Rune

Zaria’s POV

One more month passed, and Malacar and I grew closer than ever. My Master, with his older, deadly beautiful face, had eyes only for me. The thought of that made my heart race and my cheeks warm. I was falling in love with him, even when I tried to tell myself not to, afraid of what it might mean for both of us. Each time I saw his smile or caught the longing in his gaze, my feelings tangled between fear and desire. We did things together without actually doing it, each touch drawing me deeper under his spell.

He said once we do it, they’ll know I belong to him, and part of me shivered with excitement, while another part wondered what I would become if I lost myself to him completely. I never knew how exciting all of this could be; he taught me things in bed I didn’t know were possible, awakening cravings in me I never expected. Sometimes I lie awake at night, wondering if he feels the same fear, the same hunger. I was craving him as I thought about it, and when I opened the door to his room, I paused. He was on the couch and looked sad.

I locked the door and walked to sit next to him, but he pulled me into his lap. His arms are holding me so tight.

Malacar, are you okay? I said, cupping his face, looking him in the eyes. His lips kissed me softly, and I knew he was hiding something from me.

We said we would be honest with each other. You got bored with me?

Zaria, you can’t be serious. I could never be bored with you. Demons mate once, until dust takes us. My last mate was centuries ago.

I’m worried about tomorrow, the class choosing their familiars. Familiar selection has always been a test of magical strength; students are supposed to form a bond with a magical creature, and everyone knows only those with real power can succeed. You being “human,” the others might question why you're even in the ceremony at all, since humans aren't supposed to have the kind of magic that's needed to claim a familiar.

Malacar, I’m human, so maybe they won’t make me choose a familiar. I have no magic…Yeah, I read about it because Nova told me. I will pick Shadow then.

No, that’s not how it works; at the trials, you have to show strength along with your familiar.

I have four, if they’re willing to help me, because I freed them, you know. Before, they were all trapped by wards in the forest behind the academy, bound to obey the teachers and students who summoned them. I broke their chains, setting them free from the spells that forced their servitude. Ever since, our bond feels different, more like a friendship than a command. Maybe that’s why they might choose to help me at the ceremony.

Never mind that, he said, dropping me on the couch, kissing my neck. What did that freak do today? I let out a growl.

Noctis? I don’t know why he is interested in me; he follows me like a puppy. I giggled.

Not funny, Zaria. You’re mine; there is no one else who can touch you. Once I mark you, everyone will know.

You’re speaking in code, kiss me,

 and let’s forget what if…

My body relaxed under him, as he always took my breath away. His mouth was on my breast, teasing me until I begged.

A sudden knock on the door made me jump. Malacar let out a low, guttural growl, and as his anger spiked, his eyes flashed a vivid, unnatural red. For a heartbeat, the air between us thickened with a strange electric charge, shadows seeming to curl around him. The crimson in his eyes seemed almost to glow, burning with a power that made my heart beat faster, a reminder that beneath his beautiful face lurked something otherworldly. I reached out, pressing my trembling hands to his cheeks, and as my skin touched his, the red seeped away like ink dissolving in water, leaving his eyes back to their deep, endless black. The tension eased. I quickly gathered my top and slipped into the bathroom, breathless.

Valira and Cordelia, the she-wolves, I heard their voices.

Master Malacar, can we come in?

Not at this hour. Tomorrow you can come and put some clothes on, girls. Someone might get the wrong idea.

The bathroom door opened, and he lifted me. They’re throwing themselves at you, I said with a frown.

Yet I can only see you, he answered, smiling. You’re adorable when jealous. He kissed me like he only knew, made me forget everything.

Past midnight, I finally left his room and walked past one of the dorm rooms to see them in bed. Valira was slammed from behind, as Cordelia was kissing him, his hand touching her naked body. His face turned.

Darius, a warlock from the graduating class, is powerful and arrogant. His blond hair fell on one side of his face.

He pulled out from Valira and slapped her ass, turned to Cordelia. His arousal hangs. I wanted to giggle.

Then I turned and left. I wondered if magic could fix that…

The school's sacred room was circular, with markings on the floor in an ancient language. We sat down on the cold marble in a circle, as others brought familiars in the middle, caged in wooden boxes.

Why is a human here? She won’t be able to immediately raise a familiar Astrid, said.

Dean Stormcrest walked to her. It's about the experience, Astrid, and shows some respect for your classmates.

Okay, the first time he took my side. I looked at Malacar, and he looked surprised, too. James leaned in and said something to him. His eyes looked angry.

Open the crates, let the familiars choose, the dean said. We all waited for our familiars to choose us.

Astrid got a spider, Nova got an axolotl, Valira got an octopus, and Cordelia got an owl. I was waiting for mine.

Then a raven hopped on one leg towards me, and Astrid laughed. I put my hands out and picked him up. I petted his feathers. His eyes were looking carefully at me.

I got you. Don’t listen to them. My eyes turned to Astrid. She was not worth my attention right now, so I stood up and walked towards Nova. As I passed her, I tripped on an invisible something and fell flat on the marble floor. The impact of my hands hitting the cold marble sent a shimmering ripple across the surface, like tossing a stone into a still pond. The ancient markings on the floor glowed faintly for a split second, as if waking from a long sleep. Everyone gasped, watching as the ripple slowly faded, leaving only silence and wide eyes.  Malacar came to my side immediately, alarm in his eyes.

Breathe, please, he whispered as he held both my hands. I looked down to see black smoke seeping out of my fingers. My imagination, probably, the raven flew in my arms.

How should I name you? I asked him softly… Rune, yes!