Page 26 of The Lost Elemental

Aiden arched a brow. “I laugh when something’s funny, mutt or not.”

I thought for a moment he might be someone in this class with a brain. Apparently, I was wrong. I turned back to my desk, focusing on my hands. I tried to see the little fireflies of light that had circled them and the rest of my body when Quincy had unlocked me. Nothing came.

Squinting, I gave everything I had to feel them. Still nothing.

Water flew at me from my left. Not as much as had been flowing through me when I’d nearly lost control, but enough that I looked as if I was about to report to a wet T-shirt contest. Xena’s lips twitched. “Whoops.”

Aiden burst out laughing. “Now, that was fucking funny. I think I got some dollar bills at my dorm, Aura.”

A blast of water hit him square in the face, making his head snap back. “What the hell, Kai?”

Kai shrugged. “That’s what happens when bullshit falls from your mouth.”

“Enough!” Professor Belthorn scowled at Xena and Aiden but didn’t reprimand them. “Aura, why don’t you run back to your dorm to get changed? Hurry. We’re about to change classes.”

I stood, grabbing my bag and refusing to duck my head even as I shivered.

“I’ll go with you,” Kai offered.

“I’m fine,” I gritted out. The last thing I needed were whispers about the Golden God following me back to my dorm.

A flicker of hurt passed over his features, but he nodded.

I hurried out of the classroom, trying to tamp down the burn in my throat. Assholes like Xena and Aiden didn’t deserve my tears. But it wasn’t just them. It was everything. This unwieldy power flowing through me, the unknown of my father, who might be out for me next. I was two seconds away from cracking.

I rounded the corner and nearly collided with someone. Hands caught my shoulders and a buzzing instantly lit deep in the muscles there.

Riven snatched his hands back, scowling at me. “What the hell are you doing out of class?”

I glanced down at my soggy self. “I need to go change.”

“Of course, you’ve already lost control.”

“I didn’t—”

He held up a hand to stop me. “I don’t care. Just do me a favor and make sure you’re far away from me when you detonate? I don’t want to be taken out with you.”

14

My jaw dropped. “Did you seriously just say that?”

He shrugged. “I don’t have a burning desire to die anytime soon. And if you can’t get control of your gifts, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. I don’t want to get caught in the crossfire.”

My knee twitched to take a shot at his balls. But his words had already landed, taking root in my mind and multiplying. The idea that I might lose complete control and end myself and others? That I might never see Charlie and my mom and Lainey again? It was too much.

The walls felt as if they were closing in around me, the bars of my cell trapping me in. I had to get out. Away from Riven. I needed air and open spaces.

I jerked past him and took off down the hall. I didn’t care that I looked like a crazed version of a drowned rat. I just needed away from that asshole and his cruel truths.

I hit the double doors to the building with a thud, sending them flying. I started running before I could even think about where I was going but didn’t make it very far. Looking where I was going would’ve been a good idea. I slammed into something so solid I bounced backward.

Had I missed a tree? A mountain?

Large hands caught my arms before I could fall flat on my ass. They steadied me as I found my footing again. I looked up and up and up. I had never seen a guy this tall. No, this large everywhere. His thighs were likely the size of my waist.

I swallowed hard as my gaze tracked over a muscular chest and the broadest shoulders I’d ever seen. His corded neck made me think of some supersized lumberjack.

I braced for anger as I made the final ascent to his face. Instead, I was met with concern in gorgeous hazel eyes. His irises reminded me of a soothing nature scene, a mossy forest floor that begged for you to curl up and take a nap.