Second Chance Heat, a reverse harem magical academy HEA paranormal romance: Book Four of the Second Chance Academy Series

by Ella J. Smyth

  I flinched back, but it was of no use. The second voice seemed to come from right behind me. “That’s because you died so quickly, your mind hasn’t understood yet that your life is over. But don’t worry, soon you will be like us. We don’t feel anything. Only pleasure when we destroy. That’s the only thing left to us.”

  The voice sounded gleeful, as if it had passed on an amazing secret, but underneath it, there was horror, pain, and cruelty.

  I willed myself to move away from them. “No. I will never be like you.”

  The first voice cackled. “Do you hear that? He’ll never be like us. I remember you said that to me.”

  “Oh, yes. It didn’t take me long.” The second voice sounded smug.

  I would have plugged my ears, had I been able to. “Get away from me. I don’t want this. I never asked for this.”

  The whispers moved away, farther and farther, until they faded. But the last thing I heard made me shudder.

  “Nobody ever does.”

  3

  Amber

  Kiernan’s face showed an unhealthy gray pallor, and when he swayed slightly, I grabbed his uninjured arm to keep him upright. “For God’s sake, sit before you fall down. You need rest.”

  The fact that he allowed me to guide him to his bed spoke volumes about how bad he felt. If he’d been fully well, he would have fought me tooth and nail.

  I helped him lie back down. When he was settled, I asked, “Anything I can get you?”

  Kiernan smiled, although the tension around his eyes betrayed the pain he was in. “We’re going to need food and shelter. If Farkas comes looking for us, we’re not safe here.”

  For a moment, I sagged. I’d forced myself to put one foot in front of the other, without thinking of the dangers ahead. Macha’s appearance had helped distract me from the clusterfuck we were finding ourselves in.

  We had no clue what situation awaited us outside our temporary oasis. Was Farkas going to return and hunt us down? Were the teachers aware of what their boss was up to? Did the FBMA know about Farkas’s side-hustle?

  We needed information. But Kiernan was injured, and Lance was acting like a little bitch.

  “Dumb ass,” I muttered.

  Kiernan had closed his eyes, drifting back to sleep. I was glad. The more he slept, the quicker he’d recover. At least, that’s what the healer had said.

  One boy down, another to go. I swapped Kiernan’s bedside for Macha’s. My former cat had unfurled a little after I’d petted his head and cheek. I sighed as I brushed his hair out of his face. “Macha. Come on. I know you’re awake. Please talk to me.”

  Too late, I remembered he couldn’t. He didn’t seem to mind, though. His eyes opened, and he regarded me the same way he’d done as Slug: calmly and steadily. Maybe it was a good thing after all that Lance had left.

  “Hey, are you hungry?” I asked. He nodded. “Cool. So you can understand me. Listen, I’ll need to go and do some recce. I’ll lock the door, but don’t be scared. Kiernan is here.”

  I glanced at the sleeping Irishman. “Well, he’s asleep at the moment, but when he wakes up, he’ll look after you. Okay?”

  Macha bumped my arm with his head, and the familiar gesture made my chest ache. I sighed and gave his hair another rub. “I’ll be back as quickly as I can. Don’t tear the place down in the meantime.”

  After stepping into the hallway and pulling the door shut behind me, I listened for any strange noises. But the dorms sounded the same way they always did. Classes were about to start, so there were no students in the hallways. On the campus, the sound of kids talking and laughing was no different than on any other day.

  I scanned the area outside through the exit door window without leaving the building. The mid-spring sun reflected off the windowpanes of the academy wings. They created a U-shape with the campus in the middle, like two arms that strangled the space rather than embraced it.

  Taking a deep breath, I ventured outside. Some students waved a greeting as I made my way around the square. I kept my head down and my eyes peeled for extra security or strangers on campus. It all seemed so normal and non-threatening. Yet for months, kids had disappeared without a trace and never returned. The others had swallowed the head witch’s flimsy excuses.

  Passing the main building, I got that the weird feeling somebody was following me. But when I looked back, ready to bolt, there were only a few stragglers, late for class.

