by S R Watson
“This is really good,” I comment, honestly. “The juice too.”
“Mhmm. I got the ice here. Otherwise, they fill your drink up with ice rather than actual juice. It’s freshly squeezed.”
“It is good,” Elysian agrees with a mouth full. He decides to take a seat next to me, and I don’t miss Loren’s subtle eyebrow raise.
She’s the one that is finding all these reasons to be around him. That has to mean she likes him, right? I’m sure we will have lots to discuss once he leaves.
Chapter Ten
Elysian
Genesis stretches out on her bed, her already tiny shorts rising to expose more skin. I try to forget the visual of her standing in only a towel, a flash of her pale pink nipple taunting me. I did turn away as the towel began to slip but not fast enough. My cock twitches slightly at the recall. She’s off-limits. We’re connected, which means we’re partners in this quest to find our purpose. Any involvement that may arise with a woman would be temporary—a sexual endeavor. My hope is still with someone else, even if I give in to the urge of my physical needs. I can’t blur the lines with her … She deserves better.
“What do you have planned for today?” I ask nonchalantly. Loren has found an excuse to leave. That coupled with her enthusiasm for me join them for breakfast are a good indication that she’s trying to play matchmaker.
“Read. Nap. Maybe read some more,” Genesis ponders.
“That sounds boring,” I tease. “We’re about to be inundated with a hectic course load as well as our studies from our main universities. Is that the only thing you can think of, knowing this may be the last of our free time?”
I have since moved to sit on Loren’s bed. Our proximity wasn’t doing my hardening cock any favors. It couldn’t care less about our connection or what she deserves. She sits up to pull her ginger red locks into a ponytail, a move so simple yet so sexy.
“What do you propose I do then?” she asks, arching a single brow at me.
“Spend the day with me,” I suggest. “I found a creek along the edge of the campus that’s still inside the allowed perimeter. We can take a picnic, soak up some rays, go for a swim, and just spend the day getting to know each other. We may even discover how we’re connected.”
“You mean we can see if we have any commonalities that may link us … like family, etcetera.”
“Exactly.”
If I’m being honest, I find myself wanting to spend time with her, but exploring our history can be beneficial too.
“I guess it couldn’t hurt. I can always read and nap tomorrow,” she admits. “Let me just change into my swimsuit underneath this. Do you need to go back to your room and change too?”
“Yeah. I have a few things I need to do first, so I’ll meet you back here in an hour. Give me your number and I’ll text you once I’m outside.”
She calls out each digit, and I enter them into my phone. I snap a quick pic to add to her contact, but she catches me.
“Ugh. Why would you take a pic now when I look like crap?”
She adjusts her ponytail, and I snap another pic. Now I’m just fucking with her. She could never look like crap. She’s freaking gorgeous. Her glacial clear eyes pin me to the spot.
“I took a second one just in case,” I joke. She answers by turning her phone toward me to take a pic. I wink, and she rolls her eyes. “I better get going to get changed.” I wink again.
Normally, my winks melt panties, so I find it hilariously interesting that it annoys the hell out of her. Maintaining a platonic relationship is going to take the will of a god, and I’m only half.
I pull up outside Genesis’s building on my motorcycle and text her to come out. She appears before I even hit send, her jaw slack with awe. I school my features as she comes down the sidewalk in the sexiest fuck me denim shorts that I’ve ever seen. The roundness of her ass hugs the fabric like a second skin. This girl is stacked, and my dick greatly appreciates the curves. She’s off-limits. She’s off-limits. I repeat this mantra as she gets closer, thankful that my shades hide what my eyes may give away. Lust.
“Am I supposed to get on that?” She looks at it incredulously.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. You’re in expert hands.” I pass her a helmet and a backpack before leaning the bike slightly to the side for her to get on.
“Mhmm. I hope being a supernatural also means we have extra lives. Still, try not to kill us.”
She dons the helmet and backpack before sliding in behind me. Her petite frame snuggles against mine as she secures her arms around my waist. My dick stirs yet again. A fresh ocean scent with hints of floral permeates the air around me.
“I got us, baby. Don’t you worry.”
I feel her stiffen behind me at the endearment. I don’t know why I just called her baby since it’s normally a term I reserve for my ex. I have to admit her reaction pleases me, though. Maybe I get under skin just like she gets under mine. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to explore that too. Harmless flirtation.
“Are you fucking with me?” she asks after a beat of silence.
“I don’t know. Would you like me to … fuck with you, I mean?” Now that’s how you serve up an innuendo. Hard, fast, and unexpected. I rev the engine to drown out the snark that I’m sure is to follow and pull away with a grin of accomplishment. She makes my cock desperate with need, so why shouldn’t I have a little fun?
“No thank you, stud. Save it for Madison. I’m sure she’d love to introduce you to her vagina,” she admonishes over the hum of the engine.
“Careful, love. Your jealousy is showing.”
“You wish.”
The rest of the short ride is quiet. I know I’ve struck a nerve. Can I be right? Was she jealous of me hanging out with Madison? I definitely plan on finding out.
When we arrive at the creek, I cut the engine and lean the bike once again so she can get off first. “The water looks so inviting,” she notes, already walking toward the creek.
