Shadowed Spirit

By CC Rose

Book 7 in the Rehema series.
It’s Mid Year Testing for all, La’Kera will prove she is capable to fly in the half year mark challenge and Rehema must face off with the king of Dangora. Shadows stir her dreams, the ghost haunts her constantly, and the sudden visions that plague her every turn have everyone on high alert. Rehema discovers a much more sinister darkness lurking in the grounds, with Damien being twice the badass. She has to balance her love life, her social life and her Ryder life in this shadowed tale of lure and fail.

The arrival of the High King, creates waves of celebration around the lands, and in Draeos. But he is targeted for death, not because someone wants him dead, but to test Rehema’s limits. With a new twist, darkness is soon to settle on her already confusing life, and Damien will confess an even sinister secret that will leave her speechless. Secrets are discovered and a shadow will loom ever closer over her soul. What will happen when the Lord finds out about her and Creston’s forbidden love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: CC Rose
• Release date: Feb 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370705405

CC Rose

C C Rose lives in Queensland Australia.Inspired by all things magical, mystical and other worldly, creatures, fantasy and dragons most of all.Aim for the stars, and you’ll land on the moon.

Book preview

Book 7

Shadowed Spirit

C C Rose

In an ageless world

Where one could live forever if possible.

Ageless and forever young, in a land

that was forever aging; protection was sought.

Peace. Hope. Happiness.

It is all one needs.

~ ~ ~ * * * ~ ~ ~

For the dreams

~ ~ ~ * * * ~ ~ ~

Chapter 1

I was surrounded.

Breathing hard, I narrowed my eyes at my attackers.

Eight of them.

Holding their weapons ready, their breaths were harsh and heavy. I gave my two half-swords a twirl. The boy to my right lunged. I spun-kicked and thrust upwards with my half sword knocking him out of the way. The rest followed after him. A high block to my right, a hard jab to my left. Flipping over one boy, I elbowed another. I spun and parried with two wielding staff weapons. Dodging blows, blocking strikes, taking down two more in a blur, with another trying to get a high hit. I aimed low. Knocking them over in one sweep, I rolled to have another at my side. A blonde haired girl went high and low in a flash of triple hits to miss on her seventh. I smirked and locked her staff weapon with my two half-swords. Head butting her, I turned from her sprawling form to take on another; dodging a high kick, I rolled over one boy, flipped to pace my landing; and hold my pose. Two darted in with force. The boys were muscled, strength aided them in this fight. They were not boys—eighteen like me.

I tripped one in a beat, to parry the last to the far side, with ease to strike him hard on the shoulder; rage and thrill etched his features. Laying a three flash-hit to his shin, and shoulder—his scream was raw.

AHh!

Oh, crap! Sorry, Bronson, I said holding my pose ready.

It’s all good, Rehema. He exhaled sharply, cradling his wounded arm.

I risked stepping closer to his aid. Damn, it didn’t look good.

Miss Thorndale—the fight is not over.

I eyed, Damien to the side. His six foot six inches were imposing. From the pure white of his shoulder length hair; his piercing blue eyes, which narrowed at my attempt to heal a student mid battle. It was the scar on the left of his face that made him look twice as menacing, fierce and completely composed in that Lord status he held well. The scar was old, running the length of his face, from brow to chin. Splitting his eyebrow and the top of his lip.

I raised a brow, turning to the students in front of me. Well—lying in front of me was a better term. Did you want me to heal them first? I joked, cocking my brow at Damien.

Miss Thorndale! His warning tone held on the edge of a sneer.

"That’s a no then. Sorry guys."

Breathing jagged breaths and slowly rising to their feet; weary and dazed. All eight held their weapons ready—focused—they were not about to step down with Damien Balrok present.

Edric lunged; strong and sure in his aim. He was tired—they all were. His hit was weaker on his fifth, his breath was beat. I flipped, blocked and struck his ribs, shin and shoulder; spinning him on the mêlée floor.

