Deadly Game: An Academy Bully Romance (Academy of the Gods Book 3)

by River Ramsey

  To be fair, in a way, he was. Bowing in submission to him was the only way to save yourself from what he did to those who showed even the slightest bit of insolence toward him.

  The idea of coming face to face with him made my skin crawl, and I could only hope he wasn’t as perceptive as his son in that regard. Determined to meet my fate—or at least prolong it—I set off for the grand dining hall.

  It wasn’t a surprise to find that most of the attendees had already gathered. Not everyone from the Games was in attendance, only those who had made it past the second round. It seemed a bit elitist, but what else was new at this school?

  “This way, Ms. Ademone,” said a butler I didn’t recognize as one of the Academy staff. Cronus must have brought his own cronies. It figured.

  I followed him down the long table, trying to ignore the curious stares I had been getting ever since I’d entered the room. All this time, I’d figured that being the object of everyone’s spite was the worst part about being the Rabbit, but now I knew it was being the center of attention at all. Nothing good ever came from being a spectacle among the gods.

  We passed Loki and Fenrir, both sitting to Hades’ left, and Hades to his father’s right. His cold eyes met mine once more and the understanding that passed between us reassured me that I hadn’t just imagined everything. As certain as I’d felt talking to Dionysus, there were moments when it still felt so impossible.

  “His Majesty, the High King of the Council,” the butler announced with the utmost reverence. I had to keep from rolling my eyes as everyone around the table stood once more, even though they’d all kissed his ass when it was their turn to come into the room.

  There he was, standing mere feet away from me and so temptingly close to a steak knife. Hopefully he didn’t notice the way my hand twitched at my side before I hid it in the pleats of my skirt.

  “Your Majesty,” I said, bowing low. I could all but hear my mother’s sigh of relief from across the table as I obliged the old custom.

  Cronus didn’t rise, but I felt his eyes on me like greedy fingers, picking and peeling away at the surface, trying to suss out whatever was underneath. I met his gaze, refusing to look like I was hiding. If there was one thing I’d gotten good at, it was lying to stuffy old patriarchs like him.

  Except, now that we were face to face, he was less stuffy than I’d imagined and nowhere near as ancient. The sparse wrinkles on his face made him look scarcely older than fifty, even though he had known countless centuries. His eyes were a much darker shade of stone than Hades’, but they possessed the same chill that ran right through you. It was all I could do not to shiver, mostly because I was sure he’d get a kick out of it.

  “Persephone,” he said in a tone that was smooth and sticky like day-old syrup. “We meet at last.”

  He held out his left hand, which was surprisingly smooth for someone who was old as sin. Hell, he’d probably been the one to come up with that idea, too. I looked down at the ring, printed with the seal of the High Council. The mark of authority that allowed him to sign any treaty or declaration of war and make it binding without any diplomatic vote.

  He liked the power. I could see it in his eyes. He enjoyed all of this. The banquets, the sycophants tending to his every need, the empty praise and the hollow submission. He enjoyed watching people squirm and knowing exactly how to do it with a single glance.

  In that moment, I knew I was wrong. Hades wasn’t anything like his father. It was easy to think that from a distance, but now that I’d gotten up close with both of them, the difference was night and day.

  I bowed my head and kissed the ring, my lips brushing over the intricate carving on the surface of the silver. Disgust roiled through my belly, rendering any hint of an appetite I might have had null and void. When I stood once more, the smug satisfaction in his gaze made me wish I’d bitten off his finger instead.

  Of course, that wouldn’t be nearly enough to pay for his crimes. No, he deserved comeuppance and he would get it, but I had to play it cool. Like it or not, I needed Hades or the whole thing was doomed to fail anyway.

  “You are a beautiful girl,” he remarked. “I see why my son is so taken with you.”

  I glanced Hades’ way before I could help it. His eyes met mine for an instant before he looked away, clearly irritated with his father’s remark. Of course, even he wouldn’t challenge it. Blood only went so far when it came to decorum and royalty.

  “You’re too kind,” I said stiffly. Not following it up with another your majesty was probably pushing the bounds of civility, but I wasn’t going to go overboard.

  “Congratulations on your performance in the Games,” he continued. If he was offended, he was good at masking it. “You certainly overcame the odds to achieve victory.”

  “I’m as surprised as anyone,” I admitted.

  He smiled, but it was a twisted, unnatural thing. There was nothing wrong about the features on his face. It was more the way his eyes revealed what was behind them that was the problem. “A dark horse. You’ll fit in well with our family.”

  Family. A strange way to phrase the only two people Cronus had yet to murder or banish, including himself.

  I didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t sound as sarcastic as it was meant to, so I nodded, hoping he’d take it as meek deference. It seemed to work, because he leaned back, popping a grape into his mouth. “You may be seated.”

  He gestured to the spot at his left side and I reluctantly sat down, even though I’d been hoping to have some distance from him during the initial meet and greet.

  “Things will be done a bit differently this year,” said Cronus, reaching across the table for the goblet of wine the servants kept filled to the brim. At least, I hoped it was wine. You could never be sure.