By the time I park the bike, she’s already removing her shorts and tank. Holy fuck me. Her heart-shaped ass warrants a touch, but I can’t. Her body is even more tempting than I could have imagined or yet tried not to imagine. She wastes no time getting into the water. I use this time to remove the blanket and lunch I packed within the backpack. Once I have everything laid out, I decide to join her. I remove my clothes down to my board shorts and jump in.
“So aren’t you glad you got out of that stuffy room?” I tease, treading water in front of her.
“I can admit I needed this. Even though I think you like fucking with me. I fuck back, you know.”
“Do you now?” I chuckle at her audacity of a late comeback. She is in the minor leagues against my ability to deliver an innuendo. Nice try, though. “Reverse cowgirl, I hope.” I add a wink for good measure.
“You’re insufferable,” she accuses. “Did you invite me out just to play with me?” She splashes me in the face with water and tries to run. In water of all things.
I grab her and pull her to me in one swift move. Her hand presses against my rock-hard abs … a few inches south, and she’d find that my stomach isn’t the only thing hard. She breathes out in a pant as my hands inch down her waist.
“What was that? You fuck back? I fuck harder.” I pull her closer until her stomach is against my cock—to show her how much I’m playing.
“Okay, you win,” she recuses, pushing away from me. My hard-on is unmistakable. I watch as all the color drain from her gorgeous face. I definitely get under her skin. I make her nervous. I make her want things she knows she shouldn’t. But above all else, I bet I make her sweet pussy wet.
I follow her out of the water. She picks up one of the towels I pulled from the backpack and begins to dry off. I pick up the other one and dry myself too. She’s still flushed.
“Oh, my goodness. How did you find this spot? Not many know it’s here.” Madison says, appearing from nowhere. “I hope I’m not intruding. This is my favorite place to relax
on the weekend.”
“Oh, not at all,” Genesis speaks up, giving me a look that it’s definitely an intrusion.
“I see you two have a picnic set up. Are you sure?”
“Join us. We’re just taking some time to unwind before our hectic schedule starts on Monday,” I encourage. If Genesis wants to act like her arrival is welcome, then who am I to say different?
Madison takes a seat on the blanket closest to me and begins to look through the food containers. “That’s a good idea. Balancing your studies here with your other university classes is going be rough.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Genesis has yet to utter another word. She finds a spot on the blanket and schools her features to look unbothered.
“So, in fun news, I got busted by the headmaster for throwing that party without permission. Having alcohol involved just added fuel to the fire,” Madison informs.
“How did he find out?”
“I don’t know.” She looks over at Genesis. “It’s hard to believe that one of the attendees would rat me out. My punishment affects them too.”
“What do you mean?”
“There is a ban on all parties for the next few weeks,” she continues. “So nobody is allowed to throw a party. That and I have to do community service type work for the headmaster next week,” she huffs.
“I’m so sorry,” I reply, genuinely.
“Meh. It is what it is. Did you get this food from Canyon’s?” she asks, changing the subject.
“Yes. I got it for Genesis. She’s a vegetarian.” This piques her interest. “It’s their yellow curry bowl.”
“What’s in it?” she asks as she take the container from me.
“Yellow curry chickpeas, potatoes, carrots, and red cabbage.”
“It smells heavenly,” she admits, taking her first bite. “And it’s absolutely delicious. Thank you for this,” Genesis says.
“This is all really sweet of you, Elysian. You’re a good friend,” Madison adds.
I don’t miss her emphasis on the word friend. Neither does Genesis if that wrinkle in her brow is any indication.
“We’re the two newbies. We have zero knowledge on how all of this work amongst you that have transitioned into your advanced studies. She and I have to stick together and support each other through this journey.”
“You don’t have to feel like it’s just you two against the world. We all had to start somewhere, but our abilities are only a small piece of who we are. Besides … you have me. I told you that I’ll help you navigate through this.”
“And I appreciate that,” I assure.
“I like these little containers,” she mentions, changing the subject again.
“Yeah. My stuff finally arrived. I packed the food I bought from Canyon’s in them to prevent spillage on the ride here.”
“I noticed your bike when I came up. Sweet ride,” she compliments.
“Thank you. I’m glad she finally made it here.”
“Your bike is a she?”
I nod. “Shelby is my ride or die. She’s named after my ex.”
“You must really love her,” Genesis says. For Madison’s benefit, I’m sure.
“Yeah. She’s my first love. Not sure if things are final, but it’s not up to me.”
“You should go out with us tonight,” Madison says suddenly. Changing the subject once again. I’m learning that’s her go-to when she gets uncomfortable with a topic.
“Who is us, and I thought there was a ban on parties?” I question as I finally eat some of the food.
“There is a ban,” she reiterates. “I never said the party was on campus.”
“Oh, Genesis and I haven’t earned off-campus privileges yet. The headmaster mentioned it, but I don’t know how it all works other than we wouldn’t be able to find our way back here without permission.”
She laughs. “Of course they’re going to tell the newbies that. We know better. We know all the loopholes that they’ve yet to discover.”
