School of Broken Hearts: Academy of Souls Book 2

by C. R. Jane

  His hand slaps to my mouth, stealing my scream, and his breath is in my ear. “Will you sing for me little bird after I taste you?”

  “Why are you doing this?” Nothing he says makes sense. Nothing. I buck against him, claw at his arm, reach out my other hand behind me to claw his eyes and gauge them out. Anything to free myself.

  In a heartbeat, the weight of his body evaporates, and my knees give way. I crumble and fall to the ground, my breaths ragged, my heart jagged.

  I swing around to find Finn yanking the guy backward by the hair. I’ve never seen Finn this angry, this vicious.

  “You dare touch her,” he snarls with words I expect from Alexander. Finn’s fist is already swinging, and he clips the guy on the chin… over and over Finn slams into him, unrelenting, he pummels him back into the wall, until he falls. And even then, Finn never eases.

  And I want that dick to feel pain, to know what it’s like to be taken and hurt.

  Someone tall appears at the mouth of the corridor, gasping, and Finn pauses for a split second… enough for the fiend with blood dripping from his split lip and busted nose to scramble up and run away like lightning.

  Finn doesn’t give chase, but instead he swings toward me and drops down on his knees at me… as if at my mercy. He cups my face, the smell of blood on his knuckles is pungent. And all I see is the heavy sorrow in his eyes.

  “Are you hurt?”

  I shake my head. He stands and lifts me into his arms before taking me into a nearby empty class. There’s no light to turn on in the room, and the outside light coming in from the window only serves to cast a dim illumination over the room. He sits me on the teacher’s desk and pushes hair out of my face.

  “You sure he didn’t hurt you?”

  “I’m okay,” I insist, but he’s trembling.

  “I should have been there, should have been there for you.”

  I fight to capture his gaze, to force him to see the truth within my eyes. I don’t blame him. But he holds tight. He tucks his head into my neck, silent and shaking. Minutes pass before he drags up to mumble unintelligible words into my hair, and only when he’s ready does he pull on it, freeing my face to search his. So much pain, so much sadness washes through him. His leg buckles as a moan escapes his mouth.

  “Please forgive me,” he murmurs, drawing out my grief through tears I had yet to cry. He kisses me everywhere—cheeks, chin, forehead, and down to my ear, mixing his sadness with my own. A storm surges up and out of my chest, angry and consuming. I pound Finn’s chest, wrestle his shirt into my fist and let him hold my sagging frame. And he does, so tight I have nowhere to go. We weep through his guilt and into the forgiveness he so desperately needs. Finn finds my eyes, never breaking contact as he bends with his lips hovering over mine.

  “I’m sorry, please,” he begs, staring into me. And I know he’s asking for forgiveness for more than this. Hard and desperate, his gaze penetrates through my grief and into something new. I shift in his arms and the slightest movement alters our axis. His lids flare for a moment, and then he presses his mouth to my own. Is it possible for something to be right and wrong at the same time? This...this feels so good. Like unspoken words expressed in a rush of breath and weighted meaning. I know him. I know his thoughts and fears, and I pull him impossibly closer to soothe his ache and to ease mine. His tongue slips between my lips and he’s fierce, demanding as he licks and bites into me until I’m drunk on feeling. I match his movements, his groan, the tug of hands in hair. Our hearts break and with the same emotion that destroyed us, we pick each other up and rebuild. Everything changes. The darkness behind my eyes brightens as I squeeze my lids together just to feel him pressed tightly to my aching breasts. A mimicked pant escapes in a burst when he withdraws just enough to drag in air. We’re consumed and possessed. The world narrows to two bodies longing for more than this day will bring.

  He pushes himself between my legs as I sit on the table, forcing them open, and his hands move beneath my shirt.

  I freeze, unsure if I’m ready to take this next step when we’re just now making up.

  “What is it?” he whispers as his lips slide down my neck.

  “Nothing,” I quickly say, not knowing when it’s the right time to tell a guy that I’m a virgin. If I say it now it could be embarrassing because he might not even be thinking about going that far. I groan when he pushes against me and I can feel how hard he is.

