by Kailin Gow
At the restaurant, we made their way to the second floor and out to the long narrow terrace that overlooked the strip below. John, Hector and Dr. Good were already seated and waiting for us.
“Well, look at you,” John said, looking at me. “Don’t you look all pretty and grown up.”
Dr. Good nodded in agreement. “I’m sure my boys must be delighted to be seen in the company of such a stunning girl.”
“Thank you,” I said as I sat beside my father, with Asher taking the seat beside me. I couldn’t help but notice how Sully kept his eyes on me, while his brother seemed determined to ignore me entirely.
“We’ve taken the liberty of already ordering their specialty sampler platter,” John said. “It has everything you can imagine.”
“Sounds good,” Asher said as he draped his arm on the back of my chair, a move that did not go unnoticed by Sully.
“They have great calamari here and their oysters are to die for,” Dr. Good added.
“Mother has always had good taste in food,” Lucas said.
“Except that time she let us eat fried crickets,” Sully said with a snort.
“I did not let you eat fried crickets, Sullivan. You’d just slain a demon and the innocent by-standers happened to be crickets that were fried to a crisp in the process. You took it upon yourself to eat a few. I had nothing to do with it.”
They all laughed and Sully conceded a point to his mother.
“But,” Dr. Good went on, “it was understandable. He was barely eight at the time and he tended to put virtually everything and anything into his mouth.”
“Were they always good slayers?” Asher said.
“Always,” Dr. Good said with pride. “I mean, obviously when they were young they were constrained by their size and relative strength, but they always showed good judgement, the ability to develop good strategies, and on a few occasions, they were there to get me out of a jam.”
“My mum could have just sat back and live a very easy life,” Lucas said, sounding so mature and serious. “When our father, Lord Good, passed away, he left a sizable fortune. She could have settled into the lifestyle of the idle rich, but…” He looked at his mother with love and admiration.
“Slaying. It was my calling,” Dr. Good said, patting her eldest son’s hand. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life. I guess I am fortunate, however, that the fortune left by my husband allows me to follow this calling with greater ease than others may have.”
“I had no idea you were aristocrats,” I said to Sully.
“Indeed,” Sully said with pride. “But when it comes to slaying, titles and money change very little.”
“It’s nice to see you’re capable of some humility,” Lucas said with a grin.
I looked at them from a new perspective. They weren’t just spoiled brats who had everything given to them on a silver platter. They worked hard, and even risked their lives. Not many would do the same in their positions.
“A few years ago we felt we were fighting a losing battle,” Dr. Good said. “As good and hard working as we were, it seemed we could never get ahead.”
“That’s why Mother decided to start the academy,” Lucas said.
“And my boys have helped me tremendously. In fact, Lucas recruited many of the professors you’re going to be studying with, Lux. And Sully was instrumental in the preparation for some of the training sessions. He’s learned many tricks over the years, and he’s passed many of those tricks onto them and they will in term churn out hundreds of well-trained slayers.”
“Slayers that we’re going to need,” Lucas added.
“We’re stunned by the enrollments,” Dr. Good went on. “We’d hoped for two to three hundred, but we’ve had over seven hundred and we’ve had to refuse a few due to lack of space.”
“So you can imagine how lucky you are to get in,” Sully said to me.
“And I appreciate it tremendously,” I said, placing her hands sincerely over her heart.
“And, of course,” Dr. Good said. “With the addition of John and Hector, things should run even smoother than we’d anticipated.”
“We’re prepared to do whatever we can,” John said.
“You’ve no idea how much we need you.” She seemed suddenly concerned.
“Are you expecting something?” Asher said. “Something big?”
“It’s not yet been determined.”
John looked concerned. “We’ve noticed that the portals aren’t responding to holy water the way they used to. There’s an active portal nearby and we must all be vigilant.”
“Yes,” Dr. Good said, her voice a small whisper. “Vigilance is key.”
Chapter 13
“Well,” John said as he stood up from the table and patted his filled belly. “I’ve had enough for tonight. I think it’s time to head home.”
“If it’s all right with you,” Sully said to John, “I was hoping to show Lux the sights a bit.”
John looked quizzically at his daughter. “You’re not going to do anything wild that you’ll regret now, will you?”
Lux was about to tell him that she had no intention of going out on the town with Sully, but the idea of breaking free and having a bit of fun suddenly intrigued her.
“I’ll do my best,” she said with a grin.
“I’ll make sure everything goes well,” Lucas said, reassuring John.
“Good to know.”
They all headed outside and while John, Hector and Dr. Good got into a limousine and headed off, Sully guided the young adults to a loud dance club.
The music pounded even before they could enter the crowded club and the dancing lights welcomed them.
“Come on,” Sully said, grabbing me by the hand. “I love this song.” He brought me to the dance floor and twirled me around.
Laughing, I got into the beat of the song and Sully’s upbeat playfulness. For three songs, he twirled me around, gyrated his hips and danced wildly, making me laugh and let go of all the stress of the past week. He was right. I needed this. I forgot all about slaying and sought only to have fun and it felt good.
