Exordium (Emberhold Academy #1)

28. Reverie

Chapter 28

Reverie

I headed to the cafeteria with Chloe. I needed to find some calm before the ShitStorm. The corners of my mouth turned up in a tiny smile. That was funny, no matter who you are. I took my laughs where I could these days. Since Nathan had been taken, it was hard to smile, and the longer he was absent, the harder it became.

Emberhold had taken two students from Biology for initiation. Even though it was becoming more common now, it still upset everyone. Passives had been together long enough now that they had developed friendships, so tensions were high waiting to see who was next.

I was startled out of my thoughts when Chloe suddenly stopped in front of me and turned and flicked my forehead. “What the actual hell, Chloe?” I rubbed the spot on my head and looked at her in confusion.

“You need to get out of your head. You’re welcome! That’s what besties are for.” Chloe smirked as she started walking again. I rolled my eyes and took off after my Bestie. Hearing me speed up, Chloe looked behind her. Her eyes widened, and she started laughing as she broke into a run. “What are you doing, Bestie?!!”

“Getting out of my head!” I laughed as I reached for Chloe’s shirt. Right before I grabbed it, I was pulled off my feet. Apparently, my men thought since I was fun sized it was ok to pick me up whenever they wanted.

“What’s going on with my two favorite girls?” Zane grinned kissing me on the head before setting me back on my feet.

“Did he just call us girls?” Chloe winked at me when he turned his head.

“You know, I think he did. The question is, what should we do about it?” I walked over to Chloe, and we both turned to face Zane.

“I clearly misspoke. You’re both women, and your behavior reinforces that.” Zane tried to appear sincere, while obviously laughing at us.

“I feel like he’s trying to placate us,” I gave Zane the stink eye.

“I agree, and as strong, independent women, we need to show him the error of his ways.” Chloe whispered in my ear, “I’m going to do absolutely nothing.”

My eyes widened, and I started laughing. “You’re completely diabolical, and I love it.”

“Hey now, you two need to take a breath and remember who you’re talking to. Chloe, you know I’m the prank king in our family. You and Reverie don’t want to start something you can’t finish.” Zane was starting to sound a little nervous.

“You’re completely right, and we’re just going to drop the whole thing.” Chloe nudged me with her elbow.

“I saw that, and I’ll be on high alert. Just be sure you’re ready for retaliation.” Zane walked up and turned me in the direction of the cafeteria, slapping me on the ass.

I frowned at him, rubbing my butt to get the sting out. “You Moons are a violent family.”

Zeke met our group at the entrance to the cafeteria and took over the rubbing of my ass, “Those Moons are, but I’m not. I’ll be glad to massage the ache out later tonight. Now, come take the seat I saved you, and I’ll get you something to eat.”

I turned to follow Zeke, sticking my tongue out at Zane. Chloe laughed and put her arm through Zane’s.

“Come on, brother. You clearly need to watch and learn from your eldest sibling.”

“Just by a few minutes, and I can promise you I don’t need any tips on how to treat my woman.” Zane glowered at his sister.

Chloe just laughed and pulled him toward our table. After I had taken my seat, Zane leaned over, kissed me on the head, and left to get his food.

“So, the plan is to do nothing?” I smirked at my friend who could give Dr. Evil a run for his money.

Chloe giggled, “He’ll be way more tortured anticipating what we might do, than by anything we actually did.”

“You are an evil genius.” I died laughing. “I do feel a little bad for him because he didn’t do anything wrong.”

“He loves things like this. Plus, I know you could do with a distraction, and this is the best I can do.” Chloe laid her head on my shoulder.

I smiled as I leaned my head on Chloe’s. I couldn’t wait for Chloe to find her Faction. She was going to run them in circles.

Zane looked our way, when he saw our heads close together and both of us looking in his direction, he started frowning in suspicion.

“See, he’s sweating right now, wondering what I just told you. He won’t eat or drink anything he hasn’t fixed himself for weeks.” Chloe booped me on the nose with a smug smile on her face. “That’s how it’s done.”

I stared at her in amazement, “Thank the good Lord you’re on my side. Your mind must be a fascinating place to be.”

“You have no idea.” Chloe said in complete seriousness.

Zeke returned to our table, setting a plate in front of me and Chloe. He took a seat across from his sister and leveled her with a look, “What are you planning to do to my twin?”

Chloe took a large bite of her sub sandwich and grinned at Zeke, “Not a single thing.”

Zeke started laughing, “You make your big brother proud.”

Returning to our table, Zane handed his twin a plate piled high with pizza, staring at us in suspicion. He sat across from me and started eating, still watching us with narrowed eyes.

Chloe leaned close and whispered, “I told you so.”

I couldn’t hold in my laughter when Zane threw down his food and stomped out of the cafeteria.

“Aww, come back, we didn’t mean it,” I yelled.

Zane flipped us off and kept walking. I was concerned that we had really upset him until Zeke started laughing.

“He’s going to meet with the guy about setting up a portal for our visit with your parents tonight.”

“He wants to look as pitiful as possible hoping you’ll make it up to him later.” Chloe said in disgust.

I wasn’t completely convinced but took the word of the people who knew him best. After eating all my delicious spaghetti, I looked at Zeke, “I’m nervous about my meeting with Storm. Hopefully, he’s not a complete dick and truly wants my help with the Passives. There were no better trainers than my fathers, and I’d love to pass on some of their advice.”

