Infinite Bond Read online

  Taking a step back, I bumped into the wall. “Are you saying having a bonded is like marriage for us?”

  Her brows pinched. “Sort of. But more intense. Look, I’m not saying you’ll meet your bonded, who, in human terms, is your soul mate, but there is a chance it could happen, and I needed to warn you.”

  “How do you know?”

  “That’s the tricky part. My parents are bonded; you should see how sickly cute they are together. The love you have for your bonded can’t be ruined or broken because they were made for you, made to complete you…. I’m getting off-topic. From what Mom said, you don’t really know you’re bonded until you have sex, actual penetration.” Fiery heat burned my cheeks. “That’s when the bond forms. I mean, she said she was deeply attracted to Dad, but she also thought Mel Gibson was good-looking.”

  It was simple then. I wouldn’t have sex with anyone. I didn’t want to risk finding a bonded after a sexual encounter and have them disappointed in who they got stuck with for the rest of their life. Knowing my luck, it could happen. Even my own mother didn’t want me.

  Though—“Can a human be a bonded partner for someone like us?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  At least, if I did find my libido, all I would have to do was sleep with a human to make sure I didn’t accidentally marry someone.

  “Thanks for telling me.” And since I was about to embark on this next step, something that still twisted my insides and caused my hands to shake, I could open up a little to show I did trust her. “To answer your question, I think I’m asexual.”

  “If you are, that’s cool, but that might change at Tovenaar.”

  I wanted to take this conversation and throw it out the window. My heart hadn’t stopped racing since I’d arrived home, and there was a chance I’d pass out soon if I didn’t shut her up about this, at least.

  “Can we, um, move on?”

  Tanika winked. “Got it. You’re shy. It’s cute.” My face burst with heat. Tanika grinned. “Though, I’m kinda bummed you didn’t find me attractive at least.”

  Groaning, I threw a T-shirt at her. “Shut up.”

  “Okay, okay.” She laughed. “Let’s finish this and get you to school. It’s already late, but don’t worry your pretty little head. The dean is used to people showing up at all hours.”

  Nodding, I grabbed the last few items I needed and packed them.

  As I looked around, sorrow stabbed at my chest. I wouldn’t be seeing this place for a while. I wouldn’t be working for Ivan either. Not now, at least.

  “Ready?” Tanika called from the front door.

  Grabbing my duffle bag, I flung it over my shoulder and steadied my feet when the weight of the bag nearly took me to the ground.

  Was I ready? No. Definitely not.

  Even though all I wanted to do was hide under my bed for the rest of my life, I pushed my feet forward. I did it for my inquisitive mind, for Tanika and Ivan.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Micah

  * * *

  Tanika took me back to the diner where her car was parked. Ivan and Flora had already closed up shop, so I didn’t have to say goodbye to them again. Thank goodness. If I had, it would have been a struggle to leave. It was like the diner and the owners were my safety net—an everyday routine I enjoyed.

  I was more than grateful for at least having Tanika at my side for this journey.

  In the car and on the road, I glanced out the window, nibbling at my thumbnail while bouncing my leg up and down. My stomach fluttered at the thought of something new in my life, and I didn’t like it. At least I didn’t feel sick like I had before.

  “Tanika, do you know people coming into their powers late? Did they feel sick beforehand?”

  “I’ve heard of the cramping in the gut and the headaches. If it wasn’t for the way you kept wincing and sweating or with what happened with that jerkoff, I wouldn’t have considered it, since you’re already twenty-one.”

  Panic boiled my blood. “Wait. Tell me there are others at twenty-one coming into a power?”

  Her lips thinned and brows pinched. “I haven’t met anyone until you.”

  Groaning, I palmed my face and tugged at my hair. “I’m still a freak, no matter if it’s with the humans or-or us.”

  “Hey, no, don’t say that. There could be a perfectly good reason why your power didn’t come out until now.”

