by River Ramsey
“Really?”
“I’ve always felt connected to you,” she answered, her face turning a pleasant shade of pink. “At least now I know it goes both ways.”
“It does,” I said, a bit too earnestly. I didn’t even realize I’d reached out to touch her until my hand was against her flushed cheek, my thumb sweeping over her smooth skin. “If you had any idea how much I want you.”
Her eyes widened slightly, and although I regretted the words as soon as they spilled out of my mouth, she didn’t react the way I’d feared. In fact, as hard as it was to believe, the desire in her gaze matched my own.
“Then what’s stopping you?” she asked in a sultry voice that almost undid me.
Did she have any idea what kind of effect she had on me?
“Hades, for one thing,” I answered gruffly.
She raised an eyebrow. “Hades knows you’re one of my consorts. And I’ve already slept with Loki.”
“Yes, but that’s different.”
“How?” she demanded.
“It just is. Loki’s not Hades’ servant. I exist to protect him. To serve him.”
“That’s bullshit,” she said, folding her arms. “You’re a person, not a damn robot. And I’m not some toy on a shelf he can decide to keep to himself.”
“I know that.” None of my words were coming out right, and before I had the chance to correct them, her lips were on mine, soft as silk and smooth as sin. I froze for half a second before I took her into my arms and returned it as passionately as I had in all my dreams. The only place I truly dared to take what I wanted. What my heart said was mine.
Kore’s fingers spread through my hair, tugging lightly as she climbed onto my lap. My hand traveled up her back and the reality of touching her became too much to resist. I wanted this, and knowing that she did, too, made me willing to damn the consequences.
What started as a curious kiss soon fanned into a flame of lust, and her hands roved my chest as eagerly as mine roamed her curves. She was so soft, her skin too perfect to the touch to be real. I pulled up her shirt, untucking it from her skirt, and cupped her breast in my hand. So soft. So warm.
She kissed me and she tasted like every sweet, blooming thing in the forest. Every speck of beauty in this realm and every other, all concentrated in one essence. She moaned against my lips as I groped her chest and when her knee slipped between my thighs, rubbing against my crotch, my slacks became too tight to bear.
She seemed to anticipate what I was thinking before I thought it and broke the kiss to shift back and unbutton my pants. I growled in approval as she freed my shaft from my boxers and ran her hands along the erect flesh.
My fingers traced along the edge of her silky panties and I tore them easily, too eager to bother with anything else.
“Sorry,” I said when I saw her look of irritation. It faded as I flipped her onto her back and her gaze darkened with need.
“Just fuck me and I’ll forgive you.” Her voice was husky but soft, strumming all the right chords inside me. I pushed her legs open and pinned her hands to the bed, since she seemed to like it rough. The satisfaction in her breathy gasp was confirmation that was the right choice.
Another growl rumbled through my chest as I positioned myself at her entrance. She was already slick with arousal, but still tight enough that my cock had a hard time going in. I didn’t want to hurt her, though she seemed to have no such qualms as her nails dug into my back in an attempt to pull me closer. When she bucked her hips, I finally gave in and sealed my mouth to hers to swallow her moan as I sheathed myself inside her warmth.
Her hands slipped back into my hair, tugging and groping as she ground her hips up into me. She was so tight it had to hurt, but the little whimpers of need she issued between her kisses made it clear she was enjoying herself. I began to thrust into her, slowly at first, well aware of how fragile she was compared to me. Physically, at any rate. I had no doubt she’d kick my ass if I so much as suggested it, though.
“Fuck, yes, right there,” she gasped, her hips rolling into me as I hit the right spot. I thrust harder and deeper each time, trying to restrain all the foolishly vulnerable admissions on the tip of my tongue. Sex had never been an emotional thing for me, but as I fucked her, it felt like she was slipping ever deeper into my soul.
