Page 26 of Fated for Flames

“Leave the book with me,” Professor Lucien requested. “I will break the spell and you won’t have to worry about it.”

“No. They’ll know. Whoever they are, they’ll know something’s up.”

Professor Lucien clenched his jaw as he stared at the book.

“Did someone lend it to you? How and where did you find it?”

I bit my lower lip as I tried to calm down my racing heart. “I had just returned from my Tactical Defense Training. We had an obstacle course today. When I entered my room to have a shower, I sensed it. Now that I’m stronger, I’ve started to notice that I’m more sensitive to magic than before.” I waved my hands as I babbled. “I followed my instincts to my bookshelf and found this book among mine. I never bought it, no one has lent it to me. I have no idea how it got there. It isn’t mine. I swear.”

He placed his hands on my shoulders. “Okay. Calm down. Breathe.”

I took two deep breaths. “They found a new way to siphon my energy now that I’m not taking their elixir.”

“Your assumption seems correct,” he agreed, removing his hands and circling me so he could sit behind his desk. “Take a seat so we can talk without you collapsing.”

I removed my backpack from the chair, placed it on the ground, and sat. My legs thanking me for it. I didn’t know where I found the stamina to run to his office without fainting from fatigue.

“Professor Lucien, how can I protect myself from it without them realizing it?” I asked, eagerly looking at him.

“Call me Lucien. I’m not your professor.”

I frowned but nodded since it made sense. “Are you friends with Miss Clarissa?”

“Of course not!”

“Why did you show up at my class then?”

“We’re having a conference in a few weeks. She had some books that I needed and told me to get them after her class was over. I arrived earlier and was waiting outside when I heard what was going on.”

I puckered my lips as I thought about his excuse.

“I wasn’t following you around.”

“I never said you were,” I countered.

“I only mingle with Luminary members on a professional level,” he added. “Is the interrogation over, Evelyn?”

I shrugged. “I guess. Though, some now gossip that you and Miss Clarissa are dating.”

He jumped from his seat. “What?”

I waved in dismissal. “Don’t worry. I know she’s not your type.”

He sat back and grumbled, “Let’s find out more about the book.”

I nodded.

His fingers grazed over the worn cover as he whispered incantations.

I kept quiet as he probed the black magic object.

“This is not like the elixir,” he said.

My hands nervously twisted in my lap. “What do you mean?”

“The elixir was…specific,” he explained. “It was attuned to you and you alone, it drew upon your unique essence. This…” He gestured toward the book with a slight grimace. “This is different.”

“Different how?”

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