Chapter 79

Alvez glares at my mate, who leans his heavily muscled body so, so casually against the wall by the window. And I realize, quite suddenly, that Alvez is playing a very, very tricky game here. Because while he is the professor, and does have power over Jackson…

I mean, he can’t exactly make Jackson do anything, can he?

If it were me barging into an office and refusing to leave, Alvez or really any Alpha in the castle could just sling me over their shoulder and hurl me out of the room.

But Jackson?

He’s so physically powerful that the only person who even really has a chance of tossing him bodily out of this office would be Rafe, and then they might have to call in my dad for backup.

And Alvez is clearly very aware of this fact as he leans against the open doorway across the room, glaring daggers at my mate, who is so obviously here because he knows what was going on in this room. Or, at least if not precisely, that Alvez didn’t call me here to help me with my homework.

Jackson doesn’t know what Alvez has over me, but he clearly did not like me being behind closed doors with this man, and I’m deeply grateful for his help.

“Ask your questions, McClintock,” Alvez snaps, arms crossed. “And then go. You’re interrupting Cadet Clark’s time here.”

“Oh, I don’t mind,” I say quickly, sitting up straight and smiling between Alvez and Jackson. “Our magic calls to each other after all, right? Maybe he can help.” I turn my smile singularly on Jackson now, and I don’t miss the fact that the corners of his mouth twitch, just subtly. “Professor Alvez, after all, was just asking after your magical progress, Jackson.”

“Oh really,” Jackson says, slowly turning his head to stare at Alvez now. “After I assured you yesterday, for an entire hour, that I hadn’t made any progress at all. I’m surprised you had more questions, sir.”

Alvez’s eyes narrow as he looks between us. “I considered that your partner perhaps had

observed changes that you had not.”

“Shame.” Jackson says, his shoulders tensing as he glares at our professor, “to be wasting Cadet Clark’s time in office hours talking about me, especially considering that his own powers are so much more developed.”

“Are they, McClintock?” Alvez asks, his voice low and subtle now as he moves away from the door, starts to prowl towards Jackson a bit, their eyes locked. “Are you sure?”

I go rigid as I realize the import between Alvez’s words that he suspects the truth, that Jackson’s keeping his abilities hidden.

But Jackson stays perfectly still, saying nothing and giving nothing away.

I watch, fascinated, as my professor squares off against my mate, as the two stare at each. other for a long, tense moment.

And then I clear my throat, reminding them that I’m here.

Alvez flicks his eyes to me before returning them to Jackson. “Ask your questions, McClintock,” Alvez orders. “And then go.”

Jackson takes a long, leisurely breath, leaning back against the wall, clearly making himself comfortable. “I forget them now, all of a sudden, professor,” he murmurs, looking up towards the ceiling. “You’ll have to forgive me big guys like me, sometimes we’re more brawn than brain. Takes a second to remember the details.”

“I’m very aware of your performance on the intelligence examination, McClintock,” Alvez sighs, crossing his arms, clearly seeing through Jackson’s performance, as he’s meant to. “Don’t insult my own intelligence by trying to pretend you’re too stupid to remember.”

“Must just be sleepy, then,” Jackson says, faking a yawn, his eyes flicking back to me. “Give me a minute, I’m sure it will come back.”

Alvez sighs, moving away from Jackson and flopping back into his chair, glaring up at me like I planned this. I just shrug at him, hoping to communicate quite honestly that I had nothing to do with it. Even if I am a bit thrilled at the result.

–

The rest of the meeting falls along more predictable lines. Alvez leans back in his chair,

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asking me about how it feels to access my magic, giving me suggestions about new things to try. And, honestly, the suggestions are actually helpful he suggests that since sun is the signet to which I’m largely aligned, I should concentrate on manifesting heat in different forms.

When he shifts his attention to Jackson, though, asking about how physical touch with Jackson changed or amplified my magic, I play as dumb as I can. I don’t deny that Jackson’s presence was helpful, but don’t add any more detail.

Eventually, Alvez sighs, looking at me beneath lowered brows, clearly frustrated. “All right, cadet, it doesn’t seem like we’re getting any further with this,” he snaps. “Continue the good work, and please come to class prepared to demonstrate what you can do for the others.”

“What?” I ask, a little surprised by the request.

“As you and Tony are the only ones who admit to manifestations of your gifts,” Alvez says, deliberately flicking his eyes to Jackson here, “I’d like you to show the others in the hope that it will…inspire or awaken them. Tony will be asked to do the same.”

“Okay,” I say, hopping down from the desk and trying to decide how I feel about that. Because, I mean, I don’t think I’m going to be able to do anything without holding Jackson’s hand – and I don’t know how he’s going to feel about that.

Luckily, it looks like I’m going to get a chance to talk to him about it as he pushes himself up from the wall.

“Have you remembered your question, McClintock?” Alvez snaps, spinning his chair towards my mate.

“Seems to have just flown away today,” Jackson sighs, smirking a little and drifting a hand through the air like a bird flying. “Sorry about that hope it wasn’t an inconvenience.”

“Stick to your appointment times,” Alvez murmurs. “It isn’t fair to take

work space.”

up another student’s

“Oh, I don’t mind,” I say, breezy as Jackson comes to my side and we head together for the door. “Thank you, professor! I’ll work on your suggestions!”

He doesn’t say anything or look our way as we leave, clearly still pissed at Jackson’s

deliberate interruption. Jackson, likewise still displeased, slams the office door shut behind

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The moment he does, I impulsively throw my arms around his waist, hugging him tight and pressing my check to his chest. “Thank you,” I breathe.

Jackson freezes, his arms out by his side, and I look up into his shocked face.

He doesn’t say a word, just staring down at me unmoving, and I can’t help the smile that stretches over my face. “What?” I ask, loosening my arms and tilting my head back. “I can’t say thank you?”

“I um ” he blushes, of all things, and then looks to the side, using one hand to give me a soft, brief pat on the shoulder as he clears his throat. “Yes, that’s fine. Should we get you back to your rooms?”

Grinning, not knowing precisely what just happened by kind of tickled by it anyway, I unlock my arms from around his waist and tuck my hands behind my back. “Sure,” I say, still grinning at him.

Jackson looks back at me, the faint blush still on his cheeks, and to my delight he scowls more and sets off down the hall. But I don’t miss the fact that he shortens his stride so that I have no trouble keeping up with him.

I sigh, content to have my big, brutal, interrupting–office–hours mate walking by my side. Because, honestly, I’m starting to figure out that he’s…kind of a sweetheart, deep down.

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