Corviticus University: Family Ties

by J. E. Cluney

  “I’m so sorry,” I said, feeling his despair in the void.

  “He wanted it to be me. He’d made other wendigos, but they weren’t as strong as he desired. He wanted to see just how strong a warlock turned wendigo could be. A part of me wants to travel back to that era in the spirit world and ask around, ask the spirits for the truth. Someone will know something,” he growled softly.

  I just stared at him, at his hard expression, at the way those golden brown eyes swirled with anger and a tinge of fear. He was scared of what he might find, but he wanted to know.

  “Miss Smoak, I will return here whenever you call, but I will spend most of my time in that realm. I feel more comfortable there. But I’m also bound here, and to be honest, I wonder if I have something I’m meant to do here now. Perhaps that is why your banshee claimed me and stuck me in here. Perhaps she knew I would serve a purpose one day. I hope so. I wish to make it up to you,” he said gently as he gave me a warm, promising smile.

  His teeth were pearly white and perfectly straight, and I relaxed unknowingly at his look.

  “Okay,” I nodded, not knowing what else to say. I wanted to ask more about it all, but I was still processing it. And besides, did I really want to know what the spirit world entailed?

  “Until you call upon me, Miss Smoak,” he bowed before me, then quickly dissipated into the darkness without another word.

  I just stared at the place he’d been, still accepting everything he’d just told me.

  Walter was a spirit himself, so of course he should be able to access the spirit world.

  But what was it like? Was it just like walking down the street and talking to strangers? Did the world look the same? He said he could jump back in eras. Did that mean he could go back to when he had been alive, but in a spirit world version of it? That was essentially what he’d said.

  I just shook my head.

  This was all too much for my mind.

  And to think just a week ago I’d killed the monster that had been hunting me.

  Now, he was living within my void, bound to me through my banshee side.

  I sighed, rubbing my temple.

  My brain hurt.

  I allowed myself to drift out of my void, sitting numbly in my car as I stared out my windscreen.

  You know what would be next? Goddamn dragons. Because what else could this world hurl at me that would startle me?

  I chuckled, then laughed harder at the fact that I was finding it all so ridiculous.

  I’d entered the supernatural world not knowing a damned thing, and now look at me.

  “Ugh, my life,” I sighed. I thought everything would be fine and wonderful after cementing my mating bond to the guys. That we would live out a happy life all together, pursuing our designated dreams and just being happy.

  Nope, this was going to be one hell of a rollercoaster ride the whole way.

  I just smiled at the thought.

  Guess I’d better strap in and enjoy the ride.

  Later that night, I headed downstairs, ready for my date and smiling to myself. I was going to meet Marcus out at the cruiser. He was borrowing it from Skip for the night, since he didn’t want to flit us to the restaurant. Besides, we were heading down to the Coast for our dinner, at a fancy little Indian place he’d gone to when he was still human. His favorite place.

  Despite his overwhelming desire to visit, he had wait until he could take me with him. It warmed my heart that he wanted to share another part of himself with me, a part he’d never thought he could.

  “Damn, looking fine tonight,” Skip said as he looked up from the PlayStation as I walked through the living room. Lucas was perched on the lounge with a textbook in hand, and he was giving me a devilish half smile as he took in my outfit.

  Even Ollie was eyeing me with dark eyes, having forgotten that he was versing Skip in some war game.

  “Not too much?” I asked as I twirled, loving how all their gazes fell to my arse as my dressed fanned up, revealing my bare legs and probably a little of my butt.

  “He’s going to eat you up,” Lucas said smoothly.

  ‘Or I will,’ Skip drawled into my mind.

  ‘You look amazing,’ Ollie said, but I could tell he was trying hard to keep his naughty thoughts at bay.

  They were all looking at me like they wanted to tear my gorgeous red dress off and ravish me right there, and I smiled seductively as my body reacted.

