A Dragon's Heart: Book One [4]
Present Day…
Bonding Education was the only class that mixed the New Recruits with the Second Years. It was also the most awkward and embarrassing class on Adam’s schedule. Professor Jody Mills was a tough curvy raven haired woman who appeared to be the only person on the planet that could actually tame Sir Bobby Singer. And she was teaching their Bonding Education.
Out of self-preservation Adam sat with Sam and Andy. Sam would listen intently; hanging onto Professor Mill’s every word, so Adam didn’t have to. The youngest Winchester had made a deal with his best friend to share Sam’s knowledge with him so long as Andy played hangman with him and Sirenia instead of focussing on the topic at hand. Andy had agreed.
“Bonding is an intimate and private affair but it is necessary for you to understand what’s involved in the act so no one ends up confused after a night of passion," Professor Mill’s shouted above the murmurings. Adam was sure she’d had more than a couple of distraught students banging on her door thinking their drunken night of sex meant they’d bonded with the dickhead who’d left before they’d woken up. Dean had made sure that both Sam and Adam knew that there was more involved in bonding then just sex.
I bet my desert for tonight that you wouldn’t mind being bonded to Professor Novak. Sirenia giggled. And Andy has no imagination. The word you’re looking for is Jaws. Must he use last night’s movies?
Adam quickly penned in the answer and watched the defeated slump of his best friend’s shoulders as he quickly jotted down Sirenia’s criticism too.
Novak is clearly straight. Adam muttered as he penned the lines for Andy’s turn.
Didn’t Ash say that no one is straight; they are merely confused or too sober? Sirenia stated with a smug look.
Ash just wants in Andy’s pants. And even if everybody were gay, Novak would be the only straight man out there. Adam pouted.
Sirenia huffed. Ash wants in everybody pants, he’s more of a ‘hound dog’ then you are.As for Novak, quit worrying about him. Deal with your thoughts of him during your early morning showers…Sirenia smirked.
Adam stared at his dragon wide-eyed. I hate you sometimes. How am I supposed to relax when you’re in my head, twenty-four seven? Adam moaned.
I do not pay attention when you go to your shower. So there. Sirenia offered her olive branch and Adam smiled thankfully.
You’re welcome. Now put Andy out of his misery, he’s obviously not listening to Bianca and she looks like she’s ready to feast on his bones. Adam laughed mentally as Sirenia grumbled.
Several games of hangman later (all of which Adam won because of Andy’s lack of imagination), Professor Mills split the class into groups. Like everybody else around them, Adam clung to his brother and his best friend as they attempted to become one person. Thankfully they met the criteria for the Professor Mill’s group plan. Groups of four, with two or more group members from a different house.
They did however need another group member and what they got saddled with was the resident Black Market owner. Gabriel Novak from The House of Air. The notorious trickster and greatest prankster the academy had ever seen.
His bright yellow dragon slinked across the table, her scales flashing in the pale classroom light. She was easily three feet long as most dragons entering their second year. Sirenia bristled under the slinky mischievous eyes of the older and slightly bigger dragon. Bianca, naturally, hid in the sleeve of Andy’s jacket.
“Gabriel Novak and this is Tricks. The pleasure is all mine…” The short second year introduced winking at Sam.
“Sam Winchester and this is Aralia," Sam offered through gritted teeth. Gabriel smirked as he looked Sam up and down with interest.
“Adam Milligan-Winchester and this is Sirenia," Adam piped in as the tension grew between Sam and Gabriel.
“Andy, Bianca," Andy squeaked. Adam stared wide-eyed as his brother continued to glare at the elf-like second year lazily sprawled in his chair across the oak table. Tricks puffed out her thin torso towards Aralia. The tiny green dragon hissed as she moved closer to her rider. Andy was tugging at Adam’s jacket again.
The tension between the flirty second year and obviously pissed off New Recruit was tangible.
“SO!” Adam yelled attracting the attention of everybody in the room.
Smooth. Sirenia muttered as she face-palmed. Adam really wished he hadn’t taught her that.
“Let’s just study the paragraphs, Professor Mills set for us," Sam grumbled picking up his textbook. Aralia crawled around to hide behind the thick book that Sam had erected like a shield. Gabriel just smirked wider and made no move to open his textbook. Instead he pulled a rainbow coloured lollipop out of his pocket and began to suck obscenely on the small sweet as he dropped his feet onto the table and lent back on his chair.
