The smiling twin beamed his perfect smile at the bystanders and bent into a performer’s bow, his dimples taking center stage. Crowds of girls exploded with cheers and applause, an animated standing ovation to the golden-haired crusader.
The scar faced twin took one look in their direction and the girls went silent, their gazes falling to the ground.
Guessed they weren’t fans, and ghee and I wondered why?
The twins made their way to the entrance of the orientation hall when the smiling twin stopped. He was looking right over here. Wait. Was he looking at me?
I swallowed hard as nerves took me over. Oh, no. My heart pounded out of my chest as his blue eyes flared open with what seemed like intrigue. He stopped dead in his tracks, prompting his brother to turn and look at me as well. No, not the flame thrower too.
My cheeks heated under the power of their double scrutiny and I lowered my eyes, focusing on the floor, before darting back up at them, drawn helplessly to their hypnotic gazes.
Flame thrower’s brows relaxed, his expression softening as his eyes trailed all over my body. Was that possession in his eyes?
The smiling twin wasn’t smiling anymore. He just stared at me with an intense focus, studying my body from my red-hot cheeks to my embarrassingly naked legs.
I grabbed the hem of my skirt, willing it longer, tugging it down. Curse the stars! Couldn’t this damn fabric stretch even an inch or two?
The friendly twin began walking toward me and everyone in the line gasped. He was only three feet away when the most amazing scent in life hit me square in the nose. Oh, man! He smelled like roses and honey. His aroma stunned my body, my eyes blowing wide like a deer in headlights, and my mouth flooded like a swamp.
He was only a precious few feet away when his brother grabbed him by the arm and yanked him back, impatience marring his face.
I gave a deep sigh as my handsome king went tumbling toward the hall, forced away by his evil twin brother. They disappeared through the hall’s side entrance at the front of the line.
Everyone around was now leering at me for some reason. Had I done something wrong?
“Not good, love. Seems one of the Flamenado kings is interested in you,” the British girl said. “It might make your choice more difficult.”
“What choice?” I asked, turning to face her. God, I was tired of Academy 101.
“What did you think this line was for?” She asked incredulously. “Inside the hall the Four kings wait. Two Flamenado, two Floodquake. Every year, new students must choose a monarch to serve. These are the rules. Everyone knows this, love. Even the first years.”
No way, Nuh-uh. I did not sign up for any king drama. I came to study, not get dragged into the battle of the psychos.
“Sorry but, what was your name again?” I asked.
“It’s Cassandra but you can call me Cas,” she said with a smile.
“Okay, Cas. It’s nice to meet you, but I’m not here for this. I think I’ll just skip this orientation stuff and head on up to my room, okay?” I said stepping out of the line. I waved her goodbye and marched my way back across the garden.
For some reason I started breathing heavily as if I were running a marathon. Why was I sweating so much and did my legs always feel this way?
The first few steps were cake but by the fourth, it felt like I’d gained a hundred pounds. By the ninth, I was on the floor crawling, my bra filling with grass. What in the hundred hells?
“It’s magic, Love! Get back in the line!” Cas screeched, panic bursting in her voice. Thud. Thud. Thud. Several feet beat the ground, tearing toward me.
Crap! It’s the same gang of bullies who’d kicked ditch guy.
The kings were gone and chaos was back to party, and I was its next target. I started crawling back toward the line but… heavy. I was so heavy! My knees buckled under my weight.
Wands raised, the bullies sped up, grinning at me fiendishly.
With each desperate lunge, I got a bit closer to Cas, each inch making me feel lighter and moving faster. I jumped back into the line and finger nails scraped over the back of my neck. My skin crawled at the nasty sensation and I spun around to face them. Five guys, tall and mean.
They scowled at me, with a few of them rolling their eyes, and they walked away dragging their feet and kicking rocks. They’d planned to beat the crap out of me.
My heart raced, my head spinning. Cas’s hand rested on my shoulder and I jumped.
