Ariana’s POV“Damon, I have a class this morning,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.It was morning, a few minutes after dawn. I had an early morning class around eight that I couldn’t miss but he didn’t seem to care about that.I struggled against his hold, fighting my way through his biceps to create some distance between us and potentially escape but it just didn’t seem to be working.I’d never seen him train a day in my life so what was that amount of mass doing in his biceps?“It’s an important class.” I prompted.“We just woke up,” His throaty voice tingled on my neck. He kissed my hair, “A few more minutes.”I couldn’t help it, warmth found its way to my cheeks, “What will I do if I’m late for class?”“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” He pushed himself closer to me, the tip of his nostrils on my neck, caressing gently.I tried to fight his hold again, unsuccessfully, “I can’t miss this class, Damon. Unhand me.”This time, he fought back, pulling me towards him, his teeth gently
Ariana’s POVI remembered the first time I had heard of an elemental.It was a rainy day and I remembered telling Jasper that the sky was in mourning. He didn’t say anything to that but now that I thought back about it, he probably just thought I was stupid and ignored me.But I found something strangely endearing about the specie especially of the nature of their fur.It was two colored and how to figure it out was through their eyes. It fluctuated due to their mood.I found it to be rather cool and for the entirety of the day, I found myself thinking about them, in envy. I envied them because they inhabited the power I dreamed to have, one I had to fight for but could never achieve.During the class I remembered the teacher mentioning something about the strongest of them all capable of having three.I was astounded and really jealous. I hated the strongest of the elementals even though I didn’t know who it was. I hated him because he was strong.Now that I was in front of him, I re
Ariana’s POVI stared around my room, still surprised, “Just what are the limits to your abilities?”He smiled humbly, “Even I don’t know the answer to that.”I returned the smile.The comfort of being in a space that we shared was infectious.Suddenly he closed the space between us, taking my cheek in his hand.I took a long breath in, completely blown away by the potency of a mate bond. He was irresistible and Aurora, my wolf, wanted to drown in his scent.Unable to help myself I took the initiative, breaking the tension and placing my lips on his mouth.His mouth welcomed me graciously, hand underneath my waist, pulling me closer.I couldn’t understand what had taken over me but it was needy and somewhat grotesque. I wanted everything about him so much I could feel my brain melt away into mush. His hand that cupped my cheek moved to my neck, capturing them with masked possessiveness.Suddenly, he pulled away, harshly, licking his lips, breathing harshly. “If we go any further than
(Damon/Leo)’s POVIt was still dark when I opened my eyes again, surprisingly. I expected morning to have already come when I awoke again.The moon casted its rays on a woman with curly long hair that fell to her waist graciously, pale skin filled with pink bruises that increased as it proceeded to the two fresh canine bite just below her neck.It was too beautiful to resist.My knuckles grazed her back, following her spine, then to her neck, before her face.When she caressed my fingers even with her eyes closed, I took the initiative, going closer, just until our warm bodies touched. When a satisfied sigh left her mouth, her eyes fluttered and I moved my hand lower, reaching for her chest.She gave a tired moan, her mouth parting open.I kissed her ear, then the open space of her neck, licking softly my mark on her shoulder.I wasn’t going to go too far, I was certain she was tired after staying up for most of the night. I just missed having her warmth between my hands.“Damon,” But
Ariana’s POVI missed classes for three days.It came as a surprise to everyone because there was never a class that I had missed since I became a teacher yet not only did I miss a class, I didn’t teach for three whole days.The only one who seemed not to bother was the reason I didn’t attend my classes in the first place.Later that afternoon, I arranged to meet Bach and Sigil at the local bar.When I arrived, they were already seated, talking. I smiled, seeing the closeness between the both of us.When I met Sigil, I could tell he wasn’t well acquainted with people and that relationships in this academy was a hurdle for him. Relief washed over me.I approached them, having a seat. They both watched me tentatively, giving me a look.“Wherever you disappeared to for three days must’ve been gold. You’re shining so much you’re literally blinding my eye.” Bach spoke, covering his eyes.“Shouldn’t you both be happy that I’m back?”“We would if we knew where you were.” Bach said, staring d
Ariana’s POVEver since that day, my mornings usually began with Damon right beside me, trying to rope me into one of his many shenanigans even though he had already done one too many the night before.Also, I was always late for my classes now.If you saw me in school, especially in the mornings I was always on my feet, running to make it in time for my own class which never happened before.After or and during class, Fenrir would usually come looking for me and we would meet up with Bach and Sigil, or waited for them if they had classes.Sometimes, Damon accompanied me and luckily Fenrir learnt how to keep his mouth shut even though they always found a way to bicker… constantly.At first, I was tensed up whenever it would start, now it felt like a usual routine in our conversation.The kidnappings had reduced… drastically and in such short amount of time.It was meant to be a moment of relaxation and happiness but something bothered me about it and I could tell we all felt it too.I
