Chapter 3
Theia
“Ms. Theia!”
I turn as I hear my name being called by the cutest little hellhound pups I’ve ever laid eyes on. On the surface, they’re bright, bubbly blonde human girls, but deep down I can see their true forms.
They will be a force to be reckoned with.
“Leigh, Trixie, good morning, and who are these?” I suppress a gasp.
NO, not here. NOT NOW!
Matching amber eyes from almost identical faces stare at me like the goddess I am. The mute’s face is pristine, carved stone, while the insane one has a scar running down his left eyebrow, past his jaw, where it curls almost a full circle around his throat.
They’re as beautiful and deadly as they are in my dreams.
“They’re our Zios! Mama has a doctor appointment to check on our baby brother.” Trixie announces, stealing away the uncle’s gaze from me.
“You know?” The one dressed in the Knight’s costume asks.
“Duh,” both girls say, rolling their eyes.
“Name?” His voice is rough from disuse and rolls down my spine, curling low in my belly where heat blooms for more than I know won’t come.
“Girls, go check in. Class is about to begin. You’re both welcome to join us if you do not disrupt the day’s activities. Otherwise take your leave now.” I let some of my power bleed into my words, but neither of them balk.
“Oh, we’re not going anywhere, little mate.” The scarred one’s grin turns evil, and I swallow hard, knowing I played my cards wrong.
I just made this into a game for him.
“We are nothing.” I’m impressed that the three words held so much conviction even though my core was quivering just at their mere presence.
Heaven forbid if we touch and seal this bond.
“No lies.” His hot hand burns through the silk blouse I’m wearing, and my skin sings in joy.
“What have you done?” I whisper as I try to break the contact.
“You’re already here, little mate.” The scarred one taps his forehead, and I curse at my mistake.
The mindlink.
The mute one nods, having heard my earlier fear and sealing us together for eternity with one simple fucking touch. I shake with the new presence of two voices in my mind that feel heavy in their silence.
Well, I can’t keep calling you mute one and scarred one. Which of you is which?
Before they can answer me, my teacher’s aide calls my name.
“Theia, are you alright?” I glance at the clock in annoyance, seeing I’m officially late.
“Yes, escort them to the back of the classroom.” I pull away and rush to my classroom, which is full of children dressed up for the Halloween parade.
I do my very best to ignore the hellhounds that are burning me alive with thoughts they are either incapable of hiding or purposely sharing.
Wonder, curiosity, lust, and shameful mental images of claiming me all flood my mind as I attempt to teach a classroom full of five-year-olds the colors of the rainbow.
ENOUGH!
I put up every mental wall I can to block them out the remainder of the morning, but by the time we’re lining up the children for the parade outside after lunch, I’m mentally exhausted, letting the walls slip as I tie a little boy’s shoes so he doesn’t trip.
Wonder if she’ll be so attentive to our pups?
I have a zipper that I think I left down. Will you come check?
My eyes fly up to the scarred one who is wiggling his eyebrows at me.
That’s Enzo. I’m Dario.
I turn back to my task but nod once in thanks. Now I can differentiate them both visually and mentally. I stand and fix my skirt so I don’t flash anyone.
No, please flash me. I’m dying to know if you’re wearing panties.
Gods, how am I supposed to get through the day with them hovering at the edges like this? Of all the schools on Earth, how did they end up at mine?
Olivia.
Dario’s mental voice sounds pensive while the loud snort that comes from Enzo makes me break decorum and look at them standing with their nieces.
That little bitch. We helped name her the new Fate, and she fucks us. Remind me to thank her.
The name of another woman in their thoughts makes my vision tinge red, then green, throwing my entire demeanor off. My human form vibrates with emotions I’m not used to feeling. I choke down the unfamiliar sensations and get back to my task.
Aw, no worries, little mate. Liv’s happily mated to Damon. You know the horseman, War? We’re all yours.
I slam my walls back up and grab the microphone to announce the parade procession.
“Thank you, staff, family, and students for joining us today for our thirtieth annual Halloween parade. It is my extreme pleasure, as it’s my last year hosting this, and I want to express the joy it’s brought me to help mold all these little minds throughout the years.
Now, without further ado, we start with the graduating class of 2060.
Their journey is just starting, and the next twelve years are going to fly by, so get your cameras ready for my kindergarten class!
” The gathered crowd claps as my teacher’s aide hits the button on the PA system, filling the playground with the approved Halloween music.
My eyes find my mates whose eyes are amber once again.
LAST?
The word echoes through my head, followed by the flood of emotion it brings them. It’s so powerful it knocks my mental walls down, drowning me in them. I stagger and grab the podium for support, but it’s no use.
My body sways, and for the first time in all my existence, all light goes out.