Chapter 8
Adelaide
When I cleared the hedges, I had zero visibility. There was a creepy fog that surrounded me, and the sounds coming out of it were enough to give me pause.
I took a deep breath, then jogged straight ahead.
Out of nowhere, a giant paw with ten-inch claws swiped for my face, but I tucked and rolled underneath it, then jumped back to my feet, already in a dead run.
What in all the Hells was that?! I shook it off. I didn’t have time to dwell.
I knew the course made a giant circle, but the deeper in I got, the more a feeling of vastness confused my senses. I could hear grunts and growls from every direction, confusing me even further.
Stopping beneath the branches of a massive tree, I closed my eyes and focused. It seemed like I’d been here for hours, not minutes. Alright, time to woman up… I kept my eyes closed and relied on my other senses to decide which way to go.
Before I could come to a decision, a vine from the tree I was standing beneath grabbed me around the waist and yanked me off my feet.
I gasped in surprise... what in the Little Shop of Horrors was this shit?
I was lifted high into the air when I heard a groaning sound from below and saw the tree opening up, a giant, slimy tongue slithering out and up my leg.
Rows of giant teeth lined the “mouth” that the tongue was pulling me toward.
“Fuck!” I yelled in absolute panic… then I remembered that I was a badass bitch that wasn’t about to be taken out by a damn tree.
Pulling out the blade I keep inside my bra, I strained against the vine that had me in its clutches.
With all of my strength, I leaned as far down as I could and sliced the tongue in half.
The vine that still had me grasped around the waist started waving around frantically before slingshotting my ass through the air at a rapid rate of speed.
My heart sailed into my throat right before I crashed into a giant hedge that somewhat broke my fall. I stood shakily, scratches covering my arms and a massive cut on my leg where the nasty tongue had been wrapped around it.
I shuddered in horror. It would be some time before I got over that incident.
I started to scan my surroundings, and I realized the tree must have knocked me most of the way through the course because I could see the exit. That was a small bit of good luck... I say small because I’d seen what was blocking the exit.
A giant, hairy Gerendel was standing directly between me and where I needed to go.
All of the Bigfoot myths on Earth stemmed from them and their penchant for wandering through portals. They weren’t the brightest animals, but were absolutely vicious. Their teeth and claws could tear through flesh and bone like it was made out of papier-mache.
Think, Adelaide… think…what was my solution?
I tried to remember everything my Gramps had told me about the animals. I knew they had extremely poor eyesight but had an extraordinary sense of smell.
The thing was coming my way with its nose in the air. All of the blood that covered me was leading it right in my direction.
That gave me an idea!
I had one chance, and it had to work, because my time was running out.
I backed up slowly into the hedge. Taking my blade, I cut into the gash on my leg. Gritting my teeth around a scream, I squeezed it until there was a large puddle of blood on the ground. I then took my hand and smeared more on a few leaves that were on the backside of the hedge.
When I heard the beast coming closer, I waited as silently as I could, crouched low. When he stuck his head in, trying to find the source of the blood, I stabbed him directly in the scrotum with my knife.
The Gerendel fell to his knees and let out a sound that damn near punctured my eardrums. I would have felt bad, because a knife to the balls was awful, but they’d been known to carry off Aurathion children to eat, so fuck him.
I didn’t waste any time and took off like a shot, sliding through the exit like a baseball player rounding home.
“Eight minutes!” I heard Instructor Allen yell, right before I was lifted into muscular arms.
“That’s my badass girl!” Jesse tossed me into the air, then gave me a firm kiss. “I need you to promise me you won’t do anything like that again without me. My heart can’t handle the stress of you rushing into danger alone!”
“Put her the fuck down! She’s bleeding, and we need to take her to the infirmary.
” John pulled me into his arms, then cradled me against his chest. “And you know she can’t make that kind of promise, all of this shit is to get ready for initiation.
Take reassurance in the fact that our girl kicked ass! ”
I felt a hand softly tug my ponytail. When I looked over, I saw my Frosty smiling at me with approval. My chest swelled with pride as I grinned back at him. I knew he wasn’t the type to give his approval unless you’d truly earned it.
The adrenaline I’d been high on left me suddenly, and I felt utterly exhausted. Right before my eyes drifted closed, I was almost certain I saw Sly Iverson in the crowd blowing me a kiss.
Shit, I most definitely had a concussion. The fact that he whispered encouragement before I ran the course was unbelievable enough. Blowing me a kiss? No way that happened.
When I opened my eyes, I was lying in a room in the infirmary with the lights dimmed. I felt renewed, and my leg was healed entirely, along with the cuts and scrapes from the killer tree.
“I’m glad to see those beautiful amber eyes open.” Jesse, who was sitting on the edge of my bed, leaned over and kissed the end of my nose.
“Is our girl awake?” John walked into the room with three coffees.
The aroma was heavenly, “I hope one of those is for me?”
“Of course it is. Frosty told us how much you loved coffee.” John set one of the cups on the bedside table.
“I don’t usually approve of your caffeine consumption, but today I realize you could benefit from a boost." The man himself entered, holding a bag that emitted the most inviting smells.
