Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

IZZY

M inutes later, I hear the door creak open. Prying my burning eyelids apart, I squint at Judith as she walks toward me. "The dean agreed to twenty laps. I hate to rush you out, dear, but it's best if you leave before he comes back out."

"Thanks, Judith. You're a lifesaver," I tell her with a tired smile.

While running five miles when I can barely stand won't be fun, at least it's doable.

Some of my past punishments include cleaning the entire school and cooking food for all students and staff for a week. Both of those tasks are usually done with magic. My brothers have come in to help me do tasks that are pretty impossible without magic. The dean hates it.

Pushing to my feet, I give Judith one more hug before heading out. Once I'm out of the building, I pull my earbuds out of my backpack and put them in. I put on "Happier" and shake out my limbs. With my music on, I start jogging to the Walsh Athletic Center, hoping it will help me wake up. I feel like I could fall asleep standing up right now.

A little less than ten minutes later, I arrive in front of the glass and steel building. Whereas most of the other buildings at HGU look like they're from the seventeenth century, the Walsh Athletic Center is all modern glass, right angles, and cold gray metal. Whoever designed it did not understand the assignment to match the rest of campus.

I pull open the glass and metal door and am immediately smacked in the face with cool air. Since it's September, the air is muggy and humid outside. The rapid change causes me to shiver and wish I brought a sweater with me.

"I'm so fucking tired," I mumble as I walk around the red track toward Levi's office. A few students are working out on the fake green grass in the middle, but most people prefer to use the weight rooms upstairs. Beneath the main floor are two pools for competitive swimming.

I'd think physical activity would be beneath mages, but the mages here get super into sports competitions. Since mages don't have naturally enhanced strength, speed, or reflexes, HGU can play against normal universities.

"I know you are, kid. Maybe Levi will let you rest a bit before doing the laps," Aggie suggests as we round the corner to the coaches' offices. Levi doesn't coach any sport. Instead, he's in charge of all the physical education and combat classes. He only started last semester, so he's a fairly new instructor. Maybe that's why he doesn't hate me like the rest of the school.

"A short rest isn't going to do anything. It's better to get it over with now." We walk the remaining distance in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

I'm relieved to see Levi's door open, the light on. At least I don't have to wait around for hours. I can get the laps over with and go on to my other classes.

Unlike other coaches or professors, Levi goes by his first name instead of his last name. It was a little weird at first, but I've gotten used to it.

I knock on the doorframe and pull out my earbuds before stepping into the space. Levi's office is decorated in shades of black and gray. His gray walls are bare, and his ebony wood desk is devoid of anything personal. I've wondered why he doesn't decorate, but it's not really my place to ask.

"Hey," I greet Levi as I step inside his office. He jerks his gaze up from his computer when I step in. My eyes meet his obsidian ones. With his irises being pitch-black, the only way I can tell he even has pupils are the red rings around them. Levi wins the award for coolest eyes, hands down.

"What are you doing here, little raven?" Levi asks with his lips tilted up in a small smile. He pushes his black hair out of his eyes as he talks. With it cut shorter on the sides and longer on top, the onyx strands frequently fall in his striking eyes. His olive skin keeps him from being washed out by his dark hair and eyes.

My tired brain flashes back to the first time he called me that.

I can't believe I have to take gym class as a junior in college. If I were allowed to participate in any of the sports, I wouldn't have to take a gym credit. Without any magic, I'm banned from all school-sponsored activities.

I had the choice between weightlifting and combat class. Obviously, I choose combat. A school-sanctioned opportunity to beat up the other mages at HGU? Sign me the fuck up.

There's a new professor teaching P.E. classes this year. He'll probably be just as much of an insufferable asshole as the rest of the faculty here, but there's always a chance he might be better. Just like there's always a chance that T-Rexes will become unextinct and eat all of my classmates, which is probably a more likely scenario, honestly.

With a deep sigh, I push the heavy wood doors to the gym open. I choose a spot along the back wall, so I don't have to get too close to any of the other mages.

It's a few minutes before the professor walks in. I'm lost in my thoughts, so I don't notice him enter until he says, "Good morning, class. I'm Levi, your new combat teacher. For our first class period, I'm going to do individual sessions with each of you to assess your skills. Once you've completed your assessment, you can leave. The rest of you can talk quietly amongst yourselves as you wait."

