Page 8

“Fucking piece of shit rock bird,” I mutter under my breath, going for the door before any of the other guys can answer it.

Why?

Because I can’t stand the probing stares from my two mates and Thaddeus any longer. It’s like every word revealed just goes to ramp up the fiery rage my magic tempered last night. But knowing who’s on the other side of the door doesn’t really make it any better either.

Unfortunately, though, like Cassian drilled into us last night, I don’t have a choice in this matter. I’ll have bodyguards whether I like it or not. So, I might as well suck it up while they are here. Then when they go back to their room, I can go back to being pissed about it.

With that thought in mind, I finally pull open the door, only to lose every ounce of air in my lungs.

Holy demons, Batman.

“Hi,” I wheeze, unable to tear my eyes away from the two hulking ass men kitted out in all black.

Fuck. Breathe, Bailey. In and out. In and out.

My magic flares, a quick pop of pink lighting up my skin from the inside out, and I stumble back, trying to put distance between myself and the demons.

Their eyes flare with interest, maybe even a little bit of heat, but stone wings expand into view, blocking the demons from my eye-line. Relief from the lack of their stares, if only for a moment, courses through me.

I have no clue why my magic reacted like that, or why two demons have rendered me practically mute. Either way, Headmaster Stonewell’s intervention is appreciated. Only a little bit.

Rocks shift as Jasper steps into my room, followed by the demons at his back. Their large statures, coupled with the other three in the room, make me woozy from the overstimulation of testosterone.

Fuck. Abort. Abort. This is just way too damn much.

A slight tremor runs through my limbs as I take respite behind Luka’s wide frame from where he now stands near the couch, the carefree slouch from earlier all but abandoned. My fingers curl into his hoodie, holding him like a lifeline, like a savior from the two unknowns in the room.

“Mr. Pennington, Mr. Luka, Professor Winterton,” he nods at all three, “it’s good to see you all.” Pfft. I blow a raspberry at his civility. The damn rock acts like he didn’t have a hand in the detrimental shift of my life last night. “Miss Matthews, I hope you slept well last night.”

“I slept just fine, Councilman,” I hiss through gritted teeth, relishing in the sharp intake of breath from my left. Shocking. Even Thaddeus had no clue Jasper was on the council.

Jasper ignores my ire and continues like we’re all the best of friends having a chat. Bastard. “I’d like to introduce you to Zane and Bane Acheron. They’ll be your personal bodyguards until the time that Councilman Cassian feels you can hold your own without being a threat to those around you.”

I snort and shake my head. There it is. The truth laid bare for everyone in the room. They aren’t here to protect me. They’re here to protect everyone else. From me. Fucking beautiful.

“Miss Matthews.” Holy crap balls. His voice. Good-gods-damned. It’s all freaking rumbly and does funny things to my stomach. The demon that steps forward instantly ensnares me in his gaze, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t look away. But damn, what a nice sight he is. If I had to pick a phrase to describe him, it’d be easy. Sex on a freaking stick.

Red flesh pops against the dark cargo pants molded to his tree-trunk thighs and the tight T-shirt that stretches across his large chest. Black, soulless eyes bore into mine, and a combination of red and onyx hair falls around his chiseled face. Wings in the same bloody hue extend from his back, with inky-colored veins streaking through them, and both are topped with what looks like a wicked sharp point at the tip. Horns curve upward from his forehead, making his massive stature look even larger. And there’s no missing the red tail that methodically sways back and forth behind him like a metronome keeping the beat of his heart.

All in all, the man—-demon—is beautiful.

“Bailey.”

“Bailey,” he murmurs, rolling my name around on his tongue. “Fitting.” He flashes a quick smile, a hint of fang visible among the blinding white. “I’m Zane, and Jasper misspoke on our intentions. So, please don’t take offense to his callous words. We’re not here to protect the student body. We—” he waves the other demon forward, “—are here to protect you . The other students could rip themselves apart for all we care. As long as you stay in one perfect,” the purr in that one word is unmistakable, “piece.”

I flush hotly at his comment. Is he saying I’m perfect? If he is, well, he’ll quickly change that thought of his when—if—he gets to know me . The real me. The imperfect, curiomancer who always seems to find trouble without even looking.

Honestly, these two demons have their work cut out for them.

The other demon takes his chance to move closer, his movements controlled and sharp, nothing like the easy swagger Zane exudes.

Bane, if I remember correctly, matches Zane in attire, but features? Not so much. There are a few similarities—the dark eyes, the same slope in their noses, and full plump lips. But that’s where it ends. A dusting of dark hair covers his face in the semblance of a 5 o’clock shadow, and the same deep color falls across his forehead, but the sides are shaved down to the skin. Unlike Zane’s red flesh, Bane’s is a gray, like concrete on the sidewalk. His coloring is close to Jasper’s stone, but a shade or two lighter. Black horns curl from his forehead, wrapping around the sides of his head resembling a Ram. Gray streaked with white vein wings are tucked tightly into his back, also sporting a wicked point. His height rivals Zane’s, though if it weren’t for Zane’s horns, I’d say they were the same.