“Tell me that’s donuts from Java and Jam. And how did you get a fresh batch so late in the evening?” I held a hand to my chest, like the drama llama I was. Hmm, that could be why Jasmine and I got along so well.
Frosty smiled at me indulgently, “Would I go anywhere else? And I have my ways.”
When he leaned down to hand me the bag, I pulled him in and brushed my lips over his - soft, testing - then began to lean back, breath shaky and eyes half-lidded.
But his hand caught the nape of my neck, holding me there, and he deepened the kiss with quiet, unspoken hunger, stealing the breath from my lungs.
When he finally pulled back, it was only far enough to break the kiss, his breath hot against my parted lips.
His hand still cradled my neck, thumb brushing my skin like he wasn’t ready to let go.
My chest rose against his with each unsteady breath, and for a heartbeat, neither of us moved – caught between restraint and the promise of more.
“That’s enough. You need to rest.” I could see from the heat in his eyes that pulling away had been the last thing he wanted to do.
“His nickname doesn’t suit him at all,” I said, still in a daze of desire.
Frosty chuckled darkly, “You’ll soon find out just how true that is.”
“Next time, I get to bring the donuts," Jesse grumbled, smoothing my hair back before handing me one of the heavenly treats.
Frosty smiled smugly, “Bring all you want, you’ll never top my skills. I’m far superior to most Aurathions at everything, as I’ve repeatedly told you.”
“Except modesty,” John smirked.
Frosty shrugged his shoulders, “I’ve always thought modesty was only employed by those who were not confident in their skills.”
“You would,” John smirked. “How do you feel?” He shoved his brother out of the way and took a seat on my bed.
“I actually feel really good.” I ate the donut in seconds, then made grabby hands for my coffee.
John picked it up but held it just out of my reach. “Frosty isn’t the only one who wants a reward.”
I smiled softly and barely had time to breathe his name before his hand cupped my jaw, and his mouth pressed against mine.
There was nothing gentle about it—only heat and desperation, as if he’d been holding back for too long.
When he finally pulled away, his breath was ragged, his forehead resting against mine, and I could still taste everything he hadn’t said.
It felt like coming home.
When he leaned back, tears came to my eyes for some crazy reason. The stress from the day and the affection my guys were showing me were my undoing.
“What’s wrong, my sweet girl?” John caught a tear on his finger and brought it to his mouth.
Seeing him take a part of me into his body made another bolt of desire move through me.
What were these men doing to me?
“Nothing?” It came out as more of a question than a statement.
“Are you sure?” He tugged a strand of my hair.
“I’m just so happy that I found you three.” I grabbed his hand and squeezed it in mine. “Now hand me my coffee before I mess you up.”
John smiled and handed me the cup. “Well, I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that the feeling is mutual.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” John said in a cautious voice.
At the same time, each of my men positioned themselves between me and the door. The door swung open, and a nurse walked in.
“It’s time for you young men to leave. Our patient needs rest,” she said, walking over and taking the coffee out of my hand. “No stimulants. If you get a good night’s sleep, you can leave first thing in the morning.”
I scowled as she entered the bathroom and poured my coffee down the sink.
“We’re going to stay with her and make sure she rests.” Jesse inserted all of his considerable charm into his voice.
“Are you Faction?” Nurse Ratched asked, already knowing the answer.
“No, we’re just first years, but we are her Potentials,” John said, knowing where the woman was going with her question.
“I’m afraid that’s not good enough. Only family or Faction is allowed to stay with a patient.” She smirked.
“Those are the rules, but I’m sure exceptions can be made.” Frosty stood and reached into his pocket.
The nurse frowned, “I know you’re not suggesting bribery, Mr. Walters.”
He pulled his hand out of his pocket, appearing more than a little frustrated. “Apparently not.”
I’m sure he wasn’t used to not getting his way, given his family's wealth and standing in the Aurathion community.
"Guys, I’ll be fine. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
I knew if I didn’t speak up, they would get themselves into trouble. The academy had been known to dole out punishments itself; Anything from early initiation to making your dorm the size of a broom closet. I wasn’t willing to see what it would do to the guys.
John stared at the nurse, looking like he wished he could melt her with his gaze.
Jesse and Frosty weren’t any happier with the situation.
“Please, guys, I am feeling a bit sleepy.” I needed to end this standoff before she called for reinforcements.
“Okay, but we’ll be back first thing in the morning,” John growled in the nurse’s direction.
She just nodded, then opened the door and motioned them out.
Jesse blew me a kiss, Frosty and John followed suit, then left the room.
“I’ll bring you some real food, then you need to rest.” She frowned at my donuts. “And don’t think those men can sneak back in here; I’ll be watching.” She gave me one more disapproving look before leaving the room.
I leaned back and closed my eyes. This day had been FUBAR, as my dads would say.
Even though meeting the guys was a dream come true, I was looking forward to a new day.
I understood it would get harder before it got easier.
Right now, I just wanted to finish the initiation so I could do the ritual with my guys.
I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face, thinking about those incredible kisses I’d gotten. Too bad, nurse cockblock, came in before Jesse got a turn.