BLOOD OF THE GODDESS-TOUCHED

CHAPTER SIX

FRIEND OR FOE

LYKAINA'S POV

After leaving that embarrassing episode back at the corridor I was able to find the anatomy lecture hall and from what my ears could pick up I was late for the second lecture. Again.

Damn, the universe has it out for me today, first my loss of control at home, the coffee disaster, and now this.

I took a deep breath and opened the door to the lecture hall, it made a squeaking noise, drawing more than a dozen pairs of eyes. Goddamit, so much for trying to slip in.

I drew a deep breath, ducked my head, my unruly red and white strands spilling over my face like a curtain and slid into the nearest empty space at the back.

No caffeine, an embarrassing entrance with my crumpled lab coats and my stack of books threatening to make another introduction with the floor. Great, time to tackle the rest of the day.

Nice of you to join us, miss?...” Professor Stock asked in a voice as dry as the bones on the table before him.

“Miss Thorne, Professor, Lykaina Thorne,” I answered, trying to muster enough courage. I am just late, I didn't rob a bank.

“Right, Miss Thorne, seeing that you feel superior to the rest of the class who were here early enough to learn, what with your tardiness. Perhaps you'd like to continue from where your entrance cut me off, enlighten us on the bones that make up the pelvic girdle.”

Heat crept up my neck, but I straightened and met his stern gaze. I won't let Professor Stock make me cower.

“Easy peasy Professor,” I said, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest.

“The pelvic girdle is made up of two hip bones, each consisting of the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which is kinda like three roommates in a shared flat. The ilium holds things up, ischium takes all the weight when sitting, and poor old pubis is always involved in awkward situations.”

A ripple of laughter rolled through the hall, Stock's lips twitched in annoyance or amusement, I wasn't sure which.

“Correct, Miss Thorne,” he said, adjusting his glasses.

“Though that is an unconventional way of answering questions, I advise, you try to be early for your lectures, you still have a lot you must learn if you are to make distinctions,” he said looking at me seriously.

“Open your anatomy textbooks to page 55. We will be discussing the upper limb today.”

I exhaled, flipping open my textbook as the hall settled.

Brilliance was my armour and shield, Grandma Elara always said it would carry me farther than money ever could.

As much as she paid for my spot in this university, I earned my place here with my brain.

As Professor Stock continued to drone about the bones that made up the upper limb, I felt that strange energy from this morning buzzing under my skin. My hands trembled as I gripped the pages of my textbook.

Focus, Lykaina. I traced the diagram of the scapular, forcing my mind to focus on the lecture.

The professor moved on to talk about muscle attachments, I scribbled down notes, my pen scratching louder than it should. My ears prickled, picking up whispers from across the room, one whispered conversation caught my attention. Two girls were giggling about some guys who came into the school in a Rolls Royce.

I rolled my eyes, and continued taking down notes. Rich kids and their toys, like the handsome dude I poured my coffee on.

Immediately I thought about him, my thoughts refused to move from him.

I could still see him clearly in my mind, tall, well built, breathtaking, and eyes the colour of storm clouds that made me want to get lost in them. His voice was a charm that sent butterflies going in a frenzy in my stomach.

The more I thought about it, I realised that I'd been a mess apologizing over his stained jacket. Ugh. Why was I even thinking about him? I had lectures to focus on, a medical career to build. Not some rich guy to swoon over.

A sharp twinge suddenly shot down my spine, I gasped, dropping my pen. It clattered to the floor, louder than a gunshot in the quiet hall. Heads turned again, and I cursed under my breath.

I bent down to grab it, but as soon as my fingers brushed it, it twitched, then floated away from the floor, up to my table. My heart stopped.

“No, no, no.” I snatched it midair, slamming it onto my desk. I glanced around, no one seemed to notice, too busy with their notes. Thank goodness.

“Miss Thorne?” Professor Stock’s voice cut through my panic.

“Is there something you wish to share with the class?”

I forced a grin, tapping my pen against my book.

“Just admiring the scapular, sir. It is quite a fascinating bone.”

My voice was too bright, but he bought it, nodding and turning back to his skeletons and his explanations.

I thought that I had finally escaped this episode. But that cool, pleasurable lick raced down my spine again, stronger this time.

The air thickened, pressing against my chest. My hair lifted slightly, the strands brushing my cheeks like they had a mind of their own.

I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms.

“Breathe in, breathe out.” Grandma's mantra echoed in my head, but it wasn't working, nothing was working today.

Energy surged through me, a tight knot in my core unraveling fast.

