Ella's Masquerade: A Midnight Fae Academy Prequel

by Lexi C. Foss

  Never again.

  I stole a breath and made for the next lane, just in case one of the idiots had tried to follow me, and started sprinting for one of the walls.

  Fortunately, I beat them to the starting block and was able to hoist myself up onto the deck again.

  Masculine laughs sounded from the edge. I ignored them in favor of putting on my cap, but as I slid my goggles on, I realized there were three guys, not two.

  Trayton Nacht.

  I narrowed my gaze. Was he the one who pushed me in? Because he appeared rather amused standing there in just a pair of swim trunks.

  Several of the females were gaping openly at the rippled muscles lining his torso, as if they’d never seen an athletic male. Like, hello, Dash and Charlie maintained the same physique. All right, sure, Tray had the whole windswept-auburn-locks thing going for him, and those golden-flecked eyes. But he was built just like the other guys. It also seemed he was fitting in with their crowd already by the way they slapped him on the back as if congratulating him.

  Why? Because he pushed me in? I wondered, pursing my lips. Yes, let’s all bond over picking on poor little Cindersoot.

  Whatever.

  I’d drown all their asses in a race soon. It drove Charlie crazy that he couldn’t catch me. Dash, however, frequently tied me. So how would Mr. Nacht do? He certainly had the body of a swimmer, with his broad shoulders, tapered waist, and long legs. A freestyler’s build, if my swimmer’s eye was right.

  Hmm. This might get interesting because Dash also favored short-distance freestyle events.

  “I see you finally took a shower, Cindersoot,” Charlie drawled as the trio approached.

  My lips curled as I slid my goggles over my eyes. “And I see you found yourself a new boyfriend, Chuckie. That’s sweet.” I blew them both a kiss and dove into the water before anyone could retaliate. Looked like I was starting my warm-up early, and from the splashes behind me, so were the guys.

  Great.

  They would be delayed by their own caps and goggles, giving me the chance to get a head start in the fifty-meter pool. Of course, on the way back, I’d have a problem. Maybe I’d hop out of the water and walk around.

  Or—

  A hand gripped my ankle, yanking me backward into a hard body.

  I squealed, my momentum no longer heading in the direction I desired.

  Shit! I latched onto a pair of masculine shoulders, the water too deep for me to stand. This wasn’t good. I needed to fight, to scratch my offender and get the hell out of Dodge.

  Only, he didn’t even flinch as my nails dug into his skin, instead grasping my hips and pulling me flush against him. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he whispered against my ear.

  I blinked, startled. “Tray?”

  “Trust me,” he breathed, his lips brushing my cheek just like they did earlier.

  My eyebrows drew down. “I don’t even know you.”

  “You’re about to,” he replied as the water around us shifted.

  Dash reached us first, his triumphant gaze making my stomach twist. But it was Charlie’s arrival and his vengeful glower that had me sweating, even in the water.

  Three males, little old me, and a bunch of student spectators.

  This could not end well.

  Where’s Grayson? I wondered, my eyes dancing around the pool for the swim coach. He usually drew up sets on the board for practice. Of course, he was nowhere to be seen. Meaning I had absolutely no backup here.

  Tray’s thumb brushed my hip bone, sending a shiver up my spine. Did he have to hold me so close? I could actually feel him through our swimsuits, his growing interest a brand against my lower belly. Not good. Not good at all.

  And what business did he have being attracted to me?

  “I see you caught a dead fish,” Charlie said, his tone chilling the air.

  “Oh, I don’t know about dead,” Tray mused, his grip tightening. “Feels pretty lively to me.”

  “Let me go,” I demanded, my fingers clutching his upper arms.

  “Nah, I like you right where you are, Isabella.”

  “Isabella?” I repeated. “No one calls—” I choked on a mouthful of water as he harshly jerked me under the surface, his palms cement blocks against my sides.

  Male chuckles reverberated above, the sound distant to my ears. I clawed at Tray’s stomach, demanding my release, but the jackass didn’t even budge.

