[Smut Alert: this chapter ends with smut. This was your warning if this isn’t what you’re looking for.]103Please respect copyright.PENANA3TMHSxkuIu
103Please respect copyright.PENANARaPrGPdqSO
Nothing could have prepared Rella for the sight. She knew it was going to be spectacular, but not like this. The sun was setting, the skies gold and pink. The scent of the beach below reached her with a gentle summer breeze. Rella leaned over the rails of the balcony and took in the view.
When she had first seen the listing for this apartment she thought she had slipped back into a coma. The price was a steal for a beachfront property. Then she called the number on the ad and was stunned to hear no one had put in an offer yet.
“When would be a good time to set up a tour?” She’d asked the landlord.
“I’m always available, you can come today if ya want.” He replied.
That was a little over 4 hours ago. Rella had let her case worker know what she’d be up to, then left her hotel to view the apartment for herself. The place had two levels, the main floor an open space design. It only had two bathrooms but they were both luxuriously designed. The kitchen was a mix of modern and rustic, making her feel like she was standing in futuristic castle.
“So, whatchu tink?” Asked Mr. Beasley, the landlord. He was a portly middle-aged man with a kind face, balding at the top with tufts of salt and pepper hair sticking out at the sides. He was dressed in his company’s uniform, a golden nametag pinned to his chest.
“That I’d be an idiot to not take it.” Said Rella. She turned away from the balcony and walked back into the apartment. “No one else has applied? Really?”
Mr. Beasley chuckled. “Ad was posted dis mornin. You da first to see it, but I got more comin tomorrow.”
“Well, how long is the application process? I’ve got the money, I can pay upfront right now.” Rella rushed to say. She reached into her messenger bag and pulled out her wallet.
“Woah, no rush.” Said Mr. Beasley. “It only takes ten minutes for da security check. It comes back clear, den dis place yours. Come.”
The landlord waved for her to follow him to his office. The apartment had its own private elevator, Mr. Beasley assuring Rella that once she was approved the keys would be hers. He would only be able to come to her apartment if she left the elevator keys with him. Otherwise, she would have complete privacy.
They made it to his office and he pulled a tablet out of his desk. With a few taps he pulled up the application and set it in front of her. Rella filled it out as Mr. Beasley made small talk and asked where she was moving from. She hesitated at first, never the type to get personal with someone she barely knew.
Over a year ago, Rella was found unconscious in the middle of the road out the city limits. She woke up three months later, mute and with no recollection of who she was or who had dumped her. It had taken intense therapy and rehabilitation, but eventually she relearned verbal communication. She was discharged when she was deemed competent enough for independence. Since then, she had a social worker assigned to her to help her reintegrate into society.
Although news articles about her could be found with a quick web search, Rella’s identity was never released for her safety. She would prefer to keep it that way.
“I’ve been in the city as long as I can remember.” She replied smoothly. “Just figured it’s time for an upgrade.”
Mr. Beasley chuckled and helped her through the application. Even though she was certain she’d pass the security check, Rella couldn’t help but sigh in relief when he told her she had been approved.
After a month of living out of a hotel, she finally had her very own place. Just in time for school, too. The fall semester at the Aridian University of Magical Arts started in less than three weeks.
An hour later, Rella was walking out of her new apartment building, keys jingling in her hand. She made a beeline to the underground parking lot. When she got into her car, she let loose screaming with joy.
This was it! Getting her own apartment was the last step to finally being free of her social worker. As much as she appreciated the woman, it was suffocating having someone hover over every decision you made. With a sigh, she pulled out her phone and called Ms. Twan. She answered instantly.
“Hey, I just wanted you to know I got approved.” Said Rella.
“Oh, how wonderful!” Crooned Ms. Twan. “When do you get the keys?”
“I already have them. I can move in immediately.”
“How exciting for you. Ok, then. Give me a call when you’re settled in. I’ll come by for inspection and then I’ll need to see you in a few months to make sure you’re still going strong. Once I sign off, good riddance to me!” She laughed.
The social worker asked if she needed any help moving her belongings, but Rella politely turned it down. All she owned was already in her car.
After they hung up, she tucked her phone away, did one more little happy dance, then peeled out of the parking lot to her job downtown.
Rella was a bartender at a club called Pandora. It was owned by her friend, Phoenix, whom she had met at an outpatient physical rehab center. Phoenix was a volunteer donating his time to the children at the facility. One day Rella had agreed to help part time teaching the children how to read when she’d met him.
After a few days of working together, Phoenix offered Rella a job as a waitress. On their slow shifts, he taught her everything he knew behind the bar. Before she knew it, she was a licensed bartender working whatever shift she wanted and making a decent living.
