Chapter 9
Adelaide
Iwoke abruptly when I felt someone lift my hands above my head, and I heard a soft click.
“What the hell?” I yelped in surprise.
“Did you think you could humiliate me and face no consequences?" Selene smirked evilly at the predicament I was in.
“I think she actually did,” Beatrice said coyly.
I noticed that Beatrice had cuffed my wrists. She’d looped them around a bar extending from the wall behind my bed, used for IV bags.
“You better let me go, asshole. My nurse will be back here at any moment.” I jerked against the cuffs to no avail.
“Who do you think snuck us in here?” Selene laughed, “She’s a friend of my family.”
Beatrice pulled a small knife from her pocket. “What should we do first?”
Selene slapped me so hard I felt my lip bust open. “I don’t know; So many choices, so little time.”
“That looked like fun.” Beatrice dropped an elbow into my gut.
I was gasping for breath as Selene raised my bed, almost pulling my arms from their sockets.
“Now we have better access,” She smiled in satisfaction right before punching me in the stomach.
Before the pain even had time to register, Beatrice followed her punch with another exactly in the same spot.
At that point, I’m sure my face was purple from the loss of oxygen, and I continued trying to draw in a breath, helpless to defend myself. I knew these two were assholes, but I hadn’t recognized how truly evil they were.
I hope that oversight wasn’t going to get me killed.
“Wait, I think she’s trying to say something.” Selene smirked, “Did you want to beg for mercy?”
I finally took in enough air to form words: “You hit… like a… bitch.”
Selene scowled and then struck me so forcefully that I heard my nose crack and saw spots. I’d lied, she hit harder than should have been possible for a Passive with no Faction. But fuck if I’d admit that to her.
I felt something cold run across my face. When I regained my vision, I saw a knife glinting in the bedside light.
“I bet the guys won’t be as interested in her if we scar her pretty face. Maybe take out one of those golden eyes.” Beatrice smiled evilly as she gently stroked my face with the knife.
“We might not be able to get away with that, but shaving her hair would be an acceptable option," Selene smiled indulgently at Beatrice.
“But I wanted to see what she would look like without an eye.” She pouted, “and you know what the sight of blood does to me.”
Selene chuckled, “I know, sweet girl.” She moved closer to Beatrice and gave her a long kiss that had both of them moaning in desire. “I never said I’d shave her head gently; that knife is sharp, so there will probably be some cuts and gashes along the way.”
Beatrice giggled, “Let’s do it together.”
“Great idea. The couple that plays together, stays together.” Selene laid her hand over Beatrice’s on the knife handle and moved it in my direction.
I jerked and tugged on the cuffs, but I couldn’t get loose. This was going to suck. As much as I abhorred giving them the satisfaction, I felt tears come to my eyes in frustration at my helplessness.
“Fuck you! You’re cowards. You couldn’t beat me in a fair fight, so you decided to prove just how chickenshit you are.” I said, struggling to move away from the knife.
“You have me confused for someone who cares; It doesn’t matter how I win, just as long as I do,” Selene smirked.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Sly Iverson burst through the door.
A wave of relief washed over my entire body. I didn’t know why he was in the infirmary, but I was grateful that he was.
“Sly! What are you doing here?” Selene jerked the knife behind her back.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Sly walked over to my bed, reached up, and crushed the cuffs with his massive hands.
I moaned as my arms dropped, and blood rushed back to them. Sly positioned himself between me and the girls. “Get the fuck out of here!”
“Why are you so worried about her?” Selene asked accusingly. “You’re mine.”
“I’m not yours… I’m hers.” He reached back slightly and laid one of his large hands on my leg. “Now get the fuck out before I break your fucking neck.”
Beatrice rolled her eyes and strolled out of the room.
Selene followed behind her but paused before leaving, “This isn’t over, bitch. I told you to stay away from what’s mine.” She narrowed her eyes, “You should have listened.”
“Fuck you, Selene.” I struggled to rise and follow the bitch. I had no idea what I planned on doing, since I was pretty fucked up.
“Calm, Angel. She’s not worth it.” He turned and sat at my side, pulling me into his arms until I settled down.
“Why are you here?” I didn’t even realize he knew who I was before today.
“I came right after practice to check on you. As to why, you heard what I told Selene. I’m yours.” He gently lay beside me on the bed, then took my hand in his. “Can’t you feel it?”