Adam and Andy shared a shocked look before yanking their own books up to provide a wall to gossip behind.
“What’s up with Sam?” Andy whispered immediately.
“The hell if I know! Sirenia, can you ask Aralia?” Adam turned to his baby dragon.
Do I look like your personal assistant? Sirenia protested.
“Please?” Adam pleaded. Sirenia rolled her eyes and left the sanctuary of Adam’s and Andy’s books. The two teens peered over their fort to discover that nothing had changed. Gabriel was still eyeing Sam up like starving man looking for his last meal. Sam was still ignoring the second year from behind his textbook. The taller Winchester was gripping the large book so tightly his knuckles had turned white. Sirenia’s tail was flicking back and forth as she conversed quietly with Aralia, out of the side of Sam’s castle.
Tricks eyed the small green dragon hungrily and once Aralia noticed the unwanted attention she hissed and scampered back behind the book. Sirenia rolled her eyes and trotted back over to the curious New Recruits.
“Well?” Adam questioned quickly. Sirenia glared.
Must you act like a fangirl starved of her favourite celebrity’s gossip…? Sirenia muttered.
“You’re not allowed to watch Access Hollywood again. Now spill," Adam snapped pointing at his dragon unhappily. Sirenia pretended to snap at the appendage in her face.
According to our gigantic friend’s secretary. Mr Novak has targeted Sam for several pranks. These include paprika in his morning coffee, nailing all of his bedroom furniture to the ceiling and replacing his textbooks with the Gay Karma Sutra. Plus the sexual advances and innuendos appear to unsettle your brother. Sirenia finished with a huff. Adam and Andy shared a disbelieving look.
“How’d he get to Sam’s coffee…or his room?” Adam asked confused.
“He’s Gabriel Novak. Nobody knows how he gets around the island without being caught. It’s like he’s magic or something. But why is he fixated on your brother?” Andy questioned.
“If I may interject?” Gabriel popped his head in between the two New Recruits with a twinkle in his eye. Andy and Adam jumped back not having noticed the ninja like Second year move behind them.
“What the hell did you do to my brother?” Adam recovered and glared at Gabriel. The mysterious older student didn’t even blink at the protective anger now radiating from Adam. He grinned wider.
“Not much…” Gabriel’s grin turned into a scheming smirk. Adam glared darker and Sirenia hissed continuously under her breath.
“Leave. Him. Alone," Adam stated menacingly. Gabriel chuckled.
“Cute, kid. Real cute. Anyway…” Gabriel rested his arms around Andy and Adam’s shoulders and drew the nervous New Recruit and the pissed off New Recruit closer. “Which way does your brother swing because I wouldn’t mind a ride on Space Mountain over there?”
“Not your way, that’s for certain,” Sam growled from above them. Gabriel’s look turned flirty as he released the two young teens to saunter into Sam’s space. Tricks pinned Aralia to the table.
Adam nodded towards Sirenia who moved to aid Sam’s dragon in pushing the yellow dragon off. Sam looked like he would shatter considering how tightly he was holding himself.
“Now Sammy. Are you going to play hard to get?” Gabriel whispered as he pushed himself right against Sam’s chest.
“It’s Sam,” The elder Winchester growled threateningly as he violently pushed the Second year away. Gabriel landed roughly on the floor yelping loudly. Bianca had joined Sirenia and Aralia to hiss and growl at Tricks. The larger dragon just looked at the three upset dragons endearingly.
“What’s going on here?” Professor Mills raised an eyebrow at the tension filled table. Andy’s swallow was audible.
“Nothing. Just a misunderstanding,” Sam mumbled through a locked jaw.
“Good. Get back to your books.” Professor Mills ran an unimpressed eye over the group before moving back to the front of the class. They settled back into their seats and their dragons settled next to them as the boys tried to ignore the awkward stiffness that settled over the table.
Gabriel waggled his eyebrows over the rim of his book and Sam glared. Adam’s wide eyes flickered back and forth between them a couple of times. He looked at Sirenia, alert and stiff beside him, and shared a worried look. Sam did not get angry like that, ever.
Sam has never acted this way before? Sirenia’s worried voice echoed through Adam’s mind.
No…He hasn’t. Adam replied.
Should we be worried? Or picking out their drapes? Sirenia questioned with a slight smirk.
What? Adam looked at his dragon confused.