Levi calls the first person up, and everyone else breaks off into their little cliques. I stay where I am against the wall. Class is going pretty well until Tyler Giles sidles up next to me. "I'm surprised they let a magicless nobody like you in a combat class."

I roll my eyes so hard, it's a wonder they don't get stuck. "It's a surprise they let an unoriginal, marginally more intelligent than a toaster, b-level mage like you in combat class."

Tyler's face turns almost purple in anger as he sputters at my insult. Before he can respond, the new combat teacher is suddenly standing in front of us. I let my head thump against the blue mat behind me, already knowing I'm going to get yelled at for this encounter. It doesn't matter that I didn't start it. I'm always the one at fault.

"I don't tolerate bullying in my class," Levi barks.

My eyes snap open and my mouth parts in shock. I'm not the one bullying anyone. As I suck in a breath to argue, I realize the combat teacher is glaring at Tyler, who's almost as shocked as I am. "I wasn't bullying her. She's the one who was insulting me! I was just trying to make conversation."

"I heard what you said to her, so don't try to lie to me, boy. You're dismissed from today's lesson. You can arrange time with me outside of class for your assessment." When Tyler just opens and closes his mouth like a fish, Levi growls at him. "Leave. Now!"

At Levi's bellow, Tyler goes as white as a sheet. He almost trips over himself to leave the gym. After glaring at me one last time, he storms out.

"Are you okay, little raven?" Levi asks gently.

I raise my eyebrows at the endearment. "I'm fine, thanks. That was, by far, not the worst thing someone has done to me at this school. My name's Izzy, by the way."

Levi's fists clench at his side when I mention prior bullying. He seems to shake himself out of his anger. "That type of behavior will not be allowed in my class. I can't change what other instructors do, but you won't have to deal with it here. And I know your name, little raven."

I'm not sure how he knows my name when I haven't told him yet. Maybe he was warned about me by other professors. "Why are you calling me little raven , then?"

"It suits you," he tells me with a shrug.

I narrow my eyes on him. I don't look anything like a raven, so I don't know what he means by that. "Fine. If you're going to call me a raven, then I'm calling you a screech owl." That's the most annoying sounding bird name I can come up with on the spot.

Levi grins at me. "Deal."

"I got in trouble in class, screech owl," I tell him as I shake myself out of the memory.

"For what?" he questions in his deep baritone. As he speaks, Levi stands from his chair, unfolding to his full towering height.

He's incredibly muscular. I've had the pleasure of seeing him without a shirt a time or two. The glistening dips and ridges of his rock-hard abs are forever burned into my mind. The only person I've met who's more muscular is Luca, but I'd rather not think about my frustrating wolf mate.

"For falling asleep in class." When Levi cocks an eyebrow in disbelief, I sigh. "And telling Moore that his class is boring."

He barks out a laugh. "Sounds about right for you, little raven. What're you supposed to do here as punishment?"

"Run twenty laps." I rub my hands over my face, trying to make my eyes feel a little less gritty and tired. If I'm going to run five miles, I need to be at least somewhat awake.

"Seems a bit harsh," Levi comments as he stretches his arms over his head. His black long-sleeve tee rides up above his black jeans, showing a glimpse of his cut Adonis belt. I yank my gaze away before he can catch me staring.

I huff a laugh at his observation, which is the most I have the energy for at the moment. Anything involving me and the school is always extreme.

"Let me grab my phone, and I'll run with you," Levi tells me, already turning back to his desk before he finishes his sentence. I shrug off my bag and lean it against one of the chairs, knowing it'll be safe here while we run.

"Damn. That is one fine specimen of a man," Aggie declares from beside me. "If I were still alive, I'd jump that man faster than you can say, ‘Aggie, you're dead. Stop hitting on the living.' You're lucky to be alive when you are. They didn't make men like that back in my day."

I choke on my spit at Aggie's commentary. Turning my head, I glare at her. When she turns to look at me, I widen my eyes in a what the hell look. Aggie shrugs and continues to check out Levi's ass. I totally don't look at it with her until he turns around.

When I drag my gaze up to his face, I see him wearing an amused smirk. My cheeks pink at him catching me checking him out.

Turning on my heel, I flee his office to escape the embarrassing encounter. This is all Aggie's fault. Unfortunately, I can't exactly blame it on my ghost friend to Levi. I don't need one of the only nice people at this hellhole thinking I'm crazy.