First thing she did before clocking in was run straight to his office and kick the door open. He was sitting at his computer going over inventory when he looked up at her, startled. In a rush, Rella told him everything.
“What?! Holy shit, I’m so happy for you!” Phoenix cheered. He got up from his desk and scooped her up in to a bear hug. “I knew you could do it, kiddo. Do you need the night off to move?”
Rella laughed as he put her down and took a step back. “No, I’ll stay. I’m just…relieved, you know?”
Phoenix was the only friend she made that didn’t make a big deal out of her past. He had always encouraged to her to keep moving forward and make the best out life. His husband was a close second. Trinity had welcomed Rella with open arms when she’d showed up for her first shift. From then on, they had treated her like the child they’d always wanted.
“You’re our practice run.” Trinity had always teased.
After Rella gathered herself, she changed into her uniform and got to work. It was a busy night, her regulars coming in one after another. Close to midnight, a group of students from AUMA showed up and sat themselves in a booth. Their uniforms were a dead giveaway.
One of the girls broke away from the group and sauntered to the bar. She ordered for her table and waited at the bar while Rella got to mixing. Her brown hair was pulled in a loose bun, her green eyes lined by thick lashes.
“How’s your summer going?” She asked the student, sliding her an Amaretto Sour.
“Haven’t had much of one. We’ve had classes.” The student took a sip, staring at Rella curiously.
“What are you guys specializing in?”
The girl set her drink down with a grimace. “Oooh that’s good.” She muttered. She folded her arms on the bar and relaxed into a lean. “We work with the Head of the Magical Science Department, Professor Denoise.”
“The guy that wrote the textbook on Universal Seals and Curses? Wow!” Exclaimed Rella, impressed. “What are you guys working on?”
“Can’t say.” The girl took another sip. “Are you a student?”
“Not yet. I start this fall, though.”
The girl held up her drink to salute Rella. “Congrats! What will you be studying?” She asked.
“Interdimensional travelling, with a minor in Enchanting.”
The girl nodded her head. “Can’t wait to see you there. My name is Renada, but you can call me Ren.”
Rella set the drink tray in front of her. “Nice to meet you, Ren. Did you need help with this?”
Ren shook her head and left a folded $20 bill and a business card with her number on it. “I got it. Hit me up some time, though. I was a newbie at the school myself. It helps to have someone that knows the ropes a bit.”
With a wink, she took the drinks back to the table where her friends cheered raucously. Rella grinned and pocketed the card.
Life could only get better from here.
When her shift ended at 3am, Rella couldn’t sleep. She was so excited about settling in, she drove straight back to her new apartment. It took her less than a couple of hours to get everything out of her car and in her den.
Dropping the last trash bag of clothes, she stood in her new living room and took a deep breath.
“I’m so proud of me…” She whispered in glee.
Rummaging through a box, she pulled out a fleece comforter and a thermos. A journal fell on to the floor. Rella picked it up and opened it to the first page.
In sharp handwriting, a single phrase was written across the page: “I give what you desire.” The journal was the only item she had on her when she was found on the road. After the authorities had attempted all the tests they could to extract information from the book, they ended up with more questions than answers and gave it back to her.
Tucking the journal back into the box, Rella hustled to the kitchen and poured herself some milk and mixed chocolate powder in the thermos. After screwing the cap on, she grabbed a half empty bag of marshmallows and made her way to her balcony. From this height she could see the waves crashing against the shore, the bioluminescent algae glowing a bright blue.
She wrapped herself up in the blanket and sat on the floor. Her thermos heated up with a wave of her hand. Spinning a finger in slow circles, she stirred her hot chocolate with idle magic. When it was the temperature she preferred she plopped some marshmallows in and drunk in deeply.
There, Rella stayed until the sun slowly rose behind her. When she finished her drink, she gently laid back and closed her eyes, soaking in the sun’s rays and drifting off to a peaceful sleep.
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The days passed quickly, Rella’s nervousness mounting. The fall semester loomed over her, and despite having bought all the books and materials off the list the college sent her, she was terrified she was forgetting something.
There was one week left until classes began when Rella caved and blew up Ren’s phone. The two had quickly gotten along after the night they met at the club, finding similar interest in the books they read and their favorite hobbies. Unfortunately, Ren wasn’t exaggerating when she said she barely got free time. Although she was consistent in messaging Rella back, Ren was always working in the lab and had only been able to meet up outside of the college a handful of times.
“Hey, you’ve reached Renada’s cell.”
Rella dialed 0 to bypass the message. “Call me when you get this, I just realized I didn’t pick up my uniform.”
