Damaged Souls

SAINTS ACADEMY #2

KC KEAN

Damaged Souls

Saints Academy #2

Copyright © 2022 KC Kean

www.authorkckean.com

Published by Featherstone Publishing Ltd

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Cover Design: Covers by Christian

Editing: SCW Editing Services

Proofreader: Sassi’s Editing Services

Interior Formatting & Design: Wild Elegance Formatting

Damaged Souls/ KC Kean – 1st ed.

ISBN 13 - 978-1-915203-31-1

Contents

1.  Rhea

2.  Rhea

3.  Rhea

4.  Adonis

5.  Rhea

6.  Adonis

7.  Rhea

8.  Rhea

9.  Rhea

10.  Rhea

11.  Rhea

12.  Khaos

13.  Rhea

14.  Rhea

15.  Rhea

16.  Rhea

17.  Rhea

18.  Khaos

19.  Rhea

20.  Rhea

21.  Zen

22.  Rhea

23.  Xander

24.  Rhea

25.  Rhea

26.  Rhea

27.  Xander

28.  Rhea

29.  Zen

30.  Rhea

31.  Rhea

32.  Rhea

33.  Rhea

Afterword

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by KC Kean

To the nightmare that I had that triggered this entire freaking series, I hated you at the time, but you only proved that I see the best in everything, and here we are now.

If this is what being obsessed with someone is like, then I’m all the way in and not backing out.

Chapter 1

Rhea

Z eus and Nyx.

Zeus… and Nyx.

Zeus.

And.

Nyx.

I’m their daughter.

I can’t hear anything but those three words echoing in my head repeatedly. My heart thunders in my chest as my pulse begins a rhythmic, loud thump in my ears, blocking everything and anything else as every member of the Hex stares at me in shock.

I’m a God.

A God.

A fucking G.O.D.

I don’t know what they’re looking at me for, one of those two people are in this fucking room and he deserves all of their attention.

Zeus.

My eyes are trained on him, unable to tear away from the storm brewing in his eyes. Gone is the jovial man everyone sees on the television, the persona he wants to portray, and before me stands a man with a tight jaw, clenched hands, and glacial blue eyes that give nothing away.

A God, our savior, and now, a deceiver.

If I could speak, I would yell for these fuckers to get me down, but instead, I’m still hanging in the air, and no one’s willing to help me out.

My eyes slam closed as I attempt to take a calming breath, my mouth clamped shut, but the confusion over finding out who my biological parents are, along with the tension thickening in the room, has me struggling.

Relax, Rhea. Relax so you can get the fuck out of the current situation you’re in.

Blinking my eyes open, I force another calming breath to the count of five, holding for a further five, exhaling to the same beat, before repeating the process. I force my gaze to shift from Zeus, who still remains stoic and frozen in place, over to Zellus, the Dean of Saints Academy, who has eyed me oddly since I first arrived. I’m sure he feels validated in his findings now, regardless of how it may impact me. Or the world?

I wonder if it’s normal practice at Saints Academy for a student to be kidnapped by faculty, then strung up like a puppet, suspended in the air like this and muted? Fuck. I’d like to assume it isn’t, but Zellus doesn’t seem to care either way based on his lack of urgency to free me. With his back to me, and his gaze narrowing in on Zeus, it’s safe to say he feels one upped by the man with all the power.

I hope his arrogance backfires and Zeus smites him with a bolt of lightning.

Flicking my gaze to the left, I find Mrs. Black, dressed impeccably in her red pants suit, arms folded over her chest as she shifts her eyes from Zeus to me with her brows knitted together in confusion.

You and me both, lady.

Hades stands beside her, resting a hand on his chin, failing to conceal his glee as a grin continues to spread over his face. He’s clearly a drama whore, eating the gossip up and relishing in it. Just what we need, another Zellus.

Dante stands behind them, mouth agape as he looks at me with wide eyes, running his fingers through his hair, distress and shock flashing over his features. I can’t bring myself to look at him right now, all of the history between us still fresh in my mind. Especially when my mind yearns for Adonis. I have no idea where he is, the last time I saw him his eyes were lilac and our souls had just sealed, before I was ripped from his grasp.

I look to the other man and woman here who I’m not familiar with as they continue to observe me with unwavering scrutiny, and I wish I could scream at them to fuck off. The destruction and utter madness of my personal life unraveling in front of them is not for their entertainment, and they clearly haven’t received the fucking memo.

Are they tearing me apart? Comparing me to the man who provides half of my DNA and the woman known as pure evil, the woman who birthed me?

Blinking a few times to clear my head, I take a closer look at the two unknowns loitering in the room. The woman has long brown hair braided down her back, a tan fur coat wrapped around her body, and a growl teasing her lips as she sneers, but it doesn’t seem to be aimed at me. While the man is wearing a white linen shirt and pants, with sandals, every inch of him is calm and content apart from his facial expression.

“This must be some kind of ridiculous joke because there is no way in fucking hell I have a descendant with Nyx. It’s not possible,” Zeus bites out, disgust heavy on his tongue. He fixes the lapels of his suit jacket as he glares up at me, like it’s somehow my fault he fucked his enemy without considering the consequences. It’s not like he hasn’t fathered half the Gods in the universe.

“The poor girl deserves a say, don’t you think?” Hades sings, completely ignoring Zeus as he flicks his wrist and a moment later I’m being lowered to the floor.

Relief floods me, but anger quickly bubbles to the surface before I can even take a moment to bask in the joy of my feet touching the ground.

I wobble on my feet as I get my balance, wiping my hands down the thin gown that covers my body as I try to work through the cramping pain in my limbs. I work my jaw, the ache worse than I expected from being forced into that position for too long.

“You’re telling me this earthling is a God, a true God, descended from two originals, and not only that, but she has sealed her soul with other supernaturals here at Saints Academy?” the lady in the wolf coat clarifies, a mixture of curiosity and disbelief lacing her tone. I keep my lips slammed shut, refusing to let them watch me crumble under their uncomfortable perusal.

“Indeed, that is correct,” Zellus answers for me, and I glare at him. “A Miss Selene Hart saw Miss Harrington out by the lake with a first year wolf, and when we went to find her, we found this little God, mating with a demon.” His voice lilts up, the fucking gossip in him getting the better of the situation as he explains the circumstances he found me under.

But mating?

What the fuck is he talking about?

That’s definitely not the word I would use, but I don’t correct him. The semantics of my sex life aren’t at the top of my priorities right now. I will find out more about why he used the specific term once I wrap my head around this shit first.

In this moment, I just want to get the fuck out of here. I don’t want an explanation from Zeus. I don’t want some weird family fucking reunion. I just want to think, and I can’t do that with all of these assholes around.

“Are we done?” I mutter through clenched teeth, a headache piercing my brain something crazy as I glare at Zellus.

He looks at me with a smile showing far too many teeth, making him look deranged, and it makes my gut clench with uncertainty. I don’t like this guy. I haven’t since the day I arrived, but now more than ever. It’s like every pore in his body oozes narcissism and he’s trying to assert himself as the alpha in front of the Hex because he pretty much accused Zeus of fucking the enemy.

“We’re far from done, Miss Harrington. Don’t you care to meet your biological father?” The way the words roll off his tongue make me want to vomit, but I manage to keep down the bile creeping up my throat as I shake my head.

“I’m good,” I grumble, turning for the door, dismissing him as I take two steps, trying to leave, but before I can get any further, Mrs. Black blocks my path. How the fuck did she move so goddamn fast?

She stretches her arm out, cupping my chin tightly and I quickly grab her wrist, adding a firm amount of pressure before she can tighten her hold, and her eyes widen in surprise, before her fangs protrude from her mouth from being challenged. Inching closer, our noses almost brushing as her eyes flare red. She’s far less intimidating than she thinks and I can’t help myself from reacting to her posturing.

My body burns, the feel of my magic awakening in my stomach forcing me to blink hard, and I know with certainty that my eyes are red now too.

I watch as she scans every inch of my face, disbelief in her eyes as she finally speaks. Whatever harsh words she had ready to spit at me suddenly disappeared. “It’s true.”

She tries to twist my face to show everybody else my red eyes, but I tighten my grip on her wrist, fighting against her, which she definitely doesn’t seem to like.

“Careful, Miss Harrington, just because my son is a part of the unit you seem to have sealed your soul too, doesn’t mean I won’t destroy you with one touch,” she hisses, and I scoff at her predictable threat.

My chest heaves with each breath as I stare at this woman, my brain scanning through all of the shit I have endured since coming to Saints Academy. I’ve tried to slip into this life naturally, trying to fit in among the supernaturals, keeping my head down as best as I can, and not even retaliating when I was attacked.

Fuck. That.

Fuck all of that.

I’m done.

“You don’t get to fucking threaten me. Do you hear me?” I growl, my voice deeper, darker, and consuming as my magic boils beneath the surface begging to be released. “I don’t care who you are, and I certainly couldn’t give a fuck who your son is.” The words are aimed at her, but I hope everyone present takes fucking note.

I shove her arm away, taking a step back to create some much needed distance as I circle on the spot, glaring at every single person in the room and making sure there is no way they could have misunderstood my words. They observed my interaction with Mrs. Black, a hint of intrigue mixed between their gazes.

“She’s definitely got a hint of Nyx in there, there’s no lie about that,” Hades says with a grin, tapping at his chin as he eyes me.

When no one else says another word, I move to take a step back again, hands clenched at my sides as I fight the need to hold the gown tighter to my chest. My body is tingling from head to toe, and I’m worried my magic is going to burst from me if my emotions grow even more volatile, leaving me to deal with the consequences. I’d rather have a meltdown in private than in front of this audience since it already seems like they view me as weak.

Well, maybe except for Hades, he seems to have received the memo.

“I can escort Rhea, I mean, Miss Harrington, back to her hall if we’re done here,” Dante says, shockingly confident since he’s an earthling among the supernatural. No one stops him when he approaches my side, and I don’t turn to look at their reaction. I’m too transfixed with the pleading look in his eyes as he places a hand at the small of my back, ushering me toward the door.

I want to tear him limb from limb after everything he did, but my gut tells me to just go with him, get out of this room, at least, and then I can brush him off. Or more likely tell him to fuck off.

Keeping my head held high, we near the door as I hold my breath, and just as I think we’re home free, Zeus’ voice booms around us. Of. Course. “Light will shine from within the darkness, consumed with rage, ready to fight. Stand tall. Stand together, and you shall reunite.”

Dante stills beside me, and I do the same, glancing back over my shoulder as I look at Zeus. He almost looks pale, his forehead marred with confusion as he stares at me.

“That was a prophecy from a long time ago, Zeus,” the man dressed in white linen says calmly, flicking his gaze between the two of us with a tight smile.

“One that was added to only days ago, isn’t that right?” Zellus states, hands on his hips as he grins, clearly loving that the drama hasn’t quite ended yet, some of which the asshole created himself. “What did it say again? ‘Darkness bestows us unlike before, twisted, broken, and ready to fight. Correct your ways, or forever be coated in night.’”

Why do I have a sinking feeling that he now believes the prophecy relates to me? Nothing good will come of this, any of it, especially if others start to buy into that bullshit too. I refuse to believe the man before me is my father. Never. And Nyx? Fuck, she’s not even here to defend herself.

Dante nudges my back once more, and I take the hint, putting one foot in front of the other as the sound of Mrs. Black’s voice bellows from behind me. “If she’s the darkness, she can’t leave this room.”

My head whips around so fast, I’m surprised I don’t pull a muscle, but my magic is in full force now, my body radiating heat like I’ve never felt before. “I dare you to come find out.”

The room blankets in darkness as the lightbulbs shatter around us, one after another, not helping my fucking case at all, but I don’t stick around for the aftermath as I race from the room, Dante hot on my heels.

Rushing through the corridor, I realize we’re in the main building of the Academy, life continuing on as normal while I was hung in the air like a spectacle. I have no idea what time it is, but no one is around, and I don’t stop to investigate why as I near the portal, blooming with black smoke and enticing me in. But just as I reach a hand out to the thick fog, Dante grabs my wrist and drags me to the left instead.

Caught by surprise, I stumble as my feet move with him, my vision disorientated until the sound of a door slamming breaks through my internal fog, and I find myself in the very same office where I learned he was the Hex representative for the humans. I almost want to laugh at the irony of the situation, but I only have a thread of energy left.

He releases his hold on me as I pant, gaping at him, demanding him to fucking explain what on earth he thinks he’s doing with just my eyes.

“We need to talk.”

Chapter 2

Rhea

M y chest heaves with each breath I take as I try to calm the anger ripping through me. I can feel his eyes searching mine, the redness likely odd to him, but I’m too pissed to explain myself. He has no right to answers, not that I have much to fucking offer anyway outside of what he already heard.

I’m standing here, in a loose gown, the material doing nothing to keep me warm, although the adrenaline coursing through my veins is working on that just fine. But I’m still here and not back at Agion like I wanted, and that’s this motherfucker’s fault.

Brushing my messy hair back off my face, I give him a pointed stare. “Look, I appreciate you assisting to get me out of there, Dante, but I have nothing else to say to you. So this talk you’re requesting to have isn’t necessary, at all,” I state, shrugging my shoulders.

He stands right in front of me, less than a few feet apart. His gray blazer is undone, along with the first few buttons of his crisp white shirt, and his hair is a mess from raking his fingers through it. I’m angry with myself for still knowing his physical tells when he’s stressed out. As he continues to stare at me instead of moving, I feel myself getting more and more irritated. With him. The conversation. Everything.

Fuck.

“You’re joking, right, Rhea? Do you actually realize the amount of shit you’re in?” He starts to pace the office, only taking a few steps before turning and repeating.

The emotion he’s radiating from his body is oddly, somewhat… caring? But I have no interest in that, especially not from him. He lost that right when he was balls deep in his neighbor.

I take a moment, looking around at the simple wooden desk, cushioned chairs and stained-glass window looking out over the darkened courtyard, before I respond. I can’t help but struggle with the actual words to describe the mess I’m in. “I can hazard a guess,” I murmur, bringing my gaze back to him. “But that’s not your problem, Dante.”

His eyes widen in surprise at me as his face reddens and his hands clench beside him. “Not my problem? Not my fucking problem? The only thing likely keeping you alive is the fact that you fucked Hades’ son, and he seems to find you amusing,” he spits, disgust and disappointment entangled in his tone, and my defenses instantly rise.

My ex, my cheating ex, commenting on my sex life feels icky, but it seems my experiences are now public knowledge, and there’s nothing I can do about that. His words might be true, that may be my only lifeline, but I’m not in a position to question that shit. Not yet, and certainly not here or with him. I need to be alone, and be able to think in my own space.

“Again, this is still not your problem,” I snap, my jaw clenching as I glare at him.

“You think who you fuck isn’t my problem?” he bites, and before I realize it, I’m cutting the distance between us, extending my arm, and with an open palm, bitch slap him across the face. My gaze fixed firmly on his as I stand frozen with wide eyes. The action felt oddly satisfying.

“It will never be your problem again.” Shaking my hand out before running it over my gown, I sweep my hands down my face as I try to calm my internal struggle. My magic is almost confused by the various emotions running through me; I can feel it rumbling beneath the surface.

I’m beyond done with falling in line with this bullshit. I’m done pretending to be scared of what anyone here may do to me, or thinking their opinions matter. It never mattered before, not even the fear of death, so why does it impact me now? The reality of that answer sits strangely in my chest, and I refuse to acknowledge it.

Moving around the room to put some distance between us, since he’s blocking the door, rubbing at his jaw, I run my finger over the desk as a distraction.

It’s no surprise when he continues to lecture me. “Do you actually hear yourself, Rhea? You can’t go around speaking to the fucking Hex like you did. People have been killed for far less,” he grunts, arms flung out wide and animated as he speaks. “Zeus, Artemis, Gabriel, Hades, and Ari don’t just take shit like that regardless of who you are. You fall in line and do as you’re told. Jump when asked, silent unless spoken to,” he states like it’s the gospel truth, and I bite back the scoff on my lips. That has absolutely nothing to fucking do with my sex life and we both know it, but I let it slide, too intrigued by the next question playing on my lips.

“What about you, Mr. James? Do those rules apply to you too?” I snap back, palms flat on the table as I glare at him. The magic inside me now feels like it’s swirling in my blood, and I can acknowledge that it feels more noticeable since Adonis and I fucked. But either way, it wants to break free and defend me. Even though I know Dante won’t hurt me, my magic doesn’t. I wouldn’t give him the chance to lay a hand on me, supernatural or not, I would defend myself to the death. Before he can respond, I shake my head, continuing. “I’ve spent twenty-two years fending for myself, but you already know that. I don’t need your help now, just like I didn’t need it then. And even if I did need aid, it wouldn’t be from you,” I hiss, beyond done with this conversation, but as I turn my back on Dante, glancing out of the window, I notice the sun starting to rise.

With this flimsy piece of clothing on my back, I’m going to be far too noticeable if I see anyone, and I don’t need anything else added to the gossip mill right now. If I walk out that door with Dante either in front or behind me, and someone happens to pass by, I’m screwed.

Fuck.

Swiping a hand through my hair, I wet my lips as I glance around the room, before checking in the drawers of the desk for any kind of clothing. I don’t care about the size or style, just something other than this god awful thing would be nice. At least it’s not see through, but the rough material against my skin is making me itchy as fuck.

When I come up empty, my eyes move to the cupboard to my right beside some gray filing cabinets. I open the double wooden doors and sag with relief when I find a few piles of Academy uniforms. Thank fuck for small miracles.

“What are you doing?” Dante asks, being the coward he is and not actually responding to the shit I just threw at him moments ago. I ignore him, grabbing a skirt and a white shirt from the piles that are thankfully my size. I can’t see a blazer, and I have no shoes, but I can make it work. The important stuff is being covered which is all I care about.

Closing the cupboard, I place the clean clothes on the desk, offering Dante a scathing look. “Leave.”

He shakes his head immediately, moving closer to the other side of the desk between us as he speaks. “No.”

The determination in his gaze is clear, and I don’t have time to fucking worry about it, I have far too much shit on my mind to add him to that list as well.

“What the fuck ever, Mr. James,” I bite, turning my back toward him as I grab the pleated skirt and step into it. It’s not wasted on me that I have no underwear, but I just need to get to the portal and I’ll be fine from there.

Once the skirt is secure, I pull the gown over my head, keeping my back to Dante as I blindly reach back for the shirt, when Dante’s voice booms around the room. “What the fuck is that on your back, Rhea?”

I freeze for a moment, confused with what has his attention and riled him up so quickly, but when I look back over my shoulder, shirt clenched to my chest, I see a glimpse of the marking that began when Xander and I sealed our souls. Without a mirror I don’t have the best view, but now that it’s been brought to my attention, I’m eager to see if Adonis has added anything to it. The thought brings a smile to the corner of my mouth.

My response to gripe that it’s none of his fucking business, again, is paused on my tongue as the door behind him bursts open, and an all too familiar growl fills my ears, calming my soul all in one breath.

“What the fuck is going on here?”

Chapter 3

Rhea

O ne by one they filter into the room, a mixture of anger and relief playing on all of their faces. But once they each check that I’m okay, their gazes looking me over from head to toe, they fix their death glares on Dante.

How the man in question is still standing with the weight of their gazes on him is beyond me. He knows he’s a dead man walking.

Relief hits me as I catch sight of Adonis who is wearing a pair of gray sweats with a plain white tee, his circular framed glasses perched perfectly on his nose, and his hair swept back off his face. Looks like he made it out of the Hex’s clutches unscathed and managed to fit a shower in, which is far more than me at this stage. His eyes aren’t the striking lilac color anymore, his usual blue iris’ back in place as he clenches his hands at his sides.

Xander stands beside him, almost shoulder to shoulder, with his brown hair sticking up in every direction like he’s been gripping onto it for dear life in comparison to Adonis' smooth strokes. In loose fitted jeans and a muscle-fit gray top, he looks like he hasn’t slept a wink. His brows are pinched together, and his jaw ticks with every breath he takes.

Zen steps to the left of them both, assessing the room fully, his gaze continuing to slip back to mine to make sure I’m still here. His uniform is perfectly in place unlike the other two, his blond wavy hair curling behind his ears as his hazel eyes take everything in.

Khaos, in all his dark glory, doesn't utter a word as he shuts the door behind him, leans back against it and crosses his arms. Jet black hair falls over his piercing green eyes with a facial expression unreadable as always. In fitted black jeans, and a matching top, with a black and white checkered shirt opened over it, along with the violent energy rolling off of him, he looks even more menacing than usual. Shit, is that even possible?

“I said, what the fuck is going on here?” Adonis bites out, eyes flicking to me for an answer. His gaze softens ever so slightly, quickly running over me from head to toe as he takes stock of me.

My back is still to them, my shirt pinned to my chest as I glance back over my shoulder at the Elites. I clear my throat, not uttering a word in response as I turn away to slip my arms into the sleeves of the shirt I found. Not two seconds pass when I feel the presence of someone at my back, and I know immediately it’s Xander, my body relaxing into his without pause.

From the woodsy scent to the protective aura he gives off, my soul knows it’s him without visual confirmation. Rubbing my lips together, I quickly button up the shirt, not bothering to tuck it into my skirt, before I bend down and grab the ridiculous gown from earlier.

Turning on the spot, my assumption was correct when I come face to face with my growly wolf, and seeing his face after the shit from earlier, somehow settles some of the distress inside of me. I can’t decide whether I love it or hate it, but for now I’m rolling with it.

“Thank you,” I murmur, for offering me a little modesty and standing guard as I change, and he offers a simple nod in response, before leaning down to brush his lips softly against my cheek.

“Anytime. I’m just glad to see you’re okay after last night,” he mutters in response, squeezing my shoulder in comfort. I give him a reassuring smile, feeling better than I expected to after being suspended in the air, while he turns to face the man who holds everyone’s attention.

Dante.

“Well?” Xander snaps impatiently, referring to Adonis’ question that’s been asked twice and no one, Dante nor me, has responded yet. I’ve been too caught up in their mere presence to even remember to use my tongue.

“We were just—” Dante starts, but is quickly cut off as Khaos takes a step forward.

“You were just fucking nothing,” he growls, his deep voice rumbling as he glares at Dante. The bitter animosity in his voice makes me pause, but I don’t say a word, my brain is too fried to interject in their bullshit just yet. I have zero patience for a dick measuring contest right now.

Dante’s eyes widen and his face reddens with rage from Khaos’ tone. “I’m Dante James, the—”

“The cunt who cheated on the girl my fucking soul is sealed to. I couldn’t give a shit about the rest of it,” Xander spits, his body vibrating beside me as he growls. I spot amber eyes making an appearance as he takes a step toward a member of the Hex without care. “So if you don’t fuck off, I will kill you with my bare hands.”

“Try me, please, I have a lot of pent up tension from what’s happened over the past twelve hours, and I’m desperate to find a release. Preferably in the form of beating the shit out of you,” Adonis adds, rolling his shoulders as he cocks his head to the side, his face deadpan, and I watch as Dante visibly swallows.

I like to fight my own battles, that will never change, but I appreciate how fucking hot they are right now defending my honor. Eventually I might come to terms with working as a team, as a unit. I almost feel hope at the thought.

Adonis’ gaze slips to me, a softness in his eyes like I’d never noticed before as he takes his time perusing every inch of me, and an involuntary shiver rolls through me under his scrutiny.

Twelve hours? Is that how long it’s been since I was torn from his arms in our adjoining bathroom? Fuck. That means I was knocked out for a lot longer than I originally thought, and that doesn’t sit well with me. My anxiety begs me to search for clues as to what may have happened to me during that time but my brain is focused on the here and now. The rest can wait.

Swiping a hand down my face, I turn my attention to Dante, who is looking at me with a hint of pleading in his eyes, but I dismiss it. I’m not helping to defend him to the Elites or anyone else for that matter. He doesn’t need to be here.

“Just go, Dante, you’re only making this worse.” I look at him passively, hoping he’ll take the hint as I sigh.

His shoulders slump as he shakes his head in disappointment, the pleading in his eyes turning to pity. “You’re going to need my help eventually, Rhea. Don’t be too stubborn to accept it before it’s too late. You know where to find me,” he says, his tone sharp, as he offers me one more glance, turning on his heels to head for the door. To my surprise, Zen, Khaos, and Adonis don't attempt to stop him from leaving even though their bodies are taut with tension, fists clenched, jaws working. Every inch of their being screams with the desire for bloodshed.

When he wraps his hand around the door handle, he pauses, eyebrows knitted together as he turns to look at me, his Hex persona in place. “Start spending the money, Rhea. It looks bad on me if you’re not provided for.”

My mouth falls open in surprise, but before I can give him a piece of my mind and tell him what I think about his fucking image, he slips through the door and slams it shut behind him.

Motherfucker.

Always wanting to get the last word.

Today has been more than enough, and the sun has only just begun to rise, but I have a feeling I’m not going to get out of this room mentally unscathed with the Elites looking at me with raised eyebrows waiting for me to speak.

Silence descends over the room as I lace my fingers together at the back of my neck and tilt my face up to the ceiling, taking a deep breath. I begin to count my inhales and exhales, trying to calm the unfiltered emotions running wild inside until Xander looms over me once more, taking me into his arms and sweeping me up off the floor in a warm embrace.

His arms band tightly around my waist as he holds me close to his chest, and after a moment, I return what feels like an intimate gesture by wrapping my hands around his broad shoulders as I settle my face into the crook of his neck. Letting everything else slip away for a second feels like heaven, my shoulders sagging with ease.

I don’t know how long we stand there for, our hearts beating as one, but it does wonders to slow down my racing heart and pained mind while I match my breathing to his. Eventually, Xander loosens his hold on me, slowly letting my feet drop back down to the floor before he turns a glare Adonis’ way.

“She smells like you. I don’t like it,” he grunts, folding his arms over his chest as he steps beside me. He doesn’t look at me angrily, just Adonis, and before I can offer any soothing words of reassurance, Adonis scoffs.

“Newsflash. Get fucking used to it.”

No niceties, no banter among friends, just a simple set of words that lay claim to me just as Xander had. Adonis opens his mouth to speak again but I raise a hand to stop him. “Can we not have a pissing contest right now? Honestly, I’m exhausted, and I want to get back to my room before the entire Academy has a chance to see the state of me.”

I place my hands on my hips, quirking an eyebrow at the pair of them, and thankfully they both offer a subtle nod in agreement. Thank fuck for small miracles.

“Fine, but we're not going anywhere until you explain what happened after they took you,” Adonis says, moving toward the desk and taking a seat on the edge of it as he peers at me. The tilt to the corner of his mouth calms me, the glint of happiness in his eyes visible, even to me.

I immediately shake my head, turning the exact same question on him. I’d rather hear about his night before reliving mine. “What happened to you?”

“I asked first,” Adonis retorts quickly as Zen and Khaos move toward us as well, while Xander braces his hands on the edge of the desk to my left.

Not bothering to offer him a response, I stare Adonis down until his shoulders sag and he offers a dramatic eye roll. I bite my bottom lip, keeping the surprise off my face at the fact he caved so easily.

“I’m only letting you win because your pussy’s so good, I’m just stating that fact first,” he begins, pointing a finger at me as I fight back a blush, especially when I hear Xander hum in agreement. Avoiding both Zen and Khaos’ gaze, I clear my throat, nodding for him to continue. “Nothing really. I got placed in one of the isolation chambers after I managed to grab a pair of boxers. I must have sat there for a while, licking my wounds from the fight I put up with the guards, before my father made a surprise appearance. A visit from a healer to get rid of the bruising from the few hits the guards managed to land, happened almost immediately after that, making me all brand new again.”

Hades.

With his bright blue hair, chiseled jaw and manic eyes, it was hardly believable that they were related in any way, let alone be his father, but I wasn’t going to utter a word about it. He must look like his mother.

“I met him too, briefly,” I add, rubbing my lips together, and he nods, but doesn’t question the how or why as he continues.

“I was detained for attacking the guards as you were being taken, total bullshit, and my father was only there to see if it was true after Zellus reached out to him. Then he was pulled away for an urgent matter, which I believe was you,” he murmurs, stepping around the table to come to a stop on my right side. He reaches out, grabbing my chin as he looks deep into my eyes, and I turn to face him head on, confused with what emotion is swirling in his blue pools. “I told you I had you, Rhea, and then everything went to shit. I’m sorry for that,” he says, breath blowing against my face as his features tense with fury and disappointment. “I won’t let that happen again.” I can see this turmoil is not because of me, but because he blames himself.

My mouth dries as I stare at him, unsure of what to say in response. I can’t ease the guilt that’s eating him up inside. But what I really want to tell him is I can take care of myself and don’t need his help. Again, the words feel pointless as I see the determination set in his jaw, the challenge in his blue eyes, like he’s begging me to argue with him, to lie and push back.

I can sense the other guys watching our every move, but none of them say a word, and my focus is fixed on the incubus before me.

Instead of addressing his apology, or the sincerity of his confession, I focus on the facts of what happened to me. “I woke up in a room down the hall. I was frozen in the air, unable to do anything, not even speak, and was forced to watch the Hex and Zellus gossip like little fucking bitches at my expense,” I state, hands clenching at my sides as Adonis releases his hold on my chin. “I had that gown on,” I continue, pointing to the rag-like material on the desk. “And they stood below me, Zellus reveling in the fact that he had answers about me no one else did. The shameless prick ran tests on my blood in the middle of the night to determine who and what I am, which ended up identifying who my parents are.” I take a step back so I can face everyone without actually meeting any of their gazes head on. This kind of magic is beyond crazy and makes no sense to me, but I’m simply stating what I was told. Or overheard, but it’s the same thing. Folding my arms over my chest, putting up an invisible barrier, I gloss over the remaining factors without going into much more detail. “Hades let me down so I could speak, but after an aggressive run in with Mrs. Black…” I pause, shifting my eyes over to Khaos to watch his body language after mentioning his mother, which gives me nothing, as usual. Instead of rolling my eyes, I take a deep breath, then spill out the last of my story. “Then Zeus was rattling on about some prophecy so I got the hell out of there while the Hex and Zellus were distracted. Admittedly, and don’t get your panties in a twist, with the help of Dante.”

Silence descends over us once more as they process the sliver of information I offer. After my fucked up encounter with Zellus and the Hex, and Dante’s presence, my trust feels like it’s swinging and spinning carelessly in the air, and I’m no trapeze artist able to grab onto the next bar. The answers won’t fall into my grasp without ability, skill, and the ultimate level of trust that I don’t know if I have.

“Wait. You said my mother was there?” Khaos finally asks, as if her presence was the only critical part of my story he wanted clarification on. Even after asking the question, his face gives nothing away, but I can’t fight back the surprise that he is that woman’s son. Although, thinking about it now, I can see the resemblance.

The shape of his eyes and the smallest point to his nose is just like hers. Fuck, even the way he holds himself is like a mirror image.

I nod in response instead of verbalizing, and he looks away, not revealing how he feels on the matter. I’m not sure how I feel about his sudden dismissal, but I’m ready to get the fuck out of here. I clap my hands together, pleased to get this shit conversation over with, but Adonis stops me in my tracks. My inner bitch can’t help but sigh at his refusal to let me pass.

“I can see the uncertainty in your eyes, Rhea. Your body tensed as soon as you crossed your arms to give yourself distance. You never once looked us in the eye while you were explaining what happened. You don’t trust us enough to give the entire story. Why?” He doesn’t sound angry or hurt, more adamant and inquisitive. “Don’t deny it,” he adds, giving me a pointed look, and I sigh out loud this time.

How in the fuck do I explain shit to them that even I can’t understand? I need a fucking minute and they’re going to have to respect my choice by giving me space.

“I just have to think,” I say with a shrug, heading for the door, but moving around Xander instead of Adonis, who lets me slip by. Points for him.

“You need to think?” Zen asks for clarification, hands in his pants pockets as he glances at me. It’s hard to tell if he’s on my side or not, his face giving nothing away just like Khaos, but he wants everything to be spelled out apparently.

“Yep,” I offer, short and to the point as I continue to move toward the door, relief flooding my body with every step as no one attempts to stop me again.

“My soul sealed itself to yours, and you need to think?” Adonis grinds out. I turn to glance back over my shoulder to see the hurt flash in his now lilac eyes, and I swallow back the guilt. Is it guilt though? I want to give him more, I do, but right now, my mind is isolating, focusing on me, just like he is.

Fuck.

I wet my lips, unsure of what to say as he slowly prowls toward me. With each step, he lures me in, the licking of his lips, the slow perusal of my body, his hands clenching and unclenching, as if the motions are whispering to me all the dirty promises he intends to keep. I should move, wrap my hand around the door and get the fuck out of here as quickly as possible, but I find myself rooted to the spot like a fool. Or Icarus.

As he approaches, I don’t know what I expect him to do, but when he grabs my waist and effortlessly tosses me over his shoulder, I gasp in surprise, the motion jolting me slightly.

“Adonis, what the fuck are you doing?” I yell, but he doesn’t immediately respond. He focuses on twisting the door handle and swinging it open with one hand as the other grips my thighs, his arm banded tightly over the back of my legs.

“Where the hell are you going?” Xander asks, clearly just as confused as I am, but I’m too focused on making sure my skirt doesn’t reveal the fact I have no panties on to look up at him. I’d have nothing to say anyway, not after Adonis finally explains himself with a determined growl to his tone.

“I’m going to fuck some sense into my girl.”

Chapter 4

Adonis

I  kick the door shut behind me, my bedroom walls reverberating with the force as I cut across the distance between us and the bed, before unceremoniously tossing Rhea down on my still crumpled sheets, watching as she bounces a few times.

Seeing her splayed out before me, her hair still messy from the night before, fills me with possessiveness. The need to scream at the top of my lungs from the rooftop that she’s mine is very fucking real right now.

She squeaks in surprise, likely exhausted from all of the wailing she did on the way over here. But every step I took toward Agion had her fight weakening and her resolve growing around her. She can’t stay mad at me forever.

I was happy to ignore her, which had more to do with the fact that I was desperate to palm her ass, quick and sharp, but I had a feeling my little ball of fire wouldn’t take too kindly to that. Yet.

Her cheeks are pink, the blood slowly rushing back from her head. I watch as she glances around, curiosity replacing the surprise, acknowledging we’re in my room. I realize it’s the first time she’s been in here, in my space. Nervous energy starts to take shape, my pulse steadily increasing with each beat of my heart.

No one ever comes in here apart from my brothers. No girls, ever. Except her. Except now.

And as much as she is feisty and independent, she’s not scrambling to get up off my bed and run for her own room. No. She’s observing, taking stock, judging me. But she can do whatever she wants, as long as it’s here with me.

I try to see my room through her eyes, but with the mess from when I fought with two of the guards earlier, it’s hard to see anything but a reminder of the damage I feel was caused between us.

Mentally.

Physically.

Guilt threatens to burn at my chest, anger at myself for promising to protect her, only to have it blow up in my face. There’s a feeling I’m not familiar with but it’s starting to make its presence known. Shame.

Wetting my lips, I swallow back the negative thoughts as I track her line of sight, looking at the white wooden furnishings, from the nightstands, to the bedposts, all the way to the desk in the corner and the chest of drawers beside it. The walls are painted a duck egg blue, the white of everything else making it feel like I’m floating in the clouds in here, a great contrast to the depths of hell I’m more used to.

Although, tonight it seems it was Rhea who faced a greater pain than me. The fact that I was left to stew in isolation while everything happened to her tells me she’s the target of their interest, not me.

Everything that was neatly placed on my desk is now scattered across the floor. My books, trinkets, and random shit in my drawers a mess along with it. I’m going to need to fix the door to my walk-in closet too since the splintering is rather noticeable. The struggle with the guards definitely took its toll on my room, that's for sure.

My magic tugs at my gut, a new sensation I’m adjusting to, begging me to let it seep out and take care of the situation, but now isn’t the time. I don’t want to give Rhea an opportunity to slip away. She’s already slipped through my fingers once, which was completely out of her control, but I don’t want that to happen again, not when I have her exactly where I want her.

The mess can wait. I played with my magic a little in isolation, I know I can clear this all up in no time.

I’ll fix the bathroom later too, but for now, I settle my gaze on the other half of my soul, only to find her already looking up at me with a heated look on her face.

It’s not like her to be silent, pliant, not even a little bit, and I don’t like it.

Moving to the edge of the bed, I watch as Rhea braces herself on her elbows and quirks her eyebrow at me. I can’t stop the slight grin that touches the corner of my lips at the sight before me.

“How did you know I was in that office?” she asks, catching me off-guard by her genuine question, including her calm tone. She’s in no rush to leave, and that fact sends another bolt of desire rushing through my body and straight to my dick.

“Between Xander’s sense of smell, and my magic, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be once the Hex stopped blocking your location,” I answer honestly with a shrug, dragging my white t-shirt over my head and tossing it to the side. “Fuck,” I moan, unable to contain the raw desire causing one, and only one, word to slip from my lips. I’m not even touching her, but the way she stares at my chest and abs, taking me in, fuels my fucking magic something crazy.

It feels like my skin is tingling from head to toe, my hairs standing on end as if I’m on the cusp of orgasm constantly. And it only seems to heighten when I’m directing my attention toward her.

I shake my head in disbelief as she watches me, both of us still stunned beyond words to describe the fact that we actually sealed our souls together. The flick of my eyes turning lilac, my body becoming more in tune with hers, and the rest is history. Everything about what we are feels natural, like breathing air.

Any uncertainty and doubt I may have had about Rhea being the center of our unit before yesterday, it’s all gone. All I know now, is that this woman before me is mine. Every fiber of my being craves her, wants her, needs her. Fuck, it’s like my heart beats for her and nothing else. Not even to keep me alive.

I’d die for this woman, just like my brothers, and it’s a reality I never thought I would truly experience. Being one of many siblings, all with a selfish hunger and desire for ecstasy, I never thought I would achieve more than that.

“I can sense your brain ticking. Like practically hearing the cogs turning with every breath you’re taking,” Rhea says, chest heaving with each exhale as she watches me. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

Her voice is like a siren, beckoning me closer, and I shake my head with a slight chuckle at the analogy. I’m supposed to be the fucking incubus, yet she’s luring me in and breaking down my defenses, bringing me to knees. Twelve hours ago I would have run for the door, fighting against anything and anyone that could wield the same abilities as me, but now, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

“You don’t get to push me away,” I say gruffly, unable to swallow past the lump in my throat, worry catching me off guard at the fact she’s not answering me. “Not when I wear this now,” I add, slipping my hands into the waistband of my gray joggers and dragging them down my legs, kicking my sneakers off at the same time. Taking a deep breath, I turn on the spot, giving her a view of the back of my right thigh, and she gasps.

I can hear her heart pounding with desire as she edges closer, not needing to turn to see how close she is, so it doesn’t catch me by surprise when her fingers run along the marking that now graces my skin. It’s the exact same pattern as Xander’s, a reminder and expression of my dedication to the woman before me, and I fucking love it.

It’s hard to truly describe, a ‘Z’ on top of an ‘O’ with a line connecting them, running through the bottom line of the Z and stopping just at the top of the O. A deep red tone, and slightly raised on the skin like a scar. It’ll be there forever, just like I want it to.

When her hand drops away, I turn back around to face her, and she audibly gulps as she finds herself eye level with my cock, crouched on her knees on my bed, gaping up at me with her mouth slightly ajar.

In only my boxers now, it’s impossible to hide the thick length outlined in black material, and the head peeking out of the top, desperate for some attention. But as much as my entire body is begging for me to feel her, there’s a few issues I have to address first.

“Tell me you’re not going to keep pushing me away, Rhea,” I repeat, wanting confirmation, and she nods without realizing it, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she meets my eyes.

“I won’t.” Her words are barely more than a whisper, her body giving in to me, while her eyes swirl with conflict, but I don’t give her a chance to consider it. We’ve had a rough fucking night. I want to fuck her so hard on my bed she falls asleep without argument. The Academy can wait, and the cunts in it too.

Right now it is about the two of us, an inconvenience I’m sure I’ll hear from Xander later but fuck them, spending time with her like this is worth it.

“You can’t take it back now. I’m not interested in going back and forth with you because you don’t trust me, Rhea. Something tells me we’re going to need to be a team, a solid unit, and that means trusting each other,” I state, reaching out to cup her chin as I crouch so we’re eye level with each other.

“I agree, but you have to understand, trusting is something that doesn’t come easily to me,” she replies, honesty dripping from her words as a tight smile plays on her lips. I give her a pointed look in response because although what she’s saying might be true, it’s not the whole truth.

“You trusted Harmonia easily. Tell me how I get that too?”

The reality of my words makes her eyes widen as she realizes how legitimate my observation is. Rhea and Harmonia became instant friends, not that it’s a bad thing, but I fucking want it too. That trust, that connection, that… everything.

“I don’t know,” she answers with a shrug, just like she did back in the classroom, and I fight back the eye roll desperate to break free. We can circle back to this later. The agreement that she knows we need to work as a team will have to suffice for now.

She hasn’t told me what she is yet, what her supernatural category is, but I’ll save that question for later. I have a promise I intend to keep and the more we talk, the more we delay what we both want.

Searching her eyes, our breaths mingling between us as arousal curls up my spine, I speak what I know to be my truth. “You’re mine now, Rhea.”

She scoffs without a moment of hesitation, but doesn’t pull away. “I’m my own,” she retorts, her jaw tensing as she readies for an argument, and I shake my head with a chuckle.

“You’re delusional if you believe that, baby,” I purr, kissing her cheek gently before I take a step back, swiping a finger between us. I watch as my magic slowly curls, a breeze of colors swaying in my mind. I slip my hands into the waistband of my boxers, dragging them down my legs to reveal my engorged cock, while the buttons of her blouse continue to fall open one at a time.

Rhea glances down at her chest, awe flashing in her eyes, a mixture of red and blue, as she watches her breasts spill out when her shirt falls open.

“Do you need any further help undressing?” I ask, tightening my fist around my cock, pumping slowly as I meet her gaze. I’m not holding her in place, and she’s making no attempt to move, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Rhea tried to deny this thing between us, even though it’s clear she wants to be here just as much as I do. The push and pull is real.

I watch with bated breath as she rises to her feet on my bed, shaking her shoulders so the shirt falls down her arms. Discarded without thought, she moves on to her skirt, dragging it down her thighs so it pools at her feet, revealing nothing but soft skin beneath.

Her pink and enticing pussy glistens before me, and her nipples stand tight, begging me to stroke the globes of her breasts.

“You’re something else, Rhea,” I murmur, meeting her gaze after taking in every inch of her body, and she steps closer.

“Show me what you mean,” she mutters in response, her breast in line perfectly with my mouth as she challenges me, and I don’t need any further confirmation that she wants this as much as I do.

Closing the final distance between us, my hands fall to her waist as my mouth wraps around her nipple. She gasps at the contact as I swirl my tongue around the taut peak, and her fingers instantly find their way into my hair.

Dragging my right hand around to her clit, leaving goosebumps under her skin at the contact, I rub my thumb over her clit while circling her core, but she grips my shoulders tight before speaking. “No.”

I freeze immediately, pulling my hands and mouth away, but when I look up at her, she realizes I took her words literally, and she quickly shakes her head.

“Sorry, I don’t want you to stop, I just want to feel your cock stretch me out.”

It takes a moment for her words to register in my brain, and when they do my body sags with relief. Grabbing the back of her thighs, I lift her into the air and drop her down onto her back on the bed, watching her tits as she bounces a few times.

Hovering over her, she parts her legs, enticing me closer, and who am I to say no to that? Every part of my body is screaming to touch her, to feel her, while simultaneously feeling the sexual energy dripping off her in waves. It stirs in my soul, the magic within me feeling like electricity coursing through my veins, and I know the sex is feeding my energy.

If I didn’t love sex already, I fucking would now. With her, there’s something else. Something I can’t seem to put my finger on yet. But it’s definitely something… more.

“I can feel your magic dancing over my skin,” she says quietly, both impressed and surprised by it. As am I since this is my first time having sex with my magic ignited.

“You consume every part of me, my magic knows it too,” I reply, crawling up the length of her body until my cock is nestled at the apex of her thighs and my face is close to hers. “I don’t want to hurt you,” I add, more than happy to give in to the sexual desire coursing through Rhea’s veins right now, but not wanting her to regret it either.

I’m far off from having a pencil dick, my thick length is going to make her feel full and stretched without any foreplay.

“You have no idea how wet you have me right now,” she replies, wrapping her legs around the back of my thighs, nudging my cock closer to her entrance. The tip of my cock lines up perfectly, the head teasing at her core.

I’m uncertain at first, she was tight yesterday, so fucking heavenly tight, that I’m not convinced this is going to be as seamless as she thinks. Until the tip of my cock meets lava, and I edge in further, seeking the slick warmth of her tight pussy, and we both groan together in pleasure.

Rhea’s nails dig into my skin as a cry falls from her lips, and I pant along with every syllable until my cock is fully seated inside of her.

Holy. Fucking. Fuck.

“Shit, Rhea,” I say with a gasp, her pussy wrapping around my length like they were made for each other. I give her a moment to adjust, dragging my lips over her collarbone, moving further down to kiss the swell of her breasts, before trailing back up to her face, and crushing my mouth to hers.

As our tongues tangle, her hips begin to move, giving me the only encouragement I need to pull out slowly, and slam straight back into her core.

“Oh Gods,” she cries out, and I chuckle.

“Baby, I’m a demon, don’t go calling out to the wrong supernaturals now. They’re not going to bring you pleasure like I can,” I say with a grin as I thrust harder and faster into her pussy, and all she can do is cry out in satisfaction.

I lean up, grabbing her hips as her feet fall to the mattress, and I thrust into her repeatedly, my body on fire with ecstasy coursing through my veins. The physical pleasure, mixed with the magical pleasure is mind blowing.

I can’t get enough of her, I need everything.

With my hands tightening on her waist, I flip her over so she’s on her hands and knees, loving how her long brown hair falls over her shoulders. I don’t waste a single moment thrusting straight back inside of her from behind, my palm splayed out between her shoulder blades as I encourage her to bring her shoulders and chest to the mattress.

Her marking lays just beneath my hand, the circle she previously had now joined with a line at the top of it, and I know it was me who put it there. Our souls adding to the marking.

“Adonis. Fuck. Adonis,” she chants, like music to my ears as I thrust my cock again and again inside of her, harder and faster than the last time as her pussy clenches around me. Keeping one hand on her waist, I bring the other to her clit, pinching the tight nub between her legs as she screams into the mattress, shattering around me.

Her moans, her orgasm, everything right down to her pleasure dripping over my cock fuels the burning inside of me. My heart thunders in my chest, my pulse ringing in my ears as she fills my body with every ounce of her climax.

I feel like a king.

Indestructible.

Powerful.

Worshiped.

My body begs to topple over the edge with her, but I can’t come like this, not without seeing her face, so I swiftly and effortlessly rearrange us so I’m sitting on the edge of the bed with my fucking world in my lap.

Her hands are braced on my shoulders, her chest rising and falling heavily with each breath as her red eyes meet mine.

“Make me come,” I plead, no… I demand as I beg for her to bring me over the edge, and the curve to her lips tells me she’s more than happy to oblige.

She rocks her hips, back and forth, dragging her clit along my rigid cock, and my head falls back on a groan as she rides me with purpose. Our chests collide, sweat mingling between us. I can feel every inch of her body touching mine, from her feet pressed against my thighs, all the way to her lips on mine.

It’s too much.

It’s not enough.

It’s everything.

The tingle begins in my toes, charging through my veins until it pools in my stomach, my own desire and ecstasy fueling my magic too as I explode inside of her.

“Fuck,” I grind out, thrusting up into her in short, jagged movements as she clings to me. It feels like an eternity before the waves of pleasure subside, and I love every moment of it. Especially the way her mouth makes the perfect O, her pussy strangling my cock as she crumbles over the edge of the cliff of ecstasy too.

Lying back on the bed, I bring Rhea with me, rolling us to our side as we both try to catch our breath. Exhaustion washes over me, a stark reminder that I haven’t slept in far too long as Rhea releases a relaxed sigh.

Curling my arm behind her neck, I brush the hair back off her face as I watch her eyelids softly close, her eyelashes fluttering over her cheeks, a small smile teasing her lips, and I can’t stop myself from smiling down at her.

After last night, we have a lot to talk about, a lot to face, a lot of unknowns to handle, but we’ll face them together. I know it.

“No secrets, Rhea. None. Otherwise this won’t work, and this has to work between us. Agreed?” She doesn’t answer for a moment, and I almost question whether or not she’s fallen asleep.

“Agreed,” she finally mumbles, not bothering to open her eyes as she snuggles into my side, and my eyes slip closed too, happy to relax with her close to me. “I’m a God, Adonis,” she adds, the words whispered so quietly, and I can’t decide if it’s because she’s tired or shocked. “Zeus is my father,” she continues, a yawn bursting from her lips as her body gets heavier beside me, sleep clearly taking over, and I wonder if she even knows she’s telling me this.

Her fingers stroke up my chest as I keep silent, surprised by the fact, until she mumbles five more words and drifts off to sleep. “And Nyx is my mother.”

Chapter 5

Rhea

R ipped from the darkness of sleep, I stretch my body out as I squint in confusion at the incessant banging echoing around me. The sound shakes the bed as if the building is about to collapse. What the fuck is going on?

Blinking my eyes open, I sweep my hair back off my face and glance around the room, puzzled by where I am. The unfamiliarity clears the fog from my mind and it’s not until I feel fingers splayed out across my stomach, the heat of a body behind me, that I remember what I was up to before I fell asleep.

Adonis.

Before I can let my mind wander any further down a pleasant memory lane, I hear Xander shouting ‘Adonis’ from the other side of his bedroom door, the knocking continuing along with it.

Why does he have to be so fucking loud right now?

Tangled in the crumpled sheets, I reach across to the nightstand, glancing at his phone to see it’s almost lunch time, and sadly the same day. So I’ve only managed to get a couple hours of sleep. Although it was a solid block of sleep that I won’t complain about. I hope Xander is aware of the grumpy bitch he’s going to be dealing with as soon as the door opens.

Placing the phone back down, I attempt to roll onto my back, trying to figure out my next move, but Adonis’ grip tightens around me as he places a delicate kiss to the back of my neck, making me shiver at the contact.

He does it again, uncaring of the noise coming from outside as he slowly rolls me onto my back. The thick length of his cock nudging at my thigh is a stark reminder that we’re still completely and utterly naked. I rake my teeth over my bottom lip at the thought of him fucking me, right here, right now, without care, letting his friends wait outside as he does.

Fuck.

The thought of having an audience, my other sealed soul listening in, does nothing to help the ache between my thighs. If anything, it makes me desperate for Adonis to do something, anything, about it.

Unfortunately for me, he doesn’t tease my pussy as he lies on top of me, his cock pressed against my stomach. Instead he covers my body, bringing a finger to his lips to be quiet, his blue eyes shining with mischief as he gestures his other hand toward the door, making it click open. He mutes my gasp of surprise, my mouth falling open in response.

Xander doesn’t need any further invitation as he moves into the room, Khaos and Zen right behind him as I glance around Adonis. I ready myself for the outburst from him, but instead Xander frowns in confusion, looking around the room as he rubs the back of his neck. Khaos and Zen wear similar expressions, scanning the space, trying to figure out where we are, and I can’t help but wonder what in the hell Adonis has done to us.

“Where the fuck are they?” he grunts, opening the bathroom door wider as he steps through to my room, only to come back moments later with a shake of his head. I almost feel like putting him out of his misery and pushing the incubus off, but I lack the will to make the move.

My brows crinkle together, until I look up at Adonis to find him already staring down at me. The smile that touches his lips, mixed with the relaxed gleam in his eyes makes me grin up at him in awe. How can someone get even hotter, by doing nothing at all? Just being himself.

Adonis should be illegal. Or come with a warning label. Maybe both.

Glamor he mouths, explaining what the actual fuck is going on, and realization sinks in. He’s using his magic to hide us right now, and I only wish he was doing it with his cock buried inside of me. It’s exhilarating.

“I can fucking smell her scent everywhere,” Xander whines, but I don’t turn to see his facial expression as Adonis lowers his lips to mine, tasting every inch of my mouth as his friends stand around in confusion.

“Xander, I think you’re forgetting you’re not the only one with magical abilities now,” Zen states matter of factly as his voice seems to get closer, but Adonis doesn’t break away from our kiss. “Maybe if Adonis was aware that this isn’t the time to be fucking around, he would stop because an assembly has been called and everyone has to be in attendance.”

His words make me freeze, my eyes shooting open, when they shut I have no idea, but I look up at Adonis in concern, not noting even a hint of worry or nerves on his face. Just a glimmer of disappointment at being interrupted. A spontaneous assembly being called in the middle of the day definitely has something to do with us, I can feel it in my bones.

“Fuck,” Adonis curses under his breath, a heavy sigh falling from his lips. Placing one more chaste kiss to the corner of my mouth, he reaches for the sheets and covers my naked body, before rolling off me and rising from the bed.

I know the moment the glamor is gone because Khaos scoffs and glares at Adonis. “For fuck’s sake, Adonis, put your dick away,” he grunts, shaking his head with a hint of teasing. His piercing green eyes find mine as I lie in bed, but his frown doesn’t disappear, it somehow deepens.

“Were you fucking while I was searching for you? Are you for real, Adonis?” Xander hisses, hands clenched at his sides, and before Adonis can give him some sarcastic response, I jump in.

“No, as a matter of fact, we weren’t. We were sleeping until all of the commotion disturbed us.” I quirk an eyebrow at Xander, my words are probably snippier than I want, but fuck, I’m tired. And listening to him pitch a fit like a toddler who lost his favorite toy and then lecture us like we're adolescents, is not an activity I want to participate in. I watch his mouth begin to open to respond but he’s cut off. Which is probably a blessing for him.

“We’re getting off topic here. The assembly starts in twenty minutes, and it must be important because they’ve ceased all classes until after,” Zen explains. My eyes widen in surprise as I nod, attempting to sit up with the sheets still covering me, while Adonis strolls butt naked to his walk-in closet and starts pulling his uniform off the hangers.

“Aren’t you going to shower? I can smell the sex on you from here,” Xander grumbles, arms folded over his chest as he glares daggers at the back of Adonis’ head. This is getting out of hand, he needs to calm the fuck down because this is far from being productive.

A retort is on the tip of my tongue, when Adonis beats me to it this time.

“What? And wash the smell of my girl off my skin? Nah, hard pass. It’ll give me a constant source to replenish my magic throughout the day,” Adonis says confidently, glancing back over his shoulder to wink at me, and I fucking blush in response.

Warning. Label.

I need to get out of here and catch my fucking breath, otherwise I won’t be able to step under the shower, and we’ll both be walking around the Academy oozing sex from our pores.

“Nice mark,” Khaos says sarcastically, changing the subject as he points down to the back of Adonis’ thigh, and somehow Adonis’ smile spreads wider, accepting Khaos’ backhanded non-compliment.

“I know, right?” he beams, trying to look down at himself too. “I added to Rhea’s too,” he says, meeting my gaze.

“You did?” A gasp of surprise and a hint of hope escapes me while I clutch the sheet to my chest. I try to consider how I can get around everyone without showing all of my womanly bits, but none of them seem to mind. Even Zen and Khaos are standing casually.

We might be a unit, but I haven’t done anything with either of them yet, so them seeing me naked doesn’t seem right.

“Yep. There’s a line at the top of the circle that takes up your back. Kind of like this part of my mark,” Adonis explains, circling his to show me what he means, and I nod. I want to see it for myself. Alone.

“I’ll take a look when I get ready,” I murmur, rising to my feet with the sheet wrapped around me. I come face to face with Xander, who seems like he’s only just seeing me for the first time since he barged in. Too caught up in his annoyance with Adonis.

