Page 5 of A Curse So Cruel (Fated Mates of Shadowbone Academy #1)

I cough. If I had any shred of dignity I would be cursing him right now, but instead, I subconsciously rub my ass against him, because simply the thought of having his cock anywhere is making me wild.

Plus, it’s annoying the heck out of me that they’re both so blatantly denying what’s completely obvious.

Lady Fate chooses our mates, and it’s clear she has plans for us.

At least, I’m hoping that’s what all this means.

If not, then I’ve completely lost my mind.

Raith groans, and he reaches around, splaying his hand over my belly possessively. I tilt my head back and give him a satisfied smile, though need is driving me just as crazy. “Five minutes,” Raith mutters. “That’s all I need.”

Those last words make me scowl, because the asshole is going to continue to deny our bond.

Unbelievable. And here Blake thought she had ended up with dud mates, I mutter to myself bitterly.

Of course, Blake’s mates ended up turning into the perfect companions for her, but I don’t have the same confidence with these guys right now.

Partly, because there’s an inkling of me that wonders if they’re right. What if we aren’t mates?

I’m lost in thought when Galen leans down, curling a strand of my hair around one of his fingers.

The action has me lifting my gaze, and for a moment there’s something sinister in his eyes.

Something dark. It’s enough to remind me that while I’ve been fantasizing about us being mates, it hasn’t changed the fact that I’m in danger right now.

He breathes in, letting out a satisfied hum before pulling back again.

Heat simmers in his eyes, and it's like my body is confused as to whether I’m supposed to feel afraid or aroused. Both, it is.

“Knox and Thane will be here soon,” Galen points out reluctantly, giving Raith another look.

Knox? I realize that must be the name of shadow daddy four. I’m about to ask who they all are, when Galen’s lips press to mine, cool ice turning to heat as he devours my mouth. He parts my lips with his tongue, and I’m helpless to stop him. Not that I try too hard, because it feels too damn good.

Raith leans down behind me, his lips going to my neck, exploring down to my shoulder as he grips me tightly, pressing me hard enough to him that I can feel the prod of his impressively large cock against my back.

Yep, like I said, this is how I’m going to die—sandwiched between two shadow daddies.

I’m not even that mad about it, either. In the scheme of ways to go, I’d rather this be on my tombstone.

At least someone might get a chuckle out of it.

Galen’s hand goes to my hip, while his other hand slips into a pocket at his side.

He pulls out the rose stone, and the desire that had been consuming me dulls as panic thrums through my system.

What? No, I can’t. Self-preservation kicks in, cutting through my desire, because I can’t let them take my memories.

It’s bad enough that I can’t remember the rest of my past, I don’t want to forget everything from the last few years, too.

Before I can protest or bite Galen’s tongue or something, he pulls back, his curious gaze on my face. “Before I do this, I have to know, how is it that you can see us, little shadow?”

“See you?” I’m confused until I remember them saying that I shouldn’t have been able to see them when they were in the basement.

“Yes,” Galen replies, licking his lips like he’s savoring the taste of me. “You appear to be human, and a small one at that, so why is it you’re able to see us even when we’re cloaked?”

I give him an innocent look. “You sure you were cloaked? Because sometimes we might think one thing, but in reality, something completely different is happening.”

His smile grows wider. “We’re cloaked right now, little shadow.”

Huh. I don’t know what to say to that. I start wondering if I should simply tell them the truth. Do I explain I’m a human who was cursed as a crow? But I doubt they would believe me, because even I have to admit the truth sounds insane. Still, I figure it must be the reason why I can see them.

“You are an enigma,” Galen goes on, “and I’m not sure whether I should be intrigued or…suspicious.” He narrows his eyes when he says the last part, and I’m not keen on his change in attitude.

I fumble for an explanation. “Look, I don’t know what happened. Can’t we just call it a mistake? Either way, you don’t have to wipe my memory. You can go on your way, and I’ll pretend I never saw you.”

When Galen smiles this time, he shows his gleaming white teeth.

“A charming suggestion.” He holds the black stone higher, and I can’t stop the panic rising in me.

My hand goes for the ring on my finger. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t bother Blake unless it was an emergency, and I think getting my memory wiped, possibly again, is a big enough emergency.

I told myself I wouldn’t risk the demon realm, but if anyone could help me right now, it would be Blake.

With my mind made up, I go to activate the power of my ring, only to find my ring is gone.

My heart lurches, and my gaze falls to the bare skin on my finger.

When I lift my gaze, Galen is smirking. I scowl at him.

Bastard. I can’t be sure he has it, but there’s something in his eyes that makes me think he does.

Blake is going to kill me. You know, if these shadow men don’t murder me first. I try not to think about it.

Leaning down, Galen whispers in my ear, “You won’t remember this, little shadow, but know that you have my gratitude for the gift.”

Gift? I think about telling him what Blake will do if she finds him with that ring, but I decide not to. It will be more satisfying when he gets that surprise, and I realize I might have another way out of this.

As Galen lifts the memory stone again, I set my jaw. “I’m one of you,” I blurt.

Galen’s hand lowers a fraction.

Raith chuckles darkly. “If you were from the shadow realm, we’d know.”

“Okay, maybe I’m not exactly one of you,” I admit, “but that guy you just hunted? Well, I have a tattoo like his.”

This gets the exact reaction I’m hoping for, and Galen drops his hand. “Where?” There’s no humor in his voice now. The word is a command.

Swallowing hard, I hope I’m not making a terrible mistake as I whisper, “My back.”

The men are all business now. Raith takes a step away from me and lifts my shirt. Tingles race along my skin as the fabric drags against my back, and Galen moves, the pair of them staring at me.

Raith lets out a rush of air. “She’s right. She’s been selected.”

Selected. The word repeats in my head, and something about it feels…wrong, though I’m not sure why. Raith drops my shirt, and Galen spins me around, grabbing my chin. “So…curious,” he murmurs, tracing his thumb along my bottom lip.

“Galen!” The word is a harsh, clipped warning, and Galen turns his head, smirking as shadow daddy four, who I know is really named Knox, materializes from a cloud of shadows a few paces from us. Knox. Raith. Galen. Thane. I repeat their names in my head.

Oh goodie. And now it’s a party, I internalize sarcastically.