Page 41 of Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice

My gaze searched his baby blue eyes and the seriousness in them. “Really?”

“I never say anything I don’t mean.” He leaned in to give me a soft kiss. My heart skipped a beat. Kain was sexy as heck, all grumpy and demanding, but this hint of a sweet side was by far the sexiest thing he had ever done.

Smokey’s massive rottweiler-slash-bear-like animal form pressed in on my other side. As I ran my hand over his head and scratched his ears, my eyes stayed on my mate.

“He was a hard one to hide from.” I scratched him under the chin as well. “I’m sorry I had to send you away, boy. I missed you so much.” His tail wagged. I hoped he’d go to his puppy formand hide in my hair during classes again. His presence always calmed me.

“Ivy!” I stiffened at hearing my name, but the familiar voice made me smile.

I turned to see my brother, Zar, running toward me. He had filled out and grew muscle in his short time with Vivian. That was what happened when an Incubus found their Queen.

“Zar!” I said and ran to meet him. I could hear my mates followed, but nothing else registered while my brother was this close to me. They’d watch my back, so I could have this time with him.

I threw myself into his arms. His warm cookie scent enveloped me instantly. The sense of comfort in its purest form washed over me. A cheeky joy filled me where I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hug him tighter or to punch him in the arm—just because.

“I’m so glad I caught you here. I was going to call you and there you were outside of the window.” It felt great to have my twin back in my arms and to see him thriving in Hell. Never in a million years did I see us here in the future I imagined.

“I’ve been meaning to come by, I’ve just been?—”

“Trying to take over Hell? I know. I’m surprised you have time to shower.” He glanced at Kain. “You better be thankful she cares enough to bathe. I’ve had to endure it when she skipped a couple days.” He made this phew noise and fanned the air by his nose. “It’s not pretty.”

I pushed him away with a smile.

“Jerk.” The chuckle that came out of my mates made my embarrassment worth it, though. Zar always had an act for making people smile. Whereas I usually scared them.

“Anyways, I can’t stay too long. Vivian is making us dinner.” He pulled a large vial looking thing with a glow to it out of his hoodie pocket. It hung on a black rope and had swirling symbolsengraved on the glass. His black sweats said the AC was on high in his house. Zar always hated the cold. Marnie and Zar used to fight over the thermometer all the time.

His voice pulled that memory from my mind. “So, I have a gift for you. Well, technically it’s from Vivian’s parents, but I’m taking credit because Ark contacted me. Not them. Molly knows how to solve some of your problems.” He handed me the glowing thing gently.

“What is it?” I asked. My mates moved closer to look at it and to hear his answer.

“It’s the damned soul you needed. I don’t know what for, but you got it. It’s kind of freaky when you think about it.” He shook his head and glanced away. It was kind of creepy actually. A person was trapped in this glass prison. If it wasn’t a once evil person that was sent to Hell as punishment, I might feel bad.

“Really? How the heck did they do that?” I smiled down at the glowing rod. That was one thing off my to-do list.

Zar shrugged. “It’s some kind of holding device or something. I didn’t ask.”

“Well, I’m grateful. I’ll have to send them a thank you gift.” I handed the soul to Kain because I didn’t have pockets big enough for it. He was also the closest. The others had fanned out to act as my body guards. Kain gave it to a tall beast-like shadow for safe keeping.

Zar shivered and eyed the shadow wearily. He had met my mates once, but we’d have to actually spend time together when this was over. Between Zar’s fear of the shadows and the awkwardness seeping into the bond, they needed the time.

Zar snapped at me to get my attention. “Oh, Molly said before you give it to him, ask him questions. It’ll turn red if there is a lie in the vicinity.” My mouth just hung open.

“Are you shitting me?” I could barely talk. That would help so much.

He put his hands up. “Don’t get too excited. It only works for a few questions and not at all if a soul isn’t inside.”

Okay, not as cool, but it really did help me with the Lust issue. If we could trust him, he’d help us get answers. I’d have to thank Molly and Ark for sure.

Zar glanced down at his watch. “Shit, I got to get going. If the food gets cold after she spent hours cooking it, I’m going to hate myself.” He stepped toward me, and I met him halfway with my arms wide. “It was great seeing you. Vivian misses you like crazy.”

“I miss her more. Take good care of her.” Then, I let him go.

“Always. My Queen shall want for nothing.” He said the last part in a funny accent that was actually a mix of several all in one. I snorted.

He moved away and to their surprise went to each of my mates to give them a hug. “Thank you for keeping my sister safe. I look forward to getting to know you guys. Vivian has told me tons of stories already.”

Dex laughed. “The little minx probably only told the embarrassing ones.”

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