Dragon Alpha's Last Mate

4. Who Is This Guy?

I made it to the lunchroom and saw Lia sitting and waving to me. I got my food and quickly sat next to her.

“How was Dragon Borne History?” She asked as we both started eating. I told her how Cory and Daemon saved me from Aaron.

“What an ass!” Lia said a little too loud, and we giggled.

“Yeah, I couldn’t agree more. Plus, Daemon is cute, so I don’t mind sitting next to him all year.” Lia’s face hardened as she explained.

“Daemon’s a player. I know you don’t have social, but he’s always looking for mystics to hook up with. He’s all over Tinder and any dating app. Be careful with him.”

“Thanks,” I said to her. I’m glad she told me now. I don’t want to start liking him and then be broken later. He’s not interested in me; he just wants to conquest me. I had enough heartbreak last year, and I don’t need another one here.

After lunch, we went our separate ways, but we do have our last class of the day together. I like that; we can always go to lessons together and go home together.

Now I have Intro to Fire, which I can’t wait for. This is my specialty, and I can’t wait to learn as much as I can. I got into class and saw Daemon talking with the teacher. I quietly sat down at a random spot, but Daemon turned around and saw me. He walked over to me and put his stuff down next to mine.

“Well, hello, Elle. It seems like I can’t get away from you.” He smiled wide, and I blushed. I was going to get my stuff out but then heard Aaron next to me.

“Wow, babe, looks like I can’t get away from you.” I rolled my eyes, “Leave me alone, Aaron. You’re not even a fire mage; I know what you’re doing.” His parents paid to get him here. Money influences everything, I work my ass off, and he just gets it handed to him. He’s actually so bad at magic; he doesn’t have an element. How he can even be in this class is beyond me.

“Why don’t I sit with you,” Aaron said, signaling me to scoot over.

“Why don’t you leave us alone,” Daemon’s voice boomed over Aarons.

“Both of you stop,” I said, looking forward, “Just leave me alone.”

I appreciate Daemon’s help, but I can handle it myself. Daemon muttered an apology, and Aaron sat somewhere else when the teacher started talking.

“Hello, I am Master Razzu, and this is Intro to Fire. Who here has experience with fire magic?” I raised my hand, and so did Daemon. We were the only two who did.

“Great, both of you come up here,” I got up, and Daemon followed behind me.

“What’s your name, miss?” Master Razzu asked me.

“Elle,” I simply said.

“Great, Elle and Daemon here are going to show us a little fire magic! Who’s ready?” Master Razzu said, and some of the class cheered.

“Awesome, I know Daemon has a lot of fire experience, so Elle, we’ll let you lead. You perform a spell, and if Daemon can’t do it, you get a point. If Daemon can do it, it stays even.” I nodded but Daemon butt in.

“How do I get points?!” Daemon asked, and it’s a fair question.

“We’ll switch.” Razzu stated, “Begin!”

I stood and put my hand out in front of me. I know a lot of fire magic; this teacher just doesn’t know me yet.

“Sphaera Ignis,” I clearly said, and a fireball lit up in my hands. The class had some oos and ahs. I tossed the fireball in the air, and it dispersed as I expected.

Daemon gave me a cheeky smile and held his hand out as well. Without saying a word, a fireball appeared in his hand. My eyes grew wide; he can do fire magic without a spell. I’ve only ever heard of that before in research. I had never seen it done.

I’ll have to step up my game.

I said the next spell as I pulled up a wall of fire, “Murus Ignis!” The firewall worked perfectly, and I couldn’t see Daemon in front of me through it. I let it go, and he winked at me.

Again, without saying a word, he had a wall of fire in front of him.

“How are you doing this?” I asked him. The wall fell, and he smiled at me, “I think it’s time to switch.”

I looked at the teacher, and he agreed, “Of course, Daemon go ahead. Elle, you follow.”

My heart started to race; he’s going to do something extreme that I can’t follow. I just know it.

Without saying a word, he put his hands out in front of him and pulled them apart. As he did this, a fiery red sword appeared in his hands. My eyes grew wide as he finished and held it in his hands. It was half the size of his body and burned brightly.

“Elle, your turn, or Daemon gets the point.” I looked at the teacher and back at Daemon.

“I… I can’t do that.” I went to touch the sword, but Daemon pulled away.

“Don’t; it will burn you.” He dissipated the sword, and I stood still, shocked.

“One point for Daemon!” Master Razzu said, and he drew a line on the board, “Go again, then we’ll switch.”

Daemon reset his stance, and before I knew it, he pointed to a globe at the other side of the room. It immediately burst into flames.