Her panting and writhing became as enjoyable as the sensation of being sheathed inside her. She wrapped her legs around me, giving me even more room to go deeper. I felt us both draw nearer to the edge of restraint. My breaths were now as shallow as hers, and it was all I could do to remember not to grope her hard enough to leave bruises. My back and shoulders were going to be sporting plenty, but it was too hot to know she wanted me that badly to care.
She was close. I could feel it, and hear it in her shallow gasps of bliss as she rocked against me in time with each thrust. I reached between us, sweeping my thumb over her clit, and while she’d been trying to keep quiet, there was nothing discreet about the pleasured moan that passed her lips.
The sound alone would’ve been enough to push me over the edge, if her tightening up around me wasn’t. It all converged in the most blinding orgasm I’d ever experienced and I was still seeing stars as I released the final wave of come inside her.
We were both still panting, still locked together in an intimate embrace I’d probably feel guilty for in the morning, but not now. Now, the only thing there was room for was contentment.
“Fuck,” she breathed, her head dropping back against the pillows. Her face was a lovely sight, all flushed from orgasm.
“My thoughts exactly,” I growled, nuzzling her neck. I didn’t want to pull out just yet, and she seemed to feel the same. She moaned contentedly, her arms wrapped around me. I could feel her heartbeat fluttering against my skin, igniting some primal instinct even I didn’t fully understand.
“I guess some things are worth the wait,” she finally said, her voice still rough with lust.
“Yeah,” I murmured, finally settling next to her with her wrapped tightly in my arms. Exactly where it felt like she was meant to be. “I guess they are.”
Chapter 13
Kore
I shouldn’t have been surprised I woke up in an empty bed, but I couldn’t help but feel a little bummed when I looked around and realized Fenrir was nowhere to be seen. The night before seemed too distant already, like it might have been a remnant of a dream. The only thing that lingered was the strange sense of connection to him that had surfaced last night.
After feeling the same thing with Loki and Hades, it really shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was. In some ways, Fenrir seemed even more off in his own world than Hades. Maybe it was just the fact that he served his friend as faithfully and dutifully as any knight. Even when I used to hate him, I found myself thinking how nice it must be to be the object of that kind of devotion.
I climbed out of bed and got changed into the clothes I’d worn the night before. Hopefully I could creep back into my room without alerting Dionysus to my walk of shame.
It turned out, I was in luck. When I headed back to the room, he was already gone, and I assumed downstairs having breakfast. When I’d found out that he was staying behind with me on break, I was more than relieved. Of course, I’d jumped at the chance and used the excuse of wanting to get ahead on next semester’s projects, because I couldn’t stand the thought of spending all that time back home with my mother. The idea was harrowing under any circumstances, but especially now.
Then there was the matter of stopping Cronus. I wasn’t any closer to coming up with a how-to, but I stood a better chance of lucidity here than I did tanning on the rooftop with Jazzy and Baylor.
Man, I missed them. Text convos had become more sporadic, and that only made me miss them more. I still hadn’t figured out a way to tell them about the whole five-way-bond thing. Especially since one of the consorts was MIA.
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, I was happy to head downstairs in something besides my uniform for
once. Dionysus was at our usual spot, picking at cereal that looked mostly untouched. As soon as he saw me, his countenance changed so quickly it startled me. We’d grown close over the last year, but it seemed like there was still a lot he felt the need to hold back from me.
And I could understand why. I’d been a pretty shitty friend, all things considered. The Games had consumed my life, and now what had happened in the finale seemed to be in control for the foreseeable future.
“Hey,” he said, his voice strained with exhaustion. The dark lines around his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept well. “Big night?”
My face grew warm as I sat down on the bench across from him. “Sort of.”
“Hades?” he asked knowingly.
“Fenrir,” I answered, taking an apple off the basket in the center of the table.
His eyes lit up with curiosity. “That only leaves one, I guess.”
My blush worsened, in spite of myself. “Yeah. Guess so.” I cleared my throat. “What’s up with you? You seem kind of down.”
“It’s nothing,” he said, a bit too quickly. The smile he gave me seemed forced. “Any luck with the investigation?”
