The next morning, I could feel hot breath on both sides of my neck, and two different arms were draped over my naked chest. Vesta and Akira were still deep asleep on each side of me, and as I slowly peeled my eyes open, I stared for a moment at the pale sunlight streaming in through the stained-glass window. Rays of pale colors were splattered along the wooden floorboards, and the only sound in the room was the soft breathing of the two beautiful witches. I didn’t want to have to wake them up, but since we retrieved the books, today was going to be our first official military-style lesson, and I didn’t want us to be late.
“Hey… it’s time to wake up,” I whispered loud enough for them to gently stir awake, and Vesta was the first one to open her silver eyes and glance around the room.
“Oh,” she moaned. “I had the most wonderful dream.”
“What was it?” I chuckled as she began to rub the sleep from her eyes.
“I dreamed you fucked us over and over again,” she answered with a small, satisfied smile on her pink lips. “And then, we only slept for an hour or so.”
“That wasn’t a dream, Vesta,” Akira’s sleepy voice carried across the room. “That really happened.”
“Can it happen again and again?” the elvish witch purred, and she reached up and ran a dainty finger down my cheek. “I want to feel you inside me, Cole. I simply can’t get enough of you.”
“As much as I’d love that,” I whispered, “we need to be getting up.”
“Shit,” Akira gasped as she shot up, and her short black hair was a messy halo around her pale, petite face. “Today is our first intensive lesson!”
“Oh, dear,” Vesta said in a calmer voice. “So it is. We’d better run and get into fresh uniforms, then.”
“No shit,” Akira muttered before she furiously flipped off the satin sheets.
The naked women raced out of bed and then scampered to retrieve their clothes, and they didn’t even bother to get dressed before they rushed toward the door.
“See you in the common room!” Akira shouted before she yanked open the door.
“Don’t take too long!” Vesta added before they both slipped out, naked and giggling.
I shook my head at myself and grinned before I also flipped off the covers and planted my feet on the floor. Then I stretched and rolled back my shoulders before I took a look around the room and yawned.
“Do you want me to draw you a bath, sir?” Cordelia’s familiar voice rang through the air.
“That would be great,” I answered.
The sound of splashing water echoed from the bathroom, and as I waited for the tub to fill up, I wondered what the hell today would bring. Today, we had Evanora teaching us, and I pondered how defenses against elder magic would come into play while we practiced soul magic. How would the pink-haired professor take control of this new situation?
Was she ready? Were we ready?
“Sir?” Cordelia’s voice echoed. “Are you alright? You seem to be in another world, so to speak.”
I was so lost in thought I didn’t even realize the bath was full. I shook my head and then looked up at the ceiling as if I’d see her floating there above me.
“Err, yeah,” I mumbled. “Thanks, Cordelia… I’m fine.”
I quickly stepped into the bathroom, and as soon as I settled into the bathwater, my entire body seemed to relax and melt into a peaceful state of mind. All my worries seemed to vanish for a while as I simmered in the water, and it was such a blissful feeling, I didn’t dare close my eyes. If I did, I’d probably fall deep asleep and sink into the water, so instead, I shook my head, stood up, and stepped out of the tub.
I wrapped a towel around myself and found a fresh set of clothing waiting for me in the blue velvet chair. So, I quickly got dressed and then ran my fingers through my wet hair before I caught a small glimpse of my reflection in the sea-glass mirror.
My eyes were wide and alert, and my cheeks were flushed with color. My lips were reddish, and my blue eyes were narrowed and focused. I was ready to kick today’s ass and look good while doing it, so I took in a deep breath and then turned away from the mirror and headed out the door.
To my surprise, none of the women were downstairs, but the familiars were scattered around the common room. Alexander was hovering over Silvia, who was crouched by the fireplace, and Damien was curled up on the sofa while Penelope’s red panda, Lily, and Ursula seemed to be playing tag.
Hey, Cole, Alexander said as he floated over toward me on his bladed wings. How’s it going? You look well-rested.
“I am,” I confirmed with a small nod. “How’s it going with you and Silvia?”
Slow, but still. He blinked. Progress is being made.
“Good to know,” I chuckled.