  He’s definitely thinking about going that far.

  When he faces me again, he doesn’t wait, and his lips are on mine. He kisses me hard as if all the pent-up passion in the world pours out of him at once. Our mouths clash like fireworks. His hands tangle in my hair and he fists it, tilting my head back.

  A moan lingers on my throat, and my hands grab for him, his muscles shifting under my palms. He kisses my chin, leaving a trail back to my lips where he takes my tongue into his mouth. Savoring and tasting me.

  His groans leave me tingling and a fiery explosion ignites between my thighs.

  A strong hand falls to my hip and pulls my shirt up before finding the softness of my stomach. His fingers slide higher and brush beneath my breasts so gently, I exhale heavily in his mouth. Every nerve ending in my body is exploding and being this close to him is intoxicating.

  “I’m going to make you beg for me,” he promises.

  I can’t articulate a response but moan in response.

  His large palm is on my breast, and I arch my back as he squeezes, his touch leaving shivers in its wake. He draws back the fabric of my white bra and pinches my stiff nipple. I shudder. In haste, he shoves my shirt up and smiles as my pale breast spills free from my bra. He leans closer, his lips part, and gently takes me into his mouth.

  His hand glides higher along my thigh, beneath the skirt, and I can’t breathe. I’m exploding with euphoria. His fingers are gently teasing me over my underwear, just enough that I know he’s there, but I need more. He knows it but keeps teasing me, swirling, and I’m whimpering my moans, raising my hips to press myself against his hand. Desperate to feel his pressure, his touch.

  “Beg me,” he whispers, his breath washing over my glistening chest.

  My brain shuts down, and something raw and wild takes me over. Like a drug, I’m Finn’s captive, unable to think about anything else but him and every stroke he makes.

  “Please,” the word stumbles from my lips so softly, he laughs. “Finn,” I demand that time, my insides feeling like an erupting volcano.

  He pushes his hand under the elastic of my underwear and finds my heat, and I melt under his touch. The pads of his fingers tease me, coating themselves in my silkiness, rubbing me faster and faster.

  He pushes a finger into me. And it all becomes too much too fast.

  Finn kisses with fever before his lips trail down my neck. He’s nibbling on my earlobe and licks my neck slowly. My hips have a mind of their own, swaying forward with each of his thrusts. I grasp onto his arms, and I’m in heaven. An inferno bursts inside me, and I’m floating, my body thrumming, while my mind demands I commit every sin right here. He splays my legs wider with his other hand.

  I tremble with the kind of excitement I’ve never felt before. He pulls out and pushes back into me, each time I moan louder. My skin tingles in a frenzy of static.

  My toes curl in my shoes, breaths rise, and my brain is on fire. I’m teetering on an edge and Finn pushes and pushes until I fall. I shudder, my whole body shaking, and I scream. Eventually, I’m softening under his fingertips. Finn’s mouth is on mine, covering the sound, but he never stops taking me further and further.

  I’m drifting on clouds, and when I open my eyes, Finn’s gaze is on me. In that moment, he adores me as much as he does my body. And I’m caught between the intoxicating desire sliding through me and me never wanting this to end.

  Soon, the room is slowly coming back into view as my breaths catch up and I’m floating back to Earth.

  Finn breaks his connection and pulls his han
d free before collecting me into his arms. “You are incredible.” He kisses my brow, and I cradle against his chest, my pulse thumping through my veins.

  I can’t believe what I just let Finn do to me, yet I don’t regret a single thing.

  Finn stiffens against me, and he pulls back, worry creeping over his face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Tell you what?” I barely came down from my high to make sense of what he’s talking about.

  But I follow his line of sight to his middle finger, and the light spotting of blood at the end. He knows… he knows, and I’m mortified, frozen, lowering my head. “I… I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”

  Heat clings to my cheeks but when his thumb slides under my chin, lifting my head, I meet his compassionate gaze. “How I’d react? I adore you no matter what.”

  His words float in my head, and something about them has me softening, breathing easy. “You don’t care that I haven’t been with anyone before?”