“Relax love, you’re safe now. They can’t touch you till you’ve chosen. And they’re Flamenados, so if you choose their faction, they’ll be your friends by tomorrow.”
“I don’t want friends like that!” I said between clenched teeth, my muscles tensing as I slowed my heavy breathing. “And I don’t want anything to do with factions or fighting, either.”
Her eyes dulled and her tone flattened as she said, “I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news, love. But once you’re here, you have to choose. There’s only one place for you now and that’s in the hall...”
CHAPTER SIX
Aria
The line to the hottest part of hell no longer stretched on forever. Soon it would be my turn to enter the hall, to face my fate.
The big semicircular opening to the side wall had no door, probably for the best. I wanted to see what I was up against. If the girl at the front of the line was any indication, I wasn’t about to walk into another room filled with fluffy rainbow pillows and cute couches.
She stood there at the door, her thin little body trembling. She had blonde hair swept up into a neat bun, and her uniform molded to her curves in a way more flattering way than mine. Just look at her. Perfect body and perfect make-up, light and clean. Except for the sweat beading up and sliding off her cheeks. She even held her hands gracefully to her sides.
How could a girl that elegant and pretty be so terrified? Her eyes were practically glued to the floor, blinking rapidly like Morse code.
A loud male voice inside called, “Next!” She jumped, her head popping up and, taking a hard swallow, she crept in the hall.
There was deathly silence as I marched forward. Stretching my neck toward the entrance, I could almost… almost… Yes! So that’s what it looks like in there.
From its size I’d figured there’d be several floors, but nope. It was just one big dome with mile high ceilings. Frosty mists spewed from a/c vents that lined the ceiling. Human tech, huh? No cooling charms?
Beautiful flowers of different colors and shapes grew along every wall and ceiling, cascading downward like rainbow drapes. Strange, so many flowers but no dirt or water. So unnatural. Nothing in this room was natural.
Students filled the hall to the brim, lined up like robots, only separated by armband color. Blue or Red, both sides were cruel. Both sides hurt people.
I won’t join either of them, I just can’t.
The line slugged forward and more came into view. At the head of the hall was a massive stage with golden curtains pulled back on either side.
I couldn’t stop blinking. This couldn’t be real, could it? Four grandiose thrones, big and dazzling, decorated the stage.
The first, made of mighty oak, was engulfed in a blanket of red ferocious flames. I sighed, my shoulders falling. Of course, that’d have to be flamethrower’s seat. The jerk.
I scowled, folding my arms. He deserved to burn for almost killing broom guy. But look at him, sitting all relaxed doused in flames. I bet he didn’t even feel it. He was slumped over, chin in hand, his eyes heavy, barely even registering whatever bun girl was saying.
No, I didn’t want to look at him anymore. Not with dimples sitting right next to him. His smile was bright, and just look at those luscious lips of his.
His throne was made of the purest crystal, and it shone brighter than the pathetic lights in here should have allowed. How could it not with him on it? Encased Inside the hollowed out crystal were green leaves that danced and twirled, carried by celestial winds. A fitting tri
bute to a kind and deserving king.
He gazed down at bun girl with a sort of absent-minded grin, like he was looking right through her.
On the other end were two more thrones. One was made of what looked like a shining silvery stone and the other to be made of some form of blue solid ice.
My heart stopped, my mind going a mile a minute. Who in the hundred hells were they? This had to be a battle of the mega hot twin kings because I was seeing double.
They had sleek midnight black hair and powerful jaw lines with squared chins, hard and masculine, everything about them raw and savage. From their deep-set silver eyes and thick, wild eyebrows straight through to their broad shouldered, towering bodies.
And those muscles. Damn, those muscles. They were hard enough to stump Einstein. I drooled just looking at them. They had to be the kings of the other faction. What was it? Floodquakes?
The one on the ice throne held a book to his face, his expression cold and uninterested in anything but the pages in front of him. His black hair was jelled back neatly, so controlled. Nothing like the ferocious way he tore through those pages.