Next came Gil. Tough, strong and taller than Edric. His deep brown eyes held a joking smile as he lined me up. Parring me with force and thrill, sending me towards the wall. I sprang, with three touches of my toes; I flipped over Gil, and struck his back. He turned hard, with lethal strikes; I elbowed him. Dropping to my knees to avoid his counter swing. I struck his shins and sent him sprawling beside Edric. Bronson ran with Todd and Blair on either side. Three on one—that wasn’t fair, was it?

Hitting, blocking and parring across the combat ring. I knocked Bronson to the far side, flipped Todd to the ground a moment later and turned my attention to Blair. His dark hair covered his vision; he missed my line of attack. My half-sword struck his side; making the best of my triple hit combo. He collapsed to the sand, panting.

I turned to face a charging group of girls. Amber, was small framed. Pretty and blond, her blue eyes shined with a fire in her attack. Beside her was Jolisa, a dark haired girl with light freckles across her button nose, and Loral; a tall girl, long faced and light brown hair. They were warriors—training to be warriors of Dangora—like me.

All three girls struck me in one thrust. I blocked the first two, to have the third hit my shoulder.

Ugh! I dodged another onslaught of hits.

The triple hit strike was enough to have the girls wincing, making claim to their shoulders, arms and thighs. Amber, was face down; a spin-kick later, Jolisa, became friends with the sand. Loral was all that stood. She swallowed hard with determination, she flashed hit. I blocked each hit with ease and with a burst of energy, I slipped from her strike to stand behind her. Tripping her with a jab of both my weapons, she fell. I spun around, holding my fight pose and raised a brow at the fallen students before me.

Is it over yet? The voice belonged to Jolisa; a whiny girl when it came to sparring with me.

That will be all, Miss Thorndale. Six laps.

Yes, Master Damien.

I nodded as he eyed the fallen students before him. He raised a brow tiredly. They grumbled and rose slowly, limping in pain with hope in their eyes.

Sorry guys, I exhaled, not completely wasted of energy, yet. Reaching to the first person beside me, I got a little carried away, I added sheepishly, summoning healing. A haze of shimmery white mână lifted off them as their visible wounds melted away.

Thanks Rehema, Amber breathed, with a soft smile.

Least I can do. I turned to the rest; healing them with a press of my palm to their arm.

You know Dy’Monian, said Bronson, flexing his fingers. I think you’re beyond us.

What? Can’t be. I frowned stepping toward Gil.

Well, Bronson, darted a wary eye to Damien waiting patiently to the side—and leaned in closer to whisper—which was possibly pointless. He won’t admit it, but you need to go back to sparring with him.

Ha-Ha. I teased moving from Todd’s side to Loral’s.

I glanced to Damien. He heard; nothing passes Damien’s high hearing. He didn’t show any emotion he had or was listening to us. He was like all Dragon Ryders, though twice the bad ass. Super hearing, super sight, high healing and—magic at our will. I just happen to have the highest level of healing than any other Ryder. Maybe Bronson is right? I mused. Knowing that in the last two weeks, I’ve won every round.

You do spend more time healing them these days, mused La’Kera, my Bond. But Damien won’t spar with you.

It was true.

Damien Balrok never sparred with me—least not since the day I took him out with magic, a month ago. Heading to the south track with all eight students following, I was soon ahead of them with Damien beside me. I was faster than the other students—that’s because I was Dy’Monian.

You’re hitting them harder, Miss Thorndale. His slow drawled tone was standard and by no means a compliment. Just an observation in my eyes.

Isn’t that the idea, I said, rolling my eyes.

Damien was bad ass—my mentor with attitude—I had to watch what I said or did around him. He could easily hit me, shock me with lightning balls of O’Pulsan power or summoning a numbing spell where I was rendered mute and paralysed for minutes, but he was in a neutral mood. Raising a crooked brow with intrigue.

Indeed. It is time for the fight to become challenging.

"And how do you think you can do that?’

Blind folds, Miss Thorndale.

Oh. Well, that will be a challenge.

You do not think so? His tone was surprised, his broken brow arched higher.