  I wasn’t sure if he was speaking to me until he paused and looked at me expectantly.

  “How so, your majesty?” I asked, distracted by the clatter of silverware since everyone had started eating after Cronus had.

  “The victor’s speech will not be televised. Your headmaster made the suggestion, in light of the tragedy that so recently took place in these halls,” said Cronus.

  I gritted my teeth, casting a glance over at Odin. I had no doubt he’d made that “suggestion” after he learned of my victory, and even though I had no plans on going through with my subversive speech, I was still pissed that he’d seen through it. Or at least, had the foresight to expect that I’d pull something.

  “A wise point,” I said, keeping my voice low since that was the best way to keep the disgust out of it.

  “Instead, you’re welcome to address the assembly here,” he said, raising his goblet. The room went silent once more and I finally allowed myself to take a thorough sweep of everyone in attendance. The speech might not have been broadcast to all of Olympus, but enough influential deities had come in honor of their children’s participation. Despite Odin’s best attempts, I still would have had the chance to create some chaos if I so chose, but the temptation was less than I’d feared.

  Dionysus caught my eye as I looked across the table and the faint smile he gave me lifted my spirits and reminded me to focus on the long haul. I could get through one miserable breakfast. This school had put me through a hell of a lot worse.

  Cronus motioned for me to stand, but my body froze for a second, like it was a test. When I finally got the courage to stand, I felt everyone staring expectantly. Some of them looked as nervous as my mother. Guess my reputation proceeded me. I was kind of flattered.

  Hades was watching me, too. His expression was as unreadable as ever. I just had to hope he trusted me. What had happened in the Ether meant something, even if I wasn’t yet sure what that was.

  “It’s an honor to be here,” I began. “As your victor.” I let that sink in, and from the looks on the Valkyries’ faces, it had sufficiently ruffled their feathers. “I thought a lot about what I was going to say when I made this speech, but now that it’s actually time, I’m
not sure any of those words really fit what I’m feeling.”

  Without even looking, I could see Odin’s eyes on me, sharp and warning. If no one had told him what I’d been planning, he was already suspicious for his own reasons. And to be fair, he had plenty. Lucky for him, he was no longer the biggest fish on my line.

  “I’ll just keep it short and simple,” I continued, raising my goblet. The others at the table did the same, prepared to toast with me. “To our King, to the Games, and to Phrixus.”

  I saw the relief that crossed my mother’s face, and the confusion on Odin’s next to her. I turned away from them both as Cronus nodded sagely. “Aye.”

  “Aye,” the crowd echoed.

  The bitter wine touched my lips, but I didn’t let it pass to my mouth. I was already nauseous with anxiety and I didn’t need to add to it.

  The rest of the ceremony was fortunately uneventful, and as soon as I had the option to extricate myself, I took it. I’d barely made it out of the dining hall before someone caught my arm.

  I spun around, ready to punch someone in the face since I wasn’t in the mood to be grabbed, until I saw that it was the one person I’d promised I wouldn’t smack again. “Hades…”

  “You changed your mind about the speech,” he said, releasing my hand.

  I frowned, trying to figure out whether he was relieved or disappointed. The man’s face had two settings: pissed and apathetic.

  Well… there was another expression that I’d only seen while he was balls-deep inside of me, but that definitely wasn’t at play here.

  “Given the circumstances, it didn’t seem wise to piss your dad off.”

  “The circumstances?” he asked.

  I froze as a new fear washed over me. What if he didn’t remember what had happened and those knowing glances were just wishful thinking? What if it was all a dream?

  “You remember the Ether…don’t you?”

  “Of course,” he muttered. “I just wasn’t sure you did.”

  My shoulders sagged in relief, and I tried to tell myself it was just a matter of practicality. Not because the idea of him and Loki having no idea what we’d shared that night hurt more than I ever wanted to admit.

  “Part of me wasn’t sure,” I admitted.

  “Sure that what? It was real?”

  “I guess…” It was hard to admit that in some ways, I already felt more attached to Ares than I did to my own mother. Of course, only one of them had been given the opportunity to lie to me my entire life. Or at least to withhold the entire truth.

  “You remember the plan, then,” he said impatiently.

  I blinked, surprised he was bringing it up. “I remember. The question is, are you still on board?”

  “If what Ares said is correct, it’s not like any of us have much of a choice. The world won’t last long if he has his way. But yes. I’ve been planning this for a long time. Nothing has changed except now I have more reason to go through with it than ever.”

  I frowned. “You know what he said. This isn’t something you can do by yourself. You need all of us, and that includes the fourth consort.”

  He grimaced in distaste. “I don’t need anything. That’s your problem. I just want to make sure you don’t fuck anything up.”

  Anger welled up inside of me, which was nothing new where Hades was concerned. Before I could come up with an adequate retort, he walked off as suddenly as he’d appeared. He might not have been the least bit affected by what had happened in the Ether, but I was definitely off my game. Maybe not as much had changed as I thought.

