Chapter 27

It's been a week since I started training and a week since I started feeling drawn to Lucius. It all started pretty innocently.

My first training session was a minefield to be honest. He had set up this really rigorous obstacle course. He wanted me to do a lot of agility and speed training right off the bat.

Being my agility score was pretty high during my testing I guess he figured starting off with doing activities that required me to work on two things at once would be the most beneficial.

After that time just flew by it seemed. At first each day with Lucius would only come by for a fraction of the time I spent there.

But gradually as I improved and as I started talking to him about what I was reading in the texts he’d given me for my classes I couldn’t help but notice just how much he shined when he talked about his work.

For someone who is usually either aloof and cold, kind and warm on the surface but strict and disciplined underneath. Seeing him get lost in explaining different topics was kind of my own secret pleasure once I stumbled upon it.

After about a week and a half I could already tell that the jolt of pleasure and happiness I got from seeing his face as he talked about old world medical treatments, I knew I was in some seriously deep shit.

But what could I say I couldn’t really just stop feeling what I was feeling, especially not when I was so close to him.

On more than one occasion I tried to close the distance between us, whether I was being too obvious about it or not I’m not sure. But Lucius never called me on it.

Instead, sometimes I could swear I saw something hidden in the depths of his eyes when he looked at me but it evaporated in an instant.

Being he didn’t say anything, I thought I was in the clear so no matter what we were doing I tried to sneak a light brush of my fingertips against him or the softest brush of our shoulders together and everything seemed fine.

Everyday he makes sure to come check in on me, even if he's busy. Each time he comes to help guide me, correcting slight mistakes in my fighting posture, and showing me effective methods to take down bigger opponents, which are a huge help.

I don't get what's happening but seriously, everytime I see him I can feel my cheeks flush, and my heartrate picks up.

I've been so lucky whenever he shows up, I'm always in the middle of training and working out. It's the perfect cover to hide my rapid pulse and flushed face.

Why does this have to be happening now? I know I can't be crushing on my mentor or you know the headmaster of our school.

I'm not sure if it's because he's the only one I've been really able to talk to about everything since i found out or what but the more time i spend with him the more i want to know him.

Draven and Adrian are basically ghosts that share the same house with me right now. Neither thought I should join A Class.

Oh, but if it's brought up in front of both of them Adrian's all too eager to jump on my side just to piss off Draven.

I swear, sometimes they act more like middle schoolers than college students.But regardless, talking to either of them is a no go.

Can't talk to mom either, which really sucks because I tell her everything…or well almost everything.

And dear ol'step dad, well we just don't really know each other enough for me to feel comfortable talking to him.

So, that just leaves Lucius and it's turning out to be dangerous to my heart and my sanity. Especially now when he's behind me, his hands on my waist as he adjusts my stance.

The warmth coming off him is so nice, the scent of medical herbs and lavender coming off him is tantalizing. I try to lean back a little into him, but he quickly pulls back, taking a few steps away.

“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath. “get a hold of yourself Katie.”.

“What was that?” He asked, looking at me.

“Nothing, just said I got it,” I said hurriedly, embarrassed at my slip up, "the position I need to be in, I got it, thank you.”

I quickly try and recover, focusing back on adjusting back to that stance and attacking the punching bag in front of me.

This has become a new development. Maybe he caught on to me or something but now everytime I try to “accidently” touch him he makes sure to keep his distance from me.

To say that it doesn’t sting would be a bold faced lie but I don’t really think there is anything I can do, so I just focus on following his guidance.

The adjustment helps, my punch landing more solidly on the bag.

Since taking my tests and starting training, despite the time I over did it and got scolded by Lucius, my progress has been great.

While I tested low in both strength and speed, my agility was the highest. Now though, all three are closing in on the top bracket; and it's only been seven weeks.

I take a couple more swings, letting the punching bag have everything I've got. Yet, it's still surprising when I end up kicking it so hard the chains break.

“Great work,” Lucius said, one of his rare sincere smiles gracing his perfect lips.

Damn it Katie, pull yourself together. I shake myself, smiling back at him, “I don’t think I would have come this far so fast without you gilding me.”

My words were a hundred percent honest and true and only like a .05 percent of me wanting to flatter him because he just looks so damn good when he’s happy.

My words seem to spark something in his eyes but again it’s only for a moment.

“So, being I didn’t want to throw you off and risk skewing the results I didn’t mention,” Lucius starts as I walk over to him, he steps back when I come a little too close.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to not make it obvious that I was hurt he backed away.

“Well today was your assessment, which if it wasn’t obvious you passed with flying colors.”

“What?” I asked, jumping up in excitement, “really?”

“Yeah, really, you’ll be starting A Class tomorrow,” Lucius said, his smile soft as he takes in my excitement.

Before I even realize what I’m doing, I throw my arms around this neck. So, lost in my own excitement, the warmth of his body takes a minute for me to register.

Oh my god, what did I just do? I hurriedly let go, my face flushing in embarrassment when I took in his tense body, that seemingly froze the moment I hugged him.

Damn it why did I have to do that. We were getting along so well and I just had to do something so stupid.

“I’m so, so sorry,” I quickly apologize before I grab my water bottle and I bolt out of the training facility.