Page 26 of Bound By Earth (The Nature Hunters Academy 1)

Elias stood frozen, staring at Tucker as if he’d somehow personally offended him, though all he’d done was defend Tara. Maybe Shelly was right. Elias had vagina issues, and Tara had managed to stay clear of vagina-issue guys all through high school. She wasn’t about to jump on that bandwagonnow.

“Okay, then,” Tara said in a much too cheery voice. “I think this rock needs to roll away, now. So, I’m just gonna…” She pointed toward the exit. “Thanks, Jax, for telling us about your company. I appreciate that you took your time. Sounds great. Shelly and I will get these personality forms completed straight awayand—”

“There’s an address on the form to mail them back to us,” saidJax.

“Oh, good,” she replied. “And, uh, Elias, um, thank you for, well, uh … just thank you.” Without looking back at the three guys, Tara grabbed Shelly’s hand and dragged her friend toward the gymdoors.

“Why’d you thank that gorgeous, delicious, butt munch? All he did was insult you. Wait, are you one of those chicks who gets off on a guy humiliating them? Please say no. I mean, not that I won’t be your friend if you are. I will totally be your friend, but I will no longer want to live vicariously through your lovelife.”

“Shelly?”

“Yes?”

“Shutup.”

“Can do BFFF. But this discussion is tabled forlater.”

Chapter 8

Standing in the gym, Elias watched Tara and her friend scurry away. It bothered him she couldn’t seem to get away from him fast enough. Not that he’d given her a reason to stay. What he’d said had been insulting. But he’d had a method to his madness. Elias had needed to get Tara away from the boy who had been attempting to stake some sort of claim onher.

“A water acolyte? What the hell are you doing here?” Jax asked Tucker as he released Elias’s arm and turned to face theboy.

“Acolyte?” Tucker shook his head, the good-guy act suddenly dropping. “Such a nasty word. Those of us who study the stronger arts prefer the term elemental wizard. But how do you know I’m not simply anotherNatura Venatorilike youtwo?”

“I don’t give a damn what you call yourself, but you’re no nature hunter. I can practically smell the darkness coming off you,” saidElias.

“And I don’t get around to Hydro Academy often,” added Jax, “but I’m pretty sure you aren’tenrolled.”

“I am not,” said Tucker with a smirk. “I go to schoolhere. And I’ve gone to school here for fouryears.”

“Why would you want to go to a human school?” Elias asked. “You don’t belonghere.”

“One of the ‘benefits’ of being attuned to water, Elias” Jax said, putting air quotes around the word benefits. “Since the human body is mostly water, an elemental acolyte can keep themselves looking young indefinitely by simply manipulating their owncells.”

“The great ones can change their appearance entirely,” saidTucker.

Jax stepped out from behind the table and closer to the boy. “Is that what you aspire to, Tucker?Greatness?”

“Don’t we all?” Tuckerreplied.

“No.” Elias said. “Some of us want to helpothers.”

Tucker laughed. “How noble. The little earth hunter wants to save the world. Imaginethat.”

Elias balled his hands into fists, and he, too, stepped closer toTucker.

Tucker’s lips turned up in a sly smile. “I haven’t done anything wrong, Venator.” The last word was bit out through tight teeth despite the smile that belied his irritation withthem.

“The mere fact that you exist is wrong,” Elias growled. “You might not have done anything, but that sentence will always end with ‘yet.’ Why should we wait until you cause trouble to deal withyou?”

“Because there are rules and you bloody well knowit.”

“Rules can be bent,” Eliaswarned.

“What do you want with Tara?” Jax asked. Elias crossed his arms over his chest as he waited for ananswer.

“I already told you,” Tucker said. “She’s not a rock you tossback.”

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