“I do,” the older woman grated out. “I do.”
I wasn’t sure why I did it, wasn’t sure what made me think she’d even want my touch, but when I held out my hand for her, Eve shot me a surprised look and she slipped her fingers into mine.
The second she did, I felt the bolt of power that was our connection deep inside me, and I knew from her startled exhalation that she experienced it too. Only, she didn’t know what the hell had just happened between us.
I felt everyone’s eyes on us, but I wasn’t certain if they recognized what had happened or if they were waiting on Eve’s reaction to holding hands with another of her kind. It didn’t matter if Nestor or Eren figured it out, but Nicholas and Merinda would keep us apart until we were twenty-one if they realized what I just had.
Eve was my mate.
2
Eve
The warmth that unfurled inside me was like nothing I’d ever experienced. It was the exact opposite of what I’d endured when I’d walked through the gates. There, I’d been tossed around in a whirlwind inside my head. Here, I was drawn like a magnet to this boy who stared at me with eyes that were the brightest blue, and I was certain no gemstone could begin to compete.
He was beautiful. That I’d seen from the start. As were the boys with him. They couldn’t have been more different, though. Stefan was pale like me, but he had a golden tinge to his skin that came from working outside in the sun. He had a sharp jaw, a Roman nose, and lips that made me wonder what they would feel like against mine.
“Eve?”
Nicholas’s voice was easily pushed aside as I felt the mood stir to life inside me, but then I realized it wasn’t a mood, but what he had claimed to be a soul. I wondered if that was why my response to the stranger was so intense—the soul was reacting to the touch of a male of its kind for the first time in forever.
I wasn’t clueless enough to misunderstand that the souls would respond differently to women and men.
Merry’s touch hadn’t done anything other than make me flinch when she pinched too hard while she lugged me around. But the boy’s? It made me feel warm inside when, until now, I’d always been cold unless I’d experienced one of the many attacks of anxiety that surged inside me at random parts of the day.
“I’d like you to go with Stefan,” Nicholas was saying, and because I didn’t want him to realize I was too busy staring at the boys before me, I nodded along, aware from its response to them, which soul was in charge today.
In my experience, this particular one was even more dangerous than the one I’d had yesterday. The two usually tussled around inside me, fighting for power. It would have been easier if I experienced them separately, without experiencing the two back to back, but if I prayed to God for anything, it was to stop the strange things that overtook me. It wasn’t to argue about how the ‘moods’ had scheduled themselves to manifest. But I’d long since stopped praying. Nothing worked, and nothing ever would if what I was learning was correct.
Unlike the other soul, which had men leaning toward me if I so much as whispered a word, this one seemed to overtake my body, making me aware of the blood flowing through my veins, highlighting the heaviness of my breasts and the warmth in my belly. Even worse than this, however, it made me more aware of every part a man had.
This soul had often been disappointed by the selection at the compound, however, and having seen five men at the Academy, I could understand why.
“It’s kind of you to offer to guide her around,” Merry murmured, a hint of amusement in her voice. “I wonder what prompted such gentlemanly behavior?”
Though Nicholas snorted, Stefan just grinned. “The kindness of my heart?” he said, making my own flutter at the sight of those perfect white teeth, the sharp smile that had my eyes flaring wide in surprise.
Were they all this beautiful?
Damon had been handsome, as was Nicholas though he had a sterner countenance. But Stefan? He was beyond that. He stole my breath away. And the others didn’t have me faring much better.
Nestor’s eyes were so warm when they looked at me that I felt like I was about to set on fire. His smile was ready and engaging, daring me to smile with him, to take part in the silent joke. He was shorter than Stefan, but still towered over me by a good foot. His body was a little leaner, rangier, but it was a darker, richer gold.
I hadn’t realized there were any other colors of skin until I’d climbed onto the plane with Merry. The pilot had been black. Truth was I’d been almost as stunned by that as I had been about Merry’s promises to help me.
Such an intrinsic and basic lack of knowledge irked me to no end. I hated that I was so ignorant, loathed it with a passion I couldn’t begin to describe.
It wasn’t aided by the fact I was coming face to face with such diverse people. The third boy, Eren, wasn’t black like the pilot, but was a deeper, duskier brown than the others. His hair was like black silk, and my fingers wanted to touch it. Wanted to know what it felt like against my fingertips. His eyes were beautiful as well. They sparkled and glinted in the faint light as though the amber striations around his pupil were lightning bolts. He was the smallest of the three, but he was lean, and his body was as firm and toned as the others even if he wasn’t as thick, and he shared that same energy. Like the three of them were barely contained within their bodies.
Rather than put me on edge, their leashed power calmed me. They were like me. They were trying to contain themselves too, but there was a stark contrast between my heavy curves and their carved frames.
In comparison to them, with their tight shorts that revealed parts of a man’s body I hadn’t even known about, I wore a dress that covered me from neck to toe. Underneath, my body wasn’t lean like Merinda’s. She was like one of the lemons in the orchards at the compound in the early spring. Small and pert, no give to the firm flesh.
I, on the other hand, was ripe.
Soft.
