Page 68 of Tempest Awakening

Trying to distract myself, I took another look around the room. It was like high school all over again, except everyone here was an adult—and supernatural. The cliques were painfully obvious, each species sticking to their own kind.

Near the front, a cluster of High Fae sat together, their ethereal beauty making them look like they'd stepped out of a fantasy magazine. To our left, a group of what I assumed were shifters huddled together, their conversation punctuated by occasional growls and barks of laughter. The vampires, predictably, had claimed the darkest corner of the room, their pale skin almost luminous in the shadows.

My gaze wandered to a commotion a few rows ahead. A group of female students were clustered around someone, their excited whispers and giggles drawing my attention. As they shifted, I caught sight of him.

Oh. Wow.

He towered over the women around him, all lean muscle and easy grace. A dark, well-fitted henley shirt clung to his broad shoulders, the short sleeves revealing arms adorned with intricate tattoos. The bold designs snaked down to his forearms,a stark contrast against his tan skin. Dark, curly hair fell past his shoulders, framing a face that belonged on a magazine cover.

As I watched, he leaned in close to one of the girls, saying something that made her burst into laughter. A smirk played on his lips, and I could practically feel the charm oozing off him from here. He was clearly enjoying being the center of attention.

I found myself staring, unable to look away. A warm flush crept up my neck, and my heart rate picked up. What the hell? I'd never had such an instant, visceral reaction to someone before.

As I forced myself to look away, I couldn't help but wonder why the girls weren't giving Kane and Mason the same attention. They were both incredibly attractive in their own ways—Kane with his striking features and Mason with his rugged charm.

"Who's that?" I asked Mason, trying to keep my voice steady.

Before Mason could answer, Kane leaned forward. "That would be Draven. He's an incubus."

"An incubus?" I echoed, surprised. Then it clicked. "Oh. That explains... a lot."

I'd read enough paranormal romance novels to know what an incubus was—a demon that fed on sexual energy and could manipulate desire. Suddenly, my body's bizarrely strong reaction made sense. It wasn't just his looks; he was literally radiating sensuality.

I shifted in my seat. "So, all that attention he's getting... it's not just because he's attractive? It's like, food for him?"

Kane rolled his eyes. "Essentially. An incubus needs sexual energy to survive. The more attention he gets, the more he feeds."

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Draven. The confidence in his posture, the easy way he commanded attention—it was mesmerizing.

A sharp elbow to my ribs broke the spell. I blinked, turning to find Mason's dark eyes fixed on me.

"What?" I whispered, rubbing my side.

Mason's jaw clenched. "You're drooling."

"I am not!" I hissed, heat flooding my cheeks. I swiped at my mouth anyway, just in case.

He leaned in, his scent—stone and earth and something wild—washing over me. "Incubi are dangerous," he rumbled, his breath warm against my ear. "Especially to humans."

A shiver ran down my spine, and not entirely from fear. I forced my gaze back to the front of the room, gripping my pen so tight my knuckles turned white.

"Right," I muttered. "Thanks."

Mason grunted, settling back in his seat. But I could feel his eyes on me, watchful and intense.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. Focus, Tess. You're here to learn, not ogle your classmates—no matter how supernaturally hot they might be.

Mason shifted beside me. "You know," he started, his voice low, "incubi aren't the only Supes humans need to be careful around."

"Oh?" I turned to face him, curious. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, not quite meeting my eyes. "Well, take vampires for instance. They can be... persuasive. And some fae have magic that can enthrall humans."

I nodded, thinking back to the paranormal romances I'd read. "Right, I've heard about that. What about shifters?"

"We have our own risks," Mason grunted. "Heightened emotions, protective instincts. It can be... intense."

"Sounds complicated," I mused. "I guess relationships between humans and Supes must be tricky, huh?"

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