It was a safer euphemism for trying to take down the king of the gods, but I still felt exposed talking about it in public. The walls had eyes--probably literally where the Academy was concerned. “Not really. It would help if Hades wasn’t trying to play the Lone Ranger.”
“He doesn’t really seem like the team player type,” said Dionysus. “Did your Dad give you a timeframe?”
I winced. “For now, I’m still avoiding the ‘D’ word. But no, he didn’t.”
“Sorry,” he said with a little chuckle. “I wish I could be more help.”
“Please. You’re the only thing keeping me sane,” I told him, reaching for his hand. He pulled back suddenly and we ended up staring at each other for a few awkward moments. Before I could apologize for whatever I’d done, he beat me to the punch.
“Sorry,” he said, glancing away. “I’m a little jumpy today.”
“It’s fine.” I frowned, feeling him put up an all-too-familiar wall between us again. “Dionysus, what’s going on? I know you were going to tell me something after the Games… what is it?”
He didn’t answer immediately. He seemed to be about to when the lunchroom doors opened and the rise of chatter near the front of the room drew my attention.
As soon as I saw Artemis, her intense eyes boring right through me, I knew my day wasn’t going to go as planned. I stood before she could reach the table, convinced she was going to blow it over at the rate she was walking.
“Kore,” she said, her tone low and urgent as she looked from Dionysus to me. “You’re needed in the Headmaster’s office. Now.”
“The Headmaster?” I raised an eyebrow, running back through all the things I’d done over the last few days. For once, I couldn’t think of a reason I’d be in trouble. I had been on model behavior ever since coming back from the Ether, not wanting to draw any more suspicion to myself than necessary.
Then again, maybe that in itself was cause for concern.
Dionysus gave me a nervous look and I shrugged to let him know I had no idea what was going on. Keeping Artemis waiting was never a good idea, so I followed her out of the dining hall and to Odin’s office.
When she dropped me off at the door with a sympathetic glance, I knew I was in for it.
I took a deep breath and steeled my nerves before going in. Odin was imposing enough, and I couldn’t help but fear he’d somehow uncovered our plan. Or maybe one of the others had betrayed me.
No… I didn’t want to believe that. Now, more than ever. Maybe my naïveté would be my downfall, but I refused to believe that what we shared in the Ether meant nothing.
When I came into the room and saw Kunzite sitting on the couch next to a sobbing Helle, I froze. Hadn’t she already gone home? She turned to me, her mascara streaked and running down her face.
“It was her,” she said, pointing directly at me. “She’s the one who killed my brother.”
For a second, I thought she was joking. When I realized she wasn’t, I started to wonder if this was how all those witches had felt being accused of occultic crimes by hysterical “witnesses” with no proof.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I blurted out.
Odin’s gaze flashed, as if my profanity was somehow more offensive than being a potential murderer. “That’s enough, Ms. Ademone. I suggest you choose your words carefully from this point on.”
“My words?” I challenged. “I’m not the one making false accusations with no basis.”
“Helle came to me after the Games to discuss the matter of young Phrixus’ death,” Odin said, his tone growing somber as Kunzite made an attempt at consoling Helle. Those had to be crocodile tears. That or she really had just finally snapped under the weight of her own assholery.
I couldn’t believe I’d actually felt bad for her. The fact that she was willing to use her own twin’s death to get at me just meant she was even more despicable than I’d thought.
“So?” I challenged. “What does that have to do with me?”
“During the final phase of the Games, Helle began to experience resurfaced memories,” Odin continued, ignoring my question. “She asked if I would provide an additional dosage of the serum, and I agreed, under Kunzite’s guidance.”
“She’s lying,” I said through gritted teeth. “And as far as I know, Phrixus and his killer were alone. How would she have seen even if it was me?”
“We’re twins,” Helle said bitterly. “We share a bond, even in death, and the serum let me strengthen it.”