  This is a bad idea. What was I thinking, walking around in the open as the area was emptying rapidly. I sped up to return to the boys’ dorm. A glint in one of the main building’s windows drew my attention for just a moment, but it disappeared as quickly as I’d noticed.

  I breathed hard with relief when I entered the relative safety of the familiar building. I walked past Julian’s and Kiernan’s shared room—don’t think about it—until I reached Lance’s single room.

  Knocking on the wood, I steeled myself for the reception I’d receive. When the door opened, I pushed passed him before Lance could say anything. He grabbed my arm and swung me around. His superior height used to intimidate me, but not anymore.

  “You do realize you’re acting like a di—“

  His mouth covered mine before I could finish my sentence. I briefly considered pushing him away, but his tongue swept into my mouth, and my thoughts scattered. By the time he pulled back, I was breathless, and my knees shook. I took a deep breath, ready to tell him a kiss didn’t change the fact he’d acted like as asshole.

  But he beat me to it. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted at you.”

  How a six-foot-three giant could look like a little boy was beyond me, but my anger melted away until only exasperation remained. “And what about Macha?”

  Lance swallowed. “I still think we need to be careful around him, but if you’re sure he’s Slug, then I’ll respect that. If he’s your friend, he’s my friend.”

  Satisfied with his contrition, I said, “Thank you. And now that we’ve cleared this up, we have to talk about our situation. You’re right about one thing: Macha won’t be able to help us. He can’t even look after himself. And Kiernan is not well enough. So it’s up to the two of us.”

  With my fingers, I counted out my points. “One, we don’t know where Farkas is. Two, we need to decide what to do next. We’ve got no food. Soon, our teachers will come find us because we’re not attending classes. Three, who of them knows what’s going on here? Four, should we contact the FBMA?”

  Lance’s expression had been growing ever more serious as I continued. When I’d run out of points to make, he said, “Let’s start with the most important things first. Food. I’ll go to the shop and see if my token is still good.”

  I ran my fingers over the button embedded in my top. It glowed metallic-green, which meant it worked. “You don’t think they might be programmed to let admin know when we use them?”

  Lance shrugged. “Maybe. But what choice do we have? I’m not ready to munch dry ramen.”

  He grinned because he knew how much I’d loved to steal Shannon’s stack of soup snacks when I’d shared my room with her. But there was a big difference between having a snack while studying and subsisting on gross noodles because there was nothing else to eat.

  “Maybe we could have lunch at the cafeteria?” But of course, we couldn’t. Not until we knew what was waiting for us out there.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We won’t have to wait long, though. The school shop opens in ninety minutes.”

  Lance’s voice deepened, and a smirk played around his lips. “I know how we can kill some time.”

  I responded with a slow smile. I hadn’t been alone with Lance for what seemed like weeks. In reality, it had only been a couple of days. But a lot of bad things had happened during that time.

  Not now. Not yet. I squeezed my eyes shut, pushing the memories down. “Yeah, I’m up for it.”

  Before I knew it, Lance was in my personal space again, his lips brushing over my earl
obes. He must’ve felt the shiver running through me at the intimate gesture.

  “You like that?” he asked with his smooth baritone. In response, I clung tighter to him. How I’d ever thought of him as a boy seemed ridiculous. I’d missed being held by this tall, outwardly cold man. He came across as an aloof, sometimes cruel person. But underneath the exterior, he burned hot.

  Lance wielded fire, and he defied all the stereotypes. Fire mages often were redheads and had a fierce temper. He had that, for sure, though his looks were those of a water mage: green-blue eyes, pale skin, and dark hair.

  His gaze kept me pinned as he took my top off, and the heat in his eyes was about to ignite me. I couldn’t look away. His intense focus made my tummy flutter.

  Lance unbuckled my bra, and without missing a beat, his mouth latched onto my nipple. I threw my head back and gasped as the sharp sting from his teeth shot a thunderbolt between my legs.

