Page 173 of Gift from the Stone

“Yes, the two of you can do nothing this morning. In here or my office. I have paperwork and a couple meetings on my communicator I have to attend, so that’s where I’ll be. Caspian and Draken need to get to Rebel Castle, while Tillman teaches his class and works with the fresher E.F. members. So choose where the two of you will be,” he orders.

“In here,” me and Oakly say simultaneously.

No offense to Corentin, but the two of us sitting in his office while he works, having to be quiet and watch our mouths, sounds like a boring free morning.

“Okay, princess. I’ll see you in a few.” He chuckles against my lips then passes me off to the next awaiting arms.

“We’ll be back soon, little wanderer,” Draken says, spinning me around.

“Be good.” I laugh as he places me on my feet and hits me with a dizzying kiss.

“You be good, Primary. No trouble while we’re gone,” Caspian says low from behind me, pressing me closer to Draken.

“I’m always good.”

The touch of his lips on the back of my neck sends goose bumps across my whole body. His icy touch, mixed with Draken’s searing skin, is an overwhelming concoction. One I’d get drunk on all day every day if I could.

“We’ll be back soon,” he swears.

With a wave and a wink from Draken, and a dark, delicious look from Caspian, they walk out of the command room and through the gym, just as the students start piling in.

I honestly can’t believe Tillman’s willing to just leave the two of us in here all morning class rather than make us join them outside on the training fields. There’s rarely ever a time I’m not in someone’s sight or earshot.

“You definitely won’t be in here alone. Ry is running simulations in the gym today, so he’ll be able to see right in here,” Tillman states, as always eavesdropping on my thoughts.

“So we’ll be babysat from a distance,” I say teasingly.

“Yes,” he and Ry declare.

There’s nothing I can say or do but grin. I should’ve seen something like that coming, but I don’t mind their overprotective planning and watchful eyes.

“I’ll be on the fields if you need me,” Tillman says, giving me a kiss on my forehead, then he and Ry leave the two of us.

“Damn, too bad Gaster isn’t here with some food. I mean, Jamie just fixed a feast for breakfast, but those little pastries with some coffees are a morning must now,” Oakly says as she walks over to the kettle to start making our drinks.

“I knew you’d say something about them.” I laugh, going over to my bag and pulling out a box of the pastries.

The kitchen made them this morning as per my request and although they’re not as perfect as Gaster’s, they’re still pretty damn good.

“A girl after my heart,” she teases.

Plopping down in my seat, I grin at her as she makes her way over, expertly carrying two mugs of piping hot coffee in one hand and a whole kettle in the other. She would’ve made a fine waitress.

I can’t help but laugh at the imagination in my mind of her catering and delivering food to the snobby rich back in the nonmagical realm. She wouldn’t last a day without cussing someone right the fuck out.

“So, tell—”

Her words are cut off when a small tremor passes through the command room. It’s enough to make the table vibrate and dishes rattle, but nothing massive. It feels and seems like one of the students outside just let their earth element loose.

“Weird… So anyways, tell me about—”

Again, she’s silenced when an even bigger quake shakes the gym far more forcefully. This time, it’s enough that some of the equipment falls from their racks on the walls.

Loud wailing begins blaring through the small, isolated room, causing both me and Oakly to jump up from our chairs. The coffee mugs and kettle go flying, smashing against the floor when yet another earthquake shakes the entire foundation. Me and Oakly tumble violently before jumping up and charging for the door.

When the command room door is shut, a silencing and blocking field lock into place, keeping the noise, gifts, power from the gym out and our words, our power locked in here with us. It’ll only disable if someone with clearance commands it too, which I didn’t this morning. Figuring it would give us some privacy and we wouldn’t be bothered with the grunting and groaning going on from the E.F. members.

Now that I’ve slung the barrier open, the noise from the gym is deafening. Everyone’s running around, getting into a position. Ry is shouting orders left and right, while a group of E.F. members are trying their hardest to get the gym doors open.

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