[A/N: I've been sick and could barely concentrate enough to write. I finally scrapped this chapter together and tried to edit it as best I could. I apologize for any mistakes!]
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Rella turned off the monitor and stared off into space in shock. Why was the headmaster at her building? Memories of last nights dream assailed her. She shook her head clear and buzzed him through, running into her room to throw some clothes on. The elevator doors opened just as she was tugging down the hem of her shirt.
Headmaster Arkadiy stepped into her apartment, his hands deep in his pockets. Once again, Rella was struck by how young he looked. He was dressed casually in a band tee and loose pants. She expected a greying old man in his position, not someone that could be mistaken for a freshman at the college. His damp hair was pulled back by a low braid, his face expressionless. As he turned in his spot his eyes landed on her.
“Morning.” She said timidly. “Um…want anything to drink?”
She walked into her kitchen, Arkadiy staring at her curiously. “I’m good, thanks.”
Rella could feel his eyes on her back as she poured herself some orange juice. “Um…so about yesterday. I wanted to apologize.” She stammered. “It was highly inappropriate of me.”
Arkadiy said nothing, his brows drawing close.
“After meeting with professor Denoise, I wasn’t in the right state of mind. I should have gone through the proper channels to see you.” She chugged back her drink, unable to maintain eye contact with him for longer than a few seconds at a time.
“I appreciate that…but I’m here to apologize to you.” Said Arkadiy.
Rella’s eyes grew wide. She was expecting to lose her spot at the university, not an apology. Shaking her head in disbelief, she started to thank him when he held up a hand.
“The least I could have done was direct you to someone else that could help.” He continued. “I figured I’d send you to someone I trust…. until I had a visit last night.”
It felt like an icicle speared through her body, paralyzing her. The way he was staring at her, she felt like a cornered mouse. Arkadiy stepped closer, his golden eyes glinting with mischief. Rella’s heart hammered in her chest as she struggled to find her voice.
“I’m dying to know,” he said, his voice lowering in tone. “What was it you were planning to major in?”
After a couple of tries, she managed to rasp out, “Interdimensional travelling.”
Arkadiy was now standing beside her, his fingers drumming along the island as he crept closer to her painstakingly slow.
“Ah. Then I’m sure you’re aware that IntraD was banned until I stepped in to my role as headmaster.” He paused, tilting his head.
Slowly, Rella nodded. Since its discovery, IntraD was a hot topic of debate in the magical community. Not everyone was capable of it, and those that could were close to impossible to regulate. IntraD Travelers were able to walk through all dimensions at once. The strongest ones were able to manipulate reality with godlike capabilities, although it did not come without consequences.
Fifty years ago, the city of Neoridia was terrorized by a group of Travelers that tried to infiltrate the Grand Council and assassinate their leader. The world all over experienced the effects of the terrorists. Oceans dried and parts of the earth began to rot. Humans and other creatures could no longer procreate. The only way to save the planet and reverse its effects was to annihilate the Travelers and send them to the Void.
The practice was then outright banned and became a killable offense. Unfortunately, this meant even a child wasn’t safe from the law and its consequences. People were understandably outraged, but the world was scarred by what the terrorists put them through.
As of ten years ago, a Traveler named Eris made it possible to continue research on IntraD by creating a registry of all known Travelers. The moment a child was born with the gift, their name was added to the list. The laws changed and a year later, the university opened up a department dedicated to researching the powers of a Traveler. Following its success, the headmaster made the controversial decision in allowing Travelers to enroll and practice their abilities within college grounds.
“I’m only going to ask you this once.” Said Arkadiy. “Where were you last night?”
“I came home right after seeing you.” She answered, her voice trembling. Her stomach twisted in knots as she realized what he was implying. “I never left.”
Rella’s mind flashed back to last night. As hard as she tried she couldn’t remember when she got out of her bath tub and tucked herself in. All she recalled was the fogginess of the dream before her brain had conjured up the image of him. From there she only had snippets to go off of; Arkadiy on his knees. The way he had clamped down on her neck. She involuntarily crossed her legs, her body reacting to memory. At the same time, she was terrified to face him.
“So, you brought me here…how?” He asked, now standing directly behind her.
“I didn’t—”
Arkadiy grabbed her arm and spun her around, firmly gripping her jaw. He tilted her head to the side and slid down the collar of her shirt. A finger caressed the tender spot where he’d bit her. Her pulse fluttered at his touch and he pulled back to study her. All tension was gone, replaced by a look of pity.
“Travelers are my responsibility. The fact that you’re unregistered and magically sealed would send the general public into an uproar.” He said. “If the Grand Council found out about this they’d take you into custody and you’d never see the light of day again.”
There was no malice in his voice. He spoke to her gently. All Rella could do was gawk at him in shock.
“Come on, you need to sit.”
