Page 30

~Ariana~

Being back here was difficult for me.

In close quarters with supernaturals that either feared or hated me.

My control being put to the test with class after class, assignment after assignment.

Being watched like a hawk during said classes by the faculty and students alike.

And now the weird blackmail-sex situation I had going on with Kai.

I hadn’t wanted to come back here at all.

But I’d made a promise to my family to complete the full curriculum that was four years at Maven Academy.

And, yeah, there was also the fact that it had basically been mandated for me, because of my extreme power and the control concerns that came along with that. Me attending the Academy kept certain Guardian and Unity Council officials at bay and took the heat off Pops. He might be the Head of the Guardian Movement, but he wasn’t a dictator. He had to listen to the concerns of those around him and those in positions of power and influence. And a lot of those concerns were about me andmy power and the absolutely devastating impact they feared it could have upon the supernatural world if I couldn’t maintain full control of my abilities.

At least it was just one more year.

I just had to keep reminding myself of that.

Whenever I came back here, I always headed to one of the Ruminat huts before the beginning of classes to center myself and work to readjust to it all.

This time, I’d ventured to one of the huts with the steam, because it deepened the meditation process and helped me to immerse myself more.

I let out a serene breath as my Ruminat came to an end, and I pushed off the white marble bench and rose to my feet in the small space.

It was absolutely sweltering, sweat dripping down my body and soaking my black sports bra and shorts.

I opened the door and stepped out into the adjoining bathroom and changing room, each of the steam huts coming complete with one. The regular huts without the steam were another story. But the steam ones certainly needed the shower element.

I turned on the shower and stripped off my clothes, then opened the glass door and stepped inside. Closing it behind me, I turned and stepped under the rainfall shower, a moan escaping me at the soothing sensation of the water cascading down my body.

I grabbed some shower gel and cleaned myself up, even shampooing my hair, too.

I took my time, the strawberry scent wafting over me and adding to the invigoration.

I closed my eyes as I finished rinsing out my hair, making the most of the tranquility and the peacefulness that the Ruminat had brought me.

“That’s a shame. I was hoping for a show.”

Adrenaline shot down my spine at the sound of that voice.

My eyes snapped open, and a gasp escaped me, as I took in Kai standing outside the shower, leaning against the adjacent wall, his ankles crossed as he looked on.

He was striking a nonchalant stance, but his flaming eyes told another story entirely as he drank in the sight of my wet, naked body that was currently on full display for him.

I saw him zero in on the mark on my right side, a Celestial Binding Mark that I’d been born with which was kind of like a birthmark that referenced my heritage according to Grandfather and Dad.

The mark pulsed faintly with a golden light. At its center was a star-like core formed of a compass rose. Eight symmetrical lines extended outward creating a cross that echoed both direction and destiny. Encircling the luminous center was a ring of Celestial energy that was intricately woven with spirals of light. Swirling arcs curled outward like delicate vines.

I slapped my arm over my breasts and placed my hand between my legs to block his view of that as well. “What the hell are you doing in here?”

“I believe that’s beyond obvious,” he deadpanned.

“Get the fuck out!”

“Do you ever play with yourself while you’re lathering up?”