The Echoes of Rivalry & Ruin (The Acamancy Series I)

Chapter 25: Meeting Mr. Ashbluff

Paxxon and I walk to the fields for Defense in silence. I have no idea what set Paxxon off but after the last class with the Fire Mani's I don't need to give Paxx any extra reason to freak out and disappear on me again. I decide it's best to not bring it up, but I have no idea what else to say. As we approach the field I can see Lylah, Spencer, Phoebe and Luther all bunched up talking. Opposite them is a group of Fire Mani's that is made up of mainly males but there are 2 females along as well. They stand closest to Dean Phoenix, while some of my fellow Am-c students stand near Professor Swift and Lylah and her group are in between the two. As I head over to join Lylah and Phoebe and all of them, I notice my arm, the one connected to Paxxon by our clenched hands, being pulled in the other direction, towards the group of all Am-c students.

"I wanted to go and talk to Phoebe, I haven't seen her since the last Defense combo class," I told Paxxon. Silently pleading with him to not be overbearing and try to make me avoid my friends.

"I will ensure we have our preferred location for groups. I need to speak with Professor Swift to secure my place as a group lead once again, but I do not foresee any hindrances. If there is any difficulty locating me with Professor Swift once you complete your conversation, I shall be with Caleb," Paxxon tells me. 

There is an uncomfortable edge in his voice, that mirrors the look on his face and the tension of his body. I can feel his gaze on me even as I turn my back to him and away. I have nothing I really want to say to Phoebe, or Lylah or anyone, but I am still curious about the conversation from earlier and I want to be around Fire Mani's right now. Also, another part of me just wanted to see how Paxxon would react to my wanting to be around Fire Mani's after the way he cut off our conversation. It's not that I wanted to annoy him or directly do something to make him mad or uncomfortable or anything, I just wanted to see how he would respond. I have no idea what it is with Paxxon and the Fire Mani's that make him act this way, just like I have no idea what it is about Paxx that makes Mitch go crazy. I get that there is some history with Dean Phoenix's son but he isn't in the group I am approaching, and he wasn't mentioned in the conversation either.

I make it over to the group just as Mal, Brynn, Summer and the others do. We don't continue our discussion about the "Flamers" or about Spencer or anything of that nature. Lylah is off to the side with Spencer and they share some whispered conversation out of ear shot, which I am sure is for the best, while the rest of us catch up on typical conversation about classes and campus news and such. The topic of Thanksgiving vacation comes up and everyone begins to discuss plans and who is going home versus staying here for the Friendsgiving celebration. As much as I would love to stay behind and celebrate with friends, most of my friends are going home, and I am anxious to do the same.

I glance over my shoulder to see how angry Paxxon looks. I am still talking with Fire Mani's and not next to him for protection, but my view is obstructed by a different male with light blonde hair. Only in place of the near glowing green eyes I have taken comfort in, I am greeted by glowing red eyes and a smirking face.

"Hello there, Emmie is it? I am Damon Ashbluff, son and only child of Fam-ac's Dean Phoenix. I do not believe we have formally met."

"Emalyne, my name is Emalyne," I correct. 

"Yes indeed, Emalyne Thatcher, daughter of Lucy Benson, or should I say Lucy Thatcher since she chose to marry Eric for whatever reason dad never understood."

"How do you know my parents?"

"Lucy Benson and Eric Thatcher went to school with dad, they were in many classes at that time since it was one of those trial years where Fire Mani's went to Am-c full time. I'm not going to ruin your life and give you some wild 'your actually my sister, my dad is your dad and Eric just posed as your dad in his place to save face' type of tail. Lucy Benson was only one of many women dad has love letters in his yearbooks from. Dad was always a lady's man. Anyways he told me you were here but I had no interest in finding you, there have been many ladies who dated dad and went on to marry some other low life and then had children here. No, I am not here because of your mom, sweet Emmie. I am here because I heard that your choices in who to date are even worse than your mother's. You're dating Philip's aren't you Emmie?"