  My hips bucked against him, and my pussy grew damp against the fabric of my panties. His stubble scratched against the tender skin of one breast while his finger pinched the other tip. Rather than hurt, it heightened the sensation.

  I felt out of balance as he pushed my upper body backwards to make space for his head. When I couldn’t stand the teasing any longer, I gasped. “Please. Take it off.”

  Lance chuckled. “Take what off, baby? My clothes or yours?”

  I ignored the stupid pet name. “Who cares? Just take them all off.”

  Lance’s grin grew wider, and he straightened to his full height. Before I could mourn the loss of his warm lips, he pulled his shirt over his head, exposing his smooth, muscular chest. I’d seen him plenty naked before, but his body never failed to take my breath away.

  He had the perfect physique of a tall man, with thick thighs, a long torso with broad shoulders, and a V-line running down from his six-pack.

  But it all paled in comparison to how he looked at me. As if he couldn’t get enough, starving to eat me up. His eyes softened as I took in the view.

  I ran my hand reverently from his collarbone to the top of his pants. “These, too. Take them off.”

  Within seconds, he stood in front of me, fully exposed. His cock was already full, pointing straight at him. I closed my hand around it, marveling at the softness of his skin. His breath hitched as I slowly slid my fingers up and down. A clear pearl sat on top of his slit. I bent and licked it off carefully. Swirling my tongue around the head of his impressive length, I savored every shudder that ran through his body.

  Dropping to my knees, I spread my legs, allowing my clit to rub against the hard seam of my jeans. I was too busy cradling his balls and holding his cock while I applied a little suction to tease out more precome.

  His hips moved forward and back in tiny aborted thrusts. I was grateful because I was still new at this. Only a few months ago, I’d had sex for the first time, and so far, there’d always been some traumatic aftermath. Once, Julian had even passed out and nearly died.

  Julian. I slammed Lance’s cock into my mouth as deeply as I could. Anything to stop thinking. My gag reflex kicked in, and I could barely hear Lance through my gagging and spluttering.

  “Dammit, girl. Did you hurt yourself?” Lance helped me to my feet and pulled me against his chest. Once he’d assured himself I was okay, he laughed as I struggled to get my breath back.

  “As much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, please don’t choke yourself.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Your monster cock nearly killed me.” I was going to add something else, but then he kissed me again, and my eyes rolled for a different reason. While I was distracted, he opened my zipper and slipped his hand into my pants. “You’re so wet.”

  “No shit, Sherlock,” I gasped against his lips.

  He pulled his fingers back, grabbed my ass, and lifted me without effort. Two steps, and I landed on his bed. The covers smelled musty, and I remembered he’d moved into Kiernan’s room while Kiernan had been away with his family. Lance probably hadn’t used his bed in weeks.

  I didn’t care. I wasn’t here for sleeping. Lance didn’t join me right away. I raised myself on my elbows, watching him as he slid to the ground at the end of the narrow bed. He was so tall, even from a kneeling position, he was easily able to reach me.

  Without warning, he grabbed my ankles and pulled. The motion exposed my core to him. His eyes were shining with excitement, and he smiled rakishly as I was spread out before him like a banquet.

  “You look fucking delicious,” he murmured. Then he bent his head and tasted me with a swipe of his tongue. My mouth dropped open at the sensation of slickness and heat.

  He looked right at me and licked his lips like the cat that got the cream. “You taste so sweet, baby. Hold on tight.”

  That was the only warning I got before he dived back in. I thought it was hot before, but that was before his tongue circled my clit, over and over. He varied the motion with the occasional swipe across my opening as far as he could go. I held my breath as the sensations rocketed through my body.

  Again, he focused on my center of pleasure, varying the strokes from soft, broad swipes to tapping with the tip of his tongue. In no time at all, my entire lower body clenched, waiting for release. A wave of lust suffused my limbs, making my nipples peak. I raised my head and watched him as he sucked and licked.

  4

  Julian

  I should have known when I followed Amber to Lance’s room. To be fair, I wouldn't have done anything else, either. I mean, what were two horny people to do if they had an hour and a half to kill?

