Waking the Goddess
Goddess Academy, Book 2
Clara Hartley
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Afterword
Also by Clara Hartley
Prologue
I wished to kill.
I didn’t understand the sudden violence and what took over me, but I wasn’t myself and instincts drove me to bloodlust. Devon spun around, his tan skin emanating a light glow by reflecting the magic around us. He glanced at me with questioning yellow eyes.
“Cara,” he said. “You’re not supposed to be holding that.”
I blinked out of the redness of my anger and looked at my hand. I held a golden dagger that had arrows decorating its hilt. It had a curved blade that arced in a threatening manner. Why was I holding this? It was lightweight and fit nicely inside my palm, as if it’d been made just for me.
“We’re here for this, remember?” Devon said, lifting up our prize and showing it to me. A quilt?
I narrowed my eyes, suspicion rising in me as memories came flooding back.
I did not love this man.
An image of another male flashed through my mind’s eye. He had a mane of fiery red hair that he kept tamed with a silver hair tie. This man was a god unlike any other. A man to be lusted after and worshipped. He adorned himself with flowing robes and had a presence made from fire and ashes and steel. This was the man I loved. He was my soul mate and the only person I should be with. Not Devon. Devon existed as a pathetic excuse of a vassal. He was a lie. A distraction. And he had to be gotten rid of.
Devon cocked his head. “What’s with you? Was it something bad you ate? You’re making me worried, Cara. You shouldn’t play games. Not when her life’s at stake.”
Whose life? I looked at my surroundings and inspected the tiled white walls. I’d forgotten why I was here. Clutching the dagger tighter, I angled it outward and at Devon’s broad chest. He shouldn’t be breathing and looking at me like that. My love for him swelled into hatred, and I swept away the creeping doubt that I’d turned mad. I should trust my instincts and listen to my thoughts. Devon was a thorn that needed to be plucked away.
“You must die,” I said.
“What?” Devon half-smiled. “I don’t unders—”
I raised the dagger and leapt at him, using anger as my fuel. Consumed by both passion and grief, I plunged the weapon into Devon’s heart, removing myself from an unneeded distraction.
He was merely an insignificant vassal unworthy of being with me, and I belonged to a god.
Chapter One
I swept my hair from my face and hummed softly in satisfaction. I’d slept soundly last night, spent from Hansel’s playing of my body. He’d worked his magic over me and provided me a good night’s sleep. I’d wondered where he’d learned all that. My center still ached from his touch.
“Morning, sunshine,” Hansel said, stroking my cheek lightly with his thumb. He’d pleasured me for a good hour or more last night, and I couldn’t remember just how many times I came. The insides of my thighs ached with soreness, having been kneaded too much. I still couldn’t believe I’d experienced what I had.
I smiled softly at Hansel and puckered my lips. I might have looked stupid acting like a giddy schoolgirl, but he had that effect on me, and not caring about looking stupid was the secret to being cool. “Morning, you fine piece of meat.” I palmed his chest and reveled in how hard his muscles were. I felt the throbbing of his heart through his ribcage. It let me know exactly how much I managed to rile him, which sent flutters of excitement through my belly.
I couldn’t believe that I had that kind of effect on such an amazing guy.
“Meat, huh?” Hansel lifted a brow. “Not exactly the term of endearment I was expecting.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and sent kisses down my neck.
I reached toward his crotch, intending to show him exactly how much he’d endeared me to him, but Hansel caught my wrist before I touched him. “No.”
“And why not?” He’d given me pleasure all night without fucking. I thought it’d be good if I returned the favor. It only seemed fair.
A light rumble shook his chest as he chuckled. “I appreciate knowing that you want me, dear Caramel”—the way he said my name, rich with velvet sensuality, sent want spiraling through my thoughts—“but I have yet to discuss having you with the rest of the vassals. They’re gonna be pissed if they know I’d taken you without their consent.” He slid his fingers between my thighs and stroked there lightly. My center knotted again as I waited for another climax. “I love being the first of them to have made you moan like that, however.”
I caught myself mid-moan. I was way too loud during sex. I wondered if the girls next door heard me. If so, then all I really could say to them was “Oops.” I didn’t regret a moment of last night. Screw being considerate. I’d had fun.
I rocked my hips against Hansel’s hand, racing toward climax. I must have orgasmed at least ten times from Hansel’s dexterous tongue and fingers. I didn’t think I still had any in me.
I grabbed his shoulders and rocked my hips against his fingers. I clutched him tightly as shock waves of pleasure spasmed through me. “Don’t stop,” I said. “Just—”
He silenced my pleading by flicking his fingers over the nub of my clit. Numbness took over my mind, and I slackened under his touch, completely subdued by the effect he had on me.
Right before my knot unraveled, Hansel slipped his hand away. I glared at him with indignation. “There’s this thing one of our coaches kept yelling in gym class,” I said, forcing his hand back over my center. “Finish what you’ve started.”
“Gym class?”
“Back in high school. In the human world.” The one I’d flunked out of.
