Page 19 of Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice

That’s why I hated crowds. Everyone’s eyes always drifted toward me, making me feel like I was on stage again. Just like this morning when we stepped out of the dark hallway. There were too many people for my liking. But, given my feelings toward everyone except my bonded family, that was to be expected.

People attempted to talk to me, but I ignored them. Being in the top five most powerful in the school was like being a celebrity. Being Lucifer’s son made it a thousand times worse. Someone always wanted to be near or talk to me. They had no idea about the turmoil inside.

My trauma wasn’t publicly known, but the ones that did know, always used it against me. Even my old mate. The flashesof Tila demanding I fuck her in front of the whole faction sizzled on my brain. She’d threatened to let Lucifer know that we were up to something. We worked hard to get him to think he had control over us, so I couldn’t let her do that. I hid my suffering by using my shadows to fuck the wench.

When she used her new abilities from Lucifer’s blood to force Trigger to eat her out because of a fit of jealousy that was it for me. Any speck of caring I had for the woman vanished. She was just another one of my tormentors. Just like the woman we called Terror.

The flashes that brought those memories gave me an instant headache.Cutting, carving, so much pain, raping, performing her torture in front of a crowd… I scrunched my eyes closed and pushed down the fucked-up memories.

I rolled my shoulders as our group walked past the student lounge that was only for the House of Sin. My fingernails dug into my palms, so I could focus on something else. Our communicators were red, and we all consumed some type of energy from people. Things like emotions and life force, but mostly pain and fear.

For some reason, the demons that ate the latter bred like rabbits. The few witches that used life force to fuel their magic nodded to Trigger as we passed. He was the strongest half witch in the school, so he was like their leader in a way. Witches didn’t form large covens here because they got targeted, but they all gave Trigger the respect of a coven leader.

Once we were out of that room, I could breathe easier. The brick hallway that retracted at night was just as crowded. Why couldn’t we just teleport to our classes? I hated people.

“Let’s take the long way,” I said as Dex prepared to tackle the hallway.

I’d have to let him know about my brother’s and my own traumas and weaknesses soon, but showing vulnerability wasn’tmy strong suit. I always had to be the strongest, the most composed, the leader. Letting go of those roles was nearly impossible, which was why I gave Ivy such a hard time. I didn’t mean to, but I didn’t know how to be or do anything else. I needed to protect her.

We were almost out of the building. One more heavily filled room, and I could breathe outside air. The common room for the House of Sin was always packed. People came here to be hurt or fucked basically. The line at the BDSM vending machine proved that much.

I had to focus on something to keep from having a panic attack or some shit, so I focused on people’s wrists. There were four student houses at the academy and each of them had a lounge for residents only. There was a common room where everyone could mingle, and everyone always came here. Orange and blue communicators filled the room. There were several reds, here to feed, but the greens were nowhere to be seen. Interesting.

Did the shifter’s absence have to do with Ivy beating their house alpha to claim Alaric as her mate? I’d reach out to an informant to find out. The magical full moon was days away, and if the alphas were being tested it might be chaos when they shifted.

Green communicators represented the House of Howlers, comprised of half-shifters. Orange communicators signified the House of Black Auras, consisting of half-vampires, as they were the only beings naturally endowed with a black aura. Everyone else had to earn their darkness through malevolent acts.

Finally, there was the House of Power, with blue communicators, encompassing a diverse range of half-beings, from Fae to trolls. Dimidium Demons not belonging to any of the other three houses ended up in the House of Power. If Bonesdidn’t need to feed his demon side with anger or battle lust energy, he would have been placed there.

The only other color communicator were the black staff ones. Thankfully, there were none in here. And even more to be grateful for, my feet hit the outside grounds. The heat and humidity didn’t bother me. The sight of the outside of the gothic, castle-like buildings was even comforting. The blurred and zig zagged buildings even helped eased my tension.

I lifted my red communicator. The time flashed at me. It was way too early in the morning to be around people. I welcomed this small distraction, though. The hologram screen popped up, but only I could see it. Others would know from the red shine on my wrist, but they wouldn’t see anything else.

Me: I don’t see any of you hairy bastards in the lounge. Problem in howler land?

He responded almost instantly which was different for him. The asshat liked to read my messages and respond hours later. Today, I was glad for his speedy fingers.

Hairball: You could say that. I’m bored off my ass because of your new mate. The pecking order and all that shit.

Me: Not sorry. But since I have you on here, have you spoke to any of the slaves? They have gone quiet.

The communicators weren’t infallible, but they were secure. Private conversations would stay that way.

Hairball: No shit. They’re scared about Lucifer’s attack, but my contact that still works in his house said, it’s a bluff. Or better yet, a distraction. Besides, it’s getting the slaves to behave.

Well, fuck. I’d have to tell Ivy, so she didn’t stress about it or do something to bring attention to her.

Me: Thanks for the update. After your hairy mess, we should get a beer.

Hairball: Yeah, right. You just want to know my identity. Get over it. I want to help the right side, but I’m a demon, I’ll always side with the winner. I’m not showing my ass until you are king. Not sorry. Talk to you later, I’m going to turn into my animal and lick my balls.

Me: Suck a dick.

Hairball: Jealous.

I rolled my eyes and delete the message. Most of our contacts were anonymous, so I expected his answer. If Lucifer won, everyone on the losing side would wish they were dead, but I refused to let that sperm donor be the victor in this fight.

“Come on, I need to get food before classes,” Dex said, quickening his pace toward the large building situated in the center of the four houses.

---