  Chapter 12

  Fenrir

  Once the Games were finished, most of the students at the Academy returned home. Typically, Hades, Loki and I were among the few who remained in these hallowed halls, but from what I’d heard, there were more who had chosen to stay behind for our summer break.

  Kore was one of them.

  If there was ever a time to tell her the truth, it seemed like now. I’d been waiting until things died down from the Games, and now that they had, I didn’t really have any excuse.

  Of course, we hadn’t been around each other much since our return from the Ether. It was partly due to circumstance and partly because I didn’t trust myself to be around her without telling the truth.

  For the first time since my youth, I found myself out of control of the very instincts that motivated me to protect her, and it was as unnerving as it was surprising.

  At the moment, I was focused on finding Hades. He’d been equally distant, and that never meant anything good. Keeping an eye on him meant making sure that he didn’t decide to go off on his own and go after his father, which was always a possibility. I’d know if he went through the portal, but he was nowhere to be found in the Academy halls.

  I heard footsteps as I rounded the corner, but the familiar floral scent that filled my nostrils told me I’d found the other object of my preoccupation.

  “Kore,” I murmured, looking her over. I hoped I wasn’t undressing her with my eyes as obviously as it felt, but the concern in hers quickly put my mind on a different track. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m looking for Hades,” she answered, folding her arms. “I can’t find him anywhere and he’s not answering my texts.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  “You’re looking, too?”

  “Let’s just say he’s been hard to reach lately,” I sighed.

  “I’m not sure if I should be relieved it’s not just me, or worried that it isn’t,” she admitted.

  “Probably a little of both.” I snorted. “Was there something you needed?”

  “No,” she said reluctantly. “Just wanted to talk to him. Figure out where we stand.”

  “Yeah.” I cleared my throat, trying not to think about how that was exactly what I needed to do when it came to her. She must have sensed my apprehension because she started watching me more closely.

  “Is everything alright?”

  “Yeah,” I answered. “Everything’s fine. But while you’re here, do you think we could talk?”

  She tilted her head, seeming surprised by the question. “Sure. What’s up?”

  I glanced over my shoulder but even though I was reasonably sure we were alone, I didn’t want to take any chances with such delicate subject matter. “It’s really something I’d rather discuss in private. My room’s just around the corner.”

  “Okay,” she said warily. “Lead the way.”

  I realized it probably seemed like I was propositioning her, but although I would’ve been more than happy to, I knew we weren’t there yet. Hell, how could there be any intimacy between us when I was keeping something this big from her?

  Once we made it to my room, she stopped and looked around in dismay. “Whoa.”

  “What is it?” I asked, shutting the door.

  “Your room. It’s not what I thought.”

  “Cleaner?” I asked knowingly, folding my arms as I leaned against my desk.

  “Much,” she said, flopping down on the edge of my bed. I’d pictured her there plenty of times, but actually having her here made me anxious in a way I’d never been with any other woman. To be fair, I’d never felt anything more than lust for anyone other than her, and I still wasn’t used to it. The intensity only seemed to grow over time.

  “What did you want to talk to me about?”

  “Right,” I coughed, rubbing the stubble along my jaw. “It’s kind of hard to explain.”

  “Is it about what Ares said?” she asked, frowning.

  “More or less,” I admitted. “It’s related, at least.”

  She waited expectantly and I realized there was no good way to ease into it. I’d never been good with words and preferred to let my fangs do the talking, so this was foreign territory to me. “You know how Ares said we’re all connected?”

  “Yeah,” she answered. “What about it?”

  “Well, you and I are connected in a different way,” I began. When I realized she was
only more confused by the answer, I added, “Have you ever heard of something called imprinting?”

  “Imprinting?” Her nose wrinkled. “Isn’t that like a fictional vampire thing?”

  I laughed. “No. No, it’s real. And it’s kind of a wolf thing.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened with understanding. “Oh.”

  “I’m sorry for not telling you earlier. Or maybe I shouldn’t have told you at all,” I muttered, pacing to the other side of the room. “Shit. I suck at this.”

  “You tell a lot of girls you imprinted on them?” she asked dryly.

  Something about the mischief in her smile had the exact opposite of the effect she probably intended. It was hard to relax when everything I never even knew I wanted was all wrapped up in one package, sitting right in front of me.

  “Never,” I snorted. “It’s kind of a once in a lifetime thing.”

  “Come here,” she said, taking my hand to pull me down next to her. I was surprised by the gesture, and even more by my response to her closeness. It took all the restraint I had not to lean in and breathe deeply of the scent that captivated me. “I know it’s weird, but after everything we’ve been through, we should at least be able to talk about it.”

  “You’re taking this a lot better than I expected.”

  “What, did you think I was gonna flip out or something?”

  “Maybe,” I admitted.

  “Well, it’s not something you can help, is it?”

  “No,” I sighed, deciding not to tell her that even if I could have, the results probably would have been the same. Imprinting just strengthened what I already felt for her, and I had enough control over my beastly nature to know it wasn’t just my wolf side that wanted her.

  “Then it’s nothing to freak out about. Honestly, I’m kind of relieved.”