“Are you sure that’s what you want to bring up during a moment like this?”
I pursed my lips. “It’s a bit unsexy, isn’t it?”
“Just a bit?”
Unwelcoming visions of what had happened in high school swept through my thoughts.
Sweaty tank tops. Smelly sneakers. Coach Jaimie’s oversized belly and the coffee stains he always had on his shirt. Weird Billy also always had this habit of smelling his own armpits after staining his sleeves with way too much perspiration.
I winced at the memories and cursed myself for doing this to my own mind. Why couldn’t I just think sexy thoughts? Ugh.
Hansel reached for my center again.
“Hands off,” I said, pushing his fingers away. Recalling Weird Billy caused my pussy to shrivel like a dried-up prune.
He arched a brow. “Whatever you say, princess. Your wish is my command.” The cheesiness of that line caused me to cringe and sent happiness fluttering through my belly at the same time. I kissed Hansel on the cheek, unable to control myself. Hansel sighed at my show of affection and nuzzled the nape of my neck. “Red velvet?”
“More of that?” I screwed my nose up. “Can we try something else other than cake? Biscuits, perhaps? Or cookies. Anything that’s not that. Also, should I really be having so many sweets for breakfast?”
Hansel peeled back and showed me a puppy-eyed expression that sent light tremors through my chest. “You’re sick of that so quickly? I thought we’d bonded over it.”
&nbs
p; Panic spiked up my gut. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “No, I mean, ah…” I turned into a flailing mess trying to explain myself away, but Hansel shook off his worry quickly and smiled.
“Anything you want, then. I’m just here to get your mind off what happened.”
His mention of the incident at the morgue did the exact opposite. Images of the piles of dead bodies and murdered girls came flashing back. Just yesterday, Danna, the vassals, and I wanted to find out more about Moping Miley’s death. Miley had been my roommate in the Sanctuary, and she died the first day I stayed here, going completely gray like the corpses we’d seen during our investigation.
Hansel noticed my tensing up. His eyes darkened. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“We need to address it eventually. I’d wanted to subdue Agness with my newfound lovemaking powers, but Devon had convinced me against it.”
“Had he?” Hansel asked.
“He said we should come up with a better game plan.”
“I agree.”
“Agree with what?” someone else said.
My eyes snapped to the door. Devon had entered, not making a sound. I jolted at his sudden intrusion. How did he move so quietly? That had to be a crime. He could have someone killed by being so good at scaring people. Devon swept his fringe of brown hair away from his striking yellow eyes and tipped his chin up at me. “Are you talking about me behind my back?”
I rolled my eyes. “The world doesn’t revolve around you. We’re just going on about what to do with the whole morgue situation. I don’t think it’s right.”
“Not right? I wonder what gave that away?”
“Not a clue. It’s probably because it’s a straight-up genocide.”
“Interesting.” Devon put his hands in his pockets, completely contradicting his muttered word with his aloof gesture. I was short of telling him to see his way out. He had no need to intrude if he wanted to leave. Tucked between his teeth was a golden straw, which he chewed at. It emphasized his bored and I’m Not Even Sure Why I’m Here look.
Hansel dragged me closer to him again. After what we’d experienced last night, he seemed to want to stick around. I wouldn’t complain about that. “Maybe Cara should skip class today. It’s just potions theory, and she went through a lot the day before. Do you want to sleep in?” He was spoiling me way too much. He should stop, but I enjoyed the attention so thoroughly that it was difficult to ask him to.
I shook my head. Last night’s shuteye had left me well rested. I was about to decline when Devon cut in: “So she can be lowest of the low? After the disaster last lesson, Cara doesn’t have a choice. I know you want to baby her and you think it’s your duty and all, but we have to be realistic about this. I don’t want to be sent to a concentration camp.” Devon plucked the straw from his mouth and threw it into the trash can next to him. His eyes flicked to the clock that was situated right above my bed. “You’re almost late. Get the hell up.”
I scowled at him. “Can’t you phrase things more nicely?” I pushed myself away from Hansel and into a seating position and narrowed my eyes at Devon. “Besides, I want to talk about our plan of action. What are we going to do with our findings? Pretend like we never saw it and move on with life?”
“That is an option.”
“The immoral one.”
“Saves time.”
I flicked my eyes to the wand on my bedside table. I was tempted to make Devon fall in love with the houseplant in the corner of the room. That’d be an interesting sight. I wondered how he’d take to knowing that he’d humped a plant and declared it the love of his life. I started reaching for my wand, but Hansel sat up so he was closer to eye level with me, and he blocked me. I harrumphed and resigned myself to not being a bitch. Maybe next time.
Devon continued, “We could just ask Agness about why she’s doing all this.”
“Great idea,” I said, ignoring the way Devon’s gaze fell on my boobs. I slept without a bra—a fact that Hansel had taken advantage of too much, made clear by my aching mounds—and my nipples peeked out from under the thin fabric of my tank top. “Why don’t we just walk up to the crazy overseer and ask her, ‘Hey, why are hiding piles of dead bodies behind some shrubs? Care to explain?’ You confront her about it first and tell me how it goes.”
