Escaped Daughter (Morrigan University #1)

9

After class I went to the administration building and updated my information with my new number, getting a disapproving look from the woman behind the counter like I had been some huge inconvenience. Whatever, my tuition check hadn’t bounced. Life happened.

She would live.

Then I worked on some orders, grabbed a quick dinner, and played with my two new design ideas and the materials I would need. Tracey was thrilled, not only for two new products but that I’d made four orders in one day. It was a good dose of magic and I was in bed early, sleeping soundly before most college kids would even consider it after the excitement of their first day.

I woke to a text from a number I didn’t know and I didn’t need three guesses as to who it was from.

Unknown: We need to talk. You seem to have several misconceptions about what happened.

I snorted. I just bet I did but probably not in the way he was thinking. I might have gotten something wrong not in his favor, but if he thought I was going to believe anything that came out of his mouth now, he was out of his fucking mind.

It simply wasn’t happening.

I went through my morning routine and grabbed breakfast before I headed to class. Sitting through Spell Circles 101, it was glaringly obvious I was in trouble and seriously behind on my formal magic training. And that was something I needed to fix fast if I wanted to not draw unwanted attention and suspicion. The moment class was over, I texted Tracey about ideas on a tutor or what to do.

History of Magic I was going to be a lot of reading and facts, stuff we needed to pay attention to and learn morals from—more than commit dates and events to memory. The purpose was to educate us more about witches and warlocks that had gone too far or had pushed progress for all of us. That was what they wanted us to take away from it, not the date of birth of every important figure in our history.

Thank fuck because dates were not my thing.

By lunch, Tracey had already gotten three names of tutors the school recommended, saying she called in as a parent who was worried about their freshman child and looking for options. She was smart like that.

The amusing part was when she added she was going to run a background check on all of them and give me answers by dinner. She was so serious… But then again, that was smart, especially given what I’d already been through on campus, so I simply thanked her.

She replied that it was her sincere pleasure as apparently my going off to college was profitable for the company and she would have the materials I wanted sent to me immediately… And what was my schedule looking like to get more orders done?

Bitch.

I couldn’t even blame her though. My parents had finally paid attention to me after I turned eighteen and they could sell me off. And by attention , I meant watched me constantly. It was disconcerting to say the least after years of practically being ignored or treated as a disgraceful nuisance, but they hovered and had their minions stalk me to suddenly care about their investment to reap the benefit of.

I shivered thinking about it. That was in the past. Instead, I focused on the now, texting her I was going to try for two to three items a day for the next week and at least one a day after that depending on my schedule and how much magic we needed for classes.

And I needed to prepare mentally and emotionally to see a certain someone the next morning for class. I wasn’t going to have a repeat of letting my feelings get the better of me. I was way more talented at keeping myself locked down than I’d shown. I could handle this.

I’d handled much worse and for years. This was nothing but cake.

Sure it was.

The next morning, I was up early and dressed sharply without looking as if I’d tried. My emotional and mental armor was in place as if I was about to walk into a full family function and knew I was going to take multiple and direct hits, so I could handle anything. I was as ready as I could get, my full deflectors up even.

I could do this.

I had to do this as I wasn’t leaving school and this was my fresh start, so fuck him or anyone else that messed with that.

Sitting down in the same seat as Monday, I felt all the stares and heard the whispers that I didn’t have a familiar while others were settling in with theirs. Right before the bell rang, Professor Wyatt confidently strutted in with a large artic fox.

Of course , his familiar was a fox.

How. Fitting.

The familiar was gorgeous but still a fox, so I mentally mocked the match. Professor Wyatt told it to come sit on the desk, but it didn’t listen, glancing around and locking gazes with me before darting over.

I had just enough time to lower the folding desk the chairs had before my lap was full of cuddly fox, shocking everyone there… Especially Professor Wyatt from the way his jaw hung open.

The bell rang and instantly that bitch’s hand went up, not waiting to be called on before she spoke. “I’m sorry, Professor, but why are some people allowed to take this class when they don’t even have a familiar. For that matter why are they allowed into this prestigious university if they don’t have the magic to even have a familiar?”

I didn’t give him the chance to answer, handling it directly as I kept petting Wyatt’s familiar. I wasn’t a prideful person, normally keeping my ego tucked away, but her starting this shit in front of him after he’d landed several hits to mine… I couldn’t let this go and pulled my ego out.

