Page 12 of Professor and the Seer

“You might want to hold off on bothering them a few minutes,” Dina stated.

I opened my mouth to ask why, only to blush as it hit me. At least I couldn’t hear my sister getting dicked anymore. Since the portal blasted us, the constant presence of my sisters had disappeared from my mind. No longer could they talk to me in my head. Nor could I feel their locations. A relief in some respects, as I liked the privacy. At the same time, weird because we’d been so close for so long.

Hence why Dina snuck up on us. A relief because it meant I didn’t have to hold on to my anxiety as hard. They had no idea how much effort I expended in trying to keep from dragging them down as I struggled to stay sane.

“Let me get changed into something a little less night-clubbish,” Dina stated. “We’ll meet in the lobby in fifteen. That should give the love birds time to finish.”

John nodded. “I’ll arrange for a vehicle with the front desk.”

Dina left, and John murmured, “I’ll make the next shield on your door stronger. I never even felt your sister dismantle it.”

“No need.” I stood. “I’m coming with you.” I expected an argument. I’d seen how protective he could be.

Instead, he nodded. “I’ll wait in the hall while you get ready.”

His polite ass stepped outside my room while I splashed water on my face. The exact face I’d seen reflected in my vision at sixteen, only John didn’t stand behind me in the mirror. Wrong room but right age, meaning tick-tock. The time for that vision fast approached, and it was up to me to make sure it never came to pass.

I joined John in the hall, where he stood, leaning against the wall. Way too handsome and nice. Why did he have to be so bloody decent? It would be easy to dislike him if he were rude or arrogant. But, no, he stepped aside so I could get on the elevator first. When the doors slid open on the main level, he took a quick peep, before again indicating I should go.

Would he be so generous in bed?

I just about blushed because, for a second—a hot, heart-pounding second—I flashed to him between my legs, giving me an oral climax the likes of which I’d never actually experienced. I was unable to look at him for a moment while I composed myself.

That pleasure could never happen. I didn’t care what his great-grandma said. If we got involved, he’d die.

We were the first to arrive in the lobby, and despite the late hour, many people lounged in the seating areas or passed through. So many of them I winced until John came near and waggled his left hand. Instantly, everything cut off.

The relief parted my lips on a sigh. I blinked at him. “What did you do?”

“Private bubble. I hope that’s okay. You seemed overwhelmed.”

My mouth rounded. “More than okay. I didn’t know that could be done.” Never knew the bombardment could be stopped.

“I wasn’t sure it would work, but it occurred to me that since your gift is arcane-based, blocking the arcane via a shield might help. I’m sorry it didn’t occur to me sooner.”

Was he seriously apologizing? “This is amazing.” I smiled, and he grinned in reply, which was how Dina found us.

Dina noticed right away what he’d done. “Afraid she’ll be attacked?”

Still smiling like a loon, I gushed, “He put a shield around me that blocks me from seeing. It’s the most amazing thing ever!”

The praise pursed Dina’s lips. “Hunh. I never thought of trying that.” She glanced at John. “Can you teach me how to craft it?”

He nodded. “I can, but I will warn it’s not something that can be kept in place for too long, as it does drain the caster.”

Contrition had me putting my hand on his arm. “Then drop it. I’ll be fine.”

He glanced down at me. “I can handle it for a while yet, at least until we get out of here.”

Enyo joined us, along with Bane. She wore leather head to toe, which I had to commend her for, seeing as how we’d lost our things when Bane’s castle collapsed. I’d not even known my sisters had gone shopping but should have guessed, given Dina appeared as trendy as ever. I’d been lucky that the hotel gift shop had items that suited me: a ruffled bohemian skirt and a T-shirt that said “I loved Mexico.” Style wasn’t my thing.

My tall sister eyed me up and down before muttering, “Sorry you were attacked. I should have been more vigilant.”

I snorted. “Even I didn’t see it coming. Lucky for me, John came along.”

Would he take the credit? Nope. He shook his head. “You didn’t really need me. You had those thugs handled.”

“I’d hardly say that seeing as how I don’t even know how I trapped them, or how long it would have lasted.”