  Tears threatened, and I shot my gaze back out the window as I thought of all the situations where my power could have come in handy in my life.

  Why now?

  It wasn’t like I had just turned twenty-one; I was closer to my next birthday. It didn’t make sense. Then again, this whole night was something out of a fantasy story.

  Rubbing at my chest with one hand, I bit at my thumbnail again on the other.

  “Micah, please, don’t worry. You’ll fit in. We’ll find out why it’s happened now, and if we don’t, you’ll have the chance to learn about your power and other things. It hasn’t escaped my notice that you love to read and research.”

  “Sorry, it’s….”

  “A lot to take in. I get it.”

  It was, and all in a short amount of time. I worried if there was any more, my brain would fart before overloading, and I’d collapse to the floor in a heap.

  Please don’t let that happen.

  “We’re nearly there. You’ll feel a bit of pressure when we pass through the protective barrier around the college. It keeps out humans and anyone with harmful intentions.”

  Clearing my throat, I straightened, looked out the front window, and rubbed my hands up and down my thighs.

  It was dark, and I couldn’t really see anything other than the woods. “I guess we’ll see if I do actually have a power.” If I was still classed as human, I wouldn’t be able to pass through.

  “You do have a power. You just need time to adjust and have control of it. It’s what we’re here for. For you to learn.” She shot me a wide smile.

  I managed a small shaky one back before facing the front again.

  A slight pressure built around me before there was a pop that had my ears ringing. I stuck a finger into each of them and wiggled them around.

  Tanika laughed. “Yeah, I forgot about that part.”

  Licking my dry lips, I focused out the window as a large building came into view. When we got closer, I noted the building was bigger than I thought. I’d looked at colleges before, and they’d intimidated me with their sizes—worried I’d get lost.

  They were nothing compared to this, though. My stomach rolled with unease.

  Tanika pulled to a stop out front of two large wooden doors and turned off the car. “I’ll move it later. Let’s get you inside first.”

  “Do you room here also?” Please say yes. At least I would have someone I knew around all the time.

  “I do. I only go out into the human world to work. You can buy anything you need to survive here on campus. There’s a few shopping areas for food and clothes scattered around.”

  A shopping area. No human school I knew of had one of those.

  “You ready?” Tanika asked.

  “No.” It was the truth, but knowing I wasn’t ready for this crazy new step in life wouldn’t stop me from learning. “But I’ll try.”

  Tanika rested her hand on my arm for a moment. “That’s all you can do. I promise it’s not as scary or daunting as it seems.”

  Yeah, right. I had to tighten my butt cheeks to make sure I didn’t crap myself as I climbed out of the car. There was also a chance that my heart was going to beat out of my chest and fall to the ground, and I’d die. Maybe that would be better for me, though… but then I wouldn’t know if this development was going to be something better for me and my life.

  Sighing, I swallowed thickly as I scrubbed a shaky hand over my face and went to the rear passenger door to take out my bag. Once I had it in hand, I closed the door and faced the entrance again.

  There were ten front steps I had to take before my life was altered forever.

  Ten steps.

  I could do this.

  Glancing to a smiling Tanika, I drew in a breath and nodded. Tanika took my hand, and together we made our way up to the door with my pulse in my throat. Shock radiated through me when Tanika didn’t knock but pushed a door open and walked in, dragging me behind her.

  “It’s not locked?”

  Tanika grinned, and when the door closed with a bang behind us, I spun and found two men standing just inside the closed doors. Two hulking men in black uniforms. Strapped around their waists were belts with weapons hooked on to them.

  “The college has security everywhere. Most of the time you don’t see them. But these two lugs are just two out of many who rotate with others for the front door detail. Isn’t that right, Mike and Lesley?” Tanika pointed to the men when she’d said their names. Mike was a bald man with a body that even The Rock would be proud of. Lesley was only a little smaller. Where Mike’s eyes were narrowed, Lesley’s weren’t, and they held warmth.