  When I was alive, I’d resigned myself to only ever being able to watch as my lovers got each other off. And I’d been okay with it. Of course, I’d still hoped to find a cure for the magical drain that kept knocking me out whenever I had sex.

  But watching Amber and Lance was torture. My cock was growing hard, yet I couldn't touch it. Believe me, I tried. My hand went straight through my shaft and I felt nothing. Not even a breeze. So I circled hungrily above my two friends, watching as Lance ate her out.

  Amber's chest was flushed as she drew ever closer to her orgasm. The tiny tremors of her limbs, the way her legs tightened and relaxed, gave her away. Lance hadn't touched his cock yet, too busy holding Amber open with both hands.

  Amber threw her head back, shutting her eyes as she moaned his name. “Yes, Lance, right there. A little harder. Please, don't stop.”

  I got as close as I could, watching Lance’s tongue work. Amber's juices made his chin shiny. Her clit twitched, getting ready for an almighty climax. I wanted to touch her, wanted to stroke Lance’s cock for him. Anything, to be included in this act.

  But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make my presence known in any way. I got so close, my nose merged with Amber's pussy, but that was too weird even for me.

  Amber's back arched, her nipples pointing to the ceiling. As Lance continued laving at her folds, her clit trembled and fluttered, making Amber feel all the pleasure I could never give her again.

  Then she relaxed, and Lance kissed the inside of her thighs as she came down from her high. I pulled back, glaring at them wistfully, my ghost dick hard enough to pound ghost nails.

  Something dark took hold of my insides. Couldn’t I just be happy for them?

  I knew the answer. No, I couldn't be. I didn’t want to be a specter. I wanted to be alive to claim Amber’s love. And if I couldn't be happy, I didn't want them to be happy, either. I left them to their afterglow while I was stewing in misery.

  As I returned to Kiernan and Macha, the truth hit me. This was what the disembodied voices had talked about. The envy, the pain, the anger—those feelings were the ones that would extinguish my humanity. I moved faster, driven by the fear that I was already on my way to become like them.

  I phased through the wall back into my old room. Kiernan was still out cold, but his color was better, and he breathed easier. It had only been twenty-four hours since the injury, and thanks to healing magic, he’d b
e mended in a few days.

  Macha was lying on top of the bed cover, dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants, scrutinizing his fingers. He lifted them above his face, turning them this way, then that, as if he couldn't believe they were his. It had to be pretty weird, going from paws to human hands so quickly.

  I floated close to him and whispered, “Macha.”

  His head flew up, and he stared directly at me.

  “Hey. Can you understand me?”

  He blinked.

  “So, how long were you a cat?”

  Macha opened his mouth and moved his tongue. His lips didn’t cooperate, though, and all that emerged was a sad yowl.

  “Cat got your tongue, huh?”

  His hand moved quicker than I could react. He slapped me across the face, but it passed right through me. Macha looked disgusted, and I chuckled. “Sorry. No touching. Talking and watching is all we have, big boy.”

  He went into a sulk and ignored me, so I took the opportunity to have a good look at him. I'd gotten an eyeful this morning, but it had happened so fast, I hadn’t really taken note of his appearance.

  Of course, I’d noticed how gorgeous he was. It was hard not to. He wasn't as tall as Lance, but definitely taller than Kiernan. He wasn't bulky like my Irish friend, but had the physique of a cage fighter. Sleek, tight muscles, under the most beautiful bronze-brown skin.

  His eyes were of the same light blue as Slug’s had been. He had a cute button nose and full lips. Paired with high cheekbones, he looked like a model. His hair was of medium length, curly and matted where he'd slept on it. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him, making Amber's reference to him as her as a fat, lazy cat sound ridiculous in hindsight.

  Matcha watched me with narrowed eyes before stretching. Then he sat up and licked one arm from wrist to his armpit. Pushing his head as far as it would go, his tongue stretched to reach the back of his underarm. When that didn’t work, he hissed in irritation.