Page 138 of The Lost Ones

I’m hoping to get a chance to talk to Nicole when class is over to see if she can give us any information. Even if it’s just to tell us what the crap that creature last night was and how it was in the school in the first place.

“Hello class, Nicole was unable to be here today so here I am.” An instructor I’ve never seen before chuckles as he walks to the front of the room, “I suggest you practice feeling for your magic and maybe using it to do small spells. Not to worry I am on hand to help if anything does go awry but I will also know if you do so on purpose. Us fae can always tell when someone is lying, at least that’s my gift.” He smirks and I make a mental note to ask Maverick if he has something similar, that would be handy.

I look around at the other Centres in the room to gauge their reaction. Other than me, Erin and Cole there’s only three others including Rebecca although she seems to be missing which is odd. Especially considering the dire circumstances that occur if we are late. Cole turns around in his seat and smiles at us, clearly a lot more relaxed now.

“Do you guys want to practice together?” He asks, slight insecurities showing in his eyes.

“Sure.” I reply and Erin smiles.

“I loved how you dealt with Rebecca and her Bonded in the dining hall.” He grins and I smirk.

“Yeah that was pretty fucking awesome. I’d had enough by that point and so had my Bonded.” I shrug.

Without thinking I spark up my fingers and start playing with the flame moving it between my fingers absentmindedly. I realise what I’m doing when Cole’s eyes widen slightly as he watches me but he doesn’t look surprised and more than that he almost seems relieved.

Because of that reaction I don’t stop, instead making sure I’m angled so the rest of the class can’t really see what I’m doing. Following my lead Erin starts to play with her water. Her gift coming to her as easy as mine does to me. She starts making a large bubble of water and then splitting it off into smaller bubbles with streams flowing from each one. She almost looks bored as she does it but the excitement and joy in her eyes can’t be hidden.

I watch Cole curiously for his reaction.

I know my vision showed him as one of my most trusted supporters but Nyx also warned me to be careful who I trust. I have a good feeling about Cole though so I hope I’m being cautious for no reason.

I see resolve harden in his eyes as if he’s come to some sort of decision. I sit up a bit straighter as I watch when with as little effort as me and Erin he produces several small whirlwinds setting them on the desk and controlling them enough that they spin in place. He moves his fingers in lazy gestures as he makes them spin and dance, sometimes joining or separating into smaller ones.

He snuffs out all but one leaving it spinning and cautiously looking upat me and Erin his eyes instantly fill with relief when he sees our giant grins.

“That’s pretty fucking awesome.” I comment.

“Me and Sage are practicing our gifts after school in Sage’s room if you’d like to come too?” Erin asks and I quickly nod in agreement.

I think he’s holding back just like we are and I’m happy to do what we did just now and just show him the rest of our gifts. At least I’m assuming Erin’s got more gifts. She’s going to need them if the future that Nyx alluded to is really going to happen, and I don’t doubt the goddess. Besides our men aren’t exactly harmless so if the practically impossible happens and he proves untrustworthy, I’m fairly sure that between us all we can convince him to stay quiet.

I sincerely hope that it doesn’t come to that though.

“Yeah, I’d like that!” He grins.

“Watch it!” I hiss and quickly extinguishing my flames.

The others quickly copy, Erin making her bubbles disappear and Cole vanishing his last whirlwind.

“How’re you three getting on then?” The substitute instructor asks, smiling warmly.

“Good thank you, Sir.” I reply smiling, making sure that I don’t lie.

Bending the truth I can do and I am fairly certain that I can talk to him without giving away the strength of our gifts or telling a lie that’s going to make him suspicious.

“Good, good.” He says before winking at us and moving on.

All three of us watch him as he goes to the other Centres and not only does he speak to them more professionally with a hard edge to his tone but he also makes them show him how far they have gotten with summoning their gifts.

“Do you think he saw us?” Cole asks, frowning and watching the instructor with suspicion.

“I don’t know. Someone else we have to keep a fucking eye on!” I sigh heavily, the list is getting longer.

Cole looks at me in interest but the bell ringing signalling the end of class stops him from saying whatever he was planning to.

“See you guys at lunch?” He asks and we both nod as he rushes out of the class and down the hall.

“Doesn’t he have combat with us next?” Erin asks as we follow him out.