With his long legs, Levi easily catches up to me. We don't say anything as we reach the track and start running. I put my earbuds back in because physical activity is always better with music. "Shake it Out" starts playing. As I run, black spots dance in my vision. I ignore them the best I can. The longer I run, the more lightheaded I feel. My body feels all floaty and untethered from the ground.

When a wave of cold rushes over my scalp and down my spine, I realize I'm going to pass out. I don't have time to brace or even slow to a stop. One moment, I'm running. The next, my vision goes completely black.

The last thing I hear before I fall headfirst into oblivion is Aggie shouting, "Kid!"

"Kid! Wake up! Now!" Aggie screams in my ear.

I snap my eyes open and bolt upright at her yelling. Looking around, I expect to see my room or the forest. Instead, I'm greeted with a masculine bedroom that I've never been in before. Dark wood floors and navy walls give the room a cozy feel.

Glancing down, I see I'm lying in the middle of an absolutely massive bed. The thick blue comforter and white sheets are softer than anything I've ever felt. While the bed is luxurious, I have no idea where I am or how I got here.

"Um. What's going on?" I ask Aggie as I struggle out of the plush mattress. It feels like I'm sitting on a cloud. While it's comfy, it's super hard to get out of. After what feels like five minutes of fighting the stupid thing, I finally get out of the bed and stand up. My bare feet land on a thick oriental rug I hadn't noticed before.

"You passed out while running. Levi kidnapped you. Now, you're here, and all four of your mates are at HGU, wondering where the hell you are." Aggie paces back and forth across the room as she fills me in. Her spectral form hovers a few inches above the floor as she walks.

"I don't even know where to start. What the fuck do you mean, Levi kidnapped me? Where even am I?" I scan the room for my shoes as I question Aggie. None of what she said makes sense, other than the passing out part, of course. On top of not getting enough sleep, I also haven't eaten nearly enough this weekend to keep up with my magic usage.

"After you collapsed, he carried you to his office. Levi then conjured something that looked like a gateway to hell and dragged you through it. I followed and we landed here. He tucked you into bed and then left the room. I've been drifting between here and school, waiting for you to wake up." Aggie is breathless by the time she finishes filling me in.

"A gateway to hell? You mean, a portal?" I question. Maybe Levi just has red magic that makes it look like flames. Usually, Aggie's pretty good about recalling things, but she might be confused this time.

"No, I don't mean a portal! It was pitch black and ringed with flames! The other side was just a black abyss, not the normal view of where you're going with portals." Aggie gestures wildly as she talks, clearly unnerved by the whole experience.

"Huh."

"Come on! We need to go before he gets back," Aggie prods me. She tries to push me toward the door to leave. It doesn't work since she's a ghost, obviously. Aggie huffs in frustration, and I can't help the giggle that comes out at her antics.

At Aggie's glare, I raise my hands in surrender. I try to placate her. "Let me just find my shoes. Then I'll portal us out of here."

"They're right here," a deep voice informs me from the doorway. I cringe, realizing my window for leaving has closed. Turning from Aggie, I face Levi, who's leaning against the doorframe, watching us. My white Converse dangle from his fingers. That explains why I couldn't find them.

With a sigh, I tell him, "Look, if you're planning to murder me, can you just not? I have a ton of shit to do, and I really don't have time to get killed. I'll pencil you in a few days after never happening, and we can circle back around then to this whole killing me thing."

Levi's eyes dance with amusement when I finish. "Good thing I'm not here to kill you. Your survival skills need work, little raven. That speech wouldn't convince anyone to spare you."

Aggie snorts next to me. "You think that's bad? You should see what she does in the forest every night. It's only by some miracle she isn't dead yet."

"What is it she does in the forest, spirit?" Levi asks as he switches his gaze to Aggie.

"She heals gh–" Aggie starts to reply before turning wide eyes on me. My lips part in shock at Levi addressing her. There's no way he can see her. I'm the only mage with that ability we know of. Aggie whispers, like it will stop Levi from hearing her, "Can he see me?"

"No," I reply, at least sixty-two percent positive of my answer.

"Yes," Levi confirms at the same time.

Aggie and I look at each other in utter disbelief before we both turn to Levi with wide eyes. "That's not possible. I'd know if another mage could also see her," I protest. There's no way there's been someone like me under my nose for almost a year without me noticing it. I'd like to think I'm not that oblivious.

"You're correct. There isn't another mage in Hawthorne Grove who can see ghosts," Levi informs me, before continuing. "I am not a mage, little raven."