Then I heard doors slamming open, and when I glanced at the stairs, all the women were running down into the common room, and each one broke into a small smile when they saw me.
“Good morning, Cole,” Morgana said in an upbeat voice. “Did you sleep well?”
Vesta and Akira exchanged sly looks with one another before my face broke into a small grin.
“I did.” I nodded. “You?”
“Somewhat,” the brunette answered in a small voice, “but I’m starving.”
“No problem.” I shrugged before I looked around the common room. “Cordelia, could you please serve us breakfast?”
“Of course, sir,” the obedient ghost-maid responded.
The next moment, the entire table was laden with breakfast dishes and pitchers of juices and spiced coffee. The witches all smiled in gratitude, and we headed over to the table to quickly eat up our delicious meals. No one really spoke as we ate, and by the time we finished, we were all looking at each other with hesitant expressions on our faces.
“Look,” I breathed, “I know you’re all concerned about today’s lesson. Believe me, so am I… but the only way we’re going to get through these lessons is by keeping a clear head. Understood?”
“Yes, master,” my coven responded in unison.
“Good.” I smiled. “Now, let’s get to class.”
Everyone nodded in agreement before we headed out the door and then down the corridors. Each student we passed looked just as concerned as the one before, and the air felt thick with tension as we headed toward Professor Evanora’s classroom.
As soon as we stepped inside the room, I could smell the sharp tang of incense in the air. The candles above us hovered like clouds against a star-painted ceiling, and the walls were painted a shade of fair rose-gold. There were countless desks, and each one was able to hold at least seven to eight students.
Once we were all inside, we took a look around, and then I noticed Nyx, Beatrix, Iris, and Ivy all seated at a table near the pink-haired professor’s desk.
“Come on,” I urged. “Let’s go sit over there.”
My coven nodded in agreement as we headed toward the taken table and sat ourselves down.
“Good morning,” I said as I flashed each woman a smile. “How is everyone doing?”
“Running on fumes,” Nyx replied as she rubbed at her blue temples.
“Same here,” Iris sighed as she looked up at the candles. “I barely slept a wink after we came back.”
“Well, I slept like a baby.” Akira playfully smirked as she took out a piece of parchment from her bag.
Vesta discreetly nudged the dark-haired witch, but Akira just nudged her back and blew the purple-skinned elf a sassy kiss.
I chuckled to myself as the rest of the students began to pour inside the classroom. No one really engrossed themselves in conversation as they settled into their seats, and I had a feeling it was because each witch was riddled with nerves.
I couldn’t blame them, though. We were about to engage in taboo magic that hadn’t been used in ages.
When it seemed as if the classroom was completely filled up with students, a cooing sound echoed from the hallway, and in the next moment, Evanora’s owl flew into the room and settled on her desk. Her bright eyes focused intently on the class before the pink-haired professor strolled inside. Today, she was wearing a deep gold and silver gown with a plunging neckline, and the dress hugged at all her curves and exposed her creamy white shoulders and lean, long arms. Her vivid, emerald green eyes scanned the room as she held tightly onto a red book, and a small smile graced her face.
“Good morning, class,” the professor purred. “Now, as you know, I prefer to get straight to the point. Today, we will be engaging in a lesson that does not follow our normal protocol, but I’m sure you can understand why. After the attack on our school and the growing threat that lurks not too far behind us, Theodora believed the most extreme measures must be made in the classroom, starting today.”
The room remained deadly quiet as she cleared her throat and then glanced at each one of us with a demure, but confident, grin.
“Well,” she sighed, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I think this will be an enriching experience… and without further ado, I believe it would be best if we simply got started. Since we only have one book, you’ll need to listen closely to me and take plenty of notes.”
The poised professor grasped the book in her hand and tightly pressed it against her chest. Her bright, curious eyes wandered around the room once more, and then she cleared her throat and began to read.
“The first practice of soul magic, derived from the First Dawn, was often used as a means to defeat elder gods through elegant, lethal, and at certain times, savage tactics. Soul magic was a crucial component of defeating elder gods because the ancient magic would often summon the deadliest of creatures to do one’s bidding.”
The class was intently focused on the pink-haired professor, and they could barely take their eyes off her as she spoke. I also found myself staring intensely into her face as she read another chapter on the history of ancient soul magic and the tactics used to fight against elder magic, and I did my best to commit everything she said to memory.
