent form. I reach out a hand toward him but hesitate. He didn’t burn me when he stood over me before. He shouldn’t burn me now.
Outstretching my hand to his, I interlace my fingers with his, letting out a sigh of relief when his flames did not scorch my skin.
He looks down at our hands, then to me. “I doubt she’ll try anything like that again.” His voice is a deep, resonant rumble. “I won’t let anyone harm you.” Shayde shifts his position and stands closer to me.
In that moment, I feel an unbreakable bond between us. I trust Shayde with an unwavering certainty, knowing that he would protect me at all costs. The realization washes over me, filling me with a newfound sense of strength and courage.
As the tension dissipates, Shayde’s transformation gradually recedes. The flames subside, and the runes on his body dim, returning to their dormant state. He stands before me once again in his familiar form, his eyes returning to their usual shade of a soft ember.
In this moment, I know I’m not alone on this journey. I have my best friend and I have Shayde by my side. Together, the three of us will face the challenges ahead, arming ourselves with the strength of our friendship and the unwavering determination to protect what is dear to us.
And as I look up at the darkening sky, a sense of destiny settles over me. I know that my path will be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but I’m ready to face it head-on. I’ll embrace the extraordinary, unravel the mysteries that await me, and forge my own destiny in a world where magic and darkness intertwine.
CHAPTER10
After another gruelingsession in gym class at Blackstone Academy, I feel exhaustion settle on my body, but I also need to tell Shayde and Evie what I’ve learned of my family.
No more secrets.
I wave down Shayde and he approaches with the half man-half snake beast, Cazimir, just behind him.
