AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"And why would I lie?"
"To see the look on my face when your brother walked into the office."
Nyx chuckles, "That was funny." He dodges my elbow flying toward his ribcage again, "I swear I didn't know!"
From his tone and adamant denial, I believe the youngest Harland brother, but it doesn't make me any less mad. I feel like I've been blindsided.
"Is it really that bad to have him train you though?" Nyx's question slices through my thoughts. "Atlas knows you, so you won't have to start from scratch with someone new. And believe me, you don't want to be stuck with old-man Fenwick. He smells like cheese."
"And Darmas?" I press. "She could have been a good fit for -"
"Is it because you and Atlas have kissed before?"
"Nyx!" I hiss, glancing up and down the hall to make sure no one overheard him.
"And want to kiss him again?" He bounces his eyebrows up and down playfully, avoiding my swat. "To be honest, Kitarni, that's kind of sexy. Lusting after your professor."
I grit my teeth and will myself not to strike him. "I told you about that kiss in confidence."
"And I haven't told a soul, but you can't really expect me not to say something to you about it."
"You're a pest."
"I prefer the term adorable, but pest will do." Before we enter Professor Rigg's classroom, where I will be doing most of my studies, Nyx grabs my arm. "Give Atlas a chance. He might surprise you."
I nod. Maybe Nyx is right. Maybe Atlas will surprise me.
Six
Shaye
Ihate to admit I wasn't paying attention during Professor Riggs' introductory class. I caught bits and pieces of what his intentions were for our lessons, how he was excited to teach me about the history of Dalerin and the lore and legends of magic wielders and celestials alike, but all I could actually focus on was my upcoming training session with Atlas. It's true that he's been training me over the course of our journey through Bava, and logically, it would be best for him to continue instructing me, but I wish he would have told me about his employment. I shouldn't have been caught off guard in Headmistress Radcliffe's office.
I used to love secrets and surprises because it would always lead to Bastian returning from one of his journeys with gifts and forbidden encounters. But now I am beginning to hate them, feeling more blindsided and out of control than ever.
After Professor Riggs' releases us, Nyx and I snag some lunch from the great hall before making our way to the fourth and highest level of the school. Just when I think we can't go up any further, Nyx opens a door at the end of the hallway, and I spot a spiral staircase that I'm expected to climb. With a huff and a full belly, I follow Nyx up, up, up to a black metal landing that opens up to a tunnel with light pouring in at the end.
"Where are we going?" I ask, halfway out of breath.
"Atlas' classroom."
I stop and press my hand along the wall to catch my breath. Wishing in vain that there was a lift, like the one Professor Riggs uses, that could bring me upstairs faster, I straighten and press onward.
We finally reach the end of the tunnel and step into the bright light. The Magical Warfare training room is much larger than I anticipated. Circular, with a glass dome ceiling to let the sunlight pour inside, the classroom stands in stark contrast with the rest of the school. Where Magikos Grammata is fashioned in the old-world charm, Atlas' classroom has grey slate floors, wooden bleachers, and etched in the tile floors are red, green and blue rings. The red ring is the smallest circle and is in the center of the room, directly beneath the dome. The green ring is slightly bigger, and the blue ring is the largest. I catch sight of a dark, wooden desk at one end of the room where there are no bleachers and that's where I spot Atlas. He's scribbling away on a parchment, and strands of his dark hair fall across his forehead. I watch intently as his left hand carries his quill up, down and across the paper, but as if he senses me staring, he glances up and meets my gaze.
"Well," he smiles, reclining in his seat, and placing his quill down. "If it isn't my favorite student," he purrs and slips out of his leather chair, sauntering to the smallest circle in the center of the room. Despite the fact he's dressed completely in black, the sunlight beaming through the dome casts a heavenly glow on him, and I dare say, makes him deliciously appealing.
"Is that how you begin all of your classes?" Nyx chomps down on a juicy red apple he snagged from the great hall.
Atlas' eyes narrow at his brother but he doesn't dignify his snark with a response. Instead, he focuses on me. "Normally, on the first day, I would ask my students to demonstrate their magic but since I'm already aware of some of your abilities, I'll skip that task and ask about your eyes."
"And how hypnotizing they are?" I bat my eyes at him, and Nyx barks out a laugh as he makes his way to lounge on the bleachers.
"Good one, Kitarni."
The corner of Atlas' mouth twitches, as if he's fighting off a smile. Shaking his head he says, "I don't know if I like how much time you and Nyx are spending together."
I take a step toward him. "I'm not hearing you say my eyes aren't hypnotizing."
