Chapter 80

Damien’s POV

When I saw Anila dangling in the sky, unable to breathe, and then my eyes found Sarah who was clutching her wand and pointing it at Anila, I was seeing fucking red. I had never felt anger quite like that before. I was usually the calm and collected one; I never lost my temper, but lately, Sarah had been bringing out that nasty side of me and all I wanted to do was make her suffer at that moment.

I grabbed my wand and released Sarah’s spell on Anila before Sarah even saw me coming. I could see the fury in Sarah’s eyes as she stared at Anila, but then when I came into view and made myself known to her, all that anger and resentment faded from her face, and she just looked horrified.

Good, I thought to myself. I wanted her to be horrified. I wanted her to feel bad for what she had done and understand that it was messed up.

“Damien…” she breathed, tears filling her eyes; I couldn’t seem to stop glaring at her, but I also knew Anila was hurting and she needed someone to comfort her.

Harley was no good because he was in his bear form and I’m pretty sure he lost control of himself. He was stuck in his bear form until he calmed down. I had a feeling the only one who could calm him down was his mate, which happened to be my mate. If I could even call her my mate; I had no idea for a long time that witches and wizards could have mates, but I had been proven wrong.

After doing much research in the library, I’ve come across quite a few readings that explained that witches and wizards can have mates and it wasn’t unusual for them to mate another species.

I looked down at Harley, finally pulling my gaze away from Sarah for a moment and I told Harley to get Anila out of there. I knew, even if he wasn’t in control of his bear, that he would listen to me. If it meant protecting Anila, I did not doubt in my mind that Harley and his bear would do anything necessary.

Once they were out of sight, I turned my attention back to Sarah.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked through my teeth, unable to keep my cool any longer.

Sarah sniffled.

“She was saying awful things to me, Damien,” Sarah said, tears filling her eyes. “I did nothing wrong, and she came at me… isn’t that right, Charlies?”

My attention shot to Charles.

“Yes, Charles. How about you tell me the truth,” I said, my lip curling in disgust.

The color had drained from his face, and he looked like he was about to bolt at any moment. He knew better than that though and if he tried to run, I would simply put a stop to it.

“W…we were j…just t…talking,” he stuttered pathetically.

I rolled my eyes at the lie.

“And that isn’t the necklace you previously brought her?” I asked, pointing my wand at Sarah’s neck where the necklace she told me she was getting rid of remained dangling against her chest.

Sarah quickly wrapped her fingers around the pendant and tucked it into her shirt as if that was going to help anything.

“It’s just a necklace, Damien,” she tried to assure me, but it only made me even more mad. “Charles is my friend, he got it for me for my birthday. He was just being nice…”

I wondered if that lie tasted as bitter on her tongue as it sounded. Her face was a bright shade of pink and Charles looked as if he had just seen a ghost. I would have laughed if I wasn’t so infuriated by the events in front of me.

I pointed my wand at Charles and swished it around.

“The truth, Charles,” I said, flicking the wand in his direction.

Just as intended, his mouth began to move, and the truth poured out like vomit.

“We had been seeing each other for the last month. She says she wants to dump you and be with me, but she doesn’t know how to actually do it. She’s not in love with you anymore… she’s in love with me.”

Sarah gasped loudly and covered her mouth with her hands.

“That’s not true, Damien! He’s lying to you! I would never say such garbage,” Sarah screeched as tears fell out of her eyes.

“It was a truth spell, Sarah. He had no choice but to tell me the truth,” I said, folding my arms across my chest. “It’s you who is lying.”

“You’ve known me since we were children,” Sarah said, rushing toward me and grabbing my arm as if that was going to help the situation at all. “I love you more than anything, Damien. You know I do. I would never do anything to hurt you…”

“Why don’t you tell me the truth for once,” I said through my teeth as I swished the wand in her direction. “The truth, Sarah.”

“I hadn’t been happy in a long time,” she blurted and then quickly slapped her hand over her mouth. “I don’t love you…” she said through her clamped lips.

Tears poured out of her eyes; I was too numb to really react. I shook my head in disgust at her.

“Why couldn’t you just be honest with me? You were supposed to be my best friend before my girlfriend, remember?”

Her hands shook as she struggled to keep the truth from pouring out of her some more. I sighed and released the spell on her, not wanting to hear anything more as I turned away.

“Just forget it. I’ve heard enough,” I muttered as I started to walk away.