I rolled my neck and gave her a bored look. “You know, I let it go when you mocked me in physical training as the princess who was going to have to sweat and then did way better than you could ever dream to. But since you apparently have some sick fixation with me and have decided your assessment as a knowledgeable freshman is more important than the administration and seasoned faculty…”

Several people snickered or tried to cover chuckles as steam practically came out of her ears, but I wasn’t nearly done yet. I used my magic and pushed it into the whistle I let out.

People gasped or exclaimed as every bird familiar in the small lecture hall immediately flew away from their witch or warlock and settled all around me.

It was hard not to chuckle at her completely gobsmacked expression, but I still wasn’t done. I reached out and pet all the birds, fussing and praising them for coming over. Then I leaned to my left and pushed open the window fully.

“You are all so pretty, handsome, and lovely,” I cooed as they soaked up the attention. “Would you all be darlings and do me a favor? There’s a lake about a mile north of campus. Why don’t you go enjoy the nice sunny morning and go have a drink, take a bath if you want, and play together—bond and get to know each other? While you’re there though, would you mind harvesting some magic for me?”

I beamed at them when they all nodded their heads and made agreeing noises. I gave them each some love before sending them on their way out the window, thanking them for making me so happy.

Once they were all gone and I closed the window to halfway again, I turned and smirked at the bitch, having chosen birds because her familiar had been one.

“Now why would I worry about choosing one familiar when I can do that? ” I gave her a moment to settle with that before continuing. “Should I go ask the administration how a witch was let in here when a freshman is able to call away her little crow familiar and poke holes in their bond? Or do you now get you don’t know as much as you think, and you should shut your fucking mouth instead of running it and try to learn something?”

“Well, dayumn ,” someone hissed, several people echoing him as others whistled.

I almost chuckled when several people pretended to drop a mic for me. Nice.

Glancing down at the large fox snuggling up with me and soaking up attention, I raised an eyebrow. “And you, we’ve never met before, so I don’t think you should be taking such liberties with a woman you don’t know.”

His reply was to roll over and show me his belly.

“Uh-huh. Don’t get cute with me. Go back to your warlock and stop being mischievous so people don’t run their mouths that something is up here. You might be a fox, but you don’t have to be bad.”

He ducked his head but then gave me a quick lick before hopping down and hurrying away. Great, he was a cheeky flirt like his master.

“Now I’m really glad I opted to be the advisor of your independent study,” Professor Wyatt said with a tone of awe. He nodded when my gaze snapped to his, finally looking at him. “Your topic made me wonder what layers to your magic you had since you don’t have a familiar, and the tenured professors refuse to take a freshman independent study.

“But if they just saw what you could do, they’d be lining up fighting to get a chance to work with you in the hopes of using you for their own means.” His eyes held a seriousness to them in warning when I flinched. “They’re too late now as I grabbed it, and I’m the one who teaches most of the familiar classes, so it should fall to me anyways.”

Lovely. Just fucking… Awesome .

I couldn’t get my mouth to work besides wanting to curse him and my life, so I simply nodded sharply.

“Something to say about it, Ms. Millen?” he teased, smirking as mirth danced in his eyes.

I licked my lips and adjusted my neck. “I’m simply shocked a brand new professor can take on independent studies is all. I have some reservations about your policies of every second around you being recorded as I planned to publish as is the goal of those studies. Then again, it might be wise given your disposition as even your familiar doesn’t seem to recognize social niceties and normal boundaries.”

A fly farting could have been heard in the room as people didn’t hide their shock well that I called out a professor like that. He, on the other hand, looked not only impressed but seriously turned on like he might toss me on the desk and screw me, not giving a damn who was in the room.

Well, that had the opposite effect as I was hoping he’d want to drop me and I’d get another advisor. Shit.

“We’ll talk more about that after class as you’re right, and the goal is to publish, so we can’t record it all for the university records many have access to,” he stated clearly. Then he glanced around and shook his head. “Well, apparently, we’ll have to work with the bird familiars another day, but there are still enough here where we can begin with what I had planned today.”

I didn’t feel guilty in the slightest.

