Nightworld Academy Box Set 1

by L. J. Swallow

  "How I treat you?" I choke out. "Twice you’ve kissed me and now you’ve pushed me away. That hurts."

  "I’m trying to keep you safe."

  "But in the next breath you promise me you won't hurt me."

  "Because I’m confused, Maeve. So fucking confused. And now this—if you cared, you wouldn't accuse me of this shit."

  The truth slams into me. I care more about Andrei than I ever thought I could, and I’m betraying him. Andrei listens and never judges. He steps in to help me, over and over. Hell, at one point he wanted to break Tobias's hold over him to tell me about the mind wiping. Andrei was prepared to risk the consequences.

  With his body pressed close to mine now, there's no denying the other effect Andrei has over me. When we kiss, his rough passion is at odds with the distance he keeps, as he reveals the desire he hides. He barely holds onto the self-control when we kiss—but he does.

  Andrei wouldn't be able to if he didn't feel something more for me.

  I moisten my lips and Andrei watches the movement. His grip on my arm tightens as we stand in our weird stalemate.

  "I’m sorry, Andrei. I panicked. I feel awful I doubted you."

  "Tell me you believe in me," he says hoarsely. "Because if you don't, nobody ever will. I may as well give up."

  His pained words wind around my heart and squeeze. "I do. I overreacted because I’m scared what this world holds for me."

  "Maeve…" He holds my face between both hands, tightly so I can't move my head. "We will fight this world. Nothing will hurt you as long as I’m around."

  "There are stronger people out there," I say, voice thick.

  "Believe in how powerful you are. How strong we are together." He’s close, I’m trapped by his body, the strength he talks about. But is this enough?

  I’m losing track of this conversation as his touch and tender words send my focus in a different direction. The heat from our argument shifts into something else, and I ache to release that into something we both want.

  I reach out to touch his lips. "We can't be strong if all you ever do is push me away."

  "Does this feel like I’m pushing you away?" His mouth moves against my fingers. "But you walked into my room knowing how dangerous I am."

  I shove at him in frustration. "Omigod, Andrei! Will you stop this constant whining about how dangerous you are to me?"

  His mouth parts and cheeks redden. "I am!"

  "No, it’s an excuse. You're not scared you’ll kill me; you're terrified I’ll bring a part of you to life."

  "You’re a witch! What if I’m as bad as they say? What if—"

  I grab Andrei’s hair and pull his head towards mine. Heart racing, I close my mouth around his and kiss him, smothering his words.

  He tenses in surprise and I hold onto him, more terrified that he’ll push me away than attack me.

  Both hands back on my cheeks, he tips my face upwards and his lips move against mine. The temptation I’ve resisted until now evaporates as I push my fingers beneath his shirt and drag fingers across the sculpted muscle. Andrei tenses and his hot breath hovers against my mouth as he stops kissing me.

  In frustration, I tug his lip into my mouth and bite. He winces and makes a sound low in his throat before thrusting his tongue into my mouth. His lips harden with a devouring kiss, and Andrei shoves me against the door with one hand and holds me in place. Andrei’s taste is becoming familiar, but this time there’s no mint.

  Each of his senses is fully aware of who and what I am.

  His other hand pushes beneath my dress, and teases feathery touches along my thigh. Pressing his hand harder into my shoulder, he slides a hand around to my backside and I make a surprised sound.

  "Okay?" he says.

  I nod.

  In a blur, I’m with him on the edge of his bed. Andrei sits back and pulls me onto his lap. My dress rides up my legs as I straddle his hips, leaving my underwear and his jeans as the only clothing between. It’s impossible to ignore his arousal and the barrier between us does nothing to quell the tightening between my legs.

  There’s something I need to know. I drag his T-shirt upwards and he pulls it over his head with one hand. Then I place my fingers on the black ink across his smooth skin and hard pecs. The raven.

  "Is this what you saw?" he asks in a husky tone.

  "The raven? Yes."

  He reaches up and pushes my dress straps down, the material falling forward and exposing the top of my breasts. "Not the tattoo. Me and you. This."

  I rub my lips together. "I think so."

  "It’s what you want?" His eyes glitter in the dark room, and the touch of his fingertips as he traces the exposed skin flicks a switch, coursing white-hot heat through my whole body. My dress slips further and Andrei inhales sharply, but he doesn't move.

  His pause surprises me and I tense, ready for him to stop altogether. To throw excuses at me why he can’t continue.

  "Yes," I say.

  "But I warned you," he murmurs and nips my shoulder. "I won't be gentle."

  His teeth against my skin ramps up the need. "I don't care."

  "I hope you mean that." I’m held in place as he fists my hair and tips my head back. Lips touch my heated skin, moving from my neck downwards.

  I’m where Andrei wants me, and I’m where I want to be. But if I give myself to him, how much would I lose?

  Right here, right now, with his hands and mouth driving me towards his wicked promises, I don't care whether I regret this or not.

  My scalp tingles as he releases my hair. He slips the straps further down my shoulders and pushes my dress to my waist, his fingertips lightly brushing my skin, eyes on mine the whole time. "You have no idea how much and how often I've thought about this," he says in a rough voice.

