Page 31 of Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice

She lifted her hands in a surrender motion. “I had to give it one last go.” Her eyes swept over me with heat shining in them. “For the record, that flash was for you.” The little bitch winked at me. She truly was part Sex Demon.

“I’d kill you first.” Trigger’s tone was matter of fact, like it was an already done deal. It made me shiver.

She sighed. “Yes, I believe you would. You’ve always been a little cuckoo.”

My smirk dropped to a scowl. “Keep it up and you’ll end up dead.”

Tila didn’t say anything else, but she nodded that she understood. Good.

Stanine stood to face me and pulled out a large vial with a red liquid sloshing in it. “I brought this as a bribe for you to help me find Tila. It’s what will take away the darkness.”

Trigger was behind him in the next instant with a blade to Stanine’s neck. How the fuck did he move that fast? My eyes went wide as my wetness grew in my panties grew wet. He was so sexy.

The red jewel at the tip shined in the light. All of the daggers hummed with anticipation, including the one in my skin. They loved getting covered in blood. “Hand it over. No bribes or terms, give it over or die.”

Stanine obeyed immediately.

He lifted his arms. “I said that even before I knew Tila was here I was going to give it to her. I don’t think you understand the bond we share. If anything happens to Ivy, we all die. My soul is literally tethered to hers.” Stanine’s aura shifted as he opened himself up to the room. It wasn’t just his words, but his vulnerability.

Demons could sense such things, so Trigger stepped back, recognizing the sincerity in Stanine’s stance and energy.

Kain growled when Trigger moved to give it to me. “Run some tests on it. Bones help him, make sure it’s safe. I don’t care what he said, I’m not taking any chances with our mate.”

Stanine moved away from everyone and helped himself to the open liquor on the bar. “Yes, do whatever you need to do. I promise that I’m not lying, though. It might have been messed up how I ended up being mated to Tila, and for that I apologize, but I just want you to know that I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. None of this has been a game for me. I hope that we can eventually trust one another.”

As they continued to talk my focus went to Trigger and Bones. Watching them move around as if they were on the same wavelength was beautiful. Jars broke, making glass and dust fly behind them, the energy sizzled and popped in the air.

When casting either dark or light spells, a person needed either an incantation or ingredients. Some of the more complicated magic needed both. But using words without ingredients took a lot of magic and not everyone could do it.

Neither of them hesitated, this wasn’t their first time working together. Trigger ordered Bones to run his magic over everything, and without question he did.

Watching them made an envious green monster come out and me. I missed doing magic and spells with Trigger, and I wanted Bones to be there with us like they were doing now. The familiarity was what I wanted. I could have lost that opportunityif I let the numbness take me. The room blurred around me as my eyes zeroed in on each of my mates. The way they moved and worked together. They had become even closer in my absence.

Did they even want me back?

As expected, the numbness crept in, offering me a tempting escape. If they decided I was too much trouble, my world would shatter. For a brief moment, I entertained the idea of giving in. It painted scenarios of isolation in my mind, and the tingle at my hairline signaled my demon's desire to either feed or kill—though it was unclear which. Since I wasn’t indulging the numbness, we’d see which way my demon leaned.

Dex and Alaric must have felt something because they appeared at my side. Maybe the bond let them see the pitiful show dancing around in my head. Or they just knew me better than I even knew myself. Either way I welcomed their nearness.

Warm hands cupped both of my cheeks. Dex’s red eyes were my home. “Hey Succy, look at me, my Queen. I’ve missed you so much. Not just because Alaric has been using me like a juice box.”

Alaric and I snorted, but I let him continue, needing to hear his words. My heart knew I had nothing to worry about. My brain, most likely caused by the curse, didn’t comprehend their love. I had never been good with emotions, though.

“I love you. I don’t care what I have to do. You’re not going to be alone, okay. So, smack those thoughts out of your head like the bitches they are because you’re never getting rid of any of us again.”

The confirming grunts from the rest of my mates pushed those dark feelings away. I needed that potion already. It was time to get rid of the numbness before it became too tempting, and I gave in.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

BONES

Dex had to peel the blankets off Ivy to prepare her for the potion, which meant two other men’s gazes were fixated on my mate’s body. Fury surged within me. I stepped away from Trigger’s side, grunting in frustration as my demon threatened to shift, and shifting in front of Ivy would only make matters worse. All of it fueled the rage boiling in my gut, though.

I had to release it before my demon took over.

My water magic spilled out of me, splashing the two bastards’. Balthazar and Stanine bent over and screamed. Their hands covering their reddening faces. The temperature might have been a tad bit hot.

I reveled in their screams. They brought a smile that could blind the Earth’s sun. Thankfully, the water washed away some of the angry heat inside of me.

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