Eternal Academy Book 2

CATALINA

A strange sense of foreboding hits me the moment we’re standing outside the office door. I can sense Sebastian on the other side, and that calms me a bit.

Although he doesn’t see me as a mate, that doesn’t mean he’ll let anything happen to me. “I’ll go in with you if you want me to,” Lucien whispers, leaning against the door.

He must be picking up on my mood again.

I open my mouth, not sure if I’m going to agree or disagree with his offer, but I never get the chance to answer.

The door swings open, barely giving Lucien time to catch himself. Sebastian stands there, glaring hard at him.

“Ms. Cortez, you’ll be attending this meeting alone,” he says, pointedly staring at Lucien.

Lucien stiffens, his eyes flashing yellow. I place my hand on his arm. Now is not the time for him to wolf out. His eyes snap to mine, then instantly calm down.

“I’ll be fine,” I tell him. Sebastian watches us with a tortured look on his face. Lucien nods, placing his lips against mine and staying there.

I realize he’s staking his claim in front of Sebastian. If only he knew…

I follow Sebastian into the room, spotting Ares instantly. He’s sitting in the chair that’s normally reserved for the dean.

My eyes flicker to Sebastian, but he’s unbothered about the intrusion into his space. “Have a seat,” he instructs me, pointing to the only unoccupied seat.

I shuffle over, and that’s when I notice the hooded guy. He’s in the corner, watching my every move. Is he Ares’s bodyguard?

I ignore him, taking a seat. “Why am I here?”

Ares smiles, showing pearly white teeth.

“I was informed of your situation before I got here and wanted to see how you’re doing. It’s not every day you’re removed from your life by someone, just for them to try and kill you.”

He chuckles, like the thought of someone trying to kill me is hilarious. That’s all he wants? Why doesn’t he call Nick too if that’s the case? He had also been in that cell with me.

“I’m fine.” The hooded guy makes a motion with his hand and Ares nods. What the hell? Is that some type of sign language?

“Good. In that case, there’s no reason to hold you any longer. But I suggest you visit me once a week.”

I stiffen. “May I ask why?” Why do I need to visit him?

He leans back, watching me. “Sebastian, do you mind leaving the room for a minute?” My spine stiffens, and I look pleadingly at Sebastian.

Don’t leave me in here with Batman and Robin! I shout in my head.

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly. I’m not going to leave you completely alone. My eyes widen. He just spoke in my mind. Which also means he hears me!

Then I blush, wondering what else he’s been hearing. I give him a curt nod, and he glides gracefully out of the room.

“I know what you are.”

My head whips around. Ares is giving me a smug look.

“What?” My heart is beating a mile a minute. He can’t mean what I think he means, right?

“I can sense the power in you.” He stands, walking slowly toward me. “So much untapped power.” Inhaling deeply, his eyes turn a bright orange. “The first of your kind.”

I don’t say anything, too freaked out by his actions. He can smell my powers?

“Jayden will help you with that.”

The hooded figure steps forward. So his name is Jayden. I look over at him to find him once again staring at me.

Normally I’d be creeped out, but there’s something about his attention that I like, even if I can’t see his face.

“Why?” Is he a demigod? He can’t be a lycan, can he? “What makes you think he can help?”

Not that I am opposed to his help. I just don’t want any help from Ares. It’s clear he wants something from me. Otherwise, why would he go out of his way to train me?

He smirks. “Jayden is special. You’ll find out soon enough.” Taking a seat behind the desk again, he lifts a piece of paper.

“I canceled the other teacher they had scheduled to teach you and replaced them with him.”

He must be talking about the class with the unknown teacher. But now I know. I take a peek at Jayden while he’s busy staring out the window.

His shoulders tense up and I wonder if he can feel my eyes on him.

Sebastian chooses that moment to come back in, with Lucien behind him. I roll my eyes. Of course he didn’t leave.

His wolf eyes take in everyone in the room before he turns to me. “You ready?” I look at Ares questioningly.

He waves me off. “You may leave. We’re done here.” I nod, booking it to the door, only to feel Sebastian’s cold fingers curl around my upper arm.

I try not to show how much his touch affects me, especially in front of everyone.

But dammit, my skin tingles where he’s touching me, and my heart is halfway out of my chest. I look up at him. “Yes?”

“I’ll see you later?”

I nod, assuring him I’ll be back to feed him.

Lucien practically yanks me from the room with a frown on his face. “Why does he need to see you later?”

Crap! I always forget about his lycan hearing. Why would Sebastian ask me that in front of him?

I drag him away from the office. “Sebastian is my mate.” He’s bound to find out eventually. “And we’ve bonded, which means he can now only feed from me.”

He stills. “He feeds from you?” The amount of disgust in his voice shocks me. Is he disgusted that I allow Sebastian to take my blood?

“Yes,” I whisper, a feeling of shame overcoming me. Will all my mates be disgusted by me once they figure it out?

Strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me into a solid chest.

“I’m sorry I made you feel ashamed. He’s your mate and you’re just taking care of him, like you would one of us.” He sounds regretful.

“You’re not mad at me for keeping this from you?” I’d be mad if he had another mate and didn’t tell me. But then I’d also have to kill her.

Breaking our embrace, he grabs my hand, pulling me out of the building. “I’m a little pissed, but I’m sure you had your reasons. But we’re telling everyone else right now.”

I cringe. Damn, I’m not ready to tell the others. Guess I don’t have a choice now.