Page 64 of Academy of the Wicked, Year One

"You're all insane," I declare, though there's no heat in the accusation. "Here I am, having an existential crisis about accidentally marriage-bonding with death incarnate, and you're treating it like I just picked the wrong flavor of ice cream."

"Death incarnate?" Cassius repeats softly, and I swear I catch the ghost of amusement in his tone.

"Would you prefer 'shadow daddy'?" I ask sweetly, earning a choked sound from Damien and what might be a stifled laugh from Nikolai.

The drop in temperature around us was pretty expected as Cassius's shadows writhe with increased agitation. I’m beginning to realize Cassius’ emotions play around with the temperatures in the atmosphere. He doesn’t like when I teasehim, or maybe it’s when it can mean others potentially enjoying similar benefits?I’m not sure.But before he can respond, Mortimer's voice drifts back to us.

"The bond mark is more complex than simple marriage," he explains, his tone carefully neutral. "It's a recognition of compatible energies, yes, but also a melding of powers that shouldn't technically be possible."

"Like drinking Duskwalker blood and living?" I suggest.

"Precisely." He pauses at a junction in the tunnel, considering the paths before choosing the right fork. "The fact that you not only survived but seemed to thrive on Cassius's blood suggests your hybrid nature might be more unique than we initially assumed."

"Oh good," I mutter. "Because I wasn't feeling special enough already."

My hand rises unconsciously to touch the mark on my neck. It pulses warmly under my fingers, responding to my attention like a cat being petted.

Which is not at all creepy.

"Stop touching it," Damien snaps from behind us. "Every time you do, it sends out these...waves."

"Waves?" I turn to look at him, walking backward with supernatural grace. "What kind of waves?"

His scowl deepens.

"Power waves. Magic waves. I don't know — just stop poking at it!"

"You can feel it?" I ask, genuinely curious now. "Like, actually feel when I touch it?"

"We all can," Nikolai admits, though he seems more intrigued than annoyed by this fact. "It's like ripples in a pond, spreading outward and affecting the magical atmosphere around us."

I process this information, still walking backward because apparently, I make poor life choices.

"So what you're saying is..." A grin spreads across my face as I deliberately trace the mark again. "I can basically annoy you all with a simple touch?"

The surge of power that pulses out makes Damien bare his fangs at me.

"I will end you," he threatens.

"No, you won't," Cassius states quietly, but with absolute certainty.

The simple defense makes something warm bloom in my chest. Which is ridiculous because I absolutely do not need this impossibly gorgeous creature of darkness protecting me.

Even if it does make me feel slightly giddy.

"The bond would prevent that anyway," Mortimer adds helpfully. "Any attempt to harm her would rebound on the attacker with considerable force."

This revelation makes me pause mid-step.

"Wait, what?" I spin to face forward again, nearly colliding with Cassius in the process. His hands catch my shoulders, steadying me with casual strength. "You mean he's stuck being my magical bodyguard?"

"More like magically compelled to ensure your well-being," Nikolai corrects, though his eyes dance with amusement. "Though I'm sure Cassius would have opinions about being called a bodyguard."

"I have opinions about many things," Cassius murmurs, his hands still resting lightly on my shoulders. "Most of which are better left unsaid."

"I don't mind your silence," I say softly, watching how Cassius's shadows dance in the tunnel's ethereal light. "But I do like your opinions."

Something flickers in those silver eyes of his — surprise, perhaps, or maybe just confusion at my candor. His response, when it comes, carries notes of carefully contained bitterness.

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