Chapter 28
Sienna
“That professor is a monster!”
As we walk the halls to our next lesson—a blessed reprieve from Professor Aesir’s decimation of everyone’s individual performances during the Winter Mating Games—Gemma fumes, her cheeks a dusty pink that highlights her vibrant red curls.
“That poor mergirl was crying when she left. He had no right to call her out like that.”
“He called everyone out,” I remind her, sighing.
Including me, but at least he praised my running leap before tearing my confidence to shreds by calling my assault little more than a tantrum thrown by a child.
Too much ferocity, not enough precision.
I could have completed the same movements with half as much energy, he chastised, pulling up the battlefield on a holo-stone for the entire class to review.
Everyone got front row seats as Revyn and I tore into a bear shifter four times my size, but it didn’t feel nearly as gratifying as it did in real time, especially when Revyn pulled me in for a bloody kiss afterward.
Not with Alistair silently screaming at me from across the classroom. He was never dismissed from Aesir’s lesson—despite his topmost scores during the Games—a fact that I’m sure made him just as furious as witnessing my kiss with Revyn in full view of a crowd.
Some fated mate I am.
But even worse than that is knowing that Professor Aesir is right—I’ve never had to be efficient with my energy, because in the wilds, there’s an abundance of it pent-up and raring to get out in any way possible—usually by fighting, but sometimes by sex.
Furthermore, targets are rarely packed together like they were during the Winter Games, so there’s minimal risk in taking flashy moves.
Shredding a few enemies is the most fun Revyn and I had while traveling.
At least until we tore each other’s clothes off for the first time.
I feel Revyn’s stare at my back as I avoid direct contact with him yet again. But getting close clearly has consequences that end up with either one of us naked, and I don’t want either of us to get hurt . . . physically or otherwise.
Accidentally burning Alistair was bad enough, but if I burn Revyn . . . I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself.
It’s best to keep distance from as many people as possible.
Excluding, of course, the vampire gleefully leading me to our next class.
With my arm hooked through the crook of his and my hand nestled over his forearm, Callum keeps his head high as our classmates stare.
They probably think I’m a whore for having three men hover around me, even if one is less than happy about our alleged bond.
My inner critique is confirmed when a vampire hisses at me like a cat as we pass.
“One mate isn’t enough for you?” she scoffs, flashing her fangs.
The pleated skirt and collared shirt are a bit dated for this century, so I imagine that she’s been on the hunt for a mate for longer than I’ve been alive.
My heart goes out to her . . . until she eye-fucks both of my potential mates in front of me.
Yeah, fuck that.
I pull Callum to a stop beside me. I need his calm demeanor as an anchor in case shit goes down.
Glancing at the dated vampire from over my shoulder, I put on my sweetest smile.
“One dick isn’t enough to satisfy me,” I say loudly, enjoying the scarlet flare of her eyes.
“Isn’t that right, darling?” I squeeze Callum’s forearm and reach for Revyn with my other hand.
Fuck petty girls and their rumors.
“I just can’t get enough of their thick cocks. Mmm.” I press a slow, lingering kiss to Callum’s jaw. “Did you know that his is the biggest? All that blood has to go somewhere.”
“Sienna,” Callum murmurs, brushing his lips across my forehead.
“Don’t be rude. If you aren’t inviting her to watch, don’t paint such a pretty picture.
Besides . . .” Tipping my face up, he smiles, the curve of his blood red lips absolutely sinful.
“You know I can satisfy you with my illusions. We don’t need your other playthings. ”
Revyn growls at the insult, but I’m still stuck on the fact that Callum alluded to his illusions being useful in the bedroom. Questions burn in my mind, and I search Callum’s eyes for the answers, knowing that the secrets he keeps are just out of reach. If I asked, he might tell me.
Hells, he might show me.
Warmth pools between my thighs, gods, but I force myself to hold his gaze. “You’re right. I’m being insensitive.”
Turning to the girl and putting on a smile takes effort, but I manage. “If you weren’t such a poor choice for a mate, I’m sure you’d have as many partners as I do. What is it that Professor Aesir said about your performance, again?” I tap my chin as I pretend to think about it. “Lackluster?”
“‘A stain on your family’s bloodline,’ I believe were his exact words.” Callum clicks his tongue. “Helia will be displeased to know that Aesir thinks so little of you. Better shape up before word gets back to your matriarch.”