  My legs scissored, creating a whirlpool beneath us as I fought for leverage.

  Nothing.

  Fuck!

  My lungs began to burn, my energy expelled from trying to fight the brick wall that was Trayton Nacht.

  I grabbed his swim trunks and tried to yank them down as a last resort.

  The tie held.

  He couldn’t just drown me. But something about the way he held me had me second-guessing that assessment.

  My limbs began to tingle.

  My need to breathe taking over in a convulsion that had me opening my mouth.

  And sweet air suddenly hit me in the face, causing me to gasp in agony.

  Dash and Charlie were laughing hysterically.

  But Tray’s eyes were on mine, an intensity in them that had me blinking rapidly and sputtering liquid from my mouth. “Let’s see you finish that lap now,” he taunted, harshly shoving me away from him.

  I didn’t think, my arms and legs already moving as I fought the ache building inside my chest. A tidal wave rode my tail, the trio having taken off after me like some sort of screwed-up chase.

  I dove under the lane lines, searching for the side of the pool, and forced myself out of the water before they could catch me. Every part of me trembled, from my head to my toes, the vivid sensation of drowning haunting each fresh inhale.

  Tray reached the side first, but rather than jump up after me, he placed his arms on the edge and looked me over. Charlie and Dash weren’t as casual, their anger palpable.

  “What the fuck was that, man?” Charlie demanded.

  Tray’s lips curled briefly, and he winked at me before his features fell behind a cool mask. “What the fuck was what?” he asked, glancing at my tormentors. “The mouse got away. We’ll chase her again soon.”

  “Because you used my torso as a fucking springboard,” Charlie snapped, pulling himself out of the water.

  And sure enough, he had a red mark forming on his abdomen.

  That’s interesting. I was almost jealous.

  “My bad, man,” Tray said, releasing the wall. “I was eager to play with my new toy.”

  My stomach churned. I am not a fucking toy.

  “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to swim some laps. We’ll catch up after.” He released the wall and floated off on his back. After a few flutter kicks, he turned onto his stomach and took off toward the other end with long, strong strokes.

  No wonder he’d caught me.

  The dude was a freaking fish.

  “This isn’t over, Cindersoot,” Charlie hissed, drawing my attention back to him.

  “It never is,” I muttered, forcing myself to stand on shaky legs. “But I’ve had enough for today.”

  With that weak retort, I headed to the one place they couldn’t follow me—the girls’ locker room.

  Chapter Four

  Tray

  My blood boiled, magic flaring at my fingertips. It took physical restraint not to lash out at Charlie and his buddy Dash. Drowning them would have been too easy.

  Also, I couldn’t. They deserved to suffer for their crimes against Isabella. And she needed to be the one to make them pay for their years of torment.

  However, the two females leaning up against my car now would serve as the grand finale.

  Ryan and Carmen Cinder, the queen bees of Darlington Academy.

  Short skirts, loosely buttoned blouses, and lips painted a shade of fuck-me red. They were the definition of trying too hard. Very unlike their gorgeous stepsister, who didn’t need a smear of makeup to enh
ance her naturally beautiful features.

  I hit the button to unlock my car, opened the passenger door, and tossed my bag inside. Ryan and Carmen remained against the driver’s side, their matching brown eyes glimmering as I approached.

  “Ladies,” I greeted, forcing a smile. “Are you looking for a ride?” I’d prefer to drive them straight to hell, where they belonged, but that wasn’t part of the game. If Isabella chose to send these bitches to a cruel fate, then so be it. For now, however, I had to play my part.

  “We hear you’re interested in our stepsister,” Carmen said, her finger twirling a platinum blonde strand.

  “Yeah?” I propped my hip against my car and slowly checked her out.

  Plump breasts, tiny waist, long legs.

  I could see the appeal to the human male population, but beneath her porcelain skin lived a witch with evil claws.