Well, sure. For a while. But you know Master Damien, you could always give me another round in the mêlée ring.

Damien chuckled. Rare; and in so many ways—worth it.

You, Miss Thorndale, do not need one-on-one mêlée.

It’s about the challenge, right?

Nodding, we ran on in silence.

I exhaled deep, gazing across the gardens of Draeos in the south east of Stone Heart Valley. I glanced to several students in mêlée with the other Ryder’s—Masters of the art. Several groups were for the swordsmen and archers, some wizards were here , which was surprising. They were all length and no muscle. Shifting my gaze across the groups, I paused at one Master Ryder—Karson. He was teaching Tobias and Xavier a few techniques I remember him teaching me five months ago. I smiled, gazing beyond him and over the hedges and garden paths, beyond the large indoor gymnasium. The trees were all that stopped my view completely and I had mesmerised it all. Next to it was the equipment building, the younger mêlée areas and the north track with the archery ring in the north-east. It was a face in particular I was hoping to see. I would have to wait. Focusing on the track before me, overtaking the final year students again, who chanted as I ran past.

Don’t get too ahead now Dy’Monian, called Gil.

I laughed with amusement. Not insulted—it was funny, since I was ahead of them, and most times I ran on the south track; they couldn’t keep up even when they tried.

Thirteen months ago it was a different story. I was new to this track by one month; and since it was a league and half longer than the north track, I thought I was doing pretty good for a Ryder of eleven months training. I once struggled, once being that I had only done three laps. Now I was doing six; my breath was elevated and my calf muscles burned; I was good for the next four. Damien ran beside me; he showed no strain to his run. He had moments where he would call me up on running too fast, which was funny, considering he use to nip at me for not being fast enough. He didn’t want to give me a compliment—least not in words.

In the last two months since meeting him, we had found middle ground. Bonding on a camping trip would do that; and well, saving the school from delgori three weeks ago might have something to do with it too.

It has much to do with it Rehema, said La’Kera soaring across the sky above the grounds of Stone Heart Valley with Lyr’Rax beside her. I am pleased he is not to your attraction either.

That would be weird. Besides, you know who I am attracted to and it’s not the Ryder running beside me, I teased.

I do miss Karson, and Blade’Dur showing me lessons. Why must Lyr’Rax replace them both. It isn’t fair at times that he takes me away from all the other dragons just to show me rocks in the south. She was sulking and boasting on the lesson.

Lyr’Rax had taken her away three days ago, for six whole hours and all he talked to her about was rocks—they were brown, and they were boring. She insisted it was of no use to her, and even now couldn’t understand why the O’Pulsan bull was taking her to the grand tree in the east—to look at leaves.

She was right about one thing in all this. Damien wasn’t my attraction; neither was Karson. Sure he was six foot four, with a perfect chiselled face and muscled body, broad shoulders, tanned golden skin and handsome beyond perfection; and Damien, tall, a paler complexion for a Ryder and slim of form. Sure, muscled and tone was there, just thinner in physique and completely not my interest at all; they may look twenty-five as all Ryder’s did. Neither of them were. It was a Ryder’s gift. To stop ageing at mid twenty and to live for how ever long we could—no one could be sure the age since, many Ryder’s were killed in battle, though some were over three hundred years—Damien was months shy off his two hundred and twentieth; he was closer to thirty in his appearance. Karson was maybe around twenty seven, and he was actually one hundred years old. Soon, I would be like them—ageless and forever young in a land that was forever aging and needing protection.

You can finish up Miss Thorndale. I will see you this afternoon at three-thirty. Damien’s tone held that lecture drawl of annoyance—well, it was his normal tone. He wasn’t annoyed at all, it was just him. His bad ass tone.

Yes Master Damien. I started on stretches by the side of the track. With a nod to him, he headed off through the south paths toward the castle.

Draeos.

My home.

