Page 30 of Wings of Ashes
To hand it to Ryker for his vial, Nix reached for the herb, but Bael reached for it at the same time. When their fingers brushed against each other’s, Bael’s hand sprung back, as if it had touched flame.
His red eyes narrowed on her. In a flash of movement, Bael’s left hand rose, clutching his blade, and slammed the knife down into the tabletop.
Dramatic. “Wow. Really?” Nix asked.
“Don’t touch me,” Bael bit out each word. “Or I cut your pretty little fingers off.”
“Are you mad because you both wasted hours searching the forest for her yesterday after class?” Mara questioned the guys.
Ryker looked away, focusing on following the steps of the potion. He had a talent for ignoring everyone around him. Nix was envious of that.
“Mr. Obsidius,” Professor Bowen said evenly from behind Nix’s stool. “Please refrain from damaging academy property.”
Bael shrugged and wiggled the knife out of the black tabletop. “Not going to try to confiscate my blade?” Bael asked him.
The charming, cocky smile Bael flashed the professor stunned Nix. Maybe because a glare was all she typically saw from the sex demon.
“I value my organs being inside my body too much to try,” Professor Bowen replied in an amused tone. “So, how is your team coming along with the potion?”
“Soon,” Ryker grunted.
Nix found Ryker’s strong, quiet, and grunting personality charming. Much more appealing than Bael’s crazy, possessive, flirty, vengeful, dangerous vibe.
Nix’s lips curled at the edges at the low, booming quality of Ryker’s voice. He could clearly command a room if he wanted to, but instead he spoke in few-worded sentences and seemed so…withdrawn. Even though Bael was his friend, Ryker did not light up around him or suddenly turn into a chatty person.
Ryker, hidden in shadows under his oversized hoodie, was the embodiment of the word “guarded.”
“So, what does this potion do, Teach?” Bael asked Professor Bowen.
“A very intellectual question, Mr. Obsidius.”
“I’m more than just a rock-hard set of abs and big dick,” Bael shot back.
Professor Bowen’s lips fought off a smile as he said, “This potion, if done correctly, can be poured onto any paranormal with magical capabilities. If the mixture turns blue upon skin contact, it means that the individual has recently performed magic. It was often used when witches started practicing black magic in the second war with—”
Bael’s head swung to stare at Nix when he asked Professor Bowen, “If we pour the potion onto someone’s skin, it will show whether they have used powers? Like bewitching or enchantments?”
“That’s right.”
Nix rolled her eyes again. No matter how much Bael wanted to believe she had enchanted him, the potion would not turn blue on Nix’s skin.
“How much longer till this thing is done, Ryker?” Bael hurriedly asked his friend.Nowhe cared about the assignment.
“Soon,” the broad-shouldered man grunted.
Suddenly, Bael was actively involved in helping their team complete the potion. He read the instructions carefully and went back and forth with Ryker as he asked, “Have we done this step yet?” to which Ryker replied each time with a sigh, “Yes.”
“I’ve never seen you…trythis much,” Mara told Bael in a voice of pure astonished disbelief.
Bael flipped his middle finger to her in thanks.
“Final step is the heating.” Bael grabbed the vial from Ryker and held it up to Ryker’s mouth. “Blow.”
Nix’s face scrunched in confusion. “Why would he—”
Ryker opened his mouth and blew out a red and orange flame over the bottom of the vial to heat it.
Fire. From his mouth. What other shifter could do that, other than a dragon?
