Page 6 of Traveler (Soulbound #1)
Aly
Walking into my first clas s of the day I almost stop dead in my tracks. I was shown the outside of the building and where my classes are. But we couldn’t actually go in the classroom.
Walking into this room feels… different. The walls- they’re not walls, exactly. They’re like sheets of glass or smooth stone, glowing faintly in shades of blue and green. The floor is made of the same material. Smooth and shining beneath my feet.
At the center of the room is a pool. I t’ s shallow, the water clear, and still- too still, like i t’ s waiting for something. Vivianne points at it and tells me i t’ s where we practice for class. Chairs and desks line the outside of the pool, creating a semi-circle, everything facing the pool and the professor's desk in front of the room. I t’ s simple but beautiful. I t’ s made of smooth stone, curved, and almost seems like it grew here. It feels like part of the room, not something that was placed in it.
Looking to the room's edges, I notice the shelves lined with jars, bottles, and books. Ther e’ s a quiet glow to everything in here. Even the lanterns floating overhead give off a soft, gentle light, not harsh or artificial.
Vivianne Pulls me to a seat close to the professors’ desk and when I look up, I notice Shit … It’s Saul. Or Mr. Jacobs is what Vivianne called him yesterday. The Pull that’s just been a dull thrum all morning suddenly intensifies and suddenly I’m so.... not focused on magic
I settle into my seat, trying to look casual, but my attention is immediately drawn to Saul standing at the front of the room. H e’ s leaning against the lectern, one hand casually resting on his hip, the other holding a vial of water that h e’ s absentmindedly swirling. His blonde hair is perfectly tousled, and the way his sleeves are rolled up just enough to show off his forearms makes it hard to concentrate on anything else. I mean, seriously, how is someone this good-looking teaching?
Okay, focus. Focus. This is water magic class , not a modeling shoot.
“ Water magic,” Saul starts, his voice smooth like a river, calm but commanding, “ is about flow. Yo u’ re not forcing it. Yo u’ re guiding it, like a current. If You think of water as a thing to control, you’ll fail. If You think of it as a force to work with , well....” He pauses, glancing up at the class with a slight smile that makes my heart do this weird little flip. “ You might just have a chance of understanding it.”
I try to snap myself out of my thoughts. Right. Water magic . H e’ s saying something important.
He moves to the center of the room, where the pool of water sits, and casually flicks his wrist. The water ripples slightly before shooting up in a perfect arc, hanging in the air like i t’ s frozen in time.
“ Water,” he continues, his gaze sweeping across the class, “ is in constant motion. But You,” he points a finger, and I swear i t’ s aimed directly at me, “ are not. You have to be fluid. Let go of any idea of rigidity. Water is n’ t rigid. So, if You try to force it into shapes or boundaries that don't exist, you’re going to waste a lot of energy.”
I nod along, trying to look like I’ m totally absorbing the information, when, in reality, I’ m just trying to focus on not staring at his arms. Focus, focus, focus . He shifts again, turning slightly to face the pool, and as he does, his posture changes. His shoulders are tight like he’s uncomfortable.
“ Take a deep breath,” he says, his voice softening a little. “ Close Your eyes, feel the energy around You, and then gently reach out with Your senses. Do n’ t force the water to move. Just.... suggest it. Guide it.” He demonstrates, his fingers barely touching the air above the water. The liquid seems to respond to him without hesitation, rising and falling with nothing more than a slight twitch of his fingers.
I close my eyes, trying to replicate what h e’ s doing. I feel a bit silly, but I focus anyway. I can almost feel the air around me shifting, but.... not quite. I’ m trying to feel it, but I do n’ t think I’ m doing it right. Maybe if I—
“ Not bad, Miss James.” His voice snaps me out of my trance, and I immediately open my eyes, meeting his gaze.
Saul raises an eyebrow; a slow smirk appears. “ Yo u’ re a little tense. But Yo u’ re on the right track. Relax, and remember water flows . Let it flow through You.”
I’ m sure I’ m blushing now, because my face is hot, but I quickly look down at my hands, pretending to focus. I inhale deeply, trying to push away the embarrassing thoughts circling in my head. Stupid attractive mates.
Saul Stops and goes rigid before his eyes flicker to mine his eyes going wide briefly so quick I almost miss it. Wait... did he... no. there’s no way. He returns to teaching, and I push the thought from my mind. There’s no way he heard that Vivianne said only travelers have that power
When class ends, I stand and try to rush out the door as quickly as possible when unfortunately. “Mrs. James please stay for a moment.” Both Vivianne and I stop and turn to Saul. His eyes trained only on me. “Alyssa James.” He clips
Vivianne gives me a small nod before turning and leaving class. I slowly make my way to the front of the class before speaking. “Yes? Professor”
Before I know it, he’s grabbed me and pulled me into a hug dropping his head. “When we are alone You can call me Saul little one.” He says in a soft voice. His head buried between my neck and shoulder. He takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry the bond is pushing me to You and being close helps the pull. “He mutters
I feel a smile spread on my face. “I don't mind.” I murmur.
After a few seconds he pulls back and leans against his desk. “Have you found any other mates. I just ask so I can introduce myself.”
“Full transparency I- I haven’t but I do know I’m going to have seven.” I grimace “So it won’t just be one or two.”
He laughs. “I figured little one. Most people have at least 4.” he gives me a weird look as if that’s common knowledge. So much for the crash course Vivianne gave me.
“Right , Well I'll see you tomorrow.” I say letting him pull me into one last hug he drops a kiss to my forehead.
“Be good little one.”