  “You best get going, Cupcake, before we stop you,” Lucas groaned, noting how Ollie and Skip’s eyes had darkened as they took on a more predatory look at the scent of my arousal.

  I chuckled, biting my lip and winking as I sent them all a very explicit mental scene of us having some naughty fun.

  I quickly darted past as Skip stood up, obviously pushed to breaking point as he groaned and reached for me, his shorts tenting already.

  Hell, I wanted to stay, to command them all to undress and take me, but I knew Marcus was waiting, and I’d been looking forward to our dinner. It had been delayed long enough.

  I snorted and laughed as I ran out the front, listening to the guys all groaning and moaning at my evilness.

  “That was mean,” Marcus snickered as I turned and spied him by the cruiser.

  My breath caught as I slowed, my eyes trailing over him in surprise.

  His jet black hair was spiked up at the front, his high cheekbones even more defined as he gave me a soft smile. His short boxed beard looked so perfect on him, with his pale skin, perfectly sculpted nose, and those frosty blue eyes.

  The briefest memory of when I’d first met him out on the verandah, what seemed like an eternity ago, flared in my mind.

  He was breathtakingly gorgeous in his black suit, having dressed up for our dinner date.

  “You look beautiful tonight,” he murmured, flitting to me and closing the gap between us.

  His cool hands ran down my bare arms, and I shivered inadvertently as he dipped his head and drew in my scent.

  My heartbeat quickened at this, and I drew in his sweet vanilla aroma.

  “I haven’t seen you in this dress before,” he murmured, pressing his lips against my neck gently.

  My heart skipped a beat, and I slid my hands up his chest, loving the feel of his silky smooth suit as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  He wrapped his arms around my waist as his lips found mine, and I moaned softly as I melted into him.

  His lips moved against mine, and I gently nudged them with my tongue, wanting to deepen the kiss. His hands tightened around me as he complied, kissing me deeply.

  His low moan sent sparks through my body, and I quivered in his arms.

  ‘We have a booking to make,’ he groaned into my mind. He wanted this to continue further, but he had indeed booked ahead for us.

  I sighed against his lips as I begrudgingly reined my desire in.

  “Nice handbag,” he noted when we pulled apart for air, glancing at the bag he’d gotten me from the festival.

  “Thanks, some random stranger got it for me,” I said with a wink, and he chuckled as he ushered me into the passenger seat, holding the door open for me.

  I knew he wanted to put a little distance between us before things got too hot and heavy, otherwise we’d never make it to dinner.

  I fought the urge to send him a suggestive mental image, knowing that would seal our fate for the night.

  We’d both dressed up for this dinner, and I wanted to make it there. We could have our fun afterwards.

  ‘Can we join?’ Skip asked.

  I bit my lip as I felt his arousal trying to flood into my mind. Little shit was trying to force me to take action now.

  I barred him from my mind, simply chuckling back at him before pushing him out.

  Maybe. We’d see how tonight went.

  Marcus climbed into the driver’s seat almost instantly when he shut my door, and I smiled dumbly at how quick he flitted around. I loved it. I loved how he’d just pop up in places whenever he wa
s mentioned.

  He smiled as he started up Skip’s beast of a vehicle, and I just stared at him. I would never get used to seeing him smile, it lit up my heart like fireworks, exciting me and making me so incredibly happy. He was finally happy, after years of being numb and lost. Ever since we’d bonded, his life had taken on a new purpose, and then he’d been given back the gift of sunlight and food, and it was something that just did it for him. Something I took for granted meant the world to him.

  “You look absolutely stunning tonight, VB,” Marcus murmured as he looked over at me.

  Those icy eyes were so full of warmth, only resembling the color of ice now, no longer filled with it.

  I blushed under his intense, loving gaze, allowing his warm, true feelings to slip inside my mind and body. He was so content in life now, finding enjoyment in the little things now that he had me.