Following the paths leading to the west route and to the stone staircase a time after my stretches finished, I slowed my walk towards the Main Building opposite the mid combat rings. I lingered here, glancing at the other students working out, but mostly I was staring at one Ryder in particular. Just under six foot, with a defined body and spiked bronze hair. His alluring smile captivated me every time, sending a tingle of butterflies to my centre. Even from this distance I was able to take in his perfect chiselled features, the supple lips, straight nose and small dimple on his cheeks when he did smile. His rustic brown eyes were watching Dawn. His tutelage and a 1st year senior.

Creston Dalton was a mentor from the Rila Academy in the south, and along with other Ryders who joined us, he was the only one to have taken most of my interest. He happened to be my boyfriend. No one knew about our relationship, it was a secret—apart from La’Kera and Rayn’Nar—no one else was aware. I couldn’t linger for too long, my gaze was going to be noticed. Watching him always had my heart rate rise, my face flushed with heat and my breath—well, it was breathless. The magnetic pull that drew us together all these months was in high alert today. His glance was brief, but enough for me to head on to my room with a dreamy smile.

Heading to the shower room to freshen up before breakfast, I breathed deep at my reflection in the rusted and chipped mirror. Gone was the girl from Plumridge with barely sun-kissed skin, skinny and sad eyes—now stood a Ryder. Me. My skin was golden, my heart shaped face was smiling—no—beaming was the better word as to my green eyes. Too large for my small heart shaped face. It was one of the many things Creston commented on, in a good way. My slim body wasn’t full busted, but I was toned, muscled with a hint of something else—dragon magic. It made me think to this morning’s spar with the final year students. I am getting stronger and faster than them.

And the wound on Bronson was nasty, least before you healed him, said La’Kera.

Untangling my hair, I brushed through my brown curls, and rethreading it in the side braid I was fond of. Several wisp escaped my task, I blew at them to stay to the side. The stubborn strands wanted to be free and touch my cheek, then fine.

I hope the blind fold exercise is a challenge.

You will be unable to see your opponent; that should be a challenge. She shuffled her wings as she landed on the branch of the grand tree. Lyr’Rax was already plucking a leaf from the side of a far area and wanting her to look at it—with detail.

"Really look into the leaf La’Kera," he instructed. See the core of the leaf, the beat of its life essence. His throaty voice was thick with age, oddly a grace had started to show with the bull, like I found with Damien. When I had him alone, he at times spoke to me with kindness—at times.

I wish to do cave digging with the other dragons, she pointed out—pouted.

"In awhile La’Kera. You have learnt of the rock, the texture of rock and which is best to crush or carve—today we learn of the detail of the leaf. The heart of all things beats in everything around you, and so to in the rock—"

You wish me to pluck leaves from the grand tree and count them?

"No. You are to see the leaf, and carve it here." The bull brought to view a large rock.

Sure, he had that on the side, or maybe in his front paw all along. La’Kera wasn’t sure when he had it—but now, she had to do as asked. Carving. She smiled—since all dragons could. Least since being bonded with La’Kera, I realised dragons could smile, tell jokes, make smoke rings, and even pluck a flower with their claws—it was all in practice and fun for her. She settled down on the branch to start her carving, looking into the heart of the leaf before her. She was enjoying herself with the task presented to her, like all dragons—they love to learn.

Packing my bath bag, I glanced my five foot five form one last time. Running a hand over my leather top, the thicker material for winter. A leather brown skirt, with charcoal leggings completed my attire. I tucked the loose locks of hair around my ear and headed into my room. Reaching for a warmer coat. The length was fitting and suited my form. It was winter, I was warm from my workout and the heat spells the castle offered. Draeos was enchanted to remain a constant temperature, never too cold or hot.

It didn’t snow here in the east of Dangora, it didn’t snow in Em’Adels region at all. In my old town of Plumridge, it snowed for four months solid and remained cold for a further three. That was in the Roo’Bineyes region where it was closer to the Terrill mountains in the north; and that was eight hundred leagues away. Though here in Stone Heart valley, I sometimes wondered if it would be better to snow. The chilly winds and cold air made it annoying when flying. Being a Ryder, I had access to the elements; from standard spells, lore spells and more complex spells of combination. Casting a simple heat spell was too easy. I didn’t like to waste the mână from La’Kera.

