Page 20 of Traveler (Soulbound #1)
Aly
The most annoyin g part of all of this, was the fact that before I had never even seen Carion but all of the sudden, he was everywhere. The cafe, on the way to earth basics, even walking to my damn dorm room. By the end of the day, I was in a terrible mood. The bond was pushing me to want to fix whatever was wrong with me and Carion, but I have no interest in doing stuff just cause a stupid bond says I should. He made himself clear and until he changes his mind and tells me that. I’m uninterested.
Vivianne had been trying to get me to focus for the last hour on her newest history lesson about bonds and her plots for dorm design after I move out now that Saul and I have completed the bond.
“I also have a basement full of dead bodies.”
My head snaps up. The words slipping through my current pity party. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Oh, you know, the usual the pesky losers who piss me off I just.” She draws her hand across her throat in a cutting motion.
“Okay I’m guessing you’re joking because, A we don't have a basement. And B I’m hoping that I haven’t been sleeping next to a psychopath.”
“Oh babe, you are one hundred percent, sleeping next to a psychopath. But I have a firm no murdering family policy, so You should be safe.” She winks rolling onto her stomach.
“Okay okay I get it, I wasn’t paying attention. I’m sorry “
“It’s okay, what’s going on. Why are You so out of it?” She asks her eyebrows raised
“I- I met another mate. He- well he dumped water on me and basically told me he wouldn’t touch me with a ten-foot pole.” I flop onto my back. Staring at my ceiling
“Who is it?”
“I don't know his last name, but he said his name is Carion.”
Vivianne's eyes grow wide. “Carion Mitchell.” She says quietly. “Listen Aly I- I don't know much but his dad is a total prick and.... well the rumors aren’t great. It might not be entirely his fault.”
“What do You mean not his fault? How is it not his fault.?” Rolling my eyes. Rule of thumb, your decisions are in fact: Your fault
“Look all I know are rumors, maybe just talk to him? “
Trying to remind myself that not everything can go my way and that this isn’t a book where the girl can snap her fingers and get her guys is way harder than I thought it would be. The rest of my guys wanted me. And Carion just doesn’t.
Setting the phone down I decide I need to head to tutoring. Might as well get this over with. I’m hoping this is helpful; I’m kind of sick of being behind. Not that it’s my fault.
When I get to the Fire training grounds, I see a man standing against one of the walls his head in his tablet and the closer I notice a pull begging to yank me to him. Shit on a stick. You have got to be kidding me. What is this? This is the second time today. Can Your girl get a break. I Stop walking to take him in.
SOS, how is one supposed to handle 7 mates that are all wayyy too hot for their own good? Genuinely asking because I’m not entirely sure how I’m supposed to be focusing on learning when Saul is my teacher and Vin here is my tutor. But if I’m honest You’ve got me all the way fucked up if You think I’m going to actually ask Barrett to change my tutor so I can learn. #let’s-hope-I-burn-our-clothes off. he’s not as tall as Barrett, or as built as Alex. His long blond hair is curly and falling into his face. His jawline is arguably the poster child for ‘perfection’. I’ m so fucked.
I get about 5 feet from him when his blue eyes snap to mine. He looks shell shocked, for about .5 seconds his mouth curving into a smirk. “Well, this is a surprise.” He drawls.
I cock an eyebrow. “I’m Aly it’s nice to meet You.” I stick my hand out to shake his, but he just looks at it before slowly taking it and slightly shaking It.
“Vin Astor. The dean asked me to help tutor You for Your fire and earth magic. He said you struggle more with fire, so I’d like to start with that if You’re cool with it.”
Looking inward I notice my magic is still a little low after today’s almost forest fire. “Uhm, that should be okay but I- well I was working on it earlier today so I’m a little low on power.”
“Perfect. You’re less likely to burn the school down if You don't have a lot of gas.” He jokes walking to the center of the circle and sitting in the center, “Come sit.” He pats the ground in front of him.
Crossing my legs I sit across from him. “I have an issue keeping the magic low. It’s like it takes on a mind of its own and grows without me noticing. “
“That happens You have to learn to put a ‘stopper’ if You will on it. So basically, a limit Your fire can reach. A ‘max intensity.’ It helps to keep it from growing to a dangerous level. What I want You to do is hold out Your hand and before letting the magic out I want You to create a wall in the well of magic and You lift the wall long enough for enough magic to flow for You to create a fire ball. When You have enough, drop the wall down and don't allow any more magic through. “
Closing my eyes I try to picture a wall in the magic I picture a grey brick wall. Blocking through route to escape. I lift the wall in my mind and allow a little bit of magic to flow out.
“A little more.” Vin says
I let a little more out before slamming the wall back down. I open my eyes and see a perfectly formed ball in my hand. I can feel more of my magic attempting to escape and it’s getting harder to keep the wall up.
“Don’t strain Yourself, if You’re tired put the fire out and let Yourself rest.”
Listening to him I pull back in my magic and drop the wall. Breathing heavy I take the water bottle he has in his hand and take a big drink.
“Yeah, sure You can have a sip.” He jokes smiling.
“Thanks.” I laugh. Flopping to my back I take some more deep breaths. Trying to manage two thinks with my magic at once is a lot harder than You might think and I’m exhausted after this morning.
Vin lays down next to me and nudges my shoulder. “So-. Mates. Huh? “
“Ah yeah, sorry I had a rough day and wanted to get through this before having to think about more mates.”
“More mates? How many do You have? You are my Seventh and my last mate. Well kind of. I met another mate this morning but he kind of told me to fuck off so I'm not sure how well that is going to go but it is what it is.”
“Seven, damn. Well, I suppose you’ll never be bored.” He laughs before turning to the side to look at me.” As for the mate You met this morning, screw him. “
“Do You maybe want to come to dinner with me and the guys tonight? I wanted to do a movie night with everyone to get my mind off Carion.”
His face morphs to a grimace, he covers it up so quickly I almost miss it. “I’d love to.” He says quietly taking my hand he pulls me up to a seated position.
“What’s wrong.” I ask.
“Nothing Doll, I just didn’t realize that Carion is the one You were talking about. He’s a good friend. He- he’s been through a lot. Maybe don't count him out just yet. He just needs some time.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s what Vivianne said. I won’t count him out I just have to also protect myself. It’s not fair to all of You guys if I go chasing him. He can take his time, and I won’t push but I’m also not going to be getting my hopes up.”
When I get to my bag, I pull out my tablet to text the guys