Chapter 46

The first day of Sex Magic 101 wasn’t even halfway through, and I was already on edge. The class was mandatory for Dark Cores, making it impossible for me to skip. But it was also an elective, meaning only the truly interested—or the curious—would choose to be here. And apparently, that list included a certain Light Core.

Silas slipped into the seat beside me just as the instructor began speaking, ignoring the glances that immediately flickered his way. He didn’t have to be here. No one had forced him to sit next to me, but Silas had a knack for positioning himself exactly where he wanted to be.

“Couldn’t resist the allure of Sex Magic like every guy who isn’t a Dark Core here?” I murmured, keeping my tone light but just a touch curious.

Silas leaned in, his lips curving into the faintest smirk. “I thought I’d broaden my horizons. Learn something new.” His voice dropped, low and smooth. “Besides, why would I pass up the chance to be in every class I can with you?”

My heart skipped a beat, his words landing with a mix of teasing and intention. I glanced away, catching sight of the unmistakable glares and raised brows aimed in our direction. The whispers, the curious glances—they were all fixated on Silas choosing to spend his time in Sex Magic 101 with the me. It only made the rumors wilder, painting me in an even stranger light.

Silas didn’t seem to notice, or more likely, he didn’t care. His attention remained on me, his gaze steady, protective in a way that felt almost like a shield. “If anyone’s going to see you through this,” he added in a whisper meant just for me, “it’ll be me.”

His voice was soft but resolute, and despite the heat creeping up my cheeks, I managed to keep my face neutral. The Pyrope Garnet warmed in sync with his words, steady and grounding, like it was absorbing his quiet confidence and lending it to me. I straightened, feeling a strange, fierce comfort in his words.

As the instructor droned on, detailing the complexities of channeling energy in certain rituals, I felt Silas’s presence beside me— someone who’d chosen to stand by me, even in the face of scorn.

At the end of class Liana, one of my usual taunters, was wrestling with her backpack, her face flushed with embarrassment as ink smeared over her hands, staining her notes. Somehow, her bag had split, the strap frayed, her belongings scattered down the hallway, now splattered with fresh ink. She swore under her breath, shaking her head as she tried to salvage her notes.

“Damn bag,” she muttered, shooting a venomous glare around, but Silas was already walking by her, cool as a breeze. His gaze slid over her for only a second, his expression completely unbothered, like he didn’t even register the scene. Even went as far as taking the liberty to step over her belongs like she was merely a bug underneath him.

But when he glanced at me, I saw a flash of something. Amusement. Satisfaction.

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly as he approached, and he tilted his head in acknowledgment. There was a sharpness in his gaze, a look that said he was quite satisfied with himself.

As we made our way down the hall together, I couldn’t help the suspicion prickling in my chest. I turned, walking a little faster to match his stride. “Silas… did you have something to do with that?”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Who, me?” His tone was smooth, light, but the glint in his eye was unmistakable. “Maybe she just got what was coming to her.”

He didn’t need to say anything more. That faint smile, the knowing look, told me everything. He hadn’t forgotten a single taunt, a single mocking laugh thrown my way. Silas, calm and calculating as ever, wasn’t going to let any insult toward me go unanswered.

He seemed to sense my incredulity and chuckled, a soft, low sound. “Mara,” he murmured, glancing around to make sure no one was listening, “they’ll learn to respect you. Or they’ll suffer the consequences.”

His words were smooth, measured. But beneath that even tone, I could hear the steely resolve, the quiet fury he kept hidden so well. I’d seen Silas’s protective side before, but I hadn’t expected this kind of edge, this cruel streak lurking just below the surface.

A warmth stirred in my chest, mingling with the satisfaction of seeing Liana humiliated. I glanced at him, unable to hide the small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “I didn’t realize you’d go to such lengths.”

He shrugged, his voice even. “They should’ve known better than to mess with you.”

We hadn’t walked ten steps when a loud splash sounded behind us. I turned, catching a glimpse of Marcus—another student who’d smirked and muttered just loud enough for me to hear in class. He stood there, dripping wet, a broken water bottle in his hand, staring down at his soaked books with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

Silas didn’t stop. He didn’t even look back, his face a mask of calm indifference. I bit back a laugh, casting him a sidelong glance. “I think Marcus might suspect foul play.”

Silas’s lips curved, but he didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. The message was clear: anyone who thought they could taunt me without consequence would soon learn their lesson. And it wouldn’t be obvious. Silas was careful, making it look like the universe itself had turned against them.

By the time we reached my next class, I could feel a shift in the air. The whispers had quieted, replaced by cautious glances. The students who’d been the loudest, the boldest, now seemed uncertain, wary.

Silas walked me to my seat, giving me a slight nod before he slipped out of the room. I watched him go, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and awe. I hadn’t expected this from him, but I couldn’t deny the satisfaction that came with watching him put them in their place.

After the final bell, I gathered my things, expecting to walk back to the quarters alone, but Silas was waiting just outside the door, leaning against the wall, his gaze steady as he watched me approach.

“Rough day?” he asked, his tone light, but I could see the sharp edge in his eyes, the way he noticed every glance, every whispered word as we walked down the hall together.

I shrugged, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

He nodded, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “Good,” he said. “Because anyone who thinks they can mess with you—well, let’s just say they’re not as untouchable as they might think.”

There was a confidence in his words, a quiet promise that made something inside me settle. I looked at him, studying the calm strength in his expression, the unwavering determination in his eyes.

“You’re not bothered by any of this, are you?” I asked, half-curious, half-impressed.

He shrugged, giving me a sidelong glance. “I’ve always been a fan of the long game, Mara. Sometimes you let them think they’re winning, and sometimes… you remind them who really holds the power.”

The words sent a thrill through me, a spark of pride that I couldn’t ignore. I’d always known Silas was cunning, but this side of him—the quiet, ruthless protector—was something else entirely.

As we reached the quarters, he stopped, his hand brushing mine briefly, grounding me in the present. “Let me know if anyone else gives you trouble,” he murmured, his voice soft but resolute. “They’ll regret it.”

I looked up at him, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

With that, he turned, heading off to his own room, leaving me standing there, feeling a strange, fierce satisfaction. The whispers would continue, maybe for a while, but now they’d think twice. And knowing Silas was behind me, unwavering and calculating, made every whispered word sting just a little bit less.

I stepped into my nest, the Garnet warm against my chest, a steady reminder of the power I held—and the allies I’d found.