Devon rolled his eyes. “I’m sure Agness has her reasons. She’s the goddess of flora. Which means that she’s inclined to nurture. I knew her growing up, and she’s always had the best interests of her students and the world itself in mind. She cares for things.”
“She hates me.”
“That’s because you’re the devil.” He darted his gaze away, and I thought I saw him mouth, “So fucking tempting,” to a wall, but I couldn’t be sure.
“Excuse me?” I asked.
Hansel rested his hand on the small of my back. Could he see the red on my face? I could feel myself fuming and wouldn’t be surprised if my cheeks had turned into a cherry color.
“Fine,” Devon said. “It’s probably a dumb idea, but I’m still trying to accept the fact that Agness is some scary, murderous witch. She’s always been so kind.” He leaned against the wall and tensed his jaw. “We could always pay a visit to my father.”
“What’s your father got to do with anything?” I asked.
“He’s her vassal, and he trusts me. He might spill some things that are useful, but I doubt he’d give me all the information we need. Still, it’s a good place to start. Better that than nothing at all.”
I nodded, considering his suggestion. It sounded like it might work, but since we were grasping aimlessly for a way to solve this monumental mystery, anything sounded good. “We’re not allowed to leave the Sanctuary?”
Devon pressed his lips together. “I have a way out, but I’m not sure whether I want to show you. It’s secret, and if word of its existence goes around, I won’t have it anymore.”
“It’s for Cara,” Hansel said, pressing his hand against my back with more pressure.
“I’m not sure that’s much motivation,” Devon replied.
I glowered at him. “How about saving dozens of girls from a terrible death? Is that enough motivation for you?”
“Might be a better reason.” He didn’t sound very convinced, however, or maybe that was just Devon being apathetic about everything. What caused him to be like this?
I opened my mouth, wanting to say something else, but the bell chimed. Its chipper tune rang like a judgment hammering down on my grades. With it, I knew that I was late.
Damn.
“Great,” I said. “I should head off to potions theory, huh?”
“Take the day off,” Hansel said.
“Stop babying her,” Devon said. “Hurry up and finish this school day. Get good scores so I won’t be sent to a camp, and then I’ll bring you to my father’s. We’ll get to the bottom of this.” He paused. “Just try to not stay at the bottom of your class.”
Somebody at the doorway moaned. I redirected my attention there and saw Liam stumbling from the hallway. An adorable Fenrir—the mythical wolf who had, for some reason, decided to become Liam’s pet—wouldn’t stop clawing at Liam’s pants. “Hey, Cara, you’re late for class.” I doubted he was here to remind me about my tardiness. Proving me right, he also said, “And can you use your magic love powers to get this thing off me?”
Chapter Two
Professor Lochlan needed a fashion upgrade. He still wore that stupid hat with the big flower on it. It barely matched the suit he wore, which was topped with a red bow that circled a crumpled collar. That hat belonged in a garden or a theme park, not a class. Then again, this school also had half-man, half-animal creatures with fur sticking out from all over.
Was I in a dream? I still hadn’t been convinced otherwise. Maybe I was stuck in one of those funky dreams that seemed to last for an eternity. I should pinch myself at random intervals to see if I’d wake up, but I didn’t like pain, and it seemed pointless after being stuck in here for s
o long.
I tapped my pen on my desk and looked at the scoreboard Professor Lochlan had placed out front. The board was magical, and each character on it glowed in sparkling, colorful threads. I’d like the scoreboard more if my name weren’t so close to the bottom. It took me five whole minutes to find my name because I didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t anywhere close to the top ten percent.
I glanced at Devon, who was standing next to the other guys at the side of the classroom. Strangely, I wanted to find out what he thought. He arched a brow at me, his placid expression clearly spelling out his disappointment. I scrunched my nose up in annoyance and turned back to the scoreboard.
Three girls, surprisingly, were larger failures than I. Jeanine Snowater and Francesca Bitchface (Bitchface wasn’t her last name, but I wanted to leave it at that) kept me from rock bottom. Another girl whose name I couldn’t put to a face, Herena Scott, sat firmly at last place with a score of zero. I wondered whether it was because she’d died.
The professor swished his hand through the magical lines of the scoreboard. The magic dissipated before coalescing once more, gathering to display what was my offending low score. “After tallying your points last week, these are your current positions.” He nodded to himself, and the flower on his hat bobbed. “Note that the bottom ninety percent won’t make it to goddess-hood and will have to suffer the consequences of failure. It is still early in the school year and there’s much room for improvement, but I do hope that being reminded of your positions like this will be motivation enough to push yourselves harder. Here in the Sanctuary, the goddesses encourage self-responsibility and meritocracy. Even if you fail once, making it to the top shouldn’t be much of a problem with enough hard work. I hope those below will pick themselves up. The window for failure narrows every day, and the punishment for it is harsh.”
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