The elevator intercom buzzed signaling she had a visitor requesting entry. She answered the call as she pocketed her phone.
“Open up, I brought you your uniform and some lunch!” Ren announced.
“You’re amazing! Ignore the message I just left.” Rella answered back. She buzzed her through and went back to obsessing over her school supplies.
The elevator doors opened and Ren walked in with a giant white box topped with a green bow, and a bag of tacos from their favorite food truck. Rella rushed to help her, taking the food to the kitchen and pulling out dishware for them.
“I don’t know where I’d be without you, Ren. I swear, I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached to me.” She rambled.
“Relax, you’re going to be fine. I brought you a map of the school, along with your class schedule. They’re in the box with your uniforms.”
Rella kept thanking her profusely, abandoning her plate of food and tearing the box open. Inside was the last of the supplies she needed and four pairs of the school uniform. She was given four white blouses with a pair of skirts and pants. The school colors were green and silver, reflected by the green tie and ornate silver tie buckle that held it in place. She gushed over them making Ren roll her eyes.
“I’ve never met someone so excited to go to school.” She commented.
“Not only is this going to help with my future, I’m sure I’ll find something that will help me remember where I came from.” Said Rella.
Ren’s brow furrowed in confusion. “This is the first I’m hearing about it. I thought you were all about letting go of the past and moving to a ‘brighter tomorrow.’”
“Sure. But it’s still something I’d eventually like closure on.” Rella replied. “It may not affect me today, but it could come up and bite me in the ass tomorrow.”
Ren wolfed down the rest of her meal and chugged her soda. When she finished washing her hands she turned back to her friend.
“Why don’t you come back with me to the lab?” She offered. “Professor Denoise let the techs go for the day, but he should still be there. Maybe he can help?”
The offer made Rella pause. It was just too good to be true. To have the world’s leading professional in all magical seals and curses examine her would knock out 80% of the tests her social worker had been pestering to get done. They weren’t necessary for her to be discharged, but she could have gone to the doctors and had these tests done ages ago. She just never went through with it because she didn’t trust them to do it right.
“You don’t think it’d be too much trouble?” Rella asked after a beat.
“Not at all. He needs a change of pace from all the work he’s been doing lately. He’d definitely appreciate the distraction.”
It was silent for a second before Rella burst into another round of squealing appreciation. She ran around the island and stopped right beside Ren with wide open arms. Her friend rolled her eyes with a laugh and pulled her into a brief hug.
“You ready to go?”
Rella pulled back to put the leftovers away in the fridge, only grabbing enough for her to snack on along the way.
“Now I’m ready.” She said as she closed the fridge door with her hip.
They stepped into the elevator and pressed for the underground parking. Within minutes they were scurrying to Ren’s car.
“Let me shoot him a message so he knows to expect us.” She said as she buckled herself into the driver’s seat. When she was done, she backed out of her spot and drove them to the university.
It never ceased to amaze Rella how big and gorgeous the campus grounds were. She lived less than five minutes away from the college by car. When they reached the front gates, Ren flashed the guard her ID badge and was waved through. As they pulled through the long driveway, the white turrets of the main building revealed themselves.
In front of the entrance was a manmade pond with a decorative fountain at its center. A flock of swans lazily floated by, colorful fish swimming serenely below them. Instead of pulling around the pond to the front, Ren made a right-hand turn and continued driving along the private road.
Fields of green rolled by, students relaxing under the shade of trees while they studied. Others played games to help unwind, while even more were simply lounging and eating lunch. They soon came up on the Magical Science department, an entire building of its own. Ren pulled in to her reserved spot at the front and turned to face Rella.
“Ready?” She asked.
Rella looked at the four-story building before her, her heart hammering and blood roaring in her ears. In just a few short steps, she may have all her questions answered. She breathed in deeply, slowly letting it out.
“Take me to him.” She finally responded.
They were walking through the front doors when Ren received a notification on her phone.
“The professor responded.” Said Ren. “He said to make ourselves welcome in his office, he’s just cleaning up after his last class.”
Ren led the way to the fourth floor, navigating the halls until they reached an open room isolated from the rest. Walking in, Rella saw Professor Denoise’s name emblazoned on a brass placard sat on a giant oak desk. The walls were lined with bookshelves overflowing with scrolls and texts. He had one specifically dedicated to his awards and certifications.
The girls sat at the chairs in front of the desk, Ren pulling out her phone and messaging her coworkers. Rella tried to remain still but her mind kept racing with various scenarios, none of them ending well. She was starting to pick at her fingers when Professor Denoise rounded the corner of his doorway and hustled in, a stack of paperwork held precariously in his arms.