This spell, I do know. Daemon stepped aside and gestured to let me go.

I smiled at him and pointed at a book next to the globe, “Ignis Impetus!” The book exploded into flames and burned out. He clapped his hands, “Good job.” I still eyed him, curious about why he’s not in a more advanced class with the way he does magic.

“Nice, okay. Daemon is up to one, Elle; let’s see if you can stump him!” I shook my arms out and got ready for a demanding spell. This one is going to shower him with fire, but it’s not going to hurt. It’s a distraction spell, meant to stun the person, not hurt them.

"Imbrem Ignis Mollis-Stupefaciunt!” With each word, I made a different motion; Imbrem, I pulled magic from my chest. With Ignis, I lit it on fire, and with Mollis-Stupefaciunt, I showered Daemon with the magic that won’t hurt him.

“Don’t!” Daemon shrieked as he saw the fire overcome him. I smiled wide when the magic left, and Daemon was unharmed.

“Woah, how did you do that!” Daemon said, and I zipped my lips.

“Daemon, can you do it?” Master Razzu asked, and I turned to him.

“You have to be careful not to actually burn me; that’s another spell.” I winked at him, and he held his hands in front of him.

“No, I can’t do that one.” He put his hands down, and Razzu gave me a point.

I was about to go again when the fire alarms went off, and we were soaked with water.

“Alright, class, it’s a tie!” The teacher said as he led us out of the classroom.

We got outside, and the fire department was there to clean up. Razzu was talking with the principal, explaining what we were doing. I guess we set off the alarm; he didn’t think we’d know so much and be able to do that.

“You know, I don’t like ties,” I said to Daemon as we waited. He nudged me, and the simplest touch sent my nerves on fire.

“I don’t like ties either,” he teased.

The fire department said it was safe to go in, so we got our stuff and left because the class was over. I’m so thankful I have a waterproof bag, and none of my stuff was ruined. I said bye to Daemon, and I went to my next class of the day, Magic Law and Ethics.

I walked in with seconds to spare, and the only person I recognized was the girl Daemon was with before. I avoided her altogether and sat quietly in the back. As the teacher did roll call, I learned her name was Ashley.

Thankfully class went by quickly, and it was time for my last course of the day, Intro to fighting styles.

I met with Lia and noticed that Aaron, Daemon, Cory, and Ashley were all in this class. Lia and I were chatting when she pointed to Daemon and Ashley. She was hanging all over him, laughing loudly, and being all-around annoying. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and then immediately blush when Daemon winked at me.

The teacher introduced himself as Tage Birk and told us to be ready to fight tomorrow. He explained that this would be like no other class we’ve taken before and expect to get hurt. We will be fighting for real, without any gloves or protective equipment. If we have a problem with it, he told us to drop the class.

I couldn’t wait for this class, personally. I learned how to fight on the streets a bit growing up and from Jed from time to time, but it’ll be nice to be appropriately trained.

He let us go early, and I was hoping Daemon and Cory forgot about me agreeing to go to his room. I don’t like seeing Ashley all over him, and I don’t like how he makes me feel.

I mean, I do. I actually can’t believe how much I do like him, but I know I shouldn’t.

I was about to leave when I felt warms hands gently grab me. I turned around and was face to face with Daemon.

“Where are you going? Why don’t we have dinner together, then we can go to our place to start our project.” He smiled, and I wanted to melt into his arms. I took a breath and a step back to give myself some room.

“Oh, Lia and I have something to do. Can we postpone to tomorrow?” I smiled at him, and it looked like he was thinking hard.

“No, we don’t!” Lia said as she wagged her eyebrows at me. “She’d love to go!” She pushed me towards him, and I tripped. Before I fell, Daemon wrapped his arms around me, and I took a deep breath of his fiery scent. He smelled like a bonfire on a fall evening in the middle of a forest. I rested a little in his arms then stiffened when I realized what I was doing.

“I see you’re already falling for me,” He smiled, and I wiggled out of his arms.

“We can have dinner together.” I finally said, and he smiled wide.

“Great, let’s go to my place; there’s much better food. I’ll have her home later tonight, Miss Lia.” Daemon said to her, and she immediately swooned. I shot her a look, and she stood up straighter.

As we walked out of the building and away from the dorms, and cafeteria I asked Daemon where we were going. He didn’t answer. Instead, he pointed at a massive mansion on campus. I saw it earlier but heard it was for big-wig donors who are in town. We got closer, and he opened the front door, where I saw servants bustling around the marble floors.