He smiles at me softly, the frown lines marring his forehead disappearing, relaxing the crinkles around his eyes as he bends down, lifting me into the air bridal style, and carrying me to the adjoining bathroom without a word.

“We need to get to the assembly, so no fucking around,” Khaos bites, but I don’t bother to respond to his bullshit, and it seems the others take the same action too.

The heat radiating off of Xavier is intoxicating, and I bask in it, almost lulling me to sleep, attempting to calm my cranky bitch face, until he places me down on the vanity. He steps away without a word, only slipping into my room this time as I cringe at the state of the bathroom before me.

Our magic exploded and this is the result. All of the toiletries are knocked over and strewn around the room, a few of the bottles shattered, there's a crack in the mirror from some kind of impact, other parts of the glass splintered into a million pieces on the vanity top as the towels are hanging on random fixtures. Nothing that can’t be fixed, but still a reminder of what happened between Adonis and me, before we were torn apart. The beauty before the madness.

Xander distracts me a moment later as he steps back into the room with a fresh uniform in his hand, and a warm, genuine smile on his lips. He comes to a stop before me, placing the clothes at my side as he steps in-between my legs, crouching to meet my gaze.

“Hi.”

Just one word, combined with the swirling desire in his brown eyes, has me leaning toward him instinctively.

“Hey,” I murmur back as he lifts his hand to cup my neck, tilting my head back slightly. The door to Adonis’ room is still open, but neither of us are concerned about the lack of privacy.

Bringing his lips to my forehead, I get a huge dose of serotonin as I fucking shiver from the innocent touch. “Let’s go, pretty lady. Something tells me a storm is coming and it’s only the beginning,” he murmurs, before taking a step back and turning the shower on. He moves toward Adonis’ door, glancing back over his shoulder before he leaves, jaw tight as his eyes scan over me from head to toe. “I can deal with him smelling of you, it’ll distract me all day, but we can handle it. I can handle it,” he states, wetting his lips as he looks me over like there’s not a sheet covering me. “What I can’t deal with is you smelling of him. It’s going to take a minute, unit or not, for my wolf to get used to it,” he explains, honesty recognizable in his tone, and I nod once in understanding before he closes Adonis’ door behind him.

I sag forward for a moment, placing a hand against the door for support as I attempt to catch my breath, trying to calm all of the jumbled emotions and thoughts running rampant through my mind. Maybe I’ll get a minute to actually process the past day at some point today, but apparently the shit show started by Zellus hasn’t ended yet, and I’m not sure I’m ready for what’s in store for me or for us.

STANDING in front of the bathroom mirror, freshly showered with my hair pulled back into a messy bun on top of my head, I try to regain my focus before we need to leave. I considered whether I wanted to make myself look as presentable as possible, but decided against it, not wanting to do anything out of the norm. I’m sure I’ll be some kind of topic for conversation, I don’t want to draw any more attention to myself.

But my brain is still locked on the way Adonis fucked my brains out earlier. I loved every minute of it.

His intoxication.

My surrender.

Our connection.

I still can’t believe how casually he used his magic when we woke. It was so natural that I didn’t even consider the new factor of it being present in our lives, and what that could mean for me.

Nothing.

It means nothing to me because I can’t do shit.

Trying to find the magic swirling inside of me seems too difficult, which is likely because I haven’t gained everything like Xander and Adonis, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling deflated about how I’m somehow defective. It also doesn’t help that I have no clue what it is I’m doing, my childhood not preparing me for this moment. My magic seems erratic, unpredictable, and destructive if the shattered lightbulbs are anything to go by.

I stare at the mirror, the large crack splitting the glass in front of me, the distortion in my image rooting me to the spot. One side is smooth, a clear view, while the other is marred by smaller cracks splitting off like roots in every direction.

It feels symbolic. Like the two sides to myself as I look at it.

Earthling.

God.

Both.

One side whole, the other broken, but standing here in my shoes, I can’t decide which part of me correlates with which part of the mirror.

A tap at the door leading to Adonis’ room catches my attention, and I step away with a shake of my head from the vanity, or what’s left of it, dressed in my navy and gray Academy issued uniform. We have about five minutes to get to the assembly, but I wanted to see if I had any hopes of controlling my magic before we left, just in case, because fuck knows what’s in store for me. And if my first assembly was anything to go by, with Zellus, it could be anything.

Swinging the door open, I come face to face with Zen, his hand raised as if he was going to knock again, but he quickly drops it to his side and offers me a reassuring smile as his gaze travels over the length of me.

I can hear Xander and Adonis grumbling over something across the room, but the second I hear my name and realize it has something to do with me, I zone them out. And just like in the classroom earlier today, I definitely don’t have time for a pissing contest right now and honestly, neither do they.

Looking at Khaos standing by the door, I find him watching Adonis and Xander intently, but he glances back at me out of the corner of his eye, not saying a word. I can’t help but feel like there’s an issue, more like tension, between us, because of a problem I’m unaware of? I can’t add anything else to my plate right now, so he’s going to have to wait.

Zen slings his arm around my shoulder, moving me toward the door. “Come on. We can leave those two insolent brats to bicker while we head to the assembly. Besides, Harmonia wants to see you safe and sound with her own two eyes,” he says with a grin, opening Adonis’ door and stepping out without a backward glance. At the mention of Harmonia, I’m happy to go with him. I’ve been so caught up in everything here, I’d forgotten how my situation could affect others.

Steering us down the stairs and toward the portal, I hear Adonis and Xander still arguing between each other as they follow behind. As I step through the black billowing smoke of the portal, my arm instinctively lifts to grip the back of Zen’s blazer, and I frown when we arrive in the main Academy building.

“Everything okay?” he asks, clearly sensing a nervous energy bursting from me, and I nod in response.

“Yeah, sorry about that, I have no idea why I…” My words trail off as I find it hard to explain everything going on in my mind, but he just pulls me in closer and places his lips to my temple in silent support as Harmonia comes into view.

“Oh my Gods, there you are,” she beams with relief, cutting the distance between us, in what I’d call a borderline sprint, to wrap me in her arms, uncaring of Zen’s arm still around me as she squeezes tight. I expect him to take a step back, but he doesn’t, if anything, he simply moves around to protect me from behind. The heat at my back is comforting as I try to rein in Harmonia’s reaction. “Is everything okay? No one really answered me earlier, and I don’t think it was because they didn’t want me to know, more like they couldn’t know for sure,” she explains without taking a breath, stepping back to look at me with genuine concern.

“It will be,” I murmur as Zen laces his fingers with mine, and the three of us head toward the hall. No one really seems to even glance my way, too absorbed with their own lives until they see I’m holding an Elite’s hand, and I can’t help but strain my eyes from all the eye rolling I’m doing.

The whispers, the rumors, the gossip. It’s all bullshit in the grand scheme of things. None of it really matters. Not really.

“We’re having a girls’ night as soon as fucking possible. With the twins or just the two of us. Something tells me you need a break from life,” Harmonia says, leaving me no room for argument, and I don’t. It sounds exactly like what I need, there’s so much going on in my head, none of it making any sense. I need an outlet. One that won’t distract me with their cock or giving me orgasms.

“Count me in,” I reply, highly aware of the way Zen squeezes my hand in silent support, agreeing that the break is in fact needed. “Sooner rather than later too, and I love the twins, hand on heart, but there’s a lot of shit I need to vent about first if that’s okay?”

Like the fact I have a second sealed soul, not to mention who my fucking parents are and how the hell I’m supposed to process that. I don’t know how I’m going to voice it to one person, never mind three. And there’s the issue of trust to contend with since the twins are related to Khaos.

“Of course,” she replies with a soft, empathetic smile, concern laced in her tone, but I can’t offer her anything to dispel it right now. I’ve got the assembly to deal with first before I try to ease anyone’s concerns about my well-being. I’ll talk when I’m ready. I guess I’m just not used to people… caring. It’s beyond foreign to me.

Coming to a stop at the entryway into the huge assembly hall, lines and lines of pews filled with first-year students greet me. The first time I walked in here I was beyond overwhelmed, starving, and trying not to buckle under the new pressures of my life. The sun glistens through the stained-glass windows, painting the room with a burst of color, just like it did then, but today, I’m not the same Rhea Harrington I was when I arrived. Now I stand taller, more confident, more me. And after last night, standing my ground in front of the Hex, I don’t know if that was stupid or not, but it reminds me of the person I was back in Phoenix Valley.

No second chances.

No forgiveness.

No weaknesses.

“Let’s take our seats, shall we?” Khaos says from behind me, and I glance over my shoulder, but he’s looking anywhere but at me. His behavior is so fucking odd and I can’t help but stare at him as he breezes past Harmonia without another word.

Dick.

I watch as Khaos’ shoulders tense, the energy around us seems to darken, causing the hair on the back of my neck to rise in caution. Adonis’ loud cough, the chuckle I hear from Xander, Zen’s silence, and Harmoina’s gasp, leads me to believe I did not say the word inside my head. Pausing momentarily, I wait for him to do anything except ignore me, but disappointment floods my veins when he doesn’t turn around to snap at me in response. Something is definitely going on with him, but that’s a problem for future Rhea to deal with.

Clearing my mind of Khaos’ issues, Xander, Zen, and I follow him in succession as we join the others. Adonis casually slips into the space between Harmonia and me, placing his hand at the base of my spine as he sticks close to my side.

Apparently sealing my soul to his has turned him into my second protector, along with Xander. It’s like an entirely new person is standing before me, and I can’t decide if I like it or not.

Just days ago he was giving nothing away, putting an invisible barrier between us at all times, and now he’s… everywhere. Attentive, concerning, and determined.

Maybe it’s the change that’s knocking me off balance, but one thing is for sure, Adonis doesn’t seem to back down when he stakes his claim. With me at least anyway.

That part I’m here for.

And I can’t deny I’m curious to see how this may evolve.

Reaching the front row of pews, a compulsive glance takes over and I look to the left, my eyes falling to Selene and Hector who sit side by side, glares plastered on their faces as they stare back at me, but I keep my facial features expressionless. I don’t even blink.

Hector’s eyes are still bruised, his nose slightly yellow, and I imagine his cracked ribs aren’t very comfortable after Adonis tackled him to the ground in Combat class. Serves the motherfucker right, I can’t stand him, and I never will. Not after the role he played when he helped Selene kidnap, drug and kick the shit out of me.

Clearing my mind from the stroll down memory lane, I focus my attention on him again. His hair is slicked back, reminding me of grease from when I worked at Vinny’s cafe, his green eyes burning my skin as they drill into the side of my face. The discomfort under his scrutiny is real, but I remain uncaring, unaware, and as casual as possible.

Ignoring him, I look at the bitch who caused even more unnecessary drama in my life all because the Elite showed interest in me. As my gaze falls back to Selene’s, I begin thinking about wanting to make a fucking spectacle of her, here and now, for what she’s put me through. Fuck, the beating was nothing compared to being helplessly suspended in the air, and to be gawked at like a fucking science experiment by the Hex.

“Baby, get me in the loop. You can’t call her out publicly without explaining to me why, Rhea. Not when I’m willing to go to bat beside you without pause,” Adonis murmurs in my ear, and I remember he doesn’t know. He can read my body language so well, yet he doesn’t know the facts to the twist in our story.

Zen takes the spot on my other side, leaving Selene to glare at my back as Adonis sticks close. Xander sits on the other side of Zen, with Khaos on the end, and when I’m comfortable, I turn my attention to Adonis.

“She’s the reason Zellus and the guards burst in on us. They were looking for me because she saw Xander out by the lake, running to Zellus with her fucking ass on fire,” I explain under my breath, not wanting to share the exact details of Xander’s moment as a wolf with anyone other than those sitting in this row.

Although, maybe I should thank the cuntish whore for leading me right to my family history… although, I clearly wasn’t ready for that truth bomb to explode.

“I’ll cut the bitch myself,” Adonis growls, hands clenching in his lap, Zen reaches across me to place a hand on his arm to calm him.

“She’s playing a bigger game than us, Adonis, remember that. We can’t act rashly, even if every part of us desires to avenge Rhea. I get the feeling that any move we make against her will only play perfectly into her hands,” he states soothingly, and I hate to admit it, but he’s right.

Selene Hart is evil incarnate.

“I can’t let it go much longer though, Zen,” I reply, letting my own thoughts be known. “The supreme bitch has done nothing but come at me since I got here, and that’s all on you guys for harnessing all of her attention,” I point out, giving him a matching look and he can’t deny it. “After what I went through last night, I refuse to let people here think I’m a pushover because I’m not. I may not have shown that side of me yet, the take-no-bullshit girl I was in Phoenix Valley, but fuck, it’s time to let her shine. I stood my ground with the Hex. I’ll do the same with her, and if I need to set an example so others know to keep the fuck away from me, she’ll make an excellent choice.”

Zen’s eyes widen at my brash, unfiltered words, but he doesn’t discourage me, he simply offers a nod in acceptance. Smart man.

Xander leans forward as if he’s about to speak, but his words are cut off as Zellus enters the room, and everyone quickly quietens, their interest piqued as we all wait to see what the assembly was called for. I almost start laugh-crying because I already know the answer.

Me.

After last night’s supernatural version of a DNA test scandal revealing my biological parents, there’s no other reason but to come to that conclusion.

Watching as he walks between the pews, taking long, confident strides in his navy suit, with his hair slicked back, my skin prickles when he looks straight at me. His jaw seems tense, an inquisitive gleam in his eyes, he’s not happy with me. But when is he ever? Trying to pinpoint why is far too difficult, but his entire aura screams loathing.

“If looks could kill, I don’t know which one of you would drop first,” Zen mutters in my ear, pulling my gaze from Zellus’ to his. I don’t know why, but the instant repeat of Zeus’ prophecy rings through my mind.

“Light will shine from within the darkness, consumed with rage, ready to fight. Stand tall. Stand together, and you shall reunite. Darkness bestows us unlike before, twisted, broken, and all our might. Correct your ways, or forever be coated in night.”

“What is that?” Zen asks, but I can feel Xander and Khaos looking at us too, and the way Adonis squeezes my thigh tells me he heard it as well.

I clear my throat, turning to face the front as Zellus takes center stage at the podium. “It’s what Zeus said. Half of the prophecy felt old, while the other half seems to be what has triggered them at the moment. I think it’s what the women meant when we overheard them in the office when she mentioned darkness bestows us unlike before,” I explain, but no one can respond as Zellus finally addresses the hall.

“Good afternoon, students and faculty. I’m sure you may feel offset with the disruption to your day, but I can only apologize for that matter. The situation was something out of my hands entirely,” he states, his black, soulless eyes set on me, emphasizing his point, before casting his gaze across the room.

Asshole. He fucking gets off on this shit.

“It is with great surprise that I announce to you that students of our Academy have sealed their souls.” His words project loudly around the room, the resounding gasp that instantly follows from everyone in attendance is no revelation. Why wouldn’t they be shocked? My heart rate beats faster as I feel my palms sweat, my nerves fraying at the end knowing for sure he’s going to drag us through the coals.

The buzz around the room, the chatter and questions being tossed around feel more electric than when I was declared nothing. Surprise, motherfuckers.

“I know, I know. It’s been a very long time since we’ve witnessed this connection between units,” Zellus continues, lifting his hands to encourage the students to quieten. “Now, I’m not sure what you all know about sealing souls, but the main thing it does, other than connecting those involved, is it brings forth their dormant powers earlier than their predetermined awakening age.”

“Talk about dragging it out for a reaction,” Adonis grumbles, stretching his arm behind me on the bench, and I roll my eyes in agreement. Zellus is all about the theatrics.

“Who?” Hector calls out, rising to his feet like he holds some kind of power here, and I scoff as he looks around with anger etched into every fiber of his expression. Fucking figures he would be the one to ask, although I am astonished Selene didn’t tell him beforehand.

“I’m glad you asked, Mr. Ariti,” Zellus says with a grin, his gaze falling back to mine. He takes a deep breath as I hold my own, ready for him to drop the bomb. “Miss Rhea Harrington, Adonis, and Mr. Xander Bishop have all come into their powers early, isn’t that correct?” he asks, a sinister grin spreading over his lips as we remain mute in our seats. But I don’t miss the audible gasp from Harmonia.

As much as I want to kill him with my bare hands right now, he won’t get the reaction he wants out of me.

“I’m just as fabulous as ever, Zellus. Thank you for asking,” Adonis says with a grin, and I practically hear the girls behind me fucking swoon at him. He’s fucking taken, and the lure of his voice still brings them to their knees.

“I’m glad you think so, because effective immediately, the three of you will be progressing to the second year of Saints Academy. Follow me.”

Chapter 6

Adonis

W ho the fuck made that decision?

I glance at Zen, but his facial features give nothing away as Zellus dismisses the assembly, nodding his head for Rhea, Xander, and I to follow him, after murmuring for everyone else to proceed to their classes as normal.

Did this really have to be announced at a fucking assembly? A private meeting would have been more suitable, but he is always one for the dramatics, and that’s coming from me. I know the gossip will be relentless.

Rhea is the first to rise from her seat, smoothing her hands down over her skirt as she does. She looks as composed as ever, and I move to follow her, Xander too as Harmonia leans across me to squeeze her friend's arm.

“Girl, I’ll get food figured out so we can eat in your room tonight. Movie, snacks, and all of the venting,” she says with a soft smile on her lips, and Rhea releases a heavy sigh in relief.

“Thank you,” she mutters in response, following behind Xander who passes by Khaos, and I do the same.

Xander’s fingers lace with Rhea’s as they head for the door, and I step up to her left side and sling my arm over her shoulders. It could be a show of possessiveness, a show of claiming, or a show of neediness, but I don’t care.

If this is what being obsessed with someone is like, then I’m all the way in and not backing out.

Ever.

We’ve barely taken two steps toward the door Zellus left through, when Selene’s fucking scream filters through the air. “Excuse me? How fucking dare you!” she cries out wildly, and I can sense Rhea wanting to continue walking without offering her a backward glance, but I’m too pissed that she’s the reason we were interrupted in what will forever be our most intimate moment.

I come to a halt, gently removing my arm from around Rhea’s shoulders, before spinning on my heels as I turn to glare at the fucking banshee across the hall. Her friends are sitting behind her as she clenches her hands at her sides and practically stomps her feet, and the rest of the students watch with wide eyes. Her little show is beyond embarrassing.

“How fucking dare you be a jealous little whore, desperate for someone to claim you when you’re not worth a fucking dime,” I bite, taking two long strides toward her. I can feel my magic coiling around my hands, the darkness bubbling in my chest, desperate to be released and destroy her, but I manage to hold it back. For now. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, Selene Hart,” I growl, enunciating the fact that she has a fucking last name and isn’t as high up in the heirarchy as she likes to act. “But I couldn’t fucking stand you when my magic was dormant. Now that it isn’t, you’re asking me to bury you in front of everyone, so please, continue,” I hiss, practically feeling my eyes shift color as my vision seems to zoom in on her, and I sense a few people gasp around me.

Telling these people my magic is active is entirely different than showing them. What did Rhea say earlier? If we need to make an example out of someone…

“I chose you first,” she wails, looking like a complete hot mess. Her hair is unruly, her cheeks reddening with every breath, and her clothes look rumpled, even from here. “My family is worthy of everything that is so easily handed to you,” she adds, making my anger rise to a whole new level. She has no fucking clue about my upbringing, my life, none of it. Having an original God-turned-Demon as your father doesn’t grant you a silver spoon in your mouth.

I’m sick of her incessant whining and entitlement, needing to have everything she ever wants handed to her without effort or expectation from other people. Fuck what we want as long as she gets what makes her happy. It’s ridiculous and completely out of touch with reality.

She needs to learn that our unit has been taken, completed, and my soul fucking gone, forever, to the girl who stands behind me.

Palms up, I bring my hands slightly raised at my waist, unsure of what or how I know what I’m doing, but letting my magic free is a euphoric feeling I don’t think I will ever get used to. I watch as the room darkens around us, the stained glass windows blackening as fire rips through the aisle between the pews.

I hear a few people scream as the room transforms around them, fire and bleakness consuming them, offering a dark, burning glimpse into my past, my life, into hell. I drench the room in my anger, letting pain weave between each row of the pews like vines, until they’re coiling around Selene’s feet, making her back into Hector with a scream.

“Stop! Stop!”

Magic touches every inch of me, my body relishing in the new feeling as a laugh falls from my lips. I’m too pleased with the pleading in Selene’s tone as I move toward her, getting mere steps away when a voice from behind me calls my name. “Adonis.” It washes over me like a ray of sunshine, calming the fury within me as I turn to see Rhea edging toward me with a soft smile on her lips. “Baby, they’re not worth our time,” she adds. The flames filling the room vanish in front of her with each step she takes toward me, until her hand lands on my chest and the entire vision I created dissolves into nothing around us. Now, I focus solely on her.

The room comes back into view as it was moments ago, the whispers getting louder as a few people throw up at the back, fear of the magic I created scaring them as others scramble from the room without a backward glance. It’s one thing living among the supernaturals and knowing you’ll come into your powers one day, even training for them, and something else entirely when someone else uses their magic around you and you have no means to defend yourself.

Selene screams in fear and anger behind me somewhere, but I don’t turn, fixated with Rhea instead as everyone scatters around us.

Good. Mission accomplished.

Rhea drags her hand down my chest before lacing her fingers with mine, and pulling me along behind her toward Xander who remains by the door. I catch a glimpse of Zen and Khaos still standing in the pews with Harmonia, and I spot a hint of surprise in their eyes.

Seeing the magic between us only makes this all the more real. Watching Xander shift before me was one thing, seeing him race off at the speed of fucking light in search for her earlier was another. But feeling the magic, controlling it by my touch, is like nothing we have ever been prepared for. Seeing it is one thing, feeling it is on another level entirely.

Moving into the second year can’t be a bad thing, it’ll only give us the ability to progress further.

Xander falls into step with us as we leave the room, turning left down the hall until Zellus’ office door greets us at the end of the corridor. There’s no need to knock, it's wide open, which doesn’t give us any time to prepare for the entire board of the Hex waiting in there too.

Fuck my life.

Even after her last run in with these fuckers, Rhea doesn’t tense, and our steps don’t falter as we move into the large room. A huge black desk is the focal point of the room, with a full glass wall ahead, providing a glowing backdrop for the cunt putting on a show.

Zellus sits in his chair on the other side of it, his posture erect like he’s a king or a God looking down at his subjects, but my father leans back against it casually, dispelling the image the Dean of Saints Academy is trying to create. I can tell it pisses Zellus off, but that will only encourage my father to do it more.

To the left, there are two brown leather sofas with a television fixed on the wall. Artemis, Gabriel, and Dante sit there, in what almost feels like apprehension, awaiting our arrival. Leaving Zeus and Mrs. Black to stand to the right observing the entire room with disdain on their faces as always. The theatrics of this whole situation is nauseating at the very least, but I’ve come to learn this is how the Hex operates.

If I thought my father was bad for never being around, it’s nothing in comparison to Khaos and his crazy, ruthless mother. Their shit is so complex I don’t think I’ll ever wrap my head around it all.

She stands with one leg in front of the other, her arms folded over her chest as she curls her mouth in scorn. In a black and gray pinstriped suit, she looks every inch the business woman she demands to be seen as, but she’s a fucking wolf in sheep’s clothing. No disrespect to Xander, of course. We all know Mrs. Black is nowhere near as legitimate as she wants to be. I would hazard a guess that ninety percent of the dark world shit that goes down has her approval, while the other ten percent pisses her off, creating enemies that are continuously found dead.

Moving my gaze to Zeus, the reminder of Rhea's words from when she fell asleep, I try to piece together how the fuck he created a child with the woman he was supposed to have murdered to save the entire world? In a pristine black suit, and his white hair combed back off his face, he doesn’t seem troubled by the news. Unhappy? Sure, but this was definitely not something he was aware of, and he’s taking every effort to cover up the fact he’s completely out of the loop.

Rhea shifts beside me, avoiding looking in the direction I’m drawn to, and it makes sense, so I adjust my stance to stand between the two of them, offering Zeus my back as I cut my gaze back to the sofas.

“I want him out,” Xander growls, aggressively pointing at Dante who sits with his arms braced on his knees, watching Rhea’s every move, and I nod in agreement.

“I’m a member of the—”

“Son, do you wish for him to leave too?” My father interrupts, but I don’t turn to face him, keeping a cold glare on the cunt who’s pissed me off ever since she mentioned their connection.

“Yes,” I reply without pause, adding a shrug in an attempt to remain unfazed, but nothing gets past my father.

“Tell me why, Adonis, and I’ll make it happen,” he says with a giddy tone to his voice, loving the drama as always. Fuck me, he’s far more like Selene than me, maybe she does deserve this life so I can have a little peace instead.

“It’s fine, if it makes them more comfortable. I have other things to be doing anyway,” Dante mutters, rising to his feet as he fixes his blazer and maintains eye contact with everyone.

Ah, so he doesn’t want my father or the other members to know he was fucking the girl who has sealed her soul to two other students. Noted.

He approaches Rhea, and I have to fight to remain in place, but a wolfy growl that falls from Xander’s mouth tells me he’s doing a worse job than me. “Pleasure to see you again, Miss Harrington.” He offers a tight smile as he holds his hand out for her to shake, and after a moment's pause she takes it. There’s a reluctant glint in her eyes, but I don’t miss the shift, and as he leaves without another word, her hand drops into her pocket.

Did he just fucking give her something?

I don’t want to draw attention to it now, but I will find out what it was.

“Is it still correct to call her Miss Rhea Harrington now if she is the daughter of two original Gods as the tests have shown?” Gabriel asks, leaning back in his seat as he crosses his ankles, genuine curiosity in his voice, more importantly, not being a shit starter, and I feel Xander still on the other side of Rhea.

Yeah, we’re going to have to get everyone up to speed on that little nugget she missed out on sharing.

“It hasn’t been decided yet,” Zellus explains, like the decision falls in his hands, and Rhea scoffs beside me.

“I’m standing right here you know,” she grumbles, folding her arms over her chest in a defensive stance, which has me inching toward her protectively. I sense Xander doing the same too, our protectiveness of Rhea only getting stronger as if we instinctively know there’s some type of threat.

“I meant no ill will by that, Rhea. I do apologize,” Gabriel says with a soft smile on his face, and I don’t miss the fact that he addresses her by her first name only, dropping the Miss Harrington act others have adopted.

“Xander, how good to see you. Surprising circumstances of course, we must inform your parents,” Artemis gleams as she rises to her feet, moving toward Xander with her arms out wide. He rigidly steps into her attempt at a hug as he nods in agreement.

“I’m sure someone will beat me to it,” he rumbles in response, and no one corrects him.

Laughable. It’s all fucking laughable.

“Rhea, I’m Artemis, we didn’t get to formally introduce ourselves earlier.” Rhea takes her outstretched hand as Xander moves to her side. “Xander is my godson. I’m glad he’s found someone,” she says, not adding anything further, and Rhea simply nods in response.

Gabriel follows suit, introducing himself as the face that represents the angels in the Hex, being open and friendly as always, but I can’t help but glance back over my shoulder to see Zeus and Mrs. Black observing us quietly.

Not a single word between the two of them. Either a lot has been said before we arrived or they’re holding their cards close to their chests.

Zeus has a lot to answer for, while Mrs. Black will likely be considering the fact that her son is in our unit, which means she’ll be trying to piece together how this will work in her favor. It disgusts me that she’ll try to take advantage of the situation and we will try our damndest to make sure that doesn’t happen.

A loud clap garners everyone’s attention, and it’s no surprise to see my father was the one behind the sound. A smirk on his lips as he adjusts the silk shirt he’s wearing tells me he’s having far too much fun listening to all the drama as it unfolds in real time.

“My son, a confirmed incubus, what wonderful news. Don’t think I couldn’t sense your little show back there,” he states, pointing through the open door, but I don’t confirm or deny as I feel Zellus glance at me in confusion.

Thanks, Dad.

“You can save your family reunion for later, Hades, now isn’t the time for celebrations when we have to arrange for these students to be correctly mentored. If we wish for them to excel, we mustn’t waste time,” Zellus grunts disapprovingly at the God of the underworld as he steeples his fingers together on the desk. I can’t wait for the day someone puts this motherfucker in his place.

“Let’s get to it then. I have other, more pressing matters to attend to,” Zeus states, annoyance dripping from his tone, and I feel Rhea tense beside me. I can’t tell if that stung or reminded her of his presence. Either way, I hate him more than I ever have before.

The Original Gods were created, a sense of family once linking them together, long before I was born. Whatever went down all those years ago to piss Nyx off ran deeper than just her in my opinion. Now they’re all supporting themselves and their own interests, which in Zeus’ case, meant ruling the new fucking world. His arrogance has bit him in the ass and I can’t wait to see how he explains his way out of fathering a child with the world’s greatest enemy.

“Will that have anything to do with thinking up an excuse for my existence?” Rhea asks with a hint of anger in her tone, and I choke back a laugh since I just wondered the same, but Zeus doesn’t even acknowledge that she’s speaking, which only leaves my father to chuckle.

Get me the fuck out of here.

“You will have new schedules sent through by the end of the day, falling in line with the second year classes. It isn’t going to be easy, but we feel it is necessary for all of you to progress and the safety of the first years since your powers are so new and unpredictable,” Zellus explains.

None of us utter a word in response or nod in agreement, waiting for whatever else he has to say. It seems his dramatics play out in here too, because this definitely could have all been communicated in an email. No one seems to have an opinion on our new abilities, just wanting to control our learning path.

“We expect greatness from you, and now we know for sure that Xander Bishop is a shifter, Adonis is a demon, and Miss Harrington is a God, we can focus and hone in on your skills much better in the appropriate classes. Do any of you have any questions?”

“Nope,” Rhea replies, her response clipped, before Xander or I can speak, not that we would have said anything differently.

“Very well,” Zellus mutters, rising to his feet and bracing his hands on the table before him. And so the theatrics continue. “It must be noted that we will be keeping a very close eye on your unit. Many people are not going to be happy about this. The three of you sealing your souls is no longer the norm, and people do not wish to feel outmatched,” he states, making my hands clench at my sides.

“Are you unhappy about this, Zellus? I can’t help but notice the backhanded threat you made against our unit.” I couldn’t hold back, my anger getting the better of me. My father laughs again at my bold accusation as I watch Zellus’ black, soulless eyes narrow in on me, but before he can open his mouth, Xander steps in.

“What people think is not our concern. Need I remind you that our powers are now superior?” Xander grates with a shrug, clearly as pissed as I am at other peoples’ insecurity being pushed onto us.

Zellus’ lips tilt up in a sneer, the self-righteous prick undoubtedly confirming what I asked him, before he waves his hand dismissively. Looks like we found a sore spot. “You can leave now.”

“Actually, I would like a word in private with my son before he leaves,” my father mutters, no giddiness or joking in his voice as he keeps his gaze fixed on me.

Artemis, Gabriel, Zeus, and Mrs. Black leave without question, likely happy to get away from the drama, while Zellus remains behind his desk.

“Do you want me to wait outside?” Rhea asks, her hand falling to my arm in support, but I shake my head.

“No, baby. It’s all good. Go eat with Xander, I’ll be there in a minute,” I mutter, desperate to lean forward and press my lips to hers, but I refrain. Using a term of endearment will have registered on my father’s radar. I don’t want to add a little PDA to the mix, that will set his tongue wagging more than it already is.

The fact that we sealed our souls together isn’t a declaration of love, I don’t think? But I could be wrong. I just don’t want anyone else but my unit to know how much this means to me, how important it is now that I have found her. I can’t process it myself, and I refuse to let it be scrutinized or threatened by others.

“Okay,” she whispers back, giving my arm one final squeeze before heading for the door with Xander as my father turns to Zellus with a pointed look.

“That includes you too, Zellus. You’re the Dean of this Academy, not a member of the Hex or my family, you’ll do well to remember that,” Hades grunts, his growl tone in full use, a harsh change to the relaxed and toxic version of himself. The ambience of the room darkens, his powers playing with the aura around him.

Zellus storms from the room without a backward glance, keeping his head held high as he clasps the button of his suit jacket.

Asshole.

I kick the door shut behind him, tucking my hands into my pockets, a small feeling of satisfaction rippling through me as I wait for my father to speak.

“So, how does it feel to have your magic coiling within you?” he asks, his voice sounding entirely different from both versions of him I’ve seen in the space of ten minutes.

If I was an optimist, I would almost say it sounds like he cares, but that’s not possible. He doesn’t have one caring bone in his body for anyone other than my mother.

“It feels great. Anything else?” I retort, keeping my response short and clipped, which makes him sigh. He stares at me long and hard for a moment, before dragging his hand down his face, revealing the tiredness in his eyes and the droop of his shoulders. His mask slipping for just a moment as he pushes off the desk and cuts the space between us.

“Everything with me comes at a price, son, we know this, but one sliver of information for you. I know what it feels like, to have that connection with someone, to seal your soul to another, because I have that with your mother, and look where they put me.”

Chapter 7

Rhea

P erched on the edge of my bed, golden dagger in hand, I stare at it, hoping for answers, but nothing appears before me. What the purpose of my gift is, the knowledge of my biological parents, and all the shit in between.

Surprise, surprise.

Placing it back in the safe, I watch as the gems in the handle sparkle, before I hide it in an old t-shirt and lock it back up, ready for Harmonia to get here. I want to speak to someone about my gift from Pandora’s Box, but I haven’t quite figured out how to thrust it in someone's hands and ask for answers. Although Professor Riva did offer, I just don’t know if I can trust him or not.

I shake my head, putting it to the back of my mind for now as I grab a hair tie off the nightstand, pulling my hair up into a high ponytail.

After eating lunch with Harmonia and my unit, I managed to talk them into some alone time, just by myself, so I could actually think for a minute. Since the shift into second year is starting tomorrow, Xander, Adonis, and I got the rest of the day off classes. How generous of Zellus.

I didn’t get any thinking done though. As soon as I shut my bedroom door behind me, I crashed hard, only waking at five to have a quick shower and change into a pair of black yoga pants and cream off-the-shoulder tee.

My phone pings from my pillow where I tossed it earlier, and when I lean over to grab it, I wish I hadn’t.

Email received from Saints Academy administration team

Subject: Second Year Adjustments

I reluctantly click on the email, a new schedule coming into view, but I’m relieved to see that the professors and classes haven’t changed, just the order in which I’ll take classes each day. That’s doable.

I expect some kind of underlying warning or tone, but it’s clearly not from Zellus, most likely from Noreen because it’s a simple, informative email.

It’s going to be strange only really knowing Xander and Adonis are in my classes, but at least I can still have lunch with Harmonia and the Elites. On the plus side, there’ll be no Selene or Hector in any of my classes. Not unless she magically gains her powers overnight, and I scoff at the impossibility of it, until I remember something Zellus said when I was frozen in the air.

“Students have seemingly activated their powers early, fighting through the suppression we put on everyone as a child, controlling when they receive their powers.”

I should probably mention that to someone, or more specifically - Zen. He seems like the calm, level-headed one with that kind of thing and would likely be the one to find out more information.

The sound of knuckles rapping against my door pulls me from my thoughts, and I stand from my bed and open it to find Harmonia on the other side. Her white hair is straightened to perfection down her back, her pink eyes shining as she smiles. In a cute pale blue sundress, she looks gorgeous, and I almost feel embarrassed in my simple outfit in comparison.

“Hey, I’m pulling the best friend card here. So, do you want to get everything off your chest before or after we go shopping?” she asks, side stepping me into my room and flopping down on my bed.

I close the door behind me as I turn to look at her, eyebrow quirked as I consider her question. “Do I have a choice?” I reply, remaining in place as I fold my arms over my chest, trying to not get defensive, but it’s harder than it seems. I can’t even understand why I jump to that mindset, but I guess it’s my usual stance, and some habits are harder to break than others.

“Nope.” She pops the p, giving me a pointed stare, and I roll my eyes understanding it’s best to keep my mouth shut. Bigger battles to worry about. “Okay, I’ll make the decision for us. Hit me with the heavy now, then we can destress, get some food on site and find a dress to wear for this weekend.”

“A what for when?” I stare at her in confusion, and this time it’s her turn to roll her eyes at me.

“A dress, Rhea. For the Solstice ball, remember?”

Fuckity fuck, I forgot about that.

Swiping a hand down my face, I sigh knowing there’s no way for me to get out of it. “Fine.” I don’t like using money that isn’t technically mine. The fact that it pays for my food and other Academy essentials feels different, almost like a scholarship, but I guess this is an Academy related purchase too.

Although, after Xander and Adonis had Dante leave, and he placed that small slip of paper in my hand, I feel bad that he was so easily dismissed from the room. Not that he missed much, and not that his presence makes a difference to anything else at all. I just can’t shift the feeling of spreading my drama onto others unwillingly. Even if he did fuck me over back in Phoenix Valley, none of that fucking matters now. Not now I have the Elites.

“Perfect. I also made us reservations in two hours at my favorite Italian restaurant, Ballos,” she adds, crossing her legs and placing her hands on her knees. I make my way over to her, lying down on the bed next to where she's sitting. “So, let’s cover the elephant in the room first. You sealed your soul with Adonis too, huh?”

Her lighthearted approach to the minefield I’m navigating somehow sets my mind at ease a little. “Yeah. When your soul wants it to happen, it wants it to happen. What’s a girl to do?” I reply with a shrug, and she glances back over her shoulder to chuckle at me.

“When your soul wants something, it’s irrelevant what you actually think, I get it. How do you feel?”

Her question catches me off guard, but I answer her honestly. “Like the entire thing is completely tainted now and feels connected to the beginning of my downfall,” I grumble, swiping a hand down my face. “We were naked, Adonis still inside me when Zellus and his guards came charging into our adjoining bathroom where, you know…” I explain, watching as the grin slips from her lips and her mouth gapes open in bewilderment.

“What the actual fuck?” She gasps under her breath, lying back and staring up at the ceiling. Seems like she can’t wrap her head around that invasion of privacy either.

“Right! Before we even got over the heated climax, they blew dust in my face, and the next thing I know, I’m waking up suspended in the fucking air in a strange room, with a thin gown barely hiding my modesty,” I continue, squeezing my eyes shut as I cringe at the memory of being put on display. Letting the memory truly sink in for the first time.

“What the fuck for? That’s not humane, not even a little bit!” she shouts, hands balling with anger, and I nod. Her eyes turn a brighter shade of pink, her body slightly vibrates, and I know if she had any magic right now, she’d probably destroy Agion.

“Probably because Zellus had someone run my blood work while I was knocked out. In the nature of protecting the school he wanted to know my history, my parents, my… background,” I grumble, hating how much the situation infuriates me because, once again, my choice was taken away from me.

“So you know what you are? Please tell me you at least got to listen to the revelations,” she bites, twisting her face to search mine, trying to gauge my reaction, and I nod in response.

“I did.” I take a deep breath, my emotions tipped upside down as I say it out loud. “I’m a God.” A smile spreads across her face, and I decide to rip the next bit off like a band aid. “And my parents are Zeus and Nyx.”

Confusion twists and tightens my chest, the reality of knowing who my biological parents are still doesn’t make sense to me, and the way Harmonia gapes at me, her face frozen in position with her jaw wide open. I think she is a little stunned too. Just a little bit.

“What the fuck?” she whispers, more to herself than me, but I still chuckle.

“You said that already,” I murmur, and she shakes her head.

“Yeah, but for real, Rhea. What. The. Fuck?”

“I know, it makes zero sense at all, right?” I say with a huff, trying to play it off casually, like it literally cannot be possible, and she shakes her head again.

“What does that even mean? Like for you as their child, but also, the entire fucking world since Zeus stands tall and proud for slaying Nyx. Not to mention the fucking wife and children he already has,” she rambles, arms swinging animatedly in the air above her as I try to find the kind of response she wants. If you were to use an emoji to describe Harmonia right now, it would be the mind explosion.

“I don’t have a clue. Gods, it’s a mess, and I’m currently hiding away in my room from it all. Out of sight, out of mind and all that,” I reply, pushing myself up to sit at the end of the bed with my legs dangling over the side, and she follows suit, squeezing my shoulder as she takes the spot beside me.

“Do you want to find out more information?” she asks, and I rake my teeth over my bottom lip in consideration.

“Honestly, I don’t know. But if word gets out, then it’ll be a decision taken out of my hands anyway,” I answer truthfully, and she nods in agreement, a frown appearing at the reality of my situation.

“I get that. You have to do what’s right for you, especially since no one seems to have done that for you so far in your life. I have a feeling you won’t have any issues standing up for yourself either.” Her words calm me, validating all the jumbled mess in my brain and reminding me of my internal strength as I offer her a small smile in response.

“In all seriousness though, all that matters is if you’re happy, Rhea.” Her words are earnest, thought provoking, and almost on the verge of too much.

“Happy with what?” I ask, needing her to be more specific, and she shrugs.

“With your life,” she states, not really narrowing down the circumstances.

“There’s drama within every aspect of my life right now,” I state, my brows knitting together. As if moving away from my human life down in Phoenix Valley and adjusting to supernatural life up in Paradise Heights wasn’t a big enough change, the bullshit I constantly face with Selene, Hector, and Zellus has only added to my stress.

My life is a shitshow.

“But are you happy? With Xander? Adonis? Your unit? Are you happy with the people you’re surrounding yourself with? Not including me, because that's obvious,” she says with a wink, making me grin as I consider her words.

I think about how the Elites wanted nothing to do with me until they caught me alone over the Christmas break. Since then they have done nothing but have my back, especially since Xander and I changed the entire dynamics of things, and now Adonis too. Khaos seems to have some issues going on right now that I will eventually want to delve into, but Zen seems like a constant pillar of stability and support. Hot as fuck and dominant on occasion too.

“Yes,” I answer truthfully with every fiber in my body, my smile spreading uncontrollably across my face as Harmonia grins back at me, before rising to her feet and offering her hand out for me to take.

“Good, now the heavy stuff is done, let's go and get some good food, and a hot ass dress to knock your unit off their feet.”

Chapter 8

Rhea

S tanding in front of the mirror of my walk-in closet, I French braid my hair down the back of my head, letting it stop between my shoulder blades. Securing it with a hair tie, I take a closer look at myself in my uniform.

Last night with Harmonia was exactly what I needed. Pasta, carbs, and even shopping, much to my surprise. She must have tried twenty different dresses before she found the one she wanted. I had chosen and purchased my dress within five tries, but it was actually fun to have a carefree moment with her, shoving all the drama into a box for the evening. I’m actually a little bit excited for Saturday night now. I fucking deserve to let my hair down and have a good time with my guys.

Now, I stare at my reflection, the reality of the past forty-eight hours starting to settle in, the revelations that came to light, and yet… I look no different.

My eyes are currently blue, my hair still falls the same, my uniform hangs as it always does, and I have to fight to keep away the resting bitch face look.

I’m a God, but currently one with erratic and uncontrollable powers. Unlike Xander and his wolf merging seamlessly, and Adonis having an instant handle on his incubus powers, I’m left with a splitting headache from trying to find the source inside of me. I have no idea what to feel, what I’m searching for, and it’s frustrating the hell out of me.

Hopefully being placed with the second years will work in my favor, even if it does mean being separated from two of my Elites and my friends.

Opting for no make-up today, I step into my Academy issued shoes, lifting my satchel onto the bed before moving toward the bathroom.

The second I unlock the door and swing it open, I come face to face with Mr. Cock. Dressed in his uniform, with the tie undone and the top few buttons on his shirt not yet fastened, he oozes sex appeal, and he fucking knows it.

He clears his throat, drawing my attention back to his face, a sure grin spreading from ear to ear as he watches me blatantly check him out. I don’t become bashful or embarrassed, he’s fucking mine now, my soul approves, and if I want to feast my eyes on him, I will.

“I feel like we should discuss how locking your door is a bad thing,” he states, swiping his tongue over his bottom lip, and I quirk my eyebrow at him, unable to stop the little shiver that runs down my spine. One gesture can turn me into a needy mess and again, he knows it.

“Is that so?” I ask, stepping closer to him, but as I reach his side, I turn my focus to the vanity, giving him my side profile as I turn on the faucet. The bathroom looks like nothing ever happened, no shit went down and everything is back to normal. A task I can guess with certainty revolves around this man.

I think I’m giving myself the upper hand, but that’s far from the truth as he adjusts quickly, swooping in behind me, hand braced on the marble on both sides of my waist as he traps me in. The press of his body against my back is intoxicating as he rests his chin on my shoulder.

His circular glasses frame his heated blue eyes as he looks at me through the reflection in the mirror. The sound of the water running before me is the only noise for a moment, until he speaks. “It’s definitely so. The only reason I didn’t charge in is because I’m trying to be respectful, but now…” He pauses, shifting his head so his breath tickles my throat before continuing. “Now, it’s too late for me to taste you on my lips before classes begin,” he says with a pout against my neck, making my pulse quicken and my body stiffen with a mixture of need and disappointment. He moves his head to rest his chin on my shoulder again, trying to feign innocence.

Clearing my throat, I rub my lips together in time with my thighs as I struggle to find a response, one that doesn’t sound desperate for him to say fuck it and taste me anyway. “Well, thank you for respecting my boundaries,” I manage to say, although lacking the confidence I was aiming for. Adonis can see right through my pathetic attempt.

I can feel the outline of his thick length pressing against my ass cheeks, his thighs surrounding mine as his chiseled chest presses into my back. My temperature rises, desire curling as he drops his lips to my neck, moving my blazer and shirt to the side so he can trail gentle kisses all the way down and across the top of my shoulder. The touch palpable, even through the fabric between us.

“Fuck,” I whisper, unable to hold the word in, and I feel Adonis’ lips spread into a smile against my skin.

He looks up at me through his lashes, our eyes meeting in the mirror as he brings his hands to my waist, testing the grip of his fingers against my body as he watches my reaction to him.

“I think separation anxiety is going to be a thing for me,” he states matter of factly. “I don’t know how Xander can even sleep on a different floor. Just the one wall separating us feels like too much. Especially because I can sense you, and not wrap you in my arms with the damn thing in the way,” he grumbles, pointing at the wall behind him.

Who the fuck is this smooth talker pressed against me? Because this sure as hell isn’t the Adonis I recall from a few days ago. It seems now he’s not hiding behind the facade he would always put on, I get a peek at the real him.

He’s either a mind reader now or my facial expression gives me away. He offers a slight chuckle, pressing one last kiss against my exposed skin before he stands tall, bringing his mouth to my ear as he tugs on my braid.

“Don’t look at me like I’m a different person, Rhea. If I am, it’s all because of you. You did this to me. Made me obsessed, needy, consumed. Don’t tell me you don’t like it, because I fucking love it,” he says with a cocky grin on his lips, sending another shiver of lust down my spine.

I spin on the spot, bringing us eye to eye as his hands glide over my waist, resettling once I stop moving. He hovers over me slightly, his height advantage clear in this moment as he brings his chest down on mine, our noses level. He waits, without a single word, but a knowing smile appears as I bring my hands to his shoulders, running them up the side of his throat, and he groans.

“Feeling your desire as strong as mine sets my fucking magic on fire,” he breathes, making me gulp, unable to deny it when the energy is literally replenishing his abilities.

Fuck it.

I tilt my head, the feel of his breath against my lips making goosebumps rise on my arms, but just as my mouth nears his, a bang breaks the moment, distracting the both of us.

My gaze flicks to the door leading to Adonis’ room, while Adonis hides his face in my neck, breathing me in as I come face to face with Xander in the open doorway. Arms folded over his chest, and a tick to his jaw, he looks angry, but the soft smile on his lips and the glistening in his brown eyes tells me it’s not directed at me.

Well, it’s likely because of me, but more to do with Adonis.

It seems a unit is what works, but it doesn’t stop Xander from getting jealous, his wolf rising to the surface. Noted. I don’t know how it makes me feel, it’s entirely different for me as it is them. They have to share me with three other people, while I simply have to make space in my life for four men. Although, actually saying it like that doesn’t make it seem all that simple all of a sudden.

“You’re staying with me soon, Rhea. He’s hogging you,” Xander grumbles with a disapproving glare thrown Adonis’ way. I expect Adonis to argue back, or tease him somehow, but to my surprise, he releases his hold on me. Immediately, I cut the space between Xander and I, stopping right in front of him before I respond to his request.

“I have some plans with the girls tonight, but how about I promise you the night of the Solstice?” I offer, raising my eyebrows as I wait for a response, and he nods in approval.

I’ve never stayed over with either of them, so it’ll be a new experience, but my gut tells me it will be worth it. In more ways than one.

“Deal,” he mutters, cupping my cheek and grazing his lips against mine so fast I think I may have dreamt it, before slinging his arm around my shoulders and walking past Adonis without a backward glance to my room.

I hear Adonis sigh, shutting off the water, before following after us.

“Let’s grab your satchel and go. I’m sure today is going to be a ball of fun,” Xander says, a hint of sarcasm in his words as I groan in agreement. “Are you ready for this?”

Gods, isn’t that a loaded question.

“No,” I reply immediately with a shake of my head, and he captures my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“We’ve got you.”

Fuck.

I like the sound of that.

“SO, what makes you feel like you’re not ready for this?” Xander asks, genuine curiosity laced in his tone, arm still slung around my shoulders as Adonis holds my hand on the other side.

Khaos and Zen have Magic class this morning, completely useless in your first year if you ask me, but what do I know. While we have Study class with Professor Orne. Which sometimes feels like History, but actually isn’t because that’s a separate thing altogether. Although I love Professor Orne’s classes, her general approach and kindness is refreshing, so I’m intrigued to see what she has to tell us now. If it’ll be any different in the second year.

Walking through the halls of the main building, I try to find the right words to explain it. “For you guys, our souls were sealed and you were suddenly given your gifts, fully, sealed soul marks and all. While I… got red eyes, the ability to blow up a couple of light bulbs, slam doors, and a burning sensation raging through my body when I get angry. I have no fucking clue what the hell I’m doing. Nothing about this is coming naturally.” I take a breath, my rambling halting as I hang my head in annoyance, or shame, since I’m feeling both right now, but Adonis quickly lifts my gaze again as we continue walking.

“I hadn’t considered that for you,” he explains, his brows crinkled together in confusion as he searches my eyes for something, but I’m unsure what. Yet it feels like he’s peeling away my layers like I’m an onion. “Now that we know you’re a God, they will hopefully provide you with the right techniques and mindset to access and harness your magic seamlessly,” he adds, running his thumb over my knuckles as I nod in agreement.

“I hope so.” My tone screams self-doubt and insecurity as I swallow roughly. The weight of what my magic is expected to become sits heavy on my chest as I try to believe in Adonis’ words. “But we’re entering the last quarter of the academic year, the rest of the second year will wipe the floor with me.” I hate verbalizing my weakness of being outmatched, left vulnerable, but if I don’t have this conversation with my sealed souls, who am I supposed to have it with?

They’re the only two people in the same position as me.

“You have to remember, at the end of the first year, it only comes to light what you are. Powers don’t usually manifest until you’re in the final year, so we’re still ahead of the norm,” Xander states, and a breath I didn’t realize I was holding whooshes out of me in pure relief.

“I can handle that then,” I mutter, taking a deep breath and straightening my spine in a show of confidence. As we approach the classroom to our left, a few unfamiliar faces surround us and I pause mid-step as I remember something from the other day. “Why do they make us wait until then to give us our powers?” I ask, stepping against the wall to my right out of the way, both Xander and Adonis releasing their holds on me as they stand before me, confusion knitting their eyebrows together.

“They don’t give them to us. That’s when the magic activates inside of us,” Adonis says, and I shake my head.

“That’s not what Zellus said to The Hex.” I hitch my satchel higher up my shoulder as I look between them, watching as they both look at me like I’ve grown a second head. Or a dick.

“What do you mean, Rhea? That’s not how any of this works,” Xander says quietly, bracing his palm on the wall beside me as he leans in closer, creating a little bubble for the three of us.

“I mean, when I was suspended in the air, they didn’t even acknowledge I was awake. Zellus specifically said, ‘students have seemingly activated their powers early, fighting through the suppression we put on everyone as a child, controlling when they receive their powers.’ I didn’t know whether that was just public knowledge I wasn’t privy to, since I have spent most of my life in Phoenix Valley.” Uncertainty drips into my voice as I look between them, their jaws dropping slightly in surprise by what I’m saying. Any chance to hash this out further is cut short when Professor Orne clears her throat, gaining our attention.

“If you’re ready, everyone else is waiting.” If anyone else spoke those words they’d come across harsh, abrupt, and rude, but with her, they’re said so softly, like she hates to inconvenience us, when in fact we’re holding her up.

“Sorry, professor,” I mumble, stepping between Adonis and Xander to enter the classroom. I know our conversation isn’t done, but even if we continued to hash it out in the hall, we wouldn’t get any further since we all seem to be clueless.

Stepping into the room, the rows of tables fill most of the space, everyone sitting in threes, which gives me a crazy sense of relief when I find a full empty table free at the back of the room. Books line every wall except for the full-length wall of windows, offering a stunning view over the gardens, and just across from that is where the purpose-built town is that's just for the Academy.

After going there with Harmonia yesterday, I’m determined to go again. The atmosphere was amazing. Nothing like Phoenix Valley. Everything was clean, built to perfection, and not a single flaw in sight in any of the buildings. Which didn’t sit that well with me at the time. You can sense the time, effort, and care that goes into creating a social safe space.

As I’m coming to learn, everything deemed an eyesore at Saints Academy seems to be swept under the rug. Be it issues, sealing of souls, or the chipping of paint.

I step through the center aisle of tables, feeling a few people glance my way, but I keep my face neutral and my shoulders relaxed, not willing to let them make me uncomfortable in a new environment.

It’s surprisingly noticeable in this class, the ratio between men and women. In the first year, it felt subtle, whereas there’s only four women in here, and at least twenty men.

I hear someone murmur ‘sealed souls’ under their breath as they whisper among their friends like we’re in fucking high school, but I ignore them as I take the middle seat at the table, letting Adonis and Xander choose between themselves who sits on which side of me.

Xander takes my left while Adonis drops into the seat to my right as I place my satchel on the floor, pulling my laptop out ready to take notes.

Professor Orne closes the classroom door and moves to the front of the room, a gentle smile on her lips as she tucks her blonde shoulder-length hair behind her ear. She must only be five foot three inches tall at most, but her floaty, floral, ankle-length dress and white button up cardigan makes her look shorter than she likely is.

“Good morning, everyone. As I’m sure you can see, we have some new students today, which I think aligns perfectly with today's topic as we delve deeper into the abilities of supernaturals and how they have evolved over time,” she states, turning to look at the interactive board behind her, which illuminates with five categories.

Angels. Demons. Gods. Vampires. Shifters.

I like the fact that in here, we all learn together, no separation based on your classification so we get to learn about everyone. A definite bonus if I’m ever in a difficult situation with another supernatural.

“With the five categories of supernaturals, they essentially split into two groups. The vampires and shifters each gain the same abilities, while angels, Gods, and demons can have some of the same abilities, at the same time also adding their own unique skills.” She captures my attention by breaking down the fundamentals like this. It instantly feels like they’ve been teaching us at kindergarten level in the first year in comparison, and this feels like basic stuff. Drip feeding us pointless information in the first year compared to this.

“I have a feeling we’re going to have to relay information we’ve learned in each class to the others so they’re not at a disadvantage,” Xander murmurs, referring to Khaos and Zen, and I nod in agreement. We all know, knowledge is power.

“That wasn’t always the case, but over time, we have grown. The original Gods created their own supernaturals to protect them in the Great War, but since then, evolution has only made us, their creations, stronger,” Professor Orne explains, changing the screen behind her to show five faces. “The angels were created by Archangel Michael, brother to Gabriel, who now holds a seat in The Hex. Artemis created shifters, once only dragons, now shifters of all kinds. Vampires were created by Chaos, God of War. Zeus the Gods, and Hades the demons,” she specifies, eyeing Adonis as she mentions his father’s name. I don’t need to turn to him to know the eye roll playing across his face as he drapes his arm over the back of my seat.

