Dark Paradise

Chapter Sixteen

It didn't take me long to track down Roman. I quickly learned while being here, that one of the things he loved to do most was practice magic. And teach it. If he wasn't in the training arena, he was in a class.

"It's all about showing them that their gifts mean something," he'd told me one morning when I had just started learning about magic fundamentals. Roman was smart and kind. And that was why I knew if anyone could help me with this looming obstacle engulfing my life and dreams, it was him.

I felt my lips tug slightly at the corners of my mouth. Roman was teaching a younger group of kids, that looked to be in their preteen years when I walked into his HISTORY OF MAGICAL BEINGS class.

He stopped mid-sentence. Sensing my presence before I could utter a word. Roman always seemed to know when I was in the vicinity, how exactly, I had no clue. My thoughts had my heart racing and my breath hitching.

Get a hold of yourself Lily there are more important things to do than to gawk at Roman, I mentally chastise myself before coming up to stand next to him.

Curiosity lined his facial features as he continued speaking to the class in an authoritative tone, "So next time you want to take a piss in the fountain Erhan, think about that fun fact."

The class erupted in mild chaos and laughter, everyone but Erhan. And God help me but I could feel a red hot blush creep up my nape at the timber of his voice. Roman chuckled alongside them for a few moments before telling the raucous preteens the class was dismissed.

"Do I even want to know what that was?" I said as I leaned a little towards his large brown desk. Shifting his weight, Roman sat on the edge of it and crossed his arms. She didn't miss that his toned arms emphasized his chest as he did so, although she tried.

"Not much to tell. Always a kid that thinks it's funny to pee somewhere they're not supposed to. So I tell them about the history of those objects and how said objects tend to cast curses on their special jewels out of spite."

I smile, feeling my heartbeat quicken. Instant comfort fills my lungs as I look at Roman's warm face. A hint of stubble shadows his

"I'm sorry to interrupt but I didn't know who else to go to," I say with exasperation. He must have noticed my anxiety because his eyebrows scrunch together, concern lining his face.

"What is it, Lily?" He's already moving towards me before he even finishes his sentence. He rests his hand on my shoulder urging me to talk. I can feel heat coming off of his large calloused fingers. It makes me feel like I can tell him anything.

"Well, I feel like if I say it out loud it's going to sound crazy but with everything that's happened, I don't know." I blow out an unsteady sigh as I continue, "I've been having these dreams—nightmares about my mother and some ghostly demon thing possessing her. I have the strongest feeling that I need to find her body. And this last one felt so real if Sarah hadn't doused me with a pitcher of water I'm not sure I would've woken up on my own."

I say the words in a fast ramble hoping that it'll sound better if I say it faster but unfortunately, it sounds as crazy as ever. We're quiet for a couple of heartbeats too long for my liking. My nerves feel like skyrocketing across the moon but I sit on the green stool biting my chapped lips.

Roman looks at me intensely, "Lily, what you're experiencing isn't crazy. It's an omen." I shiver, goosebumps scattering across my flesh. My gut sinks so far I can't explain the feeling that makes my stomach cramp up.

"That doesn't sound like a good thing. I mean I don't know much, or anything at all about omens but I'm guessing it's not marshmallows and rainbows."

Despite his serious manner at the moment, he exhales a breath in a low chuckle.