I took copious notes—and not simply for class but for work—as people talked about their experiences about how they bonded with their familiars. Professor Wyatt asked the right questions about how they interacted and led them towards how to better their relationships.

It was hard not to jump in from what I knew professionally and was having a hard time focusing with all the familiars talking… Which no one else could hear.

“Stop calling your familiar ‘it,’” I snapped, my voice echoing loudly in the classroom. I hadn’t meant to say it like that, but it was hard over all the talking familiars, and it was killing me to see how one guy’s stunning and talented bobcat was wounded to be referred to that way. “Come here, gorgeous.”

The bobcat’s head shot up at being spoken to like that and leapt over the warlock, darting around seats and down the stairs to me. He immediately snuggled up to me, making happy noises when I gave him affection.

“Ignore him. Bobcats are agile and wonderful. Size doesn’t make the familiar but talent,” I comforted. “And you’re a talented, handsome feline. What do you want to be called, darling?”

“You act like you can understand my answer,” the bobcat drawled, angling his head when I scratched him behind the ear. Shock filled his gaze when I gave the slightest nod. “You can understand animals. That’s why you connect with familiars so well.”

“Hey, don’t name my familiar,” the warlock bitched, finally recovering.

“Why not? You didn’t,” I threw right back.

“He still should,” Professor Wyatt cut in. “But I suggest anyone else who hasn’t do so immediately and show their familiars the proper respect they deserve by fucking naming them. Hell, I went through several options with Quinn before he decided that was the name he liked best. You’re supposed to be partners even if you’re their masters, not someone buying a mouse to feed to your pet snake.”

I leaned down and pressed my lips against the bobcat’s ear, whispering my dorm and room number. “If he doesn’t treat you better, you come there and hang with me. I’ll make sure you have the home you deserve.”

He responded with a lick before trudging back to his warlock which spoke volumes without him being able to say anything others could understand verbally.

“Bitch,” the warlock grumbled. “You need to keep your nose out of other people’s business.”

“Says the guy who had a lot to say about how a princess like me probably kept her figure in physical training on Monday and most of it was on my back and you wanted to get signed up for the list to get in on that, right?” I threw right back, giving him the once-over that I clearly found him lacking. “For the record, that’s a hard pass and especially after I saw how short your endurance run was. We all did.”

Half the class burst out laughing… Including Professor Wyatt which did not endear me to the asshole as he flushed with embarrassment and anger.

Hey, he started it. I was simply going to finish it.

Others took their turns once people calmed down and class was over before we knew it. Professor Wyatt reminded me to hang back as the bell rang and I walked down with the others but waited, making sure I was on the side of the door from his desk where he stood.

“I read over your proposal and I only had a few comments,” he started when there were a few people left. “I want a bit more elaboration on your outline and your focuses, but other than that, it’s in really great shape.”

“Thank you.” I kept my focus on the door since he was looking at his notes on what I assumed was my proposal. The second the last person left and the door closed behind them, I booked it for the door as well.

“Bevin, wait,” he called after me.

But I didn’t. This wasn’t happening. I wasn’t doing this.

I really wasn’t doing this now that I’d stupidly showed off in front of him and he looked at me with way too much interest. He wanted my magic, he’d made that clear, and now he’d want it even more. I’d rather drop the independent study and take any elective in that time slot than work with him.

That actually wasn’t a bad plan. I just had to get through the day and figure out what I could take instead. It should be simple. Just… Do what college kids did and change my mind. It was the first few days of classes. No big deal, right?

Right?

So why was I still running full speed from him?

I slowed down as I reached the building my next class was in and caught my breath. I almost pulled out my phone and texted Tracey that I’d done something stupid and maybe I needed like a professional adult kind of tutor to really help me and fast.

But then that put me in the hands of an adult who could manipulate me and that was dangerous as well. I blinked back tears. I really was fucked all around and constantly.

No, using a student to get the basics was better and then I could know enough to see through an adult if they weren’t on the up and up for advanced stuff. That was the smarter plan.

That or just lock myself up at my mansion and hire a fuck ton of security that I probably couldn’t trust either. Awesome. Now I was seriously just paranoid.

Enough of that. I took in a deep breath and headed in for class.

I calmed down and got through the rest of the day just fine, learning what I was supposed to and acting completely normal. It helped me feel normal and center myself. As a reward, when I was done for the day, I headed for the coffee shop for a treat.