“Salutations!” The professor greeted as he dumped all the paperwork into a corner behind his desk. “Ren, I heard back from Professor Asmar! Let your focus group know that we’ll be proceeding with the original date. He’s sending in samples from his realm, we should receive them tomorrow afternoon.”
Ren instantly started typing away at her phone, introducing Rella to him as she did so.
Professor Denoise was a thin short man. He had dark blonde hair that fell just past his jawline. His brown eyes were hidden behind thick glasses and perched on a slightly crooked nose. He wore a white lab coat with fresh stains from his last class.
“Ah, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He said, reaching out a hand.
“You as well, sir. It’s an honor. I’ve read all your published work.” Rella gushed. She grasped the professor’s hand, only for him to latch on with a firm grip and yank her close. A strange feeling pricked at the palm of the hand he took, similar to the feeling of static. Rella was taken by complete surprise, Professor Denoise’s face mere inches from hers.
“I remember who you are.” He muttered in awe.
Rella glanced back at her friend who looked just as confused as she was.
“I was away on an expedition with my old professor, Asmar. I received notice of a young woman that had been found with no memory of her past, and my help was requested.” Explained Professor Denoise. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t do anything at the time. I had to finish the trip. We were on a strict deadline from our President.”
He let go of Rella’s hand and walked over to a bookshelf across the room. When he found the book he needed, he grabbed it and walked back to his desk as her flipped through its contents.
“Here we are!” He exclaimed. He looked back up at Rella with a remorseful expression. “I do so apologize. Admittedly, I was so engrossed in my work, you completely slipped my mind. I would have called on you the moment I returned. But look here.”
The professor turned the book around so Ren and Rella could read the passage. Ren’s eyes grew wide while Rella just became confused.
“This is a list of sigils meant for unlocking. Are we going to try them?” Asked Rella.
“No, because these sigils are etched into the walls of this academy’s buildings.” The professor replied. “The moment you walk on our grounds, all spells and curses are negated.”
Rella sat back in her seat, her heart dropping into her gut. “So, you’re saying that it’s hopeless? Whatever is wrong with me had nothing to do with magic?
“Let me finish.” Said the professor. “Spells and curses are negated. Sealing is different. They usually require an intense ritual that the target must agree to. They’re more of a challenge to deal with.”
Rella couldn’t fathom ever agreeing to having her memories sealed away from her. There was no denying that she loved her life now. But this big mystery has been looming over her since she woke up. Now she’s being told that this whole problem was most likely her own doing. It became a struggle to breathe.
Was she doomed to never remember her past?
Thankfully, her friend took over the conversation, noticing Rella’s inner skirmish.
“Sir, what seal was placed on her?” Ren asked tentatively.
“I have an idea, but I’d need to perform a quick spell to confirm it.”
Both of them turned to Rella, waiting for her response. She refused to look at them as she blinked away tears. It wasn’t until this moment that she realized how much hope she had in getting answers from him.
After a few deep breaths, she slowly nodded. “Go ahead, doc. Worth a shot.”
I guess, she thought dejectedly.
“Brilliant! Stand up.” The professor clapped his hands together and pointed at the center of his office.
Rella rose from her seat and glanced at Ren. Her friend flashed her an encouraging grin, easing Rella’s anxiety a bit.
Professor Denoise soon followed and stood across from her. He flicked a wrist and the floor under their feet began to glow, runes and glyphs appearing in a circle around them. Taking a step closer, the professor tapped a finger at the center of her forehead.
A surge of energy coursed through Rella, making her gasp. When the professor pulled away, an imprint of a convoluted sigil appeared from her chest. It was shaped like a diamond with a pair of wings, a single line of glyphs written at its center.
Flicking his wrist once more, Professor Denoise finished his ritual. Rella stared at him expectantly. He cleared his throat before responding, his face flush pink.
“The seal of Kaamuk. It’s an archaic and obscene seal. I…I am so sorry.” The professor avoided her gaze and walked back to his desk.
“Wait, how do I--?”
“Thank you so much for your help, sir. I’ll take it from here.” Ren interjected. She rose from her seat and grabbed Rella by the arm, leading her out of the office.
“Uh…thanks?” Rella called over her shoulder. She caught a glimpse of him staring out his window in horror before Ren shut the door in her face.
The girl refused to say anything as she kept the lead out of the building. They were on the first floor and almost out the door when Rella pulled her arm free and demanded to know what was going on. Ren refused to answer until they were in her car.
“How bad is it?” Asked Rella. “Am I going to die? Am I turning in to some bloodthirsty vampire? What is the seal of Kaamuk?”