  “Who’s your stepsister?” I asked, pretending I didn’t know anything about the infamous Cinder sisters. “Does she look anything like you?” That would be a straight no. Isabella’s hair was a natural blonde shade, her body slender and lean but curved in all the right places, and she had a face I could study forever without growing bored.

  It was why Dash and Charlie were obsessed with her. Oh, they used her sisters’ penchant for bullying Isabella as an excuse for their actions, but both men wanted to fuck her. I could see it in their eyes today when she stepped onto the deck in that formfitting swimsuit. They bullied her because it gave them a reason to touch her.

  Hence, my interference.

  Which hadn’t won me many points, but hell if I was going to sit there and watch them torment her.

  Carmen giggled while Ryan laughed, drawing me back to this stupid exercise.

  “Me? Look like Isabella?” Carmen sounded offended, which caused my lips to twitch. Because yeah, there was definitely no resemblance between the two. And Ryan wasn’t any better with her fake nose and bleached white teeth.

  Both these chicks were like an advertisement for airbrushing gone wrong.

  “Trust me, only rodents resemble our wretched stepsister,” Ryan put in, stepping toward me and running a blood-red nail down my chest. “But we’re curious why you’re interested in her.”

  “Yes, rumor has it you had some fun with her in the pool,” Carmen added, also invading my personal space to grasp my arm.

  Very forward.

  Confident.

  And clearly in the mood for control.

  But these two had no idea whom they were propositioning.

  I grabbed Ryan’s hip and yanked her closer, loving the way she gasped at my abruptness. Try to manipulate me, I thought. I dare you.

  “My interest is my business,” I told her instead, catching her gaze and holding it. “But you’ve piqued mine, sweetheart. Shall I have some fun with you instead?”

  Because lighting you on fire would be incredibly entertaining, I added, amused with the image that stirred in my head.

  Her palm flattened against my chest, her body pressing into mine in a practiced way that bespoke of sexual experience.

  Yet it did nothing for me. If anything, it took physical effort not to outwardly cringe.

  “Mmm, I think I would enjoy that,” she murmured, her lips falling to my ear. “However, I’ll need proof that you’re up to the task.”

  Carmen leaned into my opposite side, her fingers running through my hair. “Oh, I think he is, Ry,” she said conversationally. “In fact, I think this could be a lot of fun.”

  “Are you suggesting a test, sis?” Ryan cooed.

  “I am.” She batted her eyes at me, moving even closer. “A challenging one.”

  Ah, this was too easy. Only here a day and they were falling into my trap without any pushing on my part. Brilliant. “I’m listening,” I murmured, tightening my grip on Ryan’s hip. She was clearly the ringleader, so I focused on her. “What did you have in mind, sweets?”

  “Poor Ella hasn’t had a date to a dance in so long. I think you should ask her.” She walked her red claws up and down my shirt, making me want to burn the offending digits with a sweep of power.

  Fortunately, her words were music to my ears.

  “You want me to take another woman—this Ella—to a dance?” I reiterated.

  She nodded. “But not just that. I want you to humiliate her.”

  I frowned. “Why?”

  Her shoulder lifted. “Because she’s a conceited little tramp who thinks she’s better than the rest of us.”

  “And no one has gotten her to a dance since freshman year,” Carmen added.

  “Still not seeing a benefit to this,” I drawled, leaning in to draw my nose across Ryan’s cheek. “You seem more my speed. How about I take you instead?”

  Her laugh was one of those fake tinkling noises that made most men cringe. So over the top, just like the rest of her.

  “Well, if you do your job right, you’ll get both of us as a prize,” Ryan taunted, glancing conspiratorially at her sister before narrowing her dull gaze at me. “But only if you make her cry, new guy. Like, embarrass her well and truly. We’re talking full breakdown.”

  My eyebrows lifted. “And I get the two of you as a reward after?” Did men actually fall for this bullshit?

  Oh, right. I’d met two idiots who did earlier.

  Apparently, the whole twin-sister fetish in this realm really fucked with human morals.

  Ryan nodded. “You get us both for as long as you want.”