The vampire flinches. “H-how do you know my matriarch?”
“I am older than I appear, fledgling.” Callum tilts his head as though studying her. “And you are weaker than you let on, aren’t you? Hm. Helia will be most displeased.”
“Don’t say anything!” The girl begs, her eyes widening. “Please! I’m here so that I can improve. I need to take a mate soon, or—” She winces as she cuts herself off. “I can’t fail the academy.”
“I’m sure you can’t.” Callum flicks his wrist to dismiss the girl. “Leave. You bore me.”
Gemma whistles as the girl walks away, reminding me that we aren’t alone. At least a dozen other students linger nearby and cast furtive glances in our direction when they think we aren’t looking. “Shit,” Gemma breathes. “And I thought my matriarch was scary. You make hers sound like a nightmare.”
“She is,” Callum assures us.
Thorn pinches the bridge of his nose. “You shouldn’t antagonize the fledglings, Navarro. They’re here for the same reason you are.”
“And yet they failed the Winter Mating Games.” Callum clicks his tongue. “They should not be allowed to mate until they improve.”
“You failed too,” I remind him, unlinking our arms and putting some distance between us. Is it my imagination, or has his temperature risen? I lift my hair off my neck and fan myself. “That makes you and her the same.”
Callum’s gaze flicks to mine, the fine press of his lips giving away his agitation. “I did not wish to be separated from you, mate.”
“We aren’t mates.” I shake my head and start walking again. “I don’t have a mate.”
“Sounded to me like you just claimed three mates,” Gemma muses, taking Callum’s place by my side as she slips her arm into mine. “You need to be careful, Si. People already don’t like you. If you take more than one mate, they’ll be coming for your throat.”
It’s Revyn who speaks next, his voice cracking with malice. “They can fucking try.”
“I won’t take any mates,” I assure Gemma, taking an extra two seconds to roll my eyes at Revyn. We aren’t in danger, so there’s no need for him to use that tone. “I only said those things to keep her from calling me a whore behind my back.”
Thorn scoffs. “Because saying that you’re regularly gang-banged by two shifters and a vampire definitely discounts the ‘whore’ accusation.”
My face heats. “I don’t get gang-banged!”
“So they take turns?” Gemma’s eyes glitter like emeralds bathing in sunlight. “At least tell me so that I can be the one to imagine it. You won’t mind if it’s me, will you?”
My plan—albeit, not very thought out—has completely backfired. Someone brushes their fingertips along the curve of my neck, their touch cool against the burn warming my skin. I tip my head back to find Revyn staring longingly at my flesh, his half-lidded eyes pinpointing the exact spot he once bit.
Our eyes meet, and his rugged beauty steals the air from my lungs, like he’s done a thousand times before.
I quickly tear my gaze away and clear my throat.
That rogue silver streak in his hair—the one I love—has fallen over his eyes, and I clamp my hand around Gemma’s wrist to resist the urge to brush it back.
“There’s nothing to imagine. I’m not sleeping with any of them.”
Technically.
“Right, because sleeping next door to Alistair Dire is hard enough without having orgasmic sex with the bastard, too.”
I nearly crush Gemma’s manicured toes, their tips a soft jade peeking out of her sandals, as I trip over my own feet.
“How do you know he’s next door?” A flicker of panic that someone saw us on the balcony jolts my heart.
I pointedly ignore Callum’s hand at my elbow as he steadies me for our descent into the next lecture hall for Hardwicke’s class.
Everything in this castle is built on slopes, with this classroom being no exception with its unforgiving forty-five degree inline from one row of seats to the next.
“Please.” Gemma pulls me into the seat beside her and drapes her legs over the bench below ours.
Crossing her ankles, she spreads her dress delicately across her thighs.
“I’m a witch, remember? We gossip more than the gulls on the beach.
I bet I knew he was your neighbor before you did.
” She hands me a leather notebook and a thin stick of writing charcoal from her bag.
“Here. You take notes better than I do.”
That’s not true at all. I scrounge for discarded or abandoned scraps of paper every time we study together in the library, and I’ve not once brought a notebook in class.
“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” she fusses, arranging the notebook and charcoal in my lap for me. “You always look so frantic when we study. This way, you won’t embarrass me anymore.”
If I weren’t so moved by her kindness, I might take offense to that comment. Overwhelming gratitude brings silly tears to my eyes. I blink them away and wrap Gemma in a one-armed hug. “Thank you.”