Ren shook her head as if to clear it. She turned the key in the ignition and faced Rella.
“It’s a seal made by the Erotikos daemon, Kaamuk. It can be used to seal magic and memories.”
Erotikos daemons were the offspring of a Djinn and the Arch Demon Asmodeus. Known as Incubi and Succubae by humans, the daemons fed off sexual energy. Over time, they had come up with a few tricks to harvest energy at a wider range.
Rella felt her face heat up as the implication finally dawned on her. The only way this specific seal could be broken was if she fed it its fill of sex magic.
“Does Professor Denoise--?”
“No, he doesn’t. I only know of one person that would know, but I don’t think he’s back from vacation yet.”
Ren pulled out her phone and dialed a number. She let out a sigh of relief when the call was answered. It lasted less than a minute, and soon after they were driving back to the main building.
“That was the headmaster, he’s back.” Said Ren.
“…you just have him on speed dial?”
“Not him, but his front desk assistant. Claudia is my older sister.” She sheepishly admitted.
They arrived behind the main building and parked at the closest spot to the entrance. The back of university was built in a U shape, student parking in abundance at its center. Cherry blossom trees were planted along the campus, the petals dropping with the change of season.
As they made their way to the headmaster’s office, Rella was clinging to the last shred of hope she had. Maybe there was a way around feeding the seal what it wanted. This was the headmaster; he had to have some knowledge that Professor Denoise was lacking.
The girls came upon the hall his office was located. Guarding the entrance was a tall woman with a harsh expression hardening her hawklike features. Rella found her beautifully intimidating, the woman’s vivid green eyes boring into her as they approached her desk.
“Ren, you hung up before you’d let me finish.” Claudia said in greeting. She looked annoyed, her back ramrod straight and her hands folded in front of her.
“Oh, come on!” Ren whined, completely unlike herself.
Rella watched in fascination as her usually stoic friend turned into a bratty little sister. The two went back and forth, Claudia insisting that the headmaster wasn’t taking any visitors. Ren refused to back down, demanding her sister let the headmaster know this was extremely important and she wouldn’t be pressing for it otherwise.
“Absolutely not. Headmaster Arkadiy has strictly stated no visitors, and he means it.” Claudia lowered her voice even though they were the only people in the hall. “He just got back from an important job. It wasn’t just a simple vacation.”
“You tell her.” Ren said to Rella. “It’s not my story to tell.”
Without hesitation, Rella explained who she was and why she was requesting to see the headmaster. Claudia’s eyes only widened a fraction, but she gave no other indication that she was effected by the story.
“I’m starting classes here in the fall. If he doesn’t see me today, I’ll figure out another way to get him to.” Rella swore.
Claudia opened her mouth to retort when the double doors behind her opened wide revealing a staircase leading up to another level. She pursed her lips in to a thin line and shook her head in defeat.
“He’s definitely annoyed.” Sighed Claudia. “Go on in.”
Rella exchanged looks of surprise with Ren and hopped to it. She had reached the bottom of the staircase when she turned around for her friend. Claudia was holding her back with an outstretched arm. Before she could say anything, the double doors slammed shut in Rella’s face. She swallowed thickly, suddenly unsure of herself.
Looking up at the staircase, Rella took a moment to gather herself. She tucked a strand of her long black hair behind her ear.
Please don’t tell me you can’t help, she thought, over and over. She kept repeating it as a mantra, gradually taking each step forward. It felt like an eternity, but she reached the headmasters office doors. She reached a hand out to knock, but the doors opened before she could.
“Don’t keep me waiting. You pitched enough of a fit it broke through my silencing wards.” A deep silky voice said from within.
Rella stepped forward into the room, the doors clicking shut behind her. Professor Denoise’s office paled in comparison to the headmasters. The office had a second floor, shelves filled with texts and random artifacts. A window overlooked the student parking lot, a desk set in front of it. Next to that was a floor to ceiling mirror, runes etched along its borders.
The headmaster was walking out of a hidden room connected to the office. He wore nothing more than a black beater and cargo pants that hung off a tapered waistline. Rella felt her jaw drop as he came closer. He looked like he was barely older than she was. A colorful headscarf held his long dark hair back from his angelic face. Sharp brows arched above golden eyes, his plump lips twisted in annoyance.
Headmaster Arkadiy crossed his muscular arms and leaned a hip against his desk. The glare he gave her got her to snap her mouth shut, suddenly feeling embarrassed for trespassing on him.
“My name is—”
“I know who you are.” He cut her off. “I’m asking you, why are you here?”