The skeletons in the hall rattled. It was subtle at first, a faint clack of bones barely noticeable. Fear surged through me like ice.

“Oh please don't do this here, not now.”

The bones rattled louder this time. Stock paused, frowning at the skeleton on his table.

“What is happening?” Professor Stock asked looking bewildered.

A rib jerked free, hovering above his table, and the class gasped.

I slammed my hands flat on my desk, anger swelling inside me.

“Not here. Not now.” I said to myself in a fierce whisper.

The rib dropped with a clatter on the table.

The class was quiet, everyone was confused with what had happened, nobody was more confused than Professor Stock.

“Must be a draft,” I blurted before anyone could question it.

Stock squinted at the windows, which we all closed, then shrugged.

“Odd. Let us move on.”

The class murmured, but I sank lower in my seat, my heart racing at the close call I just had, in a public place too.

‘What is wrong with me?’ I thought to myself.

I am losing control of this… thing, it is getting stronger and wilder.

The lecture continued, everyone oblivious to my inner turmoil and panic, thinking that another episode may happen, again.

When the end of the lecture alarm finally went off, I stood up immediately, packing my books in a haphazard manner, grabbed my lab coat and darted for the door.

Fresh air, I need fresh air.

The corridor was a blur, students chattering, some looking for their next lecture hall.

I came out to the gardens facing the botanical department, the late afternoon sun warm on my face.

I sucked in a breath, the heady scent of the flowers filling my lungs. I closed my eyes and allowed the scent and the sun to calm me down.

I stood in the garden for a while, allowing my strangely heightened sense to run wild.

I could pick up different scents, separating and pinpointing exactly where the scent was coming from.

Concentrating some more, I could hear some students gossiping, and others discussing how cool the class they just had was.

I heard some talk about what my episode caused in anatomy class, and my stomach flipped. I ignored them and continued listening for anything more interesting to distract myself.

“Lykaina Thorne,” that voice, the one that I have been trying so hard not to think about all day.

I could hear clearly now, how deep and smooth it was.

The butterflies in my stomach began to flutter violently.

I opened my eyes and looked up, straight into those storm clouds eyes.

He stood there, towering and unruffled, the sun behind him, making him look more ethereal than he already looks.

There was no stained jacket in sight, he was in a crisp black shirt that hugged his frame too well.

I turned and saw the beautiful looking guy standing behind him, he watched me with a quiet intensity that made my skin prickle.

I crossed my arms, forcing a smile.

“We've met too many times today, are you following me now?”

His lips twitched, not quite a smile.

“Coincidence, I saw you smiling at yourself with your eyes closed. I had to make sure you were okay,” he said with a small shrug.

“Besides, you are the first person I have met, closely, since I came here.”

“I don't even know who you are,” I said lifting my hands in an exasperated manner.

“Why don't we rectify that now?” He asks stepping close to me. Too close. His scent hit me, woodsmoke, mint and something wild, like the forest I have always craved running through.

“How do you propose we do that?” I ask with a nervous laughter.

“ We can start by introducing ourselves. I already know your name, but you don't know mine.”

“Well we can do that, I guess. And what's up with your shadows?” I ask.

“Oh, You mean Phillip?” He asks with a smile.

“He is my friend. Lucien is my friend too, you have met him. He is the unserious one and Phillip here is the serious one.”

“What is your name?” I ask looking at his beautiful eyes.

“I am Zarek Royalston.”

“Mmm, Zarek Royalston, that is a very fancy name.”

“I am glad you like it,” he says with a wink.

Immediately I felt my stomach clench, and my mouth went dry.

“I have class to get to, I guess I'll be seeing you around,” I say as I began to gather my things to leave.

“Miss Thorne,” Zarek says coming close, closer than he was before which is in my personal space.

His eyes looked straight into mine, like he could see the secrets I keep deep within them.

“You are not what you seem, are you?” He asks while twirling a strand of my hair with his finger.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask in a breathless tone.

“You don't even know me to make such a statement.” I snapped, spirited defiance kicking in.

“I know enough,” he said, his voice dropping low, a challenge in his gaze.

“I thought we were just getting to know each other. I thought we were on our way to becoming friends,” I ask, feeling confused with the turn this conversation has taken.

“Oh, we are friends Miss Thorne,” he said, turned, and strode off with Phillip in tow, leaving me rooted there, pulse racing and thoroughly confused.

The energy inside me flared, a sharp pulse that rustled the leaves around my feet. I clenched my fists, staring after him.

Who was he? And why did he make me feel like I was unraveling?