Bane stops in front of me and extends his hand, waiting patiently for me to reciprocate. There’s a war fighting itself in my body of whether I should reach out too or back away in fear and hide behind my men.

The new strong woman I’m trying to be wins, and I reach out, clasping his hand in mine. The once stoic facade on Bane’s face slips for a moment as his lips tilt up on the edges, revealing a different side to the quiet demon he’s presented since he walked into my room.

Bane steps back, not going far, and slips his hands into his pockets. The small smile is long gone, and in its place is the stern demon once again.

“Now, Bailey. I’m going to be honest,” Bane murmurs, the first words he’s said since he’s arrived. “We’re at a bit of a loss here. While we will definitely do everything we can to protect you, no one has explained why.”

My brows furrow in confusion, but then my lips part on a gasp before I shoot Jasper a scathing glare.

These demons have agreed to protect me, and they have no damn clue what I am? Ridiculous.

Jasper pointedly ignores my ire, focusing somewhere above my head. Fucking prick . But I’m wrong, it’s his next words that really solidify his prick status.

“Miss Matthews, you should go change and show them why you need to be protected.”

Fucking hell. Again?!

A hiss comes from my right, my vampire already knowing exactly what he’s implying. But before Axel can retort, I hold my hand up, hoping he understands that I want to handle this part myself. Especially after he himself pulled this same bullshit on my first day at the academy.

“Of course, Councilman,” I snark. “Let me hop right to that, because gods forbid, if I don’t, you might just go back to Dirk about how uncooperative I’m being.”

His sharp intake of breath is music to my ears, but I don’t let him say anything in return. I spin on my heel, stomping into my bedroom, relishing in the sound of my door slamming echoing around the room.

I grumble under my breath, but do as I’m told, changing my joggers for a pair of workout shorts that act like a second skin and switching Luka’s comfortable hoodie for a cropped tank top. The new outfit leaves most of my runes on display, exactly like the asshole wanted. Some may be hidden, but I’m sure my babysitters will know what I am the second they lay eyes on my bare flesh.

Blowing out a breath, I steel my spine and open my door, wanting to get the embarrassing part of this over with. It’s never easy to put myself on display like this. I don’t know why but it was easier wearing practically nothing while Thaddeus was documenting my runes than it is now for these guys to know what my heritage is.

Words would work just as well, right?

Harsh whispering cuts off the moment the door opens, and heat crawls up my cheeks as six pairs of eyes swing in my direction. Various expressions greet me, but it’s the shock and awe on Bane’s and Zane’s faces that make me nervous. Though it’s better than disgust and hatred any day.

It’s a given that I’m an anomaly. An unknown in a world that has killed my kind. I know this. And now, they know it too. But if I were a betting person, I’d put all my money on them rethinking this job now that they know exactly what they’re supposed to protect.

“How?” Bane mutters when I rejoin the group. Not once has he removed his gaze from me, like there’s this undeniable pull that refuses to let him look elsewhere.

But damn. That’s a stupid ass question.

“Well,” I snicker, planting my hands on my hips. “When two curiomancers love each other…” I trail off, raising a brow.

A full-blown grin and a hearty, throaty laugh instantly replaces the once-stoic demon, transforming him into someone entirely different. The boisterous sound wraps around me like a warm hug, and I decide right here and now that I’ll make him laugh whenever possible. Just so I can feel this again.

“You know that’s not what I meant, smartass,” he chuckles, shaking his head. “But it definitely explains the secrecy and the request for protection. How much do you know about the curiomancer genocide?”

I flinch, staggering back in an attempt to escape the harsh reality of that word. Genocide. That’s exactly what it was, and I don’t know why I didn’t realize it sooner.

Horror etches across Bane’s strong features, his hands reaching out like he can steady me, but a cool hand on my hot skin spins me around and pulls me into his embrace, murmuring sweet words of reassurance. Axel clutches me tenderly, just like he did the first day in his office when I learned about the rarity of my existence.

“Bailey.” Zane’s gravelly voice overrides Axel’s soft whispers. “We’re sorry for the harsh truth of the matter. It’s just…” he trails off, his silence heavy in the room.

“The truth,” I choke out, disentangling myself from my vampire’s arms. I don’t go far; I just turn around and lean back against Axel’s chest. “It’s the reality of my ancestors. It’s the reality of what’s wrong in this world.” I shake my head, not bothering to elaborate further.

But I know I’m one hundred percent right. It’s so damn wrong that a council deemed it okay to wipe out an entire race without resolute facts. Without irrefutable proof. Supernaturals are murdered every single day, so why such harsh punishment for us when they don’t do shit to the others.

I just… don’t get it.

But I will.

