Dragon Fire Academy 1 First Term an RH academy romance - Rachel Jonas Page 0,13
I didn’t mind the view any of them were giving, but it was far from professional. Take Ori, for instance. The guy had removed his shirt completely at some point before I walked up, leaving it draped over his shoulder like we were waiting in line at a public pool.
Not standing in the atrium of the most highly esteemed educational facility our realm had to offer.
Next, my train of thought led me to glance down to observe the biggest, dirtiest pairs of gym shoes and boots I’d ever seen in my life.
Did I mention these dudes were huge?
“I’ll start with the most important point,” Ori continued, drawing my attention back to his face instead of his ginormous feet. “No wandering off alone. Ever,” he reiterated. “Everything you need is right here on campus, so stay put.”
Why did everyone keep stressing that we shouldn’t wander off? I wasn’t sure if they knew this or not, but most of these students were probably more intrigued by being forbidden.
“So, you mean even going for a walk is out of the question?” I didn’t intend to sound defiant, but seeing how Ori’s brow gathered into a crease—a clear sign of frustration—I wondered if he misunderstood.
Or maybe he was just like this, intense and … kinda scary.
“You wanna go for a walk?” he snapped. “Then keep it within the parameters of this campus. I was pretty sure I made myself clear on that the first time.”
Caught off guard by his tone, my mouth hung open for a moment.
“Okay, fine,” I replied. “I only wanted clarity.”
His gaze lingered on me a bit before drifting back down to the clipboard he held. I didn’t like the way this felt, standing here with this bright, cheery bunch. My first impression was that they were incredibly hot and would maybe be fun to get to know. But now? Now, I just wanted to get as far away as possible. At the very least, I wanted the other students to show up, so I wouldn’t have to bear these four alone.
“So … where’s everyone else?” I asked. “The rest of our group?”
The guys glanced at one another, but it was Paulo who met my gaze this time.
“Haven’t you heard? You are the group,” His tone was sort of clipped, matching the frustration in his expression, although I didn’t comprehend the reason for either.
“I don’t … I don’t understand.”
Ori’s thick arms folded across his chest when he sighed. “Apparently, someone on your end put in a special request.”
“Which officially makes us babysitters for hire,” Paulo chimed in again.
My face felt hot, and I prayed it hadn’t turned red. If there had been a rock nearby, I would have hidden under it.
“Know anything about that, Princess?” Paulo smirked with the question. Something about the way he said that one word, ‘princess’, gave the impression he meant it as an insult.
I lowered my head, feeling mortified. This felt like high school all over again. “Wow, I’m … I’m sorry. My dad’s pretty overprotective,” I explained. “It’s possible he—”
“Well, do me a favor,” Paulo interjected. “Next time you hear from Daddy, make sure you tell him there was a much simpler solution to keeping his little girl safe,” he offered. “For starters, he could’ve kept you home.”
It seemed like a moot point to state that, technically, I’d come to the academy by invitation. However, bringing that up would’ve only fed into these four’s belief that I was spoiled and entitled, so I refrained.
There was a sudden chill in the air, and of all the things I imagined going wrong, of all the people I anticipated trying to push me around, it wasn’t my mentors. The ones under whom I was expected to report to with problems.
When the others didn’t interject, I guessed they all shared in Paulo’s opinion. And that was fine.
“Listen,” I scoffed. “I said I was sorry you got stuck with me, but this wasn’t my call.”
If they wanted me to beg and grovel because they’d been given this task, that wasn’t happening. I didn’t like this arrangement any more than they did. Also, if they had any idea what was good for them, they’d never suggest that I bring my dad into this. His rage was a sleeping giant no one wanted to awaken.
A deep breath puffed from my mouth when none of them spoke, none accepted my apology.
“Well, our chief has assigned us to look after you, so the damage is already done,” Ori practically growled.