A Class of Conjuring
Chapter 15 — Cassandra

I opened my eyes and found Dash still lying next to me, sleeping, his breathing steady. I moved my head from his arm and turned on my side to watch him, the first man to bring me such bliss. I hoped the previous evening was a sign of things to come. I even considered when the next time between the two of us might happen.

He had taken his time and made the experience one never to be forgotten. The next time, because I needed a next time, I would share with him, making it just as much about him as he made it about me. I placed my hand against his bare chest and felt the strong strum of his heart. While he was inside me, I felt his energy touch my soul. The connection with all four was more than physical, emotional, or psychological. It was a combination of all three, bringing our souls together. I began to think about Kyler, Oliver, and, of course, Braeden. Would the experience be similar with them? I hoped so. Braeden had always been there for me, but I had no regrets with Dash being my first. In different ways, they would all be my first.

I kissed Dash on the nose and he stirred, opening his eyes and laying a hand against my cheek. Both naked, I turned to him and slid my top leg between his, feeling his warm cock against my thigh. "That was fucking great last night," I said and ran my fingers over his stubble.

"Nice language," he quipped. He kissed me and let his tongue linger against my lips.

I smiled and pulled back a bit. "I think it's the best way to describe what happened. Don't you?"

"It was fucking great," he said.

I ran my finger down the middle of his chest and stomach, keeping my eyes on his, though I could see his cock spring to life. It was a creature with its own mind.

"What are you smiling about?" he asked.

I ran my hands between his legs and squeezed, feeling the faint throb of his cock.

"You keep that up and we'll be going another round," he said.

I rolled over on top of him and rested my hands on his chest, my chin against my hands, starring into his mesmerizing eyes. His cock pressed against my opening, and for a moment I thought he might enter me again. I wanted him to. "I had no idea how good sex could feel," I said. "It took me and my mind away from everything, like I was free and whimsical."

Dash smiled. "I've never heard that before, but I'm glad it did."

I'd been around all four guys long enough to notice their habits and idiosyncrasies, so when Dash looked away, I knew there was something more on his mind. "You do know you can tell me anything?"

He nodded. "To be honest, after my ex, I didn't think I'd ever care for another woman, so what has happened between you and I is completely unexpected."

"We both feel that way," I said. "But I'm overjoyed that it has happened, especially after waiting for so long." I giggled playfully. "It was even better than I heard."

He kissed my forehead and brushed a stray hair away from my face. "There's something else I need to tell you," he said and looked away again. He even moved back, giving my heart a pause. "The witch who stole your powers, her name is Challis, my ex-girlfriend. I'd managed to hide from her for years and then all of a sudden she shows up when I felt myself drawn to you." He shrugged. "My head kept connecting the happenstance to you. I know that was wrong, and I don't really blame you at all."

"I understand," I said. "You and the others saved me from her, and for that I'm grateful."

"I'm sure it's Edius," he said. "One of his mages stole her master's power, and she thought she was next. So, she joined him, splitting us apart. I don't blame her. Anyone would have done the same thing." He shook his head as if trying to rid his mind of the memories. It explained so much about Dash and why he acted the way he did. I reached out for him, but he shook his head.

"It's okay," I said. "I'm not mad."

"I'm sorry," he said. "I don't even like speaking her name. When we parted ways there were a lot of bad things said. A lot of true things. Now that she's back, all those things boiled up. I'm hoping she's gone now, but my gut tells me the worst is yet to happen. We need to protect you."

"I get it, Dash. But remember, you never have to feel like you can't talk to me. I will never judge you or the others. It's not my place to do that." I slid forward and kissed him. "We should probably join the others now," I said and slipped from bed, fighting the desire to have him inside me again. The next time had to be soon.

"I guarantee they're still sleeping," Dash said and dressed next to me. He helped me with my shirt and then squeezed my butt-the first time that had ever happened to me.

"Can you do that again?" I asked.

He looked at the bed. "Anytime you want."

