What followed was a flurry of movement so fast that I couldn’t make out what was happening or who was who, as they traded punches, growls, and … were they hissing? Coupled with that weirdness was the fact that they were all of similar size and wearing black clothes, so they all looked alike to me in the dark.
I’d heard a few names so far – the beautiful-voiced Xander, Lachlan the bully, whose last name might have been Sanguis, and Kam, apparent ally of Xander. But there had been five who’d surrounded me, and now I counted eight bodies.
I was so caught up for a moment trying to figure out what was going on and who was who, that it took a second to realize my chance. Sliding along the brick, I tried to edge my way free, and was almost clear of the alcove when a loud voice boomed, “Enough!”
Everyone froze, including me. The crowd parted and a newcomer entered the scene. He was dressed more normally than the others—no black jeans, leather, or hoody—just blue jeans and a brown jacket over a green sweater. Even in the dim light, I could see the sweater matched his eyes. In fact, now that the hoodies had fallen back from the others, all their eyes were visible to me.
Mainly because they were glowing. Some red, some gold, and some neon blue. They shone in the streetlamps like cats’ eyes. None of them looked human. My mouth dried anew, and I seriously feared my bladder might let loose on the sidewalk.
What was it one of them had said?
“The headmaster said no humans.”
It had to be a joke. Or some type of street slang. Maybe they considered themselves to be animals. They certainly acted like it.
But given that they’d all stopped and come to attention, I wondered if the latest arrival was the so-called headmaster. Was the term more slang? I mean, those guys hardly looked like boarding school material. Unless it was a school for dark wizards.
Ravenswood Hogwarts? Loyola School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?
I must have been on the verge of hysteria because I had to bite my lips to keep from giggling. Unfortunately, an unattractive snort came through my nose anyway, and they all turned to me. It was enough to make me laugh even harder, gripping my stomach as painful, nervous laughter barked out my throat, and tears streamed down my cheeks.
“Shit. Look what you’ve done,” the headmaster said, which sent me into a fresh wave of laughter. He didn’t look much older than the rest, and his appearance was so mild, it made me giggle some more.
He gazed at me in alarm then turned to a dark skinned, golden-eyed, gorgeous male whom I suspected wasn’t part of the original terrible five.
“Kam, take Asher and Thatcher and get them back to Copulus. I’ll meet you there after I’ve finished cleaning up this mess.”
He moved on to a sleek looking, black-haired male who had red eyes. “Rowan,” he barked, his voice angrier than how he’d addressed the others, “you, Lachlan and Laikan get into Sanguis and stay there. I’ll alert the headmaster you’re coming.”
Oh, so he’s not the headmaster. Geez, if these hoodlums listened to this guy, he must be scarier than he looked. I briefly wondered what the real headmaster must be like. Would he dress like Mr. Rogers here, too? Still giggling, I watched Rowan and the other two leave.
As they moved under the streetlight, it was apparent Lachlan and Laikan were probably twins. Despite someone calling them “ugly doubles” earlier, they would have been attractive if not for their evil red glares.
They turned those twin glares my way and the hysterical laughter that had been choking me died. There was serious danger in those eyes. I was glad the one called Rowan seemed to have them under control as they melded into the shadows and disappeared under the train tracks.
Mr. Normal-ish continued to stare after them for a moment before turning toward the remaining two males. Both appeared angry, but more in control than the rest had been.
One, in particular, wore an expression so cold and aloof you’d think he hadn’t been part of the battle at all. He was more leanly muscular than the ones who had departed, but it didn’t detract from his looks one bit. His glowing blue eyes slanted across sharp cheekbones, which sat over a square jaw. Asian ancestry carved across his face, mixed with something else, though I wasn’t sure what. His lips were full, his nose high bridged, and his skin glowed a warm, golden-brown in the dim light. His entire demeanor was detached and scholarly. Aristocratic, even.
“Xander, I trust you and Kam will make your way back without further incident?”
My attention speared on the one who nodded. Xander. Beautiful, aloof god, and owner of the delicious voice. His gaze snagged mine before he nodded, and my lungs tightened again.
“I’ll return to help you, Peter, after I drop off Kam.”
So, Peter the not-headmaster. And Kam the … other rescuer?
Kam was taller and more muscular than Xander, and just as handsome but in an earthier way. While Xander appeared aloof, Kam practically vibrated with energy and sensuality. I did a quick appraisal, despite myself. Dark, tan skin, square jaw, and full lips. Long, light brown braids framed his face perfectly, and his eyes glowed feline gold.
He raised an eyebrow at Xander. “I can get myself there,” he said, right before he disappeared into thin air.
The last thing I saw as my knees gave out was Xander leaning over me while Peter kept me from hitting the pavement.
Chapter Three
I awoke in a languorous state, unwilling to open my eyes yet. The dead quiet of the tiny dorm let me know my roommate spent the night with her boyfriend, and the moment felt too delicious to face the harsh realities of study. Stretching my arms over my head, I gave a small moan when the soft cotton of my t-shirt slid over my nipples, and a little pulse shot between my legs. My thighs clenched in response, and I slid my hand down my panties, smiling. I’d just found my rhythm in the slickness when a masculine chuckle brought everything to a screeching halt.
Literal screech.
I screamed when my eyes flew open and three large, gorgeous men stood over me. My damned body and brain went into freeze mode as they always do, and I couldn’t draw another breath to scream again when they moved closer.
“I think she’d do well in Copulus, don’t you?” asked one, while another leaned over me and sniffed.
“Still smells like Witch to me, but you Copula demons don’t really care where you stick your dicks, do you?” He turned to the third guy. “Probably same could said for the Sangui.”
“At least we get our dicks wet, asshole. All you do is mope around and meditate all day.”
Oh, god, oh god, oh god. I sat up, snatching the sheet for cover, and scrambled backwards in a bed I now saw was not my own. My back connected with a padded headboard, and my eyes widened as the memories came flooding back, some crystalline, some muddy.
“She really smells delicious,” said … Rowan. I remembered. His name was Rowan. He adjusted the bulge in his pants. “Tastes it, too.”
My brain stopped there, and my felt dunked in ice water.
His gorgeous companion scoffed. “Witches taste like shit to me.” Xander, of the beautiful voice and face. He would have fit right in with a stunning K-Pop band.
But what he’d said made no sense. Witches? What the hell? My crazy roommate was the Wiccan, not me.
“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” said the third member of the trio.
