Chapter Three
The first week of classes was brutal.
Madame Fire was the only one who was satisfied with just explaining what the class would be like. In every other class, Avalon had to show just how advanced her skills were. Which was to say, being humiliated when her offensive spells were weak and ineffective.
Fortunately, she seemed to be slightly ahead of the others when it came to earth magic and truly excelled in the single water magic class she was enrolled in.
Finally, though, it was Friday. Avalon got ready for Elsa's party, dressed in a hot pink halter top that looked good on her Eurasian skin tones, cinched at the waist with a rhinestone belt and a skirt that stopped just above her knee.
She'd opted for a little bolder makeup than her usual fare and put on a pair of strappy high heels that were going to kill her by the end of the night, but made her legs look fantastic.
"What do you think?" she asked Vaughn, twirling so the skirt went a little higher than was appropriate.
I shouldn't do that, she thought. He's probably taken some sort of monk-like vow of chastity, or at least isn't supposed to get involved with the object of his protection.
But they weren't bonded yet. That wouldn't happen for at least a year, to make sure they could get along before he was connected to her. What was the harm in a little flirting in the meantime?
"I think you shouldn’t go to this party."
Avalon frowned. "Why not?"
"Because I'm not the only dragon here. In your classes, I counted at least five other dragon bodyguards, as well as two werewolves, and I think I saw a vampire on campus."
"A vampire?" Avalon couldn't help herself. "Sexy!"
Vaughn glowered at her.
"Hey, I'm kidding."
"This isn't a joking matter, Avalon."
"Look, if this place wasn't safe for me, my parents wouldn't have sent me. I appreciate your concern, but I've never really had any friends. I've never been in one place long enough to get to know people my own age."
"Never?"
Avalon shook her head. "And improving my social skills is just as important as learning how to blow up stuff, isn't it? Besides, you'll be right there, protecting me with those rippling muscles."
Vaughn hesitated. "I haven't had time to properly vet everybody who is going to be there."
Avalon folded her arms, glowering at the dragon. "Would it make you feel better if I promised not to get drunk?"
"A little."
"I won't get drunk. Come on, it'll be fun. You need to loosen up a little."
Vaughn's frown turned into a scowl.
"What are you worried about, anyway?"
"That something will happen and I won't be able to break through my gaggle of admirers to get to you in time."
Avalon's brow rose, but Vaughn's expression was completely serious. He wasn't scowling anymore, though, so she took it as a joke and smiled at him. "What about the gaggle of admirers surrounding me?"
"Them I'll tear limb from limb," he said confidently. "Especially if it's the sexy vampire."
Avalon laughed.
***
Elsa's dorm was much bigger than Avalon's. It had an open floor plan: kitchen, dining room and living room, all occupied one large space divided by a green granite-topped island. To one side of the room was a set of stairs that led to a loft. Streamers hung from every available surface.
The room was already packed, and the sound of music thumped through Avalon's chest while the scent of pizza slithered into her nose. Her mouth watered.
Elsa found her quickly and grabbed her hand, dragging her deeper into the crush of bodies as Vaughn struggled to keep up. She pulled her to the kitchen area, which was slightly less crammed. "Everyone! I want you to meet Avalon. Avalon, these are my roommates: Shu, Imbiana, Helen and Celia."
No wonder she had such a big place, with four other women living with her. Avalon nodded in turn to each of them. All looked at her with interest, and Elsa continued.
"This is Shu's boyfriend, Mike, and Helen's brother, George."
"Pleased to meet you," Avalon replied. "This is my friend, Vaughn."
George extended a hand and shook Vaughn's. Both eyed each other like lions about to start a battle and Avalon made a note not to let Vaughn drink too much. Or at all. The last thing she wanted was her first party here to end in fisticuffs.
But then, if he was worried for her, he probably wouldn't drink anything, anyway.
"Do you think they're going to start measuring?" Helen whispered in her ear and Avalon snorted.
If Elsa hadn't told her that Helen and George were siblings, she would never have guessed they were related. Helen was tall, willowy, with dark hair, dark eyes and creamy skin. George was a good head shorter than his sister, built like a brick barn, with sandy hair and hazel eyes.
"Here." Elsa pressed a cup into Avalon's hand. "And look! It's Makoto and his brother. Oh, I forget his name…"
She scurried off to greet her guests.
"We share a few classes, don't we?" Avalon asked Helen.
"Yes. We're both in Madame Fire's class with Elsa. I don’t know how I'm going to survive that class… I'm always told I'm too emotional and that I need to control myself, and now she wants me to embrace that?" Helen shook her head, looking bewildered. "But maybe the three of us can train together."
"That would be great."
Avalon raised the cup to her lips. It was a smooth peach nectar with a pleasant tang of alcohol. Remembering her promise not to get drunk, she only took one swallow before leaving it on the counter.
"I want to dance," she announced. "Who's going to dance with me?"
Helen shook her head, but Imbiana, Celia and George happily took her up on the offer. Vaughn trailed after them.
They found room in the living room and began dancing. Avalon let her hips rock to the music, enjoying the beat pulsing through her as she raised her hands in the air and whipped her head left and right.
When Imbiana grabbed George and began grinding against him, Avalon didn't hesitate before she backed into Vaughn and did the same thing, though he hadn't really been dancing.
His hands clutched her hips, and a spark of electricity shot through her. It was as strong a jolt as she had ever gotten and she gasped, freezing for a moment.
Vaughn's breath was hot on the back of her neck, bringing her hips back towards him, thrusting his own forward. Avalon's heart sped up and she turned, wrapping her arms around his neck as she forgot the music.
Her eyes met Vaughn's. Something stirred in her stomach, an almost painful sensation. She knew that if she didn't stop now that their lips, drifting closer, would touch. Then they'd part and then they'd find a room to themselves and—
Her stomach twisted so suddenly and painfully that she cried out. Vaughn's arms tightened around her and if he hadn't been holding her she would have collapsed. Before she could catch her breath, it happened again. It was like a snake writhing in her gut, lashing out, biting at her insides.
Vaughn rushed to the kitchen area, half-carrying Avalon. The music still pounded in her ears but the sounds of horrified gasps and panicked inquiries were just as loud.
Everything slipped in circles, the pain coming again and again, getting more intense each time. She felt like she was about to die.
"Avalon, drink this." Vaughn's voice broke through the jagged tearing in her stomach. He was pressing something to her lips and she obeyed without thinking. It tasted bitter and salty.
The pain came again, so hard that she collapsed, screaming. Vaughn fell to his knees beside her, holding her. Sweat beaded her forehead—
And a massive projectile of vomit spewed from her mouth.