  He was taking in my makeup, my touch of dark pink lipstick that our kiss had messed up, my careful work of liquid eyeliner and somewhat failed attempt at some sort of smokey eye.

  He thought I looked like a goddess, burning bright and full of life and passion.

  “Stop,” I giggled, squirming under his gaze.

  “I can’t,” he sighed. “You’re perfect.”

  I caught those eyes just as he leaned over and kissed me once more.

  I let him kiss me, enjoying the tender, affectionate sensations before gently pushing him away.

  “We have dinner plans, and I know we’re both excited for food,” I chuckled. He was definitely keen for the meals he’d loved all those years ago.

  “And dessert,” he teased, giving me a peck on the forehead before pulling back as he reversed the car.

  I just shook my head with a grin.

  “Well, you owe Skip for letting him borrow his car,” I said as I nestled into the seat.

  “Red will get something in return,” Marcus smirked. “He can share you with me.”

  My cheeks flushed at the thought of the two of them sharing me, and I knew Skip was still trying to peer into my mind.

  I let my walls down so he could see what was just offered, and he moaned in my mind. The thought of sharing me had become a huge turn on for them now, and I loved it.

  “Kit can join too,” Marcus said huskily, and my legs squeezed shut as my arousal set in.

  Fuck, why not just have them all then?

  “If you want,” Marcus shrugged, moving to rest his hand on my thigh as he drove down the street.

  Warmth flooded through me at the touch, and I mentally cursed.

  Marcus drew in a deep breath, his eyes darkening as he smiled at the road.

  “I can’t wait for dessert.”

  Somehow, despite the temptation, we made it to the Indian restaurant without any stops for fun.

  Which was quite the feat to be honest.

  Now we sat at the table with a glass jug of water, and he’d ordered a Fanta drink, something he used to love.

  I’d chosen some spiced, pan-seared potato dish, as I wasn’t keen on a curry, while he had ordered a few things, including naan bread and starters.

  “So, Walter is traversing the spirit world now. I swear there’s always something new with our little group,” Marcus chuckled.

  “Yeah, I know,” I agreed.

  “So, how’s your game design going?” I asked as I sipped my water. Between his classes, painting and sketching, and spending time with me, I knew he was getting somewhere with the game he and his friends were working on.

  At the mention of it, his face lit up, grateful that I took an interest in it.

  “It’s going great, we’ve settled on calling it ’Nightwood’, which is the town where all the characters start out at. We were thinking of calling it the world name, which is ‘Dorchari’, but we decided ‘Nightwood’ was more catchy. The beta testing has gone really well, so we’re actually testing out the VR stuff while we work on promotional material. The VR side has some bugs, hence the beta testing, so we’re working on that. I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting heaps busier now with artwork for all the promotion,” he said, and I could see the excitement twinkling in his eyes.

  “Weren’t you guys going to wait to be able to make the switch to VR?” I asked. That was the last thing I’d heard about it.

  “Yeah, but it’s looking like it’ll be a big hit, and the guys want to aim for a release early next year once all the bugs are fixed. Maybe even sooner,” Marcus beamed as he clasped his hands on the table.

  The sheer delight and life in him made my heart soar. That version I’d met when I’d first come here, it was merely a shell. He’d been revived now, and it made me beyond happy.

  Especially since I’d played a part in it.

  “It was all you,” he murmured as he reached for my hand on the table.

  I smiled shyly as he held my hand, his thumb making small circles on the back of it.

  “No, you decided to start loving life,” I said, giving him a soft smile.

  “Because I had a reason to, finally,” he said, flashing me his utterly drop-dead brilliant smile.

  I just stared at him, unable to get over just how happy he made me with his own joy.

  That’s all I wanted for all my guys, for them to be happy.

  I pulled my hand away as the food arrived, and Marcus offered me some of the pakoras. I accepted, and we settled into light conversation about his artwork for the game as we ate.

  I was excited for him and his friends, whom I was yet to meet. All vampires too apparently.

