Page 55 of Oleander
“Ready!” I answer, and he slows down. Only then do I realize what he wants me to do.
Fucking fuck!
The hellhound lunges at us, and Skyler spews a long string of human curse words while Hawk does the same in ancient Fae, and somehow Leo continues to sleep through all of it.
I gather all the courage I can muster and swing my sword down, angling it right at the neck and the rawest-looking flesh. The perfectly balanced sword easily slices through the hellhound’s neck, even the spine. The ugly beast’s giant head falls to the forest floor with a thump, followed by its body. Thick black blood oozes out.
“Goddess, that’s horrendous,” Hawk murmurs in awe.
“That was fucking badass!” Skyler praises, looking impressed, and I can’t fight the small little smile that slips free.
“Nice kill, Prince,” Zephyr says casually. “Take care of the evidence, please.”
The decapitated beast disintegrates into nothing but a pile of ash and bone shards. I then use my power to disrupt theearth, allowing fresh soil to cover the remains. As soon as I finish, Zephyr accelerates, taking us back to the academy in silence. We’re all deep in our thoughts, processing everything that happened tonight.
“Holy shit.The way you handled that sword was so hot,” Sky whispers into my ear. “I need to show you exactly how much.” He reaches over and grabs my hand, subtly placing it on his crotch, allowing me to feel his rock-hard erection.
“Okay,” I murmur back, giving him a quick squeeze and causing his breath to hitch.
Soon enough, we’re crossing through the school gates, hoping no one sees us as Zephyr parks the now muddy golf cart back in the staff parking lot. We all clamor out, battle-weary and war-hardened.
It was a rough night.
“Not a word of this to anyone,” Zephyr commands, gently scooping up Leo as if he weighs nothing.
“Agreed,” I say quickly, and Skyler nods.
Hawk doesn't say anything.
“Keep your mouth shut about the bar, the Hunt, the hellhound, and the stolen golf cart. All our asses are on the line here,” Zephyr demands.
Hawk holds his hands up in surrender as Zephyr zips the sheathed sword back into his duffle bag. “I wasn’t going to say anything, lad. I only chat to you and Leo anyway.”
“What’s this I hear about hellhounds?” a cocky voice that I instantly recognize asks. He steps from behind a black SUV, still bathed in shadow.
A small flame ignites the tip of his finger before the joint in his mouth catches, sending light over his face and the runes decorating his hands. The skunky, cloying scent of weed assaults my nostrils, and our uninvited guest fully steps from the darkness.
“Hello, brother,” he says, a troublesome smile curling his lips.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SKYLER
Great.Ander’s evil twin is here.
For being identical, they are complete opposites, and Flame really is a complete dick.
“Hello, Flame,” Ander says quietly, followed by a prolonged awkward silence.
Flame continues to smoke his joint, eyeing each of us and landing on Zephyr. “Zeph. What’s in that duffel bag there? It looks kinda heavy. Especially with Leo in your arms, too.”
“We don’t have time for your shit, Flame. It’s late and past curfew for all of us. I suggest we get to our dorms. You included.”
“Listen, no one needs your advice, Zephyr,” Flame says coldly, inhaling a long pull and releasing it slowly. “I asked what was in your duffel bag, and before that, I asked what you were saying about hellhounds.And the Wild Hunt.You’re all looking a little worse for wear, too, especially Ander. I’m just a worried brother and concerned student.”
No, he’s just a nosey motherfucker.
Ander speaks up, cooling the fire that’s brewing inside his twin. “We ran out of gas tonight and walked back from the tavern. We, uh. . . We got ambushed by a hellhound, but I killed it and covered the evidence.”