When the beat of the music shifted, Sully got hot and heavy as a heated blues song came on. He pulled me close, pressing his pelvis into mine and looking so intently into my eyes, I was certain he could see straight down to my soul.
Pressing his body into mine, he held me close to him, pulling my hips tighter and tighter to him. “I promised you a good time, didn’t I?”
“You did.”
“Have I lived up to my promise so far?”
I had to admit I was having a lot of fun. I’d never gone out to a club before and had hardly even gone to a school dance. Nodding, I moved with slow sensual motions as he guided me with slow sensual motions. I could feel his arousal and subsequently her own.
“This year is definitely going to be a special year,” Sully said. “With you at SHA, I’m sure so much good is going to happen you.”
I smiled. “Good? Do you mean as in Sullivan Good or just simply good?”
“Ah, smart,” he said with a chuckle. “If all goes well, both. I know this might sound silly but, I’ve heard so much about you for so long that I have to admit that I’ve had this incredible crush on you before even meeting you. Can you imagine what it’s like for me now to finally meet you? To have you in my arms? So close… so tantalizing.”
“You’re sweet.”
“There’s nothing sweet about it, Lux. You’re the hottest girl I’ve ever seen. I mean, look at you. Your face. Your body.” He pressed into me. “I can barely control myself.” His lips parted as he came in closer to me, but he was suddenly pulled off me.
I expected to see Asher, or perhaps even Lucas, but I looked up to see a complete stranger.
“Hey, beautiful,” the tall sexy young man said. “This song seems to be talking about you and me, gorgeous. How about it?”
He looked to be about twenty-five years old and a little drunk. His eyes were filled w
ith unbridled lust and hunger, and a determination I’d rarely ever seen before. He didn’t wait for a response, but swept me into his arms, much to the chagrin of Sully who walked off in a huff. His moves were so swift and smooth, I barely had time to blink before I was enveloped by his body and consumed by his presence.
“I’ve seen you somewhere before,” the stranger said. “I think that if I stare at you long enough it’ll come back to me.” He held me tightly against him, his arousal pressing into my crotch. “Damn, a sweet and sexy thing like you is hard to forget.” He crushed me to his chest, pressing my breasts against him. The heat between us suddenly became scorching.
The dance was hot and so sexy. He had a way of moving, a sensual way of dancing that made me increasingly hot for him. His hands traveled over my hips, swaying me to the music until my hips were swaying in rhythm to his, like there was an invisible pull between us. Enraptured, I felt like a magnet had clamped us together.
“I could make love to you right here on this dance floor,” he whispered huskily, his voice dripping with need. He moved in closer until we were crotch to crotch. If it wasn’t for the cloth of our clothing, we’d be thrusting against each other.
I couldn’t think, I couldn’t speak. All I knew was I wanted his dick in me so badly like I’d never wanted a complete stranger’s before. But as the song came to an end, I suddenly found myself backed against a wall with the stranger’s body pressed against mine, his tongue firmly lodged down my throat.
“I want to fuck you so badly, pretty lady,” he said. “Damn, but you’re the most beautiful creature in this club.”
I looked at him, imagining spending time with him. I was mesmerized. I was so turned on for him and I suddenly felt like nothing else mattered but what his hands and tongue could do to me.
“I’m a very talented lover,” he whispered. “I’ll leave you begging for more. When I’m through with you, you’ll long for my big hard cock again and again. You’ll dream of my dick pumping in and out of you.”
“Okay,” I said in a husky whisper, eager to see what he had to offer. Almost in a trance, I couldn’t stand how much I wanted him. ‘Fuck me now.”
Grinning, he took my hand and was about to lead me out when Sully blocked my way.
“Sorry to ruin your plans,” Sully said. “But the pretty girl is with me.”
“Oh? Is that so?” the stranger said, challenging Sully. “Tell me, Goody boy. What is she to you? Your girlfriend? A lover? A quick fuck? Oh, your sister? Your naughty stepsister? Hell, what I wouldn’t give to fuck her just to fuck up a Goody boy.”
“What was that?” Sully said, stepping closer to the tall stranger.
“You’re the Good doctor’s son, no?” the stranger said. He licked his lips. “Yeah, she a hot property too, but…” He squeezed me to his side. “I really do like them young and ripe, you know what I mean.”
“Leave her alone or I’ll report you to my mother,” Sully threatened.
“I’m the best at SHA, Goody boy. She’s not about to get rid of me.”
“We’ll see.”
Chapter 14
I woke up to a pounding headache and a dry mouth. A gentle hand was shaking her shoulder while a tender voice called her name. But sleep pulled at me and I just wanted to roll over and continue sleeping.
The persistent hand however wouldn’t allow it and the tender voice became louder and insistent.
“Come on, Lux.”
I opened my eyes and saw Sully sitting on the edge of the bed. His gaze was tender and his grin playful as he looked down at me.
“You’re even beautiful when you sleep.” His finger tenderly pushed a few strands of hair away from my cheeks. “You’re going to be late for your first class,” he said.
“What are you doing here?” I croaked.
“I came to see how you were doing and to wake you up. After last night I thought you might have a hard time getting out of bed.”