Once she finished the introduction, Evanora closed the book and regarded each student coolly. Then she took a deep breath and looked down at the floor.
“So, last night, at quite an odd hour I must admit, I was reading chapter after chapter in this book,” the professor explained as she waved the crimson book in the air, “and I concluded this morning we would just dive into one of the more complicated parts of the lesson. However, before we move onward, I want to initiate a little test. Don’t worry, you won’t be graded on it, but instead, it will help me determine who will be able to move at a faster pace compared to others. So, do not feel disheartened if you do not make it into a higher group.”
The class gently began to murmur amongst themselves until Evanora clapped her hands together, and everyone who had spoken shot her an apologetic look.
“As I said,” she stated in a firm voice, “this is unlike any other lesson we’ve had before. I need your undivided attention at all times, understood?”
“Yes, Professor,” the class responded in unison.
“Excellent,” she answered before her green eyes flicked down at the book. “Now, everyone, please lean back in your seats.”
We all exchanged confused looks with one another but didn’t dare question the pink-haired professor as she began to read an incantation from her red book.
In the next moment, small clouds of green smoke popped up in front of each student, and when it cleared, there was a miniature creature snarling and flapping its tiny wings before me. Mine scampered across the table and then stared up at me with its vibrant yellow eyes, and it took me a moment to realize this was a small, pocket-sized dragon right under my nose.
When I looked at the others, each witch had the same pale green dragon scrambling beneath them, and Faye was the first one to break into a smile.
“Unholy Satan,” the redhead breathed. “Can this really be happening?”
“What?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
“These are clones of real, living, and fire-breathing dragons.” She grinned before she impatiently pushed back a strand of red hair from her face. “I’ve heard about this being done, but I never thought I’d witness it.”
“You must be having a fucking field day, Faye,” Akira whispered as she stared down at her miniature dragon with raised black eyebrows.
“They won’t bite,” the redhead giggled.
“I’m not worried about that,” the black-eyed witch scoffed, “I mean, I have a Komodo dragon, for hell’s sake.”
“Then why do you look like you’re about the throw-up?” Morgana teased. “You look even paler than usual.”
“I’m just… thinking about engaging with these things in their full size,” Akira muttered as her cheeks flushed pink.
I looked down at my own, small emerald dragon, and I couldn’t help but smile as it puffed out a little cloud of ashy smoke and then squealed.
“Oh, I know they seem adorable,” Evanora’s voice echoed, “but they won’t be all cute and cuddly once you see their full size… which will be soon, depending on how well you can manage their replicas. Now the species you see in front of you is the standard Green Bellied dragon, but these are the easiest to tame, according to the texts. They seldom eat anything larger than a deer but have been known to consume greater creatures such as bears or moose from time to time.”
The class all oohed and ahhed as they stared down at their dragons and began to marvel at the small, curious creatures.
“Now,” the professor continued, “whoever can tame and control these feral animals will be able to progress to a more deadly dragon, but we’ll start small in order to separate you into the appropriate groups.”
“Umm, why are there going to be different groups?” Nyx whispered as she narrowed her blue eyebrows.
“Some students will be more advanced than others,” I answered in a faint voice. “Theodora and I agreed it would be best to see which students should stick with less advanced material.”
“Now, the first thing I want you to do is to try and cast an obedience spell on these little beasts,” Evanora instructed as her green eyes devoured the text from the red book in front of her. “You will need to look into your dragon’s eyes and mutter the ancient incantation ‘et erunt morietur.’ Once the spell is complete, you and your dragon should be bonded for life. It is nearly the same concept as with your familiar, only you will not hear any voices from them. You must rely on your instincts to understand them.”
When the professor looked up from her book, no one made a move, and her eyes darkened as she looked around the room with an impatient sigh.
“Well, what the hell are you waiting for?” she demanded. “Do it!”
We quickly looked down at our small green dragons, and I couldn’t help but grin as my little monster began to swirl in circles and attempt to blow fire. When I finally met its small, glowing yellow eyes, I pulled out my wand and whispered the incantation.
“Et erunt morietur,” I repeated.
