Page 30 of The Lost Elemental

“That’s it, isn’t it? You’re all a bunch of assholes, you know that, right?”

“Acknowledged and owned,” Kai drawled.

Riven didn’t say another word, he simply lowered himself into the empty chair next to Phoenix and glared. What a warm and fuzzy lunch.

The ground vibrated beneath me, and my head jerked up to meet soothing hazel eyes. Atlas hovered behind the chair on my other side before he took it, giving me a hint of a smile. “Hi, Aura.”

“Hi,” I squeaked.

His lips twitched. “Did you make it to your class okay?”

I let his calming presence wash over me. “Barely. I don’t think air is going to be one of my affinities.”

Riven muttered something under his breath I couldn’t make out, but Kai clearly could because there was a thump, and then Riven grunted in pain.

“I could help you if you want,” Atlas offered. “Earth is my primary affinity, but I’ve got some air gifting too.”

I looked around the table, trying to put the pieces together. “You’re the earth prince and Phoenix is the fire prince?”

Shadows danced across Atlas’s eyes, and he nodded slowly. But it was the weirdest thing. It was as if he was bracing for me to bolt. Being caught up in elemental royalty wouldn’t have been my first choice, but Atlas had been nothing but kind to me. I’d never ditch him just because of his bloodline.

I gave him a little smile. “It’s probably frowned upon to nearly tackle a prince, huh?”

He chuckled. “I’m not sure where that falls in the royal rule book, but I’d get you a pardon.”

Kai leaned in closer. “I’m feeling a little jealous, Pip. How come you never try to tackle me?”

“Probably because she’s scared of getting a disease, like any reasonable woman would be.”

The voice that cut through the air was smooth as silk and fit the girl behind it to a T. She had perfectly straight white-blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and flawless fair skin. Even her uniform looked better than the rest of the school’s.

Riven pulled out the chair next to him, and the girl lowered herself into it with a grace I’d never have. Kai smirked at her. “Don’t be jealous, Eva. There’s more than enough of me to go around. And you know I always wrap it up.”

She scrunched up her nose. “My tastes are a little more discerning than that.” She leaned into Riven with that and he wrapped an arm around her. My stomach twisted at the contact, which made zero sense. Maybe I just felt bad for the girl for being saddled with such a prick.

She smiled at me. “I’m Eva. I heard Kai’s been telling the whole school you’re his soul mate.”

I sent a scowl in his direction. “Seriously?”

“It’s the truth. Don’t deny our love.”

“You say love, I say stalking.”

Eva let out a light laugh. “I like her.”

“Told you!” Kai cried. He grinned at Riven. “Now you’re really outnumbered. Get used to having Aura around. You’ve been overruled.”

I couldn’t help but meet Riven’s gaze across the table. Some part of me needed to see his reaction. His face was a blank mask. But there was something underneath it. It wasn’t the typical derision or exasperation.

It was fear.

17

“For homework, please read chapters one through four.”

“So much for no textbooks,” I muttered to myself.

Students rose the second Professor Shale stopped speaking, darting for the door. I stayed exactly where I was, in the back corner of the classroom. I waited until the last student was gone and then gathered my books.