First message
The university courtyard was packed with students when a deafening CRACK echoed across the grounds.
A golden ball of magical energy shot over the fountain, narrowly missing a professor’s head before slamming into a stone pillar.
“VALE!”
Ashton Vale winced.
“Okay, in my defense, that pillar was already ugly.”
Laughter erupted from his teammates as Ashton jogged over to retrieve the ball, his navy-and-gold varsity jacket hanging loosely over his broad shoulders.
“Captain! You’ve got detention again!” someone shouted.
“Put it on my tab!”
With an effortless flick of his wrist, Ashton summoned the ball back into his palm. Golden energy crackled along his forearm before abruptly surging out of control.
The nearby enchanted fountain sputtered and died.
Ashton’s grin faltered.
Only for a second.
“Well, shit.”
He glanced around to see whether anyone had noticed. Unfortunately, his eyes landed directly on someone watching from nearby.
He sauntered over, flashing the kind of smile that had probably gotten him out of trouble a hundred times.
“Hey, gorgeous. Quick question.”
He leaned casually against the nearest pillar, folding his muscular arms.
“On a scale of one to I’m telling the dean, how much of that did you just see?”
A beat passed.
“Because I’m prepared to offer a very generous bribe. Coffee, dinner, VIP access to the best party on campus…”
His grin widened.
“Or my number. Which, objectively, is the most valuable option.”