The headmaster led her out of the kitchen to her den. He sat her at the edge of her sectional and went back to the kitchen to get her another cup of juice. When he returned to her, she just shook her head at his offer. He placed the juice on her glass coffee table and sat himself in the loveseat closest to her.
“What’s going to happen to me?” She finally asked.
“I can’t have you studying amongst the other students.” He began. “There’s too much we don’t know of your abilities. By now, all Travelers in your age group have gone through rigorous training and have control of dimensional shifting.”
“So, you were here last night.” Rella confirmed in a hollow voice.
“Yes.”
“I thought you crossed the line at me being a student.” She was fully aware she was focusing on the wrong thing. But her pride was taking over, the beast waiting for its answer.
Arkadiy’s cheeks pinkened ever so slightly but he never looked away. “I was asleep. When I walked in on you, I was getting up for a drink. My place was superimposed with yours. I thought it was a dream.” He muttered.
“You normally dream of eating out your students, sir?” Rella snapped.
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “No, but I also don’t expect a student to whore themselves out to me like a bitch in heat. There’s a first for everything.”
They stared each other down. Rella was the first to break, her face heating as she bit out an apology.
“My life was going exactly where I wanted it. I should’ve never agreed to see Denoise.” She whined. Her eyes suddenly widened in fear as she thought of the professor. “Oh my god. Oh my god, does he know?”
“Not anymore. I made sure of it.” He assured. “But to be fair, it’s good that you found out when you did. An amateur Traveler can cause a great deal of damage.”
“How? I’ve never had this issue before!” Rella exclaimed. “I can use magic just fine.”
Arkadiy sighed. “You think you’ve been using magic just fine. I spoke to Denoise before coming here. Your magic was blocked from you. Luck is the only reason why you haven’t been found out yet.”
The seal of Kaamuk was currently feeding off her magic. What little bit Rella could perform was stunted. All this time she assumed her lack of ability was simply because she’d never been to school, even before her incident. Her Traveler’s magic was now fighting back against the seal. The more she used her magic, the more at risk she was of being consumed by the seal.
“Where does that leave me?” She asked.
“I can arrange for you to stay in another realm—”
“Not an option.”
“Or, I can place another seal to help slow the one you have now. You will never be able to use magic again. But you’d be able to live a normal life otherwise.”
Rella stared at him incredulously. He couldn’t be serious?
“You’re telling me my only choices are to hide away for the rest of my life?” She asked, her anger mounting. “No. Absolutely not! It’s not my fault the stupid government never put me on their damned list. There’s got to be another way.”
Arkadiy began to shake his head when Rella flung a throw pillow at him in frustration. It bounced off his face and on to the floor leaving him completely taken aback by the action.
“You know how to get rid of the seal, why won’t you just help me?”
“Look, despite what happened last night, I just can’t.”
“No, you just won’t. You view me as some innocent damsel in distress when I’m far from it, Arkadiy.” She snapped. “I’m a grown ass adult and have been telling you repeatedly I will do whatever it takes to get rid of this mess. If you’re afraid of me catching feelings for you, I can assure you: you are nothing more to me than a means to an end.”
The headmaster looked away and for a moment Rella believed he actually looked…hurt. When he faced her again his lips were set into a grim line, erasing any idea that she had managed to get under his skin.
“And I thought my family was bad. You’re the most stubborn, bullheaded person I’ve ever met.” He said. “As annoying as you’ve been…I can’t help but admire it.”
He rose from his seat and stalked towards her. She wasn’t sure what to do. His eyes kept her paralyzed in place scattering her thoughts.
“Get up.” He ordered, stopping short of a foot away from her.
Rella scoffed at him, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. In response Arkadiy latched on to her wrist and yanked her to her feet. He pulled her close until they bumped chests.
“You want my help so bad, then you’re going to do everything I say. Everything.” He firmly declared. There was no malice in his voice, just finality.
A thrill went through her as she glared at him defiantly. While she believed he wouldn’t hurt her, she knew that it’d be wise not to keep pushing him.
She gritted her teeth as his scent clouded her senses. It drew her in, making her want to close what little distance was left between them. Now that she knew last nights tryst wasn’t a dream, she was eager for more. Never had she met another person that made her body come to life the way Arkadiy did.
“So, you’ll help me?” She hesitantly asked.
“On my terms, yes.”
“What would they be?”
He gave her a long, contemplating look before his face cracked into a smirk.
“You are no longer a student of the academy. Instead, from here on out, you will be Claudia’s personal apprentice.”
“I don’t understand. What difference does it make if I’m a student?”
“Enough of a difference that the Grand Council won’t interfere. One of the stipulations for me to remain headmaster is that the GC can send in an inspector at any given moment to make sure I’m not building some sort of army against them.” Arkadiy stroked her wrist with his thumb absentmindedly. “Just a front meant to protect you until I figure out how to take care of your little…predicament. That being said, until you’ve been trained I suggest never telling anyone else what you are.”