Rella shifted her weight from one foot to another. Her bravado had disappeared the moment she laid eyes on him. The headmaster rolled his eyes and stepped closer to her, his hands sliding into his pockets. He paused a foot away from her, leaning slightly so that his face was level with her. He was only a foot taller than her, but the action made her feel like a child. Rella couldn’t help but take a step back, making Arkadiy smirk
“I just found out I’ve had a seal placed on me, and you’re probably the only one that can help.” She said in a rush.
“I should have made you make an appointment.” Arkadiy groaned, rubbing a hand down his face in irritation. “Do you know how many students come through here needing help with a spell gone wrong? Get out of here.”
Arkadiy turned on his heel and walked behind his desk. When Rella made no move to leave, he raised a brow. “Are you deaf?” He snapped. “I told you to leave. Talk to Claudia about making an appointment with one of our department heads that can help.”
“I just got back from meeting with Denoise.” Rella said through gritted teeth. The man’s attitude was seriously getting under her skin. There was no way this was the real headmaster.
“Then. Why. Are. You. Here?”
It took everything in Rella not to grab a thick book from the closest shelf and chuck it at his head.
“Look, all I need to know is if you have any knowledge about the seal of Kaamuk. There’s no reason to be such an ass!” She shouted in anger.
Arkadiy’s face went blank, his eyes studying her in silence. He let out a deep sigh and motioned for her to have a seat in front of his desk. Despite seething with anger, Rella made her way to the chair and sat down with a scowl.
“There’s only two ways to break that kind of seal.” He said after a second of silence.
Rella’s anger left her as if she’d been struck in the sternum. She tried to contain herself, painfully aware that Arkadiy didn’t seem all too keen in divulging the information.
“Please, I’ve never been so close to getting an answer.” She said with a shaky voice. “I will do anything.”
The headmaster’s eyes bored into hers as if he could see into her mind. Slowly, he shook his head.
“The only way it can be safely removed is by the person who placed it.” He said.
Rella ignored the painful ice that gripped her chest. That left only one other choice. “I have to feed it, don’t I?”
Arkadiy nodded and said nothing more.
“But that could kill someone. Even me.” Rella said, more so to herself.
“Not exactly. There are protections you could put in place to keep you or your partner from wasting away. The efficacy depends on the strength of the mage that performs them.”
“I don’t suppose you know who specializes in these protections?” She asked.
The headmaster made a face and sat back in his chair. “You’re talkin’ to em. But I’m not going to help you.”
“What the hell?” She blurted. “Why not?!”
“Because you’re a student, first of all.” Snapped Arkadiy. “Second, this type of magic isn’t something to take lightly. I admit, I’m the only one here that even knows what to do. But you’re going to have to find someone else. I’m not touching you.”
Arkadiy rose from his seat, the doors to his office opening. Before he could tell her to leave, Rella slammed her fists on his desk and stood up to glower at him.
“No!” She shouted. “Do you have any idea what it’s like waking up every day not knowing your own birthday, or what your parents look like? It’s been almost two damn years, and I’ve never been closer to knowing who I am than right now. Please, help me.”
It was so silent she could hear the tick of a clock somewhere in the room. She was panting from her outburst, trying desperately to calm herself down. Arkadiy stepped around the desk, Rella turning to face him. Still silent, he placed a hand on either side of her, trapping her between him and his desk.
This close, Rella could smell his natural scent. Like fruit dipped in honey. She leaned back from him, her body acutely aware of his. Not once did he touch her, yet her body heated up as if he was caressing her.
“This isn’t just about knowing how to protect against the nasty side effects. The spells required to make this as safe as possible means you bending to my every word. There would be no going back once the spells are activated.” He shoved himself away from her, waving at the door. “I’m not saying it again. Leave.”
Rella was stunned into silence. She wanted to argue with him, but she’d already crossed the boundary of what was appropriate. A thought crossed her mind and she paused at the doorway.
“You had to have learned the spells from someone. Can’t you tell me who?”
Arkadiy’s expression couldn’t get any darker. In response, Rella was shoved backwards by an invisible force, the doors slamming shut in her face.
It took everything in her to keep herself from breaking into tears. She had the answer to her problems but he refused to help for proprieties sake. The least he could have done was direct her to another specialist. Instead, he was forcing her to take matters in to her own hands.
Rella made her way down the stairs, Ren still waiting for her at her sister’s station. Her friend asked how it went but all Rella could do in response was shake her head. She thanked Claudia and apologized for the abrasive way they had come through demanding to be seen. The friends walked in silence to the car. They were rolling through the university gates when Rella let the first tear fall.