  "Same," I manage to croak out.

  He slides both hands back up my sides and cups my breasts, rubbing my peaked nipple beneath the lace as he lowers his head to place his lips on the exposed skin. His attention pulls my insides tight, and I close my eyes pushing my fingers into the back of his hair, gripping as my arousal grows.

  The gentle attention drops away as he pulls at the material and his hot mouth immediately touches the swell of my breasts. The rough fervour of his hands and mouth shock and arouse me, as I give in to what my body has screamed at me to do every time we touched.

  I sink back onto the bed and pull at him, wanting his body covering me.

  His hips settle against mine, but he props himself up on both arms, dark eyes shining. Our heavy breaths mingle, and for a moment, we don't speak. A pause. Something exchanged in the unspoken 'yes'.

  The fleeting moment passes, and Andrei flips me over on the bed. He slides his hand between us, and along my inner thigh, fingers pressing hard against the skin. The raw passion that bubbles beneath won't be held back much longer, the depth of his kiss and insistence of his hands ramping my own desire.

  I'm eager for him to explore further, fulfil the fantasies I've had about him.

  To see if the vision comes true.

  I lose track of where I am and who we are as we tangle together on his bed, Andrei's attention becoming unrestrained the further we spiral into our physical need. My heart hammers against my chest as I struggle for breath, my mouth smarting from rough kisses, skin on fire from his harsh touch.

  We're naked; bodies joined as our fevered passion leads us across the unspoken line existing between our lives. The witch and the vampire. The taboo—the extra thrill this gives to the situation.

  Andrei shakes hair from his face and holds himself away from me, propped up on both arms, staring down with his mouth parted. I curl my fingers around his forearm, and he dips his head forward, moistening his lips as he takes ragged breaths. The tension in his arms and face show the struggle against the effect my hot blood must have on him.

  I wriggle against him in frustration. "Don't stop."

  He lifts his head, and the depth of the darkness in his eyes and wicked smile sends a shiver th
rough. My instinct screams danger, but that adds to the thrill as his lips assault mine again. A guy has never possessed me in this way, and I've never experienced raw lust from anyone in the past, but instead of being afraid I feel a safety with Andrei that I never expected.

  Andrei warned me he wouldn't be gentle, as if that's what I need, but to experience someone consumed by passion for me is as satisfying as soft kisses and tender touches. I don't know how long we stay wrapped in each other, solely focused on each other's pleasure, but I know I could stay in this moment all night.

  As I fall apart beneath his hands, Andrei's gaze stays on my face. The world fractures as I reach a new high, and I cling to him as the intense pleasure rolls through me. I will never worry again that Andrei could hurt me because, in his eyes, I see the tenderness he denies.

  Back in reality, I lie in Andrei's arms, head on his shoulder as I fight to bring my breathing back to normal, one hand linked with Andrei's. He strokes my forehead as we lie in silence, coming back down to earth.

  "Well, that was…yeah," he murmurs against my hair.

  I shift to face him, and I almost laugh at the hesitancy on his face. "'Yeah?' So eloquent, Andrei."

  "You broke my brain," he says and rests his head against mine. "I can't word."

  I chuckle at him and pull his damp hair between my fingers. "That's not unusual for you."

  He pulls a face. "Huh. Now I won't tell you how fucking incredible you are, Maeve."

  "Okay."

  "Or how incredible fucking y—" He's interrupted as I gasp and slam a palm over his mouth.

  "Andrei!"

  "Don't deny it," comes his muffled voice.

  I shake my head at him and replace the hand with my lips, tasting him and pulling myself back to the moment. Andrei may hold himself back, but this plain-speaking guy will always speak his mind and keep me grounded.

  There's no denying what happened tonight will change everything between us, but by how much?

  Chapter Forty-Three

  MAEVE

  I blink at my surroundings, stuck in that moment when you wake up and try to remember where you are. I’m aware of a body in the bed beside me.

  And my near-nakedness.

  I sit up and hold the sheet against myself as I look at Andrei’s still figure. He’s lying with one arm above his head against the pillow, face softened by sleep. The top of his tattoo is visible from where the sheet is draped over his chest.

  My pulse ticks up as I remember his hands and mouth on me, but this time me and him definitely wasn’t a vision.

  Oh crap, I stayed in Andrei’s room all night. Amelia will be freaking out. I’m tempted to snuggle up to Andrei and check he doesn't regret what happened, but this isn't only about me and him.

  My bag lies on the floor close to the bed and I reach out to pull it by the strap towards me. Delving inside, I pull out my phone. There’s a message on the screen. Oh hell, I’m in trouble. What a crap friend I am, not telling her I was okay because I was too busy doing… things with Andrei.

  I read her text.

 

  Rubbing my eyes, I re-read Amelia’s message. Back from where? Amelia hasn't asked where I am, which means she can’t be in our room at Walcott.

  I type and hit send.

  Amelia’s someone who replies instantly, but as I stare at the screen, nothing happens.