All of those little facts seem to remind me that my so-called, and I use this word loosely, father, Zeus, claimed a bigger figure in not just the community of Gods, but the entire world, because he slayed my mother.

How the fuck did I come to be?

How am I sitting here, with a date of birth roughly nine months after the war ended —because of the death of my mother— when she didn’t exist anymore?

Something is a lie, either her death or my birthday, but I have no clue who may have the answer to that question. Not one.

As Professor Orne shuffles through some papers on her desk, looking for something, I feel Xander place his hand on my knee, rubbing his thumb back and forth comfortingly as Adonis leans in closer, distracting me, clearly sensing my unease.

“What did Dante give you?” he asks, startling me for a moment as I scramble to catch on to what he’s talking about.

“What?” I whisper, turning to look at him, and he gives me a pointed glare like his five word question should have told me everything I needed to know to respond.

“I know he put something in your hand back in Zellus’ office yesterday, and I want to know what it was,” he states, his tone making it very clear he’s not impressed.

“Oh, it was a slip of paper with his number on it,” I answer calmly, expecting to ease his mind by not keeping any secrets, but the fury that flares in his now lilac eyes immediately tells me he’s not happy.

Fuck. My. Life.

“I’ll fucking kill him,” he bites, scraping his chair back as he rises, and I quickly grab his arm to stop him from moving any further. I can sense a few people are glancing our way by the noise of Adonis’ chair as I plead with my eyes for him to stay with me.

After a long pause, he sighs, shuffling in closer again before I speak.

“I’ve had his number in my old phone for a long time, Adonis. I haven’t called him once since I got here, do you think I’m really going to do it now?” I keep my voice low, hoping no one can hear us as Xander continues to calmly stroke my thigh.

One soul is driving me batshit crazy while the other is soothing me. Balance at its finest.

“Some guy hands you his number… fuck, Rhea. We need to talk about boundaries,” Adonis groans, swiping a hand over his jaw in frustration.

“Talk about overreacting. He’s not just some guy, he’s a member of The Hex and the representative for those from PV and it’s not like I kept a secret, Adonis. You asked, I answered. He handed it to me in a crowded room. When I got back to my dorm, I put it in the bathroom trash can. Check for yourself if you don’t believe me,” I say, a hint of challenge in my voice as I glare at him. The nerve of this asshole is astounding and my other sealed soul isn’t throwing a bitch fit like he is. Again, balance.

This is not my doing, and I know he knows it, but apparently I’m the one here for him to throw accusatory remarks at since Dante isn’t.

Perfect.

“I will,” he responds immediately. “Because you’re mine, Rhea.”

I roll my eyes at him, even though my body hums in approval at his words. Traitor. “You’re an infuriating child,” I retort, turning back to face the front of the class.

“And you fucking love it,” he whispers in my ear, and I purse my lips as I try to ignore him, but the fucker knows the effect he has on me.

“Tomorrow, Xander may have you after the ball, but, baby, I’m going to make sure you can’t get me out of your head by the end of it.”

Chapter 9

Rhea

W hen Harmonia said we would spend Saturday relaxing and getting ready, I didn’t realize she meant all of Saturday, or that her ratio of ‘relaxing’ and ‘getting ready’ would be so weighed in the getting ready department.

I’ve showered, shaved within an inch of my life, exfoliated what feels like every inch of my skin off, shampooed and conditioned my hair to glory, while letting her work her magic with make-up. Nothing I have ever done to hide the dark circles under my eyes has worked like the skills she’s pulled out today. I’m not worthy. Not even a little bit.

Now, as I step into my floor-length gown, the silk material gliding over my skin as I pull it up my body, it all feels worth the time and energy as it comes together.

Layers and layers of gray tulle pile on top of the silk slip, the neckline dropping down into a deep V that almost reaches my belly button, while the back is all open with a criss-cross string design. Topped off with a diamanté band around my waist, pinching me in, it looks stunning.

Standing in front of my floor-length mirror by the walk-in closet, I run my hands over the coral embroidered material, taking in my neutral-toned make-up and updo. To keep the back of the dress on display, Harmonia opted to braid my hair at the base of my skull upward, spinning the rest of my hair into a perfectly styled bun at the top of my head, with a few tendrils falling around my face.

It felt good, but thank fuck I don’t have to go to this much effort every day.

“Girl, you look hot as hell,” Harmonia says with a grin as she comes to a stop beside me, tucking her long, luscious white curls behind her ear as she looks herself over in the mirror too. With dramatic red lips, and golden eyeshadow to accentuate her stunning pink eyes, she looks to die for. A dramatic black lace dress starts at her collarbone, in a modest neckline, hugging every inch of her body right down to her feet, while the back is non-existent, fully revealed right down to the base of her spine.

“This is all your work, Harm. And have you actually seen yourself? It should be illegal to look that good,” I state, making her shake her head with a grin as I take a seat on my bed and slip on my heels. They’re not going to be visible under the dress, but Harmonia insisted they will finish the look off. I feel like we could have had the same result without five-inch heels, but apparently I know nothing.

Completing the final touches, I reach for my small champagne-colored clutch, big enough to fit my phone and lip gloss in, but nothing else. Not that I have anything else to take, but it’s a good thing I don’t actually need room for a key or a wallet.

Rising to my feet, I jolt with surprise when someone raps their knuckles on the other side of the bathroom door. Not someone, Adonis, I know it before he even opens his mouth.

“Rhea, this is taking forever. You’re going to need to show me your face to prove you’re alive, otherwise I’m saying fuck it to your boundaries and opening this door, consequences be damned.” His pleading tone is mixed with determination and need, and as annoying as I may think he is on occasion, my soul fucking loves the way he craves me.

“Man, what have you done to him? Adonis has always been so far from needy it’s untrue. Yet one go of your hot dog bun and the man is a mess,” she says with wide eyes, and I almost choke on air.

“Hot dog bun?” I repeat for clarification, chuckling at her descriptive choice of words for my pussy.

“Uh-huh, you know what I mean,” she retorts with a wink, before moving over to the bathroom door, banging back without missing a beat. “Hey, asshole, knock on the actual fucking door and I just might let you have her,” she yells, rolling her eyes. “Fuck me,” she mumbles under her breath with an exasperated sigh, making me laugh harder.

“Nope. No way. I have sealed my soul to Rhea, Harmonia, no fucking for you, and it was two gos of her hot dog bun,” Adonis hollers through the door, and I almost fall over laughing, tilting my head back on a chuckle as I watch Harmonia’s jaw almost hit the floor in shock.

Before she can respond, a knock sounds from the main door, and I’m ready to get this show on the road. Gripping my clutch, I teeter to the door as quickly as I can in these heels, and swing it open to find three Elites waiting on the other side.

It’s like time stands still as my gaze falls to Xander standing right in front of my door. His muscular frame is covered in a white shirt, and a charcoal gray tailored suit. His brown hair is slicked to the side, but what holds me in place, is the amber glow of his eyes as he rakes them over me. I am so fucking glad I’m staying with him tonight.

I struggle to swallow as I look to his left to find Zen, the coolest and calmest of the bunch, with his hands tucked in his pockets, looking like something out of a wet dream. His longer blond hair is gelled back behind the ears, a slightly styled coif at the front as he wears a classic black suit with a white silk shirt, and a bow tie. My free hand clenches as I try not to drool or touch.

“You guys are all fucking assholes,” I hear Adonis grumble in the background, but I tune him out as my eyes settle on Khaos Black.

Standing with his back against the opposite wall, foot resting behind him, he looks like he’s on a damn photoshoot. With his black hair dancing in front of his green eyes, a black suit, with a matching shirt underneath, he looks like the bad boy everybody fantasizes about. He’s not looking directly at me with his jaw set in a firm line, but I don’t miss the way he glances out of the corner of his eye in my direction. He’s so close yet so far and it makes my heart ache a little.

Before I can consider addressing whatever is going on with him, Adonis appears, nudging Zen out of the way as he looks me over. In a navy blue suit, with a pale blue shirt underneath, the top two buttons undone, he looks hot as fuck. Forgoing his glasses tonight, with his hair brushed perfectly back off his face, he smells like an incubus, sex is drifting off him that thick.

“Fucking. Stunning,” he breathes out, taking me in as he reaches out his hand for me, and I lace my fingers with his without a second thought.

“Harmonia,” Zen murmurs in acknowledgement to my friend as we step out of the door and into the hall together. He moves around everyone to stand up front, maintaining eye contact with myself and the Elites as he speaks. “We arrive together. We leave together. As a unit,” he states, sending a shiver down my spine as his words set in.

When his gaze meets mine once more, I wet my lips, nodding in agreement as the words slip from my mouth.

“As a unit.”

WITH EVERY STEP I TAKE, Zen’s words about us being a unit stick in my mind. Being with them has never felt so right, and even though Khaos is distancing himself, it still feels like our worlds have aligned.

With my fingers laced with Adonis’, Zen’s hand placed at the base of my spine, Khaos and Xander flanking each side and Harmonia walking just ahead, our approach looks like a battle formation. And as we step into the ballroom in the main Academy building, it feels like it too.

Battle ready. War commenced.

The room is huge, with large circular tables dotted throughout, and what looks like an open dance floor in the center. White circular lanterns and drapes hang from the high ceilings, but with the lights placed perfectly around the room, they look blue and purple. The theme continues to the tables, draped in a white silk cloth, and decorated with blue and purple flowers.

I have no idea what I expected the decor to look like here, but this definitely wasn’t it. It’s stunning. Except for the fact that my eyes immediately fall to the table where the Hex sits, their gazes already on us. My first instinct is to just turn and leave, not wanting to have to deal with their scrutiny again after so many negative encounters this week, but the other part of me refuses to give them the satisfaction of my absence.

“Names,” a gentleman asks in a bored tone, dressed in black trousers and a gray shirt with suspenders, and a tablet in his hand.

Harmonia steps beside him, giving everyone’s names as I survey the room again, but I can’t catch a glimpse of the Hex from here with the crowd forming.I’m only able to sense their presence.

Quite a few people are here already, tables filled with people laughing and joking as they mingle. I roll my shoulders back, forcing myself to relax as Adonis squeezes my hand in support. I offer him a reassuring smile and he leans in to place a kiss at the corner of my mouth, just as Harmonia steps back from the gentleman, and an announcement rings out.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Harmonia Lovell.”

She offers me a wink before stepping forward, a light cascading down from above as the room turns to look, before she’s guided to her table by another guy dressed the same.

Please, dear fucking Gods, tell me I don’t have to handle that as well, I think, gulping nervously as I feel my palms begin to sweat. I hate being in the spotlight, literally and figuratively. Maybe I can give the Hex the satisfaction of me leaving, I think it’ll be worth it to not have to—

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Elite unit,” the announcement booms, and it feels like the fucking room stops, the music quietening in my ears as every set of eyes in the ballroom looks our way, servers included. “Adonis, Khaos Black, Xander Bishop, Zen Elias, and Rhea Harrington,” he confirms, my skin prickling under everyone’s watchful gaze. Fucking hell. I did not sign up for this.

“Smile, pretty lady. You might hate the attention, but that announcement just declared you as ours, officially, and it has a certain ring to it, don’t you think?” Zen murmurs in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

Yes. Yes it does. Even if I hate to admit it out loud, he’s right.

“Please, follow me,” another member of staff says as they come to stand before us. Khaos moves first, leading the way, and we all follow.

Walking through the tables, I get the feeling we’re the hot topic of discussion, but I keep my head held high and my shoulders back as I walk with my men.

My fucking men.

I could swoon on the spot if I thought too long about the dicks that fill my life right now. Somehow, I manage to keep it together as we approach a table where Harmonia is sitting with the twins, Cassandra and Thalia, and a heavy sigh releases from my lips in relief. I hadn’t realized how much I was internally stressing over the seating plan until it was clear there wouldn’t be an issue.

The sisters are in the same chiffon floaty dresses, but Cassandra’s is peach, Thalia’s is a duck-egg blue, and they both look absolutely stunning.

Harmonia takes the seat beside Thalia, and Khaos drops down on the other side of Cassandra, leaving Xander, Adonis, myself, and Zen to fill the rest of the circular table in that order.

Our table is right beside the dance floor, a perfect view of the room with the colored lights subtly adjusting constantly between purple and blue. With the location of my seat, it unfortunately leaves me with my back to the table where the Hex are sitting, and I feel like my skin is burning under their stares.

“So, our girl’s been busy, huh?” Cassandra says with a cheer, lifting a glass of champagne in the air with a grin, and I roll my eyes along with Thalia as Harmonia and Adonis chuckle at her. “Who knew Khaos would find himself a woman?” she adds, wagging her eyebrows, and my gaze flicks to the guy in question, who looks down at the table as he taps his fingers on the cloth.

Nothing says awkward more than the tension that seems to reverberate around him whenever I am near. I have no idea what his problem is, but I’m not getting into it at the Solstice Ball, not when I have the Hex literally sitting behind me. We can’t let them see there’s a crack in our unit.

Clearing my throat, I offer a tight chuckle. “What are you guys drinking? I think I’m going to need me some too,” I state, brushing the loose hair back off my face, changing the subject without waiting for Khaos to respond as I relax back in my seat. Deflection accomplished.

As if hearing my question, a waiter appears beside me, a bottle of champagne in hand as he pours it into everyone’s glass. I murmur my thanks as Cassandra talks animatedly about something that happened to her earlier in the week, but my brain is too focused on the people behind me. The nearness of the Hex off putting since I know what they’re happy to let Zellus do to me, hanging mid-air example number one.

A total glutton for punishment, I glance back over my shoulder at the table, to find a woman sitting beside Zeus with a scowl fixed in place as she looks at me inquisitively. It’s like her face can’t make a decision on how she wants to look at me. We’re locked in a stare-off for a moment, her brown hair cascading in curls around her face and shoulders, until Zeus gains her attention, pulling her away.

Glancing more around their table, my eyes immediately fall to Dante who is looking at me with a pained expression in his eyes, the why is what I can’t decipher further as he fixes his tie. It’s been months now, there’s nothing there between us, and if I’m completely honest with myself, what I have with the Elites is far more than I’ve ever felt before. Others may laugh and tell me this is barely anything at all, but that’s exactly my point. I have no comparison.

Remembering Adonis’ threat toward him, I look away to not draw attention to him. When my eyes shift from Dante, I notice it’s Mrs. Black staring at our table, her eyes flicking between Khaos and I with her lips pursed. Before I can dig any further into her body language, Zen taps my shoulder at the same time Adonis squeezes my thigh.

“We’re here to have fun, Rhea. Screw them and their bullshit. It’s all going to be here tomorrow anyway,” Zen states as I turn back to the table, nibbling on my bottom lip and humming in response.

He’s right, I know he is, but it’s harder than it seems to let my guard down and relax.

“I need a distraction. I can practically feel their eyeballs burning into my skin,” I reply, exasperation heavy in my tone as he grips my chin and looks deep into my soul.

“Tell me what distraction you desire, and I’ll make it happen.” His words are mesmerizing as I stare at him with my mouth slightly ajar, until Adonis chuckles.

“Fuck me, she likes that, Zen. I think I’ll be able to live the rest of my life running off of Rhea’s desire,” he says, switching his hand on my thigh to drape the other around my shoulder.

My eyes widen as I gape at him, but he’s not fucking wrong.

“No one touches her. Tease her, entice her, rile her, but don’t fucking touch her. Rhea’s pleasure is mine tonight,” Xander states from beside Adonis, a hint of cockiness to his tone, which only fuels me more, and Adonis laughs louder beside me.

“All. My. Life,” he repeats, and I flick my hand to whack at his chest, but the way he innocently looks down at me like he has no clue what he’s doing somehow lessens my freak out.

The conversation is halted as food is brought to the table. Chicken breast, with some fanciful sauce, roasted brussel sprouts, and a small pile of potatoes. I’m going to be starving after this micro meal.

Instrumental music plays softly in the background, but I don’t see any actual musicians as everyone chats, eats, and relaxes. I manage most of that, but it’s easier said than done without forgetting who is sitting behind me, mixed with all the questions running through my brain.

If Xander is claiming me as his for the night, I’m all for it, but maybe it would be a good idea to speed the evening up to that part already.

Happily sitting back and watching the rest of the room unwind, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything as the evening progresses, but when the music changes to a more up-tempo tune, people begin to dance. The second Zen lifts his hand out toward me, I instantly know what he wants, and I scramble to respond as I turn to him.

“Dance with me,” he says. It’s not a request, but it’s not a question either.

“She’ll want some liquid courage for that,” Harmonia interjects, grabbing two shots off the waiter’s serving tray as he walks by, before passing them around the group. I take both, and Zen holds his hand out for one of them, but I down the liquid in each mini glass, one after the other. The liquid burns my throat, but it does the job.

Everyone around the table hums with laughter as I shrug at Zen, who smirks. I sense Khaos eyeing me, but I don’t pull my gaze from Zen’s. I think the unknown tension dancing between us is also playing on my mind, and I need to take a step away from the situation.

“Lead the way,” I finally murmur, placing both glasses down before taking Zen’s extended hand and rising to my feet. His hand feels warm against mine as he laces our fingers together and moves me to the center of the dance floor. The second he spins me to a stop, pulling my chest against his, the rest of the room melts away. The music is sexy, sinful, and begging for us to get lost in the rhythm, but we don’t, not straight away, as he places his palm at the base of my spine and slowly sways with me first.

“How are you?” he asks, leaning in to whisper in my ear so I can hear him over the music, and I frown, not really expecting that question from him as I brace my hands on his chest, waiting for him to continue. “I haven’t really spoken to you since I claimed your lips in class, which seemed to set this domino effect off, and I can’t help but feel like this is all my fault,” he states, and I lean back to meet his gaze, shaking my head in response.

“No, it’s not your fault,” I murmur, our faces so close our noses are touching.

“Isn’t it, though? I didn’t want Selene claiming we were hers. I felt territorial over you, taking the option out of your hands before I could talk to you properly,” he explains, his breath fanning against my cheek as he does.

I pause at that, remembering the events that followed, and I rise up on my tiptoes, bringing my lips to his ear this time. “I wouldn’t change anything about it, Zen.”

My words are true, and the relief transforms him as he leans back. A smile spreading across his face tells me that’s exactly what he needed to hear. He just needed me to mean it, and I do. Strangely, I really fucking do.

Leaning up on my tiptoes, I brush my lips delicately against his, my hand moving to his neck as I claim him with my mouth, just like he did to me in class. I said I was all in, and I meant it.

When I move back, coming up for air, a hand appears on Zen’s shoulder, tapping, and the second I see who it belongs to, I cringe internally, already stressed before he opens his mouth.

“May I have this next dance?” Dante asks, his eyes pleading with mine as he speaks, but I’m already shaking my head. I need him to leave before Adonis gets here.

“You’re lucky it’s me standing here right now, and not one of the others. I’m as calm as we’re going to get, so don’t take it lightly when I tell you to fuck off. Don’t look in her direction again, don’t even think of her when you’re alone. She no longer exists to you. Not now, not ever,” Zen growls under his breath, his chest rumbling under my palm as he speaks.

Dante’s face scrunches in anger as he stands taller, squaring his shoulders as he glares at Zen. “I’m a member of the Hex, you will—”

“Dante, you may leave now.”

Zeus.

I immediately reconsider my options, because I can’t stand to be by this man right now. I’d like Zen to give him the same spiel he just offered Dante, but I have a feeling we have to be a little more cautious with Zeus, and not just because he’s my father.

Without another word, Dante nods his head, his jaw tight as he turns on his heel and storms through the crowd of people now dancing around us. I’d almost forgotten where we were for a moment, but the flashing purple and blue lights remind me. Solstice Ball. Dancing. Drama.

My own jaw is locked in place as I offer my back to Zeus, moving Zen with me, but I barely get a step away when he speaks again. “Not so fast, Rhea. I’ll take this dance.”

My body stiffens, as does Zen’s beside me. “Actually, sir, I think my partner and I—” I place my hand on Zen’s chest, cutting him off. I know he’s trying to defend me, but the glare on Zeus’ face tells me he won’t take no for an answer, and prolonging the inevitable is only going to cause a scene. And Gods know we’ve had plenty of those since I showed up.

“It’s fine, Zen. It’ll only be a minute,” I say, loud enough for them both to hear as I offer him a reassuring smile. It takes him longer than I expect to release his hold on me, but when he does, he only takes two steps back, happy to stand frozen in place in the middle of the dance floor to wait for me.

Holy. Fucking. Swoon.

Is this what it feels like to have someone in your corner? Because if so, I’m here for it.

With the added touch of confidence, I turn to face Zeus head-on as a slow classical song begins to play. He reluctantly offers his hand, and I even more reluctantly take it, bracing my hand on his arm as we barely move. It’s awkward as fuck but here we are.

“I’m trying to understand how you exist, as a child of mine and Nyx’s, when I left that awful woman dead,” he states, having to shout a little over the music, but he doesn’t glance around to check if anyone is listening or not. “It’s not possible,” he adds, looking at me as if he expects an answer, and I roll my eyes.

This fucking man.

“You’re asking like I would remember,” I retort, ready to take a step back, but his other hand drops to my waist and he holds me in place.

“You would if we tapped into your core memories,” he grunts, and I rear my head back, shaking it in disbelief at his audacity. Again, this fucking man.

One, I had no idea that was a thing, and two, fuck no. I don’t even know what it entails, and I’m not leaving myself vulnerable like that to the Hex.

“It’s not my issue to solve,” I reply with a shrug, which seems to piss him off as his eyes glaze over and he comes to a stop altogether.

But his response is muted as the woman from earlier appears at his side. Her pink floaty dress cascades around her body perfectly, accentuating her figure with precision. “Father, who is this? You’ve been glancing at her all night and now you’ve been dancing. Don’t leave me to tell mother your eyes have been wandering again,” she says with a determined bite to her tone, offering me a glare too like it’s my fault. But I’m too busy bugging the fuck out because if she just said father, and the tests that were run by Zellus are true, then that would make her my… sister.

Struggling to swallow past the lump forming in my throat, Zeus sighs, clearly struggling to explain the situation too, when Zellus fucking appears like magic beside me. Impeccable timing as always. Dick.

I’m done with people fucking appearing when they’re not wanted, especially tonight. I’m at my limit. Using more force than necessary, I step back from Zeus, and this time, he lets me go. He turns his attention to the woman beside me, who now has her hands braced on her hips like her working an attitude is going to make Zeus quiver in his shoes.

“Aphrodite, how nice of you to make introductions with Rhea,” Zellus says, running his hands down his lapels with a sneer on his lips and a glistening of mischief in his eyes. I can already see the scene playing out before me, without it even needing to happen, but as much as I want to back away, I’m rooted to the spot.

“Rhea? Why would I be introducing myself to this woman,” Aphrodite says with a glare, waving her hand dismissively at me, while playing perfectly into Zellus’ trap.

His hands swing out wide as he talks, creating a grand gesture and a ridiculous scene as always as I feel a presence at my back, and I know without a shadow of a doubt it’s Zen. I lean into him, clearly needing the support as Zellus delivers the punch line. “Because she is your father’s child, my dear,” he states loudly, clearly, confidently, as the music cuts out and the whole fucking room freezes at his words.

Kill me.

Kill me now.

I don't think there's a worse way to go, but I no longer want to find out.

If I wasn’t at the top of the rumor chain already, I would be now. That motherfucking douchebag and his big fucking mouth, again, makes it even easier for people to dissect me. He better not mention—

“And her mother is Nyx. We ran the tests, it’s quite the revelation, don’t you think?”

“That’s enough, Zellus,” Zeus growls, energy crackling around him as the woman gapes between the two of us in a mixture of shock and absolute horror.

I offer a shrug, not really sure what to say to soothe the pain this seems to be causing her, before she turns on the spot and marches for the door. Dra-ma-tic with a capital D. Understood. Zeus growls louder as he follows after her, leaving the rest of the room to glance our way like they’re waiting on bated breath for Zellus to continue running his mouth about me.

“Do you want to make an exit?” Zen whispers against my ear, and I consider it, but that’s only going to make more of a scene, and that’s really not necessary right now. I’ve reached my quota of dramatic departures for the evening.

Pushing my shoulders back, I turn to face him with a smile plastered on my face, appreciating the fact that he’s leaving the decision to me. Even after another public slaying, he’s not shying away from me or the drama that follows.

“No, I’ve spent enough time shying away from these motherfuckers and everyone in between who try to take their jealousy and insecurities out on me by picking apart my life. I am not a fucking toy to play with. I am who I am, so I may as well roll with what I’ve got,” I say with a sigh, and he nods, a grin peeking at the corner of his mouth as what looks like pride flashes in his hazel eyes.

He wraps me in his embrace as the music begins again, and I try with everything that I am not to look around at the people still staring, but it’s harder than it seems. My first instinct is to search out our table where the rest of the Elites and my friends are sitting, wanting to check what their opinions and judgments seem to be. Gods knows everyone is going to have an opinion, but when I find them, I’m stalled by the sight of Khaos and his mother having a heated discussion off to the side.

“Hey, what’s going on there,” I ask Zen, pointing in the direction that is holding my attention.

“Hmm, I’m not sure. Their relationship isn’t the best to begin with,” he answers vaguely, watching with me as Mrs. Black slams her fist into her palm and Khaos growls something at her, before turning on his heels and storming around the edge of the room toward the door.

His exit is nowhere near as dramatic as Zeus's and his daughter’s were since he’s sticking to the shadows. He doesn’t look back, not once, and my gut tells me he’s really not okay.

As much as I want to stay and make a point, Zen’s words from earlier play on repeat in my mind.

Arrive together, leave together.

With that thought in mind, I place one foot in front of the other and follow his direction.

“Tell the others we’re leaving.”

Chapter 10

Rhea

I  step through the black fogged portal into Agion, my fingers laced with Zen’s. Harmonia opted to stay at the event with the twins, while I worked hard on keeping up with Khaos.

He knew we were right behind him, fuck, Adonis’ complaints made it obvious, but he didn’t slow his pace or glance back over his shoulder to acknowledge our presence. I didn’t want to holler his name and draw attention to us back in the main building, but now that we’re in Agion, I don’t have that same concern because this is neutral territory.

“Khaos, is everything okay?” I ask, my voice carrying down the hall as he nears the door to his room beside Xander’s.

His hand clenches at his side at the sound of my voice, before he flexes his fingers, waving me off dismissively as he clicks the door open with his hand, not turning to any of us when he steps into his room, and slams the door shut behind him.

Well, that is great. Really fucking great.

“Do we need to address this?” I ask, releasing Zen’s hand to swipe my hair back off my face, before planting both hands on my hips. Determined to help wherever is needed, even if he doesn’t want it. I can bombard one of them for a change.

“Not yet,” Zen responds calmly as Xander moves toward his door, and Adonis follows after him.

“We can’t let it continue for much longer though. Something is simmering within him and it’s going to reach a breaking point,” I state, unease nestling in my chest, but no one denies it. It’s the first time I’ve said something out loud about Khaos’ behavior and I’m glad the others are observing the same issues.

“You’ve met his mother,” Xander says with a sigh, eyes flicking to Khaos’ door. “We can give him some time to handle his shit, then we can talk about it,” he adds, and I nod at his reasoning.

“Okay,” I murmur, dropping my arms at my side as Zen strokes my back soothingly.

“Good, because you’re mine tonight, we can’t have any distractions.” Xander’s heated gaze has desire rippling through my body, my soul unashamedly agreeing. Nibbling at my bottom lip, I watch as he presses his palm into his bedroom door, and it swings open.

“I didn’t get to have any fun with our girl at the Solstice event, you don’t get to take her in there until I have,” Adonis grumbles, almost pouty, cutting the distance between us.

His hands fall to my hips, pulling me in close, and my hands instinctively reach for his shoulders for balance. I watch as he trails his tongue over his bottom lip, my thighs clenching together, and he smirks down at me, likely feeding off of my arousal.

I expect something irritating or sarcastic to come out of his mouth, but to my surprise, he simply leans in close, pressing his lips to mine. It’s soft, tantalizing, and… meaningful. He draws out every inch of desire from my mouth, heating my body without touching me where I desperately need it, before reluctantly taking a step back.

His chest is heaving just as much as mine is, his palms clenching at his sides as his gaze feasts on me.

“Say goodnight, Adonis,” Xander grunts, and I cut my gaze to his, watching as he stares expectantly at his friend, and I roll my eyes at them.

Opting to ignore their back and forth claiming over me, I turn to Zen at my side who offers me his hand, and I take it without pause. He steps to me, eliminating the space between us as he softly smiles at me. “All things considered, thank you for a fabulous evening, Rhea. You look utterly stunning. I think I was too caught up in awe of you to actually remember to say those words out loud earlier,” he murmurs, cupping my chin with his other hand as I try with all my might not to fucking blush like a pre-teen.

“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I reply with a wink, loving how his smile grows, before I step up onto my tiptoes and bring my lips to his.

My lips glide with his, once, twice, three times, before an arm bands around my waist and separates us. My jaw hits the floor as Xander has no concerns sweeping me off my feet and carrying me toward his room.

“Get your own fucking night,” he calls back over his shoulder to the others, and my gaze flicks to Zen’s, relieved to see him chuckling. He throws me a wink just before Xander slams the door shut behind us, and then there are just the two of us.

His room is exactly as I remember, gray walls, a large window on the far wall, with his walk-in closet and bathroom to the right. Leaving his ridiculously huge bed pushed against the wall to my left, with the usual bedroom furniture, but my eyes immediately fall to the beanbags scattered to the right as always.

Ever so slowly, Xander lowers me back to my feet, my chest pressed against his. My nipples tighten at the friction, a shiver running down my spine as I stand.

With the door clicked shut, the two of us alone, the only thing I can feel is the sexual tension around us. My mouth dries, palms beginning to sweat, and my mind is overwhelmed with the memory of the last time the two of us were alone in here.

The way our souls collided, taking us as collateral damage as he fucked me against the wall.

Fuck.

How he made me feel under his touch, I’m desperate for that again, but staying the night with him is something entirely new. I almost feel nervous, unsure what to do with myself, which annoys the hell out of me because I shouldn’t feel out of place.

If he senses my uncertainty, he doesn’t show it, placing a gentle kiss to my forehead before heading toward the chest of drawers by the window. Moments later, he pulls a t-shirt from the top drawer before closing it behind him, moving toward me with it pinched between his finger and thumb.

“Would you like me to help you out of your dress?” he asks, tongue peaking out as he runs his gaze over me, the sexual tension crackling between us, like a live electrical current, and I find myself nodding in response.

Turning my back to him, I reach behind to point to the scrappy lace tied in a bow, holding the entire thing together. His calloused fingers run over my skin, my pussy clenching at the graze down my spine.

He pulls the string, and I immediately feel the hold loosen over my shoulders, but I make no effort to catch the material as it unlaces at my back, falling off my body and pooling at my feet, leaving me in nothing but my tiny panties and heels.

My head begs to tilt back, a groan lodged in my throat as Xander slowly steps around to face me. His gaze looks as heated as mine, his stance screaming to touch me as his fingers twitch at his sides, while the other hand offers me the t-shirt.

What the fuck?

The entire room is sexually charged around us, yet he’s not making a move, if anything, he’s covering me up.

Fuck that.

“Aren’t you going to touch me, Xander,” I purr, desire taking over me as I stare at him expectantly, watching as his jaw flexes and he wets his lips.

It almost feels like he’s not going to respond at all, until he releases a sigh, still locked in position as he speaks. “The last time you were here like this, our souls were in control, Rhea. This time, I want it to be us, just us, and I want you to be sure about it.”

His words leave me breathless, but my body immediately kicks into action.

Stepping out of the material pooled at my feet, my heels still in place, I take the t-shirt from his hands and toss it over my shoulder with a sweet, exaggerated smile on my face.

Xander doesn’t move an inch, watching my every move as I step closer to him, running my hands up his shirt, and dragging his unbuttoned blazer off his shoulders. I discard it the same as the t-shirt, not caring about anything but him, before I reach for the top button of his shirt.

Wordlessly, I work each one free, my nipples pebbling tighter as I watch his chest heave with each breath. I untuck his shirt, revealing the last few buttons, and once the material falls open fully, I run my fingers up his solid muscles, dipping into each curve and valley of his abs.

“Are you sure you’re not a succubus, Rhea, because I feel paralyzed by your beauty, your confidence, your mere fucking presence,” he mutters, letting me drag his shirt off his arms.

“I could say the same about you,” I reply, pleased with my handiwork as he now stands before me in his pants and shoes.

“Are you sure you want this?” he asks, seemingly needing another drop of clarification, and I nod, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip.

“Desperately,” I breathe, and that one word seems to set him on fire. His hands are at my waist, lifting me into the air without a moment's pause, and I wrap my legs around his body as he pulls me to him. Our bare chests press together as our lips crash, pleasure rippling through my body as we take from each other.

It’s raw. It’s passionate. It’s us.

Our souls may have encouraged us the first time, but all that did was ignite what was already simmering beneath the surface.

I feel him taking a few steps, but I don’t pull away to see what he’s doing, and moments later I’m being lowered to his bed. Our lips don’t part as he hovers above me, hands on either side of my head as he claims my mouth. I fucking love the weight of a man above me, and with Xander, I know he can deliver.

A moan parts my lips and I run my hands up his arms, clinging to him, but he pulls back, leaving me panting for breath as I gape at him. I almost whimper, but when I watch him unbutton his pants, the sound of the zipper is my undoing, I smile instead, needy for him.

He kicks his shoes off before discarding his pants and boxers, and I hum my approval at his length jutting out toward me. His chocolate brown eyes search mine as I crook my finger, beckoning him closer.

Instead of coming straight to me like I want, he steps to the bottom of the bed, reaching for my heels, and excruciatingly slowly, he unfastens each one, before dropping them to the floor. The move somehow makes me even more desperate, but as I slip my hands into the waistband of my panties, he beats me to it, tearing the material with his bare hands as I gasp in surprise.

“Fuck,” I murmur, staring in awe at him, and he grins intently down at me.

“Soon, baby, but first, I want to taste you,” he states, but instead of nestling between my open thighs like I expect, he flops down on the bed beside me, grabbing my waist and lifting me into the air so my knees fall on each side of his head.

Holy shit.

I scramble for balance as he pulls my pussy to his face, dragging his tongue from my clit to my core, and a cry falls from my mouth as my body shakes with pleasure.

God, I need this man, and I need him now.

Reaching for the wall, I use it for balance as his hands clamp down on my thighs, and my hips instinctively roll, grinding against his face as he laps at my core.

“Holy fuck,” I cry, sweat trickling down my temple already as I give in to all inhibitions, and ride his fucking face like he’s encouraging me to.

From his nose to his chin, his stubble drags against my sensitive skin, eliciting only more ecstasy as he thrusts two fingers deep into my core.

“I’m going to come,” I say, a groan reverberating in my throat, but he only seems to double down, refusing to stop as the tingles of my orgasm begin in my toes, racing up my legs, swirling in my stomach, before my body stiffens, and my mouth forms the perfect O.

I moan, low and long as my eyes close and my movements slow, prolonging every delicious sensation of his body against mine. Only when he’s wrung every last drop from my body does he loosen his grip on my thighs, and I unceremoniously fall to the side. My body sags as I search for strength in my bones, but I’m like jelly.

“Holy fuck,” I repeat, unable to find any other words as he chuckles above me.

Sweat clings to my body from head to toe and I pant, failing to catch my breath as I see his lips glistening with my orgasm.

Hot.

This man is quiet, observant, and a hulk of a man, but fuck is he hot.

And mine.

He wastes no time spreading my thighs wider as he settles in between them, his mouth instantly dropping to the crevice of my neck. Soft, lazy kisses dot from my neck to my collarbone, all the way to my breasts, and my back arches up off the bed, a sign I’m more than ready for more.

“I don’t know what it is about you, Rhea, but I’m addicted,” he mutters against my skin, his fingers finding their way to my core as he teases me. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the unit we have, those guys are my brothers, always, but fuck, the jealousy is real when I’m without you,” he states, before raking his teeth over my nipples and pumping his fingers into my core, making me cry out in response. “You’re not like other girls, Rhea. You’re fiery, independent, hell bent on facing your troubles alone, and you do it all with a wave of confidence that knocks me off my feet.”

A sense of pride warms my chest as he continues to work my body, who knew praise and sexual teasing would get me off?

Apparently Xander.

“For a man of few words most of the time, you sure know what to say when the time comes,” I murmur in response, groaning as he continues to play my body perfectly. “But if you don’t stick your dick inside of me, I might scream, and not the good kind,” I groan, goosebumps rising over my skin at his touch.

I can sense the slight hint of a challenge in his eyes, wanting me to scream for him, but he thankfully inches closer, removing his fingers from my core, and replacing them with his cock.

Slowly, ever so fucking slowly, he inches inside of me, stretching my pussy and setting my soul on fire. Hovering above me, his gaze locked on mine, all I can hear is my pulse ringing in my ears as he fills me.

“So fucking tight, Rhea,” he grunts, planting his hands on either side of my face as he looks down at me. His eyes haven’t shifted to their usual amber hues, but I can sense his wolf beneath the surface. My wolf.

“Fuck me,” I breathe, and without missing a beat, he retreats, before slamming back inside of me, hard and fast, making a cry slip from my lips.

“Louder,” he growls, bringing a hand to my throat at the same time, but any smart comment I have about him making it more difficult for me is lost as he flexes his fingers and fucks me harder, faster.

“Ahh,” I scream, gargled around his hold on me as I feel my face redden, but I fucking love it. I cry out over and over again, unable to stop, as he pistons in and out of me wildly, my raspy shouts only encouraging him.

His pelvic bone grinds against my clit repeatedly, and like a bomb, I detonate for the second time, my thighs clamping down tight around his waist as I ride out wave after wave of my climax.

My eyes fall closed, my body over sensitized as his hips stutter, but before he falls over the cliff with me, he pulls out, and I gasp in dismay.

Forcing myself to open my eyes once more to look at him, it’s only to see him grab my waist and twist me on to my front. I can barely keep myself up as I lift to my knees, but my shoulders remain against the mattress, the sheets muffling my screams as he thrusts back inside me.

My pussy clenches around his cock, like I haven’t climaxed at all yet, and he grips my waist with purpose, bruise marks sure to follow as he fucks me into oblivion.

“Fuck, Rhea. Fuck,” he growls, his voice deep, like his wolf is desperate to come to the surface.

Trying to peer back over my shoulder, I spot his eyes swirling like a vortex of browns and golds, the fight between both sides of him as he claims me, and I shudder with how much I like it.

A sharpness bites into my skin at my hips where he holds me, from his nails trying to extend into claws, and the pain mixed with the pleasure throws me straight into another orgasm as I shiver beneath Xander’s punishing thrusts.

“Oh my Gods,” I cry, tears of ecstasy burning my vision as I feel his movements stutter, and he releases inside of me. His thrusts jagged, slower, yet still just as powerful as he falls with me.

Slowly easing his grip on me, Xander falls to the bed beside me, catching his breath for a moment, before he jumps up, leaving me to lull between consciousness and sleep, only to return with a warm cloth to clean me.

I try to mumble my thanks, but my brain is sex-fried, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I feel him gently place a t-shirt over my head, but I don’t open my eyes to see. Only feeling him curl his body around me as he settles beside me.

If this is what a sex coma feels like, I’ve found my happy place.

Chapter 11

Rhea

D arkness surrounds me.

No matter which way I turn, I can’t see even a glimmer of light.

Nothing.

It’s consuming, frantically making my heart race as I search for something, anything.

Cold stone grazes my hand as I swipe it out to the side desperately.

Where am I?

What the hell is going on?

A flicker of deep purple, so deep it could be as black as the rest of the space around me, flashes right in front of my eyes, but it happens so fast it leaves me questioning whether I made it up.

Until it happens again.

And again.

And again.

It’s almost like a cloak floating in the wind, getting nearer and nearer every time.

I don’t know whether I should be afraid or happy by its presence, but with each inch it gets closer, I find myself sinking in dread, pain, and anguish.

Yet, it doesn’t feel like my own.

My heart somehow manages to race faster as I try to reach my hand out toward it, while it feels like the rest of my body is floating. I have no idea why I’m so drawn to it, but as my fingers search for the color, nothing meets my touch, except an almighty scream that bursts through the air.

It takes my breath away, like the noise is coming from me, but I know it isn’t.

Anger.

Despair.

Torment.

I feel it in every decibel of the scream, and as it intensifies I jolt from the pitch.

“Fuck, Rhea! Rhea!”

Prying my eyes open, I gasp for breath, sinking into the bed beneath me as I try to come to my senses. Every fiber of my body trembles as I feel sweat beading along my hairline, panic locking itself into every inch of my soul.

Finally able to focus, my gaze settles on familiar brown eyes scanning my own, filled with worry.

Xander.

Fuck, it was a dream.

An awful one at that. It felt so real, so true, so pained.

That scream… fuck, that scream.

I know it’s the same one I heard when I touched Pandora’s Box. I know it with one thousand percent certainty.

“Oh, thank Gods, Rhea. You wouldn’t wake up,” Xander murmurs, still hovering above me as he brushes a loose lock of hair back off my damp face. “Are you okay?”

I try to take stock of myself, and Xander must sense me scanning my body because he leans up, coming to sit at my side as I look down to find the t-shirt covering me, completely drenched in sweat.

My chest heaves with each breath and I grip the sheets beneath me, the only thing grounding me in this moment along with Xander’s eyes as the scream threatens to echo in my mind.

“I am, I think. I just…” I try to catch my breath, but I can’t stop panting, panic still trickling down my spine. “I have no idea what that was,” I admit, slowly pushing myself into a sitting position beside him. I blink a second too long and the mist of purple flits beneath my eyelids, forcing them wide once more.

With my legs swung over the side of the bed, I let my chin fall to my chest as I focus on my breathing.

Inhale. It was just a dream, a confusing nightmare.

Hold. I’m safe.

Exhale. Nothing about what I dreamed is real.

Hold. I’m fine, I’ll be okay.

I do this for as long as it takes, repeating the breathing exercise and using my new mantras to help calm me down. Xander silently supports me through it, his hand on top of my left fist, clenching into the sheets as I gain control back from the nightmare that held me in its relentless grip.

When I finally lift my head back up, relaxing my shoulders back as I release a heavy sigh, Xander squeezes my hand. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asks softly, and I turn to look at him, no longer with bleary eyes, which means I can see the exhaustion in his face, mostly covered by concern for me.

His brown hair is ruffled, slept on, and he’s only wearing a pair of boxers. My eyes seem to immediately find his marking on his side, and it settles something within me that I can’t quite explain.

“I don’t know what to say, but let’s not worry about it. I’m fine, I’m okay,” I murmur on autopilot, repeating the mantra from my breathing exercise, and he instantly shakes his head, gripping my chin to force my attention his way.

“Don’t do that, Rhea. Not with me, not when I can sense the dream shook you to the core,” he murmurs softly, a stark difference compared to the tight grip on my chin. “Don’t try to brush things off when I just watched the panic it caused,” he adds, eyes pleading with mine, helplessness etched in his facial features by the gathering of his eyebrows and lips pinched into a slight frown.

Before I can offer a response, he releases his hold on me, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead before he takes my hand, pulling me to my feet. Without a word, I follow, letting him pull me to the chest of drawers to grab a t-shirt, before heading for the bathroom.

I have no idea what he’s doing, or what time it is, but even with my brain scrambled from the nightmare, I know I can trust him.

Entering the bathroom, he places the t-shirt on the vanity by the sink, keeping his other hand securely in mine as he moves to turn the shower on. I try to focus on the room since I’ve never been in here before, but nothing registers in my mind except the sound of the water falling from the shower. Even with my mental chaos, the rhythmic sound is lulling me into a sense of calm.

Xander lets go of my hand to face me head on, grabbing the hem of the t-shirt from my body and peeling it off me to discard it on the floor. I stand before him, naked, but his eyes are fixed on mine.

Trust.

The word floats through my heart and soul, knowing he cares about my well-being and won’t push me or take advantage.

“Would you like me to give you a minute?”

I rub my lips together, understanding settling as I realize he can seem to read me better than I can myself. Feeling this level of acknowledgement and support from him is like nothing I’ve ever had before.

Safety. Comfort.

“No,” I whisper, surprising even myself. “Don’t go,” I add, placing my hand on his chest as I step around him and under the spray of the shower.

The water feels like it’s pelting my skin, the sting sharper than I expected, my nerves frayed from the dream, but I welcome it all the same. Pulling my hair tie out, I drop it to the floor as I run my hands over my wet hair.

I feel Xander’s presence behind me, followed seconds later by the sound of the body wash cap clicking, and in the next breath, his lathered hands are running over my body. My shoulders sag with a mixture of relief and exhaustion as I let him run his hands all over me, appreciating every touch.

Once he’s covered me in his fresh scent, he slowly tilts my chin up to meet his gaze. “What’s on your mind, Rhea?”

I know what’s on my mind, but it feels silly saying it out loud, like I’m overreacting. But trying to keep my lips clamped shut and my thoughts inside, only seems to make my breathing turn ragged again.

Fuck.

“The dream was nothing but darkness, pain, and a scream that pierces my eardrums just thinking about it,” I admit, casting my eyes down to look at his chest instead of his face, and he thankfully moves his hand to my waist, letting me chicken out of his intense gaze. “I’ve heard the scream once before, when I touched Pandora’s Box. I don’t know how I know, but I just do, deep down, that scream belongs to my mother… to Nyx,” I explain, shaking my head as I hear the words out loud. Trying to shake whatever seems to be consuming me.

He doesn’t say a word, letting me process everything in my brain before letting it spill from my lips, all while trailing his palms over my skin gently, comforting. The feeling is short-lived when a million questions rush through my mind, each blending into the next, demanding to be asked but not expecting an answer.

“How are they my parents, Xander? Zeus is the man responsible for the death of Nyx. How? Is she still alive? None of it makes any sense at all. Either, she didn’t die when everyone says she did, or my date of birth is a lie,” I state, still thinking out loud as I meet his gaze. There’s no sympathy there, no gross empathy I don’t want nor need, just understanding.

Just Xander.

“The real question is, Rhea, do you want to find out or continue like it doesn’t exist? I will attack the situation with you, however you see fit,” he offers, a soft smile on his lips, and I nod, acknowledging the small reference to his wolf.

“It’s driving me crazy, apparently more subconsciously than I realized,” I reply, referring to my dream. “I don’t think I can offer an honest and definitive answer to that question right now,” I admit, swiping my hand down my face.

“That makes sense, but it’s one you should consider,” he murmurs, brushing his lips against my temple, and I smile. “This is completely random, and likely out of left field for you, but I’ve had a question playing on my mind too,” he adds, and I quirk an eyebrow at him, open for whatever it is, anything to shift the focus away from my dream and my parents.

“Hit me with it,” I say, trying to shake the remains of the darkness from my soul as he runs a hand over his chin, eyes peering at me with concern.

“We are both well aware what happened with the condom the first time I got you alone, and last night, it foolishly slipped my mind and I’m sorry. What protection are you taking?”

Yep. Definitely out of left field.

“Uh, none,” I say, swiping my tongue over my bottom lip, but before I can explain further, his face scrunches in confusion.

“None?” he grunts, needing clarification, and I nod. “Are you wanting to grow the unit this early?” he asks, not actually looking mad about it, more curious.

What the hell? If that was the case, shouldn’t he be running for the hills instead of being fascinated by the prospect?

“No, nope, definitely not,” I say with a shudder, which only seems to leave him even more confused. I don’t blame him, my actions and words are not aligned.

“Then please help a guy out,” he murmurs, rubbing at his temple.

“No, uh, down in Phoenix Valley, when you turn fourteen, you’re required to have your reproduction abilities frozen. Then only when you’re married and ready to make a family can you have it reversed,” I explain, but that somehow doesn’t seem to calm the situation as his face reddens and his grip at my waist tightens.

“What the fuck does that mean?” His words are short, clipped, and angry, his eyes flashing amber, but they don’t feel like they’re aimed at me so much, well, the tone at least.

“It just means there are no unexpected pregnancies, apparently. Life down there is nothing like the grandness of this Academy. There are no places to live, no—”

“Wait, one, this place isn’t grand compared to the rest of Paradise Heights, and two, who the fuck did this to you?” He takes a step back, looking down at my stomach, pursing his lips as he tries to remain calm, but his chest is heaving with every breath he takes.

“It was at the medical center, I just—”

“No, Rhea, I want names. Right. Now.” His eyes flare amber again, for a longer period of time, his body tense with anger as I gape like a fucking goldfish at him. His reaction to human contraception is intense.

“I can’t give you any names, Xander,” I say as calmly as possible as I watch him spiral before me.

Spiral because of something that happened to me, society’s sick version of population control.

Spiral because of something that had never mattered as much as it does now seeing his pained face.

Who the fuck is this guy, and why the hell does he care so much? I almost can’t stand how foreign it feels. Being a lone ranger was easy, comforting almost, and this feels like an entirely different realm altogether.

“I want answers and I want them now. Don’t sugarcoat things because you don’t think I can handle it,” he grunts, turning to step out of the shower and grab a towel off the side, dragging it over his face as he gets angrier with each breath. A growl reverberates in his throat, a sign his wolf is tempted to step forward as I try to cool him off.

“Xander, it’s fine. Do you even know what time it is? You can’t go causing a scene over something that happened eight years ago,” I state, but he just scoffs at me like I said the most ridiculous thing ever.

“Please, it was nine in the morning when you woke, and I can cause all the scene I want. Someone violated you. They don’t do that to supernaturals, and they certainly don’t get to do that to you or other young women, taking the choice from them is disgusting,” he grinds out.

I release a sigh, scrambling to find a way to calm him down. It’s the norm for me, a medical procedure I grew up knowing would happen, so it’s not as much of a big deal as it seems to be for him. I don’t know where he’s going to go, who he’s going to speak to, but it’s out of my hands now. I just have to trust he won’t kill anyone.

“Xander, don’t you like the ability to fuck me without a condom and not have to worry about children?” I ask, pointing out exactly what I like about it, but he shakes his head.

“One day I’m going to plant seed after seed inside of you, when we’re ready, and create a fucking phenomenal family unit, I swear. But, Rhea, someone touched what’s mine in a way I refuse to accept. I will get to the bottom of this.”

With that, he turns on his heel, marching back into his bedroom with determination as I remain under the shower.

Fuck.

This wasn’t exactly the kind of distraction I was expecting after a disturbing dream. He can find whatever answers he needs to get over it, while I distract myself in the shower, with another perfect O.

Chapter 12

Khaos

A nger coils in my stomach as I charge through the portal leading to Agion. I can sense my brothers and Rhea right behind me, but I don’t stop to speak with them. My emotions are heightened, my rage toward my family, and my disappointment in what I must do consumes me.

“Khaos, is everything okay?” Rhea asks, concern dripping in her voice as I reach my room, but there’s nothing I can say to that. I will have to eventually, but not right now.

My hands clench at my sides before I force them open, flexing my fingers as I dismissively wave her off. Placing my palm to my door, it unlocks, and I waste no time stepping inside and slamming it shut behind me.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I lean my back against the wooden door, eyes closed as I try to fight the anger twisting in my chest. I knew it would become like this. I barely just agreed to confirming our unit, and the moment I do, things escalate. It would be fine if my mother wasn’t able to observe and scrutinize it all.

Everything could have been okay, but two words from Zellus’ mouth the night they took Rhea, and my mother became obsessed.

Sealed Souls.

Glancing around my room, I try to shake off everything troubling me, but it’s no use. I click my bathroom door shut, not wanting Xander or Rhea to have access to me through the adjoining bathroom, before kicking my shoes off and sitting on the edge of my bed.

To say my mother is a member of the Hex, you would expect a classy, high standard room, but it’s beyond bare in here. The walls are white, my bedding teal colored, with a gray carpet. There’s my bed, a nightstand, and a chest of drawers beside the walk-in closet. Nothing on the walls, nothing personal in the open space. Just my presence.

Swiping my hands down my face I shield away from my stark reality, flopping back on the bed as I scrub at my forehead.

Rhea is on the other side of the wall behind me with Xander.

How am I supposed to settle down and fall asleep with her so close, unable to touch her any longer, unable to claim what I thought would be mine?

All of it gone, and all for one reason.

As if sensing their presence in my mind, a sharp knock sounds at my door, and I know immediately who it is, my gut twisting with annoyance. I just want to be left alone, stew in my misery alone.

I consider ignoring them, but it won’t do any good, not in the long run. With a heavy sigh, I rise from the bed, shaking my suit jacket off. I place it on the bed where I just sat, before making my way over to the door.

It swings open in slow motion, but still not slow enough, since my mother comes into view far too quickly. Her black hair is pulled back into a tight updo, elongating her neck as she wears a black sheer dress that makes her look like a mystical tale of Dracula’s wife or something else ridiculous.

“Mother,” I offer in a clipped voice, not moving aside to let her in, but that doesn’t stop her as she barges past me with a disapproving huff. I have no idea how she found herself in Agion, and that pisses me off even more than her actual presence.

“Shut the door, Khaos, you never quite know who’ll be listening.” Disdain drips from every word, waving her hand for me to close the door, and I kick it shut with my foot, turning to face her.

“Is there something specific you wanted, Mother?” I ask in a bored tone, trying to hurry her up. “We’ve already spoken once this evening. Don’t you think that was enough?” I add, quirking my eyebrow at her as she shakes her head disapprovingly.

“It won’t be enough, Khaos, not until you listen to me properly, and do as I say,” she states, damn close to stamping her foot in a fit of agitation, and I try not to scoff at her childish behavior.

“Then we’ll be talking all night. I heard what you had to say, Mother, but I’m not a puppet on your strings, and neither is she,” I say with a shrug, meeting her gaze as her eyes immediately flash black.

“Don’t you understand what this could do for the family name, Khaos? We could excel, our powers on par with Zeus. The possibilities would be endless,” she says, her voice getting louder with exasperation as she takes a step toward me. Her eyes almost take on a dream-like glaze as she imagines her new life.

“Your possibilities are already endless, Mother. You always want more with your controlling ways, and just so we’re clear, again, I refuse to be a part of it,” I state, folding my arms over my chest as I stare her down.

Her jaw ticks as she looks me over from head to toe. I can practically hear her internal monologue from here. I’m a true disappointment, the child she can’t manipulate. The one who doesn’t see things the way she does.

She wishes I was selfish, cut-throat, and power hungry like she is, when actually, I’m far from it and I always will be. Our morals will never align, no matter what.

I watch as a sneer takes form on her lips, her body inching toward mine until we’re toe to toe and her angry red eyes burn into mine. With her heels on, we’re the same height tonight, adding another sense of power to her list as she jabs her finger into my chest.

“You can’t sit on your high horse forever, Khaos. I created you, and you will do as I say,” she hisses, the spot on my chest likely to bruise as she continues to jab, but I give nothing away as I look at her expectantly. Waiting for her rant to continue.

I don’t respond. There’s no point. I’m not going to tell her what she wants to hear, and arguing will only send us into a battle, neither of us willing to concede. When she realizes my silence is all I’m going to offer her, she brushes past me, wrapping her hand around the door handle as she glances back at me over her shoulder.

“You can stand there like I don’t control you, Khaos, but it won’t last long and you know it,” she says through gritted teeth, jutting her chin up in defiance, reminding me of my place. “I don’t care that you say Rhea has no interest in you being in the unit, force her or not, I want your soul sealed to hers, and the power and control that can come along with it.”

She doesn’t offer another word as she steps through the doorway, not looking back, but I wait a moment before slamming the door shut. Without her presence, I heave in each breath as rage consumes me.

This is what she does. This is who she is. And I will give up everything I thought I could possibly have with Rhea, if it means keeping her out of my mother’s reach.