(Damon/Leo)’s POVI sat on my desk, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of her.I thought of her eyes and how they looked in the sunlight. The thought was relaxing. The simple life I experienced with her was completely etched in my soul and I wanted it to last a lifetime.A knock came on the door before it gently opened and Ariana timidly walked in. My face instantly brightened.On meeting my eyes, she gave me a smile that seemed exhausted.“Are you alright?” I asked, standing up to walk to where she stood. Once I got close enough, she gently rested her head on my chest. “C’mon, talk to me.”“It’s Bach.”“What happened?”“He’s not responding—physically. He said a storm was coming and mentioned something about ghosts wanting to take revenge. I couldn’t reach out to him, he seemed… lost.”That wasn’t a good sign, “He has to learn how to shut it off before he loses his mind—permanently.”“What?”“People who possess telekinetic powers are still very much people and there’s a limit to what t
Ariana’s POVThat night, when Damon returned, I’d never seen him like that before.I waited for him, like I always did.There were visible signs of exhaustion in his eyes, something mental that he tried to cage away from me. But now something has caused it to be set lose and he didn’t know what to do with it anymore.I wondered if these things happening and recurring within the same length—if they were perfectly orchestrated. If my thoughts were said to be correct then there was something bigger waiting for all of us to unfold, for it to implode right in our faces.He said nothing, holding me in his arms, taking me to bed.When Damon struggled he kept mute for most of the time but he didn’t ignore he. He would most times just hold me, tighter than usual and said nothing.I wondered if there was a hidden tape on his lips that hindered him from expressing himself.Most times, it seemed like it.“Damon,” I called.He answered weakly. “Mm.”“Do you think I’ll be a good mother—just as mine
NERO’s POV“Nero! Patience!” My grandfather would always yell at me as a child and as I progressed in age, my reaction to that sentence greatly differed.I believe as you must’ve already guessed; for the worst.To be fair, at first, I did deserve it, considering I was a menace in the body of a small child.As the young and only grandson to the leader of the dwarf clan, I wasn’t the innocent, conveniently shy child that people would envision, considering my grandfather was sweet—at least the part they knew and I was accustomed to at the time.I was a mischief, or prankster, whichever you’d prefer to call it.I played pranks on children, and I derived joy in that, seeing their faces contorted in an expression they didn’t like nor could control. I enjoyed bending them in a cage of my own doing.My grandfather, terribly sweet—and loving—never minded my mischief.Thinking back now, his dream must’ve sucked whatever energy he had to reprimand an overly energetic five-year-old.It had alread
Ariana’s POV“What happened to you while I was away? There’s so much tiredness in your eyes,” He lifted my chin gently, meeting my eyes, “I can see your exhaustion, even though you try to hide it.”Guilt came over me and I found myself evading his eyes.Did he get to ask the questions?His palm cupped my cheek gently, pulling me in his arms, his tall frame crouched gently over me. “I worry I’ve failed, I worry I’ve failed you.”My lips pressed together, and tears gathered in my eyes. “I am… tired, a little bit.” My voice croaked and he held me tighter, “I’m here now, you can rest easy.”If not for his arms that held me I was this close to buckling and my body would have surrendered to my exhaustion.It was always so easy for me to surrender to his warmth. Yet somehow, that made me feel extremely pathetic but I stayed regardless.“Something is wrong,” He suddenly spoke.“What?” I pushed away from him.“We need to go in there.” He pointed towards the forge shed where Nero was currently
Ariana’s POVA punch came right at my abdomen, on the same spot I was hit.This time, it hurt a lot worse because the force used was nearly three times faster… and stronger.Instantly I coughed out blood, my eyes going hazy for a moment.Maybe I shouldn’t have just run in front of the door leaving me with no appropriate defense or offense but it was my responsibility to protect Nero.Another punch came flying across my cheek, heavy damage falling on my bleeding gums.If I continued like this without an appropriate defense I was as good as dead.I didn’t expect this degree of power or strength from one opponent, especially one that aimed to kill me as gruesomely as possible.I struck out my fists for a punch when Milo held it, surprising me.Painfully, he bent and twisted my wrists, nearly breaking them when I yelled out.Were these one of his abilities? Predicting attacks.If he was just this good then I was in a serious problem.“I knew you were weak I just didn’t expect,” He stared