Zeke inhaled a piece of pizza, I wasn’t even sure he chewed it, “You can almost guarantee he’s going to be a dick but, if he fucks with you too much, I’ll fuck with him.”

Damn, he gave good threat! I felt my blood heat at his words. Was there anything sexier than a man defending his woman? I was fully capable of protecting myself, but it was nice not to get my hands dirty.

“Quit lusting after my brother where I can see.” Chloe leveled me with a look. “We’re going to have to make some rules going forward. I can’t digest my food if I’m gagging.” She paused, then glanced at Zeke giving me a mischievous wink. “I’d much prefer to gag in more pleasurable scenarios.” She licked her spoon suggestively.

“What the fuck, Chloe! Now you’ve ruined my lunch.” Zeke tossed his pizza on his plate in disgust. He rounded the table and kissed me, “I’ll be waiting for you in the gym to find out how your meeting went.” He threw his food in the trash and gave Chloe the evil eye as he left.

“Now we can enjoy our lunch in peace.” Chloe dug into her pudding, grinning at me.

“You’re something else. You could get rich teaching torture techniques.” I stared at her in amazement.

“I’ve thought about it, but I prefer to share my talent with only a chosen few. Aren’t you the lucky one?” She winked at me.

We both laughed, but it was cut short when we heard Kristine’s whiny voice talking to her gang of ball sniffers.

“Did you see Zeke and Zane run from her? They couldn’t get away fast enough. I told all of you it wouldn’t be long before they realized their mistake.”

Sophie started giggling, “I know. Did you see her head straight for Jet in History this morning? It was funny when he avoided her in Biology as if she had the plague or some nasty venereal disease. Somebody needs to let her know that stalking is illegal.”

As they passed our table, Chloe took a big spoonful of her chocolate pudding and launched it at them. She hit Sophie right between the eyes. Sophie froze in shock as the pudding slid down her face to land on her white shirt. Everyone in the cafeteria started laughing and pointing. If it was anyone else, I would have felt sympathy for them and probably kicked the person’s ass that threw it, but in Sophie’s case, she just wouldn’t leave well enough alone.

I stood and handed her a napkin. “Bless your heart! I hope that doesn’t stain your nice shirt,” I cooed in mock sympathy.

“You’d think the bitch would be getting tired of leaving the cafeteria with our food on her face.” Chloe grinned.

Kristine got up in my face and said through gritted teeth, “You better be grateful there are people around. When I catch you alone, you’ll regret getting on my bad side.”

“There’s nothing but air and opportunity, Bitch.” I smiled spreading my arms wide.

“Come on, girls. Let’s leave these two thirsty sluts alone so they can continue feeding their fat asses.” Kristine growled out, shoulder-bumping me as she passed. Before leaving the cafeteria, Sophie turned and flipped us off.

“It just doesn’t come off that threatening with chocolate running down her face,” I smirked, sitting back down.

“True story, now let’s continue to feed our fat asses so you can get to your meeting, you thirsty bitch.” We both laughed but managed to finish our meal in complete peace.

I arrived at Oren’s office a little early, but he told me to come in when I knocked, sounding out of breath.

Entering his office, I saw he was performing a series of chin-ups using a bar installed in the ceiling. It was in an area that also contained a bench press and weights. Storm wore a tank showing his defined pecks and eight-pack, with his massive dick on full display in a pair of grey sweats.

I knew I was eye fucking him, but how could I be blamed when he was dressed so alluringly. He was practically begging to be objectified with that get-up. Grey sweatpants, really, universe!

Trying to get my head on straight, I took a seat in front of his desk. Taking a deep breath, I tried to think unsexy thoughts, dog crap, vomit, old man balls-

“I’ll be with you in just a minute, I’m almost done.” Storm grunted out, drawing my attention back to him.

I barely heard him since I was hypnotized by the anaconda in his pants bouncing around every time he did a chin-up. It was very distracting; there was no way he had on underwear. I felt my skin heat up and knew I was probably drooling.

I closed my eyes against the tempting sight. I refused to believe he was part of my Faction. I planned on fighting this as long as possible because I couldn’t imagine living with the giant asshole. I jumped when I felt him touch my arm.

“What’s wrong, Hawthorne? You seem to be sweating, and your face is flushed.” He asked in concern. When he touched me, goosebumps broke out, and my voice sounded breathless, much to my annoyance.

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m just ready to get this meeting started.”

“Well, let’s not delay any longer.” Instead of sitting in his chair, he sat on the desk in front of me. “First, I’d like to see if you have any suggestions regarding conditioning. Then we’ll move on to training.” He shifted, causing his massive dick to change position, drawing my attention since I was basically at eye level with it. As I stared, I noticed it getting hard and growing even larger. How in the actual fuck could that thing possibly get bigger? Hearing a throat clear, I looked back at Storm, “Anything bothering you? You’re looking flushed again.”

“Nothing at all.” I rubbed the back of my neck and coughed. “So, good talk. Anything else we need to discuss?”

“We haven’t discussed anything yet. Are you sure you’re alright?” He stood up and put his hand on my forehead, his massive dick brushing against my shoulder, “You do feel a little hot.”

I jumped up and backed toward the door. “I do feel a little funny. Maybe we should…” I ran into the door, “I mean….” I tripped over my foot. What was wrong with me? I finally got the door open, “Continue this at another time.”

I was so busy fumbling with the door trying get the hell out of there that I missed the satisfied smile on Oren’s face.