SLEEP EVADES me most of the night, my mother’s parting words playing on repeat in my mind as I will myself to forget.

To forget about my mother’s demands.

To forget about the woman consuming my dreams.

To forget about the future I should have known would never have been possible.

Fuck.

Swiping my hair back off my face I give up on sleep, glancing at the clock on my nightstand to see it’s almost ten in the morning. It would have felt like sleeping in if I hadn’t been awake until five.

This is exactly what I don’t want for Rhea. My mother’s influence plaguing her thoughts, questioning every decision she makes. I’d rather she just thinks I am the king of all assholes as I push her away. It might not be what I really want, but it’s something I can control in this fucked up web of shit my mother has spun.

Shifting in my bed, I swing my legs over the side, stretching my back out as a yawn breaks past my lips.

I’m going to have to come up with something to say to the guys, but I have a feeling the truth won’t remain hidden for long. They always have a way of seeing right through me, and my mother’s tendency to stir up bullshit isn’t a secret.

I need to shower and go for a run, burn off some steam. Once my powers kick in and my vampire speed evolves, I’m not going to enjoy running as much since it won’t strain me or burn out my muscles anymore. So I want to make the most of the feeling I crave while I still can. I need to clear my mind of everything.

Standing, I grab a pair of running shorts and a t-shirt to change into, along with a fresh pair of boxers and socks, and make my way to the bathroom.

I twist the door handle, letting the door swing open, but I’m too trapped in my own mind, in my swirling thoughts, to acknowledge the sound of running water before it’s too late.

My gaze shoots up from the tiled floor, darting to the shower to my right and I freeze in place. I was expecting to holler my apologies to Xander for barging in, but instead I find myself looking at the bane of my existence at the moment.

Rhea.

Every inch of her luscious skin is on display, the steam on the glass paneling doing nothing to hide her beauty as she stands under the spray, head tilted back as the water cascades over her.

Fuck.

As if my curse word is said out loud and not just in my mind, her gaze tilts to mine, and her eyes widen in surprise, but she doesn’t move to shield herself or hide away.

Nope. Because she’s hot as fuck, exuding confidence and comfort in her own skin. Traits I crave, yet now seems like the worst kind of temptation.

I remain frozen in place as her tongue darts out and swipes over her bottom lip, removing the water, enticing me. “If you had shown up a few minutes earlier, I would have been giving you a show,” she says with a slight smirk to her lips, the meaning clear behind her words as I struggle to swallow past the lump in my throat.

I’ve spent all night explaining to myself over and over again why I’m making the right choice, protecting her from my mother’s power play, only to find her like this. Naked. Sinful. Dangerous. Everything. It’s like the fucking Gods are testing my strength and willpower.

She doesn’t wait for a response as she turns the shower off and steps out, reaching for a fluffy cream towel, and wrapping it around her chest, shielding the delicate parts of her body I was unable to turn away from moments ago.

She is tempting.

She is enticing.

She is consuming.

All the potential between us swirls down the drain along with the water in the shower. It can’t be her, I refuse. My mother will only use me to sink her claws into something sweet, beautiful, and fucking perfect, molding her like clay to get what she wants. Whatever that actually is.

I think there’s a part of me subconsciously that worries I would give myself to her, and not feel the beauty of sealing our souls together like she has with Xander and Adonis. I’ve seen them with her, wondering what it feels like to be that way with someone, but the disappointment of it not happening? Yeah, that’s definitely playing a part in my decision.

I’d rather love her from afar than bring her down into the depths of my pain at the hands of my family. After her past so far, she deserves better.

Shaking my head, I pull myself from my thoughts, feeling her eyes on me as I bring my eyes back to hers. There’s anguish swirling in them, it’s barely visible, but it’s there, under the surface. I want to give in, reach out and find what has tainted her eyes like that, but I don’t. Clenching the clothes in my hand, I release a sigh, before taking a deep breath.

I offer her a disapproving glance as I speak through clenched teeth. “Next time, lock the fucking door,” I bite, turning to leave. I hear her gasp in surprise at my outburst, the only words I’m offering, before I storm back into my room and slam the door shut behind me.

The thud reverberates in my chest far longer than it should, and when it doesn’t ease, I know it’s not the shudder from the slam, but my own heart racing with anger at myself.

Chapter 13

Rhea

H eat consumes me, the room is too warm as I move to shake the covers off in a huff, but as I try to lift my leg to kick the blanket away, I’m met with a thick thigh pressed against my own. The sun creeps in through the curtains that aren’t fully closed as I blink through the haze.

My eyes widen in panic, my brain one hundred percent certain I fell asleep alone, but the arm banded around my waist, and face tucked into my neck defies that confidence in my memory.

Peering back over my shoulder, body tense, I release the breath lodged in my throat as I find Adonis sleeping beside me. I mentally facepalm myself for not automatically assuming it was him because he seems to be the only sealed soul who is kinda clingy right now.

But seriously.

What the ever loving fuck is this man doing?

After spending the rest of Sunday hiding away in my room, slightly jilted by Khaos’ dismissal of me, adding to the drama of my nightmare and Xander bursting out of the room demanding answers about my reproductive organs, I didn’t expect to wake up with a fucking demon curled around me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Avoiding the guys was easier than giving Harmonia the slip, who inevitably had me letting her in so we could watch some movies before she called it a night and went to her own room. I didn’t unload on her this time, instead I let my thoughts swirl on repeat in my mind.

I glance between Adonis beside me and the bathroom door that remains shut. I can’t help but gape at his audacity and his lack of respect for my boundaries. Trying to shift a little, his arm tightens around my waist, making it difficult to move as his lips brush gently against my skin.

“Adonis, what the hell are you doing in here?” I grumble, trying to decide exactly how upset I am about this on a scale of one to I’m-going-to-strangle-this-demon.

He releases a sigh against my shoulder, his lips moving against my hair as he leans back to answer. “Keeping my cock warm nestled against your ass cheeks, what does it look like I’m doing?” He thrusts his hips into my ass, clarifying his point, and I roll my eyes at his utter ridiculousness.

“How did you get in here?” I ask, brushing my hair back off my face as he simply points in the direction of the bathroom. “That was locked,” I state, trying to keep my voice firm, but it’s harder than I expect when he’s snuggled into me like this.

“And I unlocked it, Rhea. I did warn you my separation anxiety was getting real. It’s not my fault you didn’t believe me,” he explains, propping himself up on his elbow to look down at me as I give him a pointed stare.

He’s such a shit it’s not even funny, yet it somehow softens my defenses towards him.

“I didn’t agree to this,” I mumble, losing the fight before it’s even begun as he grins down at me, his blond hair sticking out in every direction. His playful side gives me all the warm fuzzies and I almost want to gag at myself for feeling that way.

“I didn’t agree to you making me feel like this either, but here we are,” he says, planting a kiss on my forehead, before glancing to my nightstand. I follow his line of sight, noticing the time which seems to have his attention. My alarm isn’t due to go off for another hour. “Do you want to take a shower together, then actually head down for breakfast this morning?”

“I have—”

He raises his hand, interrupting me as he quirks his eyebrow. “If you’re about to say you have a protein bar in here, I’m going to shush you with my cock in your mouth.” It almost feels like a challenge, one that sends a shiver down my spine as I rake my teeth over my bottom lip, debating whether or not to try my luck. “Hmm, apparently that’s not a punishment,” he adds, winking at me, and a dry laugh falls from my mouth.

Before I can respond, my stomach grumbles, declaring how hungry I am. Adonis leaps over me, landing on the floor as he places his hands on his hips and meets my gaze. “No time for fun this morning. You’re hungry, let’s go.”

I pout.

Fucking pout.

And it only makes a smile spread across his lips. In just a pair of black boxers, his abs and the outline of his cock on full display, I want to cry with how fucking chiseled and beautiful he is.

“Soon, baby. Now, let’s go shower, I can watch you, recharge my core and enjoy the view all on my own,” he states, offering me his hand.

I don’t know how he seems to be able to create such a fun and relaxed atmosphere without even trying, and I almost wonder if he’s using his magic on me right now, but I know that’s not true. His aura was this infectious before our souls sealed.

Placing my hand in his, I let him lift me to my feet, before he turns me so my back is against his bare chest, my head leaning back on his shoulder as he swipes his hand, making the bed sheets.

“Is that really what you’re using your magic for these days?” I ask, a hint of sarcasm dripping in my tone as I look up at him, and he grins, flicking his hand toward my walk-in closet. Without missing a beat, the doors swing open and a fresh uniform floats over to the bed.

Show off.

His chest rumbles beneath my head as he chuckles, and I hum in approval. “Impressive,” I murmur, reaching to squeeze his bicep. “But you forgot my panties,” I state, pointing to the clothes on my bed.

“Did I though?” he whispers back playfully, before lifting me off my feet and carrying me to the bathroom, the pair of us laughing light-heartedly at the carefree vibe surrounding us.

I can definitely go to breakfast now, even if only to rile him up when I hold him to the no panties challenge he just set.

I SIT BACK in my seat, pushing my empty plate away from me as I finish my breakfast. Admittedly, the French toast and berries were to die for, it doesn’t mean I’m going to be forcing myself down here every morning. But I’ll definitely be making more of an effort, that’s for sure, even if I’m not really a breakfast person.

The Elites and I sat alone for breakfast, Harmonia and the twins nowhere in sight. That didn’t mean the rest of the students weren’t sitting around us, murmuring and gossiping about us, or more recently, me, and my parental situation Zellus dropped at the Solstice Ball on Saturday evening.

No one’s shy to point in my direction, and they don’t talk behind their hands like they used to in high school. This is some amped up gossip that’s for sure.

Motherfucking cocksucking asshole.

Xander sits to my left, eating enough food to feed a small army, while he keeps one hand splayed out on my thigh. Zen is to my right with a bowl of oatmeal, honey and brown sugar before him. He keeps looking at me with so much heat in his gaze that it almost boils me over the edge.

Whenever I look at him, I remember the snow and the way he watched me watching it fall from the sky, and I fucking melt right along with it. I’m drawn to him, my fingers itching to play in his blond hair as my pulse quickens in his presence.

I’m so fucking screwed.

Pulling my gaze, I stare straight across the table to Adonis, who pouted for the first ten minutes of us arriving because he wasn’t sitting beside me even though he had spent a huge part of the night in my bed. Mumbling about separation anxiety being a thing even in this situation, and I almost gave in like a love sick fucking puppy, but Xander and Zen refused. Which led to Adonis lifting my feet up into his lap, and he calmed immediately. Clearly it’s physical touch he needs in order to tamper down the anxiety he’s experiencing. It’s not a cure all, but it’s a work around.

If only I didn’t have my shoes on, then I could tease the outline of his cock from here. He’d love it. And I’d get a bit of revenge.

Khaos on the other hand, continues to ignore me, not meeting my gaze or joining in any conversations, which makes it more obvious to everyone else that there’s an issue here. I just don’t want to hash it out, especially not in public, and not after his outburst yesterday. I’m a glutton for punishment, but I can’t sign up for right now. He can’t hide from this forever.

With a heavy sigh, I glance away from him and his piercing green eyes that hide beneath his black hair. Only to spy Selene, the supreme bitch, glaring daggers at me.

What. Else. Is. Fucking. New.

She has her minions to one side of her, and Hector to the other, an alliance seemingly forming between the two of them from their mutual distaste —which is putting it lightly— for the Elites and me.

Her lips lift in a sneer as she points her finger at me, gossiping to her friends for me to see, but I just roll my eyes, bored of her petty bullshit as I dismiss her, focusing back on the table as Xander speaks.

“Did you hear anything more, Zen?” he asks eagerly, and I wet my lips, turning my attention to Zen as I try and catch up on the conversation.

Zen shakes his head, wincing slightly as he offers me an apologetic look. “No. We definitely know it’s angel magic that’s involved, but I’ve asked around a little without trying to draw too much attention to the subject, and it hasn’t gotten me very far, yet,” he explains, my brows knitting together in confusion.

“What are you guys talking about?” The way Zen looked and currently looks at me only makes it clear the subject involves yours truly, but he doesn’t answer, nodding his head toward Xander for him to take the reins.

Settling my gaze on Xander, his brown hair ruffled on his head as he swipes his free hand through it, I focus on the fire instantly burning beneath his eyes. “This is about your reproductive organs being frozen,” he states gruffly, and I instantly catch on to the meaning behind Zen’s response, rolling my eyes.

“Xander, I got over it a long time ago. You should too. At least this way you get to fuck me with nothing between us,” I say again, attempting a reassuring smile, but it definitely falls flat as he glares at me.

“Rhea, I’m not going to fucking ask someone when the time comes if I can please put a baby in you. No. Fucking. Way.” His hand clenches on the table as anger gets the better of him, and I release a sigh, hating that his body is suddenly so rigid. “Zen is trying to find out how we undo it,” he advises, a sure nod following, and I swipe a hand down my face in desperation.

“It’s not necessary, Zen, I—”

Turning my gaze to face him, he holds his hand up between us, pausing my words.

“I understand you’ve gotten over it, Rhea, and I understand the fact that you now see the positive side to the situation. But, and I need you to answer me truthfully, without outside influence.” His eyes shift to Xander momentarily before returning to me. “Would you like the ability to make your own decision and have the ball back in your court on the matter?” He places his arm on the back of my chair, trailing his fingers over my shoulder as I gape at him because he asked me for my opinion. A sense of relief washes over me as I acknowledge in my gut what is true to me.

Nibbling on my bottom lip, I remember the disdain and heartbreak I felt when it happened. Another memory that made me so isolated, cold, and numb to the world. It was a scenario I knew would happen, but I didn’t like it or want it, I just had no ability to fight against it. But now, with these guys beside me, I almost feel like anything and everything is possible, including the chance to feel whole again. All of my body in one piece.

“Yes,” I whisper in response, and he offers me a soft smile, leaning close to place a kiss on my temple at the same time Xander squeezes my thigh and Adonis my ankle.

Fuck.

All three of them touching me at once is going to send me into an orgasmic oblivion, and I’m not going to complain about it. I hear Adonis chuckle under his breath, a clear sign he’s reading my fucking arousal, so I pull my feet from his lap, and reach down to grab my satchel.

“Let’s go,” Khaos grumbles abruptly, rising from his seat and heading for the door without a backward glance. My body tightens with disappointment at his easy dismissal along with his lack of involvement, not that I wanted him to engage but at least act like he’s still part of the unit.

It wasn’t like this last week. There was an unspoken hunger between us, and now… nothing. From him anyway. Now I just feel confused as fuck.

Xander, Adonis, and Zen all rise, and I follow them too. “Thank you, Xander. For fighting for me even when I didn’t know how to for myself,” I murmur, looking up at him, and he grins down at me, simply nodding in response as his hand comes around to my ass, squeezing as he pulls me in close.

“Whatever you need, Rhea,” he replies, making a small smile spread across my face.

“I’ve also been thinking about the parent situation, and I think I want to dive into it all. Burying my head in the sand isn’t my usual action, but here I am, doing it more than I care to admit, so I need to rectify that now,” I explain, and his grin widens as he kisses my forehead.

“We’ll help you however we can.”

As simple as that. Support, guidance, a unit. It gives me fucking butterflies.

Where are the eyeroll and green puking emojis when you need them? Because these guys are turning me into a big fucking pile of Elite mush. And I think I like it.

“All of us,” Adonis says from across the table, pulling me back from my cheesy thoughts, and I nod in thanks as we start to move toward the exit.

With Xander’s arm around my waist, and Adonis’ fingers laced with mine, there are blatant stares as we cut through the aisles, but I just relish in my unit's touch as Zen taps away on his phone.

Stepping out into the hall, my footsteps halt as I see Professor Riva ahead, and before I can think better of it, I’m slipping from between Adonis and Xander, calling out his name as I race toward him.

“Professor Riva!”

He turns immediately, pausing in place until his eyes land on mine among the few students walking down the hall.

“Rhea, is everything okay?” he asks, a hint of concern in his eyes as he looks me over.

“Yeah, sorry, everything’s fine. I just, uhm, well, I wondered if the offer to learn about my gift from Pandora’s Box is still on the table?” I blurt out, stumbling over my words as I try to talk quickly and quietly.

At the mention of my gift, he stands taller, nodding sharply in response as he braces his hands on his hips. “Of course, whatever you need,” he advises, and my shoulders sag in relief. “How soon do you want to start? I’m free most evenings,” he adds, and excitement bubbles in my stomach at the prospect of getting answers.

“Tonight?” I ask, and he nods in agreement, a soft smile relaxing his facial expression.

“Be at the Combat hall by five, and we can begin figuring everything out, okay?” he offers, and I nod, mumbling my thanks as Adonis appears at my side.

“What’s going on?” he asks, glaring at the professor as he pulls me into his side, and I fight the eye roll desperate to take over my face. So fucking dramatic.

“Nothing,” I murmur, slamming my lips shut. Professor Riva looks between us, not wanting to engage in the questioning, he offers a simple nod, before turning and heading for the staircase.

With everything going on in my life right now, especially the past week, I feel like learning about my dagger is going to help me in some way. I’m fighting a supernatural battle here, and it was a gift from Pandora’s Box after all. Now to just figure it out so I’m not so outnumbered.

Chapter 14

Rhea

A fter two full on classes this morning with the second years, I’m more than ready to rest, eat, and fucking recharge for five minutes before lunch. Everyone has looked at me like a pariah, side eyeing the hell out of me, while still worshiping the ground both Xander and Adonis walk on.

Once an Elite, always an Elite apparently. The fact they now have their powers from sealing their soul with mine only seems to elevate them.

Magic classes feel much more intense now that I’m actually standing with the Gods and not casually strolling around the room in a clueless haze. No one has their ‘godly’ powers awakened yet, so I don’t feel like a complete newbie since mine are so haywire, it feels like they’re non-existent anyway. A blessing and a curse.

But my focus hasn’t been in the lessons today either, my mind reeling with a mixture of excitement and nervousness at the thought of taking my dagger to Professor Riva later.

I step into the dining hall, Adonis and Xander both at my side as we move straight toward the center table where Zen, Khaos, Harmonia, Thalia, and Cassandra are seated already. I watch them laugh over something Thalia says, including Khaos, but as soon as we approach the table and he catches sight of me, his smile drops.

My gut clenches as I keep my facial reaction neutral, refusing to look vulnerable in front of everyone in the hall, including him. I want to approach him about his shitty vibe, but I feel like I need to chat with one of the others first, most likely Zen, maybe get a few pointers on how to approach the enigma that is Khaos Black. The conversation needs to be productive and not an all out battle because we’re both hot-headed. Accusations can’t be thrown around and in order for me to go into this with an understanding mind, I need to find out more.

“Hey,” Zen murmurs, his smile gentle as he glances up at me, patting the seat beside him, and I take it, with Adonis shoving Xander out of the way to grab the spot on the other side of me. Xander scoffs, a grumble rumbling through his body as he stalks around the table to take the spot in between Khaos and Thalia.

Men turning to petty children to be as close as possible to me. All because of our sealed souls. I love it more than I hate it, but that could be down to how out of the ordinary it is.

Harmonia laughs at Adonis from the other side of him, then gives a swift elbow to his side because of the ridiculousness that is Adonis, while Cassandra snorts from her seat facing Zen. I shake my head, ignoring them all as I busy myself with the tablet that appears before me, selecting my lunch as conversation continues around me.

I opt for the barbecue chicken pizza with extra sauce, needing all the carbs to burn later with Riva, along with a bottle of sweet tea. The second the tablet disappears, I feel Zen swoop his arm around the back of my chair as he clears his throat.

I know what he’s going to say before he even says it.

I know he won’t let it rest like Adonis and Xander seemed to do this morning.

I know they’re all wondering the same, but aren’t going to be the ones to ask.

And I know he hasn’t stopped considering the situation over and over in his mind since I left him earlier.

“So, what—”

“Oh, save your breath, Zen. You want to know what I was talking to Riva about earlier, don’t you?” I finish, turning to glance at him with my eyebrow quirked.

He swipes his fingers over his mouth, trying to hide the smirk playing at his lips, but it’s impossible. He fucking likes that I can read him so well and so quickly. It’s bizarre to me, but he seems to wear his heart and intentions on his sleeve. Always.

“She wants help with her gift from Pandora’s Box,” Xander says casually, my jaw hitting the floor as I gawk at him in surprise, but he simply shrugs, pointing at his ear. “Come on, I’ve had my magic for weeks. It’s not my fault you all forget I have exceptional fucking hearing now,” he grunts, tossing a wink my way as he continues selecting his food and goes back to ignoring us.

Goddamn this man.

If he heard that, he heard what I got from Pandora’s Box too then, and that thought leaves me feeling nervous. But the fact he hasn’t blurted it out so casually definitely settles something inside of me.

“If you want help with your gift from Pandora, we can always help you,” Zen murmurs, running his fingers through the strands of my ponytail.

“We haven’t even figured our own out yet, it’s probably not a good idea to be adding someone else’s to the list too, Zen,” Khaos states, shaking his head dismissively, he doesn’t even bother to look in our direction.

What a fucking asshole.

“Rude much?” Cassandra hisses under her breath at her cousin, jabbing him in the arm, but he just glares at her before returning to the steak in front of him like the conversation never happened. She turns back to me, offering me an apologetic smile on his behalf. Not that it’s necessary, or even her place, but I force myself to smile in response.

I know she’s only trying to help, but she doesn’t need to be dragged into the drama too.

“What gift did you get?” Adonis asks, steering the conversation back to the object, and I scoff as I turn to my left to glance at him.

“Please, haven’t you asked me that before anyway?” I deflect with a nervous laugh, unable to stop my gaze flicking to Xander’s, only to find him staring at me already.

He knows.

He definitely knows.

I can see it in his eyes, but to my surprise, he keeps his mouth shut. Although, I don’t miss the way his brows knit together in confusion.

“Yeah, but that was before I sealed my soul to you and claimed you as mine,” Adonis replies, his hand finding its way to my bare thigh, slipping beneath the hem of my Academy skirt, and reminding me of the things I know he can do at this table. “Now there are no secrets between us, right?” he adds, his eyes rounding behind his circular glasses as he leans in close.

His very fucking essence turns me to a puddle of drool over him. Gods help me if he ever attempts to use his incubus abilities on me too. I’m already a goner, I dread to think how I’d embarrass myself.

Clearing my throat, I force myself to cross my legs, crushing his hand between my thighs before he can dance his fingers any higher. “I could maybe consider it, but I don’t think it’s a conversation to be had here,” I state, eyes flicking around the rest of the dining hall, reminding him of all the people present. “We know people like to lurk where they’re not wanted to get details on us,” I murmur, referring to Selene and her bitch move following us out to the woods when Xander shifted. We thought we were alone, but we were so wrong, and look where that led us.

They may be the Elites, and they may hold the attention of everyone here, but that isn’t always a good thing. Not when others aren’t getting what they want from them. Forever scorned.

My hands clench, the thought of getting my hands on the supreme bitch getting the better of me time and time again, until I feel a pair of lips press against my neck from behind me.

Zen.

Always with the ability to calm me. How is it even possible with a single touch?

Holy fuck.

I bite back a groan at the contact, just as my food appears before me, and both Zen and Adonis give me some space, releasing me from their touch as I unceremoniously take a huge bite of my pizza.

If I have a mouth full of food, I can’t answer any more questions, and that sounds like one hell of a solution to me.

“But it’s a conversation you’re willing to have?” Zen asks for clarification when I’m about to take another bite, and I side eye him. Gods, he always needs me to clarify, wanting my final word on the matter. It’s like a breath of fresh air whenever he looks at me expectantly for my opinion or input.

I glance at Xander again, his eyebrow raised as he looks back at me, not uttering a word, and I think I fucking swoon harder for him because of it. He really does know, and he’s really not saying anything.

Wetting my lips, I glance at Zen. “I could be persuaded,” I state, stuffing pizza into my mouth again before he asks me another question.

“She’ll show you hers, if you show her yours,” Harmonia states, waggling her eyebrows, and I fucking choke on the pizza in my mouth, my eyes streaming with unshed tears as I laugh at her statement.

Zen rubs my back, chuckling along with everyone else at my expense, but it’s in good spirits, and I can’t even imagine what I look like. Units are definitely a thing here, and something I’m more than interested in, but it’s not something I would see in Phoenix Valley. When I catch my breath, I lean back in my seat, inhaling deeply as I brush a single tear from my eye.

“Are we laughing about what an embarrassment you are?”

Her voice grates on every nerve in my body, my shoulders tensing as I keep my gaze fixed on Xander’s for a moment. I haven’t got the fucking energy to deal with this girl today. Of course she has to present herself when I’m having a carefree moment.

Dumb bitch has to ruin my good mood and put me on defense. Always.

One day, I’m going to have some kind of power, one I can actually handle, and I’m going to make her regret the shit she tries to pull on me.

“What do you want?” I ask, turning to her with a bored expression on my face. She’s standing just to the side of Khaos, her hip leaning against the back of his seat and I want to punch her in the fucking face for just breathing.

My body is screaming that he’s mine as he leans to the side, moving slightly away from her, and it settles the crazy rising inside of me a little, but not enough, nowhere near enough.

“I was just wondering what it feels like to be the daughter of the vile bitch who destroyed our fucking world for so long?” she shouts, making sure she garners the interest of everyone in the room.

What is it with this place and the dramatics? It’s fucking exhausting to watch, even more exhausting to be the target, I can’t imagine myself following that path. Life is complicated enough without high school pettiness.

“How does it feel to put that much makeup on and still be unable to hide the green of your jealousy? Are you upset that your mother isn’t powerful enough to match Nyx? Or that Zeus isn’t your daddy?” A sickly sweet smile appears on my face, lacing my fingers together in front of me as I begin to watch her meltdown, but Adonis quickly places his hand on top of mine, pulling them to his lips.

I watch as Selene’s gaze follows the movement, her face reddening with anger at the affectionate gesture. As much as I hate the added attention, I can’t help but give an invisible hats off to Adonis because he certainly knows how to get a rise out of her. That might not be a good thing either.

Leaning forward, bracing one hand on the table, while the other grips the back of Khaos’ seat, she sneers. “You’re nothing, it’s the only reason they want you. Zeus’ blood is far too diluted since it has been mixed with Nyx’s for you to be anything more than a bottom feeder.” The hand on Khaos’ chair moves to his shoulder, like she’s familiar with his body, like she has a right to touch him, and I fucking lose it.

I should have known better than to play right into her trap.

Yanking my hands from Adonis’, I hear the sound of my chair scraping across the floor as I rise to my feet, feeling everyone’s eyes in the dining hall look our way, but my focus is locked on her.

“You can call me nothing, you can call me whatever you want, I really couldn’t give a shit,” I bite, moving around Zen’s seat until I’m standing toe to toe with her. She pushes back up off the table, a little height difference between us as she flexes her hand on Khaos’ shoulder. “But if you lay one hand on what’s mine again, I’ll have no choice but to slice off every single one of your fingers, with a blunt fucking butter knife,” I growl, my voice deepening as my magic swirls inside of me. “Then I’ll gouge your fucking eyes out so you can’t look at my unit again. Which will lead me to cutting your goddamn tongue out so I don’t have to hear your screeching voice ever again. Am I making myself clear enough for your simple mind?”

My chest heaves with each breath as I whip my hand out, wrapping it tightly around her wrist and yanking her away from Khaos. My voice is deep, filled with anger and the magic I know consumes me when I get worked up. It swirls through every fiber of my body as I roll my neck.

I feel… powerful.

The murmurs from around the room filter in a little, until the sound of glass shattering echoes through the room, making a few people scream as my magic slowly leaks out of me.

“Ahhh,” she cries out, like death is upon her, and maybe it is? I almost laugh at her fucking ability to piss me off with a sound, not even a word. “Your eyes are red, oh my—” Her words are cut off as we’re plunged into darkness, making even me startle as she screams in fear at the top of her lungs.

I’m about to question what the fuck is going on, when the sound of Adonis’ chuckling fills my ears from behind me. “I thought you’d have learned after you pissed me off in the assembly hall,” he almost sings, a hint of glee in his tone, like using his magic gives him joy. And it’s breathtaking to see his reaction.

“I don’t need your abilities to snap this bitch in two, Adonis,” I grunt through gritted teeth, turning to glare at him. The dining hall is nowhere to be seen, blackness touching every part of my vision except for Adonis, Selene, and me.

The coward is shaking, her jaw trembling as her hands clench and unclench at her sides with every breath she takes.

“I know. But she mentioned your eyes and I wanted to protect you from the judgment and intrusion. Especially since I have a feeling it was you who destroyed the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling,” he says, a smile spreading on his lips as he takes a step toward me, pleased with his protectiveness.

This. Fucking. Man.

I wet my lips, overwhelmed by his devotion to me, and he chuckles.

“Now, why don’t you release her hand so we can get the fuck out of here? Hmm? You can repay my need to please you with letting me taste that perfect pussy of yours,” he says with a wink, completely unfazed even though Selene is present.

“But I haven’t hurt her nearly as much as I want to,” I say with a pout, turning to face her as I feel myself become overwhelmed with a sense of calmness. My voice sounds normal, my anger cooling, and I know I’m not actually going to punish her more right now. Although I want to make sure she knows my words are not just a threat, but a fucking promise.

“N-n-no,” she stammers, stumbling back a step in the darkness as Adonis wraps his arm around my shoulder, pressing his lips to my temple.

As his lips touch my skin, the dining hall comes back into view, and Selene stumbles into an empty chair behind her, her senses thrown off as she falls to the floor in a heap of patheticness. Surprised gasps and laughter ring out as we appear again, everyone watching her lose her balance and land on her ass, arms flailing because there’s nothing for her to grab onto.

I wet my lips, looking up at my hot as fuck incubus with a grin. “You’re something else, you know that?” I murmur, wrapping my arm around his back.

“And you’re fucking hot when you’re jealous and protective of us,” he replies, grinning down at me like a fucking maniac, when our little bubble is burst.

“What the fuck is this nonsense?” Zellus growls, and I pull my attention from Adonis to face the absolute cuntish cunt before me. With his gray suit perfectly tailored, and his hair slicked back with precision, he looks every inch of the asshole I know he is. Before I can utter a response, he shakes his head dismissively with disgust etched into every inch of his face looking directly at me. “We will not tolerate violence at this Academy, Miss Harrington,” he bites, loving to use my last name, that might not even be my fucking last name anymore. What a condescending prick. “Selene, please take yourself to the medical center for a check over,” he says calmly, glancing over his shoulder at her, and I scoff.

“I didn’t do anything to her,” I say with a roll of my eyes, but that means nothing to him since he has already made his mind up.

“You better watch yourself, Miss Harrington,” he states with a heaping dose of snobbery, looking down at me like I’m scum. I don’t know what the undertone of his threat is, but he’s not the only one who can do it.

He dropped my big reveal on Saturday, like it was his news to tell. Which inevitably led to the supreme bitch approaching me today. Again. Not that he would admit any of this was his fault.

“I’d be more worried about yourself if I were you, Zellus,” I hiss, taking a step toward him and immediately missing the touch of Adonis at my side. I can’t even bring myself to look at my table right now, this man needs to know he’s not as high and mighty as he might think. And it’s about time I share with him that he’s got his own secrets worth sharing. “I wasn’t asleep the entire time I was suspended in the air,” I murmur, talking quieter as he leans forward in confusion.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he retorts, with a wave of his hand dismissively, but I shake my head, refusing to let him disregard me so easily.

“I know why we gain our magic at the age decided upon, and not when we naturally should,” I say with a tilt to my lips, watching as his face pales in surprise.

Checkmate, bitch.

Before I can speak another word, he’s spinning on his heels and storming from the dining hall. I like knowing I had the final word and it impacted him enough to refrain from responding.

With every step he takes, more and more of the room comes back into focus, and I finally turn away from his retreating form to look at my friends and the Elites.

Khaos is looking at me with confusion etched across his face, likely because I staked my claim on him, with hands clenched in his lap, while Xander is gaping at me with awe in his eyes. Zen rakes his hands through his hair, releasing a sigh of relief as he offers me a calming smile, while Adonis fucking beams on the spot he’s standing in.

“Girl, you are so fucking fire,” Cassandra says, Harmonia and Thalia chuckling in agreement as the rest of the students go back to gossiping in their groups. My drama with Zellus and Selene is a hot topic of conversation once more.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

It seems like there’s going to be no end to that shit in sight. But if there’s one thing this all solidifies with me, it’s that I’m making the right decisions, I can feel it in my bones.

I need to learn how to wield my dagger, along with the abilities it may possess, which means I need to give Professor Riva my full attention. The importance of the situation settles in. And along with that, I know now more than ever, that I must learn the truth of my family’s past.

Chapter 15

Rhea

I  step through the portal, back into Agion, with Xander’s fingers laced between mine, and Adonis’ hand placed at the small of my back.

How am I ever supposed to get used to more than one of them touching me at a time, when it literally turns me into a ticking time bomb, ready to stalk them like a predator, or lay still as their willing prey?

Thankfully the last class is over for the day, but I don’t have time to consider the fun I might be able to have between them both since I only have an hour to get ready and head over to the Combat building to work on learning about my gift with Professor Riva.

I haven’t mentioned it to either of them, but if Xander heard everything else, there’s a high probability he listened to that part too.

As we near Xander’s door, I expect him to release my hand, but to my surprise, he continues moving with us, and Adonis quirks his eyebrow at him.

“I can walk her to her room, you know,” Adonis grumbles, his hand slipping down to my ass as I shudder at his touch, while Xander simply shrugs, like he knows Adonis is capable but wants to rile him up.

“I’m sure you can, but I want an extra minute with her,” Xander retorts, matter of factly as we take the stairs.

Feeling them so close, I now doubt whether it was the best idea to make plans to learn more about my dagger tonight. Maybe I should hint about a quickie, to take the edge off my body that’s clearly messing with the logic in my brain, but I have a feeling neither of them know what that means. Quick doesn’t seem to be their style when it comes to sex.

With each step I take closer to my room, the higher the temperature feels, my body acutely aware of their presence. After all of the bullshit earlier with Selene and Zellus, my stress and agitation needs a release. The dagger practice will definitely help, but maybe I need something else too, something more, something hot and sinful.

Reaching the top of the stairs, our steps slow as both of them stay by my side as I lift my palm to click the door open, the sound of the latch opening ringing around me. I wet my lips, releasing my hand from Xander’s as I turn to face them both, each with heated gazes.

Gods, help me. I am two seconds from dropping to my knees and begging them to ease the burning in my core.

Have they ever shared someone before? My brow crinkles a little in uncertainty at the thought of them with someone else, but the pair of them together with me; my sealed souls, sounds like ecstasy.

Adonis wears a knowing smirk on his lips, like he can read my thoughts by my body’s shivers as he casts his gaze over me from head to toe. “I can give you whatever you want, Rhea, and I think Xander can too, but sharing has never appealed to us before. We both know how possessive our wolf gets,” he says with a grin, reaching his hand out to stroke his finger down my face.

Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I look at Xander who is staring at me hard. It’s like I can tell he’s listening to the extra skip of my heart beat, the racing of my pulse, my chest borderline heaving, while watching as my pupils dilate, loving the idea.

Without hesitation, Xander takes a step forward, eliminating the small distance between us as he grabs my chin, tilting my face up to meet his. “You know I’ll give you whatever you want, Rhea. With or without Adonis,” he says, his voice getting huskier with each word as Adonis scoffs.

“Definitely with Adonis,” Adonis himself says, leaning in to whisper against my ear as Xander continues to hold my face in place. “We’re here to serve you, baby, you know this,” he adds, his breath blowing against my skin and leaving goosebumps in their wake.

Fuck.

I’m screwed, so totally screwed.

My eyelids fall closed a moment as I take a deep breath, giving in to my desires as I blink them back open again, my gaze falling straight to Xander’s. Dragging my tongue along my bottom lip, my body thrums with the closeness of them. “I want to get lost in you both,” I murmur, my chest ready to explode with the racing of my heart as Xander nods and Adonis grins, his lips spreading across the skin at my neck like a fucking Cheshire Cat.

“Inside. Now,” Xander bites, his gruff voice reverberating deep inside of me as he releases his hold on me.

Adonis uses that moment to sweep me up off my feet, and as he steps into my room, I let my satchel drop to the floor carelessly, before he drops me to my bed causing me to bounce from the action. He’s too fucking good at doing that.

My jaw slightly drops at his boldness, a grin on his face as his eyes flash lilac before me, the color swirling with his usual blues and it’s fucking hot. The sound of my bedroom door clicking shut fills the room, making my throat dry as Xander comes into view, the pair of them hovering over the bed as they feast their eyes on me.

It’s like they can already see me naked, my uniform not in the way as they rake their gazes over my body. I don’t know what it is about the looks in their eyes, but it weakens my fucking knees and I almost, almost, beg them to put me out of my misery. In whatever way they interpret my plea.

These guys, the Elites, they’re going to be my kryptonite. I know it. Especially with the way I went off at Selene for placing her hand on Khaos’ shoulder earlier. But I can’t bring myself to care that there is now something vulnerable on the table for me.

They’re mine, and I’m theirs. It’s as simple as that.

I don’t know when everything shifted so clearly in my mind with regards to it all, but I would burn every inch of this place to the ground for them. No questions asked. No doubt placed. Just pure fucking inferno.

“Doesn’t she look delectable sprawled out on the sheets like this, Xander?” Adonis purrs, reaching for his tie as he works it loose, discarding the material at his feet while keeping his eyes fixed on mine.

“Like a fucking dream, a goddess,” Xander rumbles in response, eyes flitting all over me again as he bites the inside of his cheek.

“Yet I’m still far too dressed,” I add, quirking my eyebrows at the pair of them, but before I can even feel smug about my comment, Xander is grabbing my ankles, and dragging me down to the bottom of the bed.

Adonis chuckles as I gasp in satisfaction that my words taunt him into action. I watch intently as he pulls my shoes off and tosses them over his shoulder landing with a loud thump. Adonis discards his blazer, climbing on to the bed as Xander drops to his knees before me.

“Sit up,” Adonis murmurs, helping me to rise with my legs dangling over the bottom of the bed. I shiver as Xander runs his hands over my knees, inching closer to my core, so slowly that I might cry.

I let Adonis pull my blazer down my arms, not caring where he places it as he kisses my throbbing pulse at my throat. As he wraps his arms around me, he simply runs his finger down the front of my shirt, the buttons undoing at the touch of his magic as he quickly retraces his steps, only this time, he drags his finger over my bare, exposed skin, and I groan as he dips between the valley of my breasts.

“Fuck,” I moan, so reactive to their simple touches. Adonis pulls my shirt off, leaving my white lace bra in place as Xander props my feet up on the bed, heels pressed against my ass cheeks as he exposes my core.

His groan is deep, long, and toe curling. “Have you been without panties all day?” he asks, his brown eyes heating as they meet mine, and I nod in answer, my teeth nibbling my bottom lip.

“Technically it’s all Adonis’ fault because he didn’t pull any out for me,” I reply with a knowing grin as Adonis groans with Xander this time.

“Fuck, and I was so close to sinking my fingers into your sweet little pussy at lunch today. If I had known you’d taken the challenge from this morning, I would have had you coming on my hand without hesitation,” he groans, dragging his lips over my exposed shoulder as he throws his own shirt on the floor beside us.

My body clenches at his words, desperate to feel a release, like it’s an unspoken promise, as Xander grabs the material of my skirt and tears at it. I watch in shock as the garment splits down the middle at his touch, completely exposing my pussy to him. Before I can utter a single word about it, his tongue is sweeping circles around my clit, tantalizingly slow as my head tilts back on a moan, my eyes closing to half mast.

Fuck.

There’s nothing else to say about it. No way to describe the pleasure that is running through my body as they both drag their tongues along my skin.

It’s heaven. It’s hell, and it’s all fucking mine.

I want to feel everything, and I want to feel it all with them, now.

Adonis unclips my bra effortlessly, leaving me naked from head to toe, Adonis halfway there, and Xander nowhere even close since he’s still fully dressed. But I can’t bring myself to make him pause to undress. Not when he’s teasing my core and heating my body.

“Please, Xander,” I beg. He answers my call, knowing exactly what I need because not a moment later, he’s stretching my pussy with two fingers, his teeth raking over my clit as my back arches.

“Fuck me, Rhea. Your lust alone could fuel me forever,” Adonis hisses euphorically, his eyes glistening lilac as he meets my gaze, before stepping off the bed and unzipping his pants in one swift motion.

The second he does, my jaw falls open, borderline unhinges, when I see he also went commando today. His cock juts out in front of me, begging for my attention, but when I try to reach a hand out toward him, he takes a step back.

I flop down with a sigh, my back hitting the sheets behind me as Xander continues to play me perfectly, my muscles clenching around him as another moan rips from my throat.

I’m teetering on the edge of climaxing, which only seems to feed Adonis more as he gasps, wrapping his hand around his cock as he slowly works his length over.

“Xander, I need you to fuck her while my cock is in her mouth,” Adonis murmurs, placing his glasses on the nightstand beside him as his tongue swipes out across his bottom lip. Fuck my life. Adonis taking control of our actions does nothing but enhance my neediness.

“Would you like that, Rhea?” Xander asks, his gruff voice vibrating against my clit as he looks up through his lashes at me.

I love how he’s this quiet, sometimes short and snappy shifter ninety-five percent of the time, and then when he’s here with me like this, he takes care to put my needs before his own. Making sure I’m happy with everything.

“Please,” I whisper, excitement pooling in my stomach, which only clenches my muscles more with anticipation and the need to find my release. I feel like I’ve been chasing it for far too long now.

Placing a gentle kiss to my clit, he slips his fingers from my core, leaning over me to brush them across my lips with a heated grin, before stepping back and losing his clothes.

I don’t get to appreciate the beauty of the man while he slowly undresses as Adonis pulls my attention to him, offering his hand out for me to take. The moment my palm is against his, he moves me, and I let him mold me into the position he wants, until I’m on my hands and knees with my head at the bottom of the bed.

Legs parted perfectly, he disappears from sight for a moment, only to place a kiss at the base of my spine, before thrusting two fingers into my center, twirling them to capture just how wet I am. He quickly retreats, making me gasp as he moves around to the bottom of the bed to face me.

I watch as he works his cock, my pleasure glistening on his length as he looks at me through hooded eyes. Lilac fucking suits him.

“Look how needy she is, Xander,” Adonis mutters, reaching his free hand forward to cup my cheek, a hint of pride in his eyes as Xander moves to stand next to him, stripped bare. My mouth waters at the pair of them standing side by side, their chiseled bodies on display for me.

If I thought I was dickmatized from seeing Adonis in the shower, it’s nothing compared to the headyness I feel right now at seeing them both naked. Yes. Please.

Every fiber in my body screams for them, desperate and craving what’s mine. A wave of possessiveness washes over me, unexplainably as Xander climbs on the bed behind me, dragging his fingers down my spine as he takes his sweet ass time getting comfortable.

Just as Adonis teases his cock at my lips, Xander grabs my waist, lifting me back so his chest presses against me, his cock nestling at the base of my spine as he grips my breasts.

“You’re mine, sweet goddess,” he purrs in my ear, my body tingling with the nickname as I lift my hand back over my shoulder to rake my fingers through his hair.

“Ours,” Adonis corrects, my eyes meeting his as he takes us in together. Feeding off the lust from both of us.

“You’re all mine,” I murmur, my voice darkening as I’m coming to learn it does when my magic is edging toward the surface. The words only make Adonis’ grin spread wider as he crooks his finger at me.

“We’re yours,” he repeats, wetting his lips, before glancing back up to Xander. “Now let her back on her hands and knees so she can chant those very fucking words around my cock,” he adds, rolling his neck.

I expect Xander to argue, put up a fight, but to my surprise, he releases me, the instant loss of him kneading my skin prominent, until he strokes his palm down between my shoulder blades.

Adonis teases the tip of his cock over my lips, a bead of pre-cum begging my tongue to swipe across the head, making him groan at the same time Xander thrusts inside me.

My mouth falls open, a silent cry falling from my lips as he fills me in one swift move, and Adonis takes that as an invitation, giving me no chance to catch my breath as he edges his cock past my lips.

I moan, humming around his cock as Xander slowly pulls out, leading me into a false sense of security, thinking he’s going to be gentle, when he slams his cock straight back into my core, eliciting sheer pleasure from my body.

“Fucking beautiful,” Adonis breathes, his fingers twining in my hair as he tilts my head back for better access, and I go willingly, desperate for everything they can give me. All while Xander plows into me hard and fast, his fingers brushing against the bruises he left only days ago. Reigniting the smattering of blues and purples to match the shape of his fingertips. And I am so fucking here for it. “Now tell me we’re yours,” he says, his neck flushing red as his lilac eyes flash with desire. “Tell me who I belong to.”

I attempt to say mine, the words muffled on his cock as he thrusts into my mouth, perfectly timed for when Xander retreats, the pair of them working my body into a frenzy, leaving me ready to explode.

“Fuck, that’s hot,” Xander bites out, the sound of his thighs slapping against mine bouncing off the walls as he somehow fucks me harder, faster, all-consumingly.

My lips vibrate around Adonis’ cock once more as I plead for something, anything, everything.

“She wants to find her release, Xander. Let’s give her what she wants, shall we?” Adonis says with a grin, his thrusts not halting as his hair sticks to his forehead, sweat covering each of us.

“Always,” Xander answers, releasing one of his hands from my hip to lean forward and find my clit. No hesitation, no searching, it’s like a beacon and he knows where to go without any uncertainty.

He brushes my clit once, twice, before pinching the sensitive nub at the same time they both thrust inside of me. Adonis fills my mouth, my cheeks hollowing out as I suck him down to the back of my throat, while Xander slams into my core, my pussy clenching tightly around him.

Without any warning, I explode, diving over the cliff of ecstasy as wave after wave of pleasure ripples through my body.

“Fuck,” I hear Adonis grunt, but my eyes are slammed shut in awe as I climax, followed quickly by the salty taste of his own release hitting the back of my throat. It only makes me shudder once more, another ripple working its way out of me as Xander’s moves become frantic, losing the rhythm as he finishes inside of me with one final slam of his hips.

All that can be heard is each of us panting, sweat dripping from every inch of my body as a sigh of content falls from my lips. Adonis slips from my mouth as Xander slowly pulls out, and I sag to the bed with exhaustion.

Every single muscle in my body is aching in the best way possible. My mind completely blank of all the stress and worry I was drowning in earlier.

“Tell me I’m yours again, sweet goddess,” Xander murmurs against my temple, the sound of his new nickname for me making my lips quirk up in a smile.

“You're mine,” I repeat without question. “And you too, Adonis,” I add, imagining his pout before he has a chance to interject.

“Damn straight I am, baby,” he purrs, his fingers running through my hair as I’m still unable to open my eyes.

I should move, think of an excuse to kick them out so I can get to training with Riva, but I can’t, or more specifically, I don’t want to. I want to bask here with them, in all their glory, while I get to know them, and their bodies better.

Chapter 16

Rhea

I  shut my door behind me, relieved classes are done for the day. Running my tongue over my bottom lip, I cut across the room to the bathroom, making sure that door is locked too.

After having to rearrange my meeting with Professor Riva yesterday, I refuse to let myself get sidetracked by hot bodies again.

Delectable, mouth-watering bodies, bodies that wring out every ounce of bliss from me, but still, not again. Well, not now at least, this evening is a different matter altogether.

Dropping my satchel onto the bed, I kick my shoes off and strip down to my underwear, leaving my uniform in a pile as I release a sigh. Grabbing a fresh set of fitness clothes from the walk-in closet, I step into the shorts, before dropping back down onto the bed to pull my matching t-shirt over my head. I’m exhausted, tired, and a little hangry, but this is important to me.

I quickly redo my hair, pulling it back into a tight ponytail, before slipping my socks and sneakers on. I consider flopping back onto the bed and napping, but manage to lift myself up off the bed, ignoring the sheets calling to me as I unlock the safe in my walk-in closet, and pause, staring at my dagger for a moment. The gold glistens with the hint of light shining down on it, the gems sparkling for attention like it hates being tucked away.

Showing it to someone, especially a professor, makes me feel nervous and I don’t know why. My stomach twists, a tinge of uncertainty in my decision hitting me harder than I expect. Rubbing my lips together, I consider my options, but ultimately, I need someone to help me, and he offered, so here I am.

This entire way of life is new to me, and it was hard enough before it was discovered that I am somehow the product of Zeus and Nyx. There’s no explanation for it, only Zeus knows, and it’s pointless attempting to go to him with any questions because he won’t say a thing. It might be an assumption, but my gut tells me I’m right.

Was it a love affair? How? There was a damn fucking war going on, a fight between good and evil, and each of them stood on opposite sides of the line. Was she a woman scorned? How? The war had been going on for hundreds of years before I was born.

Swiping a hand down my face, I focus on the here and now, not wanting to get swept up in all of the what ifs when there are other pressing matters to attend to.

I can take the dagger with me, but I don’t have to reveal it if I don’t feel comfortable.

Nodding at myself, having made my decision, I wrap my fingers around the handle, and carefully pull it from the safe, quickly locking it shut behind me, before placing the significant object in my satchel.

It almost feels shameful carrying it in such an inconsequential bag, but at least this way it won’t draw any unnecessary attention toward me, or it.

Making sure the zipper is secured, I lift the strap over my shoulder, gripping the material of the bag to my side as I make my way to the door, grabbing a protein bar from my stash on the way. I smirk at the memory of Adonis threatening to shush me with his cock if I mention eating a protein bar.

My door falls closed softly behind me as I take light, quick steps past Adonis’ room and head for the stairs. Walking along the side, hoping to not make the wood squeak, I feel like I’m sneaking out of the orphanage like I used to as a child.

Now to just get the hell out of here before the guys notice.

It’s not that I’m lying about my whereabouts so much as keeping it to myself. If they get wind of me being alone, outside of Agion, then one of them is likely to tag along, and this is about me, it’s personal.

I was an independent and mouthy human, I can be an independent and mouthy supernatural as well.

I don’t need a chaperone to escort me everywhere. I understand the fact that I was attacked before Christmas, which has left a sour taste in my mouth, has made me more cautious. But it’s also made me more vigilant and aware. I won’t let Selene and her fucking minions have me running scared or catch me off-guard ever again.

The mere thought of her in my mind instantly makes my muscles tense. The anger I feel toward her and Zellus is indescribable. The bullshit they can somehow get away with burns my chest as fury coils inside of me.

I was never one for vengeance. Revenge, sure, the memory of Dante’s car flashing in my mind, but with her it’s different. Harsher, maddening, and consuming.

Which only makes me get more pissed at myself for letting her affect me like this. Fucking Zellus too.

As I step through the portal of black fog to the main building, holding my satchel tight against my side, I keep my eyes peeled and my mind alert. I notice a few people around, busying themselves with whatever they're doing as I keep my head down and focus on reaching the next portal that leads to the Combat building.

I open my protein bar, stuffing my face as I mentally pat myself on the back for successfully getting out of Agion. The Elites are definitely going to be pissed if they realize I’m not there. And with Xander’s enhanced hearing, it’ll only be a matter of time. I just hope I’ll be finished by then.

Hopefully I won’t need many lessons to figure this shit out, then it won’t go on for too long. But that will also require me to hand over my dagger to someone else.

Trust.

Fuck. Me.

Keeping my eyes to the ground, everyone ignores me as my mind wanders to the Elites. With each step I take, they fill my mind more and more. Tempting me and distracting me from my vigilante mode.

It’s bizarre to me how lost in thought I can get these days, I've never had anything consume me like this before them. Maybe after I’ve had my one-on-one session with Riva, and made a trip to the library for some research, I could meet the girls for dinner and ask them if it’s normal to be this… obsessed.

I’ve been putting it down to the whole sealed souls situation, but that doesn’t explain Zen and Khaos.

One is a mystery, an enigma, suddenly putting distance between us that makes my chest ache.

One is soft, gentle, and caring, seemingly seeing my needs before they even register in my own mind, offering me a security blanket I never knew I needed.

One is lighthearted, funny, mischievous, yet somehow very needy for me and my attention. The feeling of being wanted, needed, dripping from every fiber of him, seeping into my soul with purpose.

One is gruff, distant, and hidden behind the barriers he places around him. Yet he offers me a glimpse into his soul, seeing the man beneath the surface. The gentleness, the burning desire to claim me as his.

Four.

Four men holding my attention and keeping me captive like I never thought possible. Four men making me question how I ever fucking survived without them. Four men somehow making me feel complete, and more alive than I have ever felt before.

I’m screwed, so totally screwed, but it makes my heart sing.

Even if Khaos is being a complete asshole with a capital A. I don’t know what his problem is, but I’ve given him enough space, and now I need to call him out on it. I need to understand. I just don’t want to push him further away in the process, and it feels like opening my mouth will do just that.

Maybe the girls can give me some advice on that too, fuck knows I’m going to need it.

Taking the next right, the portal comes into view, just as I drop my protein wrapper in the nearby trash can. With a deep breath, I step through it without pause, blinking at the brightness of the sun as I appear at the Combat building. With the current time, and the sun lowering to the west, it’s blaring directly into my eyes.

I raise my hand to shield my face, my eyes immediately finding Professor Riva at the same time he calls my name. “Rhea, I’m so glad you could actually make it today,” he says, a wry smile on his lips.

I don’t utter a word in response. There’s no excuse for having to take a raincheck. Well, there is, but I don’t think explaining how Xander and Adonis showered me with orgasms is going to quite cut it for him. I’m here now though, and that’s all that matters.

“Thank you for doing this,” I say, dropping my hand from my face as I make my way toward him, my arm clamping down on my bag tighter with nerves getting the better of me. But he doesn’t miss it, his eyebrows knitting together for a moment as he assesses me.

“No problem at all. I thought you might want to work on wielding a dagger first, with the ones we use in class,” he states as I nod. “The primary ability of your dagger is to cut someone. So we can work on strike techniques, control, and different approaches, then we can venture into figuring out what special ability it has to offer. If that’s okay with you.”

“That’s perfect,” I reply, shoulders sagging in relief, pleased he doesn’t expect me to simply whip out my gift from Pandora’s Box and hand it over on a silver platter. I move across the grass to where the stand for the weapons is located, carefully placing my satchel down beside it, after dubiously glancing around the space, unsure of what it is I’m spying for, I pick up one of the standard blades.

Professor Riva joins me, selecting his own as I feel the weight of it in my hands. “Will we get in trouble if someone sees us?” I ask, rubbing my lips together as I glance at him, and he shakes his head.

“No. Professors help students with their gifts all the time. Besides, no one chooses to come all the way out here unless it’s necessary to them,” he explains, and I offer a single nod in understanding.

“Great,” I murmur, not lifting my gaze from the blade as I take a step back from Riva, twirling the handle in my hand as I let the sharp edge cut through the air, my body taking over with the movements.

I don’t really know what I’m doing, but it’s like my body does, remembering the last class we had with these. Instinctively dragging the dagger through the air effortlessly, I have no idea how long Riva leaves me to do my own thing, before he claps.

“You have an excellent handle on the weapon overall, but how does your gut feel about stabbing it forward, meeting a target and pushing through?” he asks, my body freezing at his question as my eyes widen in surprise.

“What?” I blanche, completely taken back by what he’s implying, but he shrugs like it’s not a new reaction to a question he’s asked before. Although, I do see a hint of sympathy mixing in his eyes.

“There are always supernaturals attempting to come for the crown, to come for the Hex. When you complete your time here, Rhea, everyone will be assigned roles, which are usually determined in the third year.” He’s stating facts, that much is clear, but it still doesn’t make sense.

“You’re going to have to take a step back and explain what you actually mean,” I mutter, needing him to spell it out.

With a sigh, he rubs the back of his neck as he turns to me, giving me his full attention. “With skills like you’re displaying, Rhea, you are likely to be selected for a role as a protector or a guardian. Both roles which entail ‘killing the bad guys’ so to speak.” His eyes search mine, trying to depict my reaction, but I don’t really have one to give him.