When I stilled, I noticed the tingling that began in my hand and then spread through the rest of my body.
“I do.” I breathed. “How did you know? I know we’ve never touched before now.” I smiled shyly, “I would’ve remembered if we had.”
“The first time I saw you, I just knew.” He dropped my hand, then went into my bathroom, returning with a damp towel.
“Why didn’t you say something before now?” I flinched as he cleaned the blood from my face. My lip was busted, and my jaw was killing me. Not to mention the terrible pain in my stomach.
He took a few moments to answer, “I’ve known Selene for years, and she’s tried to claim me as hers for a very long time.
I knew how dangerous she could be. I didn’t want to bring her wrath down on you, especially when I found out you were roommates.
” Sly threw the rag on the bedside table and lay beside me, taking me gently in his arms once again.
“Did you ever have a relationship with her? Is that why she believes you’re hers?” That thought made me grit my teeth. I probably shouldn’t have asked, but I wanted… no, I needed to know.
“No, absolutely not.” He drew me closer, “She’s insignificant to me.
Selene has spent years trying to change my mind, but I’m not stupid.
She’s only ever wanted me for my notoriety.
Plus, I wanted to wait for my Ancestors' given Nexus,” He grinned.
“And I was rewarded for my patience when I saw you.”
I closed my eyes and nestled closer to his massive chest, just breathing in his clean scent. He made me feel safe, and I needed that right now.
I sighed, "I’m not going to be able to let this stand. My pride won’t allow it.”
“I know. I wouldn’t expect you to.” Sly kissed the top of my head.
“There are three other potentials that I’d like you to meet.” I grinned up at him before my eyes drifted closed. I really needed sleep; this day just never seemed to end.
He laughed, “I’ve been watching. Each of them brings something unique to this Faction, and I approve.”
I opened one eye, “Oh, you do, do you? I didn’t know I needed your approval.”
“You don’t. But I’d think you’d want to stay on the good side of the man that’s been delivering breakfast to your door.”
“That was you?” I grinned, then winced at the stretch on my busted lip.
“That was me,” Sly stood reluctantly. “Let’s see if we can get someone in here to heal you.”
“Will you come back?” I hated to sound so needy, but I didn’t want to be alone.
It wasn’t because I was scared; it was because I didn’t know if I could hold myself back from hunting those bitches down and kicking their ass.
I knew this situation needed to be handled carefully, or I’d end up on the wrong side of the problem.
I didn’t underestimate Selene’s intelligence or her connections… not anymore.
“Nothing could keep me away; I’ll only be gone a minute.
” He smirked, “I know you can be impulsive, but please be patient. I’m going to send word to your other men, and we’ll do some planning.
” He opened the door, then paused and glanced back at me.
“My Nexus will get the revenge she deserves; I’ll see to it. ”
Sly looked at me for a few more moments before he left, his eyes filled with adoration.
Had any Nexus ever been as lucky as me?
I’d fallen asleep soon after Sly left the room, but woke when I heard my door open. Apparently, I hadn’t been sleeping very deeply because of the incident earlier.
Color me surprised when I saw all of my Potentials entering the room behind Sly.
Jesse rushed to my side, “What the actual fuck? I’ll kill those two bitches for this.”
Frosty reached my other side and scowled, “There definitely needs to be severe consequences dealt to them both.”
John and Sly stood at the foot of my bed, a hand on each of my feet.
“There will be, but we need to be smart about it. The nurse who had us leave earlier is nowhere to be found, and it seems that none of the other staff have any idea who she was.” John squeezed my foot gently.
I sat up, “What the hell? How did she get past everyone at the desk?”
Sly scowled, “I’d bet most of them were paid off. Her family is close to Ubel Brummond and has unlimited power thanks to that relationship.” He sighed, “I’m afraid none of them would take kindly to you humiliating her in the Maze.”
“Well, my family also has quite a bit of political power, and I won’t stand for this.” Rue leaned down and kissed the top of my head.
At that moment, another nurse walked in, but with a healer who followed close behind.
“What have you gotten into now, Ms. Hawthorne?” the healer asked, with a frown.
“Are you fucking serious right now?” Jesse growled.
The healer and the nurse winced as Sly snapped, “She didn’t get into anything. Someone on your staff allowed Selene Tempest and Beatrice Sims into her room. As you can see, they thoroughly worked her over."