You know it is not a problem Rehema, we are Dy’Monian and you are a Ryder. We have great power as one and you can wield it at a greater advantage than I can. La’Kera mused her carving. The rock was slowly shaping into a leaf of fine line detail, and she was right. Ryder’s had a greater hold on the mână, control and flow were a greater advantage. We were more than simple magicians. We were Ryder’s.

Chapter 2

Catching up to Tobias on the way to the Dinner Hall was too easy. Secretly, I think he was waiting for me. I swear each time I see him, he gets taller and broader. Soon to be seventeen in a months time. He was starting to change from a boy to a man; charming, chirpy and he always held a contagious smile. Tobias was the boy who always liked me, but accepted that we were never going to be more than friends… I think.

Hey Rehema, you looking forward to today’s Mid Year Testing? He asked, as he flicked his curly brown locks from his brow to gaze at me square on, that lingering smile scanned my face with a wider grin.

Er … sure. I lied. I wasn’t looking forward to it at all. I was nervous. Might actually pass something this time.

I’ll say. It sure is good that that mentor of your’s let you get some real class time with us.

Yeah. Pity he’s not much on complimenting or even—helpful.

Still not budging on what’s to happen?

Course not. Not one single line of—make sure you watch your spelling or, don’t forget to answer everything correctly. I rolled my eyes at the stiffness I thought Damien would use. Though it is better having class time with you and the others. One on one with Damien was such a drainer. And it’s nice to have seven wonderful hours to myself.

We exited across the court yard and into the Dinner Hall. We were so attuned to where we were going, we had taken our seats at the eleventh table in the Dinner Hall with little thought. Glancing to the teachers table, my eyes lingered on the Ryder I wished to stare at the most. I couldn’t get too distracted with seeing Creston sitting up there beside Karson and Damien. I turned my attention to the small cluster of Ryders beside me, with a nod from each and a smile returned. Beside Tobias, was Dawn and Gemma, opposite us was Thor and Xavier.

It sure is a pain you can’t come to EzRah for the holidays, said Tobias beside me.

Yeah. You’re telling me. Damien has already made a schedule for me.

Serious? Damn. That is not fair at all. It’s not like you’re behind now. Your elvan is improving and so to is your history.

I grimaced at his tone. Improving was possibly true, not fluent in either area, definitely true.

So, I risked asking; reaching for a slice of toast wedge in the middle of the table for all to help. It was rare to have meals like this, some times they were at another table and we had to retrieve it ourselves. How does Mid-Year testing go?

Oh, I don’t know … Tobias teased. You sure you want me stepping on your mentor’s toes.

Please step. I want to know.

You didn’t two days ago.

No. But now I do. It’s bugging me. I glanced up to Xavier.

He was hunched at the table, staring blankly at his plate of barely eaten oats. His mood was gloomy and for a reason. A pang of sadness touched me. I was too perky for this kind of talk, too happy—his sadness should be reflected in all of us. It was only three weeks ago it happened, I knew how he was feeling, what the suffering was doing to him—I just couldn’t take it away. It was something he had to workout on his own. Tobias had paused in mid reach of his second helping of berry jam toast and we both raised a brow. A silent look of understanding.

You sure you want to know?

I wouldn’t be asking.

Do you remember the testing last year?

I was only three weeks in as a chosen. The M.Y.T sounded scary. I spent the week with La’Kera. I lingered on the images, the time before. Twelve months ago and she was so small, cute and all things a tiny dragon chick was. Amused at me and my thoughts mostly.

Hmm … that I do remember. He winked, dazed by a goofy looking expression I’d seen several times on his face. He blinked hastily to shake his thoughts into place. Okay then, a teaser, he said at last, pushing his brown curls from his eyes, taking in his wide smile. The teachers take us one by one around the school, making us recite everything we did in the last six months… class theory that is.

What. I stared in shock of his set features. My face paled at the thought of walking around and reciting everything I did… learnt? Um. I bit my lip and Thor started laughing, as to Dawn. Em I missing something?

