Page 15 of Fated for Flames

“Yes. My friends call me Rafe. You can call me Rafe too,” he said shyly.

Suddenly a wave of dizziness washed over me, making the room spin out of control. Instinctively, I held my head, trying to quell the spinning sensation. Rafe extended his hand, which emanated a soft, healing energy, over my body. Almost instantly, the dizziness dissipated.

“Easy now,” he murmured, his voice a gentle caress. “You’ve been through a lot. I’ll let you rest.”

He smiled, a fleeting moment of serenity gracing his features before he walked to my window and then pushed himself out with a graceful movement.

I gasped in shock as I ran to the window. When I peered out, I caught a glimpse of him already soaring into the distance. His majestic white wings unfurled, gleaming in the moonlight.

12

Evelyn

Ipushed back the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet meeting the cool floor. It was nearing 6:00 a.m.; I should start getting ready before Chad came knocking on my door, sparking another round of rumors.

My phone chimed with a text from Lia letting me know that she was going back to the estate because she wasn’t feeling better and her mother was concerned.

If Lia truly was the one reaping the benefits from the siphoning of my magic, then they’d soon realize that I’d either stopped taking the elixir or that it had lost its effect on me. I’d need to be on high alert, ready for whatever scheme or countermeasure they concocted next. There was not a chance in hell I was going to let Lia, knowingly or not, steal my powers again.

The events at Professor Lucien’s office still lingered in my mind, leaving me unsettled and restless. Was I truly powerful enough to burn down the entire academy as Rafe had told me?

Not only was my magic being siphoned, but even more shocking was that part of it was bound.

Held prisoner.

Who would do that to me? And, more importantly, why?

As I got ready for my morning workout, I realized that there was a faint scent of something sweet in the air, a lingering trace of Rafe’s presence.

I’d need to give this more thought later. But for now, it was time to meet an adorable puppy.

* * *

My morning routine training session went by fast, especially with chatterbox Chad. He was undeniably an excellent coach. Since it was Friday and we were starting the day with defense training, he promised to go easy on me. Thank Hecate!

We ran through a series of exercises, each movement designed to strengthen my muscles. Chad’s methodical, focused approach made it clear why he’d make an excellent teacher one day. His chatter faded into the background as I concentrated on the movements, finding a rhythm in the physical exertion.

After our session, I made a beeline for the cafeteria. I grabbed a quick bite, something to keep me energized without weighing me down. With a few minutes to spare, I headed to the training field where the class took place.

I was doing stretches when a force like a cement truck slammed into my shoulder, sending me tumbling to the ground. It was the shifter with the serpent eyes—Viper, I believed his name was. He was the worst of them.

“Watch where you’re standing, witch, or you might just find yourself on the wrong end of a venomous bite,” he sneered.

A few shifters chuckled as they continued to walk toward the track. Ryker’s imposing figure stood a little farther away, watching.

“Did you face-plant again?” Chad said while walking toward me, apparently missing the interaction altogether. “I thought we had moved on from that,” he teased.

I smirked at him as I grasped his hand, using it to pull myself up. I attempted to showcase the latest maneuver he’d taught me this morning: I tried to flip him onto the ground. He didn’t budge. Not even a little. His countermove was swift, and with an oof, I found myself back on the ground, his figure looming over me.

Ugh, this sucks.

He peered down at me, a gleam in his eyes.

“You almost got me,” he said with an excited smile.

That was a big, fat lie.

Freaking puppy.

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