Curse the stars! Handsome and smart too? A deadly combo. Couldn’t he just put the damn book down and read me instead?
Stealing my attention, a sharp sensation exploded in my chest. Was the earth shaking? My head darted in every direction and no one even looked up.
If the earth was moving, then it was vibrating to a frequency that only I could feel. I was being watched; I could feel it from the tips of my fingers to the depths of my void. But by who?
My eyes scanned the area and my jaw dropped. It was the one on the Stone throne. He leaned forward, his eyes hitting me like an electric dart. As our eyes met, the entire world went quiet, silenced by some unknown force. His stony expression softened slightly as the side of his lip lifted in a slight smile.
His jet-black hair was balled up into a big old man bun with a few loose strands dangling effortlessly down the sides. His beard and mustache combo was neat and perfectly angled to show off his strikingly masculine features.
Man, those silvery eyes of his gave me chills. The sheer power of that gaze of his was so magnetic, so strong, it could heave the very soul from your bones.
My legs trembled and I couldn’t stop them. I didn’t want to. The shivers running down my spine were too intense. Too good. His cold, determined eyes roamed every inch of my body, circling my chest and legs. He broke his steely expression with a raised brow and his lips curled up into a wicked grin.
My cheeks reddened. Was that grin for me?
Breaking my gaze on the hot bun dude, a force crashed into my backpack, thrusting me forward. I stumbled a few steps, my face nearly diving into the girl in front of me.
“Hey!” I said.
“So sorry love, the A-hole behind pushed me first,” she said with furrowed brows, giving the guy behind the finger. There was now a big empty space in front of me and I made my way to second place in line.
My heart raced. What’ll happen when I go in there? All this time I’d been busy ogling when I should have been thinking. I patted my cheeks.
Okay, Aria, what faction will you choose? I thought, but images of the mega hot guy I’d just been eying kept invading my mind. Silver eyes, glorious sex god, so damn sexy… No! Aria you need to focus!
“Next!” A voice called out and my blood ran cold.
Crap, I’m next in line! Ahead of me was a girl with shining black hair that cascaded down to the back of her curvy thighs. How absolutely adorable. She couldn’t have been more than about 5’1 with a skirt so short it was a miracle you couldn’t see her underwear.
She turned and my shoulders sank. Her face was cute as a button too? I sighed.
Was every girl at this school a supermodel except for me? This girl looked like a human-sized version of Glendalla or Rini. All she lacked was the fairy wings.
She had thick black eyelashes that stretched on to infinity, balcony high cheekbones, full pink lips, and perfect make-up.
Her head held high, lashes batting confidently, there wasn’t a single drop of sweat on her. She looked more like she was at the spa than about to be thrown to the lions.
Did she know something the rest of us didn’t?
Swinging her hips, hand on her waist, she strutted through the entrance like she owned the place. She beamed at the blond twins as she walked, amusement in her pretty hazel eyes.
She was supposed to be choosing a faction, right? Something weird was going on here. Instead of smiling back at her, dimples jerked his head back and his eyes flew open in surprise. While Flamethrower’s bored expression soured to a deep frown. He slumped in his seat, folding his arms in annoyance.
I glanced over at silver eyes. All life had drained from his eyes and his face turned to a steely, emotionless default as he leered down at fairy girl. At least he was paying attention. His brother next to him hadn’t even looked up from his book, still turning away at those stupid pages. Didn’t they care what faction she chose?
I was next and totally about to have a heart attack here. Couldn’t he at least show a little more interest in all this?
“What’s all of this about?” Dimples whispered to fairy girl, his eyes roaming the room as if searching for someone as he rubbed the back of his neck, nervously.
His eyes explored the room, then over to the line, landing on… me? His brows rose as if he’d found what he was looking for. Wait, was he actually looking for me?
Okay, Aria, there’s a limit to wishful thinking.
“Rebecca, darling,” Dimples said, gritting his teeth. “You’re in second year. You shouldn’t be here.”