A blast of orange light hit the small creature, and it squealed in protest. Then its small wings flapped wildly as it cried out in pain and agony. It swerved its long neck back and forth and wailed as if I’d tore off one of its small, delicate wings.
“Fuck,” I whispered, and my heart skipped a beat. “What the hell did I do?”
Evanora caught my eyes and then glanced down at my small creature. She then looked back at the textbook before she slowly smiled at me and nodded.
“You’re fine, Cole,” the pink-haired professor reassured me. “If your dragon seems to be in pain, it just means it’s abiding by your will. Dragons are extremely willful and headstrong beings, and you need to show them you’re the one in control.”
The rest of the witches at my table all subtly shrugged at one another before they rolled up their sleeves and then aimed it at their own miniature dragons. Orange blasts of light hit their creatures all at once, and most of them began to wriggle in protest. Faye seemed to get hers under control the quickest, but the twins seemed to be struggling since their dragons were still ramping around the table without a care in the world.
Finally, all the dragons affected by the spell stopped squirming and then turned utterly still. As I stared down at mine, it met my eyes and then flared its small nostrils. He seemed to be waiting for something, and I chuckled at his obedient little posture.
“How cool is this?” Faye whispered in excitement as her golden-green eyes wandered around the table. “Satan, I’ve never seen such a gorgeous being.”
“Very cool.” Akira nodded in agreement. “Until they bite your head off, of course.”
“I happen to think they are quite majestic creatures,” Vesta purred, “almost quaint… once you get past the smell, of course.”
“I wonder if you’ll think the same thing when you come across the full-scaled creature,” Evanora tutted from her desk. “Taming and riding dragons is no quaint matter. It requires getting your hands dirty, and your knuckles bloody.”
“And when exactly will we be practicing with full-grown dragons, Professor?” Morgana asked in an excited, but slightly hesitant, tone of voice.
“Well.” Evanora smiled as she looked around the room. “Now.”
Before anyone could respond, the pink-haired professor snapped her fingers, and then the chosen, more advanced students began to disappear from view as we tumbled, tossed, and turned through realms.
When everything grew still, the entire class was splattered across a wide, open green field with a beautiful rose-gold colored sky above us. In the distance, I could see rolling, lush emerald green hills and a deep valley, where a sliver of a glittering river ran through. No doubt, that was where the dragons rested when they weren’t busy drifting through the expansive sky, but I was slightly disappointed when I didn’t see any magnificent beasts roaming through the air and drifting past the clouds. Still, this seemed like a gorgeously serene realm, and I took a moment to appreciate the tranquility.
Everyone gaped at the calm and natural beauty around us, but then the air’s serenity shattered as blood-curdling screams filled the air.
“What the hell was that?” Nyx screamed with her hands over her ears. “Satan, my eardrums are bleeding!”
“Well, what in Satan’s name do you think it was?” Evanora sighed impatiently. “It’s a herd of dragons, and you’re going to be taming them the same way you trained them in the classroom. Except, of course, this will be the real deal. So, prepare yourselves, and be sure not to show them any fear… that will certainly give them cause to kill you. Even the brightest witches have been murdered by just one misplaced look or wrong move, so proceed with extreme caution. They may be the Green Bellied dragons, but they are still capable of anything.”
“No pressure, though,” Akira muttered at my side.
“Yeah, I’m not sure how I feel about this,” Morgana added in a faint voice.
“Oh, come on,” Faye whispered, “how bad can it--”
Before the redhead could finish her sentence, another high-pitched, animalistic scream filled the air, and in the next moment, hundreds of dark shadows hovered above me. When I looked up, I saw countless pairs of menacing glowing eyes staring down, ready to devour us whole. A feral hunger filled the air, and I knew this was going to be unlike any kind of lesson we’d had before. Sure, we’d dealt with monstrous creatures before, but this was an entirely different league, and a part of me wasn’t sure how ready we truly were.
As the dragons’ glittering scales and grand-scaled wings loomed high above us, their echoing, terrifying screams grew even louder, my blood ran cold as my palms began to sweat. I could feel the other students’ fear growing as well, and as the lethal creatures descended upon us, I couldn’t help but wonder one thing.
What the hell were we getting ourselves into?