Page 32 of Of Bone and Ash

“You don't give a fuck about my students! You’re just trying to save your ass because you attacked her before!” Amell shrugs, and I roll my eyes.

Several of the Dragon shifters growl while watching Ryland, their eyes shifting to gold. Suddenly, there’s a heaviness in the air as Boris shouts at them all. Ryland’s eyes don't come back to me, instead falling on Amell, who ignores a raging Teagan and grins, standing up. The gold tattoos that I spotted before start to glow, twisting over his skin like glimmering starlight.

“Enough!” I shout, my chest tightening when Ryland tries to lunge at the Angel. Demonic magic or not, Amell could technically take us all out if he’s a full-blooded Angel. Not even I could hold him back if he chose to unleash everything he has. Magic erupts from me like a burst dam, cutting Ryland off when he attempts to charge Amell again. The black abyss spreads, creating a wall and making Amell jerk his attention to me.

“Drop it,” he demands, and I shake my head. Then, for the fun of it, I flip him the bird. He called me a child, so I might as well act like one.

“Get fucked,” I mutter under my breath before looking toward Atlas, needing him to take over. Magic and death? I have that handled, but a leader, I am not. Nor do I ever wish to have that responsibility. I’m far too immature and volatile for that role.

Atlas has his phone pressed to his ear and looks at me, nodding, letting me know he has it handled. It makes me sigh in relief, as I’m more than done with whatever the hell is going on here. I did my job; I reported the murder and told Boris everything I knew. Atlas can fill me in on the details tomorrow. My head hurts, and I need to get the fuck out of here before I end up killing someone accidentally. I was ill-prepared to face Ryland today, and I don't think I can handle talking to him right now. My chest squeezes again, so much that it hurts, and not the kind of pain that I enjoy.

Casting one last look at the Dragon in question, who is now arguing with one of the shifters by his side, I take a step back and suck in a breath as my back hits a firm chest.

“How come you’re always at the center of chaos, Bella?”

You’ve got to be kidding me. Not even my luck is this bad, right? My heart cracks as he shifts behind me, my resolve to leave while I’m still in control fades into nothing. Ryland may have been my rock but, Teos was my safe place, and I can already feel my guard lowering with each breath I take.

This is why I ran this morning. This is why I needed to keep the distance between us. Because I knew the moment I let him near, I would fold like a damn fool.

Strong, warm hands slowly cover my waist, the tips of his fingers digging into my flesh as they find the small sliver of exposed skin between my tank top and leggings. My breath whooshes from me as Teos’ grip tightens, his breath whispering over my neck as he leans down.

“Teos,” I rasp, and he hums in my ear, soft lips brushing over my overheated skin at my neck.

“Bella,” he rasps back, his voice rough and deep, doing things to my body that I’m not used to. I swallow hard and close my eyes, basking in the warmth of his hold. The soft, gentle scent of amber rolls over us, and I can feel my body relaxing into his.

Suddenly, a bright blue shield erupts out of nowhere, covering the courtyard and cutting off the students from the enraged Dragon and pissed-off Angel. I already know Atlas has concealed everything from the students outside the shield in a half-hearted attempt for some privacy. I doubt it does much. By morning the entire school will know the Balaur Patrol landed in the courtyard and one of their Dragons lost his fucking mind.

Teos’ arms wrap around me protectively, hand pressing against my stomach to keep me flush against him as he looks up, taking in the tense situation in front of us. “That one,” he points at Ryland, who has turned to glare at Atlas. As his brown eyes move from my brother, they fall on me, then widen as he does a double-take, a terrifying look crossing his face when he sees me in Teos’ arms. Those brown eyes slowly turn gold once more, and I groan in frustration.

Shit! Why am I still in Teos’ arms? I try to step forward, but he only tightens his grip, refusing to let me free.

“I understand. He's always been all caveman. But that one,” Teos points over to the Angel, who is no longer glaring at Ryland, but at me. Shit, what did I do to piss him off this time? “Is new. Tell me, Bella. What have you done to make the professor so mad?” Teos chuckles, and I shake my head.

“It wasn’t me!” I snap, frustrated that all eyes are now on me, and one of them is starting to make me sweat. “He attacked me first. I just shoved his magic back at him,” I explain, then frown when I remember Amell saying he hated Demonic magic. Which makes sense. He’s an Angel, after all. They are literally mortal enemies.

Is that why he’s been glaring at me this entire time? Angels are more keen on magic signatures. But not even my uncle, who is half Angel, has discovered my secret. As far as he and the rest of my family are concerned, I only have Reaper magic.

“Get the hell away from my son!” Teagan snarls, her dark eyes shooting daggers at me as I try to pry myself out of Teos’ arms.

“Do you want your mother to kill me?” I snap over my shoulder at him when he laughs and shakes his head, his arms banding tight around me. “No… no! The better question is, do you want me to kill you? You, out of everyone here, know how dangerous it is to be near me like this!” His deep laughter increases as he keeps his hold tight.

“Oh, Bella. There is no grave that can separate us now. I’m afraid you’ll have to find a better excuse to get rid of me,” he rasps into my ear. I risk a look over my shoulder, finding Teos in all his beautiful glory. His skin is a deep ebony in the dim lighting of the moon above us. His bright hazel eyes spark with tiny flames flickering in their depths, but it's not me he’s looking at. It's Ryland.

My lips part with a gasp as Teos holds Ryland's eyes and leans down, pressing a kiss to my sensitive skin and making my body thrum to life. My thighs clench instinctively, and I can’t stop the shiver that races down my spine. It's been so fucking long since someone touched me without the bitter taste of fear accompanying it.

“Teos!” Teagan snaps, and it jolts me out of my lust fog as Ryland growls and stalks our way.

“What do you say, pretty girl? Stay and tame the beast?” He nods at Ryland, who is eating up the distance between us with long strides. His friend is at his side, shaking his head and muttering things at him while Boris curses, and the other Dragons jump forward, following Ryland. The commander of the Balaur Patrol has officially lost control of his soldiers, and by the thunderous look on his face, he’s not happy about it. Teos looks at Teagan with a shrug of his shoulders. “Or?” I don't give him time to finish the sentence.

Ryland’s eyes are darkening, changing back to the ones I know and love so much. He’s regaining control of his Dragon, and I can't face him… not here, not yet. “Or” I whisper and nod, one hand moving to clutch his arm. I’m done pretending I’m ok. My magic is low. My head is pounding so hard that my vision is blurry, and my body aches. I just need a moment to collect myself.

“Fabulous choice,” he murmurs in my ear as I stare at the man who is practically running to get to me. It's almost like he knows I’m about to leave because he shakes his head, the rest of the gold melting from his eyes.

“Ryland!” Boris shouts, his dominance in the air warring with Ryland’s, trying desperately to take control. Ryland pulls up short, only a few feet away, a wounded look in his eyes when I shake my head at him.

“Fina?” he mouths just as Teos’s hands move from around me, settling on my hips and spinning me fast so that I face him.

“Hold on tight, Bella,” he whispers as fire explodes around him in a dazzling display of reds, yellows, and golds. I wince at the sudden bright light, squinting to see the most beautiful set of fire wings unfurling from Teos’ shoulders.

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