Reaper

Chapter 4

Returning to school was hard. He’d only been out a few days and they had been chaotic. They had still been better than dealing with all the kids in the halls of the school. His mom drove him today, his nerves filling the air of the car as his eyes kept glancing over at him in the rearview mirror. When they parked in front of the school he looked over and sighed, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I don’t want to go back but I can’t stay out just because of a black eye,” Kouzen glanced to him. His mom nodded, kissing his forehead. He scowled and clambered out of the car. He grabbed his backpack and waved. His mom sat there until he made it into the school.

“Well, well, well,” Evander’s voice was quick to reach him only a few steps into the building. He made eye contact with him, rolling his eyes as soon as their gazes connected. He didn’t know how Evander kept getting back into school with as many times as he got into fights. Evander moved towards him and he turned away, going to his locker.

He put his bag up on the hook and pulled his math book, notebook and writing utensils out. He shut his locker and was met with the menacing stare of his rival. He didn’t move, standing his ground as his dad had told him many times. Evander didn’t say a word, simply radiated hatred down into him via his eyes. Kouzen felt an unfamiliar bubbling in his gut and he couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if his shroud and scythe came out right now.

If he was right about taking someone’s soul he could pull Evander’s little pearl out and wake up each morning just to shake it relentlessly in retribution. He doubted anyone besides his parents would miss him, he wasn’t popular in their school, just a bully. Kouzen’s eyes grazed over his toned arms and broad chest, scowling at the dark blue of his eyes highlighted by his tawny colored hair.

“You gonna kiss me or something, horns?” Evander’s lips tipped up wickedly, his eyes getting a twinge of smugness as Kou’s own expression got angrier.

“Why in the seven realms would I want to kiss you of all f*****g people, you filthy lizard,” Kouzen grit the words out. He never talked back and he was pleased with the way Evander’s smile disappeared. It was quickly replaced with rage which should have alarmed him, instead he felt his insides squirm with delight. He thought for once he may have the upper hand.

“You wanna take that back before I f**k you up really good, mutt?” His whole body language changed into something Kouzen hadn’t seen in all their years. Challenge.

“If you touch me today, I will make sure you never touch anyone again,” Kouzen turned his back on him, walking away confidently. He could feel the fury directed at him digging into his shoulder blades. He made it to math class without incident.

In fact, the next week was uneventful. Evander didn’t bother him once. His boys got out of his way when he walked down the halls even. He could feel their stares as he walked by and no one called out to him or teased him. Word must’ve gotten out he stood up to Evander. He was actually enjoying being in the school for once, able to focus on his studies.

He rounded the corner and froze as his gaze landed on Evander. He had a smaller freshman shoved up against the lockers, growling at him over something. His face was inches from him, teeth snapping with fury. He was so irate spittle landed on the poor kid’s face. There was a crash as the kid was slammed into the metal lockers and he started to cry. Kouzen just stared, something wasn’t sitting right with him.

He hated Evander, he’d made his life hell for so long. Broken a few of his bones over the years, given him a concussion twice, bruises galore. His body trembled but he couldn’t place the emotion he was having currently. He had been so happy moments ago to be left to himself but now his mood was sour. He felt the black seeping out of him and a gasp from the student currently being slammed against the wall caught Evander’s attention.

Dark blue eyes looked upon him with a cruelty he’d never seen, “Horns, couldn’t wait for me to figure out what I was gonna do to you, huh?”

He dropped the freshman, the kid buckling to the ground from being shaken up. He hiccuped, sobs drawing attention as he heard classroom doors opening. Evander was stalking towards him and he saw the black tendrils snaking out around him. Evander stopped, confusion taking the place of wrath.

The shroud swallowed him and he fed off the fear of everyone who entered in the hall. It energized him and he was upon Evander in only a few steps. He slammed him to the ground, the stupid dragon trying to wrestle free as he held him down, “You’re MY bully. Don’t you EVER touch anyone else again!”

He didn’t know where it came from, he didn’t know why he felt it, but Evander just stopped struggling. He looked at him fear mingling with dizzying disorientation. Kouzen breathed it in, eyes glowering down into the deep oceans beneath him. The darkness lifted, leaving Kouzen straddling the bigger boy, growling down at him in pure contempt. Evander didn’t dare move until he was up and standing in front of the freshman.

“If he touches you again, let me know. I’ll remind him,” Kouzen’s sharp gaze landed back on Evander and he snorted smoke from his nose with vehemence. He kept his distance, settling for hating him from a distance. Kouzen left the hallway, heading straight for the principal’s office.

The dean of students ripped out of the office, pausing as he saw Kouzen standing just outside the door. He swallowed thickly, Kouzen looking to him with a confidence that made him nervous, “I think you’re supposed to be coming for me. I can call my mom too if you want.”

“No, no… it’s fine. Come in,” the dean took him to the office and sat him down. Evander was brought in moments later, yelling about how it wasn’t even his fault this time. He sat at peace with himself, watching the dragon fume at the dean. He chuffed and was sat down across from him, their eyes met and the tension in the room built. Kouzen folded his legs, for once Evander just kept his stupid mouth shut as they had a staring contest. Evander’s cheeks got a little color on them before he looked away first. Dominance awarded, Kouzen smirked and walked into the principal’s office when he was called.

His dad showed up again today, surprise on his face as he saw his son sitting triumphantly in the chair by the secretary. Teachers making copies were eying him with slight terror and a million different things flashed through his facial expressions before he calmed himself, folding his arms as he looked him over. Kouzen beamed with pride, showing him there wasn’t a bruise or injury on him. His dad gave him a slight fist pump of excitement, heading into the office.

Evander’s dad came next, fury rolling off of him as he eyed his boy. Kouzen scowled at him and the elder dragon gave it right back at him. They’d tangled with Mr. Alfson several times and he was almost just as nasty as his son. Both parents met in the office with the principal as the boys stayed by the secretary. Nick was the first to emerge, grabbing Kouzen to take him to get his bookbag. Yelling rang out of the office as they left.

“You really fought back today?” his dad beamed at him, his Russian accent poking out with his excitement.

“Yeah. He was beating up another kid,” Kouzen didn’t dare tell his dad he’d had a weird outburst of jealousy. He wouldn’t understand, mostly because Kouzen himself didn’t understand just yet either.

“I’m so proud, Kouzen. It only took 12 years,” his dad clapped him on the back, “You didn’t even get suspended. The principal agreed you’d get detention all next week but that’s like nothing. My only concern is they talked about that weird thing that has happened to you lately.”

“Yeah, it happened again. I got mad and used it to knock him down,” Kouzen was worried for only a moment but his dad just nodded, still proud as he helped him get his bag and get out the door.

“Maybe that weird quirk is a blessing after all,” they got in the SUV and drove home.