Have you not noticed Sam’s blush or how Aralia can’t stop fidgeting under Trick’s eye? Adam peeked at Sam and sure enough his brother’s face was beetroot red and as for Aralia, she was shuffling like ants were crawling all over her. Sam’s reacting so violently because he is attracted to Gabriel…he’s angry at his own attraction and so, lashes out.
Huh. Adam mumbled a little shocked at the realisation that Sirenia was right. He filled that piece of information for later.
The news of a New Recruit deciding to leave the academy and their dragon behind had reached Adam’s small mismatched group late in the day. They’d grabbed enough cola to kill a small animal and a couple of packs of Gabriel’s black market sweets before heading off to the open field used for training. With no classes the boys had the wide open grassland to themselves. Adam peeked at his watch, mildly aware of his detention soon. He figured a few more minutes with his friends couldn’t hurt and Sirenia certainly wasn’t putting up a fuss.
“I just don’t get how anybody could even think about turning in their dragon and leaving the island," Ed muttered as he took a sip of his drink.
“Some students just can’t handle the stress or the telepathic connection. That’s why the screening process to even step foot on the island is so insanely thorough. But sometimes a fragile mind slips through the cracks and they end up severally hurting themselves or worse," Andy stated.
“There was one student I remember hearing about…Yaro I think," Ash mumbled.
“And?” Harry prompted.
“She went a little nutty under the stress. She thought she was impervious to fire.” Ash finished helping himself to a handful of jelly-babies.
Silence descended on the group.
“Oh my god!” Andy choked on his drink as all their minds finally clicked on how that particular scenario could have ended.
“Youch…” Garth muttered fiddling with his glass.
“How the hell…no wait on second thought I don’t want to know.” Adam waved his hands desperately trying to avoid any description of the poor student’s demise.
“That’s nothing. When my grandfather was here there was a student called Demi who believed she could fly thanks to the telepathic link she shared with her dragon…” Garth spoke up.
This will not end well… Sirenia muttered and Adam couldn’t help but agree.
Dare we ask what happened? Bianca questioned scuttling forward to pinch a gummi bear from the pile.
“She jumped from the top of The House of Air. They were scraping bits of her off of the mountainside for days," Garth finished and the boys flinched at the mental image.
Told you, Sirenia muttered unhappily. Adam passed Sirenia her own surgery treat which she nibbled at happily.
“Can we change the subject?” Harry asked looking a little green around the gills.
“To what?” Ash perked up. No doubt the rock loving New Recruit was thinking parties and illegal substances.
“What happened in Dragon War today?” Ed asked staring at Adam. The youngest Winchester groaned and flopped onto his back.
“Adam flirted with Professor Novak. He’s now got detention," Andy summarised taking a swig of his cola.
“Professor Michael Novak?! First Runner, scary as hell and really ripped? Seriously?” Ed exclaimed as Adam nodded along.
“He was hot…” Adam defended. The boys groaned. “What?”
“You think every teacher is hot and for a gay guy, you’re moving in on the straight guy’s territory here," Harry scolded. Adam snickered.
“Not my fault I’m cute.” Adam smirked at his friends. Ash threw a lime green gummi bear at his nose.
“Perhaps it’s your fault you’re late for detention?” The group of young men jumped and scrambled to their feet as Professor Novak appeared out of thin air behind them. Behind Adam’s new wanking fantasy was a large crimson dragon and she did not look happy. Unsurprisingly, Sirenia clawed her way up to her usual perch on Adam’s scrawny shoulder. The youngest Winchester noted out of the corner of his eye each of his friends was standing to attention and trying desperately hard not to look at the intimidating dragon snorting soft billows of smoke behind their unimpressed teacher.
“I expect students to be on time, if not early, to punishments, Adam Winchester. Or do you think you’re exempt from the rules of the academy because of your father?” Novak asked condescendingly. Adam bristled under the tone and gritted his teeth. Sirenia hissed under breath as she padded at Adam’s shoulder and glared at their teacher.
“No, sir. I just lost track of time. Won’t happen again,” Adam replied shortly. He could feel the rage building in his blood and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to push Novak against the volcano wall and get down on his knees for the arrogant teacher or punch him.
“Double detention. Say good bye to your friends, Winchester. And you’ll speak to me in a respectful tone from now on.” Novak turned to return to the Volcano entrance probably feeling like the conversation was over. But referring to Adam just by his father’s last name had snapped something inside of Adam.