I giggled like a schoolgirl. "That's not what I meant, silly boy." I stuck my ass out. "I meant squeeze my ass. I kinda liked that."

"Kinda?" Dash stood in front of me and held me close. He then reached around and grabbed a handful of ass. He nudged me against his stiffness. "Like that?"

"Both cheeks," I encouraged. He reached around and grabbed my other ass cheek.

"Better?" he asked, and then lifted me from the floor. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on tight.

I poked Dash in the chest. "Perfect. And anytime we're alone you have permission to do that."

"One time and you've changed," he said, his hands staying against my ass. He snuck a finger between my legs, and I kissed him hard.

"Imagine what another time will do," I said, and dropped my feet to the floor. I reached for the door and turned. "Do I have a glow?" I joked.

Dash shook his head. "If they clap, I'm out." He waited a moment and then laughed.

"You better get rid of that," I said and pointed at his hard-on.

Dash took a deep breath and jogged in place. He stretched and laughed and smiled, and suddenly it was gone. "Better?

"Amazing,” I said. "Just make sure you can get it back again."

"Trust me, not a problem."

I opened the door and found everyone just as Dash had said, sleeping, except for Aurelius who was watching cartoons on TV. His love for cartoons was the one thing we knew about Aurelius that the other students didn't. His concentration when watching cartoons caused his left eye to twitch. Dash passed me, and I heard him go out onto the back porch. He knew they'd be all over him about what happened in the bedroom, and I knew he needed some time to process what we did. I was sure Kyler and Oliver would bombard him with questions, and so he needed to come up with answers. I needed time as well but thought maybe Aurelius was there waiting for me.

Aurelius patted the cushion next to him. He pointed at the TV. "The sponge is annoying," he said. "Who comes up with this stuff? And whatever happened to the dog and those four kids?" He shook his head. "Times have changed." "They have," I said, agreeing the sponge was indeed annoying. I really wanted to know what he thought of my performance so far, especially since so many people thought I would fail. I wanted to go back to Guildmaster Ren and show him I'd mastered my magic, even though my magic was gone. But then Aurelius had been a little distant recently, which meant his feedback had been sparse at times. "What do you think of my abilities so far? Do I have what it takes to be one of the best?" I asked. I needed to know I was progressing. I needed to know I was making a difference.

Aurelius turned away from the TV and looked at me. The sponge screeched but didn't draw Aurelius' attention. "You have a long way to go to be the best in the world, Cassandra. First, you have to be best in your class. Then be the best Freshman. The next step is to be the best at the Enchanted Academy." He shook his head. "Do I think you have the possibility? Absolutely." He turned back to the singing sponge. "Do I think you will ever be the best? Probably." He pointed at the TV. "I can sing better than that."

"Thank you, Aurelius. Thank you for believing in me." I nodded at the TV. "But I don't think you can sing at all."

Aurelius smiled. "Train hard, Cassandra," he said. "Beat the best to be the best."

"I will," I said. I assumed he was referring to Challis rather than anyone at the academy. And since it appeared I was brought to the academy to fight Edius, I would have to beat the best just to live.

Leaning to my left, I could see Dash sitting on the back porch, staring ahead. Last night had been amazing, though I was still a little sore from his intrusion. He'd officially brought me into womanhood, and everything about me seemed to have changed. I didn't have to wonder anymore. I could write in my diary about the experience. I could write how it felt physically, incredible, and how it felt emotionally, beautiful. And I couldn't wait to tell Ruby. It had been just like she said it would be. A little bit of pain but a whole lot of pleasure. She said the following time would blow my socks off. I couldn't wait.

"I have another question," I said, and he nodded. "Do you think it's wrong to love more than one person in a romantic way?" The question sounded stupid, hearing it spoken. Ruby answered the question with an emphatic no, it wasn't wrong. She encouraged me not to let old ways of thinking mar my feelings for the four guys. I couldn't agree more but respected Aurelius' opinion. He came from an older generation, so I suspected his answer would make me crash and burn. Aurelius took his eyes off the TV and turned to me. He still looked tired and even looked years older than the last time I saw him. The semester was wearing on the man. "That's not for me to judge or decide," he said. He looked around the room at the sleeping guys. "I'm assuming you're talking about them and Dash?" He smiled, coveting his relationship with the young men. "They're good men, and if they are your choice then, well, you made good ones."

