Page 40 of Exordium

Professor Lee stood at the end of the hallway, staring in our direction. He bowed his head reverently to me when I walked by. It was odd. I needed to remember to ask my parents about the letter he had given them. I leaned close to Nathan, “You can’t go with me to the office.”

“Why the hell not?” He frowned.

“I don’t want to hide what we are to each other but, no one can know about our bond until we do the ritual, and no rituals will beperformed until after initiation is complete. Unless this changes things.” I glanced at Pantar.

“OK, my Nexi, I’ll wait for you in my dorm. Let me know if anything goes wrong, and I do mean any little thing.” Turning to give the twins a look, he let go of my hand and reluctantly headed outside.

The twins continued to follow me, and when I looked at them in question, Zeke motioned for me to keep walking. Trusting they knew what they were doing I continued heading toward the front office. Dean Mathews was headed out by the time I reached the office. Stopping, he looked at Pantar in amazement.

“I was just coming to look for you. I’ve had no less than twenty students, and ten professors come here to tell me about the Fellat in the hallway. I had to confirm it with my own eyes.”

“I came straight here, Dean Mathews. I thought it important to let you know and possibly, get permission to contact my parents.” I said in a respectful tone. I wasn’t sure he even heard me. He couldn’t take his eyes off Pantar.

“Where did he come from?” he asked reverently. “How did this happen?”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Instructor Storm appeared from behind the dean. How in the hell did he get here so quickly?

“I’m curious about that also. How did this happen, Miss Hawthorne? Is your family somehow involved in this?” Storm smiled, with what looked like mischief.

What a fucking asshole. Trying to involve my family, the nickname ShitStorm genuinely fits him. “I was in the tunnel confronting what Emberhold deemed my greatest fear, and out of nowhere, the Fellat appeared. I don’t know any more than you do.” I said to him sincerely, ignoring Storm.

“I think we need to call Callum of the Rossi Faction. He’ll know if she’s telling the truth.” Storm said, still standing behindthe Dean. He then winked at me like this was all in fun. What fuckery was this?

“I’m not sure that action is necessary. Let’s head to my office and discuss this without an audience.” Dean Mathews glanced up, noticing the crowd gathered in the hallway for the first time.

When Zeke and Zane started to follow, the Dean stopped them, “I don’t think your presence is needed. Instructor Storm was leading her group and should be able to answer all my questions.”

Zane frowned, “We were there when the Fellat came out with Miss Hawthorne. My brother and I would be more than happy to give an accounting from our perspective.”

“It’s not needed at this time. I’m sure Instructor Storm will have all the insight I need.” The Dean said sternly.

I saw ShitStorm smile smugly at the twins. When the Dean turned to walk into his office, Zane flipped him off. Hopefully, I’d get to see Zane knock him on his ass in the near future.

Smiling reassuringly at the guys, I entered the Dean’s office with Pantar right behind me. The Dean sat at his desk with me and Storm taking the chairs in front. Pantar prowled around the room, sniffing various objects. I was thankful the office was large. Otherwise, it would be a tight fit. Pantar was a massive Fellat.

“Thank you, Nexus. I am exceptional, that is true.”The giant beast preened.

“I need an accounting of the events that start with you entering the tunnel.” The Dean said, still spellbound by Pantar’s every move.

“Well, as I explained, I was confronting the scenario that Emberhold had shown me, and Pantar just appeared and snapped me out of my fear. I have no idea where he came from.” I explained.

“Are we really expected to believe that?” ShitStorm asked. “How does she know the Fellat’s name?” He smirked at me. God, I hated his stupid face.

Pantar forced himself between me and Storm’s chairs. Then looked down on Storm and growled in a low, threatening manner. Take that dick!

Storm looked shocked and strangely hurt by this and leaned away from Pantar. I tried my best not to show any amusement, but from the way Storm glared at me, I wasn’t sure I succeeded.

“When we bonded, his name just came to me,” I replied to Dean Mathews. No way was I going to say the beautiful beast told me himself.

“You’ve already bonded?” The Dean asked in amazement.

“Yes, we bonded while still in the tunnel.” I showed him the bite marks around my wrist that were already starting to heal. I rubbed my chest but stopped when I noticed Storm staring at the motion.

Storm leaned closer, like he was trying to see through my shirt. Pantar blocked him and lifted a massive paw, knocking him from his chair and to the floor. This was the third time today I had seen him on the ground I really hoped it would trend. #ShitStormonhisassonceagain, I lifted my hand to cover the smile on my face at the thought.

Oren jumped to his feet, glaring at Pantar. I thought it odd that he hadn’t shown any fear of the Fellat thus far, my Pantar was extremely fearsome.

“He isn’t too bright, but he would make a brave faction member,”Pantar spoke, surprising me with his comment.

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