“I had no idea. I’m so sorry.” The healer took a step back.
“You better believe there will be actions taken. After I inform my family of this atrocity to my potential Nexus, you’ll be lucky if any of you keep your position here.” Frosty clipped out.
“Sir, I have no idea how this happened, but you can be sure that we’ll get to the bottom of it. Will you permit me to heal her?” he asked, timidly.
Frosty nodded his head curtly and stepped to the side.
The healer approached, but when the nurse made to follow, a low growl from Sly stopped her in her tracks. “Just the healer.”
She nodded timidly, “Yes, Mr. Iverson. I’ll step out of the room.”
He didn’t acknowledge her and turned back to watch the healer closely.
The healer closed his eyes and touched my forehead. Almost immediately, I felt my cuts and bruises healing along with the soreness in my stomach. All of my injuries would have healed in a day or so on their own, but none of my men seemed willing to wait, and I was thankful for that.
“Okay, Ms. Hawthorne, I believe with a little rest you’ll be as good as new.” The healer said, stepping away from my side.
“If you think she’s staying here one more minute, you’re crazy.” Jesse rubbed a hand through his hair, clearly aggravated.
“She’s required to stay under our surveillance through the night in case she needs any more help.” The healer wrung his hands nervously.
“Absolutely not. We’ll be taking her with us, and if she needs anything more from you, I’ll inform you myself.” Frosty sniffed in disdain. “We’ve seen how safe she is here, and I won’t stand for it.”
Jesse cleared his throat.
Frosty rolled his eyes, “We won’t stand for it.”
The healer nodded his head and left, not having the balls to insist on my staying.
“Okay, Nexus, let’s get you up and out of here. Frosty has the largest room and doesn’t share with anyone, so we’re all bunking with him for what’s left of the night.” John handed me a small bag I hadn’t noticed until now, with a change of clothes.
When I looked at him in question, he sighed, “Frosty demanded the dean let us pack up your room. Although it’s frowned on until after initiation and the ritual, he has also consented to let us move to Faction housing.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.” I gasped out in surprise.
“Neither has anyone else, but because of Sly’s popularity and Frosty’s family’s influence, an exception has been made.” John smirked, “Now get that beautiful ass out of bed and get dressed.”
I complied, still stunned by his words but more than ready to leave.
After I changed, we all left, with Sly insisting on carrying me. I didn’t put up a single protest. I wasn’t a fool, after all; there were at least thirty Aurathions I could name offhand who would shank me to be in my position.
My best friend included.
We left the medical building and entered the tower where the first years were housed. Climbing to the very top, I wasn’t surprised to see he was in the so-called penthouse suite, lacking a better description.
Emberhold obviously had a soft spot for his brilliance.
Frosty unlocked his door, then stood aside so Sly could enter with me. I gasped when I saw the luxury he lived in. My room was nice, but nothing like Frosty’s. He even had a balcony I spotted through two large glass doors.
Before I could look my fill, Sly pushed through a door to the left of the giant stone fireplace. He passed a king-size bed, entered a large bathroom, and gently set me on my feet.
“Okay, Nexus, I’m going to run you a hot bath. Take your time, and we’ll prepare you something to eat, then we’ll all get some rest.” Frosty followed in behind us and started running water into a large claw-foot tub.
These men had gone above and beyond for me. “Thank you, I really appreciate everything.”
Jesse entered the room, “It’s our privilege. Do you need any help undressing?” He waggled his brows.
“No, she does not.” Frosty snapped as he poured bubble bath into the tub.
I frowned at him in disapproval, “I can answer for myself.” I hugged Jesse, “I don’t, but thanks for the offer.”
Jesse stuck his tongue out at Frosty, “Okay, I’ll head into the kitchen to help John.”
Sly and Frosty followed behind him, the latter stopping to kiss the top of my head. “Yell if you need anything.”
I nodded; when the door closed, I quickly took off my clothes and sighed as I sank into the hot water. I honestly didn’t want to know how Frosty figured out my preferred bath water temperature.
Leaning my head back, all the events that had transpired began running through my head. Unfortunately, I wasn’t lying when I told Sly that retribution would have to be served to Selene and Beatrice. There was no way I’d survive the academy letting that kind of transgression pass.
Lucky for me, I had four fine as fuck men willing to help me figure it all out.