I wasn’t unusual. All the other Sisters had been like me, but seeing how strong and lean these people were made me realize I was going to stand out. But, then again, most of the people I’d seen so far were men. I could only hope not every woman here was as slender as Merry because if they were, I’d have to do whatever they did to stay so slim.
Had the men at the compound overfed us?
I wasn’t certain. But among these taut giants, I felt large and not in a good way either. Still, Stefan’s eyes were on fire for a reason and I felt that fire deep in my core. It was an unusual feeling. There was heat and need. It was like I was hungry, just not for food.
When I shot Eren and Nestor shy smiles, they returned them. Neither overzealous nor eager, just ones as gentle as my own. It tempered any discomfort I may have had.
In my world, a single woman wasn’t allowed into the custody of three men. Not unless they were related. Goodness, even then that wasn’t always permitted. But with my hand in Stefan’s, I knew I was safe, even though the feelings he was inspiring in me were anything but.
I licked my lips as he pulled gently on my fingers and guided me out of Nicholas’s room after the boys mumbled their farewells. When the door closed behind me, I released a shaky breath that was loaded with relief. Why? I wasn’t sure. Nicholas and Merinda had saved me, but I knew danger lay in that office too.
I wasn’t what they perceived me to be. I wasn’t, and no matter how many times I wished otherwise, that wasn’t about to change. After containing these souls inside me for so long, I knew there weren’t seven but eight, and though I couldn’t easily distinguish between them without interacting with others, when I did and eventually recognized which soul was in charge, it was like another person was living inside me.
Some days, I wondered how I managed to fit them all in. I was only one person, but I had eight different entities inside me, all battling for freedom. No wonder I needed to nap so much. No wonder I needed time outs and to rest.
Fingers squeezed my own, and I jerked in surprise when Stefan drew his attentio
n to me.
“Eve?”
I licked my lips like I was savoring his rough tenor. “Yes?”
“Do you understand what you are?”
“We should leave that for Nicholas,” the boy called Eren murmured uneasily. “You heard him. He wants her to go back to visit him tomorrow.”
“Yeah, he does, but if we can explain things, she won’t be scared.” Stefan’s thumb rubbed over mine. “You have nothing to be afraid of.”
I appreciated his attempt to calm me, but goodness, who was I kidding? There was no calming me down. I’d gone from one prison to a potential second one. They’d kill me here just like they would back home when they learned the truth that I fit in here as little as I did at the compound.
I’d hopped from the frying pan and into the fire.
His thumb rubbed over my wrist, and I knew he could discern the quickening of my racing heart. Inwardly, I felt like I did when I’d been cooking all day, so I was flustered and overheated as well as tired and drawn. Especially when he looked at me. While it set me on edge, the soul appreciated when his attention was on me. It craved his heated looks and the presence of his muscled form beside me, and I didn’t know what to do with that craving.
I’d always hidden inside as much as I could on these days and I would sneak around to hide away from the Brothers. The older I got, the worse it became too, until hiding out was painful. The soul wanted me to be among men, craved them in a way I was too confused to understand. But now that Stefan was here? With that strange link binding us together? That soul had never felt so close to the surface.
“It’s okay,” he soothed. “It’s your Succubus. She’s here today.”
“Succubus?” I squeaked, not sure what that was and not sure if I wanted to know considering Nestor and Eren began fidgeting at my back.
I turned to shoot them looks over my shoulder and saw their cheeks burn bright red at my attention. They’d been looking at my butt, which, all told, they deserved a medal for because no one could see even a trace of my figure in the gown I wore.
“Yes, Succubus,” Stefan explained. He tugged at my hand. “I’ll explain when we get to your room.”
“Is that wise?” Eren hissed.
Stefan ground his teeth and glowered at his friend. “You think I’d hurt her?”
“I think it’s your Incubus day. You don’t know what you can do.”
Stefan shook his head and carried on walking down the corridor. Finally, after passing twenty doors—I counted—he opened it and guided me through.
We walked into a room that was beyond comfortable. It was large, and there were six sofas in here, all clustered together in open squares. They were angled toward a sleek box on the wall that had moving pictures.
On the plane, I’d seen a smaller one of these, but to see one so large? I gasped at the sight. The noise drew attention to me, but considering I was wearing the equivalent of a white flag, I knew I’d draw interest, especially when I finally saw some other women who wore clothes that were skintight.
I glanced over them, not lingering for long, and was grateful when Stefan hustled me out of the room and into another one. Here, there were desks. Dozens of them. Some were occupied, some weren’t, but they had books loaded on them as if the occupant was waiting to work on them upon their return. The walls were covered in chalkboards, but there was one wall that was a large window, and it looked out onto the ocean beyond. The sea was dark. Like a black blue, and with the way the surf was rolling against the cliffs, I knew a storm was brewing.
The compound was close to the ocean, so it wasn’t the first time I’d seen it. But we rarely went. I could count on two hands the number of times we’d gone to the shore. The men did. They went fishing. That was how I’d managed to see it. My father had taken me out on the boat with my elder brother once. I’d been glad not to be asked again though, because he’d had me gut the fish.