  “Girl, how was work?” Lesley asked. Mike grunted and leaned back against the door, crossing his arms over his chest as he surveyed the entryway.

  Honestly, it was an impressive space.

  The roof was high and arched before it smoothed out flat. There was a grand staircase in the middle, but off to the left held elevators. To the right of the room, there was a massive desk beside us. Behind that was an office, and down along that side held other rooms. To what, I didn’t know.

  “Work was same old, but can you reach the dean? I have a new student.” Tanika smiled over at me. I managed to lift the corner of my lips before taking in the tiling of the floors. The pattern was old, the decorative style mosaic. “Lesley.” Tanika took my
hand again, causing me to jolt from my thoughts. “We’ll wait in his office.”

  She started to pull me along until I paused and glanced at Lesley and Mike quickly. I dipped my head. “It was nice meeting you both. Um, thank you.” A blush rushed to my face. Why did I thank them?

  Mike nodded and Lesley smiled widely. “Always good to meet a new student. Good luck with it all….”

  “Micah,” I blurted quickly before turning toward the office. This time I dragged Tanika along with me.

  Thank you? I seriously said that, and I still couldn’t understand why my brain spat those words out.

  Since I didn’t know exactly where I was going, I paused at the front desk and let Tanika take over the lead. As soon as Tanika had us in a spacious office, I sat on a chair and buried my face in my hands. Tanika snorted, then laughed lightly. “You’re like one of those people who says, ‘You too,’ after a waiter says enjoy your meal.”

  I was. I really was.

  “My mouth moves before my brain catches up sometimes.” Straightening, I glanced at her as she sat beside me in another chair. “You have to know I’ll be… I won’t… I doubt I’ll make friends. I’m not the most social person to begin with, and if I could, I would hide in my room twenty-four seven. You may risk your status here by spending time with me.”

  Tanika rolled her eyes and shoved my shoulder. “Please. We’re friends. Nothing you say or do will take that away. You’re stuck with me.”

  It was nice of her to say so, but we’d only been around each other at work, and there I could keep to myself since I collected dirty dishes, so I usually hid away in the kitchen. Tanika hadn’t seen me in a school situation. She didn’t know how awkward I really was.

  “Just know, it’s okay if you change your mind.”

  “You may not know this, but I’m stubborn. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. You’re my friend, Micah. Nothing you’re worrying about now will break that.”

  “Okay,” I muttered and took my first look around the room.

  Both sides held bookshelves with a heap of stacked books. My hands itched to reach out for the knowledge they would, no doubt, hold. But the fear gripping my stomach stopped me. Which was good, since it was the dean’s office, and if I was in his position, I wouldn’t want a stranger touching my things.

  A desk sat in front of our chairs. On it was a computer, papers, and more books. The chair behind it was one of those expensive but comfortable chairs. I had an urge to sit in it to see how comfortable it was.

  When the door opened abruptly, I swung around with my hand out and a scream in my throat. Whoever it had been flew through the air and landed with a bang outside the office. Tanika scrambled up, as did I, and we raced out into the main office area.

  A boy, around eighteen, blinked up at me from the rubble of what used to be a desk.

  Gasping, I raced to his side and dropped to my knees. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it.” With my arm under his back, I helped him sit. A whimper escaped me when wood and dust dropped off him. I could have really hurt him.

  Flicking my hair over my eyes, I glanced down to my knees. “I’m so sorry, again. If you like, you can tell the dean. I… I um, only discovered I held a power tonight.” Wide-eyed, I shook my head. “But that means nothing. I shouldn’t have reacted that way.”

  “Micah—” When Tanika didn’t finish, and it seemed like she’d cut off whatever she was going to say, I glanced over to see she stood with her hand behind her back and lips thinned with her dancing eyes off to the side. I looked there and found Lesley and Mike.