“Okay. Let’s hear it.” I ignore the obvious disapproval etched in Genesis’s face. She has a poor poker face.
“How do I know that the two of you won’t snitch? If I share, then you have to come so that you’re both just as accountable.”
“Elysian, you remember what Mr. Blakey said. We only get that one pass,” Genesis warn.
“If the party police don’t agree, then I’m not sharing our intel. She’s probably the one who got me busted,” Madison accuses, her eyes narrowing at Genesis.
“What if we accidentally use our powers and it sends off another beacon? What if we hurt someone? There’s a reason they insist we stay here and not leave the campus until we can control our abilities,” Genesis argues.
“Ummm. I said there was a loophole.” Madison all but rolls her eyes.
“You guys do what you want. I’ll leave, so I don’t have to hear your big secret. You don’t have to worry about me saying a word.”
Genesis gets up and snatches her clothes off the blanket. She storms off in a huff but doesn’t get far with my super speed. “Don’t leave. Let’s hear what she has to say. If there is a way for us to leave campus safely, I’d love to get in contact with my buddy and my parents. I know you’d love to get in touch with your family and friends too.”
I see her wavering. “I don’t have a good feeling about this but seeing my family would be nice. I just don’t trust her.”
“You don’t have to. Trust me. We’re connected, meaning I will always look out for you.”
“Ugh. Fine, but if we get kicked out, we’re in this together. And I’m telling you now … I’m not keeping this from Loren.”
“Oh, you won’t have to. Loren is going. She’s the main one who helped discover the loophole.” She laughs.
“Whatever. What’s the big loophole? I’m in,” Genesis acquiesces.
“In our Elite circle, we have friends that are witches. Advanced witches. You give them a piece of inconspicuous jewelry, and they create a reverse locator spell with it. While worn, you will be able to find your way back here to the academy. It also binds your power to the jewelry so you don’t accidentally use your powers while worn. Now here is the hard part—”
“That wasn’t the hard part?” I interrupt.
“It was. But here is where things get tricky,” Madison explains. “We need either Professor Winters, Professor Guenther, or Mr. Blakely to let down the veil. Without this step, we can’t see the perimeter we need to cross to reach the outside of the academy. We can’t simply mass exodus out the front gate.”
“But why would they let down the veil, and where do we exit?” Genesis asks.
“A gate actually surrounds the whole campus. We’re currently in the back of the academy. There is one other exit besides out the front gate, and that’s across the creek from where we are now.”
“I don’t see a gate,” Genesis challenges.
“That’s because it’s veiled from within the perimeter. The gates that you can actually see with the exception of the front gate are an illusion. The actual barrier is far beyond that. Now the why part. Ancillary staff don’t all reside here. You have to be a supernatural being to work here, but for many, this is a job to sustain their livelihood. They have a family that they go home to. The two professors named and the headmaster are the only three that can grant exit and entrance. They don’t all stay here either. They rotate so that at least one of them remains on campus at all times. Whoever remains behind, grants the in and out for these workers. To do that, they must let the veil down at scheduled times because the workers aren’t allowed to have unlimited access to the academy.”
“Ah, so like the cooks, housekeeping, and other faculty members?” I question.
“To name a few. There are groundskeepers, restaurant owners, and so many other people that I can’t name all the jobs. The point is, we must leave and return on a set schedule. No exceptions. We must be out of our dorms no later than nine thirty p.m. before the r
esident monitor does rounds at ten p.m. They won’t check the individual rooms. They just make sure the opposite sex isn’t seen or heard inside a dorm room during their walk-through. They make rounds every thirty minutes starting at ten. We have to meet here before ten p.m. At that time, the veil comes down for exactly five minutes to allow the workers to exit. This is when we are actually able to see the gate in order to leave.”
“So every worker here gets off at ten p.m.?” That’s kind of weird.
“Of course not, but since most staff are on a rotating schedule, we’re not privy to every single time the veil is let down. Ten p.m. is the last time, though— the time that all workers must exit if they plan to leave the campus for the night. Since that is the one constant, we use that as our go time. The other constant is five a.m. It’s the first time the veil is let down for the workers to come back to work.”
“So we all leave at ten p.m., but we have to stay out until five a.m. when the unveiling happens?”
“You got it. Only six of us are privy to this info and making the trip. With you two, it makes eight.”
“Yeah, the more people that know, the greater chance that the secret gets out. You don’t have to worry about us saying anything.”
“What he said,” Genesis adds.
“Okay. Great. So to make sure you two can make the outing tonight, I need you to bring me a piece of jewelry. Nothing flashy or that will draw attention. Melissa and Haley will cast the reverse locator spell and bind your powers to the jewelry.”
“Do you guys do this every weekend?” Genesis asks.
“Usually on Saturdays when less staff are here to begin with, but it’s definitely a planned outing. We decide as a group at the beginning of each week. At least half of our small group must agree, or we abort for that weekend. No solo trips. You will be on the outside without your powers since it’s also bound by the jewelry with the reverse locator spell and this academy. We leave as a group and return as group. If you decide to do something on your own once we’re on the outside, that’s fine. We just need a way to stay in contact in case we run into trouble.”