Page 81 of Crimson Shadows
“I’ll walk you,” Corvus says. “If Asher shows up again, don’t engage, okay? Walk away and tell me about it. I’ll handle him.”
“I don’t need you to protect me from bullies,” I mutter.
“I know you don’t. But you will learn, Dollie, that I protect what’s mine.”
Sounds familiar.
I say nothing as we head to the next building over, hoping that this is a normal class without magick or bullies.
35
IGNATIUS
The corridorsof MistHallow are bustling with activity as I make my way to the Elemental Magick lecture hall, my last lecture of the night. Rounding the corner, the scent of autumn leaves and woodsmoke fills the air, the scent of the elemental magick that permeates this part of the academy. The stone walls here are adorned with intricate murals depicting the four elements - earth, air, fire, and water - intertwining in an eternal spire. It’s breathtaking, and I slow down to admire the artistry.
Sensing a certain energy in the air, I half turn and see Adelaide is standing by the lecture hall door, looking slightly lost and more than a little overwhelmed. Her dark hair is slightly tousled, as if she’s been running her hands through it nervously, and there’s a crease between her brows that I find endearing.
“Adelaide!” I call out, picking up my pace to reach her. “Fancy seeing you here. Elemental Magick, right?”
She turns at the sound of my voice, relief washing over her features. The smile that lights up her face sends a warmth through me that has nothing to do with my fire magick. “Hey, firestarter. Yes, Elemental Magick. I’m not even sure why I’m in this class. I thought vampires were all about Blood Magick?”
I grin, falling into step beside her as we enter the hall. The room is circular, with workstations arranged in concentric circles around a central dais. Each station is equipped with various tools and materials - crystals, bowls of water, small potted plants, and curiously empty glass orbs that I suspect are for air manipulation.
“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, my dear,” I say, guiding her towards two empty seats near the middle of the room. “Vampires, like all magickal beings, have the potential to tap into elemental magick. It’s just not as instinctive for them as Blood Magick is.”
“Well, I’m here to learn what being a vampire is all about, so I guess, hit me with whatever!”
“That’s the spirit, Addy.”
She grins as I shorten her name, and I gesture for Adelaide to take the seat by the window. I notice the way the moonlight plays across her features. She’s beautiful, in a way that goes beyond physical appearance. There’s a spark in her, a potential that’s just waiting to be unleashed.
“So,” I say, leaning in slightly, our shoulders almost touching, “How have your classes been so far apart from the Blood Magick incident?”
Adelaide groans, burying her face in her hands. I have to resist the urge to reach out and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t even with that. But the rest have been fine. No more magick and no more bullies.”
“Bullies?” I ask harsher than I meant to.
“Ugh, some vampire named Asher. He was a proper arse.”
“Hmm, yeah. He is out to get Corvus, so I guess you got caught up in the crossfire.”
She glares at me. “Oh great, thanks for telling me that part. He failed to mention it.”
I chuckle. “I wouldn’t worry about Asher or Lucian. They’re both idiots.”
“Lucian,” she murmurs. “He had a pop at me as well the other day. Zephyr dealt with him.”
“Vampires are weird. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“No shit,” she mumbles.
Adelaide’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I’m lost in their depths. The air between us feels charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.
Before I can respond, the professor enters the room, calling the class to order. He’s a tall, willowy man with hair the colour of autumn leaves and eyes that seem to shift like quicksilver. As he begins the lecture, his voice resonates with power, each word seeming to vibrate with elemental energy.
I’m hyper-aware of Adelaide’s presence beside me. The way she leans forward, hanging on every word. The little furrow that appears between her brows when she’s concentrating. The way her hand occasionally brushes against mine as we take notes, sends little sparks of electricity through me each time.
Halfway through the class, the professor announces that we’ll be pairing up for a practical exercise. “Today, we’ll be focusing on fire manipulation,” he says, his eyes glowing with an inner flame. “Nothing too advanced - just creating and controlling a small flame.”
