Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 14

Pet or Stray?

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Kael didn’t stop with the first hit. Every time I got to my feet, he put me right back in the dirt. A sweep of his leg, a shove to my shoulder, a flick of his

wrist that sent me sprawling again. He didn’t strike to hurt, not really. No broken bones, no cracked ribs. But he never gave me room to breathe, never gave me a chance to so much as lift my fists. And the whole time he grinned, cocky and careless, his auburn–flecked eyes sparkling with mischief. The crowd

loved it. Heat flamed in my cheeks, the laughter scraping raw against my ears. By the fifth tumble into the dirt, my pride burned hotter than the bruises. I

stayed down, chest heaving, glaring up at him with all the fury I could muster.

“Had enough already?” Kael teased, brushing imaginary dust from his shorts. “And here I thought you were scrappy.”

The teacher’s voice cut in before I could spit back a retort. “Enough. That’s the point made. Pair off now, find someone of the opposite size. Let’s see how well you handle adapting.”

Students scattered, calling partners, already sizing each other up.

Kael sighed dramatically, then crouched down in front of me, hand extended, grin still firmly in place. “C’mon, Rivers. Don’t pout. I’ll even let you hit me next time.”

I clenched my fists in the dirt, ready to slap his hand away. But before I could, a shadow fell over both of us. A broad shoulder slammed into Kael’s as someone moved past, not rough, but firm enough to make Kael stumble half a step.

He stopped just long enough to glance down at Kael, his voice low and even. “You’ve had your fun. Time to actually teach the girl something now, instead of just picking on her.”

Kael’s grin faltered, surprise flashing in his eyes before he barked out a laugh. “Oh, look. The dragon’s got himself a pet to protect. You look after her now, Evander.”

But Evander didn’t rise to the bait. He extended his hand to me, steady and sure, his storm–bright eyes meeting mine with quiet understanding. I didn’t

hesitate. I took it.

Evander’s hand was warm and steady, pulling me up like I weighed nothing. I stumbled, brushing dirt from my knees, then froze when I actually looked at

him.

He was massive. Taller than Kael by at least half a head, shoulders broad enough to block the sun. His shirt still hung loose on my frame, but on him… gods, the sheer size of him made it clear he didn’t need it. His chest was carved muscle, his skin faintly dusted with sweat that caught the light. Everything about

him screamed strength, but not the careless, mocking kind Kael wielded. This was controlled. Grounded.

“Here.” His voice was low, calm, as he pressed a cool bottle of water into my hand.

I blinked, fumbling with the cap. “Thanks.”

His gaze flicked over me, lingering just long enough to check my split lip and dirt–streaked arms. “You alright?”

I nodded too quickly, muttering, “I’ve had worse.”

His eyes softened, but he didn’t push. Instead, he stepped back, motioning to the circle of dirt between us. “Alright then. Let’s start simple. Show me how you’d block if I came at you.”

I raised my hands awkwardly, as if I was about to slap him rather than defend myself.

Evander’s lips twitched like he wanted to smile, but he kept his tone even. “Not bad. But you’ll break your wrists like that. Here…” He reached out, gently

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Pet or Stray?

adjusting my arms, shifting my weight onto the balls of my feet. “Elbows tucked. Hands up. Don’t flinch from me,

His touch was careful, never lingering longer than necessary, but my skin buzzed all the same.

He stepped back, lifted his hands. “Okay. I’m going to move slowly. You block, then push me away. Ready?”

“Not really.”

He chuckled, the sound low, steady. “You’ll be fine.”

watch me.”

And for the next ten minutes, he actually taught me. Slow, patient demonstrations on how to deflect a shove, duck under a swing, and shift my weight to avoid toppling over every time someone touched me. He corrected me gently, steadying my balance when I faltered. For once, I wasn’t the punchline. And when I managed to shove him back even half an inch, his smile lit his whole face. “There. See? You can do it.”

I found myself smiling back, chest tight. “Maybe.”

He shook his head, still grinning. “No, maybe about it.”

I was still catching my breath, sweat sticking my hair to my forehead, when a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Well, well,” Kael drawled, striding over with that wolfish grin plastered across his face. “Did you take care of my stray for me?”

I groaned, wiping my face with the hem of Evander’s borrowed shirt. “Your stray?”

Kael winked. “Don’t get cranky, Rivers. It’s a term of endearment.“.

Evander’s lips curved, calm and unbothered, but there was steel in his voice when he answered. “Your stray? You mean my pet. And she’s fine here, in my

capable hands.”

The words rolled off his tongue so casually, so sure, that I almost forgot to breathe.

Kael barked out a laugh, clapping Evander on the shoulder. “Gods, you’ve got some bite today, Drayke. Careful, or I’ll think you’re actually serious.”

Evander’s blue–green eyes flicked to me, then back to Kael. His smile was steady, unshaken. “Who says I’m not?”

The air between them sparked with something, playful, sharp–edged, but not hostile. A back–and–forth that spoke of years of friendship.

Kael grinned wider, tossing me a wink. “Guess the stray’s got herself a dragon babysitter. Careful, Rivers. Blink twice if he gets too protective.”

I rolled my eyes, tugging the shirt tighter around me. “I’d rather a babysitter than a jackass who thinks combat training is the same as kick–the–stray.”

Kael clutched his chest like I’d wounded him. “Ouch. That one cut deep.”

The bell and I grabbed my bag from the dirt, slung it over my shoulder, and made a beeline for the path that cut back toward the dorms. Kael and Evander walked a little ahead of me, shoulder to shoulder. Just when I thought I’d get away without another jab, Kael glanced over his shoulder, smirk already in place.

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