Wicked Heirs (Electi Academy #1)

16. ~Alena~

16

~Alena~

The last week had been a whirlwind.

A whirlwind romance with Xavier Sabre.

Ever since our first night together, we’d been spending as much time as we could in each other’s company.

He’d kept up the romantic element, taking me on picnics in secluded areas of the campus grounds, conjuring dinner outside my door then showing up all dressed up for a surprise date. We’d talked a lot about our parents and the special bond they had, as well as recounting some humorous incidents we’d observed between the two of them over the years. We’d spent time using our magic together too and I’d showed him the foundations of how to make my magical models. I’d also read over his work-in-progress, Love Me Dirty, and given him some feedback, telling him he needed a little more buildup with the two love interests to avoid an unrealistic instalove situation, and also to work on the chemistry. After my feedback, combined with the fact that he was no longer a virgin, I’d noticed a difference in his writing when I’d read over it again. It had taken on a much dirtier edge rather than just muted lust, the former fitting the title much better. I’d also been with him in the cafeteria during the first blood bag test, marking the moment with him. Talon had been there too, but he hadn’t said much to either of us beyond some polite small talk. He was obviously nervous because of his part in Orpheus’ interference at the café that afternoon, worried I’d retaliate or something.

I had no intention of doing anything like that.

So long as it was a one-off.

I understood the concept of slipping up.

Orpheus and Talon were also Xavier’s best friends. They were a brotherhood really. And there was already a distance between them, a rift, because of what had gone down that day and how pissed Xavier had been about it. I didn’t want to worsen that. I didn’t want him to pull from his friends and be without that connection—no matter how infuriating the two of them could be sometimes.

Although he’d loosened up a little, he still struggled with his vampire side, what he believed was his dark side , and he needed the camaraderie and support from two beings who knew him so well and who understood that, and had been there for him through it since he’d been turned.

I was also cutting Orpheus some slack because I could see past his actions to the source. He was hurting because I’d put distance between us, because I hadn’t just fallen into bed with him and under his allure again—despite how hard it had been to deny it. Most of all, because I’d hit pause on our bonding. He operated under the determination that things were his way or the highway and I couldn’t condone that. Something had to give. He knew exactly what that was thanks to me spelling it out, and until he could offer that, there was no continuing things, let alone moving forward. It would set a really bad precedent and I wouldn’t get myself in a situation that risked me being controlled by anyone, especially someone who could prove dangerous in that capacity.

For the next couple of days, Xavier and I were taking some time apart to deal with our own things. Studying and catching up on readings being the first, something that may have slipped a little during the last week. And to also indulge in our hobbies. He was doing some more work on his book. Now that I’d finished my readings and turned in my Natural Healing project, I had some time to do mine—building structures out of my magic. It not only served as a leisure activity, something relaxing and fun to do, but it also was a means for me to keep working on my magic, growing stronger and more controlled.

I stood back and marveled at the magical model of the Colosseum that I’d fashioned, shimmering with my golden power and illuminating the clearing in the forest through the dark night. It sat next to the Pantheon that I’d made earlier.

I guess I was on a bit of a Roman kick tonight.

I was just about to mix it up and fashion a Viking village complete with the challenge of finite details that would help to test me, when the area lit up with a burst of red and orange flames.

The supernatural kind.

Specifically, the phoenix kind, as was proven in the next moment when Talon emerged from within them, having used them as a means of teleportation.

“Impressive,” I said, as he extinguished them with a simple wave of a hand, then walked to me.

“Right back at you, firecracker,” he returned, gesturing at my magical creations. “That’s some sweet stuff right there.”

I looked around, searching my surroundings.

“What you looking for?” he asked.

“Orpheus lurking nearby intending to jump out at me. Or maybe to conjure videos of us fucking into your flames any second now.”

He winced. “Sorry. No, he’s not here. I came of my own volition. And I wanted to tell you that I’m responsible for it too. Obviously, with the fire element that was involved. He’s not all to blame.”

“He put you up to it and it’s clear you follow him anywhere.”

“Actually, it was my idea. I put it into his head.”

“I appreciate you saying that and trying to absolve your friend, but we both know an idea didn’t need to be put into his head. Besides, he still did it.”

“He was just upset.”

“Yeah, I got that, with him lashing out in anger.”

“Nah, that’s what I came to tell you. It wasn’t really anger. He was upset. Hurt. It wasn’t because he couldn’t get his way, or some pride thing from you turning him down. It was hurt that he couldn’t be near you, that you pushed him away. He’s into you. Really into you. In fact, I’ve never seen him like this with anyone.”

My gut twisted.

He might not be going for the throat with me anymore, but he was certainly going for the heart.

Thinking of such a powerful, immovable force of a man like Orpheus Hart being in emotional pain and anguish was a lot to absorb. It actually had me choked up for several moments, before I was able to respond. “Okay, I hear you.”

Talon arched an eyebrow. “Really? You do?”

“I do, yeah. I get it.”