I sat up and grabbed my head with both hands. “Ugh. I feel awful.”
“I do apologize for that, and I hold myself entirely responsible. I believe someone may have put something in your drink.”
“Really?” I fell back into the soft cushiness of the pillows. “Did I do anything that I should regret?” I said, remembering my father’s advice. I vaguely remembered dancing with a stranger, perhaps even kissing him, but then nothing. I didn’t remember getting home or getting into bed.
“No,” Sully said with a gentle chuckle. “You had fun and we danced a lot. You were about to do something you might have regretted, but I stopped you just in time.”
“Oh,” I muttered as I stared at the ceiling. “Thanks.”
“But you do have to get up now, Lux. Your Ancient Latin language class begins in twenty minutes. You wouldn’t want to be late for your first class now, would you?”
I forced myself to sit up. “How am I going to get through this day? Last night was fun, but I’m going to be miserable all day.”
“Here,” Sully said, handing me a glass of grapefruit juice. “Have a sip of this and come down for a quick breakfast and you’ll be fine.”
I nodded as he stood and headed for the door.
“I’ll go prepare you a bite to eat. Something that will stick to your gut and make you feel better.”
“Okay. I’ll be right down.”
I got out of bed and went to my huge closet. I found a pretty blue skirt and paired it with a crisp white button-down shirt. After a quick brush through my hair, I assessed my appearance in the mirror, decided it was studious enough and headed out of my room.
A magnificent breeze ran through the house, invigorating me and helping to rid me of the cobwebs in my head. I headed down the stairs already feeling a little better.
“What about Asher? Where is he?” I said as I got to the open kitchen and sat at the breakfast counter.
Sully set a cup of coffee in front of her. “He and Lucas have already left for their classes. Asher is just taking normal college classes and most of those start pretty early.”
“Are you in my class this morning?” I took a delicious sip of coffee and could almost feel my insides applaud… yippy!
“No.” He looked suddenly so uncharacteristically shy. He turned away to grab the toasts that had just popped up and set them in a plate. “I’m in advanced classes,” he said as he brought me the plate.
I smiled as I slathered peanut butter over the toasted bread and tore off a piece to pop it in my mouth. “Don’t tell me that you’re a genius, too,” I said with my mouth full.
He actually blushed as he nodded. I couldn’t believe he could be so shy and humble about being so smart.
“That’s great. Your mother must really be proud of you guys. You’re both great slayers, you’re smart and you’re both so good looking. Both of you obviously love and admire your mother. What more could you ask for?”
He shrugged. “I guess we owe all that to her.”
“Well, she’s a very lucky woman to have you both.”
“Thanks. It’s nice of you to say.” He grabbed his jacket. “Come on. You can eat the rest of that on the way. We have to go.”
I slipped my feet into my sandals, grabbed my toast and followed him out. It was a beautiful cool morning that promised to get scorching by the afternoon. Workers were already busy tending to the grounds, mowing the lawn, trimming hedges and picking up trash before the sun made working impossible.
Only a few students were still milling around as they made their way to their various classes.
“This is where I let you off,” Sully said as they arrived at the languages building. “Think you can find your class?”
“Of course,” I said, planting a friendly kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for breakfast, Sully. I’ll see you later.”
He smiled and kissed my forehead. “I’ll see you later. Have a good class.”
I nodded and headed inside to find my class. I entered the nearly empty room, found an vacant seat at the head o
f the class and sat down. I counted only five other students and wondered where everyone was.
For over five minutes we waited and finally, a tall handsome man in his early to mid-20s with a mane of dark hair and the clearest blue eyes walked in and made his way to the front of the class. He was super sexy in black slacks, a white shirt open at the collar and a casual blazer over it.
“Hello, everyone,” he said, setting his laptop on the teacher’s desk. “I do apologize for the delay. It appears I had a few last-minute things to settle with the dean.” He clasped his hands together and looked at the small class. “I am Professor Romeo and I will be teaching you all the intricacies of ancient Latin.”
“I don’t understand,” one of the students said as he raised his hand.
“And you are?”
“Phil, sir.”
“What is it that you don’t understand, Phil?”
“I came here to learn how to slay demons. What does Latin have to do with anything?”
“Ah,” the professor said with a charming smile. “A very good question. Tell me, Phil, how long have you been slaying, if you don’t mind my asking.”
“Um, a few months now.”
“And have you been successful?”
“Well, I know I can do better.”
“Right.” The professor paced before the class, his gaze constantly coming back to me. “Most students come here thinking they just need to get stronger and faster, which of course is important, but there’s more to slaying demons than just strength and speed. One of the most important books you’ll ever read in you demon slaying career is the Book of Angels. It consists of hundreds if not thousands of commands that control demons. It is imperative that you all read this book and memorize as many of those commands as possible. And, yes, they are all in Latin.”
“Thousands of commands?” another student lamented.
“Don’t worry,” Professor Romeo said. “While it is always good to have the Angel Book on hand for references, there are only a dozen or so commands that are typically used. Memorize those and you should find success. But before you can memorize them, you must be able to understand them.”