Chapter 50

Anila’s POV

“Incredible,” I heard Professor Howl whisper in awe as he stared at me, his mouth practically hanging open in shock.

“Indeed,” Professor Rosan agreed with her brother, also staring at me with shock.

I realized the entire classroom was silent as they stared at me.

“Tell me, Anila. Have you done this before?” Professor Rosan asked, cocking her head to the side.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I shook my head.

“No; this was the first time I’ve ever done this,” I admitted, twirling my fingers nervously.

“Anila wasn’t raised in the supernatural world,” Professor Howl explained to her, much to her amazement. “She didn’t even know she had magic until she arrived at this school.” Then his arms folded across his chest as he narrowed his eyes at me. “Supposedly.”

I lowered myself further into my seat, feeling embarrassed by the Professor’s obvious judgments.

“Is that right?” Professor Rosan asked, still in awe, as she stared at me.

I nodded slowly.

“So, you’ve never done magic before?”

“Strange, isn’t it?” Professor Howl sneered.

He really didn’t like me; he thought I was some dragon spy and tried to get that information out of me when I first met him a few days ago. He used a tortuous spell on me in an attempt to get the truth out of me, but I was telling him the truth.

I didn’t even know dragons existed until I arrived here. I knew other supernatural beings existed, but dragons I always thought were a myth.

I guess I was wrong about that.

But still, I wasn’t some dragon spy. I lived in a human town with a stepmother who treated me like her personal slave and told me countless times that I wasn’t special.

I spent my life thinking I wasn’t special.

When I opened my mouth to explain to Professor Rosan the full extent of my situation, she started to talk first.

“You are certainly a powerful witch,” she breathed, her voice filled with wonder. “It’s no wonder Principal Rapport wanted you in this advanced class. Do you know anything about magic?”

I shook my head, biting my lower lip.

“Not much,” I admitted. “Only what I’ve been learning with Xaden. He’s been teaching me a little so I can get ready for my first shift.”

“You’re a shifter?” She asked, raising her brows. “Shifters don’t usually contain such powerful magic.”

I shrugged.

“I guess I’m different,” I told her.

“Anila is mated to three guys,” someone in the back of the class felt the need to share. “It’s all everybody talks about.”

I whipped around to see who was speaking and I saw a girl in the back of the class glaring at me with her arms folded across her busty chest and her glossy lips pressed in a thin line. I had never seen that girl before and from the way she was glaring at me, it was obvious she didn’t like me in the least.

Sarah was also glaring at me while Damien was watching me with a slightly concerned look in his eyes. It tugged at my heart knowing that he was concerned. I didn’t let my eyes linger on him for long though.

I turned back to Professor Rosan who was looking between the girl in the back and then to me.

“Isn’t that interesting,” she breathed, raising her brows as she took me in. “Have you done any magic before?”

“I can levitate,” I confessed. “And fly.”

“Fly?”

I nodded.

“Yeah, when I levitate, I can move around the air,” I explained. “I’m pretty fast when flying.”

“You can pull off two spells at once?” Professor Rosan gasped.

I nodded again, my fingers still twirling together.

“That’s kind of why Principal Rapport wanted me to be in this class; he witnessed it,” I told her.

Understanding flashed through her gaze as she nodded.

“Are those the only spells you’ve done?”

“Yes, mam,” I answered.

“Well, this is a tough course and though it’s clear that you will certainly be able to handle it, you’ll need to learn all the basic spellings as well. Most witches and wizards start learning this stuff at young ages and are already fluent in basic spell craft,” Professor Rosand explained, narrowing her eyes at me.

“Hate to agree with my sister, but she’s right,” Professor Howl said, standing to his feet. “We aren’t going to be wasting time in this class by relearning stuff when we really only have a couple of months. Principal Rapport was very clear about his intentions with you.”

“His intentions?” I asked, a pit of nerves settling in the pit of my stomach.

He nodded.

“Yes, the challenges are in a few months and Principal Rapport was persistent that he wanted you to participate in them.”

My mouth fell open; that’s what everyone was talking about? When were they going to tell me this information?

“She’s only a first year!” Someone in the back complained. “The challenges are for 3(rd) year and up. It’s not fair.”

“Not always true.” That voice came from Damien, and it surprised me. “Are you forgetting about Zach? He’s only a second year and he participated in them last year, which is why he’s a top student.”

“What are these challenges?” I asked, looking from Damien to Professor Howl.

“They are to test your skill set. If you beat your opponents, you become one of the top students. The challenges are usually held in the middle of the first semester, and it basically defines you for the rest of the year,” Damien explained. “Next year, if someone beats your top score, they can take your place on the top student list. So, some of us take these challenges very seriously.”

“What type of challenges are they?”

“It depends,” he answered.

“On?”

There was a moment of pause that left me feeling uneasy.

“On what you are,” he finally answered.

I was upset that this hadn’t been explained to me before. Why hadn’t Principal Rapport said anything about these challenges? Why didn’t Xaden?