Even if it kills me, I’ll set shit straight and show this world that we’re not what to fear. The council is. Because those bastards—my eyes find Jasper’s—are far from innocent themselves.

Excusing myself, I make my way back to my room and grab Luka’s hoodie, throwing it on over the cropped tank but not bothering to put my joggers back on. Half-cozy as I like to call it. After all, legs are like assholes. Everyone’s got them. So, there’s no reason to cover them up. Boobs on the other hand? Yeah, being the only chick in the room puts me on display, like I’m one of those freaks in the circus sideshows.

The guys are noticeably civil as I rejoin them in the living room, talking amongst themselves about who the hell knows what. If I’m honest with myself though, I’m so over this little pow wow we have going on. They haven’t even been here an hour, and I’m already stressed the fuck out.

Instead of plopping my butt on the couch, I head toward the kitchen and throw over my shoulder, “Would anyone like some coffee? Water?”

Luckily, no one tries to stop me, but I don’t miss the little curl of Thaddeus’ lips at the mention of coffee.

The men call out what they want, but the only words that really stick in my brain are Zane’s.

“I’ll help.”

Well, okay then. Guess it’s me and the big guy making coffee.

Somehow this massive demon and I move around my small kitchen with practiced ease, like we’ve done this a million times already. He grabs the mugs after I point out the cupboard they’re in while I start brewing the coffee. The freshly brewed aroma curls around us, the scent doing the trick to finally ease some of the tension in my bones.

Zane pops the fridge open, rummages around, and comes back with my precious bottle of French vanilla creamer and enough water for all seven of us. He takes the water directly to the coffee table before coming back and waiting with me for the coffee to finish.

It’s all so damn domestic, it makes my heart throb.

Leaning against the counter, I watch the red demon, surprised at the lack of fear I have of him now. Yeah, when they first walked in, I was scared. Nervous. Dread radiated off of me in thick waves. But something as simple as this has eased all those worries. How? Who the hell knows. But maybe, just maybe this won’t be as bad as I think.

Zane comes to stand next to me, his posture mirroring mine. My shoulder brushes against his forearm, highlighting our height difference. Because let’s face it. When you put the two of us together, I look like a damn child compared to him.

My eyes catalog his features, starting with those onyx eyes of his all the way to the streaked wings crushed against the counter. An involuntary twitch in my fingers makes my breath catch as I realize I so badly want to reach out and touch him. Him. Zane. My babysitter. Not one of my mates.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I finally get some dick. Good dick at that. Times two. And now I want this man—this demon—in front of me.

No.

Something’s not right here.

Ghostly fingers trail a blazing path delicately across my lips and down my throat before circling both of my nipples simultaneously. Alarm bells ring in my head as they tighten into hardened peaks, and my breathing grows labored. Warmth blossoms in my belly, soaking my panties instantly.

No.

No, no, no.

Panic grips me in a vise, sending me stumbling away from the demon who is watching me with horror painted on his features.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I shriek, garnering the attention of the guys in the living room.

“I… I…” Zane stutters but can’t seem to form a full sentence.

Bane barrels into the kitchen, shoving his brother further away from me. With the forced distance put between us, those feelings that didn’t seem like my own disappear, leaving me in a state of confusion.

What the hell just happened?

The word incubus flits through my brain, but that can’t be right. From what I know about those types of demons, I shouldn’t have been able to resist him. I should have thrown myself at him like a cat in heat, ready for him to give me the relief only he could provide.

But that’s not what transpired. So, again, what the hell?

Loud cursing, shouts, and thunder rumbling bring me back to the present. Every person in my dorm room is hurtling harsh words at Zane, even as Bane tries to put himself between the enraged men and his brother.

Shock hits me momentarily at the sight of Jasper also yelling at the pair, but it quickly dissipates. Seems he’s finally doing his job of protecting me as a headmaster should of his student. But I can’t forget he’s a council member who left my fate to the rest of the council. So maybe his protection is council-warranted, not the other way around.

Ugh. I’m so over this shit already.

“Stop.” At my plea, everyone freezes, the room going utterly still. Not a finger twitches, not a muscle moves, nor is there the slightest rustle of clothing. It’s so damn quiet, I can finally hear the thudding of my heart as it beats wildly against my ribs. “I don’t know what that was, but I think it’s time for you guys to go.”

I don’t need to name names. They know who they are.

Luka and Axel come to stand next to me, a cool palm resting on my lower back and warm fingers interlacing with my own. We stand as a unit—the three of us—clearly drawing a line in the sand.

The others leave without a word, but it’s the hint of longing as Thaddeus gazes back at us that leaves me with more questions than answers. Maybe it’s seeing us together that makes him think of Miss Izzicle and what they had. Who knows. But I no longer have the mental bandwidth today to dissect that look.

All I know is I’m ready for cuddles, pizza, and time to stop so I don’t have to face the firing squad on Monday.