you and I work one-on-one for a few weeks? Roman mentioned you’ve been feeling a little behind. Maybe some tutoring sessions would help.”
My head jerks at the mention of Roman’s name, and I have to work hard to keep my expression neutral. Roman’s been talking to her?
Duh, of course he has. They’re both professors here. They probably talk about students’ progress all the time.
Still, I can’t help the unreasonable coil of jealousy that twists in my gut. Does he still have real feelings for her? Does he regret breaking up with her?
“I get the feeling I don’t have a choice in this,” I say with a groan.
“Of course you have a choice.” Professor Tamlin looks appalled that I would see it any other way. “But I do worry that if you don’t get some extra tutoring, you’re going to fall behind, and I don’t want to have to hold you back in class.”
“Can’t you just give me an A for effort?” I flash her a hopeful grin.
“Trust me, I wish I could. But I have a responsibility to ensure everyone who graduates from my class can accomplish certain tasks and meet particular goals.”
Ugh. Failing definitely isn’t an option. But tutoring sessions with Roman’s ex? The absolute last person I want to look like an idiot in front of? And what if she gives Roman progress reports?
Sounds like one of the lower circles of Hell to me.
“I’ll email you some times I’m available, and we can set up a few sessions,” Professor Tamlin says. “You’re powerful and very naturally gifted, Elliot. I’m sure it won’t take long for you to catch up.”
Great.
Chapter 4
The next couple weeks seem to fly by in a flash as the whole school gets back into the swing of things.
Classes are fine. I can’t complain. They’re still difficult for me though, and I find myself getting frustrated probably more than I should. The written stuff is totally fine. My History of Magic class, for example—I’m doing pretty well in that. But the practical stuff…
I hate to admit it, but Professor Tamlin was right. I need some extra help, or I’m going to fall behind. And I can’t have that. I won’t fail out of this damn school and be forced to give up my magic; I won’t lose my powers or my sister.
The guys have noticed my frustration. Well, Cam and Asher have. If Dmitri’s noticed—and he probably has, he’s observant as hell—he isn’t saying anything about it. Maybe he’s worried it’d ruin his school-wide reputation as an unfeeling bastard or something.
Or maybe it’s just because he doesn’t like to talk about his problems, so he’s not going to push me to talk about mine.
Asher patiently helps me with my homework, even though I know he probably doesn’t really have the time for it. Cam takes me out on runs in the morning so I can get some energy and frustration out. And it helps, it really does. So does sneaking off to see Roman when I can. Ah, the power of orgasms.
But none of it can really take away from the fact that I’m behind my fellow students in practical magic use.
And that’s just not going to cut it.
I’m in a hell of a bad mood as I get dressed after Combat class, my mind still wrestling with my latest failure. The second- and third-years got to spar all class while the first-years did more combat-focused magical drills. And once again, it didn’t go well for me.
It sucks because last semester this was one of my favorite classes, and now I’m starting to dread it. But that’s because fall semester was mostly non-magical sparring, which I literally kicked ass at. I used to wonder why we have a Combat class at all—it made me feel a little like we’re being trained as soldiers or something—but after Raul’s attack on the school, I understand better why the professors might want us to know how to fight and defend ourselves.
The world of magic has always held danger.
I sit down on the bench in front of the lockers to put my shoes back on. I’m due to have lunch with the guys next, and I’m trying to breathe slow and deep so they won’t see my bad mood. It’s not their fault that I’m a fuck-up; I don’t want them to have to deal with it.
“Well, well, well, where are you off to in a hurry?”
I glance up to see Alyssa smiling down at me like the cat that