Marked and Monitored
1065 Words
I’ve been awake for exactly six minutes and someone already wants to set me on fire again.
Technically, no one was actively trying to kill me at the moment. But I also didn’t feel particularly safe.
Mostly because I woke up to the scent of scorched fabric and a dull ache right between my ribs, like I’d swallowed a lightning bolt in my sleep.
Where am I?
I blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling. High. Arched and White.
Let’s not forget the disgusting stench of drugs.
Crap.
The infirmary.
It took a few minutes for me to recollect my memories, what had happened before I came here.
And then it all rushed in.
That meant I hadn’t dreamed of the fight, the fire, or the part where some invisible soul tether decided to wrap itself around my arm and bind me to the literal embodiment of hot rage.
That means that it had actually happened, and I hadn't imagined it all.
I groaned and sat up slowly. My limbs ached in places I didn’t even know had muscles.
And I almost screamed out in pain.
Why did it hurt so much when I had barely even done anything except get myself soul bound to someone I barely knew.
My eyes darted around the room and I took in my surroundings.
The room was empty, save for a single chair near the end of my bed—and a steaming cup of tea on the nightstand. Someone had been here.
Rowan maybe? It was surprising she would be here to see me, though I highly doubted that she was the one.
Before I could even finish the thought, the door creaked open and I raised my eyes to see who had decided to come see me.
The door remained open for a split second, like whoever it was had suddenly changed his mind about coming here.
And then he walked in.
Not Kael. It would have been better if it was the person I was bond to who came to see me.
But it was worse.
Sebastian.
Mr.Towering, Sharp-Edged ,Robes-Flapping-Like-a-Dramatic-Vampire Sebastian.
My professor.
I stiffened immediately. “You. I remember you.”
Of course I did. It was hard to forget a face like that.
But what was he doing here? I didn't think it was normal for a professor to come and visit a student he barely knew.
Wouldn't people talk? The students have already gossiped about me enough.
Unless the council sent him.
His gaze flicked over me without warmth. “You’re awake. Good. That makes this easier.”
“No ‘how are you feeling?’ No ‘sorry you spontaneously combusted’?” I muttered, pulling the scratchy blanket tighter. “Charming as ever.”
It was just like when I had fallen. He didn't care about my health, obviously.
He ignored my comment and placed a scroll on the side of my bed, its wax seal still glowing faintly.
I squinted at it.
By Order of the Elemental Council of Solare: Aeris Vale, Nullborn, is to be placed under the instruction and supervision of Professor Sebastian Virel until further notice…
“Wait—what?”
What do they mean by ‘placed under the supervision of?!
“I’m your assigned mentor,” he said flatly, staring at me like I was stupid for not understanding that.
I stared at him. Then at the scroll. Then back at him. “No offense, but aren’t there… literally any other teachers who don’t look like they secretly kill people for fun?”
His eyebrow arched. “Do you think I volunteered for this?”
Okay, rude.
Obviously he didn't, that much was obvious.
“You’re here because you bonded with Kael in the middle of a public duel,” he continued. “No one’s ever seen a nullborn soul-link. Frankly, you shouldn’t have survived it.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Because that was somehow supposed to make me feel better? The fact I could have died?
“Don’t thank me. Thank the Council. They’ve decided you’re too dangerous to be left unsupervised.”
“I’m dangerous?” I sputtered. “I tripped getting into the arena!”
How could someone like me be dangerous??
I couldn't understand it.
“And yet you activated an ancient, irreversible connection with one of the strongest fire-blooded mages in this generation.” He folded his arms, voice like ice. “Tell me, Aeris Vale. Exactly how did you manage that?”
“I don’t know!” I snapped. “I was just trying not to die.”
Do they think I have powers or what? I was the least likely person to have any kind of power.
If I had one, I would have killed myself by accident by now.
His jaw clenched. For a second, I saw something flicker behind his eyes—concern, maybe? Regret? Then it was gone.
Like it was never there.
“You’ll be reporting to me daily,” he said. “Combat conditioning. Magic theory. Meditation. We’ll begin in the South Wing tomorrow morning at dawn.”
“Dawn? Do I look like someone who survives mornings?”
He turned for the door. “You don’t look like someone who survives anything, but here we are.”
Rude.
Again.
But something about the way he said it didn’t feel mocking. It felt… cautious. Guarded. Like he was afraid of what I might become. Or what I already was.
He paused at the threshold.
“Keep your distance from Kael.”
That made me blink. “Excuse me?”
“He’s unstable. And your bond won’t protect you from the consequences if he loses control.”
“You say that like you know him.”
His back was to me. He didn’t move.
Silence stretched.
And then—
“He’s my nephew.”
My breath caught.
I sat up straighter. “What?”
Sebastian turned halfway, his expression carved from stone. “He doesn’t know you’re under my care. And he doesn’t need to.”
“Why?” I asked quietly. “What are you not telling me?”
For the first time, he actually looked at me. Really looked. And what I saw in his eyes made my stomach twist.
Guilt. Anger. Pain.
“Because Kael and I,” he said, voice low, “don’t speak anymore.”
And then he walked out, robes trailing.
- Writer