  “However you want,” Carmen said, taking on her role of seductive sidekick and pressing her ample breasts into my arm.

  “That’s an intriguing proposition, ladies,” I admitted. But not for the reasons you assume.

  Having them both in any position I wanted would be a dream come true. Because I’d tie them to a stake and burn them alive.

  Man, how did Isabella live with these cunts?

  “So what do you say, hotshot?” Ryan asked, her voice taking on a husky tone before brushing her lips over my jaw.

  I say I need a shower, love, I thought, fighting off a gag and instead forcing my lips to curl. “It’s going to take more than a dance to humiliate her to the point of a breakdown,” I said, needing an excuse to have as much access to Isabella as possible. “We’re talking months for what you’re looking for, which means I’ll be requiring more than one night between the two of you.”

  Intrigue flashed in Ryan’s features. “It sounds like you have some experience in breaking a woman.”

  Now I really did smile, my hand sliding to the small of her back to splay against her spine. “You have no idea, sweetheart,” I drawled against her ear and pulled back. “If you want my services, you’re going to have to pay. Significantly.”

  The girls shared a look, devious energy practically breeding between them.

  I had them right where I wanted them.

  Not only would they provide me with every excuse to get closer to Isabella, but they would also thank me for it.

  For every moment up until they learned the truth.

  And their stepsister destroyed them.

  Fucking beautiful. I couldn’t wait.

  “All right,” Ryan murmured. “Convince Ella to attend Homecoming with you this weekend. Do that, and we’ll know you’re serious. Then we can talk about a price.”

  “Homecoming,” I repeated, pretending to think it over.

  Clearly, Isabella hadn’t said a word to anyone about my proposition this morning. Not that I was surprised. She had no intention of joining me. But I’d change her mind soon enough.

  “We’ll give you a taste of what’s to come Saturday night,” Ryan added in an attempt to sweeten the deal. “Consider it a test both ways. We’ll see if you’re as good as you seem to think you are, and we’ll prove we’re better than you could ever dream.”

  I smirked. “I think you have that backward, dove.” I tapped her on her nose. “Because I’m far better than you could ever dream.”

  “Then prove it,” sh
e taunted. “Take Ella to Homecoming.”

  “If I do, the game begins,” I warned. “And I have to pretend to be hers, or there’ll be no future play.”

  Respect gleamed in Ryan’s irises. “Understood. We’ll be discreet.”

  I nodded. “Then you have yourself a test play, sweets.” My palm went to her hip again, squeezing. “Now tell me your names.”

  They both giggled, shaking their heads. “As if you don’t know,” Ryan said.

  “I don’t.” A total lie, but I enjoyed seeing some of the light dim from their eyes.

  “Really?” Carmen sounded shocked.

  “First day, new guy, remember?” I released Ryan. “I don’t even know who this Ella is yet.”

  “The girl you dunked in swim class,” Carmen replied, her brow furrowing.

  “Cinder?” I asked, snorting. “I thought this was supposed to be a challenge?”

  Ryan laughed outright, shaking her head. “Oh, new guy, you have no idea. And I’m Ryan. This is Carmen. You’ll know all about us by the end of the week, assuming you don’t skip all your classes.”

  I feigned amusement. “You heard about my day, did you?” I folded my arms to afford me some breathing room because their perfume was starting to give me a headache. Neither chick received the message.

  “We hear everything at this school,” Ryan said, her statement resembling a threat. “We own this school.”

  “Fascinating.” And unfortunately true, from what I’d observed. “Well, it was lovely meeting you both, but I have a plot to conceive and only three days to make it happen. Unless you want to give me a taste of our deal now?”

  Carmen seemed on board with the idea.

  Ryan merely smiled. “Not a chance, new guy. Prove yourself first, then we’ll talk.”

  I returned her amusement. “I’ll more than prove myself.” With a wink, I pulled open the door to my car, successfully dislodging them along the way. “I look forward to our future together, ladies. I think it’ll be pleasurable indeed.” Particularly when I awaken Isabella’s powers and watch her fry you both alive.