Crimson Heart

5| Concussion Syndrome

~Alexei~

"Oh god," 

I groan as I rub the small bump on my forehead. One of two currently growing and adding to my migraine as I tried to focus on the fire in my hands. 

"Alexei, you've done it before, you just have to make it brighter," Tannu Sensei reminds me as he centers my hands over his. I've been stuck in this same class since I passed the gifted spirit test when I first got here. 

Only six students in my year at Antum share a supernatural gift that's more powerful than the average healer or mage. When we first got here, they forced us to wear collars around our necks like dogs.

Unable to take them off unless we were in this class, it's almost like we were freaks put on display for the weaker students to tease. We weren't allowed to take them off completely until we were 3rd years and could prove that we were in control of the power within us.

The small fire currently burning on my palms comes from within. I can't describe its origin but after years of training, creating it is as easy as snapping my fingers. I try to make it brighter but the pain in my head makes it hard to focus and the orange light wasn't helping. 

I let the fire die out and let out a deep sigh. 

"I'm sorry Sensei, I can't today because I really don't feel good," I explain, wishing I didn't have to do so in front of Waylon. They had split the six of us in our senior year into two classes of three for more one on one specialty training. 

"It's alright Alexei. Take a break and if you need to see the nurse you should do so," Tannu Sensei says with understanding as he moves on to Dante from the house of Lotus.  

I meet Waylon's concerned gaze and try to get myself together for him but it doesn't fool him. The small ball of water he was bending back and forth in his hands shifts to tiny droplets which he rains into the bowl in front of him.  

"Excuse me Sensei, but I don't think Alexei is looking so good. I can walk him to nurse Ford if that's okay," Waylon offers and Tannu Sensei looks me over. 

"Mmm, rightfully so, but return right after. We still need to work on your form," Sensei gives him permission and Waylon stands with a small bow of his head out of respect. I stand and do the same, letting Waylon lead the way as the hallway seemingly folds and I lean against the wall for support. He's so tiny that there's no way I could put all my weight on him. 

"It's okay Alexei, we're almost there," Wei whimpers slightly and I squeeze my eyes shut before opening them again. 

With everyone in their classes, the halls were nearly empty and I hadn't noticed that I sunk to the floor. 

Waylon was gone and I'm left utterly alone with my head still pounding. 

"Wei?" Confused I try to look around the corner for him but I'm suddenly swooped up in one reach. I halfway expected to see some guy had lifted me as I was thrown onto their shoulder but the navy blue skirt told me otherwise. 

"I was trying to take him to the nurse but I can't lift him like you can," Waylon pleads and I can tell by the alpha scent that Juniper has me in her evil grip. 

"Go back to class, I'll take him from here," Juniper says but there's no way in hell I want to be alone with Juniper. I look up to beg Waylon to stay with me but he looked so torn that I have to make it easier for him. 

Juniper starts walking and Waylon stays in place until he eventually disappears from view. 

"I see you've been getting close to my brother," She says as she carries me down the hall and I fight the part of me that would love to kick her straight in her alpha vagina dick. 

"It's none of your fucking business," I mutter and she chuckles but I don't remember telling any jokes. 

"Everything that has to do with Waylon is my business. That is my brother, my flesh and blood, my beta, not yours," Juniper snaps and I let out a low growl. 

"Juniper, I think we both know where this is going to go," I warn her and she scoffs. 

"Where is your Beta by the way? Oh wait, you don't have one! So stay the fuck away from mi-"

"PUT. HIM. DOWN." 

The threatening feminine voice captures our attention and Juniper freezes in her tracks. I look up just in time to catch sight of the badass girl standing in the center of the hallway. 

She wore the Antum uniform in Crimson's colors, with a small gold ribbon beneath my family's crest similar to the one Waylon wore. Her olive colored skin soaked in the warm sunlight creating her own spotlight as her dark brown eyes gave an intimidating glare under her burgundy head covering. 

But the most dangerous part about her was the metal bow she carried with a single arrow aimed directly at Juniper's back. 

She looked oddly familiar. 

Juniper turns around and I can no longer see the admirable goddess and Juniper places her hand on her hip, completely unimpressed by the threat in front of her. I mean shit if I had an arrow drawn to my head I wouldn't be as ballsy as Juniper. 

"Who are you?" She asked and I can imagine the girl wasn't impressed either. 

"Beta Artemis from the house of Crimson. Take one more step and the only thing I'll be to you is your worst nightmare. Now put my brother down," She says with a proper British accent that's just strange in a place like this. Wait, did she say brother?

"Have him, he was getting heavy anyway," She shrugs me off her captive shoulder and I dropped to the hardwood floor which only hurt my head worse. 

"We'll meet again," Juniper smirks as she walks away. Once the witch is gone, Artemis gets down on her knees and hovers over me. 

"Are you alright brother?" She asks but I'm too tired to respond and find myself drifting into darkness. 

*******************

Was anyone else ready for this badass?