"I am talking about them," I said. "There's this connection going on between all of us. Them to me and me to them. I've never had that before. They feel the same way."

"I was brought here to help you all fight Edius, not to be your matchmaker," Aurelius said sternly. He turned back to the sponge on TV. He patted my leg. "But I'm glad you and Dash have worked out your differences in the way I assume you did. The five of you will make a great team. You'll need each other when it comes time to battle Edius." He pointed at Oliver. "The boy has more brains than the entire academy student body. Use him wisely. He won't lead you wrong. Though I think you'll have to encourage him along the way."

I motioned at Kyler who snored like a Saint Bernard. "What about him? He's something of a mystery to me."

Aurelius chuckled. "Kyler is a wildcard. We never know what we'll get from him. I believe it's the shapeshifter in him. He likes his freedom. Likes to head out into the wilderness and run. Feel the wind blowing through his fur." He chuckled again. "Understand these things about him. He'll need encouragement but not as much as brainiac over there." We both laughed.

"You and Dash are close," I said. "I can tell he really respects you. He would protect you the way he does me."

"He lost his father a while back," Aurelius said. "He's like a son to me, and I'm like a father to him. We tangle a bit, but so do most fathers and sons." He turned away from the TV. "Dash will lay down his life for you and the other boys. You be prepared to allow him to do that, and everything will be fine. The boy takes great pride in doing things and then hiding the fact he takes great pride in doing good." He shook his head at the TV when a squirrel began singing. "They need you, Cassandra. The boys, not the squirrel."

I chuckled, and he smiled. "What about Braeden?" I asked. "Think he'll come around?"

"The boy who wants to be your lifelong best friend?" Aurelius smiled and patted me on the leg again, his way of comforting me. "Him I'm not sure about. He will do anything for you. Anything at all." He pointed toward the bedroom. "But will he do that? I don't know. With him you'll just have to go with women's intuition, if such a thing truly exists." He smiled.

"I'm afraid he'll be jealous of the others," I said. "It seems like that's the balancing act I have to do for this thing to work out." I let out a loud sigh. I needed to get things cleared up with Braeden. The sexual tension over the years had eaten away at both of us. When you spent that much time with someone, you couldn't avoid the intimate feelings.

"Maybe, but I think he understands the five of you are a team. He knows it can't be four or three or two. He'll accept things as they are as long as he knows it's what you want." He made a pfft sound. "If the boy is smart, he'll accept things as they are and embrace them."

Kyler bumped my foot as he woke, though I doubted he'd been totally asleep, probably listening to us. "I don't think it's wrong at all," he said. "Just make sure everyone knows your intentions. That's what I'd do if I liked someone who was with someone else."

Aurelius looked around me when Kyler joined us on the couch. "Welcome to the living," he said to Kyler. "How was the floor?"

Kyler's hair was headed in ten different directions. Dry slobber clung to the right corner of his mouth. But even in a state of disaster he was adorable. I was still fascinated with his ability to shapeshift and wondered how it fit in with our connection. "Hard as hell," he said to Aurelius. "Next time we draw straws for the guest bedroom."

I glanced at the guest bedroom, and my mind went crazy. I squeezed my legs together and thought about Dash inside me. If I didn't get him off my mind, I'd never be able to think straight.

"I wouldn't mind replaceing someone like that someday," Kyler said. "Someone I trust enough to turn myself over to."

I placed my hand on his which was resting on his knee. "Maybe you have," I said.

Aurelius looked at me and rolled his eyes, following it with a groan. "For the record," he began. "I don't care how many men you have as long as you're all focused and can fight for a common goal. And don't forget, we're heading back to the academy in the morning. We need to figure out a way to get your powers back."