I knew I’d made a mistake the moment I ordered. I hadn’t been back there since the incident. My mind had been… Other places and I hadn’t been thinking like I should have.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as blood rushed into my ears as I handed over my card to pay. The cashier gave me a funny look as I simply blinked at it when she tried to hand it back, but I finally took it. I managed to move away without bumping into anyone and debated simply leaving. I probably should have, but my feet seemed frozen to that spot right where the orders were placed when ready.

I heard my name called, the barista saying it sounding far away before he set it down.

He touched my drink.

That was the only thought in my head. That was all I could focus on.

“Hey, isn’t that you?” a deep voice said as he moved up next to me. I couldn’t focus on him, and spots filled my vision as I saw him reach over and his fingers wrap around the cup that was my order. He turned towards me. “This is yours?”

“Don’t touch my drink!” I screeched, swatting the cup away and spilling it all over both of us. I stumbled away, glancing around as the entire coffee shop went silent at my hysterical outburst. I blinked down at the mess I’d made and then to the cashier. “I-I’m so sorry.” I focused on the guy’s chest, unable to meet his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

And then I fled. I turned and raced out of there as if demons from hell were going to jump over the counter at me.

I made it down the block before my knees seemed to turn to jelly and the spots in my vision got worse, making me realize I was completely hyperventilating. I leaned against the building and slid down to one knee.

“Shit you’re fast,” the same voice said as a shadow blocked the light. “Wow, you’re so not okay.”

“Sorry, sorry,” I gasped.

“Yeah, okay, but you can’t freak out here,” he worried quietly. “Please, just let me help you move somewhere without eyes.” He seemed to realize how that sounded when I whimpered. “I won’t hurt you. I heard a female freshman got dosed with something from the coffee shop. Clearly, it was you. Let me help you.”

I didn’t think I had a choice since the panic was clawing at me, and much longer and I might pass out. I gave the barest nod before he swooped me up in his arms and carried me off.

“Lean your head against my chest and listen to my heart. Focus on it beating and the steady rhythm, okay? That’s all you need to do. That and breathe. I got you,” he guided, his voice steady and calm which helped. A lot. “Acknowledge you’re having the panic attack and it’s valid to have one and it will be easier to get through than fighting it.”

He was right. The moment I accepted it was okay to have this reaction and I wasn’t weak, something serious had happened to me, I found I slowly started to settle.

That was when he lowered me down to sit on my own. I blinked around and realized we were away from campus a bit, down one of the paths for walking or jogging. I was on one of the benches and he had moved a few feet back, squatting so he could take in my state.

And I could see him… Wow what a sight to see.

Holy shit was he hot. Like a twenty on a scale of ten. I’d have to catch his height when he stood, but he was tall with a QB build, very athletic for sure. He had dark blue eyes that were gentle and not just for the moment, almost as if his soul was. His all-American looks were rounded out with shaggy—but stylish—chocolate brown hair that hung in his face.

Damn. Just dayumn .

“Better?” he whispered, searching my eyes and face for signs of how I was doing.

“Yes, thank you,” I replied, clearing my throat. “I’m so sorry.”

“It was an iced drink, so you didn’t even burn me. There’s absolutely nothing to be apologizing for,” he assured me but then chuckled. “Not to scare you, but I wasn’t really in the mood for coffee. I actually saw you go in and went in too for the chance to talk to you. So, I actually got that, right?”

I opened my mouth but then closed it, shaking my head. “I don’t know if that’s so inappropriate to say right now or just ridiculously funny how wow that probably didn’t go as you wanted.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t sure, so I figured I should just be honest and maybe distract you.” He shrugged. “It worked though.”

I chuckled. “It did work.”

He nodded to the seat next to me. “Can I sit with you for a while?”

“Um, I should get—”

“You shouldn’t actually,” he muttered. “Have you ever had a panic attack before?” He waited until I shook my head. “You need a bit to simply be and chill. They’re tiring, so how about we sit here for a bit and you can relax and deal with having your first one? I can sit here with a beautiful woman and enjoy the outdoors and it’s time well spent.”

I felt my cheeks heat. “Um, okay.”

“Okay then.” He moved onto the bench next to me and we simply sat there in silence.

Okay then.