I hadn’t really thought about the bigger picture and the purpose of the Academy when so many other things have happened to me since I arrived here.

But killing bad guys didn’t seem like something that was even on the agenda.

“Do I get a say in who or what I am?” I ask, chest heaving as I come down from the adrenaline coursing through my veins from handling the blade, mixed with the surprise and unease of the subject at hand.

Professor Riva offers me a strange look, like he can’t bring himself to explain further, but is unsure why. His eyes are not really settling on mine as he swipes his hand over his mouth.

“You should go, rest up, and we can take a look at your dagger next week. Same time, same place,” he offers, turning his back to me dismissively as I stare at the back of his head.

What the fuck just happened?

“You didn’t answer my question, Professor Riva,” I state, taking the few steps to the rack to place the dagger away, before turning to face him again, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

What. In. The. Actual. Fuck?

I spin around on the spot, but he’s literally disappeared into thin air. No sound, no change in the air, nothing.

What kind of supernatural is Professor Riva? And what the hell did any of that mean? And why didn’t he answer my question? Opting to get the hell out of dodge before he was quizzed further.

Dammit.

My stress levels are right back up. It’s like Xander and Adonis didn’t fuck away my problems yesterday, and the strength I just felt, wielding the dagger, has quickly dissolved.

I can’t keep up with this goddamn fucking Academy and the fact that I’m supposed to read between the lines of what everyone is actually saying. When I take two steps forward in learning more about myself and my future, my questions are either answered in riddles or deflected. It’s giving me a goddamn migraine.

With a heavy sigh, I snatch my satchel up off the ground, throwing it over my shoulder with a huff, turning for the door, when the glimmering of the sun dancing off the water part of the arena building catches my attention.

Intrigue gets the better of me as I make my way over to the edge, the stillness of the water lulling me closer. My hand runs over my satchel, feeling the weight and the outline of my dagger as I come to a stop at the edge of the water.

From afar, it looked crystal clear, so when I peer down into it, I frown in surprise when I see no bottom to the water. To the point where it almost looks murky with the way it seems to continue on forever, the crystal blue color darkening with every additional inch of depth.

Apparently, we will start working more on the other platforms in the arena over the next coming weeks with the second years, and even more so from the beginning of the third. But for what?

Professor Riva’s words still bounce around in my mind. The idea of killing someone or something is struggling to register in my brain.

Are we being trained for that? Are we being used for our powers? Possibly, I mean, that’s the entire reason each God created their own army of supernaturals. But the war is over, isn’t it?

Before I can get lost any further in my thoughts, the sound of my name being growled past someone’s lips makes me jump, spinning around to find my most difficult Elite standing at the entryway to the Combat building.

From here I can see his stance is disapproving, feet shoulder width apart with his arms folded over his chest. I’m sure if I was closer I’d be able to see the muscles coiled tensely in his forearms, the irritation flashing in his green eyes, even from behind the long strands of his jet black hair.

Khaos.

Chapter 17

Rhea

“R hea!” His voice booms deep, emotionless, and irritated, like I’m no one of importance to him, and it sparks a fit of anger inside of me. “What the fuck are you doing here?” His lips are pursed, inconvenienced at having to breathe the same air as me.

I almost bite back at him, almost, but I manage to refrain, refusing to shout across the distance between us. So I place one foot in front of the other, marching toward him, my head rising and my shoulders pushing back with every step I take.

My plans for some library time and a catch up with Harmonia and the twins is going to have to wait. There are more pressing matters at hand. Like teaching this asshole how to speak to me with respect. He’s borderline becoming Zellus with his attitude toward me, which is fucked up considering he’s in my unit.

“Nothing,” I bite, plastering a smile on my lips. “I literally owe you nothing. So, here’s an idea for you, please fuck all the way off,” I add, continuing to stroll past him without a backward glance.

I hear the rumble of his disapproving sigh, feeling it reverberate in my chest, but the fucker follows me. Of course he does.

“Do you know how worried everyone has been?” he grunts, picking up speed to catch up with me, but the second he reaches his hand out to grab my wrist, I snatch it from his grasp, spinning to a stop as I face him head on.

“And they chose to send you?” I scoff. “Fuck off. They should have known better.” I can taste the purposeful venom on my tongue, sour and bitter, but I can’t seem to simmer it down.

Rolling my eyes, I turn my back on him, satchel pinned to my side as I stride toward the exit.

“You’re insufferable,” he grunts, his footsteps following, but I don’t turn to look at him. “The second we realized you weren’t in Agion, everyone kicked into overdrive trying to figure out where you might have disappeared to. Yet here you are, unfazed by the chaos and panic you’ve caused.” The disapproval is evident in his tone, but I’m a grown ass woman who can do as she pleases. If this unit is going to work, they’re going to have to get used to that and respect my motherfucking boundaries.

“I came to do some training with Professor Riva, you guys knew that was going to happen, Xander overheard the entire conversation I had with him, remember?” I snark back, glaring over my shoulder, only to find him much closer to my side than I expected, but I don’t slow my pace.

Turning back to the portal up ahead, I rub my lips together as I try to dampen my heightened emotions of anger and… annoyance, but they’ve been bubbling under the surface for far too long.

“You should have fucking told someone where you were going, Rhea,” he bites, hand clamping down on my shoulder as he spins me around, making me stumble over my own feet, but I manage to not fall flat on my ass.

“Why? So someone could come and chaperone me, like I’m some helpless female, see my gift from Pandora, and manhandle me into submission? Does that really fucking sound like me? I. Think. Not.” I grind out, feeling my face heat as rage takes over. The words of rage finally able to slip from my lips, and it’s like a wave of relief crashes over me, even among the bitterness.

I can feel my magic swarming inside of me, but not near the surface like usual, just coiling in my stomach. Which is probably why my voice isn’t darkening and all the lightbulbs are still intact.

My words seem to make him pause, his grip loosening on my shoulder as I nudge out of his grip with ease, leaving him in my wake to gape at me as I get the fuck out of there. And more importantly, away from him.

“If you were so inconvenienced with coming to collect me, might I offer that you don’t fucking bother in future? Thanks, glad we could clear that up!” I shout, as I approach the portal, smoke billowing enticingly around it as I step through. I’m disappointed to remember this only brings me back to the main Academy building, so I increase my pace, cutting across the grounds as quickly as possible to get to the other portal and back to Agion.

Attempting to calm myself down feels pointless, but I inhale through my nose and exhale through my mouth with every step, hoping for something to shift.

I notice a few students hovering around, going to and from the dining hall, and my stomach grumbles in reminder that I’ve only had a protein bar since lunch. I really need to move eating up on my priority list, but right now, I just want to punch this asshole from my presence.

Without looking back over my shoulder, I can feel him looming behind me. My body is far too in sync with the Elites. Rounding the last corner, the familiar black smoke coils in the perfect shape of a rectangle, and my shoulders sag a little in relief at the sight of it, until I hear Khaos call out my name. I can’t understand why he’s making a big deal out of this when all he’s done is ignore me?

“Rhea. Wait,” It’s a low rumble through clenched teeth, but I scoff with a shake of my head, almost moving to a jog to get away from him.

Just as I put one foot through the portal, I feel his hand grasp my shoulder, again, and when we step into Agion, he startles me as he nudges my body, making me stumble back into the wall to the left.

With my back pressed against the solid surface, Xander’s door only a few feet away, I glare at him, angry that he can just so casually overpower me. And this is exactly what I was referring to when I said I didn’t want to be manhandled, yet here he is, doing just that. His green eyes bore into mine, his body inching closer as he searches my gaze.

“Get your fucking hands off me,” I growl, furious with him, but even angrier that my magic isn’t making it’s way to the surface like it has in the past when I’ve felt enraged. Which reminds me that he’s not a threat.

One hundred percent an asshole, but not a threat.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do, Rhea, especially if you think it’s completely okay to just run off and do as you please,” he grunts, hinting at my training session, and I scoff, rolling my eyes at the bullshit falling from his mouth.

Khaos is officially a hypocrite. Telling me I can’t tell him what to do but that’s exactly what he’s doing to me.

Chest to chest like this, anger bubbles between us, each of us as stubborn as the other, neither of us willing to back down as the energy crackles around us.

Frustration mixed with a hint of disappointment swirls through my veins as I sag back against the wall, taking the higher ground as I try to bat his hand away, but he simply moves both of his palms to the wall, right beside my head to cage me in. How did I manage to end up with another alpha male in my life? As if two aren’t already enough.

“You’ve said your piece now, you can go,” I murmur, my emotions draining in defeat as his piercing green eyes flash with surprise as I give up. I want to fight this out to the death with him, yet at the same time, I know we’re not getting anywhere, and I’m already struggling with the strain between us. He’s douchey on another level right now.

He’s not going to listen. I’m not going to listen, so what’s the fucking point?

“I have more to say,” he grumbles, shaking his head slightly, as if he’s trying to move his hair from his eyes, but it does little to nothing to clear his vision. It’s the perfect wall for him to hide behind.

“That’s funny, because you’ve had very little to say since I was taken after sealing my soul with Adonis. Why start now?” I snap, my spine stiffening as I lose all the control I had just mustered.

Fucking men.

“I’m doing this for your own good,” he grinds out, his chest somehow pressing more into mine as I gasp at his words.

“And what good might that be?” I ask, brows knitting together in confusion since I can’t follow where his mind is at.

Khaos edges closer, his chest rising and falling heavily as his nose brushes against mine. I watch as his eyes flit between mine, the cords of his neck tightening as he speaks through clenched teeth, letting me in on the secret he’s been keeping heavily guarded against his soul. “You’ve met my mother. Piece it together yourself, Rhea.”

My frown only deepens as I stare at him, processing his words. He’s been pushing me away because of his mother? Wait… what?

“That’s bullshit,” I state, raising my hands to shove him away, but he doesn’t budge, not even a little as he scoffs in my face.

“You don’t fucking know me or my family, Rhea,” he grinds out, emotions swirling in his emerald eyes as he fights to expel the words. “My mother wants me to seal my soul to yours, she’s made it abundantly clear. But my mother only ever does things that benefit her.”

I stare in shock, stunned at the truth falling from his mouth, but it doesn’t make sense to me. “So, to clarify, you’ve been a complete asshole, isolating yourself from everyone because your mother wants you to fuck me?” I know I shouldn't be so crass, that I could have worded it better, but fuck that. If he’s allowed to spew such bullshit so casually, then I can do as I please.

His eyes darken as he glares at me, lips pinching at my description of the situation as he shakes his head. “My mother wants me to seal my soul to yours so she can manipulate and control you. People like you when you’re nothing, Rhea. People fear you when you’re more powerful than them. No one has sealed their souls in a very long time, a natural way to connect a unit and enhance your powers. So what better way to avoid the fear than to control it.”

My mouth drops open slightly, his words washing over me as I try to swallow them down.

“But that won’t happen. The fact that my soul has sealed with Xander and Adonis doesn’t mean it will with you and Zen. You just said yourself how rare it is,” I murmur, my pulse quickening, ringing in my ears as my heart rate spikes in my chest.

“Won’t it?” he replies, tilting his face so we’re cheek to cheek, his breath blowing over the corner of my mouth as his lips hover above mine.

I wet my lips, trying to gain the confidence I need as I respond. “No, no it won’t.”

He moves, resting his forehead against mine as his hands clench on either side of my head, like he’s trying to refrain from touching me or something. With a shake of his head he gives me a heated yet angry look.

“So you don’t think I can sense what the vampire blood pulsing through my body wants, Rhea?” My heart skips a beat at the rawness in his tone, my hand clenching the fabric of his t-shirt as I realize I haven’t even attempted to move it away since he didn’t move under my touch. “Because I fucking can, Rhea. I can feel the need, the desperation, the want, just like I did that night in the woods, when I almost gave in to the desires you elicit in me.”

I try to swallow past the lump in my throat, but it’s useless. Hearing him shatter the walls around him and express what’s going on in his head is overwhelming and consuming all at once. Yet it makes me feel… hope?

“Khaos, I—”

My words are cut off when he shakes his head again, a humorless chuckle falling from his lips as he thumps the wall beside me. Not hard enough to break the skin of his knuckles, but enough for him to hopefully relieve some of the tension building inside of him.

“But it’s all tainted now, Rhea, by my mother. It’ll never be love when she’s involved.” His words are resolute, determined, and achingly real on his tongue, but this time it’s my turn to shake my head at him.

“Love? I don’t fall in love,” I mutter back, my words faltering slightly for the first time ever as that four-lettered word slips from my mouth, tasting harsh on my tongue.

He chuckles almost manically, his jaw ticking as he clenches his eyes shut for a moment, before blinking them back open. “I don’t think it’s a fucking choice, Rhea.”

Our chests heave in rhythm with each other, heavy words weighted between us as every emotion possible swirls in the air, swallowing us whole and consuming every fiber of our being, until someone clears their throat.

I jolt in surprise, turning to find Zen standing in the open doorway of Xander’s room with his arms folded over his chest and his eyebrow quirked with curiosity as he looks at us.

“If you’ve both finished, it’s time for some show and tell.” I stare at him in surprise, Khaos’ jaw tight as he raises an eyebrow at me, clearly waiting for me to answer, but I have a couple of questions of my own.

Chapter 18

Khaos

R aw emotion coils through my body. Some I’m familiar with, like fury, disappointment, and irritation. While others thrum under the surface like they never have before. Not until her.

Need.

Desire.

Desperation.

With our chests plastered together, my body heaving with each breath I take, inhaling her sweet scent, I struggle to focus on Zen and what he said. But he bursts the bubble we were in, and the expectant look he gives me is a clear sign that this fucker knew exactly what he was doing when he sent me to get her.

Fucker.

I don’t need this bullshit, but it’s inevitable when the other guys can see right through me and my thoughts, my struggles, especially Zen. It definitely doesn’t make this any easier, but I’m putting Rhea first, and they need to be able to see that.

Flicking my gaze back to the girl in question, I find her blue eyes blown, her pupils are so wide the blue barely frames them. She wants me, just as much as I want her, I can sense it, which only reminds me that I’m the one that needs to remain in control of the situation and put a stop to it. Even if it’s the worst decision I’ve ever had to make.

She sighs heavily, clearly sensing the determination within me as I take a step back. Every part of me wants to step toward her again, hold her tightly in my grip, but that isn’t going to give us the best outcome. So I fight against the pull she has over me, turning away from her to face Zen, and as I take another step back, I swear she calls me a pussy under her breath, but I don’t acknowledge it or her.

Her eyes track my every movement, burning into the back of my head as I approach Zen, glaring right at him as he offers me an unapologetic grimace. I want to shoulder check him, remind him I’m in charge of myself, but that will only cause more issues right now.

I made my choice, committing to this unit years ago, and I wouldn’t change that for anything, but my gut hates the predicament I now find myself in. One of my own making, of course, but pained all the same.

Stepping into Xander’s room, my jaw clenched, my teeth grinding, and my frown in place, I find Adonis laying back on Xander’s huge bed, arms tucked behind his head with his ankles crossed. There’s a calm look on his face, of contentment and ease, and I can’t help but be fucking jealous of the aura that surrounds him.

Tearing my gaze from him, I find Xander sitting on the edge of the bed, arms braced on his knees with his hands clasped together in front of him, while his leg bounces. The glare he sends me is one to match my own, but I don’t wilt under his intense stare and he doesn’t wilt under mine.

There’s no use asking what his problem is. Even without his wolf hearing, he no doubt heard everything going on out there, and I probably wouldn’t like it either if our roles were switched.

The door clicks shut behind me, and I fight the immediate desire to spin around and check she came in. Instead, I move over to the beanbags, finding a spot on the bare wall to lean against it, folding my arms over my chest as I stare around the room.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Zen cares for Rhea. Grabbing her a bottle of water and guiding her toward the bed beside Xander. She keeps her satchel clutched to her side, offering Zen a tight smile as she takes the water and gulps half of it down while both Xander and Adonis shuffle around on the bed to be closer to her.

My body tenses, the cords in my neck are ready to snap as I resist the fucking need to join them. I tuck my hands in my pockets so they can’t see my clenched fists. “Let’s get on with it, shall we?” I grunt, propping one foot up on the wall behind me, and forcing a bored expression to wash over my face.

Xander, Adonis, and even Zen glare at me, agitation and disapproval flitting in their eyes, so it surprises me when Rhea nods in agreement, clearing her throat. “What’s going on?” she asks, as Zen stands in front of her, hands on his hips, and he offers me a final glare before turning to her.

“Didn’t Khaos tell you?” he murmurs, lowering to crouch down in front of her, and my spine fucking stiffens when I know damn well I didn’t. She’s going to throw me under the bus with them after our spat outside, but I’m like a ticking time bomb right now, ready to explode.

I need to get the raw and uncertain emotion and pain out of me somehow.

“We were a little preoccupied discussing other matters,” she says calmly, taking another swig of her water as she offers a casual smile to Zen, and my jaw nearly hits the floor in disbelief.

Who the fuck is she? There’s no reason for her to gloss over it. I was a dick, have been a dick, there’s no uncertainty about it.

I feel the guys all glance my way, expecting more of an explanation, but they don’t get one. Not from me, and not from her.

Because she isn’t like other women.

Zen sighs, reluctant to proceed without the facts, though it’s clear he wants to tear me a new asshole later. “We want to clear up any uncertainty over the importance of this unit to us. To all of us,” he adds, making my shoulders tense as her gaze flicks to mine for a split second.

Her sapphire blues are gone in a moment, not lingering on me as the distaste is still written all over my face. I know it’s there. It’s taking everything I have to keep it in place.

“By doing what?” She runs her tongue over her bottom lip, curiosity intriguing her as Adonis rolls closer to her on the bed, his face close to her ass, while Xander squeezes her thigh.

“By revealing our gifts from Pandora’s Box,” Xander says, his voice gruff but full of emotion all at once, and she offers him a soft, tentative smile in response. All while still clinging to her satchel at her side.

Her gaze moves to each of us, one by one, and I watch as she visibly swallows, her eyes swirling with an emotion I can’t quite decipher. “You don’t have to do that,” she finally blurts, a hint of uncertainty flashing in her eyes as they settle back on Zen.

It’s like she knows he calms her, like he somehow calms all of us. Another reminder that she is made for us entirely. Well, definitely for Xander and Adonis. Possibly Zen too, but me, I think not. I don’t deserve that kind of luck in my life, with my family history and everything in between.

If I’m honest with myself, there’s a high probability that it’s a part of the reason I will keep my distance from her. For her protection, but selfishly, to avoid my own pain and disappointment when our souls don’t seal.

I shake my head in frustration, focusing back on the here and now as I watch Adonis sit up, stroking a hand down Rhea’s spine, while Zen places a hand on her other thigh and rises back to his feet.

“We know that, baby, but we want to,” Adonis practically purrs, his lips mouthing to her ear as he speaks, a shot of lust flashing in his eyes as Rhea shivers.

“Can we get this fucking over with? I don’t have time to watch your foreplay,” I bite, not prepared to spend the rest of the evening standing here and watching them paw over her.

“Why? Jealous?” Adonis accuses with a wag of his finger, and a knowing quirk on his lips as his eyes flash lilac and he wiggles his eyebrows.

I don’t move. Not a muscle. Fighting back the arousal at the shiver she gave, and forcing my cock to get the memo. Motherfucker is picking up on my lust.

Clearly I need to do a better job of hiding it.

“Let’s get on with it. I want to take Rhea for food, and this is annoying as fuck,” Xander bites, offering everyone a scathing look before it turns to pure fucking softness as his eyes settle on Rhea. “Besides, I want to scold her privately for sneaking out of Agion,” he adds with a pointed look, but something tells me it won’t be pain and punishment. Well, not without satisfaction along the way.

Rhea doesn’t bite back at him, she simply raises her eyebrows in surprise, but keeps her mouth shut, and the way Adonis chuckles tells me she’s definitely onboard.

“I’m coming too,” Adonis murmurs, making my body tense as a knowing grin passes between the three of them.

Fuck.

Adonis intertwines his fingers with hers, pulling them to his mouth before trailing his lips over her knuckles. Rhea’s sharp inhale at the touch is loud inside my head, making me wonder what other sounds she makes too.

But, I can connect the dots. The way the three of them have bonded recently is nothing short of what would be classed as amazing to anyone but me. They’ve grown together, opened up to one another, and fallen into step so seamlessly… like it was meant to be.

They shared her.

They shared what I wanted to be mine.

My jaw clenches as I pull my hand from my pocket and swipe it down my face. I don’t know how or what to feel, but whatever it is, I know I don’t like it.

“I’m not sharing my sweet goddess with you every fucking time, Adonis. Fuck. Off.” Xander confirms my conclusions as Rhea rolls her eyes at them. The pair of them seem to have a little pissing contest over her. Fuckers are lucky I’m not involved, because I’d win hands down.

“If you’re just going to show me the swords in your pants for a measuring contest, then I’m out,” Rhea grumbles, quirking her eyebrow expectantly, and it’s Zen who moves first, not wanting the two of them to distract from what we actually wanted her here for.

He moves over to the door, grabbing a circular leather bag off the floor, before unzipping it. The sound reverberates around the room as silence descends upon us. None of us have ever shared details of our gifts. Always agreeing that the right time and place would be when we met the one. The anticipation of what Pandora has in-store for us weighs heavily in the air.

Zen slips his hand in the bag, to reveal a golden shield moments later. He stands with his back to the door so I can see it too, and I can’t help but gape at the sheer beauty of it. It shimmers in the light, the pattern plain around the exterior of the surface, focusing on the central part where a lion's face sits, mane and all.

“Pandora gifted me a shield,” he murmurs, placing his arm in the straps at the back as he drops, twirling it in the light for a moment, before securing it back in his bag. “I haven’t been able to figure out the secondary power it may hold yet,” he murmurs, an awed grin on his lips as he handles his bag with care, placing it back by the door.

“It’s beautiful,” Rhea states, her eyes widening in surprise as Zen nods in thanks.

Xander rises from the bed, moving to the walk-in closet beside me, disappearing for a moment, before he wordlessly returns with a large gold bow. An intricate design is curled around both the top and bottom limbs, and from this angle, even the string looks to be golden.

In his other hand he holds three arrows, each identical, and shimmering in the same golden hues as his bow, and Zen’s shield. “I got a bow, and as much as I have no idea what the secondary power is they hold, my gut tells me it’s the arrows that hold the answer,” he states, and everyone nods in understanding, including me.

“Everything is so golden,” Rhea murmurs, almost to herself, and Adonis scoffs.

“That’s nothing compared to mine, baby,” he states, climbing from the bed and shaking his arms out as Xander puts his gift away. “Want to see something cool?” he adds, quirking a brow at Rhea, who nods in agreement, but he makes sure he has all of our attention as he stretches his arm out wide, and clicks his fingers, before opening his hand.

Before I can even blink, a long golden trident appears in his grasp.

Fucking show off.

Rhea gapes at him as he spins the weapon around, and it somehow seems to shine brighter than the other objects. I hate it when he’s right.

“That’s amazing,” Rhea says, encouraging the dickhead. “Have you figured out its power?” she asks, but he shakes his head with a grunt.

“Nope. But instead of running off to Riva, maybe we could come up with a plan to research together?” he offers, and she rakes her teeth over her bottom lip as she considers his words.

Not wanting to hear them making plans again, I grab my bag off the floor by the beanbags, reaching in to grab my item. It’s not big or dangerous in the way my unit’s are, but it’s important all the same.

“I was gifted a chalice,” I murmur, holding it in the air as everyone cuts their gaze to mine. I don’t look at them though, keeping my eyes fixed on the gift I received from Pandora’s Box. A gift I was able to find the power to in a fit of anger. “Rendered useless at first glance,” I mutter, moving closer to the bed where everyone else sits. “But when activated, by me alone, it becomes an endless supply of rejuvenation,” I state, slamming it down hard on Xander’s nightstand.

As predicted, it fills with blood immediately, and I tilt the chalice so they can see inside.

“Oh my Gods, that’s perfection,” Rhea murmurs, the others nodding in agreement. “It’s one thing to get a weapon, another to have a gift that offers a never ending supply of power for your magic on demand,” she breathes, impressed with my gift, but I don’t utter a word in response. Even if I agree with her assessment.

Instead I turn on the spot and head straight to the bathroom to wash it out, opting to quickly step into my room, and place it safely away in my walk-in closet, before I return to Xander’s room.

I find the four of them in the same positions they were in when I left, only this time, Rhea is nervously rubbing her lips together as she digs her hand into her satchel. I can see the uncertainty dancing in her eyes, like she’s scared to trust us, even after we just showed her ours, and I know I will be a heavy part of that doubt settling over her.

There are two options here. I can walk away, leaving her to trust my brothers, or I can offer her some kind of understanding between us. As if sensing my internal battle, her eyes find mine, and before I can turn to leave, I find myself nodding to encourage her.

Rhea sighs, releasing a heavy breath as she sinks her hand inside her satchel to reveal a golden dagger moments later. The gems dance in an array of colors in the handle, sparkling under our gaze as Rhea twists it in her hand.

“I have no idea about its power, or what it can do apart from the obvious,” she says, staring at it pleadingly for a moment, to give her the answers she wants, before reluctantly placing it back in her satchel.

“It can’t be a coincidence that we all have golden items,” Zen murmurs, surmising exactly what I was thinking as he rakes his fingers through his hair, deep in thought.

Rhea clears her throat, looking at each of us as she tries to piece something together in her mind. “Riva asked me how I felt about killing people, having their blood on my hands,” she states, almost randomly, but it captures all of our attention. “He mentioned that in our third year our job roles will be assigned to us, but when I asked if I got a say in who or what I became he just fucking vanished. Poof. Right into thin air,” she blurts, anger and confusion flashing in her eyes.

“I believe we are offered options best suited to our skills and what we’ve been able to achieve here at the Academy, but I wasn’t aware anything dangerous was an option during peace times, unless you opted to be selected for those roles,” Zen explains, his brows knitting together in confusion as well when he doesn’t have a definitive answer for her. I don’t nod in agreement, but I was definitely on the same wavelength as Zen.

Rhea sighs in disappointment, swiping a hand down her face in reluctance. “Maybe I misheard him then? I don’t know, but something doesn’t feel right,” she replies, before rising to her feet. “Maybe everything that has happened over the past few weeks has messed with my head more than I thought because my brain is fried,” she grumbles, digging her fingers into her temple with one hand, while the other grasps her satchel tightly.

“You need to take a break from all the madness, Rhea,” Zen murmurs, stepping toward her as he cups her face gently, spiking another jolt of jealousy to ripple through me.

“I need to party,” she says with a nod. “Let loose and forget for a while,” she adds, clearly pleased with her decision, while Zen huffs a chuckle.

“I was thinking I could take you down to the lake one morning and we could do some yoga and meditate together,” he offers, a smile spreading across Rhea’s face immediately in response.

“That could work too,” she says, her grin spreading as she rises up on her tiptoes to plant a kiss at the corner of Zen’s mouth.

Fuck. The slight graze makes my cock stiffen with need.

“Maybe you could do both, baby. Party and have some fun, then recover the next day with Zen and whatever crazy-ass stretching moves you guys can pull off,” Adonis offers, circling around so his chest is pressed to her back, trailing kisses over her exposed neck.

My kryptonite.

Need and anger get the better of me as I turn around, and head for the bathroom so I can get to my room and away from the fucking lot of them.

But even as I slam the door shut behind me, I hear the confirmation from Rhea, four words that sear my fucking heart and soul with jealousy.

“It’s a date then.”

Chapter 19

Rhea

I  sit cross-legged on my bed, glancing at the text in the History of Supernaturals 101 book before me, but none of it seems to settle and register in my brain. History classes have definitely kicked up a notch in the second year group, and Professor Fates has no leniency with regards to the fact that we’re starting almost three quarters of the way into the year. I feel like I’m actually learning things now, instead of just taking the smallest first layer off the history of my legacy.

Which means I have a lot of studying on my hands. Xander and Adonis are adamant that it’s fine and we don’t need the extra push before the end of year tests, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. The last thing I need right now is to show weakness in any shape or form. They’re going to get nothing but the best from me.

As much as I want to rage on everyone that pisses me off, I have to suck it up and slay them with my potential instead.

So I need to sit here and read this until it makes sense, before Harmonia comes over. There’s a party tonight out by the lake, like there is most Friday nights. It’s only the second time I’ll be in attendance since I’ve been here, and it’s long overdue. Although it’s exciting to actually go with the guys this time.

In Adonis' words, I’m going to party and have some fun. Or I hope to at least.

The week since we had our little Pandora’s gift show-and-tell session in Xander’s room has been pretty quiet. Khaos has kept his distance, barely even looking me in the eyes most days, but I sense a tension in him that only shows how hard he’s fighting it. And although his actions and behavior kind of makes sense to me, his perception is all off.

If he wants to go off and make big grown up decisions like this on his own, then far be it for me to stop him. No one makes decisions about me but me. I’m not going to chase after him, and plead for him to see the situation differently. That’s not who I am. Even if his dismissal hurts like a bitch.

I rub at my eyes, adjusting my stare on the pages, but it does nothing to help. I feel tense and agitated, so I drop the hair tie from my wavy hair, and let it fall down my spine, taking a moment to rub my fingers across my scalp. Attempting to massage my troubles away falls short when a knock sounds on the door.

It’s not Adonis, that fucker just lets himself in through the bathroom now. I’ve given up locking the damn thing since no matter what I do, I wake up encased in his arms. I considered getting him back, invading his space for a change, but I sense that wouldn’t piss him off in the slightest, if anything, he would soar with happiness.

Padding across the room, I don’t consider the fact that I’m only in a cropped tank and tiny, loose shorts until I I swing the door open to find Zen on the other side.

Fuck.

The sexual tension between us is simmering beneath the surface every second of every day. Rising more and more as we learn more about each other, finding similarities and understanding each other's quirks.

His gaze starts at my bare feet, black painted toes that Harmonia insisted on trying. I feel every caress of his eyes over my legs, the bare skin at my waist, the swell of my breasts, all the way up my neck until he meets my stare.

“Hey,” he murmurs, clearing his throat as he stands taller, hazel eyes meeting mine.

My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I feel my nipples pebble beneath my tank, and I don’t miss the way his gaze drops momentarily, spying the reaction he gets out of me from just his perusal.

“Hey, everything okay?” I ask, fighting the urge to cross my arms over my chest and cover the evidence of my arousal.

“Yeah, everything’s fine. My parents just called, scheduling a little family breakfast for tomorrow which means needing to take a rain check on our yoga time,” he explains, his eyes crinkling as he winces. “But I thought we could maybe spend some time on it now before the party,” he adds, hope dancing across his face as he lifts the two rolled up yoga mats in his hands.

Studying or yoga?

History or watching this man stretch?

It’s not even a question.

“I was literally losing the will to live with some History revision, so you would be doing me a huge favor by giving me a distraction,” I say with a smile, swiping my hair back off my face as I move back, opening the door wider for him to step in.

The moment he steps through the open doorway, my nerves kick in, a mixture of excitement and anticipation of him in my space… alone.

“Perfect,” he murmurs in response, relief washing over his face. It almost feels like he didn’t want to cancel with me, but the expectation of family makes it difficult. Not that I’d understand, but I can’t hold it against him, and I won’t.

The fact that he’s shown up here, not wanting to interrupt my plans for the evening, but wanting a slice of my attention, fuck, I’m a sucker for it.

I remain by the door, watching as he lays two yoga mats down, side by side, one blue and the other red. While he’s busy, I use the moment to rake my eyes over him this time.

In a white tee, tight around his biceps, and a pair of jersey shorts that stop mid thigh, he looks toned and hot as hell. He kicks his sneakers off, placing them neatly by the blue mat, before turning to look at me.

“Are you watching or joining?” he asks with a chuckle, raising his eyebrow at me, and I smirk.

“Is that an option?” I reply, running my tongue over my bottom lip, but he rolls his eyes at me in faux exasperation.

“Maybe later, but for now, you need to destress and relax, and that’s my number one priority.”

I pout, but melt at his words at the same time. It’s the most bizarre situation when someone puts you and your needs first, and that’s all they seem to do, especially Zen.

“I’m going to hold you to that,” I murmur, grabbing the hair tie on my wrist to put my hair up in a bun, but he reaches for my wrist, pausing my motion as he shakes his head slightly.

“Leave it down.” His request is barely a whisper, like he doesn’t want to tell me what to do, but couldn’t refrain from making his thoughts known.

I offer a subtle nod, before clearing my throat, and he releases his hold on me as I move to stand on the red mat. He pulls his phone from his pocket, a device I was so used to using before coming here, but now it almost feels like an irrelevant piece of equipment since I never need it for anything.

A moment later, gentle and relaxing music filters through the speakers, and I roll my shoulders back, appreciating the ambient tones as they seep into my body.

“Do you want to take a few minutes to meditate first or jump straight in?” Zen asks, swiping my hair back over my shoulder as he faces me, standing on the blue mat beside me.

“The stretches will definitely help more right now because I don’t think I’d be able to focus and calm my mind,” I reply, hinting at the books still scattered across my bed where I’d been sitting for some time already.

“Perfect. This is a guided meditation and yoga playlist, so I tend to just follow the moves in the order they say them, unless you would rather go at your own pace?” he offers, putting my thoughts and needs first again, and I shake my head.

“Guided is perfect,” I state, and he nods, adjusting his stance on the mat as he continues to look at me, and I do the same.

Palms together, I slowly lift my hands above my head as I inhale long and slow, adjusting my footing so they’re shoulder width apart, before parting my hands, and lowering them out to the sides of my body as I exhale. I repeat the motion a few times, my eyes falling closed as I get into the rhythm, listening to my body and connecting with myself from head to toe.

I have no idea if Zen is doing the same, my body relaxes with the music, too focused on the flow to bring myself to open my eyes. But the fact that I feel this calm with someone else here is a testament to him. My angel.

Standing forward bend.

The voice filters through among the instrumental music playing, and after one final exhale I turn to the side, bringing my hands to my center, before slowly dragging them down my thighs. When my breasts touch my knees, my back bent in half, I grip the back of my calves with a heavy exhale, loving the stretch that pulls through my body as my muscles burn ever so slightly.

“Fuck,” I hear Zen mumble under his breath, but I don’t glance to see why, even though I can feel his gaze on my body.

Downward facing dog.

I continue to relax with the music, taking my time as I lean forward, palms flat on the ground as I move into the next position. I step my feet together, palms shoulder width apart as I let my head lull. I walk my hands back up my legs a few times, reinitiating the stretch as I repeat the move, and it does wonders to my taut muscles.

Sensing Zen, I pry my eyes open, looking to my left to find him facing sideways now too, so we both make full use of the length of our mats. His body is held just like mine, but while I’ve been in yoga land in my mind, he’s removed his t-shirt, revealing a slender yet muscular figure underneath.

Holy fuck.

He’s already looking at me, a grin on his lips as I relax my mouth, smiling back, but my gaze quickly slips to the V dipping beneath his waistband once more. Yoga suddenly feels awfully intimate, going through the motions with someone else here, letting them watch you let your walls down and search your body and the floor beneath your feet to ground you.

Dolphin pose.

The only thing that changes is the fact we elongate the stretch by dropping our elbows to the mat instead of our palms, and a groan slips from my lips as my back pulls. I continue as I was, working myself in and out of the move to appreciate the stretch.

“You shouldn’t look as good as you do in these poses, Rhea,” Zen murmurs, making my grin widen at his words. I nibble at my bottom lip, goosebumps tingling over my face as he continues to look me over.

Upward facing dog.

My shoulders ease as I lift to my hands, walking them forward as I lower myself to the ground. With the tops of my feet flat with the floor, I push up on my hands, stretching my back out as I tilt my head up.

With my spine stretched, and my neck easing the tension from my body, my eyes fall to half mast as Zen curses under his breath again. I cut my gaze to his, looking at him through my lashes as his eyes remain fixed on my chest.

Glancing down, I immediately notice with the movements and repeated stretches, the neckline on my tank top has adjusted, leaving my breasts to spill from the top, my nipples barely covered. Oops.

“I usually hate it when tops move while I’m stretching, hence why I took my t-shirt off, but fuck, on you, it’s delectable,” he murmurs, his voice strained as he tilts his hips up off the floor for a moment to adjust himself.

Shit.

“So you’re saying I should take my top off to make it stop?” I reply, my tone heated as I watch beads of sweat dot across his eyebrows. He’s too fucking stunning not to appreciate.

His eyes widen in surprise at my words, his hazel irises flaring with heat as he rubs his lips together. “I wasn’t saying that,” he mutters, and I shake my head with a grin.

“But it was what you were thinking, right?” I push, loving watching him squirm under my gaze, but just when I think he’s going to bow out of this little back and forth we have going on, he shocks the fuck out of me.

Lowering his body to the ground, he rolls toward me, over the floor between the mats until he’s right at my side. I don’t know how or where he gets the fucking strength from, but one moment I’m rocking the upward facing dog pose, and the next I’m being spun in the air only to land with him beneath me.

My breasts are mere inches from his face, my palms flat on the mat beneath him as he looks up at me with raw heat. “I was thinking about you, naked, sweaty and grinding above me with your breasts in my face.” His voice is raspy as his hands grip my waist, his cock thrusting up to meet my core in one slick move as he speaks. “Then I was thinking about trying to hold the dolphin pose while I fucked you from behind, my cock buried deep in your pussy as I left my hand prints all over your ass,” he adds, my breath hitching in my chest with need. “Is that what you wanted to hear, Rhea? My deepest, darkest desires for you?”

Yes.

Yes. I. Fucking. Do.

Before I can respond, he uses his teeth to pull at the neckline of my tank, making my left breast completely spill over the top, my pebbled nipple tight and begging for his attention. Without pause, and with his gaze fixed on mine, he wraps his lips around my taut peak, forcing a groan from my lips as a shudder races through my body. Which only seems to make him bite down harder.

“Oh, fuck,” I hiss, my mouth falling open as a silent moan passes my lips. I could lie here all night with his tongue on my body if that’s what he wants to do.

I’m about to offer just that when a knock pounds on the door, followed moments later by a cheery voice. “Girl, don’t keep me waiting, you know I have to tame that crazy ass hair of yours before we can even discuss your outfit for the night. Don’t make me break down your door!”

Harmonia.

Fuck.

Of all the times, it had to be now? Fuck my life.

“Shit,” Zen groans, placing a kiss on my nipple, before lifting the material to cover me once more. “I’m going to let her interrupt us this time, because this isn’t how I planned to get acquainted with your body, Rhea, but be forewarned. I know what I want, and what I want is you, in every way I can get,” he breathes, his voice husky as he looks up at me, and I smile.

This man is something else entirely.

“Soon,” I whisper against his mouth, swiping my tongue along his bottom lip as he grins.

“Soon.”

Chapter 20

Rhea

T his girl really does need to come with a warning label for how long she likes to spend getting ready. Don’t get me wrong, her skills make me look hot as hell, but even now, my thighs are clenching together as I remember the feeling of Zen beneath me.

Fuck.

Tonight is going to be a long night. Or life in general will be long until he’s positioned there again. I blame it on his mouth, and the way his raspy words flowed so freely, coating my skin and leaving desire in their wake.

“Are you still pouty because you didn’t get dick? Specifically angel dick?” Harmonia asks, cocking her hip as she gives me a grin, which makes me squint at her in annoyance.

“I’m just saying, you could have definitely held off for at least another thirty minutes,” I grumble, rising from my bed to check my reflection one last time before we leave.

“A little delayed gratification never hurt anyone,” she replies with a wink, and I roll my eyes. Delayed gratification is all well and good when it’s not me suffering through it. The second Zen left my room, I had given her a steady glare and she didn’t need any further details to know what she may have interrupted. With her not-so impeccable timing, she should be classified as a demon. A cockblocking demon instead of a cockblocking angel. And I can’t wait to repay the favor.

“It hurt me,” I say with a pout, a wry smile unable to contain itself on my lips as she moves to stand beside me.

Harmonia simply chuckles in response as she runs her fingers through her wavy white hair. Her make-up is done to perfection, her hair soft and shiny as it falls in loose curls around her shoulders. Paired with the strappy pink dress and six inch heels, she looks like sin.

I run my hands over the red silk of my scoop-neck dress, the material loosely covering my breasts, while the strappy back leaves most of my skin exposed. It falls to mid-thigh, clinging to my skin and I opted for a pair of wedged sandals. I don’t want to be trailing through the mud in heels, it doesn’t make for a good look on me. Harmonia could wear a trash bag and walk in twenty inch heels and still have class.

Everything I’m wearing is courtesy of Harmonia’s wardrobe since we haven’t had a chance to go down to the shops properly yet. When we went for ballgowns we spent so long in the store there was no time for anywhere else. She also did my make-up, making me look flawless with neutral tones. While my hair is scooped up into a perfectly styled messy bun, the few tendrils falling around my face making it look like it took no effort at all.

I’m ready to relax, dance, and have a good time, even if I am going to be thinking about Zen.

“Let’s go,” Harmonia says, giddy with excitement. “The twins are meeting us there,” she adds, and I smile at the mention of them. Grabbing the black satin chain clutch Harmonia has loaned me, I head for the door.

Letting the wood click shut behind us, we head for the stairs, taking our time as the carpet mutes the clicking of Harmonia’s heels.

As I reach the bottom step, my eyes widen in surprise when Xander’s door swings open, and the man himself appears moments later, his eyes roaming over my body with a heated gaze.

I run my tongue over my bottom lip, observing the tight fit of the Henley shirt over his biceps and across his chest, and when he tilts to the side, I watch the way his denim jeans seem to fit his ass so snuggly.

Gods, send me strength.

“Hey, sweet goddess,” he rumbles as I approach, and I step into his arms as he offers them wide to me, loving the feel of his large hands grazing the bare skin at my back. “Fuck,” he groans, running his fingers over the silky material to feel every inch of my exposed body. “How am I going to cope with you looking like this tonight, huh?” he whispers into my hair, making me shiver as I spot Adonis stepping out of Xander’s room.

“Let me see how hot she is, the pheromones coming off you two is off the charts so it’s got to be good,” Adonis says with a wicked grin on his lips, intertwining his fingers with mine as he pulls me from Xander’s hold.

“Oh dear Gods, they’re going to be fucking pawing over you all night. I did my job a little too well,” Harmonia says with a chuckle, moving closer to the portal to wait for me, but my attention is fixed on Adonis.

With fitted black jeans sculpting his ass, and a white silk shirt tucked in at the front, he looks delectable, especially with the way his blond hair frames his face.

“Hot as sin,” he purrs, placing his free hand on my waist, pulling me close and swaying from side to side as I roll my eyes at him. His eyes flare slightly when he too feels the bare skin at the base of my spine, and I watch as a shudder runs through him.

“Are we ready to go?” Khaos grumbles, his voice almost impassive, like he doesn't care for this entire situation.

“You’re coming,” I state, not asking as I observe them, and Zen appears over Adonis’ shoulder, standing beside Khaos as I take them both in.

Khaos is wearing black, ripped, skinny jeans, with a fitted black t-shirt and black boots. His black hair is falling over his green eyes, creating the perfect visual of the asshole troubling my mind at the moment.

Beside him, Zen looks the complete opposite. While Khaos seems to rock and maintain a standoffish vibe, Zen is open, approachable, and uplifting. With his blond hair tucked behind his ears, and his hazel eyes heated with memories from earlier, I find myself instinctively taking a step toward him. In a white linen shirt, and sculpted denim jeans he looks hot as fuck.

I watch as he drinks me in, his eyes raking over me from head to toe, and my teeth sink into my bottom lip as I try to bite back my desire to fuck off the party, and well… fuck him instead.

“Of course he’s coming,” Zen murmurs, answering the statement I made before I started feasting on him with my eyes and unfortunately not my mouth.

“I thought it was girl time?” I quirk my eyebrow, switching to alternative tactics, taking another step toward him as he does the same, drawn together like two magnets, eliminating the distance between us.

He doesn’t respond until his hands are on my waist and he’s towering over me slightly, a grin playing on his lips. “It is, but if you think we’re not coming to make sure no one puts their hands on you, then you’re wrong,” he states, swiping his tongue over his bottom lip as his hands flex at my sides.

“I can handle—”

“We don’t mean fighting, Rhea, we mean handsy, and in that fucking dress, we made the right decision,” Xander murmurs from behind me, sending a shiver down my spine that he somehow trails with his fingers brushing over my skin.

“Let’s go chaperones, I want to get my dance on, and down a few shots along the way,” Harmonia sings with a smile, and we take the hint, following her through the portal with my hand linked with Zen’s, and Xander’s palm at my back.

Khaos is eerily silent the entire way, but with all the moaning Adonis does about not being able to walk right beside me, even if Khaos wasn’t in a mood, he wouldn’t be able to get a word in edgewise.

As we near the edge of the woods, the sound of music playing begins to sweep around us, and my body relaxes with every step we take. Zen strokes his thumb over my knuckles as Xander does the exact same at my back, drawing circles on my spine, and my body feels electric.

“We’re right near the edge of the party now, just let me walk with her for a few minutes,” Adonis whines, walking on the other side of Zen as Khaos and Harmonia continue beside Xander.

“No,” both Xander and Zen repeat for the hundredth time, their voices void of any emotion as they continue to move forward.

“You’re all assholes,” he bites back, running ahead to stop in front of me and walking backwards as we proceed forward. “Except you, baby,” he adds with a wink. “You’re going to save me a dance, right?”

I shake my head at his relentlessness. “I will,” I concede, secretly loving his need to lay claim to me in front of everyone.

His smile spreads as he turns around and moves through the clearing in the trees to where all the students are. Similar to the last party, a campfire burns in the center of the open field, the moonlight shimmering off the water in the lake as my gaze zones in on the drinks table.

“Okay, well, bye bye, she’s mine now,” Harmonia says, loud enough to be heard over the dance track playing, and when she offers me her elbow, I link my arm with hers, releasing my other hand from Zen’s grip.

With a quick grin over my shoulder, I follow Harmonia’s lead, feeling their heated gazes on my back as I move away.

Fuck. That’s hot.

They have a way of making me feel desirable without uttering a single word because it’s all in their eyes. Mr. Asshole included.

I spot Thalia and Cassandra by the drinks table, and I wave, before coming to a stop beside them with Harmonia. They’re both wearing blue dresses, but while Cassandra’s is short and revealing, Thalia’s is more of a maxi dress style, floating down to her ankles.

“What took you guys so long? We’ve had two shots already, and you need to play catch up!” Cassandra shouts with a grin, immediately producing two plastic, sealed shot glasses and waving them in front of me, while Thalia does the same to Harmonia.

“Don’t blame me, I can’t take Rhea and her boy band of lovers anywhere, and dealing with that shit takes time,” Harmonia replies with a playful roll of her eyes before winking at me, and I grin, shrugging without care.

“But that’s one fine boy-band,” I reply, and the three of them laugh in response.

Taking the liquor from Cassandra’s hand, I open them both, turning to Harmonia who does the same.

“Three… Two… One…” Thalia chants, and I down the first shot, a sour apple taste coating my tongue, before I follow in quick succession with the other, a sweet lemon drop taste as I shiver at the alcohol hit.

“Holy fuck,” Harmonia yells, arms flying up to the sky as she tilts her head back with a grin. “So good,” she adds as I place the empty glasses in the trash can at the end of the drinks table.

That was exactly the buzz I was needing to get the night started. Now, to dance.

Before I can utter a word and convince them to join me on the dance floor, Cassandra links her arm through mine and drags me to the center of the makeshift dance space everyone is using.

The party is crowded, just like at Halloween, only this time I feel more eyes looking at me and assessing me after all the revelations Zellus has dropped over the past week. Yep, he’s still a motherfucker.

I even catch sight of Sky, Agion’s head of hall, and the scrutinizing gaze she gives me matches everyone else’s here. Perfect.

Refusing to let it bring me down, I roll my shoulders back and let the rhythm of the song run through my body as I sway my hips. Cassandra, Thalia, Harmonia, and I stand in a circle, creating our own bubble as we dance and move to the beat.

I can’t help but glance over my shoulder, the feeling of desired gazes trailing over my skin, and it’s no surprise to see the Elites watching me with enraptured interest. I thrive off their attention in situations like this. My hips sway a little extra as I drag my hands down my body, making sure they’re enjoying the show.

It won’t be long until I lure one of them in, a perfect dance partner as we melt into the night together.

One track leads into another, which leads into another, and before I know it, hours have passed. My legs are starting to hurt, my moves starting to become sluggish as tiredness washes over me.

Refusing to be defeated, I hold my thumb up, pointing it over my shoulder at the drinks table, before I turn and head in the same direction. I sigh as I approach my destination, sweat coating my skin in a thin layer from head to toe as I breathe in a lung full of fresh air.

The dance floor is packed, making it feel humid, and I need a respite for a moment. With that in mind, instead of reaching for another shot, like we’ve been topping ourselves up with on the dance floor, I move for a bottle of water instead. Stepping to the side, I unscrew the cap and down half of the icy cold liquid in one gulp.

Watching my friends dance, my back to the woods, I feel an unsettling shiver run down my spine as a presence looms. But as I calm my initial reaction, I glance over my shoulder to find Khaos barely a foot away. With his hands in his pockets, his piercing green eyes on mine, and his jaw tight, I can’t stop myself from running my tongue over my lips, enjoying the view.

I think he may be the goddamn exception to my rule. No matter how much of an asshole he is, I can’t stop being drawn to him. Even though things are stilted between us right now, I would ride his cock until sunrise if he offered it up on a platter to me at this moment.

Which is just another stark reminder why everything with Dante was merely nothing at all. Not like this, not this level of intoxicating and consuming.

Khaos takes a step forward, his eyes searching mine as I turn on the spot. As I place my water bottle down on the table, I give him my full attention. He takes that as an invitation, cutting any remaining distance away as he stands toe to toe before me.

My chest rises and falls with each breath, acutely aware of his closeness as he keeps his hands tucked in his pockets, and his eyes zoned in on mine.

“How do we seem to be drawn together in the most crowded of places? How do I only see you?” I ask, curiosity piquing my interest as I remember the only other party I attended, and exactly how it ended too.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” he murmurs as his hands grab for my waist, and despite the fact he’s an asshole, I let him.

My body reacts to his grip on my hips, desire coursing through my veins as I peer up into his eyes. It’s like electricity buzzes between us, a bubble locking us in our own little world like everything else going on around us doesn’t exist.

Not the people here at the party.

Not the issues with his mother.

Not the rest of the Elites and the fact I’ve sealed my soul to two of his brothers.

None of it.

“I thought you wanted nothing to do with me?” I whisper, hating the words on my tongue as he pulls me in closer, my chest brushing against his as his hand finds the exposed skin on my back.

“I never said that,” he bites back, jaw ticking as he scrunches his eyes shut for a moment, like he somehow didn’t want to say those words, but needed me to hear them at the same time.

I walk my fingers up his arms until my hands rest on his shoulders, and he opens his eyes again, a pained expression flashing in his mesmerizing green eyes.

“So what is it you want, Khaos? You’re giving me whiplash,” I say with a quirk of my eyebrow. The only sound between us is our breaths as we soak each other up in a rare, raw moment between us. The complete opposite of the fury we threw at each other earlier in the week.

“Never doubt that I want you, Venom, I just can’t have you,” he whispers against my lips, my body shivering at his words, hating the way they crack my soul because I almost believe him.

“Venom?” I rasp, confused with his nickname for me, and he shakes his head with a heavy sigh.

“Yeah. Intoxicating, hypnotizing, and alluring. Yet one bite, and I’m as good as dead,” he states, my eyes widening at his description of me.

My heart pounds in my chest, my hands tingling with a mixture of shock and confusion at his words. Yet even though he said those words just moments ago, he still brings his lips to the corner of my mouth. It’s so light I could have imagined it, but when he drags the tip of his tongue over the edge of my bottom lip, my knees almost buckle as my mouth parts.

With one hand splayed out over the bare skin at the bottom of my back, his other rises to cup the back of my neck. I watch as his eyes dance between need and disapproval, and it makes me frown.

Something isn’t right here. Something isn’t…

“Cut it the fuck out, Adonis,” Khaos growls, his grip tightening on me for a split second, before he releases me, stepping back and putting some much needed distance between us.

My frown only deepens as my mind is suddenly infiltrated by the sound of music playing around us, groups laughing and joking as they enjoy themselves, and I suddenly remember where we are.

Focusing on Khaos, I follow his line of sight right to Adonis, who has his hands raised in surrender with a sheepish look on his face.

“What the hell is going on?” I ask, rubbing my fingertips at my temple as I try to process the issue here while alcohol is still running through my veins. Not a good combo when thinking is needed.

“Don’t ever fucking do that again,” Khaos bites, his low growl still heard over the noise around us.

“Do what?” I yell, waving my hands around frantically as I will one of them to fucking clue me in. I rub my lips together, too concerned with what is passing between the two of them to worry if we have an audience or not.

“Control us like… that,” Khaos grumbles, pointing between us, but I’m still not quite getting it, and he must sense it because he continues. “He was making us act on our desires, forcing us together,” he says through gritted teeth, and my mouth falls open in surprise.

What the hell?

Khaos has to be making that shit up.

I whirl around to face Adonis, his hands still raised as he offers an innocent look. I can fucking tell by the glint in his eyes that he’s not sorry about it, and maybe under other circumstances I might not be either, but Khaos didn’t want to do any of that with me. Which instead leaves me swarming with guilt and sadness that Khaos and I didn’t have a choice because we were being influenced.

Would I change any of it right now? No, probably fucking not. So what does that make me?

“I’m out,” Khao spits, not looking my way as he shoulders past Adonis and heads into the woods.

Fuck.

Silence descends over Adonis as we stare at each other, until I sigh. “You had no right to fucking do that,” I state, following the same path as Khaos, sans the barging into Adonis even though I’d love to knock him on his ass.

“I only enhanced his desires that were there, baby,” he says, like that’s enough, a justifiable reason to violate a friend like that, and I shake my head.

“Have you ever had desires you didn’t want to act on?” I ask, slowing my pace, and he shakes his head. Of course not. He’s a fucking incubus.

Swiping a hand down my face, I step into the opening between the trees.

“Where are you going?” Adonis asks, confusion on his face as I turn to glance at him.

“Khaos is done for the night, which means we’re done for the night too. Since you’re the reason, with your little stunt, you can let the others know, and quickly.” With that, I turn back into the dimly lit trees, appreciating the fairy lights glowing in the space.

I fold my arms over my chest, watching Khaos’ retreating form up ahead. I want to call his name, ask him to wait, but I know he won’t. Not after that. The mere thought of it has me lifting my hands to my lips, trailing my fingers from the corner of my mouth, along the edge of my bottom lip, replaying his touch.

For a man that doesn’t want me, he sure knows how to leave his mark.

Chapter 21

Zen

I t’s always a strange sensation to step out of the bubbled dome that covers the entirety of Saints Academy, like you’re leaving part of yourself behind somehow. A connection to your magic, even when I haven’t yet activated it, I can sense the loss.

The moment I step beyond the barrier, I find myself in a huge, open field, nothing but perfectly green grass for miles, and trees lining the land off in the distance. As if sensing my approach, a moment later, a portal appears before my eyes, white billowing smoke materializing a few hundred yards away, before Nigel, my family’s porter makes his entrance.

A genuine smile forms on his lips as he sees me, brushing his light gray hair back off his face as he waves his hands dramatically for me to enter the portal. “Good morning, Mr. Elias, your family is waiting for you,” he says, and I roll my eyes at him.

“Thank you, Nigel, and you know it’s just Zen, right? We’ve had this discussion before.” I deadpan, slowing to a stop to shake his hand before I go any further, and his smile just widens more, which I can’t help but return.