Professor Howl sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he said, “Usually those who participate in these challenges have a couple of years of magic training under their belt, and considering you don’t…”

“I don’t mind helping her,” Damien interrupted with such certainty, we all turned to look at him.

Sarah was giving him death glares as she stared at him.

“Are you sure? I know you are very busy this semester, Damien.”

“I have some free time,” Damien told him. “I don’t mind.”

Professor Howl nodded in agreement.

“Okay, then you will work with her to get her prepared,” Professor Howl said and then he turned back to his sister so she could continue class.

I was left speechless, unsure of what had just happened. I glanced over my shoulder at Damien, and he was watching me with a curious look. When our eyes met, my cheeks flushed, and I turned back around to focus on Professor Rosan.

Class continued and we practiced the summoning spell a few more times before the end neared.

“It was really nice to meet you, Anila,” Professor Rosan said, giving me a kind smile.

“You too,” I said in return.

I packed up my things, shoving them into my backpack, thankful that it was finally the weekend, and I could relax for the next couple of days. Penny told me that they lifted curfews on weekends, and I hoped that was true because I wanted to explore the town and all it had to offer at some point this weekend.

I wondered if Xaden would take me exploring if I were to ask.

As I left the classroom and headed down the stairs, I paused once I reached the bottom because I heard loud voices coming from behind the stairwell. The voices were whispers, but they were loud whispers and whoever it was, they sounded pissed.

“I can’t believe you volunteered to help her,” one of the voices hissed.

My heart fell deep into my stomach when I realized who it was.

“I was only being helpful,” the other voice said, simply.

It was Damien and Sarah; they were arguing, and it was clear they were arguing about me. Sarah was pissed that Damien volunteered to help me with my magic. I knew I shouldn’t be spying on them, again, but I couldn’t help myself. Every time I willed my legs to move and leave the area, they wouldn’t listen.

“But why her?” Sarah hissed. “Out of all the students…”

“Because Principal Rapport is making her partake in these challenges and she needs all the help she can get,” Damien answered. “I’m the best wizard at this school and I blew through these challenges last year and I plan to do so again this year. I’d be selfish if I didn’t spread some of my knowledge.”

“It’s not your job,” Sarah muttered.

“I was only being helpful,” he muttered. “You don’t have to worry, Sarah.”

“Whatever,” she mumbled, and her voice was getting closer. I hid on the other side of the stairs so she wouldn’t see me once she emerged. “I’m late for class. I’ll see you after.”

She stormed into view and down the hallway. Damien emerged as well and with his back turned toward me, he folded his arms across his chest, shaking his head as he watched her disappear through the crowd of people and through another door.

“Is spying a hobby of yours?” Damien asked without even looking at me.

My entire body tensed; I wasn’t sure why I thought he wouldn’t be able to feel my presence as easily as I could feel his. I already knew with the utmost certainty that he was my mate.

I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat and stepped around the stairwell.

“I wasn’t trying to spy,” I told him.

He turned around to face me, smirking.

“Three times in a row,” he said simply, raising his brows. “I can’t help but think it’s a hobby of yours.”

My cheeks warmed and I stared down at my feet.

“Was she mad that you’re helping me?” I asked.

He was quiet for a moment as he studied my face and I wondered at that moment what he was thinking about.

“Yes,” he answered honestly. “But it isn’t really her concern.”

“Why are you helping me?” I asked, biting my lower lip as I lifted my gaze to meet his.

He shrugged.

“You are my friend, aren’t you?” He asked, corking his brow. “Why wouldn’t I help you?”

I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my face.

“Thanks,” I said in response, and he nodded.

“Do you have any more classes today?” He asked.

I shook my head, my heart hammering against my chest.

“Want to meet for dinner later?”

My breath hitched as I looked into his grey and very serious eyes. I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, but from the look he was giving me, I knew for certain he wasn’t joking.

“I’m actually meeting Xaden for dinner,” I told him, clearing my throat and trying to snap myself out of this strange trance I found myself in.

I swear I saw disappointment flash through his eyes, but it was gone faster than I could blink, and he nodded with understanding on his face.

“Do you have plans for the weekend?” He asked.

I shook my head before I came up with an excuse.

“Cool, we can start practicing magic tomorrow,” he suggested. “We can go into town and pick out a wand if you’d like.”

My eyes grew large.

A wand? For me?

“Uh… yeah, okay,” I stammered, butterflies violently assaulting my belly.

He grinned.

“If it’s okay with your boyfriend of course,” he said, running his fingers through his hair. “I wouldn’t want to step on any toes.”

“I’ll, uh, talk to him,” I said awkwardly. “I’m sure he’ll be fine with it considering you are just helping me.”

I was also a little hurt, nobody besides Damien bothered to tell me about these challenges. I was certainly going to have some words with Xaden. I also needed to speak to Principal Rapport as well.

Damien nodded and turned away from me, then on that note, he walked down the hallway, leaving me staring after him.