The bathroom door clicked open. “Your thoughts are really loud, Ivy. If you didn’t have the mate bonds tied down so tight,all your men would be here in a second to help and to set you straight.” Lilah’s tone had harshness to it.
She clearly wanted me to get over my pettiness, but my anger didn’t want to subside. I hated feeling like the people I cared about were ganging up against me. It felt like all of Hell was doing that in one way or another. They weren’t supposed to do the same. Relationships were meant to be equal between partners.
“I’m sorry, I can’t do that yet.” She rolled her eyes at my answer and plopped down next to me on the bed. I kept my eyes on the ceiling. Its blank, white surface was safer at the moment.
Her hand rested gently on my arm. “Just give them a chance. The Headmaster hasn’t involved them in things because you asked him not to but working as a team makes everything easier.” When I didn’t say anything, she sighed, gave me another reassuring pat, and then stood. “Think about it. I’m starving, so I’ll make us some food, okay?”
I nodded in response.
She limped her way out to go cook.
My jaw clenched. I didn’t want to give in, and I didn’t like seeing her hurt, but she was right. I was running myself ragged. It would take a team to help me, but I didn’t trust people enough to have one.
My resolve wavered. Maybe, if I still kept my distance from my mates, but let them in, I could get a break.
I was their mate after all. We needed each other. The image of the day we became one played in my sleep-deprived mind. Me floating in the air as power consumed me the moment, Nyx linked all my mates to me. The Goddess Nyx had blessed Alaric and Dex as my mates as well, and something inside of me snapped. She clapped before disappearing, the power making my eyes shine bright, and gravity disappear. All six of our jeweled weapons had glittered brightly and sung in harmony,celebrating our deeper connection. Even as Tila screamed and slapped at my new mates for them leaving her, I stayed frozen, until energy burst from me in all directions, illuminating the world with my pinkish, gold glittery magic. I floated back down to the ground.
After that, I spent a week in bed, drained. All the voices and thoughts that bounced around in my mind like a taunting cat crippled me. I didn’t go through all that for nothing.
When I recovered, however, my men had changed. They wanted to keep me locked away, to control me. I got that they were scared, but my demon wouldn’t stand for their control. The brothers had been the powerful ones before our mating. Now, I was, and they needed to understand that things had changed. I needed kings at my side, not parents. I might still have parents out there, according to my uncle. I didn’t need more.
I took a deep breath, letting those memories go and slowly opened the fucking bonds. They were like tethers to my heart. Each of them was a string that had a different vibration inside of me. They sang to my soul like nothing else I had ever felt. Goddess Nyx’s blessing had intensified even Dex’s and Alaric’s songs. I always knew where they were at.
Right now, they were pacing around my apartment. Well, it was technically theirs too, but my anger demanded pettiness. I wanted to show them my power and kick them out, but my heart wouldn’t let me. Each of my men was scarred in some way, and I refused to be another source of their pain, which was why I had left instead.
As each of them opened, my mates perked up like little puppies. Then, their voices bombarded my mind.
Succy, where are you so I can prove to you how sorry I am on my knees? I know you’re hungry because I’m starving for you.Dex was my Incubus mate. He knew exactly how I felt.
Since I was fully mated, I didn’t get hungry like I used to. Thank goodness. Yet, my body craved them in a different way. I could survive without them, but my soul didn’t sing. I felt dead inside, and feeding would give me life again, but I had to make my point.
Poison, you’re being ridiculous.Kain’s asshole voice made me growl. He was the biggest obstacle in our conflicts. As the eldest and leader of the brothers, he struggled with letting me take charge. My demon was now the strongest in our group and at the academy, and his resented being ranked second. His constant challenges were a reminder of his struggle.
I’m going to spank your ass raw if you keep running from me.Trigger was the only mate that took my side, but he still stood with his brothers out of habit. I got it. This was new, but it was why I walked away instead of lashing out at them.
Are you feeding? It’s been over a week since Dex fed you. I’m going to slaughter anyone you feed from, know that. Mates only.Bones had hurt me when he defended Kain over me, but I knew he just wanted me safe.
Alaric was the last to speak, but his words were the ones that broke through my wall of anger.We know you've been keeping your distance but we have a real problem. It’s about Lucifer.
And just like that, I stood and jogged for the door.I’ll be there soon. I cut off the bonds abruptly, like hanging up a phone. As the center of our mate bond, I controlled our connection, ensuring they couldn’t reach me further. They had piqued my interest, but I wasn’t ready to relinquish my anger. At this point, it was the only thing keeping me going.
CHAPTER THREE
Islipped out of Lilah’s apartment. My heart pathetically dragged on the floor behind me. I balled my hands into fists to keep them from shaking.
I normally liked demon décor. The red carpet and golden demons on the edges were fitting, but right now, it just pissed me off. Demons were always my problem. Whether they wanted something from me, or wanted to kill me, demons were always the cause of my setbacks.
If the Light Souls would let me, I’d go back to Earth, even if I had to be on the run again. I was good at it. Besides, Marnie would be there. I’d kill her bullies, and we could skip off to a dark corner somewhere to hide.
I rolled my eyes and stomped my feet harder on the stupid carpet, squishing some of the demon faces for fun. The whole point of letting Marnie go was to let her shine in the light, not be forced back into darkness because of me. Light Souls got good jobs, homes, and were apart of society. Being with me meant she wouldn’t get any of that. Besides, I couldn’t leave my friends behind. Someone needed to stop Lucifer, and I had the ability to do so.
Pushing all thoughts of Marnie from my mind, I faced my door. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, a mix of excitement and dread. I wanted to see the men who haunted my dreams, but I dreaded the confrontation. I couldn’t rush into their arms or kiss their tempting lips—I had to face them as a force to be reckoned with. A faction leader.
It had to be done. I gulped down a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and lifted my chin as I turned the doorknob to walk in. They all stood and rushed towards me as soon as the door shut.
I growled out and used my air magic to push them back. The tips of my hair turned black, and my eyes lost their pink color, turning into dark pits. With the combination of my horns and the black veins that traveled down my cheek, I knew I was a frightening sight. My Fae side had become a type of shift for me since my demon was now my natural form. My Succubus was colorful and glittery, but my Fae was dark, so the change was dramatic, and hopefully jarring enough to get these fuckers to listen to me.
The men were blown back further than I wanted, but their distance was better in the long run. Yet, my chest hurt watching them slam into walls and the furniture. My dark eyes shot daggers at them when they moved toward me again. They were born fighters. I loved that about them, and I knew no magic would keep them away unless they agreed to respect my nonverbal demand to stay back. My heart sped up, craving for my men to choose right.