“And you know that I’m always professional, Mr. Elias, but it will forever show the kind of person you are when you attempt to correct me by calling you something less formal,” he replies, brushing his hands down his cream, linen shirt and pants.

I pat him on the shoulder in understanding as I step through the portal. It’s the same conversation every time, but I won’t give up with him. He’s been a part of our family since before I was born, and we all treat him with the respect he deserves. Porters usually get treated with nothing but disdain and expectation, their ability to create portals and transport you wherever you please not treated with the wonder and appreciation that it should.

When my foot lands on the ground again, the smell in the air changes, the old familiarities of my family home washing over me.

Bread.

Freshly baked bread.

For some reason, the chef is always baking it, but part of me thinks it’s simply because he loves the smell so much.

I blink my eyes open, not having realized they’d drifted closed, but it was likely on instinct when I inhaled the welcoming scent.

Nigel’s portal has brought me directly into the dining room, which is exactly as I remember it, chairs already taken by my family members, who smile wide at my arrival. It’s been too long, especially since I didn’t come home for Christmas break.

“Son, it’s been forever,” my mother announces, rising to her feet and shuffling around the table.

“It has, you’ve gotten so much… bigger since then,” I murmur, referring to the baby bump she’s rocking as I wrap my arms around her in a gentle hug.

Her hair is blonde like mine, but that’s where our similarities end. Her eyes are blue, her height barely five foot four, and her little button nose is adorable. In a floaty yellow summer dress, she looks as radiant as ever.

She places a kiss to my cheek, before making her way back to her seat around the ten-seater dining table. My father approaches, extending his hand for me to shake as he pats me on the back in the weird greeting he always does.

Here’s my look alike.

His hair is brown, our only difference, while he has the same round, hazel eyes as mine, we stand the same height, and every part of our frame, from the chisel of our jaws to the wideness of our shoulders is exactly the same.

“I always wanted a mini version of your daddy, baby, right down to a T, I just wanted to sprinkle a little of my light hair on you.”

My mother repeated those words to me time and time again, always with a smile, and always quickly followed with a kiss to my forehead.

“Son, come sit, Agnes is just getting ready to bring the food out,” he says, pointing at the table as I move with him.

It’s a full family occasion apparently, my three older siblings are already seated. They all offer me a smirk, watching me be fawned over, but I don’t mind it, not when I will no longer be the youngest in just a few months.

I pull my seat out at the oak table beside my sister Rosa, while my other brother and sister, Gabe and Serenity, sit across from us, leaving my parents on each end.

There’s approximately eighteen to nineteen years between each of us, Rosa the eldest, followed by Gabe, then Serenity. It’s safe to say, once the youngest left the nest, my parents got lonely and broody, empty nest syndrome and all that, hence the baby now growing in my mother’s stomach.

Not that my older siblings look any older than they did when they were in their twenties, our angel blood pauses our aging process, giving us the timeless joy of youth, luckily since we’re immortal.

“So, baby brother, how was the snow?” Serenity asks, waggling her eyebrows as she stares at me across the table, and I grin.

“It was fantastic, thank you,” I reply, knowing full well she’s bringing it up in front of my parents on purpose. I count down from three because it doesn’t take much longer than that for them to speak up, but I barely say one and my mother chimes in.

“Snow? What snow?”

I don’t respond straight away as food is brought to the table, and my stomach rumbles at the array of pancakes, fruits and syrups. Once the servers leave, my mother turns back to me with an expectant look, but I pop a strawberry in my mouth, savoring the sweetness before I answer.

“Rhea had never seen snow before, and I wanted to show her,” I answer honestly, opting not to shy away from the reason they called a family breakfast this morning, and my mother’s smile spreads across her face.

“You got your sister to create snow for a woman?” she clarifies, and I nod, putting a grape in my mouth as I organize the pancake stack and drizzle some of the sweet strawberry syrup over the top. “And is Rhea the girl your unit is connected to? The one everyone is talking about?”

“She is,” I reply, my pulse quickening as I rub my lips together, an instinctive reaction that is completely wasted on my mother.

“Thank the Gods, I didn’t want a scandal on our hands,” she says with a chuckle, taking a bite of her own breakfast as my father hums in agreement with her lightheartedness. “Now please, tell me all about her, I want to know everything.”

Again, I knew this line of questioning was coming, but I’ve racked my brain all night, attempting to find a way to explain just how phenomenal Rhea is with just simple words. They don’t do her justice.

“Someone’s in love,” Gabe sings around a mouthful of food, and I roll my eyes, not denying it, which quickly makes the table quieten in surprise.

“Zen,” my mother whispers, hope in her voice and tears in her eyes, and I simply smile at her in response, neither confirming nor denying Gabe’s statement.

Clearing my throat, I feel Rosa squeeze my arm beside me as I speak. “She was an orphaned human, sorry, I mean earthling, for the first twenty-two years of her life, mandatory testing found her gifted by Pandora’s Box,” I explain, my mother’s eyes widening in surprise.

“Oh my goodness, what a shock that must have been,” she replies, worry marring her forehead, placing a hand over her heart, but I shake my head, wanting to ease her concern.

“I have never met a more resilient, independent, and awe-inspiring woman in my whole entire life,” I state, meaning every word, which has even my father giddy as he claps with delight.

“Is it true she has sealed her soul to someone?” Serenity asks, intrigued by the thought, my stomach clenching at the fact she states, but when no one grumbles, glares, or gets angry, I relax back into my seat once more.

Most fear the power of a sealed soul, but not my family. They’re not trying to gain anyone else’s power or want for things they don’t need. They’re far too happy just being… them.

“Yes, to Xander and to Adonis,” I say with a tentative smile, stuffing my face with more food.

“Wow, the sense of belonging and family she must feel now with the four of you as a unit, especially with her soul tethered to another, grounding her,” my father says in awe, and my chest burns with pride.

My parents never cease to amaze me with their kind hearts, open minds, and generosity. My siblings too, we got some good genes.

“I’m so pleased for you,” Rosa murmurs beside me, and I nod my thanks.

“Does she have any idea what her heritage line is?” Gabe asks, and I wince, unable to hide my reaction to his question.

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard the news from Zellus himself, he’s happily gossiping about the entire thing to anyone and everyone,” I reply, rolling my eyes, and my father scoffs.

“He was always one for the dramatics,” he mumbles, and the rest of us nod in sync at the absolute truth he just spoke.

“Yeah, well, he hasn’t changed, but I guess it’s huge and confusing news that no one can wrap their head around. We’re attempting to do some research, but we keep falling short. Although everything has been so crazy, we haven’t had enough time to delve too deep just yet,” I explain, but Serenity kicks me under the table.

“That’s all good, Zen, but answer the question,” she interrupts, with no patience at all.

“Zellus forced them to run a blood test on her, and she was confirmed to be the child of Zeus and Nyx.” Gasps filter around the room as they all stare at me in disbelief. Been there, done that.

“Rhea, what a poor soul, I can’t imagine any of this is easy to digest. No wonder Zellus is gossiping like a lunatic, this is rumor gold for him,” my mother states with a tsk. “You must help her, Zen,” she adds, and a soft smile graces my lips.

“I will help her in whatever way she needs, Mother. It’s confusing to us that someone could hold both Zeus’ and Nyx’s blood, especially with them on opposite ends of the war. But to someone who spent their entire life as an earthling until last year, I can’t even imagine.”

“Agreed,” Rosa says beside me with a shake of her head.

“No matter whether you seal your soul with her or not, Zen, you must be you, because you’re exactly the kind of calm she needs to thrive in this world,” my father says, making my heart rate quicken as I wet my dry lips.

“Thank you,” I mutter in response.

I forget just how wonderful my family is. No judgment, no anger or fear at the thought of someone sealing their souls, something which hasn’t happened in such a long time.

Just peace, understanding, acceptance, and love.

“Are you happy, son?” my mother asks, dabbing a napkin at her eyes as she tries and fails at containing her emotions right now, and I reach across the table to squeeze her hand with mine.

“I am,” I answer confidently, running my thumb over her knuckles. “It’s like I want to protect her from everything, while encouraging her to achieve everything in life. And wanting her to smile, just for me,” I say, almost poetic, but I can’t help it, it’s what she does to me.

Up close and personal though, when it’s just the two of us, I want to dominate her mouth, feel every inch of her body, and make her scream my name so loud everyone in the entire Academy hears it.

But I can’t say that to my mother, so the soft approach will have to do.

“So, where is the research leading you? What options has she got to delve into?” my father asks, and I release my mother’s hand to rub at my jaw.

“Honestly, apart from the library, I’m not sure what other options we may have. I can’t imagine Zeus offering up information, especially not willingly. Not when she’s supposedly the child of him and his enemy, the entire reason we were stuck in a war for over two hundred years,” I groan, swiping my hand down my face.

The room remains quiet for a moment, until Gabe clears his throat. “So, she has no one in Phoenix Valley? Is there no one she can ask questions?”

Hmm, he has a point. Everything we need to know is in the past, a part of history, so maybe we need to take a step backward to move forward.

“Excellent idea, brother,” I murmur, rising to my feet and placing a kiss on my mother’s head. “I have to go.”

Chapter 22

Rhea

I  take a seat at the large table in the center of the Academy library. No one's around since it’s a Saturday morning and everyone’s likely hungover. After Adonis’ little stunt with Khaos and I yesterday, I decided it was best to avoid both of them for a while. That then kicked in the need to research not just my history and past, but the Academy too. Thankfully, I was able to enlist Harmonia to tackle the task with me.

She takes the spot across from where I’m sitting, her hair spun into a bun on top of her head as she rubs her hands together in determination. “We’ve so got this,” she murmurs, attempting to pump us up, and I try to let her confidence wash over me, but doubt frays my mind. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this place, it’s the fact that whenever I go searching for answers, I only ever end up with more questions.

A sigh falls from my lips, but I nod in agreement, hoping like hell we have some luck here. I’d be happy with an answer to one of my questions; that would give me hope.

I’ve piled my hair on top of my head like Harmonia, opting for a pair of short shorts, and an oversized t-shirt that smells a hell of a lot like Xander. While she looks as flawless as ever in a red and white floral print dress.

“So, run through what we’re looking for,” Harmonia says, spreading out some of the books in front of her that we’ve already grabbed from the shelves. I made sure to pick ones I didn’t get the last time I was here, but I’m still looking at them dubiously. It doesn’t help that there isn’t a librarian.

Fingers crossed.

“We want anything at all on sealed souls, Zeus, Nyx, the reason for the war, and anything else which falls in those categories,” I explain, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. “Then, I know it’s less likely for us to find this kind of stuff in here, but I’m intrigued to find out why the dome is placed over the Academy, and why it connects to our magic. Why does the training intensify at the Academy, like what do they think we’re going up against, and where the hell do the third years go most of the year?” I add, my brows knitting together as confusion and uncertainty wash over me again.

There’s so many things we don’t know, and as the tension continues to thicken around me on campus, especially with Zellus, I can’t help but want to have the facts.

“Holy crap, that’s a lot of things playing on your mind, Rhea,” Harmonia says with a soft smile, although I don’t miss the concern flashing in her pink eyes.

“Tell me about it, Harm. I can’t shut the damn thing off,” I reply, tapping my temple as I sigh. “But there’s just some stuff that doesn’t make sense to me, a lot of gray areas and unspoken reasons behind decisions made on our behalf. I may have come to learn I’m a supernatural, and yeah, it’s amazing, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to just blindly follow Zellus or the Hex because people tell me to.”

I offer a weak smile, that Harmonia immediately returns, understanding in her eyes, mixed with uncertainty, and I get it. This is all a mind fuck, but I’m not just here for the ride. Not when there are so many secrets and surprises that surround me. I want to know what I’m up against because my gut is telling me the crazy is far from over.

Grabbing the closest book to me, I run my fingertips over the brown leather cover, the engraved pattern zig-zagging all over the page. Without another word, we both sink into the books, trying to skim read thoroughly so we don’t miss anything by mistake. I quickly find myself moving on to the next book, then another, and another, and another.

Desperation begins to creep into my bones as I flick through the pages faster, more determined to find that one word or phrase to make this all worth it, while hope begins to ebb away.

“Oh, I might have something,” Harmonia says suddenly, and I snap my head up so fast to look at her, I almost get whiplash. Fuck.

“Hit me with it,” I reply, slowly stretching my neck to avoid any pain.

Harmonia shuffles in her seat as she leans over the textbook before her. “It mentions here about the start of the war, or the rumors surrounding the meaning of it all,” she murmurs, but her gaze is still fixed on the words as she runs her finger over the text. “Here! It says Nyx and her children refused to follow the general order of the Gods, living in the deepest, darkest depths of the underworld. Something apparently pissed her off, mind you, these are not the words in the book I just wanted to give my interpretation of the text,” she adds, looking up at me with a grin. “But she blanketed the sky in darkness in revenge, refusing to let her daughter raise the sun. The longer someone continued to make her mad, the more wrath the entire world seemed to face.”

Hmmm. “But it doesn’t say anything about Zeus specifically? Like the reason why she reacted like that?” I ask, wondering if my so-called mother was a scorned woman, but Harmonia shakes her head.

“It’s not mentioned anywhere,” she explains. “But I’ll keep looking.”

Silence falls over us once more, the news not too far from the stories that we’re told as children. We continue to get lost in book after book, but the reality is starting to become very clear; everything I want answers to isn’t just lying around in the library. These are people's secrets, their skeletons in the closet, and if I want answers, I’m going to have to unearth them.

I close the book in front of me, leaning back in my seat as I tilt my face up to the ceiling. I take a deep breath as my eyes close, before exhaling slowly. It’s frustrating, so fucking frustrating, but there’s nothing else we can do here.

“Since we’re not finding anything in the books about the war, let's talk more about the school questions we’ve got,” Harmonia says as I hear the sound of her book closing too. “Have you noticed any drastic differences between the first and second year classes that might help us understand what the third years do?”

That’s a good question, I turn my gaze back to hers, linking my fingers together in my lap as I think through my recent experiences.

“I’m not sure. Classes are much more in-depth. It almost feels as though the first year is a ploy to get you here, nothing to really learn, but it gives them a chance to work their way under our skin. But that’s just my earthling perspective,” I state, giving her a wink, and having no idea if that actually makes sense, but I’m thinking out loud right now. “But again, it still feels stilted, because students don’t have their powers until the end of the year, which no one has explained in further detail,” I add, swiping a hand down my face.

“And why is there a dome over the Academy if there aren't any threats? Why do they have us training with weapons as well?” Harmonia speaks up, and I nod in agreement. “What do our gifts from Pandora’s Box represent? Why do we even need them to begin with?”

“Exactly, which leads me to one simple question which has my gut twisting in knots,” I murmur, rubbing my lips together nervously as I attempt to test the weight of the words on my tongue before actually speaking them out loud. But they tumble from my lips in a whisper. “Is Nyx really dead?”

Chapter 23

Xander

“A re you worried that she is or that she isn’t?”

The question falls from my lips before I can stop it, but once it’s out there, I don’t regret it. There’s some hard questions we need to ask ourselves right now, and this is one of them.

Rhea and Harmonia jolt in surprise at the sound of my voice, but as soon as Rhea’s eyes land on mine, a small smile creeps across her lips, even when I watch her consider my question.

“How long have you been there?” she asks as I cut across the open space, nearing the two of them and all of the books scattered around.

“Not long,” I offer in response, but it was long enough for me to hear what she seems concerned with.

Adonis had come banging on my door about thirty minutes ago, in a total fit of panic since Rhea wasn’t in her room. But to my surprise, I found a text message on my phone from her explaining where she was if I needed her. The fact she openly trusts me without me pushing for it or bringing it to her attention settles my wolf in ways words can’t describe.

I didn’t offer that information up of course. I agreed to go on a search for her, leading me straight here after sending a quick message to Zen to see how his visit with his parents was going. I mentioned to him where I would be, but opted to keep Khaos and Adonis in the dark since last night was clearly still playing through her mind. And probably theirs. That’s the only reason I could think of for her not texting either of them too.

Then I got here, found her looking so fucking stunning, my sweet Goddess, with her brown hair in a messy bun, a few tendrils framing her angelic face, while wearing one of my t-shirts. More specifically, the t-shirt I had left in her room after our spontaneous threesome with Adonis. And she looks hot as hell.

My wolf ripples beneath the surface, desperate to growl mine, but I manage to hold it at bay. I can feel her heated gaze trail over me too, from my combat pants, to the fitted black tee covering my arms. It’s like she can see beneath the material, remembering what lies underneath.

“Harmonia, I’m going to need you to give us a minute,” I murmur, unable to stop the demand from passing my lips as I keep my gaze fixed on Rhea’s. Intrigue shining in her eyes.

Harmonia chuckles in response. “Really? Just a minute? Xander, I had more faith in you than that.”

The deadpan look that spreads across her face from the innuendo makes a laugh blurt from my mouth, Rhea giggling too as I turn to glance at her friend. To my surprise, her witty comment comes with her grabbing her bag off the floor, swinging it over her shoulder as she offers us both a teasing and knowing smile.

“Are you going to be okay getting back to Agion?” I ask, finding myself slightly concerned with the safety and well-being of Rhea’s friend, but she offers me a shake of her head, accompanied with an eye roll.

“Please, I’m fine. I don’t seem to attract half as much drama as this one,” she says, pointing at Rhea with a wink. “So I’m good, but thanks.” She offers an appreciative smile on her lips before she starts moving toward the door. “Catch you later, Rhea, and enjoy your study session.”

“Bye,” Rhea responds, not even acknowledging Harmonia’s parting words, her voice huskier than before as she wets her lips and looks up at me through her lashes.

With my hip propped against the table, I don’t move, keeping my gaze fixed on hers until I’m sure Harmonia has gone. I don’t expect anyone else to make an appearance. No one ever comes to the library, especially not on the weekend.

When I hear her last footstep before she slips through the portal, my shifter hearing useful once again, I let the silence descend over us, watching as Rhea squirms in her seat.

This feeling, this connection between us, is indescribable. I’m drawn to her, just as she is to me, and I’m never going to complain. I feel alive, like my life is suddenly in color, with my soul and wolf as one, sealed to the girl who strolled into this Academy without any clue who or what she was.

“What’s on your mind?” she asks, crossing her legs as she peers up at me.

“You,” I breathe. “It’s always you.”

I hear her pulse quicken, visibly seeing the flutter at her throat as she digests my words.

“You’re a sweet talker for a man of few words,” she says with a wry grin playing across her face.

“I have an incentive,” I reply with a shrug, loving the way her heart rate increases with every second we spend together. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. And I’m obsessed with the pitter patter sound.

“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” She brushes strands of her brown hair back off her face, attempting to look coy, but she just looks enticing, beautiful, and mine.

“You.”

She chuckles at my response, waving her hand dismissively between us. “Is that the only answer you have, wolf?”

I rake my teeth over my bottom lip, edging closer to her, until I lift my leg over her thighs, bracing my ass on the table behind me as I loom over her. She fights the need to shuffle beneath me as I fold my arms over my chest.

“Since the day I met you? Yes. Since we sealed our souls together? Double fucking yes. Since the moment I saw you in here, the desperate desire to strip your panties from your body and fuck you in my t-shirt? Triple. Fucking. Yes.”

Her chest heaves with every word as I inch forward, not stopping until my nose brushes against hers. If she tries to deny the sexual tension flowing between us right now, I’ll call her out, I can feel it. Not just with my wolf senses, but in my fucking soul too.

I watch as she swallows past the lump in her throat, trying yet failing to take a full breath. “Don’t talk a big game without following through, Xander,” she murmurs, and I grin. It’s definitely not what I came here for, not even a little bit, but we’re here now, and I’m not backing down.

“Challenge accepted,” I reply, offering out my hand for her to take, which she does without question, only making my cock push harder against the waistband of my pants.

When she’s standing before me, I push the chair behind her away, encouraging her to take a step back as I tilt her chin up with the tip of my finger. Placing a gentle kiss on her soft lips, but not deepening our connection. Not yet. Delayed gratification can be a magnificent thing. When I’m the one in control of it.

Wordlessly, I drop to my knees, my legs under the table as I place my hands on her thighs, slowly lifting the hem of her t-shirt up to reveal her shorts. I waste no time dipping my fingers into the waistband, pulling them down with her panties to reveal her sweet, delectable pussy.

She groans above me, her hands shifting to my shoulders for balance as I pull the material from her skin, removing her sandals along with them.

“Fuck,” she curses, forcing a grin to explode over my lips in satisfaction.

“Place your hands on the table, Goddess,” I breathe, glancing up at her with a quirked eyebrow when she doesn’t immediately follow my instruction.

She wets her parted lips, her gaze flicking to the open library door behind me for a moment, before she leans forward, bracing her upper half on the table covered in books. Lifting the hem of my t-shirt slightly to reveal her pussy, I swipe my tongue from her center to her clit, eliciting a moan from her mouth, before I retreat.

“Good girl, now, read to me,” I state, my voice barely more than a rumble, and I can almost sense her frown without seeing her face.

“What?”

“You heard me, baby,” I reply, trailing my finger down the apex of her thighs, refusing to touch where she wants me most.

“Read what?” she asks, voice hitching with my touch as I grin.

“Whatever book you were looking at before I announced my arrival.” I move closer to her core, so my breath brushes against her sensitive skin, and she shivers.

“Why?”

“Because I like the sound of your voice,” I reply instantly, pressing my thumb to her clit.

“Fuck.” A moment passes before I hear shuffling above me, and I know she’s reached for the book. The second she starts speaking, I move my fingers to her core and my tongue to her clit. “As the population of sealed souls dwindled… ah, fuck,” she groans, stumbling over her words as she tries to speak.

Thrusting two fingers into her exposed pussy, I lap at her clit, trailing circles around the tight nub with my tongue as she attempts to grind against my face.

Her words become garbled as she tenses above me, but I don’t pause, too lost in her sweetness to berate her for stopping. My wolf won’t allow it.

“Sit down,” I bite, releasing her clit from my torment, nudging her back into the seat, and she moves willingly, her thighs spreading open automatically as she looks down at me.

The heated gaze swirling in her blue eyes is addictive, and now I desperately want to bring her to climax even quicker. Grabbing her thighs, I drag them over my shoulders in one swift move before feasting on her core once more. The moans, groans, and cries that pass her lips have my cock desperate for attention, but I want to taste her ecstasy on my tongue first.

“Come for me, Rhea, come on my tongue,” I breathe against her sweet core, desperate to taste her, and it’s like my words are the confirmation she needs to let go. Her fingers tangle in my hair, tightening their grip as she screams with pleasure, head falling back against the chair as she comes on my tongue.

Holy fuck.

I continue to swirl my fingers deep in her core until I know I’ve wrung every drop from her, and only then do I retreat, hearing a soft moan fall from her lips. Although she continues twitching for a moment longer.

“Please, Xander,” she begs as I rise to my feet, swiping my hand down my face as I grin at her.

Grabbing her waist, she immediately swings her legs around me, her hands grasping the back of my neck as her lips find mine. I let her have control for a minute because I’m feeling generous, her tongue stroking against mine as she devours me, before I can’t take it any longer.

“I need to be inside you,” I groan, sweat beading at my hairline as I place her on the table, legs still tight around my waist.

Reaching over my shoulder, I lift my t-shirt over my head, uncomfortable with the way it clings to me with sweat. I have no time to lose my pants properly though, opting to unzip them and push them down to mid-thigh, before Rhea wraps her hand around my thick, desperate length.

My hands clench, fisted against the wood of the table as I bite back a groan. “Shit,” I mumble, thrusting into her grasp once, twice, three times, before I have to stop myself. Otherwise I’m going to come far too quickly. And that would be a huge disappointment for both of us.

I pump my dick into her hand one final time, with my hand wrapped around hers, before I slip from her grasp. She takes the hint, leaning back on her palms as she spreads her legs for me. Fuck. I wet my lips, loving how responsive she is as goosebumps rise over her thighs when I glide my hands to her core.

There’s books scattered everywhere, some even under her, but she doesn’t complain at the discomfort as I line my cock up with her entrance.

“Please, Xander,” she begs again, eyes pleading with mine as her hair sticks to her face with a thin layer of perspiration.

“Anything for you,” I breathe, before thrusting deep and hard into her core, loving the way she moans in satisfaction as I fill her pussy.

The table attempts to move under my force, so I lift her hips slightly, not wanting to stop my pace as books clatter to the floor. Rhea chuckles, her eyes closed as she gasps with pleasure, her legs tightening around my waist as she holds me closer to her.

“Fuck,” she hisses, the same curse word repeatedly on the tip of her tongue as she pants.

My heart clenches inside me as my movements become more frantic, my skin tingling with my wolf so close to the surface, I’m almost worried my claws are going to come out. The connection between our souls makes everything heightened, everything more, everything perfect.

It thrums in my chest, my soul just as desperate as my cock to find release with my mate, and my wolf needy to claim her again and again.

She consumes me and my wolf.

She leaves us breathless.

She makes us desperate for more.

For eternity.

Eyes latched onto each other’s, I can sense the same in her, the acknowledgment that her soul is enhancing everything between us as my thrusts turn jagged. My breath lodging in my throat as her pussy clamps down on my cock, squeezing so fucking tight, there’s no stopping my own climax hitting me square in the chest too.

“Oh Gods,” Rhea screams as my head falls back and I slow my movements, not wanting to stop until we’re both spent.

Rhea’s arms give out, and she lays flat on the table and any books that remain as I hover over her, showering her with little kisses all over her face. I can’t stop myself from nuzzling into her neck too, my wolf beyond satisfied with my scent marking her.

Reluctantly slipping from her center, I tuck myself into my pants, realizing just how unprepared we were for any of this, when I sense someone approaching. I quickly lift Rhea to a sitting position, pulling her t-shirt down to cover her exposed pussy, before looking to see it’s Zen.

Rhea looks at me in confusion, before glancing over her shoulder to see our new arrival too. I watch as he glances around the room, clearly reading what we’ve been up to as he rubs his lips together and adjusts himself in his shorts.

“Oh good, you’re both here and… finished,” he states, eyes heating as I tug my t-shirt back on and hand Rhea’s panties and shorts to her.

I don’t speak at first, happy to watch the way they glance at each other. They’re getting closer, I can feel the tension ricocheting off them, and I’m not even the incubus of the group. I’m sure if Adonis was here he’d have something to say. I can’t help but wonder when the inevitable happens between them, if he’ll be as lucky as I am, to be sealed to her.

“Everything okay?” Rhea asks, brushing her loose hair back off her face, and it seems to kick Zen into motion as he nods, stepping fully through the doorway.

“Yeah, we’re taking a field trip,” he explains, a soft smile on his lips, not asking or offering, simply stating.

“Where?” Rhea asks, squeezing my arm as she rounds the table to move toward him, and he glances over her shoulder to nod at me, a hint that it’s a group activity.

“We’re going to Phoenix Valley.”

Chapter 24

Rhea

I  walk side by side with Zen, our fingers intertwined as Xander, Adonis, and even Khaos keep up. We step through the gates of the Academy, then through the bubble dome that secures the entire place, a fizzle of electricity shivering through my body, but not as intense as when I first arrived.

After Zen had showed up in the library, to announce our trip off campus, he and Xander had both wordlessly helped me tidy the books up, while I made a mental note of which ones I could tick off the list for being useless to my current causes.

As soon as we stepped back into Agion, Adonis and Khaos were there waiting. With no time to shower, I quickly freshened up, and changed into a pair of jeans, and an oversized mint green sweater that hangs off one shoulder, leaving Xander’s scent all over me.

“I still can’t believe you fucking knew where she was all along. You even had time to get your dick wet before you could tell me she was okay,” Adonis gripes for the hundredth time in the past ten minutes. I bite back the huff of laughter playing on my lips at his whining, only because I know it will send him off in a tirade even more, but we all know if the roles had been reversed, he would have done the exact same thing as Xander.

Either way, I was getting dick, so they could bicker among themselves.

“You clearly pissed the group off with your magic yesterday, Adonis. Don’t blame me for your poor judgment,” Xander grumbles, running his hand down my spine as he edges closer to my side. “I had an opportunity and I took it.” He shrugs like that solves all the problems between us, and I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, working harder to not grin as Zen’s hand tightens around my own.

I don’t hear Adonis’ grumbled response as I turn to look at Zen, his hazel eyes holding me captive as we come to a stop.

Fuck.

I want to reach up and run my fingers through his hair, swipe my tongue over his bottom lip, and press my body to his. Like I didn’t just get fucked senseless by Xander an hour ago. I can officially admit my body is a needy bitch.

I’m in so deep with the Elites, and every opportunity with Zen so far has been interrupted, prolonging the build up of desire between us, never melting any of it away. If anything, it’s only enhancing the feeling that comes from every smile, touch, and gaze. I wouldn’t be surprised if I self-combust one day from the sexual tension that’s riding us both hard. No pun intended.

His heated gaze tells me he’s observing me the same way, but like clockwork, a whooshing sound startles me from ahead, interrupting our stare off as a portal appears before us. A man steps through, a smile already on his lips as he immediately looks to Zen.

“Mr. Elias, twice in one day, always a pleasure,” he says, extending his arm to the side, indicating toward the portal. My gaze flicks back to Zen, watching as he eye rolls the older man with a wry smile.

“Thank you for this, Nigel, I really appreciate your help,” he replies, taking a step forward to shake his hand, still keeping his other laced with mine as everyone moves closer.

“No worries,” Nigel hums in response, before shifting his gaze to mine. “And you must be Miss Rhea,” he adds, extending his hand to me, and I do the same, his hand warm and his shake somehow filled with kindness.

“That’s me,” I murmur, surprised this guy knows my name since I have no clue who he is, but if Zen is okay with him, then so am I.

“A pleasure. Now come, this way.” He releases my hand, turning to face the portal and stepping through without a backward glance. Before I take a step, I look to Zen, eager to know who this man is, but it’s Khaos’ turn to finally speak as a scoff falls from his mouth.

“Nigel is Zen’s family's porter, isn’t that fancy,” he explains, a lilt of teasing in his words before he steps through after Nigel.

A family transporter? What the fuck?

Zen almost looks embarrassed, but it’s clear his family is important. Or are they? I’ve never looked into anyone’s life outside of the Academy. I have no idea what the norm is here.

Knowing now isn’t the time to delve into his family life further, I squeeze Zen’s hand in silent understanding and we move in sync, letting the white smoke surround us for a moment until we place our feet down on concrete. I blink for a moment, adjusting to where we are, when I realize the exact spot we stand in, and my heart skips a beat.

The Town Hall.

The last time I was here I… it feels like an eternity ago. It almost doesn’t feel real, and inside I feel… numb.

“I apologize if this is far away from where you need to be, but the Town Hall is the only place I’ve ever visited in Phoenix Valley, so it’s the only visual I have to create the portal,” Nigel explains, pulling me from my thoughts, and I smile, nodding in appreciation.

“That’s okay, thank you,” I murmur in response, realizing I have no clue where we’re going as I clear my throat. I pull my gaze from the Town Hall, focusing on anything else. If any of the Elites sense my inner turmoil, none of them mention it.

I pull my hand from Zen’s, feeling my palms sweat a little as I shake them out, looking around at the familiar buildings as I get my bearings, needing a minute to take a breath. Wrapping my head around the idea of returning to my original home is one thing, but actually standing in front of the Town Hall is something I never thought I’d do again. I hear Zen and Nigel talking for a moment, before the portal closes and the five of us remain in Phoenix Valley.

“Have any of you ever been here before?” I ask, turning to look at them from left to right.

Zen. Adonis. Xander. Khaos.

Each of them shake their head as they scan their gazes around the city. It seems they’re in for an eye-opening surprise.

With a simple, emotionless nod, I take a step back. “We’ve got about a forty minute walk from here to where my old apartment was, so we better get to it.” I don’t wait for a response as I turn my back to them and head in the direction of what was once home. It feels strange being here with them, odd, like they're out of place among the damage that is Phoenix Valley. But I refuse to feel ashamed or embarrassed. This is my home, this is a part of me, and that will never change.

I barely take ten steps before Adonis groans, the group whiner in full effect. “Did you have to do this every day?” he asks, racing to get to my side.

“I didn’t come to the Town Hall, apart from when I had to be tested, but walking was my main mode of transportation. I would occasionally save some money for the bus, but otherwise, my two feet would get me from point A to point B,” I answer honestly, not wanting to lift my gaze to him in case I see pity there.

The other three Elites move closer, falling into step, and I think that’s all that’s going to be said until Khaos chimes in. “What about the douche?”

My brows crinkle in confusion for a moment as I try to understand what he means, or more like who he means, until it dawns on me that he’s referring to Dante.

Fucking Dante. It’s always about Dante.

“What about him?” I ask, confused as to why he’s being brought into conversation. I look at Khaos, watching as he slips his hands into his jeans pockets, but keeps a tight jaw locked in place as he glances at me.

It’s like he’s been backed into a corner, forced to show that deep down he cares, when he was the one to ask the initial question. Whiplash. Most definitely whiplash.

“Did he help you in any way?” His words are short and clipped.

Yup, definitely hates showing his hand, I think, but I force myself not to acknowledge it because that will only scare the big bad vampire away again. Instead, I consider his question, taking a few moments to summon a truthful answer.

“Uh, no, not really,” I start, feeling every single one of the Elites eyes darken with anger. “But, in his defense, I didn’t let him,” I admit, folding my arms over my chest as I keep moving. “I was too independent, too untrusting, and too determined not to lean on anyone.”

No one utters a word in response, clearly remembering those exact traits in me when I first arrived at Saints Academy. Are they still within me? Am I still that person or have the Elites started to thaw my icy exterior?

I already know the answer to that, as much as I really don’t want to admit it, it’s clear to see, even to me.

Thankfully, no one voices it, allowing us to walk in comfortable silence. I watch the Elites take in the worn down buildings, some derelict, others overgrown, and even sadder, some overgrown, seemingly derelict, but definitely lived in.

I can’t imagine seeing this place through their eyes. It was sad, depressing, and just heartbreaking when I lived here and now that I see how the supernaturals live, it makes these feelings even more pronounced.

When we’re close to my old apartment, I start to get nervous. Showing them where I came from isn’t something I should be ashamed of, and I’m not. But fuck me, Zen has a family transporter, and I had… four walls and a roof over my head. That’s all that mattered and still matters.

“So, what are we expecting to find here?” I ask, my nerves turning me into a fucking talker.

“Something that may link to your heritage,” Zen replies, but when I turn to him with my eyebrows raised in disbelief, he continues. “An item you may have had since you were a child or something along those lines that could link back to how you came to be in the human world instead of among the supernaturals. Maybe something you never thought would ever be a clue to explaining your past.”

I mean it makes sense, but there’s only one issue. “You know my stuff is going to have been tossed in the trash after my landlord didn’t receive any rent from me. Which was months ago,” I state, swiping my hair back off my face as my brows pinch together. “So I really don’t see how that’s going to be likely.”

“Well, I think it’s better to check than not at all,” Xander interjects, nodding in agreement with Zen as he moves to walk beside him.

I can’t argue with that, so I don’t. At this point, I’m willing to give anything a chance to see if I can find out more about my childhood or even memories. But I slow my steps as my old, rundown apartment building comes into view. It doesn’t look like a single thing has changed. Not one. It’s still got a damaged roof, missing bricks, and too many boarded up windows.

Wetting my lips, I frown as I glance up at the top of the block, envisioning my room on the other side of those bricks, and it feels like a lifetime ago.

“Is this it?” Zen asks, his voice too calm to tell if he’s judging me or not as I nod in response.

“Yeah. I was forced to leave in a hurry, taking what I needed, which was most of what I had, but I couldn’t take it all. Someone else is sure to live there now. Any leftover belongings of mine will be long forgotten,” I advise, twisting my lips in thought.

“Who would even think to put your things in the trash?” Adonis asks from my left as he looks up at the building too. Clearly shook by the simple cultural differences between here and Paradise Heights.

“The landlord, the new tenants, anyone,” I explain, but he immediately scoffs.

“That’s fucking rude. Who do I have to talk to about that?” he rants, frustration laced in his tone, but I roll my eyes, nearly laughing at him and his dramatics.

“They need the space, Adonis. Everyone is living on top of each other here in Phoenix Valley. It’s not plush, spacious or enticing. We’re desperate, lost, and barely surviving. This is, was, my reality and if I hadn’t tested as gifted, I would still be here. It’s all we’ve ever known because we’re human. You should never expect the preferential treatment you all receive in Paradise Heights to transfer down here.” I bite back through clenched teeth, my hands fisting at my sides as Zen strokes his hand down my spine. He’s trying to soothe me, but the sound of someone calling my name catches my attention.

“Miss Harrington, is that you?” I glance back over my shoulder, my gaze traveling across the road to find the rocking chair perfectly positioned, and Al sitting comfortably as always. A smile breaks out across my face instinctively at the sight of him, his familiar face filling me with an emotion I can’t quite assign a description to. What I do know, is it’s one I refuse to show in such a public place too.

He waves a hand, beckoning me over, and I move toward him without looking back at the Elites who I know will follow. He looks exactly as I remembered, his weathered and wise face smiling with pure joy as always.

“Al, how are you?” I ask, coming to a stop before him, and he opens up his hand for me to place mine in his. Surprisingly I don’t stutter or say no like I usually would to anyone else, I just simply do it.

“I wondered when you would come back for your things,” he says, my eyebrows rising as I remove my hand and gape at him in surprise.

“What do you mean?”

“I wasn’t letting that waste of a man toss your things away when he was preparing it for new residents. No way, I kept them safe here for you,” he explains, pointing over his shoulder as I continue to stare at him like he’s grown a second head.

“Thank you so much,” Zen finally says when I still can’t find my tongue, but I manage to nod in agreement as Al slowly rises to his feet.

“Follow me,” he mutters, waving us after him, and it takes a nudge at my back from Adonis to get me moving. I follow him into the apartment building, with its worn brown carpets and cream walls, begging for a freshen up, and take the first door to the left after Al.

I hover in the doorway at first, not wanting to enter his personal space, but of course he calls my name to draw me inside. My eyes scan over the black leather sofa, and an old television set up in the corner, feeling a sense of familiarity washing over me, remembering my old space, when he appears with a small cardboard box in his hands.

Gulping at the surprise of my name scrawled along the side, I take the box from his hands as he ushers me over to the kitchen where there’s a small stove and a fridge to the right. The Elites holding close to me as they take everything in.

My heart rate increases as I continue to stare at the box in complete bewilderment. How did I get so lucky to have a neighbor like him? Why did he take it on himself to do something so thoughtful? Like he was looking out for me? You couldn’t write this shit.

“Thank you,” I finally murmur, tilting my face to Al’s before I dip my hand inside the box.

“Of course,” he replies as I rifle through the few letters with my name that have been placed on top. The Elites hover around me, no one taking a seat as I delve into the box with tentative fingers. “I have been watching some interesting documentaries lately,” Al explains, continuing the conversation, and I offer a smile.

“Really? What about?”

“About the supernaturals, or the original Gods more specifically. It was fascinating, learning about their lives, their abilities, the fact that they got such phenomenal and one of a kind gifts from Pandora’s Box,” he replies, and my eyes widen in surprise.

Everyone knows about the supernaturals, Pandora’s Box and all of those things, but it almost feels strange talking about it with someone not supernatural. Pushing that aside, I keep my smile in place, ignoring the cardboard box for a moment as I focus on the conversation.

“That’s awesome. It sounds very interesting,” I say with a smile as Adonis steps beside me, nodding in agreement.

“It was. Did you know the same gift is never handed out twice, but Pandora’s Box can choose to take them away, gifting them to another whenever it sees fit?” he adds with excitement, and I shake my head in surprise.

“No, no I didn’t know that,” I state, eyes flashing to Zen who smiles, having made note of that fact too.

“Uh-huh,” Al continues, making his way over to his chair slowly before sinking down into the leather. “How is your dagger doing?” he asks nonchalantly, like he hasn’t just turned my head upside down. What the what now? How does he— “I heard there was a dagger once before you know. How exciting. I wonder where it came from?” he carries on, swiping a hand down his face as he flicks through the tv channels with the other. “That one activated by—”

“You’re supernatural,” Zen breathes, leaving his spot near the cabinet to edge toward Al who looks to him with a smile. My heart about stops in my chest, surprise flooding me, but it makes sense.

How had I never come to that conclusion before?

“A fury,” Xander announces, his eyebrow quirked as he looks the man over, which makes me squint harder in confusion. What the hell is a fury? I don’t know, the term sounds a little scary, but it makes Al’s smile spread wider as he offers a simple nod.

I have so many questions, so fucking many.

Discarding my box of belongings, I take two steps toward Al, trying to summon a sentence as I go, when I collide with a hard chest, stumbling backward in surprise at the collision when it was an open space moments ago.

“What the fuck?” I blurt, arms grabbing me from behind to keep me from falling to my ass, and I let myself sink into Khaos' touch for a moment, his scent enveloping me as Dante fucking James appears out of a portal before me.

“What the fuck?” Khaos barks, repeating my outburst as Dante shakes his head furiously.

“Why did you leave the Academy?” he bites, glancing around the room at the five of us, and Adonis scoffs.

“Shut the fuck up and mind your own fucking business,” Adonis growls as Khaos waits until I’m steady on my feet before releasing his hold on me.

I can’t deal with this shit right now, I want to ask a few—

Turning to glance at the chair Al was in moments ago, I come up short when I realize the man is nowhere to be seen.

Clutching my head in my hands, I feel dizzy as fuck with all the revelations and interruptions thrown at me. Add to that, the arguing echoing off the walls between Dante and my men, and I think I’m going to pass out from sensory overload because it feels like nothing is processing. Except everything is processing, all at the same time.

“That’s enough,” Xander growls, bringing the room to silence. “Khaos, get the box. Adonis, don’t waste your fucking breath on that cunt,” he orders, pointing at Dante. “Zen, get Rhea, and let’s all get the fuck out of here.”

Dante’s mouth opens and shuts a few times, wanting to argue back, but Xander just gives him a pointed stare. “If you want us to return to the Academy for whatever bullshit excuse you have, then you’ll keep your fucking mouth shut and your hands to yourself. You’re lucky I’m not tearing you to shreds right now for making my Goddess almost fall.” His jaw ticks, angry energy vibrating from him as he turns his attention to me. “Your eyes, Rhea,” he murmurs, nodding my way. “Seriously, Zen, get her the fuck out of here,” he repeats, and Zen wraps his arm around my shoulder, taking the box from Khaos’ hands, before doing as he says.

I step through the portal that suddenly appears before me with Zen at my side, the white smoke offering me invisible reassurances. I’m confused as hell by the entire situation, but his touch calms me, even though the magic that usually sits dormant in me is currently thrumming beneath the surface.

My gut clenches as we come to step through the portal, grass underfoot as the gates to Saint’s Academy loom ahead.

There’s a reason they didn’t want us there. Why? I haven’t seen a single rule or been told that we couldn’t visit wherever we pleased, so something is off. But what?

“Come on, Rhea, let’s get you somewhere private,” Zen murmurs against my ear, nudging me toward the gates. I glance over my shoulder, but don’t see any of the others stepping through just yet, and Zen strokes my arm. “Don’t worry, they’ll follow, you’re my priority right now.”

My heart flutters at his words, his constant sweetness toward me, even among all the madness. The sweetness that changes into a pool of desire when he talks dirty to me, describing his needs and desires that involve both of us.

My body clings to him, my magic seeming to gravitate closer and closer toward him as I try to dissolve the adrenaline from moments ago. But I know it isn’t going anywhere. The need and crazy stirring inside of me is familiar, which only makes my gut clench even more.

“Are you taking me to my room?” I ask through bated breath, and Zen turns to look at me, nodding in confirmation as we step through the bubble of the dome protecting the Academy.

“Yeah, why?” he asks, his brows knitted together as he looks at me in concern.

“Because I need you… I need you now.”

Chapter 25

Rhea

T he bedroom door clicks shut behind Zen as I wring my fingers together, trying to get control of my body and urges. I’m a fucking needy bag of embarrassment, but I don’t give a shit. This thing between the two of us has been simmering for far too long.

Zen places my box on the floor beside the door and I stand by my bed, antsy as fuck as I shuffle from foot to foot. I haven’t uttered a word to him since we got back here and I blurted out how much I need him, and he hasn’t pushed for more details either.

It doesn’t help that my eyes are red, my skin dancing with flickers of magic, which means all of his focus has been on getting me out of sight. Not that I’m ashamed of my magic, but while I don’t have full control of my abilities, I don’t want to run into any issues. And Gods know if anyone were to see a sliver of my magic, the gossip mill would go wild again.

“What’s going on, Rhea? Talk to me, what has your eyes red?” His questions come fast, but the way he talks to me is soothing, calming the nerves bubbling inside of me as I turn to face him head on. I drag my hands down my face, attempting to take a relaxing breath, but it’s useless.

“Did you mean everything you said the other day?” I ask, my gaze falling to the spot on the carpet where our yoga mats were laid when the heated words fell from his mouth.

I don’t even get a chance to consider the disappointment of him changing his mind as he cuts the distance between us, placing his finger under my chin and tilting my head back, forcing me to meet his gaze. He searches my eyes, for what I’m unsure, but his hazel eyes are blazing with desire as he finally responds. “Every word, Rhea. I meant every damn word,” he states, bringing his other hand to my hip as he pulls my body flush to his.

Nodding aimlessly, I wet my bottom lip as I release a heavy breath and speak the truth roaming around my mind. “Zen, my body needs you, my mind needs you,” I murmur, watching as his gaze somehow darkens further. “And I’m pretty fucking sure that my soul needs you too.”

His pupils dilate as his eyes round in surprise at my words. He runs his tongue over his teeth, like he’s trying to get control of himself, but when he finally speaks, he leaves me breathless. “Even if your soul doesn’t, Rhea, I’m going to love watching you shatter beneath me.”

Fuck.

My jaw slightly drops, a fog of arousal coating my vision as I struggle to catch my breath, my chest heaves, every cell of my body acutely aware of his.

“I should shower,” I whisper, hating having to bring it up. “I didn’t get…”

“Are you doing that for me or you?” he asks, eyes looking at me inquisitively as he runs his hand down my cheek, his other flexing on my hip, and I shiver at the combined touches.

“You?” I reply, unsure what my answer is supposed to be, and he shakes his head.

“Unless it’s for you, Rhea, to clear the shit of the day away, then I don’t want to break this moment,” he explains, quickening my pulse and heart rate at the same time.

I struggle to swallow past the lump in my throat as I admit the truth too. “I don’t want to break this moment either.”

Silence descends over us, my red eyes dissecting his hazel pools as he inches closer before his lips capture mine in the sweetest, most tantalizing kiss I’ve ever felt.

Molding our lips to one another’s, his hand at my face sweeps around to hold the back of my head as his mouth caresses mine. I cling to his t-shirt, desperate for him to be as close as possible as I groan into his mouth.

It feels like a scene in a fairytale, a glimmer of sunlight falling over us as he kisses me with care, passion, and a burning pool of fire beneath the surface. I’m drawn to him and his protective, soothing ways, but I’m ready to meet the man underneath it all, the man who I got a glimpse of the other evening.

Trailing my fingers down his t-shirt, I grab the hem, lifting it slowly up his body, and he reluctantly releases his hold on me to lift his arms up to discard the material between us. I wet my lips as I take in the dips and valleys of his abs, his body drawing mine closer with desire as the cords in his neck tense.

“This is tit for tat, Rhea, whatever I lose, you lose at the same time,” he murmurs, raking his fingers through his blond hair, and I nod in agreement, grabbing the hem of my oversized sweater and pulling it over my head. I add it to the pile Zen created with his t-shirt, before kicking my shoes off, watching as he immediately follows. “I don’t think I’m wearing a bra, Rhea,” he teases, his gaze fixed on my chest.

Fuck.

He’s right, and who am I to disappoint him?

Keeping my gaze fixed on his, I unclasp my bra, letting it slip down my arms to reveal my peaked nipples, before adding it to the growing pile of clothes.

“Holy fuck, Rhea,” he breathes, clearly as high on desire as I am right now. He makes to step forward toward me, but I shake my head, inching backward.

“Not until you’re naked,” I murmur, lust thick on my tongue as he grins in agreement.

Without wasting a single moment, he loses his entire bottom half of clothing before I can even reach for the button on my jeans. Leaving me to gape at his long, thick cock as it juts in my direction.

All of him. I want all of him, like yesterday.

I feel his eyes all over my body as I drag the denim down my legs, my panties moving along with them as I kick them to the side, leaving us both naked, needy, and wanting.

“You’re fucking beautiful, Rhea,” he states, taking a step to eliminate the distance between us as he cups my cheek, bringing his mouth to mine once more. His cock nudges at my stomach, making my thighs clench with anticipation.

We’ve barely begun and my skin already feels slick with perspiration, desperate for him in every way possible.

Without warning, his hands grab the back of my thighs, hoisting me into the air as I wrap my legs around his waist with a squeal. I don’t get a chance to wrap my arms around his neck for support before he’s lowering me to the bed, crumpled sheets twisting beneath me as he prowls up my body.

There’s no question right now. He’s the predator, and I’m the prey. And for once in my independent, stubborn life, I want someone to dominate me. I want him to dominate me.

My thighs part and he stops, face perfectly positioned above mine as he smiles down at me. “I’ve waited forever to be with you, Rhea, and I’d wait even longer if I had to,” he states, clearly wanting one final nod of confirmation from me to proceed.

“No more waiting, I can’t stand it,” I plead, running my hands up his chest to settle on his shoulders as he grins down at me.

He doesn’t respond with words, instead he leans closer, dragging his lips from the corner of my mouth, down my neck and along my collarbone, slowly eliciting noises of encouragement from me as he goes.

When he reaches the valley between my breasts, I almost think he’s going to keep going, denying them the attention they desire, but it’s like he can read my body perfectly. At the last moment, he squeezes my exposed breast, swiping his tongue over the erect nipple, before sinking his teeth into the pale pink flesh, and I cry out with pleasure.

“How far can you mix pain with pleasure, Rhea?” he asks, a wicked grin on his lips as he peers up at me, placing soft, gentle kisses across my skin before repeating the process with my other nipple. I shiver with need as I scramble to find an answer, but one isn’t necessary. “I’m going to have fun finding out,” he adds, nipping at my under boob, before sweeping his tongue down my abdomen.

My body begins to tense with anticipation the closer he gets to my core. I almost panic, worrying he’s going to prolong this with teasing I really don’t need. When he eases my mind, calming my soul, and setting my body on fire with one swift move as his tongue sweeps between my folds, dancing over my clit with precision.

I can’t stop my hips from bolting up off the bed, desperate for more. The move only seems to offer him better access as his fingers tease my entrance, circling in small motions a handful of times, making me purr like a needy little kitty before he thrusts two thick fingers into my core.

Hard. Fast. Perfection.

“Oh Gods,” I cry, my back arching as I grip the sheets beside me. My lungs burn as ecstasy shivers beneath my skin.

“Look at how your body reacts to me, Rhea,” Zen murmurs in awe, his gaze fixed on where his fingers learn a new part of me, and he groans. “Your pussy is trying to milk my hand, I can’t wait for it to claim my cock.”

His words only intensify everything I’m feeling, and I think I’m becoming obsessed with his mouth, when he shuts up completely and brings his lips to my clit.

Game. Fucking. Over.

He sucks, nips, and teases my tight nub over and over again, making my cries get louder and my body tenser as he plays me perfectly. Just when I can’t take anymore, my juices coating his fingers as he continues to fuck me with his hand, he presses his thumb against my back entrance, swirling his thumb with precision that has my orgasm tearing all the way through my body.

“Ahhh, shit,” I scream, my skin on fire as my climax crashes through me again and again, with Zen’s fingers in my core, his mouth on my clit, and thumb teasing my ass in slow circles.

I’m spent, a pile of limbs on the bed as he retreats from the apex of my thighs, and slowly makes his way back up my body, planting random kisses as he goes, until his face aligns with mine once more.

“When it’s my turn to share you, Rhea, that’s mine, because I know no one has taken you there before, and I want to be your first,” he declares, referring to my ass, and my mouth dries up, but I find myself nodding in agreement all the same.

Right now I’ll give him anything, no explanation required, no questions asked. I just want his cock buried deep inside me. I want to feel him stretch me again and find his own release at the hands of my body.

“Fuck me,” I breathe, sweat clinging to my body as I watch a few beads dotted along Zen’s hairline. He swipes his hair back off his face, his teeth raking over his bottom lip as he shakes his head.

“No, you fuck me. Show me how much you want me,” he replies in a husky voice, making me shudder like I didn’t just explode moments earlier.

A simple nod from me has him gripping my hips and lifting me up in the air like I weigh nothing, before he settles me back down above him, my thighs on either side of his as my pussy grinds down on his cock.

“Fuck,” he bites, and it’s my turn to grin as I watch his reaction to me.

I drag my pussy over his hot cock once more before he can’t take it any longer, and he grabs his shaft, positioning himself at my entrance perfectly. I hover there for a moment, looking deep into his eyes as he stares me down.

There’s not an ounce of concern in his hazel irises, not one. I’ve warned him I feel like my soul wants to claim him, sealing us together, and he’s already admitted that he doesn’t care either way. So with that in mind, I let my body take over, and I slam down onto his cock, filling me in one swift move, making us both groan with pleasure.

“Fuck, Rhea. Ride my cock,” he grinds out, his hands tightening on my hips, fingers flexing as he tries to not take control of the situation.

I repeat the motion, watching his chest pink with desire as our bodies grind together. Lifting up, I drop down with precision once more, only this time, it feels different yet similar all at once.

Looking directly into Zen’s eyes, I watch as shock flashes over his face, his body stiffening and I know what’s happening.

My body tingles with ecstasy, magic zinging beneath my skin as it consumes me. I don’t slow my pace, watching Zen’s mouth fall slightly ajar, his head tilting back as his eyes slam shut.

“Oh Gods,” I cry out, adrenaline coursing through my veins as the sound of something shattering in the distance rings out, but we’re too connected, too caught in the moment to care.

My magic is going haywire, desperate to reach out and feel his, and when Zen forces his eyes open to look at me, I gape in surprise at the color swirling around his pupils.

“Fuck, Rhea,” he gasps, his grip on my waist tightening as his jaw tenses. “I can’t… fuck, it’s so much, but not enough… all at once,” he moans, and I sob in agreement. My fingers are desperate to run through his hair, but I can’t bring them to loosen on his shoulders as I continue to fuck him harder.

“Your eyes,” I murmur, barely able to breathe as my magic seems to touch every single part of my body, and he nods in agreement.

“I can fucking feeling it, Rhea. My body, my soul, fuck, every piece of me is captivated by you,” he says through harsh breaths, the spiraling feeling intense as he tries to grasp what’s happening between us. “Shit,” he grinds out through gritted teeth, before flipping us over.

My back hits the mattress with a bounce as he looms above me, lining up his cock with my pussy before he thrusts deep inside of me in one hard jolt.

A cry passes my lips and I hold on to the sheets once more, watching as Zen loses every ounce of control, to our magic, to our souls, to our connection. He fucks me into oblivion over and over again, my climax rippling through my body as I scream with pleasure, only to have him pinch my clit, and send me straight into another wave of ecstasy.

Tears prick my eyes, yet I feel the strangest sense of joy and contentment at the same time, and I instantly feel when he’s about to lose it entirely. His thrusts stutter, his moves deepen and slow as he practically roars in time with his orgasm slamming into him.

His bruising grip at my waist slowly eases as he collapses in a heap beside me, each of us panting for breath as sweat clings to our skin, holding us together.

His hair is damp, hanging around his face and his eyes blaze, staring into mine as a soft smile graces his lips. Zen rises to his knees, his gaze traveling over my body before he frowns. I glance down at myself, wondering what holds his attention, when I see him looking at the fingertip bruises on my hips from his intense hold.

Before I can even tell him they’re okay, he brushes his thumb over the mark, a wince appearing on his face as he continues to frown down at my skin. When he removes his thumb again, I gape in surprise.