“Respect is earned, Novak,” Adam calmly stated feeling pride through his link to Sirenia. His feisty dragon approved.
“What did you say, Winchester?” Michael asked rhetorically, without turning to face Adam.
“Adam…” Andy whispered in warning. Adam ignored his friend.
“Hearing going in your old age, Novak. I said respect is earned!” The blonde haired teen shouted the last part of his cutting reply. Michael’s dragon roared in anger and Adam’s friends twitched violently as they suppressed the urge to flee under thirty feet of solid pissed off muscle. They were a loyal bunch and Adam made a quick mental note to bribe Gabriel with naked pictures of Sam for alcohol for his brave friends.
“Apologise now, Winchester, or you’ll find yourself before Sir Singer.” Michael turned and levelled Adam with an icy glare. Adam ignored the danger signs and barrelled on.
“Sir Singer happens to like me so I don’t think he’ll be too mad at me. As for apologising, maybe you should apologise for being such a dickless prat," Adam threw back spitting in anger. Andy had begun to pray and Adam was pretty sure Ash was taping the whole confrontation for future generations.
Yes the moment the illegitimate son of John Winchester was incinerated should fetch quite the view count on Youtube… Sirenia mumbled as she focussed on the fuming dragon and her rider.
Maybe my last words should be something more profound than ‘dickless prat’. Adam snarked back.
“You and your brothers are the same. You think you’ll get special treatment and that people will just bend over backwards because of Daddy’s shiny medal. You boys are nothing more than arrogant fools.” Adam saw red and only vaguely registered that he wasn’t dealing with Professor Novak anymore but Michael.
“You asshole!” Adam yelled before lunging at the taller man. The fuming teenager managed an excellent right hook into the unprepared teachers face. Michael stumbled backwards clutching his bruised mouth but Adam didn’t stop there. He launched himself at his enemy and began to kick and punch everything he could reach with as much force as a scrawny teenager, whose only exercise was wanking in the shower, could. Michael gave as good as he got. Blocking nearly every one of Adam’s uncoordinated attacks with years of experience. But Adam hadn’t been taught how to fight and he was just so full of rage he didn’t care how much damage he was doing to himself or Michael. He just wanted to cause damage.
“Addy!” Dean’s angry voice filtered through the red haze as Adam was unceremoniously yanked off of his victim. Katrina landed without her usual finesse making the ground shudder and started to roar at Michael’s dragon. Castiel was holding the enraged Dragon War Professor back with what appeared to be complete ease. Deanna was helping Katrina corner Novak’s dragon.
“Enough brother!” Castiel yelled with an anger that Adam had never heard before and…wait…brother? Michael fell still in Castiel’s hold and the head of The House of Water released his apparent brother and took a step back. Deanna quit roaring and pushing at Michael’s crimson dragon but remained alert and poised like Katrina.
“Addy, stop it! Now!” Dean whispered angrily into his ear and Adam stilled his attempts to escape Dean’s iron strong hug. It was in the silence of his movements that he became aware of a new pain.
“Where’s Sirenia?!” Adam shouted panicked. Dean just squeezed his younger brother tighter.
Calm yourself Adam, Sirenia is here. She is injured in her attempts to distract Nadine during your fight, Katrina offered as she lowered her raised left foot to reveal Adam’s beloved tiny dragon curled in, on herself and twitching in pain. She wasn’t bleeding but Adam could feel the agony she felt though their shared link.
“Sirenia!” Adam flung himself from Dean’s grasp and gathered the small fragile creature to his chest. He realized that Katrina had dropped into the fight to cover and protect Sirenia. “Thanks, Kat," Adam whispered up at his elder brother’s dragon. Katrina only nodded in understanding.
“Kid. We need to get you both to the infirmary.” Dean folded Adam into his arms as he carefully brushed away the torrent of tears Adam hadn’t even realised he was crying. He wondered how long he’d been sobbing and how livid he was to have missed it.
Adam allowed himself to be gently guided to the infirmary by Dean’s comforting hands. He held Sirenia as tightly as he dared and just let his emotions out silently.
The Healers had tut-ed and fussed over their combined injuries for a full hour before they were told to rest in the tiny uncomfortable infirmary beds. It was like being back in the Waiting Dorms. Plain creams walls surrounded Adam on all sides. Neat rows of tortuous beds lined each of the longest walls. The room it’s self was elongated and thin with a cathedral high ceiling and tiny square windows so far up that they barely lit the room in the fading light.
