Pool party

Malacar’s POV

James was talking, occasionally taking a sip of his cocktail, as I watched the students interact by the pool.

Zaria was not here yet, and I started to get anxious, more because Noctis had invited her.

Malacar, are you listening to me?

Yes, James, and I couldn't care less about all their fucking new rules.

Someone is grumpy and needs to get laid. I can send someone to your room.

I can get my own women, James, have done it for a century, keep an eye on…Then I saw her. The sharp tang of chlorine mingled with the citrus scent of the drink in my hand, but all of it faded when she appeared. Her black hair was twisted up in a messy bun, stray wisps catching the late afternoon light, and for a moment, my chest grew tight. She looked so beautiful in that dress, the fabric clinging to the curve of her waist. The straps of her bathing suit peeked lazily around her neck, a tease against her sun-kissed skin. The faint laughter and splash of water from the pool faded out, replaced by the quickened thump of blood in my ears and the cool condensation of the glass slick against my palm. Every sense sharpened, locked onto her presence.

I took a sip of my drink when Noctis's hand touched her back. He leaned in to tell her something. I crushed the glass in my hand.

James stared at me, then burst into laughter. Okay, Malacar, do tell who the beauty you’re protecting is? Zaria?

What? I turned to him, thinking,  Am I that obvious?

He pulled his chair closer. Okay, I have a crush on that white fox, never made my move…

You shouldn’t have said that, I told him, but your secret is safe with me.

I’m not blind, Malacar. Just watch your back, not all factions…he stopped as they started to move closer to the side of the pool where we were.

Master Malacar, Professor James, would you like to join us in a game of water balloon fight?

Thank you, Darius, but we are here to keep the peace. And make sure everyone gets into the dorms after.

Four guys were carrying large containers of water balloons, one on each side.

Pick your teams, Darius said. Noctis starts.

He reached for Zaria first, choosing her for his team, then picked Nova, and a few more until he had five in the group with himself. On the other side, Darius ended up with Astrid, Valerian, James, and Cass. The alliances were clear—Valerian and Astrid stood firmly on the opposite side from Noctis and Zaria.

Okay, let’s undress. “We don’t want the clothes wet," Darius said.

Zaria was struggling to undo the dress zipper as Noctis stepped behind her and unzipped it. I let out a low growl, covering it with a cough. Holy Gods, I’m going to die tonight, I thought as I saw her in the bathing suit. Her perfect body, her long legs, I need to stop thinking before I grab her and run with her.

James was sipping his drink quickly, looking at Nova. She turned and looked at him, then smiled.

I need another drink, he told me, and I chuckled.

We're supposed to be watching them, not the other way around. But since you’re going, get me one too.

I moved to the side to be out of the firing range of the water balloons, the popping sounds and laughter echoing around me. Everything was going well until Astrid suddenly lifted her palm, her fingers twitching with a pulse of blue light. In one swift motion, she snatched a small water balloon and hurled it forward—but midair, a shimmer of magic crackled along her arm. The balloon bloomed larger and larger, swelling until it was nearly the size of a basketball. Glimmering with wet, shifting colors, it streaked through the air, whistling and vibrating with magical energy, and flew directly at Zaria with alarming speed.

I was about to shout when I saw Rune in flight, his peak, bust the balloon before reaching her.

Noctis bolted with vampire speed, his fangs bared. Do that again, and you’ll regret it. Stay away from her.

Is that an order, Noctis? Astrid looked at him defiantly.

" He is right, Valerian said, you need to chill. Her face turned shocked as she looked at him. You’re mine and should not…

I’m not a possession, Astrid, and I was never yours. You’re ruining the party. Then turned and walked with Noctis to Zaria.

The music started, and some of them jumped into the pool. The drinks were strong, and I was watching her, miserable at not being able to have her in my arms.

She was walking by the pool towards Nova when Astrid came out of nowhere and pushed her hard. As she fell into the pool, she hit her head, landing with a splash. Everything happened in seconds. When she surfaced, blood was trickling from her head, but even more shocking, the water around her shifted, turning black like ink spreading through the pool. A layer of dark smoke started rising from her, curling along the surface and twisting in shapes that shimmered strangely, as though alive. People gasped and stumbled away from the pool's edge. Most of them spun to glare at Astrid, assuming it was her doing, but there was confusion and fear in their eyes because nobody had seen magic like this before. The black water, the mark of corrupted power, meant something dangerous had been unleashed, and the smoky aura rippling off Zaria was a sure sign her magic was reacting out of control. Even those used to everyday magic stepped back and whispered urgently to each other about the risk: when the water turns black, it signals a loss of control, a magic surge tied directly to blood and anger.

But I knew it was Zaria; her hand pointed to Astrid, and the black smoke started to wrap around her body…Noctis jumped in and pulled her out of the trance. Anger is surfacing her powers, and the more they antagonize her, the more power resurfaces.

I was at the edge of the pool.

Give her to me. Can you hand me a towel? I need to take her to have her head checked.

Noctis was arguing with Astrid as she stood there petrified.

Zaria, look at me.

How did you do that? I whispered.

Malacar, what are you talking about? She touched her head and saw the blood. How bad is it?

It will leave a mark, for sure. I placed her on the doctor's table, looked behind me, then turned and kissed her lips. When I straighten up, the doctor walks inside.

Oh, that requires stitches. I can numb you…

No, do it, she said. I had stitches done before…

I couldn’t watch, so I walked outside because Zor resurfaced and wanted the command to hurt Astrid. Zor, the demon part of me I try to keep buried—a fierce, ancient presence that sometimes claws its way into my mind—was stirring restlessly, pushing at the edges of my self-control.

Get back down. We will do something; she won’t get away with this. That is a promise.

She walked out, and the doctor. Master Malacar, she needs to stay away tonight, just in case of a concussion.

Okay, I'll make sure to keep an eye on her. I lifted her and walked through the dark, empty hallways, with only a sliver of moonlight. Opened my bedroom door, walked inside, and placed her on the bed. Went back and locked the door.

I sat on the bed next to her. Kissed her forehead.

Malacar? She looked confused at me. I was staring because her iris has a black circle and a sliver of green.