Supernatural Academy: Year One (Supernatural Academy #1)(51)

“Where is he now?” I wondered, expecting him to have stuck around to explain some of this himself.

“He said he wanted to do some research and he would be in touch soon,” Asher told me.

Research. That sounded ominous.

I swallowed hard, looking down as I shook my throbbing head. “Did you learn anything in the short time my power was free?”

Jesse cleared his throat. “Well, it turns out that you have both fey and magic user power, but not like the mixed race…” He trailed off.

My lips trembled. “Like the original Atlanteans?” They both nodded. “And my blood?”

Asher stepped closer, and I struggled to keep my heart rate and pulse even. “Your blood still holds no trace of Atlantis.”

What. The. Fucking. Fuck?

I sucked in some deep breath, trying to stop the tears from escaping. “I was so close to answers, and now all I have is more questions.”

Asher’s chest rumbled. “We’re going to figure this out, Maddi. I promise. I’m almost certain that you have a connection to Atlantis, and understanding how that’s possible is a priority.”

The fact that I wasn’t dealing with this shit alone was enough to have more hot tears assaulting my eyeballs. It was a nice, foreign sort of feeling, but I wouldn’t rely on it.

“I’m going to head to my room,” I said, pulling away in an attempt to compose myself. “Where are my shoes?”

There was the slightest hint of surprise on both of their faces. No doubt they’d expected a lot more questions and freaking out, but if there was anything I’d learned in my twenty-two years, it was that wasting time and energy on what you can’t change will only drive you crazy. Right now there were no answers, only unknowns, and my brain was too tired to worry about those.

“We’ll walk you back,” Asher said.

I knew they were just doing this out of obligation, but I hadn’t forgotten those assassins, and acting stupid just to prove my own independence wasn’t my style, so I accepted their offer.

Jesse went off in search of my shoes while Asher and I remained near the door. We were close enough that I could see every silver fleck through his eyes, and my blood was heating again. The tension was about to kill me, so I tried to joke. “Wanna touch again and see if Louis was right?”

His grin was slow enough to rival Jesse’s. He took a step closer, one arm lifting to press against the wall over my head as he leaned into me. I waited breathlessly. “I’m game if you are,” he said in a rumble of husky words.

Gah! He was going to be the death of me. Maybe literally, if our powers kept exploding. He didn’t move; that intense gaze remained on mine, and I realized that my joking had done nothing except send my lusty thoughts to an entirely new level. Backed against the wall, Asher felt like he completely surrounded me.

Jesse let out a shout from nearby, and I jumped a foot. Asher just smiled, stepped away, and gave me space again. I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or disappointed.

Both. Definitely both.

“If anything happens,” Asher said, serious now, “find me immediately. Okay?”

His intensity could turn a nun, I swear.

I nodded and swallowed roughly. My mouth was dry, my throat was dry, my panties were not.

Jesse returned, my Converse held triumphantly in his hands, and I had to pretend that I hadn’t been eight seconds from jumping Asher.

“Sorry,” Jesse said quickly. “Calen had them in his room. Bastard probably thought you’d come looking for them yourself.”

No doubt.

It was dark outside; I’d slept half the day away. Something occurred to me. “How did Louis even know what was happening?”

He’d arrived just in time.

Asher answered, “He felt our energy. Everyone in the Academy did. He said if he hadn’t been there to contain it, things would have ended differently.”

I let out a choked sound. “What would have happened if he wasn’t there?”

Jesse rumbled out a laugh. “Apparently you two touching almost blew up the school.” He waggled his eyebrows at me. “Imagine if it was more than a simple handshake.”

Yeah, I was trying my best not to do that. I was already too hot and bothered.

“I better thank Louis the next time I see him,” I said, shaking my head. “I never expected anything like that would happen.”

“Me either,” Asher said, turning his dark stare down on me. “Your power is beyond anything I’ve ever felt before. I’m very interested in what Louis says the next time he’s here.”

He wasn’t the only one.

When we reached the commons, there were lots of students eating and relaxing. The moment we stepped out of the shadows and into the main area, it felt like hundreds of eyes were on us.

Two chicks made a beeline for the guys, skidding to a halt in front of Asher, and I almost shrank back at their venomous expressions. One I recognized: Kate. Head Clover. The other I didn’t know. She was impressive to look at, with curves and a small waist, her long dark hair curled around her perfectly painted face. She had a whole Marilyn Monroe vibe going on.

She threw herself at Jesse, knocking me to the side. “Baby, where have you been?” she whined. Now I was almost certain this was Chellie, the on-again, off-again girlfriend.