  “Sorry,” I blurted out to them. “I didn’t mean to hurt another student—” Tanika made a noise in the back of her throat, but I ignored it. “I’ll explain it to the dean when he arrives, and… and I have a little bit of money.” I didn’t. Well, I would have a little if I’d picked up my pay from Ivan before I left.

  Lesley smiled as Mike walked off. “It’s fine, Micah. I’m sure the dean won’t mind. Will you, sir?”

  The boy laughed. “Accidents happen.” He patted my hand. “Don’t worry. I shouldn’t have startled you.” In a blink, he stood in front of me and held out a hand my way.

  Wait….

  Slowly, I took his hand and was standing next to him in the next moment.

  Holy hell on earth. He was strong to pull me up like that.

  Wait….

  “Micah, wasn’t it?” the guy asked with a soft smile on his face as he brushed himself off. At least he wasn’t holding a grudge or wanted to seek revenge. Some of the tension eased from my shoulders.

  “Yes?” I said hesitantly, aware it sounded like a question more than anything, but my mind was busy trying to work out if what I suspected was true.

  But it couldn’t be.

  He was young and…. Okay, I had nothing else, but he had to be a student and not the dean, right?

  Once he was done brushing off his clothes, his smile brightened even more, and that was when I saw his fangs.

  Lesley cleared his throat. “Sir, I’m going back to the doors.”

  He nodded and waved him off. “Yes, yes, everything is fine.” Once Lesley dipped his chin our way and disappeared, the guy faced me again and held out his hand once more. I took it, and he shook. “Micah, it’s nice to meet you. I’m the dean at this college, but you may call me Sebastian.”

  Tanika snorted. “No one calls him Sebastian. It’s always Dean because he’s as old as dirt.”

  The dean shot Tanika a scowl that had me backing up a step. Sebastian noticed and started laughing. “Relax. I won’t hurt anyone for the fun of it. They really have to peeve me off first.”

  I shifted my gaze to the broken desk and back again.

  Sebastian, which I felt was fine to use in my mind only, chuckled and gestured toward his office. “Let’s head in there and get to know one another.” He started forward. “I see you’ve already made one friend. I wished it had been anyone else. Tanika is…”

  “Special, amazing, brilliant?” Tanika grinned. With her hands on my shoulders, she guided me back to my chair since I was utterly stunned by the new events.

  Sebastian scoffed as he sat behind the desk. He really was the dean. Though, he was only a little taller than I was, so he looked tiny in his seat.

  Not that I would tell him that.

  “I was going for annoying, Tanika.” He leaned back in the chair.

  “Pfft, please. I’m awesome, and you know it.” Tanika also sat, and I sensed both their eyes on me. I glanced out the corner of my eye and did find Tanika looking at me. “I only give the dean hell because he’s good friends with my father and has been around since I was a baby.”

  I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat. The dean cleared his throat. “Micah, can you tell me the events leading up to you realizing you hold a power?”

  Straightening, I flicked my eyes from Sebastian to Tanika and back again before dropping them to my lap. As I explained, I switched from gazing at the books around me to picking at a loose thread in the bottom of my T-shirt.

  “Micah?”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Either Sebastian or Dean is fine.” When I nodded, he went on, “From this night on, your life will change. Here you will learn to manage and control your power. If you wish, we can also enroll you into other courses that might interest you and help toward your future profession.”

  Excitement bubbled up inside me, and I shot my gaze to the dean’s.

  He smiled. “I thought that may interest you since you can’t stop looking at all the books.” He stood and moved over to the bookcase on the left. As he took some from the shelves, he went on. “You’ll have the day off tomorrow, and we’ll work out the areas you want to learn alongside the things you need to learn.” He moved back and dropped the books on his desk. “In your free time, you can also go over these—” He tapped the books. “—alongside the texts you’ll get for classes. They’ll help you understand your new world more.” He glanced at Tanika. “Tanny, can you get Micah a welcome pack, please? They’re in the office beside us.”