  He smiles so handsomely, that I lose myself under his spell. “Your innocence is one of the many things that draws me to you. Never be afraid to be yourself.”

  Butterflies swarm in my stomach at hearing his compliment, the kindness in his words. He’s not like his friends, but so much kinder and adoring. He takes my hand and helps me to my feet, my skirt falling over my thighs, and I fix my bra and shirt.

  “Better get you to lunch before your friend sends out a search party.” His green emerald eyes glisten beneath the lights, standing out against his perfect skin, his blond hair. He has that Scandinavian look, the one I see on Vikings in photos.

  We’re in the hallway, and his hand slides into mine, our fingers intertwining, and we stroll like we’re officially dating. Were we? We’d just jumped straight to third base, and he admitted to admiring me. Did that make it then official, or did he need to first ask me out? I wish I had any experience with anything dating related.

  Instead of trying to make sense of my thoughts, I smirk and glance over at the gorgeous guy holding hands with me in public. If this is a sign of things to come at Raven Academy, then I could possibly become the world’s happiest girl.

  On our way down the hallway, we pass a poster on the notice board about yearbook photographs coming up, and my mind whips back to the library. To the photos I found of Alexander, Dante, and Finn from ten years earlier in a yearbook. When I look over to Finn, I’m left just as puzzled.

  The words blurt from my mouth before I can put a cap on them. “How long have you been at Raven Academy?”

  He looks at me with a raised brow. “Three years, you know that. Why?”

  I shrug and spill the first lie that comes to mind. “Just feels like you’ve been here for ages since you know the place so well and everyone worships the ground you walk on.”

  His arm wraps around my shoulders and draws me against him. “That comes with confidence, nothing more.”

  I smile, but I can tell he’s lying. That photo is proof enough that there’s something strange going on at Raven Academy.

  Chapter 6

  “Did you even hear what I said?” Mercy pokes me in the arm again, her bony finger finding a bruise from when I fell down the other day. But my thoughts still stray to Finn from earlier in the week, from our time together, a moment forever etched on my mind.

  I rub the soreness in my arm and look over at my friend. “Yeah, heard you, but Dixon doesn’t seem the baking kind.”

  “Hush, he’ll love it. All the top chefs are male, right? And they’re running a cupcake competition over in biology.” She shrugs, pouting. “You got your choir thing, so I need something too.”

  “As long as I get to eat some of the cupcakes, I’ll be there to cheer you on.” I glance over at my friend, who despite the dark circles under her eyes like she hasn’t slept in days is smiling.

  “So, your ex hasn’t been coming back to visit you has he?” I ask casually.

  She shakes her head. “I told him not to come back.”

  I believe her, the sincerity in her voice touches me, and considering now she’s drooling all over Dixon, I’m sure she’s moved on. That’s for the best obviously as her ex is a creepy douche.

  Ms. Hickle walks into class, wearing a green dress that swirls around her knees and cinches in at her waist. Her green cardigan sits buttoned up across her chest, and she looks cute with a 1950s vibe.

  “Pickle is back,” someone mumbles behind us, laughing with their friends.

  “Good morning,” the teacher announces, and Mercy pulls back into her seat, everyone falling silent. “I’m excited to read everyone’s essay on the Civil Rights Movement and its effects.” Several people in class groan, and I pull mine out of my bag ready to hand it in. Mercy eyes me and looks down at my homework.

  “Didn’t you do it?” I whisper.

  “It’s a work in progress masterpiece. You can’t rush these things. But I might need to pick your brain later.”

  I smirk and nod. “Of course.”

  “If you’re finished.” Ms. Fickle is glaring at us, and I straighten my posture.

  “As I was saying, there will be a school camp next week. It’s not mandatory, but it is a popular annual event to get to know your fellow students and have some fun.”

  The class breaks into chatter and half a dozen hands shoot into the air, while Mercy grabs my arms and pulls me toward her.

  “We have to go. Dixon is bound to be there, and I bet your lovers will be too.”

  “They’re not my lovers, but camping does sound fun.”