It’s gone. The yellowish-blue bruise has completely disappeared.

“Holy fuck,” I breathe, staring up at him in surprise, and the smile that spreads across his lips fills my soul with joy as pride washes over him.

“I’m a healer.”

I don’t need to question whether that makes him happy or not, his face says it all. I lift my hand to the side of his head, stroking my finger over his temple as I’m held captive by his magic infused eyes.

“You’re amazing, no matter what,” I murmur, my heart soaring as he leans down to place a kiss on my lips.

“What color are they?” he asks, referring to his eyes, and I smile up at him.

“Ice blue,” I reply, confusion knitting my eyebrows together as his smile drops and concern fills his gaze.

“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath, his body tense as I run my fingers through his hair.

“What’s wrong?” I mumble, wondering what the hell I’m missing here, and he sighs.

“That’s not the best color for an angel.”

Chapter 26

Rhea

I  can feel the sun beaming down on me through my bedroom window, the curtains wide open since we forgot to pull them closed.

Shit, we crashed hard.

After Zen fucked me into oblivion, he proceeded to do it again, and again, and again. Until we were both too spent to move, we simply collapsed in a heap of tangled limbs on the bed, and slept.

He didn’t mention the concern over his eyes again, and I let him push it to the back of his mind as we continued to explore each other. It’s completely irrelevant to me, he’s my Zen no matter what. There will come a time when he’ll be ready to explain further, and I’ll be here for him, I just didn’t want to push and spoil the sacred moment between us.

The bed dips behind me, making my brows crinkle in confusion since I can feel Zen’s chest under my cheek, his waist beneath my thigh that's flung over him, as well as his arm wrapped around me. Which means he can’t be making the bed dip.

Only one person could be.

Only one person who feels the need to break into my room.

I blink open my eyes, glancing over my shoulder to watch him shuffle into the bed, pressing his chest to my back as he snuggles in to me.

Adonis. My incubus.

His blond hair is swept back off his face, his blue eyes instantly on mine as a grin spreads across his face once he sees I’m awake. “Hey, baby,” he whispers, placing a kiss on my forehead as I try to turn and face him, but Zen’s arm tightens around my waist, stopping me.

Adonis must catch the move too because he scoffs. “Please, we gave you the day and well into the night, Zen Elias. It’s your turn to learn how to fucking share,” he says with a pout, glaring at his friend, and when I turn my gaze back to Zen, I find a grin tilting the corner of his mouth.

“I’m not ready to yet,” he replies with his eyes still closed as if Adonis’ brattiness is not disturbing his… zen?

I shake my head in disbelief as I glance between the two of them. “You’re both incorrigible.” Trapped between them both, I make no attempt to move since I’m quite happily sandwiched here. It’s warm, comforting, and safe.

“We gave you some alone time yesterday since Xander could hear you both fucking from the second we stepped through the portal. Then I practically recharged every five seconds with the way you two were humping like rabbits,” he states, wagging his eyebrows suggestively, and I roll my eyes at him.

What a shit. I’m not sure if I should feel embarrassed or not, knowing Xander’s hearing caught on to what we were doing from so far away, but I can’t bring myself to feel anything but satisfied and sated after yesterday’s exploration.

“We want longer,” Zen grumbles, his voice thick with sleep as he squeezes me tighter into his side, placing a chaste kiss to my cheek.

“Well you can’t have longer because we need to look through the things we brought back from Phoenix Valley, and figure out these gifts from Pandora’s Box,” he states, and my eyes widen in surprise at the fact that their roles seem to have switched for a moment.

Zen is usually the pragmatic one, wanting to solve the issues and piece everything together, while Adonis would rather stay in bed and solve… me. So seeing them behave the opposite way around is odd, but fun. And gives me hope for Adonis that he can focus on something other than sex.

I continue to remain silent for a moment, enjoying their interaction far more than I would usually anticipate.

“Fine, we’ll meet you in Xander’s room in twenty minutes,” Zen says with a reluctant sigh, pressing his face into my neck, his breath blowing against my skin and sending a shiver down my spine.

“Noooo, we’ll meet you in Xander’s room in twenty minutes,” Adonis retorts, glaring at Zen as he attempts to take me from his arms like I’m a fucking rag doll.

Yep, this stopped being fun when they started playing tug-of-war with my body.

“Since I am right here, I will choose who I spend the next twenty minutes with. Fuck the both of you, and not in the literal sense,” I announce, forcing both of them to release their hold on me as I scramble out of bed. Once I’m standing at the bottom, feet planted on the floor, hands on my hips as I glare at them, I continue. “Since neither of you can share, I’ll see you both down at Xander’s in twenty minutes.”

Not one of them move at first, their eyes roaming over me from head to toe, and I realize my mistake. Of-fucking-course. I’m totally fucking naked so they’re not going to do anything but gape at me in this state of undress.

As much as I love being under their watchful and appreciative gazes, oddly enough, Adonis was right, now isn’t the time.

“Start moving,” I say, clapping once and giving them both the death stare, but they just lie side by side in my bed, watching me as they fist their cocks. Zen beneath the covers, and Adonis in his sweatpants.

Fuck.

I’m screwed.

So fucking screwed.

I throw my hands up in defeat, turning for the bathroom and slamming the door shut behind me as I go.

“Look what you did,” I hear Adonis grumble as I cut across the bathroom floor to lock his door along with mine, giving me the moment of peace I need.

A grin spreads across my face, the bickering and dominance radiating from the pair of them only fueling the fire of desire I feel. Which is ridiculous as hell because their behaviors are supposed to be overbearing and annoying.

Coming to a stop in front of the vanity, I swipe my hand down my face as I look myself over in the mirror. I look like me, but different somehow. Happy? Carefree? Or is this just the glow from sealing my soul to another? Again. My heart is beyond settled with that fact.

The thought immediately makes me think of the mark on my back, and I spin in front of the mirror to try and get a look.

When my soul was sealed with Xander’s the large O appeared, covering the bottom of my back. Bonding with Adonis had a straight line coming out of the top of it, and now having sealed my soul to Zen, another line has appeared. This one sits horizontally through the middle of the line from Adonis, and understanding washes over me. My mark is slowly being made up to look like theirs, only mine is appearing in pieces and not a whole like theirs.

Holy shit.

The red marks look like they’ve been there forever, my mind now going a mile a minute to decipher whether my magic feels any different. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, and immediately feel my magic swirling inside of me, bubbling beneath the surface as it runs from my center to the tips of my fingers and toes.

What abilities do I have?

With the guys, it’s like their gut tells them immediately, yet I draw a blank over and over again. Only this time, I get the desire to flick my hand. I do on instinct, a moment later, the sound of the light bulb shattering above my head rings out around me.

I open my eyes with a grimace, looking at the tiny shards of glass scattered over the floor, and I sigh. At least I was attempting to use my magic this time, I guess.

My magic feels close to the surface, and like it's almost fucking pleased with the mess I’m going to have to clean up.

I always knew I was an explosive kind of person, but not in the literal sense.

I TAKE the stairs two at a time, heading for Xander’s room alone, and I can’t deny that I’m shocked and impressed that they actually left and gave me a minute to myself. Although, some help with cleaning up the shattered glass would have been appreciated, but I’m too stubborn to have asked for it anyway.

I’m assuming one of them must have brought my box down because it wasn’t beside the door where Zen left it yesterday after retrieving it from Al’s.

Al is a complete mystery to me, and fucking Dante… there are no words for that man at the minute. He’s like herpes at this stage.

The thought of Zen’s mark plays on my mind. I need to see it, and explain the development of mine. Among all of the other crap we have to go through, why not add even more to it. It’s a part of me I’m intrigued to learn about, but why the hell does it have to be another riddle?

I get two steps away from Xander’s door, when it swings open, interrupting my train of thought as the giant of a man appears before me. I stop in my tracks, looking up at my wolf with a surprised smile as his heated eyes stare back at me.

Without a word, he grabs my waist, lifting me into the air before pinning me to the wall beside his room, my legs wrapping around him immediately. His chest is pressed against mine, our breaths mingling between us for a moment as we look deep into each other's eyes before he crashes our lips together.

Holy. Fuck.

His mouth molds to mine, his tongue swiping across my bottom lip as he devours me. Clearly listening to my fuckfest with Zen yesterday left him riled up.

My fingers tangle in his short brown hair, pulling him closer to me as he demands my entire attention. He can kiss the hell out of me whenever he damn well pleases because this is absolute perfection.

“Whatever you’re doing out there is feeding my fucking soul,” Adonis yells from inside Xander’s room. “Knock. It. Off,” he adds, the pout recognizable in his tone even though I can’t see him.

Xander runs his lips over mine a few more times before reluctantly leaning back, his mouth red and puffy as I’m sure mine are, and I grin at him.

“Hey,” I murmur, watching a smile spread across his face in response as he places my feet back down on the ground. The heat in his eyes barely diminishing.

“Hey back at you, sweet Goddess,” he rumbles, tossing his arm over my shoulders as he pulls me into his side and moves me into his room.

Adonis is sprawled out on Xander’s bed like it’s his own, in a pair of gray sweatpants and a blue t-shirt. His hands are tucked under his head and his feet crossed at the ankles as he looks me over with a ravishing gleam in his eyes. I’m wearing jeans and a button up tee, yet he makes me feel sexy, as if I’m wearing sexy lingerie.

Fuck. The things he can do to me with one look, sexual or not, knocks me off my feet.

I wet my bottom lip, turning my gaze to Zen who is sitting at the bottom of Xander’s bed with his elbows braced on his knees. His usual sense of calmness washes over me, but I can tell something is playing on his mind, and if I had to hazard a guess, I know I’d put my finger on it straight away. The way his knee bounces ever so slightly, making the material of his shorts rise and fall makes my heart lurch for him. I want to climb into his hoodie with him and wrap my arms around his chest, even if I don’t quite understand his concern.

My eyes search out Khaos automatically, like they have to see him, making sure he’s still around and part of our unit. His arms are folded over his chest while he leans back against the wall, foot propped up as he looks at me through his black overgrown hair. His usual stance, the one which screams he’s ready for a quick getaway if necessary. His green eyes seem pained, and the fact that he’s standing on the other side of the room away from the others leaves a sharp pang of guilt in my chest.

I’m the reason there is distance growing between them.

With his leather jacket covering him and the collar up at the sides, it feels like a piece of armor strategically placed between us.

How can I make him see past his mother’s intentions? I can’t, and that’s the reality of it. He has to want to see it for himself, that’s the only way he will actually believe we won’t become her pawns.

With that in mind, I offer a resigned sigh and turn my attention to the box sitting on Xander’s nightstand.

“Have you had a look?” I ask, stepping out of Xander’s hold as I move toward it, and they all shake their heads.

“My mother always said never to touch the content of a woman’s bag unless she specifically asks you to. But even then I should take caution, no matter what the shape or size of it is. I’m sure the same applies to a box,” Zen says with a smile, and I return it with one of my own. The love my angel has for his mother is noticeable in every word, and it makes his face radiate with joy.

“Well, your mother is right,” I say, grabbing the box and taking a seat beside him on the bed. That immediately has Adonis shuffling to sit beside me before Xander gets a chance, grumbling under his breath. I can feel Khaos’ intense stare, waiting impatiently. For what, who knows, but I won’t ask.

I rifle through the letters that were on top yesterday, discarding every single one of them since they all look like bills of some kind. Zen takes them from my hand, placing them on the nightstand as I dig through the few bits remaining.

There’s very little, if anything at all. An old compact mirror I’d forgotten I owned, a gray sweater, my old uniform from Vinny’s, and a… wooden figurine? I know for a fact that wasn’t mine. Wrapping my hands around the small, yet heavy object, I hold it up in the air, turning it to get a good look. It’s almost like a carved tree, intricate and unusual.

“This isn’t mine,” I murmur, trying to understand what it is or where it even came from, and to my surprise, it’s Khaos who speaks first.

“That looks like a seeker.” A what now? I raise my gaze to his, questions in my eyes as I pray he continues, and he does. “They’re used as trackers, for children mostly. A supernatural can tether themselves to one and place it with another, allowing them to know where they are,” he explains, which doesn’t make much sense given my circumstances.

“Wait, could someone be tracking it now?” Xander asks, and my body tenses with worry as Khaos nods in response.

“We need to destroy it,” I announce as Zen takes it from my hand. He immediately shakes his head as he tilts the figurine so I can see the bottom.

“It was Al’s, Firecracker,” he states, the word Al carved into the bottom of the wooden ornament like that makes total sense, but it only confuses me more.

“How do you know it was his? What does this even mean?” I think out loud, scrubbing a hand down my face as Adonis strokes circles on my back.

“I think Al may have been there to protect you for some reason, Rhea,” Adonis murmurs, and the others nod in agreement.

“What was it you said to Al yesterday?” I ask, casting my gaze to Zen. “Something about him being a fury?” I add, and he offers me a tight smile in response as he hands off the figurine to Xander.

“Yeah, a fury is a creature from the underworld, a demon. They lived in the dark corners of the underworld with Nyx, not among the fire and brimstone with Hades,” he explains, eyes shifting to Adonis for a moment at the mention of his father.

“So you think Al could somehow link back to my mother?” I ask, almost too scared to speak the words out loud, and he nods in response.

“There’s a good possibility,” he admits, making my eyes widen and my heart race in disbelief.

“Exactly why we should have been having this conversation yesterday, instead of you two…” Khaos’ words trail off as Zen offers him a scalding look, but I shrug.

“Instead of us what, Khaos? Fucking? Giving into our desires, finding solace within each other, and experiencing something amazing that can’t even be put into words? That literally gives us life? Helps me breathe? Makes me feel like I belong?” I heave a breath, my rant overpowering me when I should have just kept my mouth shut, but I can’t take it back now. “Don’t bother responding,” I add, raising a hand and shaking my head at him as he just continues to watch me. “What do we do about Al then?” I ask.

He completely disappeared yesterday when Dante showed up, but we can’t really go back to Phoenix Valley right now. Not with Dante somehow being able to track us down.

“I believe that if the seeker is shattered it will summon the person it is tethered to,” Khaos mumbles, clearly hating having to speak to me, but holding the knowledge we need.

“We can’t do that in the Academy though, not with the barrier covering us, he wouldn’t get through,” Xander states.

“Then we keep hold of it for now, but not with Rhea, just in case. Someone else needs it on them so it can’t be tracked directly to her. Once we have figured out all the questions we need answers to, then we can see if it works,” Zen says, and I nod in agreement.

“I’ll take it,” Adonis announces, but Khaos shakes his head.

“No, your room is right beside hers, that completely defeats the whole point. I’ll take it. And my soul isn’t connected to the rest of you, it’s the safest option,” Khaos declares, cutting across the room to grab the wooden object, and storming through the adjoining bathroom into his room without another word.

No one speaks for a moment, letting the details wash over us as he appears again, reclaiming his spot on the wall.

“So, are we going to discuss the new supernatural in the room? Don’t shy away, angel boy, where’s your mark?” Adonis says with a grin, leaning behind me to shove Zen’s shoulder playfully. “Have you figured your powers out yet?” he adds, excitement clear on his face.

“Healer,” I shout, loud and proud, before remembering it’s not about me or my place to announce it. I quickly mumble my apology to Zen who simply grins down at me.

“Don’t apologize,” he whispers, kissing the tip of my nose, before looking around at the group. “I learned I was able to heal yesterday,” he states, brushing his hair back off his face. “I haven’t had a chance to investigate further. Although I was able to summon objects earlier when I was getting ready.” I gape at him in awe, loving that he’s quickly learning more about himself. “My mark is on my shoulder blade,” he murmurs, quickly lifting his t-shirt high enough for me to see it, and I can’t stop myself from running my finger over the bright red marking.

Nothing screams mine quite like it, and I love it.

“Mine grew, it almost looks the same, but like a piece is missing,” I say quietly, refusing to bring my gaze to Khaos’ because I fucking know it’s him. I don’t know how or why, I just do.

“We really need to have a power day soon,” Adonis says, moving the conversation along as the temperature and tension rises in the room. He rubs his hands together in excitement, but I can only feel the silence dripping off Khaos.

“Also, my uh, my eyes are blue.” Zen’s words hang in the air for a moment, and my eyes widen with the fact that he’s mentioning it after it seemed to cause him some discomfort yesterday.

“So? Why is that a big deal?” Xander asks, the first one to break the silence as Khaos and Adonis nod in agreement.

“I know, I know,” Zen says with a sigh, curling his hair behind his ear. “But, it’s just a pile of shit in the community, and I don’t want you guys to…” His words trail off, leaving me even more confused.

“What am I missing?” I ask, unable to keep my mouth shut.

“Blue eyes mean that an angel's power is fueled by the fires of hell. Putting him closer to me than he probably wanted,” Adonis says with a chuckle. I turn my gaze back to Zen, not noticing a single ounce of disappointment or agitation at the situation, but the fact that it doesn’t sit well within the angel community seems to cause him some unease.

“The technical name is a dark angel,” Zen explains, making my eyebrows shoot up in disbelief. I didn’t even know that was a thing.

“I don’t care what kind of angel you are, Zen. Fuck, I’m a red eyed earthling, who descended from one of the most hated Gods in history, combined with the God every supernatural idolizes. The slaughterer of the evil,” I murmur, squeezing his arm in support.

“Thank you,” he replies quietly. “There’s no way of covering it up, and I’m not ashamed, so I won’t hide it,” he adds, and I nod in agreement, a smile on my face as I see the determination on his own.

“It’s a good thing really because it won’t just be the eyes will it? It’s not like a simple pair of sunglasses will cover it up,” Adonis says with a Cheshire Cat grin, leaving me confused once more.

“What does that mean? He looks the same as always,” I mumble, pointing at him, but Zen rises to his feet, offering me a wry smile as he flings his arms out wide.

I gasp, my heart lodged in my chest as I stare in awe at the beauty of the man before me.

My man.

My dark angel.

My soulmate.

With wings.

Jet. Black. Feathered. Wings.

Chapter 27

Xander

I  switch the shower off, reaching for a gray fluffy towel to wrap around my waist before I exit the bathroom and step into my bedroom. I grunt at the fact that Rhea isn’t sprawled out in my bed like I want, my usual reaction when my Goddess isn’t near.

I understand we have to share, but imagine if we all just shared together in the same room? That would be much better. My bed is plenty big enough. I just need to get everyone on board. Soon.

Moving across to my walk-in closet, I quickly pull out my uniform and make my way over to my bed. It managed to fit the five of us yesterday after Zen’s little show and tell with his mark and wings, we all crashed into silence, Khaos included to my surprise. But it’s far harder to stay away from her than he lets on.

One movie led into another, and another, before we headed out for food. Then Rhea retreated to her room with Harmonia for some girl time.

Fucking girl time.

I need some Xander time, like, all of the damn time. My wolf constantly asking me for what I also want as well.

Buttoning up my shirt, I step into my pants before fixing my tie and blazer. I run my fingers through my hair as the only attempt to straighten it up, and just as I’m placing my feet into my lace up leather shoes, my phone vibrates on the nightstand.

I wait until I’ve tied the knots before I reach across to grab the device, frowning when I see an email flashing on the screen.

Meeting Confirmed

7:30 A.M.

ZELLUS’ OFFICE

WHAT ON EARTH is that about?

I glance at the time, noticing it’s already 7:20 a.m. which barely gives me any time to get over there. Someone clearly wants to speak to me before breakfast, which doesn’t usually bode well for anyone, unless you’re one of my brothers or Rhea, and even then, only Rhea is guaranteed a free pass.

Quickly opening my phone, I send a message in the group chat to the guys, before sending one Rhea’s way as well, while making a mental note for us to all have a group chat set up later.

XANDER: CALLED TO A MEETING IN ZELLUS’ office? Anyone else have one?

XANDER: Good morning, my Goddess, I’ve been summoned to Zellus’ office, just checking if you have been as well? If not, save me a seat at breakfast?

I DON’T GET a chance to put my phone in my pocket before responses fire through, but I head toward the door anyway.

ZEN: No. Everything okay?

ADONIS: Nada.

KHAOS: Nothing at all.

I DON’T BOTHER RESPONDING to the guys when Rhea’s text comes through.

RHEA: Good morning, my wolf, I haven’t been summoned, but do you want me to come with you? I don’t mind.

HER MESSAGE MAKES ME SMILE, a weird sensation I wasn’t all that familiar with until her. Now she makes me smile at the most stupid shit.

I pause before sending her a response as I step through the portal to the main building, then I quickly tap one out on my way down the corridor to Zellus’ office.

XANDER: I’m fine. I won’t be long. Just make sure to save me that seat.

I PLACE my phone away just as I round the corner to Zellus’ office at the end of the hall. As I near, I slow my steps, taking a deep breath as I use my enhanced senses to figure out what is already going on in his space.

Familiar scents meet my nose as the sound of three distinct voices reach my ears, and I frown. What the hell is he up to? I don’t bother to eavesdrop, it’s never been my style, and I only offer two raps of my knuckles on Zellus’ door before I swing it open to find my mother and father waiting on the other side.

I’d like to say it’s a surprise to see them, but really, I should have fucking known better with this man. He clearly has an issue with our unit, Rhea included, and it’s almost boring that this is still going on even after he’s exposed all of Rhea’s secrets.

“Mother, Father, what a surprise to see you,” I say, clicking the door shut behind me as they turn to look at me over their shoulders. There’s a tenseness to them that I’m not used to seeing, one I can only presume Zellus has put there.

Maybe it would have helped if I’d reached out to them sooner, but fuck, I’m a twenty-two year old man who can do whatever he pleases. Being at the Academy doesn’t make me an adolescent, I don’t need to check in with them every day.

“Thank you for joining us, Xander,” Zellus says from his seat across the desk from my parents. His fingers are laced together with his elbows braced on the wood before him. The look of sympathy on his face makes my back stiffen, and I can already sense this isn’t going to be a fun talk. Before breakfast. Fuck my life.

“Xander,” my mother says with a tight smile, her brown hair braided back off her face. She’s wearing a pair of yoga pants and a sweater, a sign she was busy preparing the family and the house for the day before they headed over here. So the meeting can’t have been organized by them.

I turn my gaze to my father, his peppered hair swept back off his face that holds a tense expression. In old work jeans and a business branded hoodie, it looks like he was pulled away from a day on the compound.

Great.

“Can you give us a moment please, Zellus?” my father asks, his voice void of emotion, not giving me a read on him. My parents are pros at keeping their heart rates calm and other emotional signals to a minimum so I have no idea what’s running through their mind right now. Which only sets me even more on edge.

“Of course,” Zellus says with a smile, rising to his feet as he buttons up his blazer. He takes his sweet ass time leaving the office, almost like he wants to drag out the silence and increase the tension. He does a stellar job of it, because when the door closes behind him, it takes a few moments before any of us speak.

I clear my throat, moving toward the sofa to the right of the room and taking a seat as I look at my parents. “What has you here so early?” I ask, cutting the formalities of asking how we each are. There’s clearly an issue here, and I’d rather get straight to the fucking point.

“You know exactly what has us here, Xander,” my mother responds with a tsk, disappointment flashing in her gaze as I brace my elbows on my knees and get comfortable. Let the showdown commence.

“Do I?” I retort, quirking an eyebrow, but I know they can see right past the facade. Covering my emotions isn’t something I have the skill of yet.

“Your sealed soul,” my father adds, simplifying the situation, but it’s not so simple. I nod once in response.

“What about it?” There’s no use denying it. The mere mention of Rhea has my heart skipping a beat and my pulse quickening in my throat. Emotions coursing through me at the simple thought of her, and my parents will pick up on that. Pretending like it doesn’t will only make them more irritated, and I can sense there’s already enough for them to be pissed at me for.

“Do you even know the girl?” my mother asks with a gasp, tears pricking her eyes as she waves her hands around dramatically. I can literally imagine Zellus using the same gesture, and my mother picking it up from him.

“Of course I know her, that seems like a ridiculous question to start with,” I grunt, swiping a hand down my face. “Maybe we could start with, how do you feel? Are you happy? What color are your eyes? How is your wolf?”

A sob passes my mothers lips like every single one of those questions breaks her heart. “I’m not happy about this, Xander. Not at all. Any other situation and those would be the first words from my mouth, but alas, that’s not the case.”

I shake my head in disbelief at her. “And what exactly is your issue with the situation?” How do these people not understand that I found my fucking soul mate, literally, a rarity like no other, and yet it’s somehow still not good enough for them. Our home dynamic has always been good, over the top and in each other’s faces at times, but shit, this is some bullshit.

“You kept this a secret, Xander,” my father interjects, and I shake my head.

“No I didn’t, I was giving myself a moment to adjust, to learn what it’s like to be a shifter. To learn what it’s like to find the other half of your being. I was taking a moment for me, because as much as you may have feelings about this, this is inevitably about me.” I hate sounding self-centered, but it’s the truth, my truth.

“Your wolf is sacred, Xander, your mate too. But that was taken from you when you sealed your soul to a non-shifter,” my mother replies, not seeming to have heard a word that I’m saying as she looks at me in disgrace.

“It doesn’t matter what Rhea is, only who she is. I’m struggling to see how you aren’t seeing that too. My wolf claimed her as my mate without hesitation,” I bite, my tone getting sharp as anger and annoyance ripple through me.

“You have no idea what it feels like to find your mate, and watch your tone,” my father barks, defending my mother, and I raise my hands to let him know I’ll attempt to keep the peace, as a sigh falls from my lips.

How is this even my fucking morning right now? How are they even my parents? The way they’re reacting is…

“Are you guys crazy?” I ask, unable to keep the question inside.

“I have no idea who she is or where she came from,” my mother retorts, folding her arms over her chest, and I shake my head in disbelief at her. She’s so full of fucking shit.

“You definitely can’t tell me that Zellus has you here without sharing that little nugget of information with you,” I say, a short laugh ending my clipped words as I rise to my feet.

Both of my parents remain where they are as I begin to pace, my wolf thrumming beneath my skin in rage, hating every word slipping from their lips. I can imagine Zellus on the other side of the door right now, his ear pressed against the wood as he listens to the drama he’s created.

“Of course he told us she’s the descendant of Zeus and… Nyx,” she says with a shudder. “Nyx, of all women to be her mother, how can’t you see my concern?” my mother adds, her lips pinched in disappointment.

My frown only deepens as I stop in my tracks, turning to glare at her with my hands clenched at my sides. “Are you for real?” I can’t contain the volume of my voice, frustration getting the better of me. “Her father’s literally the man that was supposed to have slayed the fucking Goddess of the night. Yet somehow, Rhea stands before me. Why is no one questioning him? Why is no one forcing him to give us answers? Rhea is getting everyone’s wrath, their anger. It’s unjustifiable and complete bullshit,” I rage, my body tense beyond words as I fight with all of my strength to keep my wolf from bursting free.

This isn’t how I want my parents to see me shift for the first time. Not in anger or rage. But they’re definitely pushing me to the breaking point.

“That’s enough,” my father roars, his eyes yellowing as he rises to his feet, chair scraping back with the sudden movement. My mother rises too, only taking her time as she moves around the chair to face me head on. I can see the determination in her eyes as she takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as she looks at me.

My heart thunders in my chest, knowing whatever she’s about to say is going to piss me off, and my wolf really doesn’t need any assistance in justifying the anger he wants to explode on the room right now. Containing him is taking far more energy than ever before. I brace for impact as her mouth opens, my blood running cold as she speaks.

“I want answers, Xander, and whether you like it or not, I deserve them. I’m entitled to them, Zellus has agreed.” Of course he fucking has, he probably planted whatever idea is about to tumble from her damn mouth. She’s delusional if she thinks she’s entitled to anything at all. “I want to know everything about her, every ability, every detail, everything. I want to test her, push her, and prod her. And your rank in the pack hangs in the balance because of it.”

Chapter 28

Rhea

I  feel antsy as hell rocking up to Skills class with Adonis as Xander hasn’t reappeared since he messaged me about his meeting this morning. I saved him a seat at breakfast, but he didn’t show. I can’t help feeling something isn’t right. What, I don’t know, but I really hope he shows up soon with the details. Otherwise I’ll be missing all my classes to go and find him.

Even though my soul is sealed with Zen’s now too, we’re attempting to keep that under wraps for the time being. It’ll do Zellus and his gossipy, drama-loving ways some good to be out of the loop for a hot minute.

Swiping my hair back off my face, Professor Fury addresses the class, eyes scanning over me in utter disbelief as he speaks. Someone is clearly confused with how they’re supposed to be mad and inconvenienced with me now, since he spent so much of my first year classes being just that.

“We have a few of the third years here with us today because we’re going to mix things up. Divide into the groups I call out, there will be a mixture of supernaturals among you. It’s your job to learn about each other. Compare your similarities and note your differences, this is important information for the future.” He reaches behind him for the tablet on the table, and starts reeling off people's names, pointing in different directions around the room for them to break off to.

This will make for an interesting class I’m sure, but my gaze flicks back to the door, double checking that Xander hasn’t suddenly appeared out of thin air. Adonis has already messaged him, so until we get out of this class there isn’t much else I can do. I just need to trust he’s okay.

“That’s me, baby. Have fun,” Adonis murmurs against my ear, pulling me into his chest before placing a kiss at my temple. I instantly miss his presence as he makes his way over to the far right of the room. I love the way he can’t help but glance back over his shoulder halfway there, but the wicked grin and wink he offers me tells me it’s only because he’s fucking feeding on me lusting over him. His ass moves too good for me to not appreciate it.

Fuck me.

I really shouldn’t expect anything else from Adonis. Not a single thing.

“Rhea, Thomas, Penny, Derek, Wes, and Gabe, take the space to the bottom left,” Fury orders, pointing in the direction he means before quickly moving on to call out the names of the next group.

I have no idea who any of those people are, but I make my way over in the direction he said, and as I approach, I notice all five of the others are there already. There’s four guys and only one other girl as I join the makeshift circle they’ve created around one of the guys.

He stands tall and proud in the center, his red hair cut short and styled with precision, and I can’t help but notice the resemblance to the guy standing to my left. If they’re not brothers, they’re definitely related somehow, right down to the parting of their hair, it’s crazy as hell.

“I’m Derek,” the guy in the center announces, carrying his voice a little louder than necessary to be heard over the noise around us. “I’m a third year student so I have my gifts, and I’m an incubus. Everybody else,” he states, pointing a finger to the lookalike guy beside me.

“I’m Thomas, and I’m also an incubus,” he says, seeming oddly nervous as he nibbles on his lip and flicks his gaze in my direction.

“He’s also my brother,” Derek adds with a grin, before moving around the circle, making each and every one of us introduce ourselves and say what we are. I had recalled it was rude to ask what kind of supernatural someone is, but I guess in these circumstances, when we’re trying to learn from one another, it makes sense to divulge that information.

I learn that Penny is a wolf, Gabe is an angel, and Wes is a vampire, leaving me.

“I’m Rhea, and I’m a God,” I say with a tight smile when Derek turns to point his finger at me. There’s something about him I just don’t like. Probably the vibe he gives off, like he’s superior because he’s a third year with his powers.

Woop-dee-fucking-doo.

“And you’re also a sealed soul, correct?” Derek asks, eyebrow quirked at me, and I gape in surprise at him for a moment, taken back by the intimate question that no one else has actually approached me with. He’s got balls, I’ll give him that.

“I am,” I reply, my voice void of any emotion as my words come out clear and calm. I’m not embarrassed about my situation, if anything, I love it more than anything else in the world right now.

These people won’t understand the bond and connection I have with my unit, and it’s never going to be the right time to explain it to them.

Derek doesn’t say anything in response, but runs his finger over his bottom lip and glances at his brother. I don’t have time to question what the fuck that was before everyone starts discussing their strengths.

No one really wants to bring up their weaknesses, but as a species of supernatural, some are simply common knowledge.

Wolves break every bone in their body when shifting, which leaves them vulnerable for a split second once they start shifting to either form.

Vampires can fall into blood induced frenzies, leaving them weak yet erratically unhinged, which usually leads to them being sanctioned, going cold turkey or dying from the mayhem played on their bodies. Some are even frenzied from the moment they turn, gaining their powers and a huge downfall immediately following.

An angel’s magic can be non-existent if the source of their magic isn’t close enough. Water, Air, Fire, Earth. Too far away and they’re rendered useless.

Demon gifts can apparently be stolen. The hows, whos, and why’s unsure.

And Gods… seem to avoid any deathly weaknesses, except being an absolute bag of cunt weeds. Except me of course.

“Good, good,” Derek says with a clap of his hands as he remains in the center of the group. “Strengths, powers, and abilities are something else. For example, my strength, even as an incubus, is my glamor. It outweighs and outperforms all my other abilities every time. That means my other abilities are technically a weakness as they don’t yet compare to the same standard,” he explains, and I get the idea he’s this conceited all of the time. I’m just grateful we aren’t in the same year.

His brother bounces nervously from foot to foot, and when I look at him out of the corner of my eye, I try to place him, but I don’t really recall seeing him before today. We’ve only been mixed with the second years for a limited period of time, and it’s safe to say I’ve been living in my own little bubble with Xander and Adonis as I try to play catch up.

The thought of both of them has me glancing over to the opposite corner of the room, which feels like a million miles away, but I can find Adonis instantly. Standing with his hands folded over his chest, and his feet spread shoulder-width apart, he looks hot as hell.

I take another look around the entire room, and back to the entrance, but there’s still no sign of Xander. I consider leaving, going to search for him, but Derek’s voice pulls me back to the present at the exact same time the room seems to suddenly have a red tinge to it.

What the fuck?

I whip my head around to find Derek glaring at me with his hands slightly raised at his side. Once my eyes are fixed on his, the color of the room returns to normal, and I gape at him in dismay.

“I expect your full attention when I’m speaking, Rhea,” he breathes, a bite to his tone as he stares me down. I don’t acknowledge him, I just stand on the spot and hold his gaze until he nods to himself. “Now that my magic is tingling beneath the surface, let me show you some glamoring,” he adds, pleased everyone’s attention is back on him. He’s right up there with Selene and Zellus receiving the douchebag award for his drama and need of attention too.

Thomas nods eagerly beside me as the rest of us watch in silence. Derek lifts his hands at his side, higher than before, and the room fades around us until we’re standing in a lush green meadow with the sun beating down on us.

It’s pretty, stunning even, but I don’t like being somewhere he has control over, it doesn’t sit right with me. Before I can voice my concern, Penny beats me to it.

“I don’t like it, I think I’m going to be sick,” she mumbles, dropping to her knees in the grass as Gabe leans down to help her.

“I’ll return you,” Derek says with a wide smile, but when he flicks his hand, he only returns Penny, Gabe, and Wes. Leaving me with the brothers. Alone.

My magic rattles in my chest, nothing feeling right as they both turn to look at me. “I’ll go back as well, thanks,” I say as calmly as possible, but that only makes Derek frown as the sky darkens.

Looking up at the sun, I gape in shock as an eclipse forms above us, casting shadows over the grass beneath my feet. When neither of them move to return to reality, back to the classroom beyond the glamor, I sigh, taking a deep breath to say it again. But the words don’t get a chance to pass my lips as Derek takes a step toward me, flicking his hand up in front of me as I stiffen, freezing in place.

“You’re not going anywhere, Rhea,” Derek snarks, edging closer to me with darkness falling over his eyes. “My brother here wishes to gain access to his powers early, and who am I to deny him that,” he says with a crazed grin on his lips.

What the fuck is going on?

“Okay. What does that have to do with me?” I ask, able to move my lips, but every other inch of my body is frozen, locked in place. The ability to blink and move my mouth all I’m left with.

Thomas appears in front of me, the same darkness shining in his eyes as his brother’s, but the way he licks his bottom lip tells me he’s nervous. Nervous about what?

“It has everything to do with you, Rhea, because I’m going to seal my soul to yours,” Thomas announces confidently, moving close enough to brush his hand down my cheek.

“Like fuck you are,” I bite back, a scoff falling past my lips too.

“Oh, he is. I can hold this glamor all day until it happens if needed,” Derek adds, making a ball of uncertainty sit heavy in my stomach.

“You don’t choose who it seals with, asshole, that’s not how it works,” I retort, my body starting to panic a little because I still can’t move a single step.

“Well, there’s no harm in trying,” Thomas murmurs under his breath, before turning to nod at his brother. In the next instant, I’m lying down in the grass, my sports uniform still in place as I stare up at the pair of them.

My body is rigid, controlled by Derek, and it frightens the hell out of me.

“Get your fucking hands off me,” I bark as Thomas leans forward on crouched legs, lifting my t-shirt up a little to find the waistband of my shorts.

“Please shut her up, Derek, I don’t need to hear her to fuck her,” Thomas grinds out, avoiding my gaze as I try with every ounce of my strength to move, but… nothing.

They warned me of this.

The Elites told me this could happen, and now look at me.

Hidden in the middle of class, someone is attempting to rape me, to what? Gain their magic early? It’s disgusting, and I won’t fall victim to any of this.

I can’t.

I refuse.

“I’ve seen the mark your sealed soul left on the wolf and the incubus, and I’m going to fuck you raw until you give me one of my own,” Thomas mumbles, dragging the material of my shorts down my thighs as he speaks. I don’t know how or when he saw them, but the fact he tainted them with his filthy eyes makes me even angrier.

Terror threatens to take over, my heart pounding frantically in my chest as I will my body to break free of the hold.

“Don’t forget the boost you’ll get when she’s completely sealed her soul to everyone it wants,” Derek adds, looming above us like he’s ecstatic to have a front row seat to what’s about to happen.

Sick fucks.

I need to think.

Think. Think. Think.

I may not be able to use my body, but he hasn’t taken my voice. With that thought, I scream at the top of my lungs. My ears ring with the shrill sound, my lungs and throat burning as I do it as loud as I can for as long as possible.

But when the sound ebbs away, Derek just laughs. Wholehearted, belly chuckle, with his head tilted back. I think he swipes tears from his face too as his brother grabs my thighs in a bruising grip and forces them apart.

“Girl, Goddess or not, no one can hear you. I’ve spent weeks working on building my own little realm for this exact reason,” Derek explains, and a shiver of defeat runs through me.

But instead of letting that feeling control me, it seems to set my magic on fire, the overwhelming surge of it running through my veins almost makes me black out. I can feel it in my fingers, my toes, everywhere. Like it’s fighting against whatever kind of hold Derek has on me, but it’s still too erratic to be controlled, and completing what would seem like the most simple of tasks becomes a war within myself.

With all my strength, I fight against the tingly feeling that ricochets over my body, and I almost sob in relief as my leg moves, kneeing Thomas in the dick as I try to fight him off.

“What the fuck?” he gasps, anger biting in his words, but I don’t bother responding as I try to roll over so I can get up.

It’s harder than usual, my magic pushing against Derek’s as it drips over my skin.

“Stupid bitch,” Derek growls as I rise to my feet, Thomas still rolling on the floor beside me with his hands cupping his dick. Just as I reach my full height, Derek must sense that his magic can’t push me back into submission because he charges at me instead.

I hit the ground with a grunt, the wind leaving me, but my movements become much easier as Derek’s magic washes away and he comes at me physically now. His fist swings for my face, knocking my cheek so hard my head bounces off the solid floor beneath me, the grass doing little to lessen the impact.

Fuck.

I swing my own fist in his direction, trying to fight him off as he climbs on top of me, my pulse ringing relentlessly in my ears as my survival instincts kick in.

I won’t be a victim to this, to them, I won’t allow it.

“Hurry up,” Derek growls, crawling up my body so his knees are pressed against my arms, pinning me to the floor while exposing my pussy to his brother.

I try to buck my legs, forcing him off me, but it just makes him punch me repeatedly in the face. Once, twice, three times. His hits are solid, painful, and leave me seeing stars as the world spins around me.

Thomas grabs at my thighs once more, but I kick out, determined to fight back, even though my vision is framed with black, my consciousness trying to give out.

A sporadic shot of my magic booms from my chest, and I’m unable to see what happened with my eyes barely open, but the grunts and harsh breaths of the brothers cease to fill my brain along with my pulse.

What did I do?

Everything seems to just go… silent.

For what feels like an eternity.

Until I hear one word that sets my soul on fire and breathes life back into me.

“Rhea!”

A gasp tumbles from my mouth as my body slumps, all my strength dissipating at the sound of my name on Adonis’ lips.

My face and head are in excruciating pain, the feeling is beyond words as I struggle to stay awake. The throbbing of my wounds as my blood pumps through my body is enough to knock me out cold. Adonis hovers over me, anger burning in his lilac eyes. I know I’m safe with him, and so must my magic as I fall into complete darkness.

My consciousness slipping away.

Chapter 29

Zen

I  tap my pen on the desk out of boredom, Khaos beside me as Professor Cora Fates discusses a part of history my brain apparently has no interest in learning. My mind is on Rhea, as always. Our sealed souls only strengthening my pull to her. Now that she’s in second year, I don’t get to see her as much during the day, and it almost leaves me as pouty as Adonis. Almost.

Khaos, on the other hand, I can’t read him enough to know if he feels her absence as well. Although his leg seems to bounce under the table and his jaw is locked tight with agitation. Hmm. Hopefully he chooses to pull his fingers out of his ass sooner rather than later. He’s keeping himself locked in an emotional cage and everyone but him can see it’s causing damage.

Slouching back in my seat, extending my legs under the table, I try to get comfortable when the door to the class swings open with force, hitting the wall hard, and I have to blink twice to understand what it is I’m exactly seeing.

It’s Adonis. With sheer, raw fear in his panicked, lilac eyes, and… he’s cradling an unconscious Rhea.

“Excuse me, Adonis, what is the nat…” Professor Fates’ words trail off as she gapes at the bundle of lifeless limbs in his arms.

Adonis barges through the aisles of tables as I scrape my chair back, rising to my feet, but I don’t manage to take a step in his direction before he slowly lowers her to the floor beside me.

My heart pounds like crazy in my chest, my pulse ringing in my ears as my palms begin to sweat. The rest of the room fades into darkness, my vision seeing nothing but my sleeping Firecracker. The fury that coils in my veins at the sight of her beaten and bruised face is not to be challenged, but I channel all of that energy into what I can offer to her instead.

“Oh my Gods,” Harmonia blurts from a few rows back, and I know she’s making her way toward us. While Khaos crouches down on the floor beside me at the same time.

I instinctively run my hand down her face gently, before scanning her from head to toe. When I glide my hands over her body, my magic immediately bubbles to the surface, and I know exactly where she’s hurt. Every. Single. Part.

“What the fuck happened?” I grind out, not even considering the fact that I have an audience for my next move as I hover over her.

A prism of colors scatter across her face. Purples, blues, and black, with a splattering of red blood dripping from a few places around her eyes, nose, and mouth. Bringing my hands to the side of her face, almost like I’m about to cradle her, but just far enough away where I’m not touching her injuries. I release my magic as my eyes fall closed, wanting to fully concentrate on every inch of her skin.

Warmth blossoms in my palms, aimed at Rhea, healing her injuries and my face immediately feels like it’s being pummeled repeatedly.

Fuck.

My face scrunches in discomfort, and I have to bite my teeth into my bottom lip to stop a grunt of pain falling from my lips.

Again, and again, and again.

I feel every punch, every burst of pain, every bruise as I heal it all away.

I’d felt a slight twinge at my waist when I’d healed the bruises on her hips, and now it all makes sense. Shaking my head, I focus on the beauty before me.

Someone unleashed their wrath on her, but why?

Once her face is completely healed, I move my hands over her, feeling for any further injuries I may have missed.

I pause at her arms, feeling the weight and pressure of someone pinning her to the floor, and again at her chest when the weight of someone sitting on her radiates from my pecs. My whole body freezes when I reach her thighs to sense dotted fingertip marks all over her.

My eyes blink open, rage coursing through my body as I check down the rest of her legs, before taking a deep breath and holding it. I hover my hand above the shorts covering her, and relief floods me when I find no pain or need for healing.

Once I’m pleased with the condition she’s now in, I sit back on my heels and swipe my hair back off my face.

“Who the fuck did this?” I ask, turning my attention to Adonis who is sitting on the other side of our sealed soul.

“With the mess she left behind, it looks like Derek and Thomas Blair,” he mumbles tightly under his breath, his words clipped. I can see the anger shining in his lilac eyes, and the annoyance at himself for bringing Rhea to me instead of finishing them off, I can only assume.

“How did this even happen?” Khaos grunts, but before Adonis can answer him, the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupts us.

I glance up to see Professor Fates, and I immediately remember that there’s an entire class here as witness to what I just did.

Fuck it.

The secret’s out of the bag about me now, but I don’t care, Rhea’s safety and well-being is paramount to everything else.

Without a word, Adonis throws his arms out at the side, and a moment later, everyone fades away, only him, Khaos, Rhea, Harmonia, Thalia, Cassandra and I remain.

“What did you just do?” Cassandra asks, walking toward us, before falling to the floor behind Harmonia who is sitting by Rhea’s head.

“I gave us a couple of minutes of privacy,” he replies with a shrug. It’s hard to explain our surroundings now, it’s almost like we’re trapped inside a bubble. Iridescent colors swirling around us like the dome that sits over the Academy. The rest of the class are on the other side of it, but they can’t see us.

Nodding my thanks to Adonis for his quick thinking, I release a heavy sigh. “How did those guys manage to touch her like that, Adonis?” I ask through gritted teeth, not mad at him, but at the situation.

“Touched her like what?” he replies, his brows knitting together in confusion. “I honestly have no idea what actually happened. We were all separated into groups. I looked over at her and she was there. The next minute, there’s a loud scream of terror that ricochets around the entire room, and I turn again to find her not there.” He pauses for a moment, raking his fingers through his hair. “I knew it was her, my fucking soul clung to her as I raced across the room, only to find there was a glamor in place. But then, before I could even attempt to remove the magic concealing her, her ability shattered through it, removing the glamor and—”

“Guys,” Harmonia says, waving her hand around as she points down at Rhea, and my eyes widen in surprise as she blinks hers open.

“Give her some space,” Khaos adds, but we only offer her an extra inch, too scared to leave her side as she jerks up, rising to a sitting position. She doesn’t speak immediately, dragging her hands down her face like exhaustion is rippling through her body.

“Well, this is embarrassing,” she mumbles, making me frown at her.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about, Firecracker?” I ask, tentatively reaching out to stroke my hand down her cheek, and she offers me a soft smile in response.

“I’m guessing I’m all healed because of you?” she asks, avoiding my question, and I let her off, nodding in confirmation as Cassandra chuckles.

“Girl, he was totally badass,” she states, making Rhea grin wider, still a little dazed. I shrug, like it’s all in a day's work, but what happened to her is serious, and we need to get to the bottom of it.

“Rhea, we need you to tell us what happened,” Adonis says, his face still pained, and I can’t imagine what it felt like for him to be so close to her, yet not know this was happening. No matter what tumbles from her mouth now, it’s only going to increase the irritation at himself.

“It was a guy named Derek, and his younger brother Thomas. He, uh… Thomas wanted his magic early,” she trails off, a sigh falling from her lips as every part of my body stiffens.

They’re dead.

Rage coils inside of me, and I watch it flash in Adonis’ eyes, and I know I’m not mistaken when Khaos’ green pools darken, almost black with anger.

I know they didn’t succeed based on my healing assessment of Rhea, but still…

Rhea frowns, rubbing at her temple in thought. “Where are they now?” she asks. “And who redressed me?” she adds, sending a shiver down my spine as my body stiffens in awareness of what she’s implying.

“You were dressed exactly as you are now when the glamor dropped and I saw you,” Adonis murmurs, his chest heaving with each breath he takes. “You sent out a bolt of magic before you passed out, so it could have done it for you,” he continues, uncertain still, but Rhea nods in understanding.

“And… them?” she pushes, hands clenching as she bands her arms around her bent knees, resting her chin on them. Creating an extra barrier between her and the world.

“Well, uh…” Adonis rubs the back of his neck nervously, like he’s trying to find the right words to explain what happened, but a growl from Khaos seems to nudge him along. “The blast of magic that emitted from you, broke through the glamor they had in place. But I heard your scream just before that, and it was the only thing that drew attention to the fact that you weren’t visible,” he explains, guilt stirring in his lilac eyes again. “I’m so sor—”

“Do not apologize for what those fucktards did, Adonis,” Rhea chastises, a spike of determination in her tone that only makes my heart pound faster for her.

Adonis offers an impish smile, raking his hair back off his face before he leans forward and cups her cheek. “Rhea, when the magic blasted from you, it destroyed their glamor and left them both knocked out cold on the floor.”

I watch intently as her eyebrows rise in surprise. I’ve seen the struggle she’s having with her magic, and it pains me that she doesn’t have full access to her source, her magic coming through scattered and messy at times. A complete contrast to Xander, Adonis, and me, who all have free rein.

“Well, at least my magic steps up when it’s desperately needed the most,” she mumbles in response. “Where are they now?” she asks, pushing to her feet like she wasn’t unconscious just a few moments ago, and I feel a sense of pride over my magic and ability to heal.

“I can only assume in the medical center,” Adonis advises. “You passed out as I reached you, and I panicked, bundling you into my arms and hightailed over here to Zen as quickly as possible. I wanted to beat the shit out of them right then and there, but your safety was more important than making them bleed, Rhea,” he says with a strangled sigh, hating to be in that predicament.

“Well, where was Xander?” Khaos asks, rising to his feet along with the rest of us now that Rhea is standing. “Why couldn’t he help too?”

“He hasn’t shown up for class since his meeting this morning. We were going to give it until the end of the lesson before we went to hunt him down,” Adonis explains, and my gut clenches. It’s not like Xander to just mysteriously disappear.

Something must be going on for him to stay away like this.

“Well, he can come find us in the medical center while I go and have a word with the fucking Blair brothers,” Khaos bites, the cords in his neck tensing with anger. It’s a clear sign of how much he does care for Rhea, but he still won’t meet her gaze.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to rein him in, tell him to take a step back and think, when Rhea speaks before me. “You’re not going alone,” she states, and Khaos finally meets her gaze, astonishment flashing in his eyes. “When Derek was taunting me, he mentioned wanting his brother to complete the sealed souls bond so he would receive a boost? I don’t know what that means.”

I shake my head in confusion, not understanding either. Maybe we could get him to explain before we beat the shit out of him, heal him, and do it all over again until we get tired. Then we kill him. People need to learn, and they need to learn fast that Rhea is ours, and no one fucks with us.

“Then that’s where we go,” Harmonia says, linking her arm through Rhea's, squeezing her in support, and we all nod in agreement.

“I’m going to have to drop the glamor,” Adonis states, eyes fixed on Rhea’s, who nods in understanding. At her movement, the bubble effect around us dissolves, melting away to reveal the classroom empty except for Professor Fates.

What the fuck?

“Where did everyone go?” Thalia asks, speaking up for the first time, and Professor Fates offers us a tight smile in response before answering.

“I’m afraid an emergency assembly has been called. Everyone just left, but your attendance will be necessary too,” she explains, remaining calm and professional.

“This is going to have something to do with me,” Rhea states. “I definitely broke the no violence rule,” she says with a shrug, and I scoff.

“They broke it first, so fuck that. You were defending yourself,” I grumble, lacing my hand through hers as Harmonia continues to cling to her other side. “We’ll take a detour to the assembly hall before we find the medical center,” I add, incoherent words signaling their agreement.

Moving toward the door with Adonis and Khaos leading the way, Adonis immediately stops in the doorway, turning to look at me with confusion written all over his face.

“Just one question before we go,” he starts, brows crinkling like he can’t quite figure something out. “How did you know they touched her, Zen?”

My jaw snaps open by his observation because I wasn’t sure he understood the meaning behind my words earlier. But now that I know he has, I release a heavy sigh. I may as well tell them now because they’re going to find out sooner or later.

“Because I feel every ounce of pain as I heal it.”

Chapter 30

Rhea

Z en’s words leave me shaken to the core. In order to heal someone, he has to feel their pain? Fuck, I can’t even imagine. Looking up at him, he definitely doesn’t seem sad or disappointed by this. His magical blue eyes are still shimmering around his usual hazel pools. He radiates tension, but I guess we all do right now.

No one utters a word in response about it, and I don’t know if it is customary to keep your mouth shut or not when someone is discussing their magical abilities. But I find myself releasing Harmonia’s arm as I rise up on my tiptoes, placing a gentle kiss to his cheek as we move.

“I’m sorry you had to feel what happened to me,” I whisper under my breath, not sure if anyone hears me other than Zen, but I don’t turn to glance in their direction to check either. I’m too focused on Zen’s soft yet determined smile in response.

“Don’t ever apologize. In our situation, and with how I feel about you, I want to know every ounce of pain that may ever be inflicted on you so I can retaliate ten times worse,” he says sternly, and like a needy bitch my thighs clench at his words.

Hot. As. Hell.

Apparently vengeance done in my name is something I’m open to.

I don’t respond, my face doing all the talking as I bite my bottom lip and glance at the floor, trying to get myself under control.

When we get to the end of the hallway, I notice Khaos turning right, when the assembly hall is to the left. I frown in confusion, as does everyone else when we all pause to watch him continue down the corridor with purposeful strides.

“Khaos, where the fuck are you going, man? I feel like you’ve been here long enough to know that the assembly hall is this way,” Adonis hollers, the twins chuckling at their cousin being directionally challenged as he simply shakes his head. No laugh, no eye roll, no nothing.

“If you think I’m going to attend the assembly when this is a prime opportunity to get the Blair brothers, then you’re truly mistaken,” he calls back, not even pausing a step as he continues.

My body heats at his bite, his determination to retaliate against my attackers leaves me speechless. It almost makes me embarrassed that I haven’t brought retribution back to Hector, Selene and their followers from their attack on me a while back.

This man claims to hate me, yet he’s the one leading the onslaught.

“He’s not going to stop,” Zen notes, his voice neutral like he’s not shocked by Khaos’ reaction, and before I can consider changing my mind, I slip my hand from his, and follow after the moody man.

“Well shit, looks like we’re getting to cause a riot after all,” Adonis says, with what sounds like a hint of glee in his voice.

“Fuck, ladies, please go and find Xander for us, let him know where we’ll be if you do,” Zen adds, clearly speaking to Harmonia and the twins, but I don’t glance back for clarification. Instead, I up my pace, falling into stride with Khaos.

He doesn’t blink at my approach, doesn’t even glance down to look at me. He hates this. He hates needing to protect me, or he hates admitting it at least.

My fucking crazy vampire.

He’s mine whether he likes it or not. And I am his, whether he likes it or not. I don’t need our souls to be sealed to know the truth.

I know it with absolute certainty.

And right now, with every step he takes, he knows it too.

Zen and Adonis quickly fall in step with us, Zen immediately linking his fingers with mine again, like he needs the physical connection to me, and honestly, I need it too. Adonis attempts to step between Khaos and me, but Khaos refuses to budge, and when Adonis attempts to shift me a step or two to the right, Khaos reaches out and grips my wrist, holding me in place.

Fuck.

This man’s hot and cold is addictive.

A smug as fuck grin spreads across my face as he drops my wrist as quickly as he grabbed it, but only when Adonis has moved to the other side of Zen, a grumble of how ‘unfair’ it is.

No one speaks a word. The sound of our steps echo off the walls as we walk with determination down the empty hallway.

I follow them blindly, having never been to the medical center before. I’m so ready to show those fucking brothers that they messed with the wrong person, but my soul is aware of the missing piece to my puzzle.

Xander.

Where the fuck is he?

I don’t get long to ponder on that thought as the sign for the medical center is engraved into the wood above the door at the end of the corridor as we turn to the left.

All the anticipation, the anger, and sheer shock rises to the surface under my skin, reminding me exactly what I felt in that moment, trapped within that fucking glamor. They deserve nothing but brutality, fuck the rules of this bullshit Academy. Fuck it all to Hades.

