Zodiac Academy Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham Page 0,154

need to start building new, imprinted memories that you can access for illusions whenever you need them.”

“Okay,” I said slowly. “Show me what to do.”

He reached out and took my hand and my stomach flipped over as he guided it onto the copy of King Arthur, encouraging me to brush my fingers over it. That was definitely not a sexual thing to do and yet heat spread between my thighs and I tried to convince myself it was to do with the buck toothed dude on the cover who was covered in chainmail. Yup, that’s definitely what’s doing it for me. Not the guy who used to fuck me until I couldn’t walk straight and made me come ten times before he even considered being done with me.

“Focus on the image, let your mind relax,” he instructed, releasing my hand. I did as he asked, trying my best to ignore how close he was to me or how my breathing was getting unsteady. “When you think you have it memorised, close your eyes and draw some magic up to the image. Don’t let it take any form, just pull it closer to the picture in your mind until it merges.”

I nodded, drawing on the well of power in me and encouraging some of that magic towards my mind. A light seemed to grow around the image I could see in my head and I sucked in a little breath in surprise.

“Got it?” he asked in a deep tone and I nodded. “Now let it go. Try not to think of it at all.”

I let my mind go dark and the image seemed to snap against my brain like a rubber band. I inhaled as I reached for it again and it came into my mind’s eye as clearly as if I was looking right at it once more. Woah.

“Open your eyes,” Orion growled and I did, immediately falling into the dark well of his irises and realising my fingers were an inch from grazing his on top of King Arthur.

I curled my hand up and tried to wet my desert dry mouth as I looked down at the book of dark magic beside it.

“Try the illusion now,” he encouraged, taking the copy of King Arthur out of sight.

I gazed at the other book and drew on that memory just like I’d been taught in class before rubbing my forefinger and thumb together as I cast the illusion. The cover immediately altered, and the size of the book too, everything shifting to look exactly the way the real copy of King Arthur had.

I released a squeal of excitement, picking it up and examining it for errors. But there weren’t any. It was the most perfect illusion I’d ever cast. Holy shit.

I looked to Orion and found him watching me with an intensity that made my cheeks burn.

“Thank you,” I said earnestly.

“Any time,” he said gruffly, pushing to his feet. “Seriously, just text me or call if you ever need help with anything.”

I didn’t answer that, unsure if I should really open up a line of communication between us. But then again, I was falling behind in Cardinal Magic because of Highspell and I really couldn’t afford to do that with Lionel in power. I had to make sure I passed my exams and more than that, I wanted every advantage I could gain against the Dragon Lord. But it was Orion. If I started talking to him on a regular basis, my head could get messed up. No. I couldn’t do it.

A tap came on the window and I spotted Tory there, beckoning me to come out.

I gave Orion a tight smile and if I wasn’t being totally crazy, I swear he looked kind of dejected. Maybe any company was better than none while he was locked up here twenty four seven.

“Guess I’ll…see you in a bit,” I said with an awkward smile.

“I’ll wait up,” he said, his throat bobbing.

I walked away, ignoring the way my heart throbbed and ached as I slipped quickly out the door. I didn’t look back as Tory took my hand and pulled me along at speed, guiding me onto a path between two tall hedges before she slowed again. Her magic met mine and merged easily as we cast an air shield around us to keep off the rain.

“Did Lionel give you another dose of Order Suppressant?” I asked as I tried to reach her Phoenix with mine and came up against nothing.

“Yeah,” she sighed.