  I found that funny at first. Gaming vampires.

  But it made sense. They didn’t sleep much, even during the day, unlike the belief many people had. They just got trapped indoors.

  Come to think of it, Marcus had cut back on the gaming lately, spending more time with the rest of us.

  We talked about all sorts of things, and I laughed and watched with satisfaction as he easily demolished all the meals he’d ordered for himself.

  He was like a bottomless pit for food, and it didn’t have any effect on his figure.

  Lucky bastard.

  Marcus snorted at this before winking at me, and I rolled my eyes as I sipped my water again.

  He even ordered some dessert dishes, which I tried a bit of each before declaring I was done.

  Any more and I’d get too full and feel sick.

  But I laughed with him when he accidentally spilled the rice pudding down his front in his haste to eat.

  By the time we were back in the car and headed home, I was quite happy and feeling good.

  And nothing could ruin my mood.

  I drifted off at some point on the drive home, having not realized just how tired I was after the day of work and then everything else.

  I’d ended up thinking about Walter and the spirit world, as Marcus and I had spoken about it for a while before I’d closed my eyes for a few moments.

  Those few moments must have moved quickly, because now I was grumbling softly as I woke up, finding Lucas and Marcus in my room with me, Lucas magicking my clothes off to replace them with my pajamas.

  So much for dessert.

  I’d been looking forward to that.

  The pair snickered as they overheard my thoughts, and Marcus bent over to kiss my forehead as he covered me up with the blanket.

  “You need sleep,” he said softly, only the faint light from the hall illuminating him.

  “I need dick,” I groaned, following it with a devious chuckle as he snorted in shock.

  I wouldn’t lie, before I’d woken, I’d been dreaming about the four of them, all of them getting up to some kinky fun with me.

  “She’s terrible,” Lucas chuckled. “Did she drink?”

  “Just water,” Marcus murmured, but he was perched on the edge of the bed, grinning down at me with amusement.

  I pouted as I rolled onto my side, moaning softly as I ran my hand over his pants.

  He instantly hardened under my touch.

  “Cupcake,”
Lucas scolded me, and I stuck my tongue out at him before smiling sweetly.

  “I did want to have fun with everyone, remember?”

  Lucas shook his head, but his lopsided smile revealed that he certainly hadn’t forgotten my thoughts from earlier in the car, when they’d all been listening in.

  “You’re tired,” Marcus said softly, but I grumbled at him as I began massaging him through his pants.

  He couldn’t help it as he drew in a sharp breath, and Lucas chuckled as he came over and slid onto the bed.

  I reached out with my mind, finding Skip had been listening in and was already coming upstairs, while Ollie was in his room debating what to do.

  A gentle push with promises of fun was enough to have him coming in to join us too.

  “I want my promised dessert,” I sighed, my drowsiness banished, replaced by need as I dragged myself up and crawled onto Marcus’ lap. I straddled him in my pajamas, running my fingers through his hair as I kissed him sweetly.

  ‘You get horny easy,’ Lucas stated as he moved to sit on the bed cross-legged behind Marcus, watching me closely as he flicked his hand and the bedside lamp came on.

  ‘Says you, Mr gender switching housemate fucker,’ I retorted, causing him to laugh out loud.

  “Such a minx,” Lucas sighed as he lay back, watching as Marcus and I made-out on the edge of the bed.

  Skip entered the room, groaning as he came up behind me and stroked my hair.

  The touch sent shivers down my spine, and I broke the kiss with Marcus to loll my head back.

  Skip took the opening, ducking down and kissing me as Marcus began lifting my shirt up and caressing my stomach.

  A night with the four of them was much needed.

  ‘Magic me naked,’ I commanded Lucas, which resulted in a sharp laugh before the brush of air against my skin.

  “Fuck,” Skip groaned as he broke our kiss.

  “I took the liberty of making us all nakey,” Lucas said rather childishly, causing me to snicker at his choice of words.