Page 38 of House of Pain
“Just as each witch can determine how their shield is going to manifest, they can also learn to manipulate it, so it’s more bendable and not so obvious,” the professor said, strolling to his desk. He glanced at his watch. “But we’re going to discuss that and all the other types of protective spells in other lectures this year. You’re free to go. Your homework will be in your notebooks by the end of the day. I suggest you don’t miss out on completing it as homework will be 30 percent of your final mark for this year.”
All students rose, shuffling out as the professor continued giving his instructions on the grades and homework and whatever else.
Blaze strode back to his seat, picking up his books, glad that the only thing standing between him and his bed was a ten-minute walk.
“I’m having a meeting with some of the members,” Val said as they were leaving the classroom. “Want to meet me later for a drink?”
Blaze shook his head, lighting a cigarette the moment he walked out of the building.
“I’m off to bed,” he said, stopping to wait for Andro. “I need my beauty sleep before tomorrow’s game.”
“As you wish.” Val walked off, leaving him alone as students streamed out of the building, rushing to different parts of the campus.
“Well, that was some skilled witchcraft,” Andro said, finally emerging from the building with a wide smile. “Mr. Leveau, you look good in a shield.”
Blaze laughed, shaking his head as he let the smoke escape his lips. They walked casually around the main building where most lectures took place, towards the main path leading outside the campus.
As they rounded the corner of the building, a fountain emerged. Gabe and his lackey sat on the edge, chewing on some brightly colored candies.
Blaze threw them a glance and kept walking.
“I have it in a memory orb,” Matias said, snickering. “Unlike you, I actually managed to get her in my bedroom, right where I needed her to seal that sweet ass getting railed inside the orb.”
“Fuck off,” Gabe spat. “That doesn’t make you the fucking hero.”
Matias shot back, “It does when it’s Miss Black we’re talking about.”
The moments those words left Matias’s lips, the blood froze in Blaze’s veins. He stopped abruptly.
Blaze exchanged glances with Andro, who clearly had heard the same thing, his eyes blazing fire.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Blaze snapped, whirling and striding back to the fountain.
Matias cracked a wide smile. Gabe crossed his arms, a pleased smile spreading on his angular face.
Blaze wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug grin off his ugly face with one of his fists.
Or both.
Preferably both.
“You have a habit of listening to other people’s conversations?” Gabe snorted.
“It didn’t sound as if you were trying to be discreet,” Andro countered, coming to stand at Blaze’s side.
Blaze’s heart hammered in his fucking ears as his fingers curled into fists.
“What, Leveau? Mad that I fucked your girlfriend last night and saved a little memory for the future?” Matias teased. “My boys will be happy when I show them how good Alecto Black is in the sheets.”
Blaze’s sight went red, and before he could think better of it, he lurched at Matias, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and drawing his face close.
“You give me that memory orb rightnow. Or I’m going to make sure you shit blood for the next month,” Blaze spat.
“I don’t think I will, Leveau. It’s just too valuable to have such a thing in my possession. Not every day you get something on a Black. And I intend on keeping it as a souvenir.”
Matias didn’t even react as Blaze’s fist slammed into his jaw. Blaze let him fall backwards as Gabe jumped him from behind. Blaze ducked and smashed his elbow into Gabe’s groin, making him groan with pain.
Before Blaze could straighten himself, a fist collided with his face, sending him backwards. Matias jumped Blaze.