“Oh, no, Rella.” Sighed Ren. She reached over and took hold of Rella’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. “I’m so sorry. I swear I’m going to help--.”
“That arrogant, selfish prick knows damn well how to help me and he flat out refused.” Snarled Rella. “He wouldn’t even give me a name for anyone else that could help he just—he just threw me out!”
She angrily wiped away at her tears, her body hot with emotion.
“Claudia said he was in a bad mood. Maybe we can try another day?” Ren offered.
Rella shook her head. “As much as I hate him right now, he had a decent reason for not helping me.”
“What could he possibly--.”
“The seal can only be lifted by the original caster, otherwise he and I would have to have sex for anything to work.”
Ren blushed all the way to the roots of her hair. “I was really hoping that wasn’t the case.”
There was a moment of awkward silence before Ren spoke up again. “Does masturbation not count?”
“If it did, I’d probably have it lifted by now.” Rella admitted with no shame. Her friend couldn’t help but bark out in laughter.
Ren dropped her off at her apartment, promising to call her first thing in the morning. As Rella entered her home, she struggled to find any motivation to do anything else but pout. She was still so bitter over Arkadiy’s flippant dismissal.
The lights to her bedroom lit up as she walked in. She slipped out her clothes and stepped into her bathroom. A bubble bath sounded perfect to her right now. She poured a lavender scented gel into her bath, the water steaming hot. As the tub filled up, she turned to inspect her reflection in the mirror.
“I look as shitty as I feel.” She huffed to herself. Her face was puffy from how many times she rubbed her face today. Her brown skin had a greyish pallor to it making her realize she’d only eaten a single taco all day. Without a thought, she walked out of the bathroom to make herself a quick PBJ sandwich.
One of her favorite perks of living alone was the freedom to walk nude. The sandwich was gone by the time she returned to her tub. She turned the faucet off and gingerly stepped into the tub.
Instantly, her muscles bunched up before gradually loosening to the heat. Rella groaned in pleasure, the lavender scent clouding her mind into relaxation. She tried to empty her mind, taking deep breathes in through her nose and slowly releasing it through her mouth. Instead of nothingness, her brain kept showing her a pair of beautiful golden eyes.
Her traitor heart kicked into gear. Rella wanted to hate the headmaster, but now that she was calm, she couldn’t help but feel admiration for how he handled her. She really did show up only to end up pressuring him into sleeping with her. Despite it all, she didn’t feel any shame. Rella meant what she had said. Now that she knew what it would take to break the seal, she was willing to do anything.
Between the heat and the lavender, Rella’s eyes started to feel heavy. The combo worked its magic and got her to close her eyes. All of her stress ebbed away replaced with serenity. She was drifting into sleep when she heard someone walk into her room. Curious, Rella stood up in her tub. Suddenly, the headmaster was standing at the doorway.
“What the hell? What are you doing here?” He asked in utter shock.
Rella looked up and smiled languidly at him. Her brain couldn’t have conjured up a better scenario. She was so getting her revenge on him.
“What do you mean? You’re in my apartment after all.” She replied.
Arkadiy looked at her as if she’d sprouted a second head. He looked to his left, then his right. When he looked back at her again, she was stepping out of the tub. He hastily grabbed a white towel that was hanging from a hook on the wall.
“Christ, you need to cover up.” He snapped, wrapping the towel around her shoulders.
“Am I not pretty enough?” Rella asked.
Arkadiy stared at her in confusion and took a step back. “I already told you my reason.” He said.
“I call bull.” Rella said breathlessly. She refused to hold the towel closed, her body on full display.
The headmaster stared at her with a hunger that was undeniable. His face contorted into anger as he shook his head. “You have no idea what you’re asking for.”
“Then teach me.” Rella said, taking a step forward. Arkadiy stood still, his eyes lingering on her lips.
“I can have my assistant call you with a list of specialists.” He answered lamely.
“I want you.” Rella was barely a foot away. “Teach me…”
The raw agony in his eyes gave her the confidence to slide the towel off of her. Arkadiy’s hand lashed out and gripped the doorway. At first, she thought he had lost his balance. Taking a step closer, Rella realized his knuckles were white and his arm was trembling from pent up emotion.
“This would be way easier if you would just…teach me.” She whispered.
Slowly she reached a hand up and placed it on his cheek. His skin was hot, his nostrils flaring as he tried to maintain his cool. Without a thought she leaned in close and placed a kiss on the line of his jaw. Arkadiy hissed in a breath, otherwise unmoving. Rella pressed her lips at his neck, relishing in how his body trembled. She skimmed her lips back up to his ear, his arms breaking out in goosebumps.
