Page 16 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

“Here.” Jaxon handed me my clothes.

I couldn’t even look him in the eye. For a moment, I thought I had seen a flicker of admiration or perhaps even lust in his gaze.

“Thank you,” I murmured as I quickly stepped into my panties and put on my bra.

In a flash, I had on my shirt and skirt too. I smoothed down the fabric, my skin still tingling slightly from the transformation.

I avoided Jaxon’s gaze and hurried over to Twyla. She always made me feel so safe, like a sister I never had.

Twyla opened a bag that I hadn’t even realized she’d brought and tossed Kamaron and Finn their clothes. She must have gathered them up when they shifted back in the empty apartment. I avoided looking at them in their sculpted naked forms. It was like I was in the Hot Guys aisle at Sinful Bodies R Us.

The bald man bowed slightly. “Now that everyone is properly attired, Headmaster Tarus awaits you in his study.” His soft voice magnified my embarrassment, making me want to crawl into a hole somewhere.

“Thank you.” Rose clasped his hand. “It’s good to see you again, Ethan.”

He gave her a fatherly smile. “You too, Rose. We miss you a lot.”

Rose and Valentin entered first, followed by the rest of us. I kept my eyes down as I passed Ethan, unable to look at him. Maybe he was used to shifters showing off all their glory, but I sure as heck wasn’t.

When I stepped into the headmaster’s home, my embarrassment dissolved and turned to awe. Antique furniture adorned the space, complemented by plush leather couches. Beautiful, haunting paintings hung on the walls, their subjects almost looking like they were watching us as we moved through the rooms. It was as if we had entered a museum rather than someone’s home.

Rose clearly knew this place well, confidently leading us down a hallway with a gleaming hardwood floor to a study. It was equally as grand as the living room, but it was the striking man sitting behind a magnificent mahogany desk that truly took my breath away.

His long dark hair was pulled back into a man bun, and he wore a tight-fitting black shirt that clung to his defined muscles. His piercing green eyes sized us up shrewdly, and I found myself sucked in by his gaze. It was as if he had seen centuries of horror over the course of his life, his eyes speaking of vast experience I couldn’t even begin to fathom.

My attention drifted back to the room’s decor. Three full sets of shining medieval armor stood in perfectly gleaming condition, keeping silent watch over our meeting. A glass case nearby housed an array of swords. Were the armor and swords from the time of the Crusades? Had this man been there to witness those events firsthand? And was he friend or foe? So many questions. I shifted uncomfortably.

Jaxon had a wistful look in his eyes as he scanned the headmaster’s beautiful home, lingering on the expensive, handcrafted antiques. He ran his fingers over the grandfatherclock lovingly as if he recognized it. I flashed him a what-the-hell-are-you-doing look, and he shrugged.

Jaxon had always claimed to be royalty. Could he really have lived in a home with antiques like this? Or was he completely delusional and just wishing it were true? As I watched him, I speculated again about the truth behind his claims. He never mentioned his parents, or if he had any siblings.

A warm smile spread across the headmaster’s face, his eyes crinkling at the edges. “It’s good to see you, Rose.” He got up from his desk chair, the leather creaking softly, and embraced her in a warm, fatherly hug. “I’ve missed you. How have you been?”

Rose sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly as she pulled away. “Fine, Headmaster…” she said, her tone belying her words.

He tilted his head, concern etching his features, and gently lifted her chin with his finger. “There’s a but, isn’t there?”

“Sure is,” Valentin burst out, his jaw clenching as he stepped forward. “The high priestess has turned vicious. The school is overrun with members of the Bloodborne Brotherhood. Have you heard of them?”

The headmaster’s eyebrows shot up, his spine stiffening. “I thought they’d been disbanded years ago when the Dark Demon Ryker Khan was in power.”

My heart raced at the mention of the unfamiliar name. Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “Who is Ryker Khan? And what was the Bloodborne Brotherhood doing to have that happen?”

The headmaster’s piercing gaze swiveled toward me. My blood ran cold, and a bead of sweat trickled down my back as his eyes locked with mine.

I licked my lips nervously, my mouth suddenly dry. “I-I’m sorry. We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Peyton Storm.”

Rose placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “Peyton, this is Headmaster Costin Tarus.” She turned to Finn, Twyla, Jaxon, and Kamaron, introducing them as well.

As Rose finished the introductions, Jaxon shifted uncomfortably beside me. He mumbled something under his breath, but I couldn’t make it out.

Headmaster Tarus’s keen eyes darted to Jaxon, his brow furrowing. “Is something wrong?” he asked, his voice both concerned and suspicious.

Jaxon’s face twisted with frustration. “You don’t recognize me?” he asked, his voice tight with barely contained frustration.

The headmaster’s frown deepened. “No… Should I?”

Jaxon’s shoulders slumped, defeat written across his features. Had he been hoping the headmaster would recognize him as royalty? He ran a hand through his hair in resignation. “I guess not,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

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