He came to stand in front of me and he shoved his hands into the pockets of his tight black pants with the twisting orange designs that matched his bright-orange hair. “You know, I actually heard your conversation in class that day after I left.”

I gave him a withering look. “Clearly you mean when you didn’t actually leave.”

“Sorry, I was curious.”

“Curious?”

“About his thing with you, how it worked, how it really was for him. You might have noticed that it’s like pulling teeth sometimes with trying to get stuff out of Ore. Especially when it comes to anything sentimental.”

I smiled. “I have noticed that. Just a tad.”

He laughed. “Yeah, that’s him. He’s just defensive, locked up tight most of the time. It takes a lot to get him to open up.” He looked me up and down with a little bit of eye-fucking thrown in as he raked his gaze over my black and silver romper beneath my black embroidered tassel jacket, then down the length of my thigh-high lace-up boots.

I snapped my fingers in front of him.

He blinked. “My bad. You’re just… you’re fucking sexy, all right?”

He was certainly direct.

While that was in play, I might as well be too.

“Right back at you.”

“What? You think I am?”

“From an objective standpoint, no question. I’m sure you’re well aware of it.”

He smirked. “I am. But what about from a subjective standpoint?”

Before I could answer, he held up his hand. “Again, my bad. I came here for Ore, not for… that. Not for me. Sometimes I get sidetracked.”

I didn’t think it was actually him getting sidetracked. He’d been laser-focused when he’d hated me and been coming at me. No, this seemed more about him not understanding emotions that weren’t rage and pain, and having a hard time processing them now he’d started opening himself up to them.

“He is actually opening up with you, you know? He is. Like I said, I overheard that day—might’ve seen your conversation too—and I saw him actually contemplating telling you what you wanted.”

“He didn’t, though.”

“Because he’s got that wall up. The fact he even considered it at all is a big deal, and I don’t think you realize it. You can’t really, you haven’t known him as long or as deeply as X and I have. Give him some time and I just know he’ll surprise you—in the best way. Once he allows somebody in, he’s the most supportive and attentive guy ever, the fucking best. He’s loyal beyond measure too. And protective. He’s saved my ass more times than I can count and he never even speaks about it. He just does it and doesn’t ask for anything in return except my continuing friendship. He’s amazing.”

I couldn’t help smiling at the sweet way he talked about his friend.

This was a side from him I wasn’t familiar with.

Well, his apology had shown a brief glimpse into it, but not this much.

“The way you’re painting him does make him seem that way.”

“The more you get to know him, if you actually let him get closer like he wants, you’ll be seeing him that way too.”

I could see that happening. Orpheus had already given me a little as it was. But with the big question still unanswered about what had driven him to launch a targeted campaign against me, it would never be enough to move forward. Or to start putting my trust in him. The fact that Xavier had told me that he and Talon didn’t know the story either made it even worse. It meant it was wrapped up in heavy layers of secrecy. And if it stayed that way it would poison whatever we tried to build. The self-preservationist in me wouldn’t allow that.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to see if he comes around,” I told Talon. “But I appreciate you coming down here and telling me this. It also shows me a different side of you. Your devotion to your friend, some kindness thrown in there.” The corner of my mouth turned up. “Rationality.”

“Yeah, I figured until tonight you saw me as a raging and reckless machine. Everybody has their bad side, that’s mine. It just happened that it’s all you got to see since you enrolled here.”

“Not anymore, though.”

Our gazes locked, intensity flaring.

“Not anymore,” I confirmed.

His eyes lit up with a mixture of what appeared to be relief and hope.

And then he looked away and gestured at my magical models. “Do you have time for me to show you something along the magical manipulation lines?”

“Sure.”

Excitement took him over and he moved a few feet back, then rubbed his palms together and cracked his neck. “Okay, here it goes.”

He shifted, holding his hands out in front of him at waist height.

His eyes sparked with fire and then his phoenix flames erupted on his palms.

And in the next few moments I stood by watching in awe as he created what could only be called flame art.

He created rabbits, deer, even dragons all appearing to dance in the flames.

“You like it?” he asked, looking between me and the flames he was expertly controlling. The glint in his eye made it clear he already knew the answer, reading the admiration and awe all over me as I gazed at what he’d created.

There was so much care in it.

So much artistry.

So much passion.

All those things which he’d had off the table beforehand when he’d seen me as an enemy, and mistakenly as somebody who’d caused hurt to him and his family.

“It’s amazing,” I uttered. “Truly.”

“I’m happy you like it.”

“Not just the art itself, but the fact it’s showing a whole other side to you.”

“Yeah?” he asked, coyly.

“Yes, you smooth bastard.”

He chuckled.

“You’re really something, aren’t you, Phoenix?”

“Right back at you, Nephilim.” He sobered a little and asked me with an air of vulnerability that hit me in the gut, “You think you could stand to be in my presence longer now to see more of it?”

I smiled. “Yeah, I do.”

“Then it’s on, firecracker.”

Yes, it certainly was.