  Mercy was nodding fast, her fingers gripping my arm. “Bonfire. Smores. Kisses in the woods. O.M.G. it’s going to be amazing.”

  Her excitement is contagious and I’m smiling like crazy with her. Time away from class does sound amazing.

  “I’ve never gone camping,” I admit, much to Mercy’s dismay as her mouth falls open.

  “Girl, you’re going to love it.” She turns to the teacher and shoots her hand in the air. “Where do we sign up?”

  The teacher hands out a form to the front row. "Place your name on this if you are interested in attending.”

  Delilah takes the form first and passes it without hesitation. I didn’t expect it would be her scene. Several others pass it on without a glance, and I’m surprised to see that only half the class is signing up.

  Mercy doesn’t bat an eye and scribbles both our names down before handing it back to Ms. Hickle.

  “If it’s so much fun,” I whisper to Mercy. “Why isn’t everyone signing up?”

  “Cause they’re party poopers. And who cares about them. We’re going to have a blast!”

  “Okay, everyone settle down and pull out your books.”

  Class commences while I’m still stuck on the lack of attendance to the camp… But I brush those thoughts aside and focus on the lesson.

  The rest of the day goes past in a blur, as does the next day and the one after that.

  On the way to class as we walk across the dewy lawn, Mercy’s yawning, and I swear the bags under her eyes are darker. “Are you sleeping all right?” I ask. “What did you do last night?”

  When she looks at me, her eyes are glazed. “Seriously, I can’t remember what I did last night. Is that strange?”

  “Yes,” I retort. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

  “Having dinner with you, then nothing.” She rubs her temples, her gaze drifts to the sky, thinking for a long pause. “I can’t remember the last few nights actually.” She meets my stare, her mouth dropping open. “God, do you think I’ve got a brain tumor?”

  I roll my eyes. “You jump to the worst possible conclusion. You’re fine during class, so what’s happening once you go to your room is the question?”

  She shrugs and yawns as she stumbles over the grass. I jerk my arm out and snatch hers. “Careful.” I think for a moment. “That’s it. Tonight you’re sleeping in my room so I can watch over you and see what’s going on. Maybe you’re sleep walking or something.” />
  “I’d like that.” She smiles at me with softness sweeping over her face. “I’ve never had a best friend before you.”

  I scoop my arm around hers and drag her closer to the Dragon Tower. “Me neither so this is perfect we found each other.” I speed up our walk. “We better hurry as we’re running late already.”

  “Yep, and we don’t want Mr. Dusk to take out his whip on us.” She chuckles, and I can’t tell if she’s serious or not.

  “He doesn’t really have a whip, does he?” I won’t put anything past him.

  “I bet he does, and he uses it on Clarissa during their disgusting sex romps.”

  “Eww. Don’t need that image in my head. But isn’t it weird that most people know they’re together, but the principal doesn’t do anything about it?”

  “There’s heaps of weird shit at this school. Who knows? Maybe she’s giving it to the principal too.” She sniggers, while I cringe at the idea.

  By the time we reach our class, the room is empty. “Where is everyone?” As the words leave my lips, I see the message on the board.

  Free Period. Study, don’t squander the time. Pop quiz tomorrow on Slavic Mythology.

  “He’s so obsessed with myths rather than teaching us history,” I remark, thinking that we learn so much Mythology that I don’t even bother calling it History Class anymore.

  “Woohoo.” Mercy is pumping her hands into the air. “Free period! Let’s get out of here.”

  For someone who looks like a walking zombie, she suddenly has a lot of energy.

  “Let’s go to the library,” I suggest, while Mercy sticks her tongue out at me.

  “I was thinking we go do some spying… I want to learn more about Dixon.”

  “We’re gonna look like stalkers if we go watch them during P.E.”

  She snatches my hand and hauls me down the dark hallway. “They never do P.E., haven’t you noticed. There’s no way fighting practice is somehow the same thing as P.E. I went back the other day and saw him doing some weird shit, but he had his shirt off.”

  “Dixon? What was he doing?”