You are so easy to fool Rehema, said Dawn with a wide smile. Teasing, that was new. Thought you could see liars?

I had to redirect my thoughts, as too did La’Kera, checking his aura for the tell tail haze of a lie, but it wasn’t so much as flashing green, just a clear brightness that said, something was amusing. You’re kidding? I asked Tobias.

Gotcha. He was too proud, leaning in to give my shoulder a closer rub. Smooth?

So, we don’t go out to the grounds and recite everything.

NO. First off, we do exams – single seating style. That’s the next two days for you and me, and then it’s into practical test.

That’s it! What about normal class time?

Nope. No classes. At all. And the exams are held in the function room.

Oh. I remember everyone else going there. I was in a room with Salvador for my test.

No wonder you failed, he scoffed.

He glanced to Xavier who had reached for his apple juice. He was silent still, showing little or no interest in anything that was happening around us. His blond hair covered his eyes, his face wasn’t even showing any recognition he was here—in a room, surrounded by students or that we were soon to do a major test. Normally Xavier would have words of confident to add, or a joke to tease us with, or a comment that followed the flow of conversation. He was non-existent.

For three weeks it had been like this; and they were painfully slow. Alyssa was gone. She died, lost in a battle by delgori and her death haunted him as once Connor’s haunted me. This was different. This was something that couldn’t change. I had been lucky. I had been blessed with the ability to save delgori and return their soul. But for the death of a person, it was impossible to save them. Alyssa had died. I could not save her, I could not return her soul to us. She was gone. Her Bond Al’Tara was in the Cave of Slumber, her soul joined in the Oracles of Starwing, and the Grace of Drae’Gon. She was Xavier’s true love. A kindred spirit that could never be returned, unlike Connor was for me. He was returned, but with a different out come, a different problem altogether.

You will do fine Rehema, Tobias reassured me; bringing me from my thoughts. It’d be easy as pie—least afterwards is what it would feel like. And you’re a finder like me.

Yeah, maybe. Just, you studied in this stuff long before I even knew dragons could talk.

"Please. It’s not that bad Rehema. We’re finders—and finders do not pout."

I turned my attention to my meal of toast, too nervous to stomach anything filling; I sipped my juice repeatedly, trying to fight the mix of emotions running through me.

La’Kera was amused as her carving of the leaf’s heart was starting to become lopsided. It’s the way the heart is going, she tried to inform Lyr’Rax when he growled low.

So what are you up to on your holidays? I asked Tobias.

He’d told me several times before. It was the one of many simple conversations we continued. Tobias was thrilled about the holidays, he was looking forward to seeing his father who had travelled from Durant. His light conversation worked throughout the meal. Glancing at Dawn and Gemma in a discussion on—boys, hair and clothing. Thor listened to us, though he was always a quiet Ryder. He seldom had much to talk about since he was new from Rila, least six months in and he was still considered the outsider. He and Xavier had bonded at one time, in recent events—Xavier withdrew from everyone.

Ding, ding, ding!

The ring of a bell at the front of the room had all students hush their conversations as Lady Darcia Croft addressed the room.

Good Morning to you all. We have come to the mid year of our learning’s and it is time to take the test. She beamed wide, no stranger to nervous students all staring at her with nervous eyes. All Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth year students are to head to the function room for their exams. Those younger, will attend your test in the history and magic rooms. Now remember, this is your chance to show us all what you have learned. Good luck to you all. With a ring of the bell, she and everyone else was moving to the designated area’s.

Fear touched me as I headed across the courtyard. It was here we were teleported to the fourteenth floor, which we had to climb the stairs to the fifteenth. The line of students stepping out of the threshold wasn’t too long, but it was relaxing to know I didn’t have to walk all fifteen levels. It was hard enough to do the nine levels three to four times in a day. My nerves doubled at the sight of teachers and students eager to head in. I wish Damien had given me at least one compliment or maybe just a little pre-quiz assistance. I hated not knowing what level I was at.

