Page 67 of Dirty Little Saint

“You still haven’t heard from her either? It’s not like her to miss the first week of school. One of her favorite things is showing up to her first class hungover and reminding her teachers that she’s a Thorn and can do whatever the fuck she wants,” Villette quips.

Her absence is starting to feel weird. I never thought I’d care about Libra Thorn, but I can’t help but worry about her. “Yeah, it’s not like her. Have you asked your brother, Bones, about it?”

She nods. “He says he hasn’t seen her. Aries, Libra’s brother, can’t get a hold of her either… I hope she’s okay.”

My stomach knots. With everything that’s been going on lately, I can’t help but think the worst. But I can’t let my mind go there. Yet. “I’m sure she’s fine. Probably just wants to be fashionably late so she can make her grand entrance.”

Villette smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “For sure.”

I make a mental note to have Atlas press his family for more information on her whereabouts. Which isn’t going to be easy since his father currently wants to kidnap me and make me his ritual sex slave. Fuck. How is this my life right now?

The guys insist on paying the check and also driving us back to the Nest. I make Villette sit in the front seat next to Val so she doesn’t have to be sandwiched between Riot and Atlas. Even though she’s known them her whole life, they still scare her. She doesn’t say as much, but I can see it in her eyes.

Atlas climbs out of the car after me. “Looks like it’s just you and me tonight, pretty girl.”

They weren’t kidding when they said they weren’t letting me out of their sight.

I hug Villette goodbye and watch to make sure she gets inside safely before I lean in to give Riot a deep kiss. I stretch across the passenger seat and kiss Val with just as much passion. They both taste differently, each one stirring my senses and stimulating my need. I want all three of them with me tonight, but there’s so much to be done. Riot has Nocturnus business, and Val needs to check in on his uncle, who’s been holed up with Jessamine since the winter break.

And for the first time in Nocturnus history, they aren’t throwing one of their parties this weekend. That alone lets me know that this thing with their fathers is serious.

When we walk into my dorm apartment, the first thing I notice is the new coffee table. I chuckle to myself. Atlas sets out an array of poison vials across it before plopping down on the couch. “Fetch me a couple of glasses, love, so I can make us a cocktail.”

His tone is playful and not demanding in the slightest. A little rush of excitement seeps into my veins as I head to the kitchen. I come back with the glasses and also a bottle of tequila. I take a pull from the bottle while I watch Atlas pour from the vials like a chemist.

If someone told me a few months ago that I’d not only be immune to poison but also craving it, I would have thought they were crazy. It looks like I’m the crazy one now.

He hands me one of the glasses as I take a seat next to him. “Wanna talk to me about what happened with Professor Crane, pretty girl? Val said he walked in on something strange between you two.”

It’s been a week since our encounter, and no one has said a word. I thought they might let it go. Fuck. “Um… it was nothing. He just wanted to talk about what happened at Swallow. That was it.”

Atlas runs a hand through his blond hair, slicking it back off his forehead. His eyes glow and I try not to drown in them. He has this pull. Like the ocean that their color mimics. I take a sip of the poison cocktail and draw in a quick breath. It burns my throat like fire. My chest tightens, and my lungs contract as my blood and oxygen go to war with each other.

I lean my head back against the cushions and close my eyes as I wait for the pain to subside.

He strokes my thigh. “Relax. Don’t fight it.”

A whimper escapes my throat as my sigils come to life, responding to the poison like beacons of light. But as I adjust and allow the toxins to flow through me, my body tingles. It’s euphoric. Even his breath on my cheek feels like heaven.

“That feels good now, doesn’t it?” He slides his hand up higher and caresses my belly.

I nod. I try to swallow, but my tongue feels so heavy. I take another pull from the tequila bottle, needing the alcohol to coat my mouth.

“Yeah,” I breathe.

My pulse quickens as he unbuttons my shirt. “Tell me about what happened in the ritual room at Holden’s.”

I shake my head. “No. I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I’m not asking, Maur. This shame you’re carrying… you gotta let it go.” He peels my shirt back after he’s finished with the last button. I arch my back as the poison and tequila start to make my head spin. He unhooks my bra and pulls it down.

“Touch me,” I beg.

He traces his finger around my breast and then stops. “Only if you tell me something about that night.”

Fuck.

My pulse is racing. I am high and drunk and horny as fuck. “I had to touch myself in front of them… had to make myself cum while they watched.”

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