Rella had so many questions but she bit them back. The firmness of his tone left no room for interruption.
“In the mornings I will teach you what you need to know about being a Traveler. In the meantime, you will keep your job at Pandora. You will report back to me at the end of each shift. We’ll discuss your hard limits tomorrow.”
His voice was so soothing. It was all Rella could focus on. She was hypnotized by his golden eyes, the color intensifying as he spoke. In the back of her mind, she questioned how he knew where she worked. She quickly forgot about it as he leaned in close, his lips brushing against her ear and sending chills throughout her body.
“Today is your last day of freedom. You’re mine until the end.” He pulled back, leaving her flustered.
How could this one man make her feel so angry and turned on at once? Any other day Rella loathed the very idea of anyone telling her what to do. As she watched him stride towards the elevator doors she was stricken by the realization that Arkadiy had her absolutely spellbound. Despite the fact she practically bullied him into helping her, he absolutely held the upper hand.
When he stepped into the elevator he turned to face her one last time. Nothing needed to be said. The heated look he gave her made her body vibrate with excitement. He winked at her as the doors closed.
Rella let out the breath she’d been holding in, her thoughts going a hundred miles a minute. It had taken a couple of heart attacks but she’d finally gotten the answer to her problem. She knew she should feel some shame but she just felt like the luckiest person in the world. Not only was she going to regain her memories, she wouldn’t have to hurt anyone in the process. The headmaster was going to help her feed the seal without having to drain anyone dead.
It was impossible not to imagine how it’d play out. She laid back on her couch biting her lip. Such a shame he had to leave so soon. She wouldn’t have minded a head start on their new arrangement. Her skin erupted into goosebumps at the memory of his cheek against her thigh.
Her fast attraction to him took her by surprise the most. Usually she went for the tall, dark, and brooding; men and women alike. The kind that ended up latching on, depending on her and making her feel needed. These relationships always ended with her feeling drained, but up until now she hadn’t minded being an emotional crutch. It felt good to be the hero to the ones she cared about.
Arkadiy was the opposite.
He could see straight through her bravado, leaving her emotionally bare. At the same time his presence made her feel protected. Now the roles were reversed Rella was starting to understand the attraction of having someone she could solely depend on for once. She recognized it was foolish to rely so much on someone she hardly knew. It just couldn’t be helped.
Ren called to check in as promised. Rella didn’t bother bringing up the headmaster and their agreement. She was content keeping things to herself until more progress was made. Besides, she wasn’t sure how to tell Ren about the seal without bringing up the fact she was an unregistered Traveler. They spent less than five minutes speaking to each other before she had to hang up and get to work.
Everything in the apartment was cleaned twice over. All her books and games were organized by series then alphabetically. There was no errand Rella could think of that needed to be done. No matter how hard she tried to distract herself, her brain kept going back to Arkadiy. He had admitted that Travelers were his sole responsibility. But there were still some questions she needed answered.
So, she did the only sane thing she could think of and hustled into her room, swiping her laptop off her nightstand. Within moments she was lying in bed opening any link that mentioned his name. Rella carefully read through everything, her fascination mounting. She couldn’t find any socials and all records with the mention of his date of birth and family were redacted. The only clue she had was his last name, Magnavox. When she searched that, the only thing to pop up were verified sites with lengthy biographies.
The headmaster was once a student of the academy. His grades were average and he had a reputation for being a prankster and rebel, but he still graduated with a degree in space and aeronautics. Soon after, he enlisted in the military and served ten years in the army, earning the rank of Sergeant Major. It was his troops that had taken down the rogue Travelers. However, he’d been completely against the notion of sending them to the Void. Shortly after their execution he’d retired from the military and disappeared from the public eye.
When he reemerged, it was alongside the Traveler Eris with the proposition for a registry. All articles confirmed Arkadiy was indeed the one that spear-headed the campaign to allow Travelers an equal and fair existence. Had it not been for him, Rella’s people would still be living an archaic life constantly hiding in fear for their lives. Throughout his campaign, Arkadiy was hired in to the academy as headmaster. Soon afterwards, Travelers were granted their modicum of freedom and the rest was history.
Rella sat up in bed digesting the info. It was well known that proficient magic users gained extended life, however, humans still aged at the same rate. A hundred-year-old man would look as such unless magic was used to alter their appearance. Arkadiy practically lived at the university. Any spells used for masking would be negated.
Why did this only excite her? She didn’t even know what species the man was and yet she wanted him even more.
What did that say about her?
Rolling her eyes, Rella finally noticed the setting sun. She swore when she saw the time on her phone screen. She had been so absorbed in her research she had completely forgotten about getting ready for work. With a sigh she shoved herself from her bed to do so.
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Tomorrow was going to be an eventful day. She just hoped she didn't go crazy from the anticipation.
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