I could still remember the scent of the sea. That pungent, salty brininess and the blast of the wind in my face. It made me want to study the view beyond for hours.
Maybe I’d be able to one day.
Though most of the people in here were studying, there were a few who were looking out at the view as well.
It interested me to think that people were allowed to rest through the day here. First, in the other room, where they were sitting and watching the moving images on the screen. Then in here, where they were working, but were allowed to have breaks.
At the compound, we were usually always busy. Whether we were doing something for the family or for the congregation, there was always plenty of work to be done, and if you weren’t willing to do it, then you would be punished. The attitude was obviously different here.
Another room contained more sofas and televisions, and then there was one that consisted of shelves brimming with books. Nothing more, nothing less. It was my idea of heaven.
We had a library back at the compound but nothing like this.
All the rooms were large, but this one was the size of four stacked together.
As we meandered through the building, I knew people were interested in me, but I ignored them, and Stefan, Eren, and Nestor did too. They chattered amongst themselves, letting me absorb this new place that I had to call home for however long it took me to escape.
I had a feeling it wouldn’t be as easy as escaping the compound, and that had been pretty impossible without Merinda’s help.
It wasn’t fair that I’d left one hell only to be sucked into another, especially when this place appeared so much brighter than my supposed home, but if I’d learned anything in my time, it was that life was never fair.
❖
Nestor
I nudged Eren in the side. “What’s he doing?”
Eren shrugged. “I’m not sure. You know Stefan, though. He does everything for a reason.”
As I stared at Eve, I could well understand what Stefan’s reasoning might be. But Stefan wasn’t like that. He wasn’t a horn dog. Sure, he’d had his girlfriends, as had we all, but the way he looked at Eve?
It made me uneasy.
I wasn’t even sure why.
I had no rights to her, but the way she looked at him, I knew something was going on. Something I hadn’t seen yet.
A part of me wondered if he’d marked her, but I wasn’t sure that was possible without there being some kind of sexual contact. Maybe because Stefan was Incubus today, and she was most definitely Succubus, that changed the rules? I’d never heard of that before, but the thing about creatures was things changed. Constantly. Our species was always evolving, and it helped keep us safe, but it also made us more powerful.
Humans might outnumber us, but we were the wolves walking among their flock of sheep, and we could and would kill them if they threatened to stampede us. That was the only way they could get at us. Stampede. But their masses could hurt us, so they were worthy opponents in that alone.
Walking through the common rooms appeared to set her at ease, and I was glad for that. She radiated a tension that made me inexplicably uncomfortable. I didn’t know her, didn’t particularly want to know her either. I wasn’t good around girls. My souls always ended up acting out.
I might have wanted sex, but having my souls fuck around on me was the last thing I needed so close to graduation. With the way Stefan was looking at her, though, I had a feeling I was going to be hanging around Eve whether I liked it or not.
She particularly appreciated the library, and Stefan was smiling as he tugged her away from all the books. Considering she was from a cult, I had to wonder if she’d ever read before. I mean, did cult leaders allow their people access to books? Any books except their sacred texts?
The way Eve was gaping at the room, I had a feeling that she had read, just not so much.
It figured that fate would make Stefan interested in a bookworm when he loathed studying. My lips quirked at that. Sometimes, destiny had a way of amusing you.
When we approached the first s
et of dorm rooms, Lori was seated at her desk waiting on us. Her eyes scanned over us before she locked onto the possessive hold Stefan had on Eve.
“You going to let her go?”
Stefan beamed at the Were. “Nope. She likes holding my hand, don’t you, Eve?”
The girl shot him a look, and then gave Lori a hesitant smile. “It does feel nice. Even if his palm is sweaty.”
That had Stefan scowling and the rest of us snorting. At least she wasn’t a total drip. The last thing I needed or wanted was to have someone who’d hang off our every word and roll over like a puppy to have her belly stroked.
Stefan went to detach their fingers, but she didn’t let him. I saw hers turn slightly white as she squeezed his digits, and when she smiled at him, his cheeks were burnished with heat, and Lori cocked her brow at the interplay between the two of them.
“Eve,” the housemistress stated, “this is to be your new home. You’re allowed to bring boys back here, but there is a curfew. Boys aren’t allowed to spend the night—”
Eve frowned. “Why would they want to?”
Lori rolled her lips inward for a second to hide her laugh. “Our souls have needs,” was all she said. “There’s no shame in that.”
Eve looked redder than a tomato, but she nodded, and I knew that even though she looked more innocent than a baby lamb, she’d experienced those needs just like the rest of us.
We were sexually active from our mid-teens. It was the way of it unless we were denied access to other people. I often wondered if Frazer and Reed were such bastards because they’d been locked up in a mental health facility before Damon had released them and brought them here. Being denied fucked with the souls, and made them harder to control.
“Just remember, until you’re eighteen, there’s a curfew,” Lori warned.
“When’s your date of birth?” Stefan mumbled under his breath, making Lori snort and Eve turn even redder.
“I-I don’t know,” she admitted.
Seven Wishes: The Caelum Academy Trilogy: Part ONE Page 5