Page 10 of Laid Bare

No matter how mad I am at the owner of this castle, it still makes my breath catch every time I come back from being away. Even if it’s from a quick trip to the town. Granted, there seems to be a theme every time I leave the safety of the academy. And it’s not a good one.

Trouble. That’s what happens. And it just so happens to seem to be my middle name. It’s been following me since the moment I ran out of the lagoon clearing, and unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to disappear any time soon.

The thudding of footsteps hit my ears from behind me, but I just need a few moments to myself. Just a couple minutes to freak out before we start to lob questions and theories about tonight.

My surroundings blur around me as magic sparks at my speed rune, answering my silent plea for solitude. The stone walls are nothing more than a grayish haze as I fly past them all and into the stairwell. My feet barely touch the concrete steps as I zoom up them and out into the hallway leading to my room.

A brief smile flits across my lips over the sheer joy that my magic acted on what I wanted, but I quickly falter, knowing I have nothing to be happy about. Everything—my life, my friendships, all of it—is a gods-damned mess.

As the door snicks shut behind me and my shoes fall from my grip, I blindly reach out, looking for the damn light switch. If I’d have thought straight, I would have left it on before we left, but I was way too damn distracted by the sight of my handsome mates.

I bite my lip as my eyes blur with unshed tears, tears I told myself I wouldn’t cry because I was stronger than this. But it’s like now that I’ve entered my safe space, my emotions decide it’s time to let go.

And let go I do.

The fist my fingers curl into slam into the wall repeatedly as I still look for the gods-forsaken switch. A click sounds and the lights kick on, but I still don’t stop. I can’t stop. I’d rather tear my hands apart than let these pesky tears fall.

A scream of nothing but anguish bubbles up in my throat right as my magic starts to wreak havoc in time with my turmoil. A pink glow starts to emit from beneath my skin, but I’m way too far gone to stop it. I know the way my magic roils under my skin should scare me. It should, but it doesn’t. If anything, it feels empowering to finally let it do what it wants after being denied twice tonight, minus healing myself.

Not once has anyone explained to me that it’s a possibility for magic to rebel, or maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s a curiomancer thing. Either way, the small amount of healing did nothing to dispel the buildup.

My hands shake by the time I’m finished taking out my anger on the wall. But it’s not enough. The magic beneath my skin refuses to subside, only fueling my anger over my current position even more.

Tonight was a shit show, and until I remove every trace of that stupid gala, I feel my agitation will only build until it can’t be controlled anymore. And I’m not too far gone to know that won’t end well for me.

Without bothering to retreat from my room, I tear the pins from my hair, not caring where they scatter as long as they’re gone. My white hair tumbles across my shoulders in disarray, small handfuls of pale strands sticking to my fingers. The pain as they rip from my scalp soothes a small part of me that needs to feel the sting, but still… it’s not enough. Hell, at this point, I don’t think anything will be enough to douse the fire raging inside of me.

This time I don’t stop the primal scream that tears from my throat. It’s one of torment. Of agony. Of the grief and heartache running through me. Of the utter unfairness of this world.

I was happy, dammit. Happy in the human sectors with my parents. Happy with my mates. But now? What the hell is there to be happy about? That the council gave me a chance? Barely, might I add.

But no. How the hell can I be happy with all the new rules I have to follow. I didn’t fucking ask to be born this way! It’s just the way my cards were laid.

The door behind me slams open, but I don’t startle. I know who it is without even having to look. And while having them at close proximity normally helps, it doesn’t stop my magic from taking over, a slight burn radiating from my right shoulder as it zooms to my fire rune. My body is alight in pink flames a moment later, incinerating the beautiful dress my mates bought for me for tonight. Just one more reminder of this horrible situation torched beyond recognition.

The ash dances around my body, but the blaze doesn't stop. It continues to burn, the inferno licking up and down my now bare flesh.

The guys keep a silent vigil at my back, which I’m grateful for, allowing me this moment to lose myself. If I or my surroundings were in any danger, they’d do what they could to stop me, but they aren’t. They know I need this as much as my magic does. If it were Thaddeus or that traitorous son of a bitch, they would have stopped this before it even started.

Visions play out in my mind’s eye of everything that transpired, from the moment we showed up until we left in the dead of night and returned back here. The way people’s faces twisted as though they were looking upon a monster. The cries for my death to appease the weak ass head councilman. The fact that my own damn teacher wanted me to die, and my headmaster who did nothing to stop it.

My knees go weak at the thought of all the injustice I faced tonight, and I crumple to a heap on the floor. My fire still ravages, though, showing no signs of stopping any time soon.

Hands cup my cheeks, sending another bout of fear raging through me. My pink gaze meets one of navy blue before they roam his features, looking for any sign that my magic is hurting him. But no. My magic knows him from the inside out and would never hurt him. Same with Axel, but I understand any reluctance he may have when it comes to fire.

“I know, goddess, I know.” Earnest sincerity rests upon Luka’s face even as worry shines in the depths of his eyes.

“It’s so fucked up.” My bottom lip trembles with every word, but my voice doesn’t waver.

“It is.” His thumb brushes tenderly along my jaw. “But Axel and I would never let anything happen to you. We’ll disappear if you’re ever put in that position again.”

“Promise?” I whisper, hating that once more my weakness is on full display.

“We promise,cor meum. You’re our priority, our mate, and we would burn the world down to keep you safe.” I don’t know what it is about their words, but it ends the fight—the rage—coursing through my veins.

My flames immediately die out, leaving me drained and slumped on my knees in the middle of my dorm room. Two sets of arms curl around my prone form, doing what they can to keep all my battered pieces together.

Eventually the guys coax me off the ground, directing me toward my bedroom for a shower to wash away the stress I’m carrying on my shoulders. I grip their hands like a lifeline, dragging them with me. I can’t—don’t—want to be alone. Not right now. Not while I’m liable to break again.

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