“Teach me.” She whispered.
Arkadiy let go of the doorway and wrapped his hand in her hair. He gripped the back of her neck and firmly tilted her head back. Saying nothing, he pushed her backwards until she was pinned to the sink by his pelvis. His lips hovered above hers making her heart race erratically.
“Learning from me means accepting all of me.” He said as he ground into her. Rella let out a whimper at the feel of his hardened length against her core. “Don’t go asking for things you’re going to regret.”
She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, bringing him closer. Her body arched into him, making his grip on her neck tighten.
“Please.” Was all she could get out.
Arkadiy stared at her with a conflicted expression. Eventually he caved, crashing his lips against hers in a wild frenzy. Rella followed her impulse and grabbed for the waistband of his pants. He stopped her by grabbing her wrist, pulling back breathlessly. A sound of disappointment slipped out of her.
Pulling her off the counter, Arkadiy spun Rella around and held her by the throat. He forced her to stare at her reflection in the mirror, his free hand trailing from between her cleavage down to her clit. Rella watched him in anticipation, her body quivering.
He whispered affirmations in her ear telling her how beautiful she was. Rella’s bones melted, her stomach clenching every time he swept his fingers down to her clit. His eyes wouldn’t leave hers as he continued to caress her. He pulled her arm up and hooked it around his head.
“Hold on.” He muttered.
Rella did as she was told, her fingers curling into his hair. He gripped a thigh before reaching under and lifting her leg. Her foot was propped on the counter, her cunt fully exposed. She let her head loll back on his shoulder, her breath catching as his fingers slid through her folds.
“Look at me.” Arkadiy demanded.
Their eyes met through the reflection. He grinned at her lasciviously, a finger sliding into her. Rella arched into him, his free hand reaching up to grip her jaw. He held her in place as he pumped in to her teasingly.
All she could do was watch their reflection, Arkadiy slipping a second finger in. His palm rubbed against her clit, Rella’s hips rolling into the touch. Her body jerked as her pleasure began to mount. The headmaster spun her around and pushed her up against the wall. He jerked her head to the side and bit down at the crook of her neck hard enough to leave an imprint.
Rella cried out in ecstasy, her knees buckling. Arkadiy grazed his teeth along her skin, sucking at a nipple as he made his way lower. When he was kneeling before her, he grabbed a leg and hooked it over his shoulder. Rella stared down at him with delight. He held her gaze as he leaned in, his tongue leisurely stroking her clit. She gasped out his name in response, her thighs clenching.
Arkadiy took his time with her, moaning as he lapped at her juices. She reached out to grab at the counter with one hand, the other clawing at the wall behind her. The sting of ecstasy spread across her body. Within moments he had her panting his name, begging for release.
His tongue did one more devilish swirl around her clit and slid two fingers back inside of her. He licked at her nub once…twice…three more times. Rella’s inner walls clamped around his fingers and her body began to shake. As she cried out, Arkadiy gently lapped at her, extending the orgasm. One hand gripped at her ass, his fingers digging in before he pulled away.
This time, Rella’s legs completely gave out. Arkadiy swept her in to his arms, her head flopping on his chest.
“Mm, if the real thing is as good as that, you’re never getting rid of me.” She teased, her words slurred.
Surprisingly, Arkadiy was genuinely amused. He looked down at her with a raised brow. “Now if you’d pulled that stunt back at the office—”
“I’d still be hunting you down cuz you’re a fat meanie.”
Arkadiy let out a laugh as he carried her to bed. He gently laid her down, Rella unable to keep her eyes of him. The way he was treating her made her feel so safe. A stark difference from their earlier encounter. He tucked her under the blanket and brushed a stray lock away from her eyes.
“I really can’t help you.” He whispered.
Even through the fog of sleep Rella could tell he was saying it more to himself. She reached out and grabbed at the hem of his beater.
“I promise I can handle it.” She swore. “Please…I feel like you’re my only shot.”
The headmaster knelt on one knee as he continued to caress her hair. Rella felt her eyes grow heavy.
“I can…take it…” She yawned. Vaguely she felt herself let go of the hem of his shirt. She didn’t know when she drifted off to sleep, just that it took her completely by surprise.
The next time she opened her eyes, the sun was shining brightly through her windows. As she stretched, her core throbbed with the memory of her dream. She was tempted to reach down and get herself off when the elevator intercom buzzed.
Rella rolled off her bed and grabbed her bathrobe. She walked out into the den and pressed for the video option on her intercom. She shouted in shock and flinched back when the headmasters face looked back at her.
“We need to talk.” He said with a stormy expression.
“Oh, shit.”
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