Page 214 of The Lost Ones

“You know what makes this worse?” He asks but doesn’t pause long enough for me to answer. “I don’t want to find my Bonded. I can’t imagine lov . . . Liking anyone like I like Asher, Ty and Harry. It’s killings me, Erin.”

I chose not to point out what he so obviously was about to say. His words have cemented my decision for me. I don’t want to give him false hope but I honestly don’t believe that it is.

“Sage had a vision that you’d meet your Bonded Mates at an academy.” I start and his eyes snap up to mine. “Before you get pissy, we couldn’t tell you because Sage had one of her feelings and said it wasn’t the right time. I’m telling you now because I can’t stand to see you so upset. I don’t know what they looked like she didn’t tell us but she told us enough that it would surprise me if Asher, Ty and Harry weren’t your Bonded Mates. Kysen too. They’re like brothers I highly doubt that it would be them and not him.”

“I’m not saying that they are definitely the guys from Sage’s vision we won’t know that without asking her, when they get here with Kysen. All I’m saying is it’s a pretty damn big coincidence if its not them. especially if it feels so right, that suggests to me that it feels that way because it is right.” I finish.

“I don’t know what to say.” He mutters, as a smile plays around the edge of his lips, “But why haven’t I gotten the Soulmate Mark if they’re my Bonded? And why haven’t they got theirs?”

“I don’t know Dude.” I say, before continuing excitedly as something occurs to me, “Maybe it’s because your Bonded are separated since Kysen is still making his way here with Sage and the others? Does it work like that?” I ask since I have no idea. We, as part of the human side of the Earth realm academy were taught only what they deemed we needed to know and where Centre’s were concerned we knew that they existed and had Bonded Mates that’s it.

“I’m not really sure. All of the books that we had access to at the Earth realm academy didn’t say anything about it. They just spoke about when a Centre meets their Bonded. I don’t remember reading anything aboutif the Bonded were split. It’s common for the Bonded to have a connection before meeting their Centre. Like they’re all friends or a military unit something along those lines. It’s supposed to reduce the jealousy and fighting because they all trust each other before a Centre comes into it. although magic helps with that too.”

“Well it’s something me and you can research here then. We already know that they have better and more in depth books here. Since the Director of the Earth realm academy clearly didn’t want anyone to have any useful information.” I say sounding slightly bitter I know.

“Good idea.” He says, “I can’t help but hope that Sage saw them. I wish she was here so we could ask her.”

“I know but I’ve got a feeling.” I say for what it’s worth, I don’t get visions in the same way that Sage does and I haven’t had one of my visions from touching any objects recently but I’m not lying.

“Thanks Erin.” He smiles at me, he seems lighter than he was when we first started this conversation but there’s still a hint of worry in his eyes that I imagine won’t go until he knows for certain that they are his Bonded and they’re going to be together forever.

“Come on lets go and kick some ass.” I grin hopping up and walking out of the door.

It automatically locks behind us and won’t let anyone in apart from those on our approved list. Magic is pretty fucking cool and the door is run on something which is a mix between magic and technology. There’s lots of stuff like that here and it’s so awesome. According to Ty though only the cities have similar since the idea of mixing technology and magic is a fairly new and experimental business. The smaller towns and villages are still fairly tech free and everyone still travels on horses. The technology and magic cross over hasn’t advanced enough to work out cars.

“I think I need that, after that rollercoaster of emotions.” Cole chuckles.

“I bet. I’m actually starting to enjoy combat class now that I don’t get winded and feel like I’m dying in the first five minutes.” I say as we walk through the wide and ornate hallways.

There’s paintings, tapestries and even suits of amour lining the halls. It’s a far cry from the barren halls of the Earth realm academy. There’s a warmth here despite the stone walls that was absent at the other academy, there’s also laughter and excited chatter as the students move about the halls. I hadn’t realised that it had been missing from the Earth Realm halls. The syllabus here is hard and gruelling but the effects are worth it. They’re preparing us as best they can so we don’t die when we’re turfed out into the Realms as Enforcers.

Besides it’s not only serious, they mix in enough fun that it makes everything worth while and stops us from getting despondent and not wanting to try as hard. They also do not send us out on jobs until our third year here. Not even for surveillance. I quite often wonder whatwould have happened to me, Jett, Dash and Damon if it wasn’t Sage who was brought into the warehouse basement that day.

I have a feeling that the outcome would’ve been a lot worse.

“Yeah right!” Cole agrees bringing me out of my thoughts, “C is a ballbuster to the extreme but he knows what he’s doing and we’re already seeing the results of our hard work.”

“True he immediately commands respect out of all of us though so that has to help.” I say as we enter the large gym.

Its massive so that it can accommodate a giant obstacle course that changes on a whim and never looks the same. Its sort of like the one at the Earth realm academy but even more complex and its not controlled by anyone. It runs on pure magic and computer programming, its epic and makes Dash giddy every time he gets to use it the nerd. The rest of the gym is split into workout equipment at the other end and in the middle a wide expanse of sparring mats.

In this lesson we will use all of the equipment in here. It’s a three hour lesson and by the end of it you’re almost convinced it’s been twice as long. Me and Cole make our way over to the sparring mats and immediately start stretching and warming up. I smile at my guys as I spot them around the room. We don’t dare to do anything more though. C has a zero tolerance for pretty much everything.

C is a complex kind of person and I’m still unsure what to make of him. He’s still fairly young as far as supernatural’s are concerned but he’s considered a specialist teacher and pulls rank over many of the other instructor’s here. Which is another thing that doesn’t quite sit right, many of the other teacher’s and instructors are almost scared of him and always give him a wide birth. There’s a story there and I’m curious enough that I’m practically dying to know it.

Because he has the status of a specialist teacher it means that he teaches an optional specialised course. The course is only available to upper years and they are the only ones that know what he specialises in. Even then only a few students are accepted on the course and the upper years tend to watch him a bit more warily after that.

“Drills!” C barks out, his face in his perpetual frown.

No one dares to disobey him and we all set about doing our unique drills. On the first day we were given a list of drills to memorise. It had all the things you’d expect, running, press ups, burpees. That sort of thing but each student had them in a different order so that the equipment needed is always free. It puts a bit of pressure on you knowing that someone is practically on your heels and needs to use the area that you’re using or the equipment. Although we don’t socialise my guys all make sure to stay close. They’re far too protective but I find it cute and when it comes down to it they know I can take care of myself, especially now.

After drills it’s a round on the obstacle course trying to beat your previous time score. It seems a bit ridiculous to me since so far I have neverdone the same course twice so its bound to take different lengths of time.

Finally it’s time for my favourite part of the lesson, sparing.

“Line up!” C orders and we immediately line up in front of him, feet shoulder width apart and arms behind our back our hands clasped.

It’s already become second nature to do it.