Page 31 of Stormbringer (Tracthesian Academy #1)

M arc tapped his toes to the floor as he waited for Wayla to get out of the class. He fully expected to have to fight over carrying her, but she had just smiled happily and let him lug her around. He was afraid to ask how much pain she was really in despite the smile.

Jarred had texted him during the class they shared. Marc had to give him points, firstly for thinking about the pillow, and secondly for getting one on such short notice. Wayla had clung to that thing almost as tightly as she had to him.

He absolutely hated knowing she was in pain. He could push her in the practice ring, only because healing afterwards was an option, if need be.

Marc ground his teeth together. If it had been just him Saturday night, he would have failed her. There was no way he could have pushed her like Hellion had. Sure, he was fine holding her down for him, but dealing her real pain, no matter how much she might enjoy it… just no.

He had specialized in shielding because he wanted to prevent pain and suffering, not to deal it out. So, thank the Hell Realms for Hellion. He had been able to push her with pain when she needed it. After his initial freak-out, he had grown more comfortable with it, too.

Jarred had helped with that. Marc still marveled over the seamless way they’d worked together. No competition, not even showing off. At least not beyond what Wayla had wanted. He chuckled and rubbed his face.

“Loitering in the hallway, huh,” Hazard’s voice pulled him out of his musings.

“Waiting for Wayla to get out of class,” he replied. Something dark flitted over Hazard’s face. Marc frowned. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Hazard hurried to say.

“Come on, now. I know that was not for nothing,” Marc persisted. Hazard’s mouth tightened, and he stepped closer to Marc.

“Hellion is getting invested,” he muttered.

“Yeah?” Marc wasn’t sure what Hazard was aiming at.

“Hellion, Marc. She’s what? A storm spirit. How do you think that’s going to go over with dear old daddy when he had a fit over a prince dating his son?”

“Luci—” Marc cut himself off. “You sure he’s the problem? You don’t feel left out?” Hazard’s face closed off, and Marc cursed himself for bringing any of it up. “Sorry, that was shitty of me.”

“We cleared the air… back then. But you need to watch your back.”

“You think he knows?”

“Oh, I’m sure of it.”

“Well, fuck.” Marc couldn’t find anything else to say. “My folks will have an aneurysm over her, but they are not sending assassins after her.”

“Yeah, and watch out for the Sleethill spawn too. I’ve seen him sniffing around.”

“He shielded her from Elena,” Marc ground out. “I can’t go beating his ass over that.” He wanted to, though.

“Uh-huh. Elena isn’t happy either. Just stay sharp,” Hazard said, and then glanced over at the door and the rising level of voices. “I’m out of here.”

Marc watched him leave as the door opened and students hurried out.

He needed to talk to Hellion. They all needed to talk. He rubbed his eyes. Yeah, talk . That would go over well with Wayla. He imagined bringing it up.

‘Hey, you know the guy you are not really dating? Well, he comes with assassins and other unpleasantness attached, but no worries, we’ve got it covered.’

That would endear all of them to her, surely.