There was a walled off area near the large oak door that catered to the Healer’s bandages, vials and reception. Adam was four beds down from Michael but could clearly hear the sharp intake of breath and slow exhale that followed as the Professor tried to breathe clearly around the tight bandages. The guilt and humiliation had settled in Adam’s throat blocking his attempts to apologise to the teacher. Sirenia stirred beside him, her tiny scaly body partially concealed in ivory dressings.
I’m so sorry Sirenia… Adam mumbled.
Why? It is not your fault little one, that I picked a fight with a thirty foot tall wall of claws and teeth. Sirenia huffed. Adam smiled sadly.
But I did pick a fight with the combat trained jackass, who owned the thirty foot tall wall of claws and teeth. Adam pointed out. Sirenia opened one bejewelled eye.
I did not stop you…He over stepped a line. It was my right to defend you, no matter the odds. Sirenia lectured.
Still…
Still nothing little one. It is done and forgiven, even though there was nothing to forgive. Perhaps we should ascertain why the interesting professor hates you, hmm? His tiny blue dragon stretched before pinging up onto the headboard and gesturing her head in Michael’s direction meaningfully.
“Are…Are you alright?” Adam stuttered. Michael didn’t reply, he didn’t twitch. Sirenia waved her head a little harder.
“Look I’m sorry for hitting you," Adam tried again. Still nothing. The youngest Winchester could feel his rage rising again as the pompous Professor ignored him.
“Hello?” Adam practically yelled. Nothing. The blonde teen growled low in his throat.
“Why is it you hate me? What the hell did I do? Other than flirt with you a little. Are you homophobic? Is that it?” Adam demanded, pushing himself up off the bed and glaring at Michael through the darkness. Sirenia was hissing from her spot on the headboard. Michael stood up abruptly directly into the beam of moonlight filtering through the window. It showed Adam the pristine white bandages wrapped around Michael’s ribs. Adam chocked back the guilt at the damage he’d managed to inflict.
“I’m not homophobic, I happen to be gay. And you’re an attractive young man," Michael stated and Adam felt a little rebellious hope sprout in his chest. Maybe it was just some unresolved sexual tension over the fact that it was forbidden for teachers to date students. Maybe there was hope. “It has nothing to do with that. It’s because of your father. John fucking Winchester.”
Adam’s heart sunk and Sirenia hissed in displeasure at John’s name.
“What has John got to do with this?” Adam asked quietly fearing the anger slowly building in Michael’s stormy blue eyes.
“We went to the Academy together. There was a time I once would have called your father a brother. In fact, he introduced me to Lucifer, the love of my life. We were the closest group of friends anybody could have seen.” Sirenia’s shock matched Adam’s own although Adam was also feeling a slight pain in his chest not related to his injuries. “We fought together during the civil war in France. The Battle of the Valley. Perhaps you’ve heard about it? Well perhaps you haven’t heard that John Winchester is, in fact, a fraud. Lucifer, the man I loved, the man I bonded with was the true hero. John left him to die and told everyone he had saved the day. He let Lucifer die.”
Adam stared wide-eyed at Michael. The elder man was breathing deeply and looked downright furious and Adam was genuinely afraid that Michael would hit him again. Michael shut his eyes and visibly controlled himself. When he opened his eyes again Adam was caught in Michael’s cold blue eyes.
“That’s why. Your father is nothing more than a glory-whore. And you and your brothers are just like him.” With that last cutting remark spoken in that deceptively neutral tone Michael turned and marched out of the ward.
The silence he left in his wake was deafening, not even Sirenia dared make a comment in the stillness. Adam laid back against his uncomfortable infirmary bed. The ache from his bruises was like a distant call drowned out by the roaring in Adam’s mind. His father had actually managed to ruin a possible relationship with a good guy without even knowing it. Adam wanted to punch his father for what he’d done to Michael. He let the emotions run through him, tumbling through his veins and consuming his every thought.
Adam stared at the ceiling of the infirmary until he felt the cold tracks of tears slide down his face and then he curled in on himself. Stifling the heart-wrenching sobs that shook his broken and pain ridden body, Adam found a new hatred for the Winchester blood that flowed through his veins. Sirenia crawled over Adam’s body before settling beside his head. A gentle understanding presence.
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