“It’s still her word against mine,” I protested. I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. I’d been called a hell of a lot of things in my life, but this was the first time I’d ever been accused of murder. Unfortunately, my rap sheet wasn’t exactly working in my favor.
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Ms. Ademone,” Kunzite said, standing. Her unnatural eyes were still covered by sunglasses, but I could feel her watching me closely. “As you’re aware, the OSTF was given certain abilities to aid in our investigations, one of them being telepathy.”
“Okay,” I said, folding my arms. “Still not seeing how that makes me a murderer.”
“I am able to enter another’s mind for a short period of time and experience their cerebral visions,” Kunzite continued. “I was present when Helle was accessing her brother’s final memories, and I’m afraid the scene was quite clear. Whether it was intentional or not is a point of debate that will come up in your trial, but you were the one who pushed Phrixus down the stairs.”
My heart was racing so loud I could barely hear my own thoughts. “You’re kidding, right?” As I looked between them, it began to dawn on me that there wasn’t an ounce of humor between the three. “I didn’t do it! I’d never hurt someone.”
“Bullshit,” Helle seethed. “You’ve been violent since the day you got here. My brother’s probably just one of your victims.”
“You’re about to become my first if you don’t shut your fucking mouth and stop lying,” I shot back.
“Kore!” Odin bellowed, his voice gravelly enough to shake my bones. “That’s enough. You’re in no position to defend yourself.”
“I want a lawyer,” I said, refusing to be bullied. “I don’t have to defend anything.”
“I’m afraid that’s not true,” said Kunzite. “The OSTF is given direct authority in these matters. You will be taken into custody until it is time for your trial, but there are many things that must be addressed first.”
“This is insane,” I said, feeling like I was going to black out as I backed toward the door. It was all I could do to keep the vines at bay. Before I could make the decision to fight or run, crackling pink energy bound my wrists in front of me. When I looked up, Kunzite was holding up her right hand.
“Don’t struggle. The sooner you comply, the easier this
will be,” she warned.
I strained at the energy bonds anyway, but it was no use. Even my power couldn’t cut through those. As the room began to fade around me, the last thing I saw was Helle’s smirk of triumph.
Lying bitch.
Chapter 14
Dionysus
“She did what?” I demanded, staring at Odin like he’d just lost his mind. And the way I saw it, either he had, or he was going even further to get revenge for her insolence than I’d ever imagined he would.
“The matter is classified, and that’s all I can tell you,” Odin said coldly, blocking the path into his office. Normally, I steered well clear of him, but as soon as I’d heard the rumors about a member of the OSTF being around campus, I knew something horrible had happened. Kore’s disappointment and radio silence through text were more evidence of it.
“This is insane,” I snapped. “Kore isn’t a murderer.”
“I’ll ask you to leave that to her counsel,” Odin retorted.
“Where is she?” I demanded. “She has rights. You can’t just spirit her away without a fair trial.”
“What I can and cannot do is far beyond your pay grade, boy,” he scolded, his eyes darkening. Under any other circumstances, I would have backed down, but my rage and concern were reinforcing my spine. “She’s in custody. That’s all you need to know. Now, leave before you end up in the same situation.”
It wasn’t an empty threat. I didn’t even need to look into those piercing eyes to know that. I thought of fighting him anyway, just to reach her, but I thought better of it. I wasn’t any use to her in a cell. Better to retreat for now, get backup, and formulate a plan to get her out.
Turning away from the Headmaster’s office, I stalked down the hall, intent on finding Kore’s betrothed. If nothing else, maybe Hades could talk some sense into the school administration. They’d all evidently lost their marbles, and he was a perennial favorite.
I usually steered well clear of the Triad’s wing of the dorms, but I was desperate. Hades was usually in the rec room his crew had commandeered for their own, so I figured that was the first place to head. When I threw open the door, there were a few students I barely recognized playing pool, and a guy nearly passed out on the sofa, clearly enjoying whatever substance he’d just ingested. There was no sign of Hades, and the moment I made eye contact with Loki, I knew I’d made the wrong decision.