Sarah let out a loud sob as she attempted to grab my arm to stop me. I whipped my arm out of her grasp.

“Damien!” She pleaded.

“It’s over, Sarah We are over.”

That was the last thing I said to her before class time the next night. I walked into the classroom and sat in my usual spot. I was the first one in the room and started to get my spell book out of my bag to get ready for the class. Sarah walked in shortly after and she looked like her normal self.

She didn’t look bothered in the least and a part of me was bothered by that, but another part of me was relieved that I was finally freed of her. She kept her head held high as she walked down the classroom aisle and took her seat beside me.

She crossed her leg over the other and placed her hands on her desk and she turned to face me.

“If you are done being unreasonable, perhaps we can have a decent conversation?” She shocked me by saying.

I pressed my lips firmly together and slammed my textbook closed. Without a word, I started to pack up my things. Sarah’s body tensed as she watched me; her mouth forming a thin line and I knew she was close to blowing up.

“What are you doing?” She asked in a harsh whisper. “Why are you acting irrationally?”

I whipped my head around to glare at her.

“I would have never done what you had done,” I said through my teeth. “And you are continuing your disrespect by pretending what you did wasn’t fucked up. I’m not sure what more there is to say… it’s over between us. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Without another word, I picked up my things and went toward the front, taking a seat in an empty spot. I knew Anila sat in the spot next to this one; perhaps it was a happy coincidence.

I could tell when she walked into the classroom, that she was utterly confused when her eyes found mine. She looked at Sarah who was glaring at her no doubt and then back at me. I gave her a slight nod as if I was answering her unspoken question.

She straightened her posture, took a deep breath, and walked into the room, taking her seat next to mine.

“Hey,” she said a little awkwardly. “How are you?”

I knew what she was really asking, “Did you and Sarah break up?” But I wasn’t in the mood to talk about it.

“I’m fine,” I murmured.

She nodded, almost thoughtfully.

“I’m sorry,” she said after a short pause. “I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. I saw them together and I guess I just snapped.”

I froze; this was new information. Anila had seen Sarah and Charles together? That’s what caused all of this.

I looked at her, my brows knitted together.

“You saw them?”

She looked puzzled by the question.

“I thought you knew,” she said, her cheeks blushing. “Sorry… yeah… I saw them… uh… kissing.”

I thought it would have hurt to hear those words, but it didn’t. I was more concerned for Anila; I didn’t like her being upset.

“What happened after that?” I found myself asking, more curious than anything.

Her face turned bright red as she stared down at her hands. I couldn't help but find it kind of adorable.

“I told her off,” she murmured. “And she didn’t like that, so she used that spell on me to shut me up.”

My mouth nearly fell open; nobody had ever stood up for me like that before. My heart practically swelled.

“Why would you stand up for me like that?”

She raised her brows and her eyes shifted in my direction.

“Why wouldn’t I? How she treats you is bullshit,” She said, shaking her head with dismay written all over his face. “You deserve better than that, Damien.”

I stared at her for a moment longer, unsure of what else to say, so I just nodded.

“Thanks,” I said to her.

She beamed and then nodded.

“So, you were right by the way,” she told me. “Principal Rapport wants me to participate in the challenges in a couple of months.”

I nodded.

“Yeah, he told me,” I said. It was the truth that Principal Rapport already informed me that Anila would be participating. I didn’t think it was a wise idea because she’s still so new to this world and not at all prepared for the tough challenges, but who am I to go against the principal?

“I’m a little nervous,” she admitted. “I feel like a lot is weighing on this. But he’s not really giving me the choice.”

“You are a strong woman, Anila. You should believe in yourself a little more,” I told her. She blushed at the compliment.

“I was actually hoping that maybe you could help,” she blurted out, peeking over at me.

I looked back at her, confused.

“I am already helping you with your magic,” I reminded her.

She shook her head, biting back a smile.

“I meant, with everything. I’m going to need as much help as possible to prepare for these challenges. Xadne and Zach are at war right now and not able to help me. I have Harley who can help me… but I could use some extra help. Someone as smart as you.”

“You want me to help you with everything?” I asked, my mouth practically gaping.

She nodded sheepishly.

“If you can… if not, then it’s fine,” she said, letting out a small humorless laugh.

After a beat of silence, I smiled and then I nodded.

“Okay, yeah. I’ll help you.”