Khaos doesn’t glance around to check if we’re ready or not, he simply thrusts his hand into the door, swinging it open without stopping his stride. His fury radiates from him, seeping into me, and encouraging me with every step.

I’m not wrong to feel like this.

I’m not wrong to want revenge.

I’m not wrong to want to make them pay.

I try to take in the open space as we enter, but everything goes by in a blur. I spot a nurses station to the left, and five doors to the right among the beige painted walls.

“Where’s Derek and Thomas Blair?” Zen asks, his voice calm, and I thank the Gods he spoke first before Khaos did, because I highly doubt the stern looking nurse on the other side of the desk would have taken too kindly to his harsh tone.

With her white hair clipped back off her face, she glances over the four of us, pausing a moment, like she’s seeking our intention before she waves us off, pointing to the last door on the right.

My brows crinkle in confusion, wondering how it can really be that easy, when Zen murmurs in my ear. “Are you ready for this? You can wait outside if not.”

I offer a simple nod in response, focusing on the motherfuckers I know are going to be on the other side of the door. My body is tense, my dark and twisted emotions swarming inside of me as I release a short breath.

I should be prepared for Khaos to blaze through the door without caution, but it still startles me as he marches through, power radiating from his very being. I make sure to step in right behind him, Zen hot on my heels, quickly followed by Adonis as we fill the surprisingly large… yet empty space.

What the fuck?

Khaos stands with his feet shoulder-width apart, hands clenched at his side as he looks from left to right. Adonis moves to the right, cracking his neck as he too takes in the silent room, while Zen remains at my side, fingers laced with mine as only the sound of our breaths fill the room.

Tension fills the space, the taste of fear so prominent I could almost touch it.

My heart pounds in my chest as I flick my gaze between the two beds. The white sheets are crumpled, clearly used, but no one is here. I’m about to question where we should go next, when the cords in Khaos’ neck tighten, his shoulders bunching as he growls.

“I know you’re fucking there.”

My brows knit together as I stare at the same room as he does, wondering what the hell he’s talking about. When nothing happens, I consider taking another step toward him when he bites through gritted teeth once more. “I said… I know you’re fucking there. Don’t make me repeat myself again.”

I keep completely still, trying to pick up on whatever Khaos seems to be sensing, and it takes a second for me to remember what Derek is capable of.

Glamors.

It’s startlingly unnerving to feel so off kilter. Fear of who may or may not be present without me knowing sends a shiver of warning down my spine. But when an extended length of silence gives us nothing, I sigh.

“Khaos, I—”

My words are cut short when Adonis whips his arm out to the side, making me jolt in surprise when his hand connects with something… but it’s not just something, he’s gripping someone’s neck.

Holy. Motherfucking. Shit.

“Fuckkkkk,” Adonis grunts, every inch of his body straining as he stands with his hand around someone’s throat. Or it looks that way at least. His head is bowed down, his eyes scrunched together like it’s taking a lot of fucking energy to do what he’s doing.

The room slowly sinks into darkness. The windows, the door, none of it existing anymore as a red glow pulses in the room.

Adonis’ hand clenches, his fingernails digging into the neck of the person in front of him as he twists his head around to Khaos. “Fuck. Left, Khaos,” he grunts, before swinging his other fist into the person before him.

At the same moment, Khaos swings his leg out to the left, connecting with something and the sound of a thump hitting the floor reverberates around us. A spark of satisfaction pulses through my veins at hearing the pain being inflicted on the brothers.

Instinctively, I take a step toward him, my body needing to help, but before my foot even connects with the floor, Zen is pulling me back, his hand tightening around mine as he keeps me at his side.

I swivel my head to face him, anger pounding through my bones as I ready myself to give him a piece of my mind, but the way his eyes soften makes me pause. It’s like he knows his move pissed me off, and that it wasn’t his intention. I should know that, I know I should, but fuck, I can’t stand back and do nothing. As if sensing my thoughts, he points in Adonis’ direction.

“Don’t interfere, not unless it’s necessary, Firecracker. Adonis is attempting to overpower Derek’s glamor with his own,” he explains. I didn’t even know that was a thing but my heart soars knowing Adonis is strong enough to fight this. “It’s how he can sense where they are and why the room has shifted, but someone as new to their powers as Adonis shouldn’t be able to do this. Not yet anyway, so I can only assume it’s depleting his power quicker than usual,” he adds, only making my jaw drop as I stand and stare in awe.

Taking a deeper look at him, I see the strain on his body from head to toe. His legs are slightly bent, like he’s having to dig his heels into the floor to keep in place. One hand is still tight around the person’s throat, while the other pummels into their face over and over again. But every punch seems to take more force and is harder to land, a hint of blood falling to the floor, flitting between the glamor and reality.

Zen is right. This is draining him by the second. Fuck.

I don't want to stand in place and watch both Adonis and Khaos fight with who I can only assume is the Blair brothers. I want to get involved, take the weight from their shoulders, and ease the strain.

“Zen, I can’t just stand back and watch,” I state, pulling my eyes from Adonis to check on Khaos, only to see him grappling with the other brother. “Nope, definitely can’t.” I look up at him with determination in my eyes, steel in my heart. The pained expression that greets me does nothing to calm the war rising inside of me, but before he can say a single word, power and magic seems to splinter around us, knocking me back a step.

The room shifts around me again, only this time, the Blair brothers are right in front of us, clear to see, as Adonis hunches forward, hands braced on his knees as he struggles to catch his breath. He managed to break through Derek’s glamor, forcing us into one completely of Adonis’ making. It looks like we’re in a bubble, the room we’re actually in, filtering in slightly, it feels like Adonis is struggling to keep it together after blasting through the other.

Fuck.

I move to take a step toward him at the same time Derek moves too, happy to leave Adonis sagging in distress as he raises a scalpel in the air. And I almost laugh at the absurdity of the big, bad incubus wielding a scalpel. But as soon as I see where he’s headed, the laughter dies in my throat.

He’s found his target.

Me.

My hand slips from Zen’s as I lift my arms in the air, ready to defend myself, but I realize too little too late that there was a reason Zen let go of me.

An arm hits me square in the chest, knocking me back a step as Zen groans in pain, the scalpel piercing his skin near his collarbone. The blunt object protrudes from his flesh, the steel glistening, and it seems like time stands still for a moment before reality bitch slaps me in the face.

I scream out in fear as I panic, quickly cutting the distance between Zen and I, not caring that Derek is looming over him still. As I near Zen, I frown in confusion, seeing the wound where the scalpel is, but no blood drips from him.

He grunts in discomfort, remaining on his feet as he wraps his hand around the handle and pulls it from his chest. It takes me a moment to realize his body is healing itself, but if what he said earlier is true, he’s feeling the pain on repeat.

Once from the initial contact made. Two from the healing process.

Shit.

I don’t have time to think as Derek pulls a larger blade from his jeans pocket and thrusts it into Zen’s stomach.

“No!” I shout, but Khaos beats me to it, leaving Thomas unattended as he charges at Derek, knocking him to the ground as he beats him repeatedly with already bloodied knuckles.

Trusting Khaos has him covered, I find Adonis with his palms planted on the floor, his eyes struggling to remain open as he tries to keep the glamor, all while Zen groans at my feet. “Fucking cunt,” he spits, swiping his hair back off his face as he pulls the clean blade from his stomach. I watch as he winces, but again no blood drops from him.

Thank the Gods.

“Let me help,” I say urgently, feeling like a complete waste of space as I reach out my hand to pull him to his feet.

My fingers wrap around his forearm, but before he can get a strong grip on me, I’m pulled back, my hand losing its hold as my back hits someone's chest. I immediately know it’s one of the brothers because my magic flutters to the surface, ready to defend me.

I kick my leg back, hearing a grunt from Thomas’ lips, but his arms still band around my middle, pinning me against him.

This motherfucker hasn’t learned his lesson yet.

My eyes trail to Adonis, barely holding it together in the center of the room as he cries out in pain, his magic barely clinging to him. Khaos keeps fighting with Derek until he realizes my situation.

Time freezes as his dark green eyes pierce into me, a fraction of fear washing over him as he attempts to assess how he will end Derek and get to me as quickly as possible.

“Let him go,” Thomas shouts, barking at Khaos as he pulls a dagger out, the metal shimmering out of the corner of my eye. He places it at my side, tip pressing against my skin through my top as I remain completely still.

Zen rises to his feet, hands up in surrender as he too hates the sight of me in a compromised position, but I force myself to take another deep breath, keeping myself calm as I watch my unit barely hold on to a thread of sanity.

“He’ll let your brother go when you release Rhea,” Zen says, turning his attention fully to Thomas, but I don’t miss the way he strategically places himself in front of Adonis, so he can’t see the vulnerable state of my sealed soul.

Xander, fuck, we need Xander right now.

Where the fuck is he? How can he not sense we’re in danger?

Thomas laughs in my ear. “Like fuck he will. You came here with a purpose, it doesn’t take a genius to guess what you wanted the outcome of your little visit to be,” he hisses, and I suck in a breath as the dagger lightly pierces my flesh.

I meet Khaos’ gaze, watching him contemplate his moves, but I shake my head, determined to get through to him. “Do it,” I mouth, my body throbbing with energy, my magic static beneath the surface. His eyes darken, his nostrils flaring, and I see the defiance as his hold on Derek softens.

Derek is barely standing, his face battered beyond recognition as his head lolls forward. Good. I want revenge, and I want to set a precedent for what happens to those that try to tear me down.

Anger, desperation, and sheer panic for my unit rips me apart from the inside out as I scream. “I said, do it.”

The words slip from my lips as my magic pours from my body, a blast ricocheting off every wall that has Thomas releasing his hold on me. Khaos seizes the opportunity, wrapping his hands around Derek’s chin and the back of his head, and in one swift move, snaps his neck to the side, the crack that follows cuts through the silence, letting his limp body slump to the floor.

I don’t give myself a moment to consider what just happened as I turn on the spot, ready to bring Thomas to his knees, but Zen has already beat me to it.

Electricity crackles around the room, and I have no idea where it’s coming from, but the way it swirls around Zen tells me it’s magnetized toward him. As his hand touches Thomas, it follows his movement, jolting him into convulsions on the floor.

I take a breath, followed quickly by a second, and a third. My chest heaves with each one, but when neither of the brothers jump up, my shoulders sag in relief. Sweat drips down my temple, disbelief at the situation washing over me as I look to Zen.

“Are they dead?” I ask, the words foreign on my tongue as he turns his back on Thomas.

“Yes,” he replies simply, no other words needed, and I nod automatically.

My relief is short lived as I look to Adonis, his body lying in the fetal position on the floor. His eyes are closed, his chest barely rising and panic sets into my soul.

“Oh Gods,” I cry, rushing toward him. I cup his cheek, waiting for my golden retriever of a soulmate to open his eyes, but he does nothing. “Adonis. Adonis?” I call out, shaking him lightly, but still nothing.

Please no.

Chapter 31

Rhea

I  sense Khaos and Zen approaching, my heart pounding like a fucking jackhammer in my chest as fear drenches me. “Adonis! Please, fuck, Adonis,” I yell.

He’s still with me, I can sense it, although the glamor around us seems to flicker and glitch, the colors popping like a bubble.

“Why isn’t he responding?” Khaos bites, like it’s an inconvenience, but I hold my tongue, knowing it’s his own fear that’s making him sound like an asshole.

“It’s his magic, it must be,” Zen says, the panic evident in his voice too. “He must be clinging to it, but barely. The Blair brothers have slipped through, but it’s like his magic is still trying to protect us from the threat and is now down to the bare minimum,” he adds, and I glance around quickly.

He’s right, Derek and Thomas have gone. Just… gone. But I hate that Adonis’ magic is leaving him like this to keep us safe. Especially when there’s no longer a threat.

A sob bursts from my lips as I cup his cheek, running my thumb over his skin. My eyes slam shut. Fuck. This is what it feels like to care about someone, to feel fear and worry for someone else.

It’s like my emotions are magnified.

I just need him to be okay.

Please.

“Don’t cry over me, baby.” It’s barely spoken, the rasp foreign to my ears as I watch Adonis struggle to blink his eyes open. Relief washes over me, another sob tumbling from my lips as I grin down at him.

I sense the tension roll off Zen and Khaos as they too hear their brother’s voice. Swiping my hair back off my face, I lean in closer, my face above his as I reply. “Well can you tell your magic to fuck off so I can get you to your feet and we can leave,” I state smartly, making a strangled chuckle pass his lips.

He can’t open his eyes, his face is pale, and his lips are dry as his body lays limp. My perfectly put together demon is strained beyond words, and the pain it’s causing to see him like this shatters my soul more than I thought would be possible.

I watch as Adonis tries to speak, his mouth moving a few times before he finally gets the words out. “I-it doesn’t w-work like that, R-rhea,” he breathes, which only makes my eyebrows knit together in confusion.

“Then how does it work, Adonis? Tell me, so I can make it better,” I reply, watching as the corner of his mouth lifts ever so slightly in an attempt to smile.

“Zen, I t-think this is a-a job for y-you,” Adonis mutters, his tongue peeking to attempt to moisten his lips, but it does little, if anything to help.

I retreat my hand, sitting back on my heels as I look to Khaos at my left, who remains quiet and stoic, before looking at Zen at my right. “What does he mean?” The sheepish look that washes over his face deepens my frown, and when he doesn’t answer quickly enough, I get frustrated. “Can someone fucking explain to me what will make him okay so we can get out of here and find Xander?” I grunt, my face heating as Zen brushes his hair back off his face with a sigh, but he keeps his ice blue eyes fixed on mine.

“We have to fuel his magic, Rhea.”

That’s it. That’s all he says, expecting me to read between the lines. And I’m embarrassed to admit that it takes me far too fucking long for the realization to dawn on me.

“There it is,” Khaos says with a dark sigh passing his lips, clearly commenting on my facial expression as I finally understand what they’re saying.

I run my hands over my t-shirt as I ignore Khaos’ taunt, focusing on Zen. “So, just to clarify, I need to suck some dick to get Adonis fueled enough for the glamor to drop and for his health to improve?” I ask, shaking my head in disbelief.

This is definitely not how I expected things to go after having the blood of the Blair brothers metaphorically on our hands.

A soft chuckle falls from Adonis’ lips, drawing my attention to him, but it’s Zen who clears his throat before responding to me.

“He’s going to need more than that,” he advises, his eyebrow quirked as he looks at me.

My eyes widen. This is seriously fucking real right now.

Fuck.

I’ll never say no to an orgasm, but shit, this is crazy. Even for me. Especially after two of my men killed to protect me.

Another strained laugh breezes through Adonis’ lips, but I can see the discomfort on his face as even that hurts him. “She likes the idea, Zen. Her fucking pheromones are tingling over my skin already,” he manages, his voice groggy as he admits the truth, and Zen smirks.

“That’s because she’s my Firecracker. Feisty, explosive, and hot as hell,” he states, like it’s just as simple as that, and I guess it is, or it is for now at least.

“Yup,” he adds with a struggle. “Likes you saying that too.”

Fucking hell.

His assessment of me is going to have me blushing at this rate. “Shut up, Adonis. I thought you weren’t okay? If you have enough snark to drop me in it, then you can get yourself up off the fucking floor,” I gripe, knowing full well he needs my help, but if he gets to rile me up then I get to say something in response.

He offers a soft smile in reply, not saying another word as he remains as silent as Khaos. He’s an entirely different situation that I need to handle, but right now, helping Adonis is priority number one.

Zen shuffles back from Adonis, his eyes still swirling blue as he peers at me. This isn’t awkward, or it doesn’t have to be. I always want him, having an immediate reason doesn’t change that. And I’ve fucked Adonis and Xander at the same time, so the watchful eyes don’t matter to me either.

Before I think anymore into it, I crawl toward him, lifting a thigh over his legs as I take a seat on his lap. My hands immediately go to his shoulders, digging in slightly as I try to relax the tension in his muscles.

He smiles up at me, a weird calmness washing over me as it always does when I'm with him, before I cut the distance between our lips, tasting him against mine as I melt into his hold. His arms band tight around my waist as he holds me close.

My brain is highly aware that today has gone to shit. Massively. From the attempt to have someone seal their soul to mine, to killing the pieces of shit, only to fuck one soulmate to save another.

That almost sums up the crazy shit I’ve had to deal with since arriving at Saints Academy. A shiver runs down my spine. This feels like the biggest fuck you to the Blair brothers for what they tried to do to me.

This is me taking control of my body, the situation, and everything in between. I’m my own person, making my own choices, and I want to feel Zen’s cock seated deep inside of me to rid the rest of the bullshit from today.

I press my lips firmer into Zen’s, desperate for more as I focus on the here and now. His palm runs under my t-shirt, forming goosebumps as he makes me shiver with need. Zen pulls his lips from mine, brushing my loose hair back off my face and neck as he trails his mouth down the sensitive skin. He doesn’t stop until he reaches my collarbone, making a moan slip from my lips.

There’s no other noise in the room, Khaos and Adonis silent as I take from Zen. Not that he’s upset by it. If anything, I can tell he’s holding back, wanting to move at my pace.

Fuck that.

I want to show him how much I appreciate him putting me back together, while replenishing my other love. Adonis. If a little show from me increases his energy quicker, then I’m all in.

With that in mind, I release my hold on Zen for a moment to grab the bottom of my t-shirt and pull it over my head, discarding it without thought, before unclipping my bra and adding it to the pile.

“Fuck, how are you so fucking beautiful, Firecracker?” Zen murmurs, his palms instantly finding my exposed breasts as he continues to taste my skin, dragging his lips across my chest to my shoulder.

Shit.

I hope his question was rhetorical because I have no fucking answer right now. I hiss with pleasure as he leans forward, wrapping his lips around my peaked nipple, kneading the other breast as I grind down on his stiff cock.

There’s too much material in between us, and it needs to be eliminated.

Bracing my hands back on his shoulders, I rise to my feet, making a show of tilting my ass in the air as I go. I don’t miss the groan that falls from Adonis’ lips, a sign that he’s more than benefitting from what we’re doing here.

I don’t delay the process, slipping my shorts and panties over my hips at the same time as kicking my shoes off. Delayed gratification is not needed right now, we need him at full health as quickly as possible.

“Baby,” he groans hoarsely, making me glance back over my shoulder at him. His lilac eyes are burning with heat, and I sag in relief seeing them open, but he needs more if I expect the color to come back to his cheeks.

Before I can utter a word in response, I gasp in surprise as Zen’s lips find my core, kissing and teasing my folds as he circles my clit. I want more, fuck no, I need more, but I don’t even need to ask as his fingers join his mouth.

“Holy fuck,” I say with a sigh, my head lulling forward, chin to chest as I look down at him. In the time it took for me to look at Adonis, Zen has managed to lose his shirt and push his pants down to mid thigh.

Holy fuck indeed.

My grip on his shoulders tightens as he continues to elicit ecstasy across my skin, and my legs almost buckle beneath me as an orgasm clings to me.

“Make her come,” Adonis croaks, making my muscles clench as desire pools in my stomach. Zen takes the encouragement, thrusting two fingers deep into my pussy, and I cry out with pleasure.

“Fuck,” I groan, my head tilting to the side. The second I do, my gaze finds the other man in the room who has remained silent so far.

Khaos.

His eyes are almost black, his hands clenched at his sides as he watches the show for Adonis. His jaw ticks, and I’m uncertain if it’s with need or discomfort. Either way, with my eyes locked on his, and Zen’s mouth and fingers playing my body perfectly, I explode, detonating with a scream as I shatter into a million pieces.

“Oh my Gods,” I breathe, thankful Zen catches me as my legs give out, and I land in his lap with a sated sigh.

My skin feels like it’s on fire, and Zen’s even hotter, making my skin prickle as our chests brush against one another.

“Are you ready to come on my dick for me, Firecracker?” Zen asks, dragging his tongue along his bottom lip, and my thighs clench as I drag my wet pussy over his cock.

“Always,” I mutter in response, our noses brushing as I tilt my hips, and in one swift motion, I sink down on to his thick length, taking every inch of him all at once.

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

A long, deep groan falls from my lips as Zen fills me, my pussy squeezing him tight as he moans beneath me, his mouth returning to my breasts as I take a second to catch my breath.

“She feels so good doesn’t she, Zen,” Adonis chokes out, and I can practically feel him sucking the sexual energy from us, absorbing our pleasure as we feel it. It’s that exact feeling that has me rising slowly up Zen’s cock, before slamming straight back down. I don’t wait even a second before I do it again, and again, and again.

“That’s it, Firecracker, take everything from me while you can, because when I get you alone, I’m going to pin you to the bed and take hours devouring every single inch of you,” Zen states, blue eyes blazing as he meets my gaze, and I clench around his cock in agreement.

Some dominant, independent women are more than happy to roll over and be submissive in the bedroom, and with him, I’d do just about anything.

“Then, when you’re writhing beneath me, and only then, I’m going to take that ass of yours like I promised,” he adds, making Adonis curse behind me as I shudder.

This man and his mouth.

Heaven and hell.

Fuck.

I keep my pace, unrelenting as I show him just how much I want him, when my gaze travels across the room once more to my annoying as fuck vampire. Only now, his cock is firmly in his hand as he watches Zen and I fuck.

My mouth dries up, watching him work his cock in time to my thrusts, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s imagining his hand is me.

Me as I take him all the way to the hilt.

Me as I grind against him, taking what I want.

Me as I climax around him.

“He likes watching you, baby, just as much as me, and definitely as much as Zen loves fucking you,” Adonis murmurs, and I don’t need to turn around to sense the grin on his lips, more of my man coming back to me with every thrust of Zen’s cock inside my core. “He’s feeding me just as much energy as you are,” he adds.

I bite my bottom lip, my gaze fixed on him as he doesn’t tell Adonis to shut up, call him a liar, or even stop his movements. If anything, it only encourages him more.

Sweat clings to me like a second layer of skin as my movements become stuttered. Zen drops his hands to my hips, before pounding up into me, again and again, hitting me harder and faster with every thrust.

“Oh Gods, oh Gods, oh Gods,” I chant as my orgasm crashes into me, wave after delicious wave. I cling to Zen as his thrusts ebb, his release filling me as his climax floods through him too. A grunt from the other side of the room tells me my dark and tempting vampire found his release too.

Neither of us move for what feels like an eternity, basking in the afterglow together.

It’s not until a hand swipes my hair off my damp skin, moving it aside to place a gentle kiss over the pulse of my neck that I turn my head.

My heart lodges in my chest when I find Adonis crouched beside me, face full of color, a wide grin on his lips, and admiration flashing in his lilac eyes.

“Hey,” I mutter lamely, like I didn’t just fuck my other soulmate to heal him.

“Hey,” he replies simply, his grin widening as he places a kiss at my temple, before rising to my feet. “When you’re ready, get dressed and I can remove the glamor,” he says with relief shining in his eyes. A clear sign of just how touch and go things had been with him earlier, and I nod in response.

Zen places his finger under my chin, turning me back to him to place a chaste kiss to my mouth before I rise to my feet, and quickly dress. Within minutes my shorts and t-shirt are back in place, and my laces are tied like nothing happened, but the spark in Zen’s eyes and the slight ache between my legs reminds me that it was all real.

Khaos has his head aimed solely at the floor, refusing to speak or make eye contact with me, but I shake it off for now. We need to get out of this glamor and find the other piece of my soul; Xander. Something is definitely not right; like we need another issue to deal with.

I turn to Adonis when I’m done, nodding in confirmation, and with a swipe of his hands, the room comes back into focus. I blink a couple of times, the medical room reappearing before me, but I frown in confusion when I don’t immediately see where the brothers are.

The sound of a throat clearing behind me makes me startle, and I quickly turn to glance at whoever it is, only to find the nurse from the station earlier. Her arms are folded over her chest, like she’s been waiting a while, but the expression on her face doesn’t look mad, just… patient?

“I’m glad you could join us again. I disposed of the disgusting siblings. It’s the least I could do for ridding such horrendous beings from existence,” she explains, making my jaw drop in shock. “But everyone is waiting for you in the assembly hall, it won’t proceed without you,” she adds. I guess that’s our cue to get the fuck out of dodge.

Zen responds, but I can’t hear a single word he says.

Adonis links his hand with mine, lacing our fingers together as Khaos keeps pace at my other side. It’s not until we’re stepping out of the medical center and making our way down the hall to the assembly that I finally find my voice.

“I have no idea what the nurse meant by any of that.”

I expect an eye roll or chuckle at sounding dumb, but Adonis squeezes my hand in comfort, and Khaos offers a tight smile as Zen explains.

“Nurse Cora is psychic. She can sense everyone’s intentions. It’s why she stared us down so long on arrival. She knew the possibility of what could happen when we entered that room, and she allowed it, because she knew what the Blairs attempted to do to you.”

What the ever-loving fuck? That’s… crazy phenomenal. I think.

“She’s a keeper of balance,” Khaos adds, his hand finding the small of my back as he moves us down the hall a little faster. The bite on my tongue is held back, barely, as my body sings at his touch, and I let myself bask in it for a moment. I need to appreciate these small gestures of affection because they’re so far and few between.

We need to keep putting one foot in front of the other so we can figure out why this assembly requires our attendance so much.

Chapter 32

Rhea

M y mind is a complete jumble of emotions, and I don’t know where to focus my attention.

We managed to steer our way around the Academy, avoiding any professors or students as we ran back to Agion before heading to the assembly. I didn’t want to show up in my messy sports clothes, and each of the guys were looking a little worse for wear in their uniforms too.

It may have been a consideration that Xander may be there too, but after pounding on his door for what felt like an eternity, we gave up. Khaos had no luck with the bathroom access from his room either, making me even more concerned.

So, now I have a fresh uniform on, my skirt, shirt, and blazer all perfectly in place with my hair scooped back in a low ponytail. My satchel is over my shoulder, and my head is held high, but, underneath, my body is tense.

From Xander’s absence, to being attacked, then the Blair brothers meeting their… end, and now for some impromptu assembly? Yeah, my head’s spinning.

Saints Academy was supposed to be a fresh start for a brighter future after finding out I’m a supernatural, but all I’ve gotten since I arrived here is trouble at every turn. It’s like I’ve been on defense since I stepped foot through the portal on my first day, the pressure mounting as more is discovered about me.

It’s fucking relentless. And honestly? I’m tired.

The reality is, I haven’t made it through the first fucking year yet. Now there’s blood on my hands, actual deaths, albeit indirect, but what disturbs me more than anything, is how okay I am with that part.

Shaking my head, I focus on the present, my fingers laced with Zen’s as Adonis keeps to my other side, hand placed at the bottom of my spine. Khaos walks on the other side of Adonis, not too close, but his gaze keeps shifting to me like he’s waiting for me to break into a million pieces.

We’re finally ready to see what all the fuss is about with this assembly. The sound of someone’s cell going off catches our attention, and Khaos quickly reaches down into his pocket to retrieve the device. I watch as his shoulders sag with visible relief after reading the message, before he turns to glance at the rest of us.

“Thalia just messaged. Xander just walked into the hall with his parents.”

Emotion clogs in my throat as relief courses through me too. But I’m still left with more questions than answers. Why are his parents here? Are they the reason he had a meeting this morning? Has he been with them the entire time?

Fuck.

Get a grip, Rhea.

With an extra bounce in my step, desperation drawing me closer to Xander, I hurry through the corridors of the Academy, until I see the Assembly hall at the end. I felt radiant after Zen healed me, but now I feel complete, knowing my other soul is close by.

Like all my mental pain is as calm as the physical.

Like Thomas and Derek never… Fuck, I’m not a victim, I’m not afraid to think it, and I’ll say it out loud if I have to.

They tried to fuck me for their own personal gain. Against my will.

But I stopped them, or my magic did at least. I refuse to sit on the what ifs or maybes. I’m not in denial, I'm just not letting it tear me down. Not after they met their match with my unit, and not after I took control and let all my worries wash away as I climaxed all over Zen.

A member of the administration team sees us approaching, and releases a heavy sigh as she ushers us inside. “About damn time. Where the hell have you been?” We don’t bother to respond; it seems like a rhetorical question anyway.

My eyes scan the room, seeking out Xander, and it doesn’t take long to find him sitting up front in the Agion row. I don’t see anyone with him except Harmonia, who’s looking around frantically for us, while Xander hunches forward with his head in his hands.

What the fuck is going on?

Her eyes widen as she sees us approach, and I watch as she extends her hand, shaking Xander’s shoulder gently as she murmurs to him, but whatever she says doesn’t appease him. I can only assume she’s telling him we’re here, so why isn’t he looking back at us, wanting to see us as much as we’ve wanted to see him?

I ignore the murmuring from the other students as I make my way down the aisle, offering Harmonia a tight smile as I reach the end of the pew.

“Of course they stroll in here like they own the fucking place,” I hear Selene gripe from behind me, and as much as I want to turn around and punch the cuntbag into next fucking week, I bite my bottom lip and focus strictly on Xander.

I have much bigger shit to handle right now.

I feel Khaos’ eyes burning into me from behind as Zen looks down at me from his right, and Adonis moves his hand to my hip, squeezing in silent support. A hint of anger washes over his face, which pleases me. I’m glad she pisses them off as much as she does me.

As I near Xander, I can feel the tension radiating off him in waves. But it can’t be because of me and what we’ve just been through, no, he would have come to find me. He would have come to help. So why didn’t he? He couldn't know.

My gut clenches, knowing full well we’re all handling shit right now, and everything we have is only going to pile on top of Xander, and vice versa.

Fuck today.

Just before I can take a step down the pew toward Xander, Khaos shoulders past Zen, storming down the aisle with determination in each step, leaving the three of us to stare at each other for a moment.

Oh, fucking hell. That’s not going to end pretty.

I rush after him, pulling away from Adonis and Zen, hoping to put a stop to whatever Khaos is about to do. But of course I don’t reach him in time. I’m a step too late as I catch up to him, only to hear Khaos snarling down at a startled Xander as Harmonia gasps in shock.

“Where. The. Fuck. Were. You?”

Every word is spoken in sheer, unadulterated anger, and Khaos clenches his hands at his side as he tries to contain the rage, while Xander squints up at him in confusion like he’s been in his own bubble all day long.

“What?” Xander replies, his voice raspier than usual, and I know whatever he’s handling is bigger than we’re prepared for. It always is when parents are involved.

I reach out, stroking my hand down Khaos’ arm, which surprises even myself as I murmur in his ear. “Please don’t make a scene, he has no idea.”

His sharp green eyes stare at me for a moment, attempting to read my thoughts. He’s almost frozen in place, like he wants to take a step closer and fold me in his arms, while the other part of him wants me as far away as possible.

“What does that mean? What did I miss?” Xander grumbles, clearly sensing that he’s missing something, but neither of us break our stare off as Khaos reaches up to grab my wrist, removing my hand from his arm.

I sense the moment his finger catches on the bracelet around my wrist, and his brows knit together in confusion as he stares down at it.

His bracelet. The one we retrieved from stalker girl a while ago.

No, I haven't taken it off.

No, I haven’t forgotten he’s an asshole.

No, I haven't given up hope.

Khaos’ gaze slips from my face to the jewelry repeatedly, his mind swirling but unable to form any words. I feel a body press in behind me, and I turn to find Adonis covering my back.

“Unless you want to put on a show for the entire hall, I recommend we take a seat,” he murmurs under his breath, and Khaos immediately drops my wrist like it’s on fire.

I barely manage to refrain from rolling my eyes at him, but I definitely do it in my head.

Mr. Asshole is back in full force.

“What did you mean, ‘he has no idea?’” Xander repeats as we all take our seats, and I instantly regret letting Khaos take the spot directly beside him. I take the seat next to him, locking eyes with Harmonia who’s seated on Xander’s other side. The way she shakes her head tells me she kept her mouth shut, not wanting to pass the events of today onto Xander like a casual piece of gossip.

With my thigh pressed against Khaos’ I try to inch closer to Xander too, I feel Adonis drape his arm over the back of me while Zen fills the row.

Zellus is nowhere in sight yet, so I try to lean around Khaos to meet Xander’s gaze and explain, but Khaos shifts at the last minute, blocking me from view.

This motherfucker.

I bite back a groan at this new sense of protection he seems to be emitting, but along with it comes some attitude where he believes he doesn’t need to consult with me on shit. He doesn’t get to block me out. That’s not how any of this works, how I work.

“While you were doing fuck knows what, Rhea was attacked. In class. Without you there,” Khaos spits out under his breath, and I can sense eyes on me, likely people from the class I was in, or the one Adonis interrupted to get me to Zen.

My eyes fall across the pew to the supreme bitch and Hector, both eyeing me with disdain. They’ve been far too quiet lately, but it seems they’re not the only ones out to test me, so I’m glad for a moment's reprieve.

“Khaos, don’t—”

“That’s enough, Venom,” he retorts, not even bothering to look at me. “He wanted to know, so I let him know,” he grates, before continuing. “While you were licking whatever wounds you’ve stumbled across, Rhea was hidden behind a glamor in class, while the fucking Blair brothers tried to touch her. What was it you said, Venom? They wanted Thomas to seal his soul to you so he could benefit from the boost in magic?”

I hate that I fucking like his nickname for me, it suits him and my representation to him perfectly. Motherfucker. But I don’t mention a word of it as my gaze fixes on Xander’s, pain bouncing in his brown eyes as his jaw drops at Khaos’ revelation.

“Please tell me that’s not true, Rhea,” he whispers, and my lips clamp shut, my eyes blinking rapidly as I unfortunately can’t give him the answer he wants. “Oh my Gods, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, I…” his words trail off as he leans forward, dragging his hands through his hair with a mixture of anger and frustration. He peers up at me, tilting his head to the side. “If I had known, Rhea, I would have never let that happen. Where are they? I’ll fucking ruin them, damn the consequences,” he growls, his eyes switching to amber immediately as I try to force a soft smile to my lips.

It’s not his fault, I would never say it is, just like I don’t hold Adonis accountable for being in the room and unaware.

“You have no need to worry, brother,” Khaos murmurs quietly so no one else can hear. “They’re already fucking rotting,” he explains, and I watch as Xander’s eyes widen, flashing amber.

An unbelievable urge to calm his pain, like it isn’t a series of events that happened to me, washes over my soul, and I try to soothe him.

“Honestly, Xander, don’t—” my words are interrupted by a loud clap sounding from the front, and I grind my teeth in agitation as I turn to find Zellus, but he’s not alone.

Nope.

He has the entire line up of the Hex behind him.

Zeus, Dante, Hades, Artemis, Gabriel, and the woman I currently despise; Khaos’ mother.

What the actual fuck is going on here?

There are two more people up there, a man and a woman, and one simple glance tells me they are Xander’s parents because he looks just like them.

My gaze shifts back to Xander, his face strained as he looks down at the floor. I want to pause time, have a moment to talk to him before Zellus opens his fucking mouth, but I know that isn’t possible. That we aren't that lucky.

“Good morning, students, thank you for arriving in a timely manner,” he begins, a wide grin on his face as he fixes the lapels of his black blazer. “Apart from those we were waiting on,” he adds, the dig clear as he glares at me, but I shuffle back in my seat, shoulders pressed back and head tilted high as I stare at him. “As you can see, I have some guests here with me today,” he continues, motioning to the members of the Hex behind him, and my pulse quickens, uncertainty running through my veins, but none of the other students seem uncomfortable with their presence from what I can see out of the corner of my eyes.

I move my gaze down the line once more, seeing nothing in Zeus’ blank stare, but the utter disdain burning in Xander’s mother’s eyes as she looks at me, shocks me beyond words.

What the fuck?

Adonis’ hand clamps down on my thigh, squeezing in comfort, and I turn my gaze to his, seeing a hint of sympathy flash over his face. I’ve never liked that look on someone’s face before, so to see it now, from one of the Elites, I’m even more confused because I don’t feel my defenses rising from a threat.

“This year has been rather eventful to say the least,” Zellus begins, slowly pacing across the podium area, garnering everyone’s attention as his flicks to me once more. “The move to adjust some students to the second year when showing signs of abilities was likely a rushed decision. One that we’re now learning doesn’t please some of our parents,” he states, coming to a stop in front of Xander’s parents.

They stand tall, refusing to look at me now as Xander seems to slump further forward in his seat.

Again. What the actual fuck?

“What the fuck is going on?” Khaos bites under his breath, his question clearly pointed at Xander, but there’s no need for him to respond, not when Zellus is up there bouncing on the balls of his feet, ready to drop whatever bomb he’s holding on to. He’s like a kid in a candy store when he gets to make announcements at my expense.

“With that in mind, we’ve decided we should know more about the student that has caused such an uproar among our world.” Every pair of fucking eyes in here move to me, Zeus included. “We’ve come to an agreement that it would better serve us if we evaluated Miss Harrington’s intentions and magical abilities, before we continue to let her practice among us,” he announces, my pulse ringing in my ears as the murmurs and whispers rise around me.

My lips twist together in distaste, my eyes squinting at him as I try to figure out what his end game is, what he thinks I’m going to allow him to do to me, because I’m telling you right fucking now, it’s absolutely nothing.

He won’t lay a fucking finger on me ever again.

“With confirmation and agreement from one of her parents,” Zellus states, pointing over his shoulder at Zeus as my back stiffens. “We will make sure the child of Nyx is safe for our society, and not the darkness prophesied to be bestowed upon us once more.” His voice is harsh, his nostrils flaring as he looks at me with hatred.

This is bullshit. Complete. And. Utter. Bullshit.

A few cheers and claps bounce off the walls around the large open room, a lot of it coming from Selene and her fucking followers, but I remain frozen in my seat.

“This is about the fucking sealed souls, Rhea, it’s not about you. It’s them. The fear of someone being more powerful than they are,” Adonis murmurs in my ear, anger coating his every word as Khaos moves his arm to attempt to block me from Zellus, his palm falling to my thigh beside Adonis’. “My father warned me this would happen,” he states, and my gaze flicks to Hades as he stands in the center of the podium, and for once, he’s not basking in the gossip, enjoying the downfall of others. He’s standing stoic, quiet, and eyes locked on his son.

It’s a side of him I’ve never seen before, and it’s strange to say the least. But I’m not given anymore time to consider it as my body stiffens, against my will, and the room swirls around me.

“With that said, Rhea Harrington, you’re to be placed in isolation until further notice,” Zellus says loud and proud, and in the next breath, I’m no longer in the hall.

It’s just me, my satchel, and my wrecked-nerves, in a fucking steel cage in Zellus’ office.

Chapter 33

Rhea

H ow dare these motherfuckers put me in a cage.

A. Fucking. Cage.

Like I’m some kind of rabid animal?

The steel bars taunt me, and as I continue to scream at the top of my lungs, I only make myself angrier. But I won’t give up, I won’t rest. They’re about to see the relentless bitch that I am.

What’s most frightening about this cage is how well it fits into Zellus’ office. Tucked in the corner to the right of his desk, it feels like it’s been here the entire time. I don’t have a clear view through the window to my left, but my focus is fixed on the door anyway. Desperately waiting for someone to open it.

“Ahhhh!” I cry out in frustration, my face in my hands as I try to find an outlet for the pent up anger inside of me. A lot of which I think stems from the fact that I can’t seem to feel my magic.

It’s not bubbling beneath the surface, coursing through my veins, or making itself known. It has to be this dull steel cage, it must be suppressing my magic in some way, and I hate it. But most of all, I hate that I feel lost without it, when I’ve survived without it for so long anyway.

The click of a lock opening jolts me from my thoughts as I whip my face in the direction of the door, praying with everything that I am that it’s Xander, Adonis, Zen, and Khaos. But I’m immediately deflated when I come face to face with Dante fucking James instead. The Hex’s little human errand boy.

Like this man hasn’t brought enough disappointment into my life? Of course he’s the one to show up first.

His brown hair is ruffled back off his face, not as put together as I’m used to seeing him, and his gray eyes are filled with a mixture of concern and defeat, leaving me confused. His navy suit is fixed perfectly in place like usual, his hand in his pocket as he slips through the door, closing it quietly behind him.

Dante’s eyes immediately find mine, telling me he knew I’d be in here, and I just feel myself getting angrier. “Are you going to open this fucking thing?” I hiss, throwing my arms out to the side, indicating the cage around me.

He takes a step in my direction, eyebrows pinching while shaking his head at me. “No,” he answers simply, and I clench my hands together in frustration.

“Then get the fuck out,” I bite back. I really don’t need his presence right now. I’m pissed as hell, and he’s only going to make it worse. If he can’t make himself useful, then I have no interest in him being anywhere near me.

“I can’t do that, Rhea,” he states, like it really is just as simple as that, and I turn on the spot, giving him my back as I take a moment to calm myself down. It’s harder than it looks since I have no idea what they intend to achieve by keeping me trapped in here.

Trying to picture Zen in front of me, I take three deep breaths, inhaling in through my nose and out through my mouth. It doesn’t quite do the trick, but it makes me relax enough to turn back around to Dante with a resigned sigh.

“What do you want then?”

He’s closer to the cage now, a step or two away, with a scowl placed on his face. “What were you thinking, going down to Phoenix Valley? Can’t you see this is a direct set up after you did that?”

My head snaps back in surprise at his outburst because I didn’t think he had it in him to get this angry. This fucker wants to bring this up when I’m already handling enough today? Fuck that and fuck him. I scoff. “Newsflash, Dante, I only have to breathe to piss people off. Regardless of my little field trip or not.” I fold my arms over my chest, irritation thrumming beneath the surface as I meet his gaze head on. “Besides, the question should really be about how you fucking knew to track me.”

His eyes widened. He clearly wasn’t expecting me to ask that. But unfortunately, I’m not as dumb as the bitch he cheated on me with. I watch as he paces back and forth in front of the cage for a moment, his answer taking longer than I expect, but when he turns to me, determination flashes in his gaze.

“Even though your funding has been shifted to come from Zeus now, my details are still linked to your account,” he states, my jaw dropping as he continues. “An alert went off on the system that you were off site as soon as you stepped through the forcefield, and I tracked your phone before anyone else could get involved.”

I continue to gape at him, still locked on the first part of his statement. “Wait, what do you mean my funding comes from Zeus? I don’t want his money either.” My high-pitched voice is as cringy as my choice of words, but it’s not a lie, I don’t want anything from Zeus. I’d rather my funding didn’t come from either of them, but fuck, better the devil you know, right? When he doesn’t answer, I sigh, my arms dropping to my sides, trying to deflate a little bit of my anger. “Since when?”

“Since they received your blood results,” he replies with a shrug, his hands slipping into his pant pockets as he looks me over.

Shit.

Why has no one mentioned anything? Or better yet… “Why don’t I have control over who I am or what I do? I’m not here to be micromanaged,” I spit out, my face heating with anger as Dante shakes his head in disbelief at me.

“Aren’t you doing exactly what you please? Isn’t that the issue?” he bites, and my nose crinkles in distaste at his line of questioning. “You’ve been here less than twelve months, Rhea. And in that time, you have sealed your soul to two, sorry, three, other supernaturals, which is something that was thought to be no longer possible.” His words feel like barbs, trying to sully the cosmic magic between me and mine and how I feel about it, because it’s clearly something he doesn’t like. Well, again, fuck him. “Not just that, there’s now a nurse out there explaining why there are two guys dead at the hands of you and your so-called unit. But yet again, you’ll get away with it because she allowed it to happen.”

His chest heaves with every breath he takes, fury and frustration clearly getting the better of him. They’re not harsh words, but they make me gulp all the same. Two guys did die, but that was the consequence of their own actions, not mine. At this point, it’s not even like I’ll get to tell my side of the story anyway.

“Don’t stand there and pass judgment on me. You don’t know shit,” I reply, my voice raspier than usual as I let my emotions bubble far too close to the surface.

“That’s because you’ve never let me know shit, Rhea. Ever.”

A hoarse laugh passes my lips as I shake my head at him. Of course he would generalize, including when I was a fucking human and a part of his life.

“Is that why your dick slipped, Dante? Because I didn’t let you in? Get over yourself.” I wave my hand dismissively at him, my tongue running over my teeth as I glance up at the top of the cage. His mere presence is annoying the shit out of me. I have no idea what he wanted to achieve coming in here. I’m about to ask him just that, when his next words make me pause.

“You never loved me.” He sounds subdued, beaten, disappointed and almost… sad, but I frown at him as I lower my head down.

“I never said I did,” I murmur cautiously, not wanting to taunt him, but it’s the God's honest truth. He goes quiet for a while, staring at the floor as he sweeps his hair back off his face.

“You love them.”

It’s a statement, an assessment, a bullet of truth shot in my direction, and I’m all too quick to refute it. “No, I don’t.”

Acid coats my tongue, the lie from the words on my lips turning my stomach, but I tamp down my feelings. Not that it seems to make a difference, he knows what I can’t bring myself to say.

His gray eyes flash, a knowing look taking over, but before he can call me out on my lie, the door bursts open behind him, and Zeus waltzes into the room, immediately dominating the space.

His light gray hair is styled to perfection, and his gray suit is fixed in place as he glares at Dante. “Get the hell out, I want to speak to my daughter.”

His choice of words make my eyes widen, but the pained look Dante offers me before leaving remains fresh in my mind. It’s weird that he knows the man before me, more than I do myself, yet I share blood with him.

Once the door fully clicks closed behind Dante, Zeus takes three measured steps toward me, face void of any kind of emotion. I can’t help but wonder if I get that trait from him? If I school my feelings as well as he can.

When silence continues to descend over us, I shake my head in disappointment. “Is this where you come in here and turn into a decent parent, or are you going to show me your true colors? I don’t have the time or patience to figure it out. I’d rather you just get straight to the point.” My tone is clipped, my heart pounding wildly in my chest as my hands clench even tighter at my sides.

He nods, once, tight and forceful as he eliminates the distance between us. He’s so close that if he attempted to reach through the bars, he would touch me, but it’s no surprise that he doesn’t.

“I can’t help but agree with you, Rhea,” he starts, adjusting the cuffs of his long sleeved shirt peeking out from under his blazer. “But no, don’t waste your hopes on me. You stand as a constant reminder that only burns like anger inside of me.” His words are harsh, cruel almost, but they don’t hurt. I’ve never held any expectations for him, not once.

He can’t let me down.

He can’t hurt any hopes and dreams I may have had as a child.

He can’t do anything but unapologetically be him, just like now.

I don’t like him. I never will. But at least he’s being honest with me.

Any moment of understanding that floats between us is obliterated in the next moment, when he continues with his fucking mouth. “Do you know how much embarrassment you have caused me?”

What the fucking what?

“How much embarrassment I have caused you?” I repeat, unbelieving his statement as he grips the bars of the cage before him, eyes glaring at me.

“You shouldn’t exist.”

I can’t stop the scoff falling from my lips. How is this man even real right now? “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but your dick definitely played a part in creating me, so be pissed at yourself. Not. Me,” I retort, my own eyes burning into his.

“I’m not the one who birthed you though,” he hisses back, making my brows crinkle together as I try to understand his fucking audacity or even his logic.

“And I didn’t birth myself, asshole. You clearly fucked my so-called mother during a fucking war that had you both on opposite sides of the line,” I bite back, anger consuming me, yet my magic is still dormant. “You stand here as the God that claimed victory over her. It’s what made you who you are, yet there’s more to the story than any of us know, isn’t there?”

It’s a rhetorical question, I know he’s a sly fuck, I knew it even before I was a supernatural. The sneer that takes over his face wrinkles his brow, lifts his upper lip, and tightens his jaw.

A face of cruelty. A face of intent. A face of untold horrors.

“She deserved the end I gave her. I just didn’t see you becoming anything but dead cum in her dead cunt.”

What.

The.

Fuck.

The color drains from my face, confusion at his words morphing in my mind. I jump from one conclusion to another, unable to understand the meaning behind his words.

Did he…

Is he saying he…

My eyes slam shut, refusing to look at him. I want to demand the truth from him, but my tongue won’t move, rendering me speechless when I need my words the most.

“People want to know your agenda,” he continues, like he didn’t just leave the other statement hanging in the air between us.

You and me both, asshole, I think, my lips twisting in pain at his unsaid words.

“I don’t have an agenda,” I reply quietly, edging closer to the bars where he is. My entire body is moving on autopilot, void of any feeling or emotion as a sense of numbness washes over me. “I’m not a sly fuck like you, or Zellus, or the Blacks,” I add, my own personal dig coming through at the vampires who have placed another obstacle in my way.

“Then prove it,” he says simply, and I sneer in response.

“I don’t need to prove shit to you.” Especially not if you hurt my mother the way you’re hinting, but I can’t speak the words out loud, scared my assumptions are taking me down the wrong path. But ultimately knowing it to be true. Admittedly, I’m just not ready to hear the truth if I am the product of such pain and heartache.

It’s selfish of me, I know, but after today, I can’t bring the words to my lips.

Zeus smirks at me, completely unrattled as he spins on his heels, heading for the door without care. It’s only when he reaches it, grabbing the handle, that he turns to me, eyebrow quirked as he assesses me. “If you’re standing here before me, I can’t help but believe your mother is still alive.” My heart thunders in my chest, my palms sweating with fear at his words. A thought that I’ve refused to think about more than once swirls in my mind. It’s been tucked away, even from myself, but now he says it out loud like it doesn’t tear me apart. “If you want to prove yourself as trustworthy, you will find her, then kill her.” I barely hear his words over my pulse ringing in my ears, pain shooting down my spine at his casual approach to killing my other parent. Although, if she’s anything like him, it wouldn’t be a difficult decision to make.

I may need to take them both out. They’ve done nothing for me so far. Only causing a hindrance to my life, tipping it upside down.

“When you’ve done that, come talk to me. I might be willing to up my parenting skills with you,” he adds, like that would be a shining reward for me doing his dirty work. The dirty work he was supposed to have done himself twenty-two years ago.

“Fuck you, and fuck that,” I bite through clenched teeth, but it’s to myself as only the door stares back at me, leaving me alone in Zellus’ office once more.

What I wouldn’t give to have my men with me now.

I drop to my ass on the floor of the cage, head in my hands as I take a deep breath, followed by another, then another.

My life is well and truly fucked. And with every ounce of silence that descends over me, it only feels more and more true.

What the fuck do I do?

I’m not Zeus’ pawn in whatever game he’s playing. He wants more power, and Zellus seems to want Zeus’. No matter what I do, I seem to be someone’s weapon in the grand scheme of things, when all I want is to live my life.

I groan in frustration, stress getting the better of me as I plant my chin on my clenched fists, and my eyes fall to my satchel. A thought immediately comes to mind, my heart rate increasing as a shudder runs through my body.

Before I can consider my actions, I reach for my satchel, pulling it closer before lifting the flap open. It takes a moment of digging around in the bottom of the bag before my hand wraps around exactly what I’m looking for.

I pause for a moment, trying to hear if anyone is coming, but when nothing stands out, I pull my hand from the satchel. My grip loosens slowly, revealing the intricate wooden carving; the seeker.

I wet my dry lips, running my thumb over the carving as I remember placing it in my satchel earlier. Khaos appeared in the hallway of Agion, his hand reaching for mine as he placed it in my palm, and tightened my fingers around the wooden ornament.

“No matter what, if we’re separated for whatever reason, I don’t care about the reasoning, if you feel uncertain, unsure, or even scared, I want you to use this, Venom. Do you understand me?”

I had nodded in agreement, stuffing it in my satchel carefully, not even considering I would need it. But now… now I don’t know what else to do but use it.

I can’t stand here and play the damsel in distress, waiting for Xander, Adonis, Zen, and even Khaos to come and rescue me. But it also appears I can’t get out of here by myself.

Slowly rising to my feet, fingers slightly trembling as I hold the wooden object in my palm, I try to take a calming breath. It’s useless. There’s nothing calming about any of this. Not one bit.

But fuck it.

I squeeze it tight in my hand, counting to three, before I let go. Tossing it out of the cage, I watch as it sails through the air in slow motion, hitting the hard floor with a thump, before shattering into pieces. Smoke blooms among the splintered wood, purples, greens, and blues swirling up into the air with a flurry, leaving me to gape in surprise as a person appears before me.

My heart ricochets chaotically in my chest, my jaw hitting the floor.

It takes a moment to find my voice, but when I do, I can only muster three simple words, barely audible among the mayhem in my mind, and the pounding of my pulse.

“You’re not Al.”

I can’t swallow past the lump in my throat as I watch them drag their gaze over me from head to toe, a smirk gracing their lips as they shrug their shoulders.

“No, I don’t believe I am.”

Afterword

Oh my goddddddd, why do I always have to leave you with more questions than answers? We all know it feeds my soul, oops! Haha.

But for real, October isn’t too far away… is it?!

KC Kean is the sassy half of a match made in heaven. Mummy to two beautiful children, Pokemon Master and Apex Legend world saving gamer.

Starting her adventure in the RH romance world after falling in love with it as a reader, who knows where this crazy train is heading. As long as there is plenty of steam she’ll be there.

FEATHERSTONE ACADEMY

My Bloodline

Your Bloodline

Our Bloodline

Red

Freedom

ALLSTARS SERIES

Toxic Creek

Tainted Creek

Twisted Creek

BETHANY & RYAN’S STORY

Burn to Ash

EMERSON U SERIES

Watch Me Fall

Watch Me Rise

Watch Me Reign

SAINTS ACADEMY

Reckless Souls

Damaged Souls

Vicious Souls coming October 7th

Acknowledgments

It’s a tradition to thank my husband and children first, always, and this time is no different. I gave myself the shortest deadline EVER in comparison for this book, and somehow you helped me smash it out of the water. Thank you for providing an endless supply of tea, snuggles, and smiles. It means everything to me that you support me the way that you do!

Nicole, Jeni, and Tanya.

Your love for these characters sometimes puts my own into question haha and we all know you love it when I take your scene ideas and run with it haha. Honestly, thank you, I appreciate it more than words can say!

Michelle, Emma, Monica, Brianna, Kerrie, and Keira. You all rock! The voice notes, the claiming of the guys, the love for Harmonia, and the emoji’s for chapter 15 hahaha you fill me with all the confidence for this book. Thank you.

Kirsty, you’re a bit of alright mate. Fist bump, elbow tap, casual slap, anything but a hug haha thank you for being so fire!

Sloane and Sarah, thank you for prettying my interiors and my words, cos you both know I need it haha. I really appreciate it, thank you.

Laura, the cover whore, I love you for giving up on educating me and just taking the damn reins haha.

About the Author

KC Kean is the sassy half of a match made in heaven. Mummy to two beautiful children, Pokemon Master and Apex Legend world saving gamer.

Starting her adventure in the RH romance world after falling in love with it as a reader, who knows where this crazy train is heading. As long as there is plenty of steam she’ll be there.

Come and join me over at my Facebook group, follow my author Facebook page, and enjoy Instagram with me.

You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter here.

Also by KC Kean

Featherstone Academy

(Why Choose Contemporary Romance)

My Bloodline

Your Bloodline

Our Bloodline

Red

Freedom

**

The Allstars Series

(Why Choose Contemporary Romance)

Toxic Creek

Tainted Creek

Twisted Creek

Standalone MF

Burn To Ash

**

The Emerson U Series

(Why Choose Contemporary Romance)

Watch Me Fall

Watch Me Rise

Watch Me Reign

Saints Academy

(Why Choose Paranormal Romance)

Reckless Souls

Damaged Souls

Vicious Souls coming October 7th

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Dedication

Epigraph

1. Rhea

2. Rhea

3. Rhea

4. Adonis

5. Rhea

6. Adonis

7. Rhea

8. Rhea

9. Rhea

10. Rhea

11. Rhea

12. Khaos

13. Rhea

14. Rhea

15. Rhea

16. Rhea

17. Rhea

18. Khaos

19. Rhea

20. Rhea

21. Zen

22. Rhea

23. Xander

24. Rhea

25. Rhea

26. Rhea

27. Xander

28. Rhea

29. Zen

30. Rhea

31. Rhea

32. Rhea

33. Rhea

Afterword

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by KC Kean