Dragon Fire Academy 1 First Term an RH academy romance - Rachel Jonas Page 0,11
to find their way.
Four who made me forget my own name for a moment as I stared. Beside me, Toni’s eyes climbed their towering frames too, accidentally letting her mouth hang open.
She leaned in. “Forget my group. I’m joining yours.”
I nearly laughed, but was too self-conscious as the four finally turned, noticing us. Their dark gazes were so deep and intense they brought with them a sense of danger. No lie, my fight-or-flight mechanism practically screamed for me to run.
I locked eyes with one. The length of his thick, shiny hair hung down his shoulders, tempting me to touch it. He smoothed his hand down a dark goatee, drawing my attention to his lips next. The rims of his nostrils flared, just slightly, like he’d caught my scent in the air.
I glanced right, realizing the others also stared. They were … beautiful. Filthy and wet for some reason, but still beautiful.
Each had skin some varying shade of sun-kissed bronze, just like those who greeted us upon arrival. Their bodies were covered in tribal tattoos that darkened various sections of skin—their necks and arms. Three had hair that appeared to be made of the same black silk. One kept the impressive length of his wild curls restrained in a low ponytail.
Each member of this brood was ginormous. I’m talking height for days, but they weren’t bulky by any means. Actually, two words came to mind as I scanned them again—just right.
Their lean frames were swathed in a network of rock-hard muscle. A strange tug in the center of my chest left me breathless for a moment, but I managed to break free from the feeling. Just long enough to finally recall where I was.
“… Hi,” I croaked. All of a sudden, my mouth had become incredibly dry.
“Ano-Luana,” one said, followed by the others echoing the same drab greeting. Their expressions were a bit stoic, which seemed kind of odd. Everyone else I met so far had been friendly.
There was an awkward stretch of silence as I stepped forward to join them, praying our mentors would show up soon. If they didn’t, the chance that I’d say something dumb was incredibly high.
“Well, I guess I should get going,” Toni announced with a weird smile, taking baby steps as she went her own way. She peered back several times, as if giving someone a chance to stop her. One of the guys, I guessed. Yet, none of them spoke, and Toni eventually joined her team, leaving me alone with mine.
“You Noelle?” The deep voice made a breath hitch in my throat.
I peered up, meeting one’s gaze with surprise.
He knew my name?
“Yeah, that’s me,” I answered, half distracted by the incredibly handsome face that stared back.
He tilted his head, observing me. The sides of his hair were shaven low, but the length at the top had been gathered into a knot. My focus was locked on him as he wet his lips, and then swallowed. The motion drew attention to the strained tendons in his broad neck, making them even more pronounced beneath his tattoos.
Was it freakin’ hot in here, or was it just them?
“I’m Ori.” My attention shifted to the left when a different guy spoke this time. It was the feral one I suspected had first tried identifying me by my scent. However, I’d all but forgotten about that, because realizing I’d seen his name listed on my sheet as a mentor had nearly just knocked me flat on my face.
I was certain I should have said words, but only stared, feeling like I’d just eaten a handful of sand.
Stepping aside, Ori gestured toward the others. The first he pointed toward had hair that reached his midback. He stared and his dark, stormy eyes had me completely entranced.
“This is Kai,” Ori announced.
Another blow hit my gut when the full breadth of the situation sunk in. My smile felt too big, and too … lame.
“Ano-luana,” I breathed, trying to get accustomed to the phrase.
Kai offered a reserved nod, but said nothing.
“And this is Rayen,” Ori said next, drawing my attention to the one with the curls and a pair of red lips tattooed on his collarbone. Seeing them made me smile a little, wondering if there was a story to go with the art.
I was surprised when this one offered me his hand. It was the warmest greeting I’d gotten from the quad so far. His palm slipped over mine as he pulled away slowly, and I fought the urge to giggle.