She flicked her hair and smiled at him sweetly, pushing her full chest up to him and batting her lashes, like a seductress with an agenda.
“I’ve come to reaffirm my allegiance to King Bane and the gloriously handsome King Luca of Flamenado,” she announced, and turned to face the entire rest of the hall.
“With my body and brilliance, I pledge to bring continued glory and victories to the great and mighty faction that is ours.”
The Flamenado half of the room exploded in a flurry of cheers and the pounding of feet stomping filled the air.
Somehow, Dimples and Flamethrower didn’t seem quite as impressed. Dimples took her in with furrowed brows and his brother straight up stared daggers at her. Flamethrower’s hands tightened around his throne’s armrests, like he was just itching to incinerate the girl right where she stood. Guess he didn’t much care for Dimple’s little girlfriend, not that I blamed him.
She curtsied, bowing her head to Dimples, or Luca, as she called him. Hmm, I liked that name, Luca. And Bane? Figures.
Luca gave her a half smile, his eyes darting over to me every few seconds. What was going on here? If she was his girlfriend why was he constantly looking out here, at me?
“Thank you, Rebecca. Your loyalty’s much appreciated. Now be a dear and run along to your room,” Luca said, fanning his hand at the door on the opposite end of the hall.
Bane was now fuming, almost foaming at the mouth. Whatever his deal was, clearly he didn’t like waiting.
Rebecca smiled back at Luca and curtseyed. She turned and pranced toward the exit on the opposite end of the hall, her skirt flaring up every few skips.
I should have been embarrassed for the girl. I mean, her frilly pink panties beamed like a billboard, on full display for the entire student body. So why was I so jealous?
Drool practically poured from the mouths of every male student she passed, their eyes protruding from their heads as they stretched their necks, desperate to see under her fluttering skirt. Didn’t matter what faction they were in, they’d all kill for a girl like her.
Only, the kings didn’t seem enthralled by her prancing, their eyes everywhere but on her. Understandable. She clearly only had eyes for Luca. My Luca.
Bile rose to the back of my throat, bittering my mouth. What’s so great about her? Why’d she get to have him?
My fists clenched, envisioning her arms wrapped around him, her lips kissing his.
I wanted to be held by those ripped arms. Those were my dimples. Not hers. Mine.
Wait… wait. Was I lusting after several guys all at once? This wasn’t normal, was it?
Do people just wake up one day and find themselves into four guys at once? Crap. Did I just say four? Did I also like… Bane? A cold shiver ran down my spine and my muscles tensed.
I mean, yeah, he was every bit as gorgeous as the other three kings and my stupid heart raced every time I glanced over at the bastard. But come on, dude’s a total psycho.
Gah! What’s wrong with me? Have I stooped so low? I cupped my palm over my face.
Okay, so maybe I was never in the running for sainthood, but even I was disgusted with myself right now.
Growing up in the forest there were no hunky crushes. No moonlit encounters by the water’s edge. My only boyfriend was a hunk named Fyorg from the make-believe land of Eurothaga, my one and only outlet for the hormone-induced madness they call puberty.
Thank you, mom’s old book collection. Still, not a single page of those romance books ever had anything like this.
Okay, it was official. Thought it’d take more than three hours, but I caught it. The Ravenwell crazies. Just count me in with the rest of these lunatics.
“Next!” Bane called out. I took a deep breath and strode through the threshold.
***
A thousand eyes trailed after me as I walked across the room toward the stage, each glare colder than the last. It was so deathly silent I could’ve heard myself breathing, if I were breathing.
Under the spotlight was so exposing. I felt naked, more than I’d ever felt bathing in the white river falls. My body’s every imperfection laid bare for these perfect strangers to see.
Couldn’t those damn Flamenado guys stop boring holes into my legs? It’s called a skirt, not an invitation to scan my body.
I stopped, dead center in front of the stage, the four kings looming high on their thrones, like perched dragons ready to strike.
Chased by Darkness: A Reverse Harem Academy Romance: (Four Kings Academy Book 1) Page 4