That is why it’s a test, is it not to test your level?

Yes, I just … I would hate to be repeating my 1st year senior.

It is not that kind of test, it is Mid-Year testing. It is in the end of the year they will decide our fate. You worry for the wrong reason my young one, you will see. We have been taught much and we will not fail. I am as wise as you in the knowledge.

Yeah, I know La’Kera. It’s just with everything I don’t know still. What if I fail?

You won’t fail my light—oh, look there’s Creston. Her distraction was for my benefit and it worked.

All my worries of failing melted away at the sight of Creston walking along the rows of seats. He walks so perfectly and dedicated with his back to me. I could make out his muscled body, least the contours and lines that were visible with his shirt and thicker denim breeches. Not workout wear today, no. It was casual wear of simple style and maybe that dash of Ryder charm—with his mentor medallion pinned to his chest for show.

Forcing myself to stop staring at him, I grimaced at the sight before me.

For so long, I had seen the function room as a large hall for dancing and mingling royals from all across the lands, but to see it so—empty—was eerie. All the walls had moved aside, it was one giant room with nothing but light shining in through the large twelve foot windows over looking the balcony. The dome shaped roof was enchanted to be glass, seeing the sky above and dragons flying over—our Bond’s could look in if need. Taking in the single chairs and tables placed in rows from one end to the other. There was a large desk after every thirty seats; teachers were sitting here. Karson was to the side, as to many other Master Ryders.

Each student was given a quill and ink set with three parchment papers, then escorted along the isle to their designated table. They didn’t want cheating; we were jumbled. I was sitting between a wizard and a swordsmen, an archer in front with a witch behind me. I glanced to see Tobias, three rows to the front with wizards, witches and swordsmen separating him. Xavier, Dawn and Gemma were behind me by several rows; Thor was to the far front, a row from the teachers desk, and who should be sitting there—but Creston.

Oh, this will be a challenge.

Taking in his lush lashes as they blinked secretly at everything before him; the rustic brown of his eyes darting to the seating students and that magnetic pull held my attention for a full minute before I could turn my eyes away. Yes, staring at the wooden table in front of me—oh, look a piece of string on my shirt needs pulling out. This wasn’t fair. For so long I had fought that attraction toward Creston, to know that I had given in and I was falling deeper in love with him with each passing day. But today was not about him and me—today was one that I had to remain focused on. That was easy said than done. Every part of him was screaming for me to touch, to run my hand across his face; to glide my fingers along his high cheekbones, narrow jaw line and perfect chin, through his spiked silk hair that was getting much longer. His supple lips were moving as he spoke to someone, the corner of his mouth tilting up and, damn inviting for a kiss, even if he was several feet away. He smirked in my direction, a wicked smile that had me blinking hastily away from him. Damn. I’m surrounded by students and none of them knew I was dating him. He had a cute boyish charm about him, manly and strong was there too. And at twenty-five exactly, he wasn’t too old. He was so irresistible—yup. I was definitely going to have a hard time focusing with him as my head teacher. Scanning the room, I zeroed in on Damien in the far end with the final year students; his Lord status working to his advantage. Students feared him and honoured him. Behind him all the way to the front of the hall—least the other end that was possibly seventy feet away was, Lady Darcia, Lady Mazella, and Master Salvador.

I breathed with ease. Tingles running my body and none of it had to do with touching Creston. My cheeks flushed with the impending, doom?

It wasn’t doom. Hello. I wanted to scream at myself. Sure, hand me a delgori and I can take it out with spirit light, but writing an exam on lore I’d been studying for twelve months—impossible.

Lingering on the students before me and then to the front of the room. My eyes locked with Creston again; that strange and unspoken way of talking washed into me. Calming me. Remembering his words last night. You will be fine Rehema, you will be better than fine. Of course that was a time when he could kiss my worries away, lay in each other’s arms under the stars for hours in the north garden—not here. Here, there was no kissing.

I dropped my gaze to my desk, nothing but arm room to lean and write on. The panic was settling somewhere inside as throwing up and maybe having a breathing