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I thought for sure I was done. That one fuck-up would have me expelled from the Academy or dying a painful death when the warding caught up with me. But no one came and no magic tried to kill me.
With a groan I drop my head into my hands. “Here’s to praying to the Goddess that this term will be less crazy then the last,” I mutter to myself.
Chapter Nine
Nessa
Iturnonthestovetop kettle.Another coffee is just what I need. And hopefully it will keep me awake.I toss the empty takeaway coffee cup I’m still holding from earlier, in the bin and flop down onto the couch to wait for the signaturewhistlethat’ll let me know the water is boiling.
My ass has barely hit the seat when a knock sounds on my door and I let my head thump back against the tight back style couch with a huff, rubbing at my eyes. After a moment I shove back up to my feet and relax slightly as I near the door and recognise the person’s A-class magical signature to be Dylan’s.
I’ve definitely been more on edge since the incident and being here alone, well other than Unicorn. I swing the door open, taking a step back as I do, ready to wave him in, only to pause when my eyes slide over his 6 foot 8 frame and meet his bright blue eyes. His lips quirk into a tiny smile and his clean laundry and old book smell wraps around me.
I’m snapped out of my blatant staring when his smile widens into a grin, that damn lone dimple popping as his head cocks to the side. I roll my lower lip between my teeth and turn away from him abruptly, waving him in over my shoulder. “Hi, how are you doing?”
I busy myself with making a cappuccino with an instant coffee sachet, dumping three sugars in before sliding a glance over my shoulder at Dylan who has moved to lean against the kitchen island, watching me with that piercing gaze of his. “Hello. I’m good.”
I’m distracted slightly when I realise he’s not wearing his glasses, and some hot water from the kettle splashes onto my wrist. I mentally curse as I brush off the water and stare at the red mark, pursing my lips. I’m busy mentally debating whether I should run some cold water over it to avoid a blister or not when Dylan is suddenly at my side, hands gently cupping my forearm to get a better look at the red mark. “Are you okay?” he asks, already turning on the cold water for me, blue eyes flicking up from the burn to meet mine.
My lips part, and I blink repeatedly, a little stupefied at both his quick reaction and how much he cares. It’s just a little burn. Getting myself together, I give a slow shake of my head. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just a tiny burn,” I say, holding my arm up a little higher to illustrate my point, but he doesn’t respond, instead guiding my hand under the running water before letting go and returning to his spot from before. “Would you like a drink?” I ask, stirring my coffee with my free hand.
He shakes his head and I nod, adding some lactose free milk to my drink before taking a sip with one hand while still holding the one with the burn under the tap.
While the water runs, I twist around to face Dylan, and my brows dip slightly when I scan his face. “So what’s up?”
A slight flush dusts his cheeks, and he breaks our heavy eye contact. I take a sip of my coffee to hide my smile. “I just wanted to check in and see how you are going and what you are up to. Are you ready for this term? Do you need help to study anything.”
Tomorrow is the start of the new term and I can’t say I’m not a little worried about it. After everything that happened last term, I really just want to be able to focus on my surveillance of the Drákon group and my course load, but with the threat of Ethan looming I doubt it’s going to be that easy. Unbidden, my mind flicks through a mental checklist of everything I had to hand in and the presentation Corin and I have to do at the end of the first week for runes class. We’re prepared, but we’re still meeting up to do a run-through of the presentation this week so we can iron out any kinks. The presentation is one thing I’m actually excited about. We’ve worked so hard and I’m almost positive that with the both of us sending power into it, the rune circle we’ve created should work. It wasn’t a requirement of the assignment, but either way, it was interesting to research runes and their inner workings.
I refocus on the man in front of me, realising I’ve yet to answer him. “Yep, I’m ready. Thanks for the offer, but so far I think I’m alright. What about you?” I take another gulp of my cappuccino and hum.Yep, definitely a good coffee.
“I am too.”
My eyebrows furrow and I cock my head to the side as I watch him, a small smile playing on my lips. The coffee is warm in my hands and I scan his face, trying to figure out why he’s here.
Dylan
Nessa cocks her head to the side as she watches me, face scrunched up adorably as she obviously tries to puzzle out the reason I’m here.So freakin’ cute.
Truth is I was craving her and figured subtly offering to tutor her this term would give me an excuse to see her again before the chaos of our next term. That idea crashed and burned. I snort at myself and shake my head, eyes still locked on Nessa.
“Well since you’re already here do you want to watch a show with me? Ohh, I just read a great book too. I’m not sure if it’s something you’ll like but figured I’d share it with you anyway.” She gives me a semi awkward smile, her nose crinkling.
I nod, following her to the lounge room, flopping onto the couch as she sets her coffee down on the bench then flicks on the TV before ducking into her room. I flick on something for background sound and wait for her to come back. It doesn’t take long. She comes back practically bouncing on her toes as she hands the book to me. “It was sooo good!” she praises, eyes lit up. It’s a struggle to drag my eyes away from her face, but I do, focusing on the book in my hands.Not Many Optionsby Jillian West. Flipping it over I read the blurb and it successfully sucks me in.Guess I’ve found my next read.
Grinning, I look up at Nessa. “It sounds great, I’ll have to find the ebook when I go back to my dorm.”
She returns my smile but waves her hand. “No, it’s fine. Just take my copy and give it back to me when you’re done,” she says.
I carefully set it on the arm of the couch and shuffle over so there is room for Nessa to sit beside me. “Thank you, I’ll take good care of it.”
Still smiling, she settles in beside me, her thigh pressed against mine as she grabs the remote from me. “I just put something I’ve seen a hundred times on,” I explain with a shrug.
Nessa nods in understanding and backs out of it, flicking through the options. “What about this one?” she asks with a shrug after a few minutes. It’s a romantic comedy I haven’t seen before and I agree easily. I don’t care what we do, as long as I’m not cooped up in my empty dorm. I haven’t gone near Ethan’s room since I found out who he actually was.A murderer. My place feels incredibly lonely sometimes. Clearing my throat, I refocus on the present and shift a little to get comfortable. I refuse to let my mind drag me down.
Too bad Nessa’s intuitive. “What are you thinking about?” she asks, large golden eyes focused on mine.
“What do you mean?” I’m playing dumb and we both know it.