Ariana’s POVThe shadows wasted no time in attacking us.The unhinged offense of their attacks made me know that they intended to leave here with our lives under their belt like an accomplishment from work.Judging from the looks of two of the faces it was easy to decipher that they were students.It had already gotten this bad?I quickly ducked, avoiding someone’s feet from connecting with my skull. Judging by the projected force, it would’ve actually hurt.“This is bad.” I said, moving backwards to a safe distance.“What are we going to do?” Bach asked, using his telekinesis.I froze.Yes, that was it. Telekinesis.“Bach, if you can hear me, say my name.”“Ariana.” He responded. I exhaled in relief, “So what’s the plan?”“You’re going to read their thoughts the same way you read mine. You need to be able to tell us their next form of attack before they act on it.”I stared at the only remaining shadow that didn’t come forward to attack. He simply stood there, hands crossed with his
Ariana’s POVFootsteps approached me. “How long have you been sitting there?”I sat under the shade of a tree. Looking up, I stared at Sigil who was accompanied by Bach. “Give or take; five hours.”His forehead creased in worry, “You’ve been waiting that long? It’s hot in the afternoon and we have no idea when he will be done. You could’ve gone home, you look like you need some rest.”I turned my head to the small building where the intense yet consistent sound of metal being beat into resurrection was heard. I squinted my eyes, trying to control the deep heaviness inside them.“He hasn’t come out ever since he laid his hands on that plan. I have no idea what kind of person he is but I don’t think I could leave here knowing how much pain is being put into making that sword.”“That was his decision to make, not yours. Whatever remorse you might feel is not yours to take. You need to remember that you are the one who wields the sword in the end.”I turned to face Sigil, “Do you know he
Damon’s POVFootsteps from behind approached me and instilled.“I thought you’d have left the school by now.”I turned to face the owner of the voice.Klaus.“Then I’d just be doing you a favor I have no interest in granting.” I spat in response.Klaus stepped closer, “I see you’ve figured it out already.”I placed both hands in my pockets, “It was hard not to. The shadows increasing, the lack of interest in how many souls I could acquire for you. You’ve turned this academy into your little breeding nest.”“Calling it a nest would mean something motherly— a thing that needed to be protected. Their souls hold none of such sentiments, at least to the dark shadow’s appetite. Now that I can easily heighten their demise without needing to deal with a lonely elemental werewolf,”—My jaw hardened—“I don’t intend for that luxury to end anytime soon.”“So you came here to kill me? I wouldn’t call that a sound plan, at least on your ends.”“No, I have no sadistic interest in your life. You will
Ariana’s POVI became alert.It was the only right thing to do as I caught a whiff of that ominous smell.Every picture of what could possibly go wrong came to mind and my anxiety returned. Was this a trap?Had Sigil unknowingly led us to a trap?“Who are you?” Sigil questioned and for the briefest second I blinked back in shock.How did he not know the identity of the person whom he’d led us to?“And who are you?” The short boy replied back, and I could only hiss.“I can only answer that if you are Nero, the sword smith.” Sigil shot back, and the look on the boy’s face suddenly changed.A sense of familiarity struck him and he said in a low voice - “Then you’ve come to the right place.”I raised a brow. Sigil did to.“I am Nero.” He said again, and relief followed by a shocking sense of wonder coursed through me.Nero was very short.He was a dwarf—a really buff one.“We have come to the right place, Ariana.” Sigil whispered slightly, moving forward and I followed him. He added almos
Ariana’s POVI stood in front of Fenrir’s door.He’d been discharged that same morning and was now staying at his quarters.I’d spent approximately four hours searching through shops for the materials Darko told me about only to end up here.If there was someone that could help me with finding ‘things’ he was my… only answer.I sucked in a deep breath.Extending my hand, I exhaled through my mouth, molded my hands into fists and knocked.There was no response.I was about to knock again when the door opened, revealing Fenrir.He didn’t look bad physically as he was still recovering from his injuries, but he didn’t look good either.I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it.“You want something from me?” He asked and I froze. “Don’t you?” He asked again“I do.”He said nothing.“There’s no one else that can help me with this but you.”“Yet you called me greedy with disdain on your face.”I bit my lip, looking down at my feet and feeling extremely self-conscious.“I guess it is ea
Ariana’s POVImmediately Damon disappeared from my line of sight, I went searching for Darko after.After retracing his peculiar steps, I found myself back at the library. And at the same table where he sat before.He was there, and his focus were immensely consumed by the book in front of him.To the normal eye, it would seem nice—motivational, but to me, I found the way his eye pierced the book as if to consume it whole off-putting.He had successfully created an image of a harmless butterfly, someone unaware of pain and how to inflict it.He looked like the perfect student and not like the scary creature he really was.As though he’d heard all my thoughts, he stopped reading and looked up.Our gazes met.I stilled.His eyes were completely blank, dark, scary, boring deep.I swallowed hard and took a step close.When I got close enough, I took a seat opposite him and sat down.“I’ve returned.” I began.“And no one except for the both of us seated here are aware of this, I believe?”