  Crap.

  I’m half-dressed and my mind scrambled further before I notice Andrei watching.

  "In a hurry to leave?" he asks. "Wow. I’m surprised you didn't run last night."

  His mussed hair sticks up in places and his eyes are bright as he regards me, but his lips pulled tight. Unamused.

  "Not because of you. This. Amelia’s gone."

  Andrei slides to the edge of the bed and sits. I train my eyes away from his body and back to his face before I became distracted. "I don't understand."

  I sit beside Andrei, who takes my phone in the other. As he reads, he absentmindedly places a hand on my leg and rubs his thumb across my thigh. "Uh. Where do you think she is?"

  "I don't know. She can't do this. What if somebody hurts her?"

  Andrei hugs me to him as panic rises in my voice. "Everything will be okay. We’ll find her. She probably went home to see her sister."

  My shoulders drop slightly. Has she? He kisses the side of my head. If I weren’t so worried about Amelia, I’d pay more attention to how Andrei hasn't immediately retreated back into himself.

  "I’m not running from you, Andrei."

  He gently turns my head to his and his mouth tips into a half-smile. "I couldn't follow you, if you were. It’s daytime."

  Because he’s a vampire. The words sound weird in my mind. Imagine if I told Tessa—she’d ask my parents to lock me up again because I was delusional.

  As delusional as if I told her ‘Hey, I’m a witch’.

  Andrei’s lips touch mine with soft affection and he then rests his forehead on mine. "I understand that you need to leave."

  His bare chest presses against my dress as we hug, his skin smooth and warm as I touch the sinewed muscle in his back. I want to stay here. Stay hidden with him in the dark for a little longer.

  But we’re no longer in the dark.

  And we never will be again.

  I manage to leave Petrescu without any attention, half-running from the building and across to Walcott. If anybody sees me charging through the academy grounds dressed like this, there’ll be questions to answer.

  I’m unsure if anybody does, because I’m busy calling Amelia, and all I hear is a 'this number can't be reached' message.

  I cling to my theory she's left to find Matt. But how would she get into Ravenhold? And if she did, where would they go? My biggest concern? What if she lands herself in there too.

  I'm tired even though I slept late. It’s late morning, but Jamie probably hasn't surfaced yet either. Good. I can avoid questions and focus on what matters.

  The Walcott building bustles more than usual for a Sunday morning, with groups loitering on the stairs talking in hushed tones. Eager to get by before anybody takes a good look at me, I attempt to push my way through a group and stumble as one guy deliberately shoves me with his shoulder. I stumble into the wall and look up at his scowling face.

  Duncan, a witch in my elemental magic studies class. "Where've you been?" he asks.

  "A walk." I straighten my dress as he narrows his eyes.

  "Is that her?" asks another, a female voice, and someone cranes their head from a higher step to look down.

  "Yeah." Some, like Lorna, dislike me, which I accept, but the disgust in this guy's eyes sets the hairs on my neck.

  "Is everything alright? Why is everybody on the stairs?"

  He doesn't respond, instead turning his back. I elbow my way higher up the steps.

  Two academy security stand halfway along the hallway, their bulky figures either side of an open dorm room door. A jittery girl approaches and they speak to her in gruff tones. She scuttles towards a group, eyes brimming with tears, and the three girls hug each other.

  My stomach turns over as the energy from the scene around me takes hold. Anger. Horror. Disgust.

  Whose room are they outside?

  "Your blood-sucking scummy boyfriend went too far." Hot breath brushes hair against my ear and I snap my head round to meet eyes filled with the same disgust as Duncan. Lorna’s friend. She’s never spoken to me before—I don't even know her name.

  Desperately, I scan the area for Jamie but with more than a dozen people crammed into the stairwell, I can't make out every face.

  What has this to do with Andrei?

  Sofia steps from the guarded room and she clutches a white handkerchief in one hand, the other over her mouth. I can't see clearly from here, but her eyes look puffy.

  "Sofia?" I break away from the group and the security guards step closer together so I
can't pass. Her eyes harden before she turns her back on me.

  Tobias steps from the room too, his face grave. Sofia speaks to him and her body shakes as he looks back at her, replying in low, urgent tones. I almost call out to him but bite my tongue.

  "What the hell is going on?" I ask the burly man in front of me.

  He tips his chin. "There's been a death."

  "Murder," puts in the second guy and his pupils are pinpricks of disgust.

  His words slap me around the face and I reel. "The Dominion found their way into the school?"

  He sneers. "Vamp attack."

  "Who died?"

  "Lorna," says Sofia, turning back to me.

  "Lorna, who Andrei threatened," says the girl who spoke before. "I found her this morning with her throat ripped open."

  The girl's voice chills my blood. "Do people think Andrei murdered her? That's impossible!"

  A guy at her side snorts in derision. "A vamp killing a witch? That’s not impossible. Especially one who told Lorna to watch her back."

  "No!" I protest. "Andrei doesn't kill. When did this happen? He couldn't!"

  "God, you're so fucking naive," spits the girl. "All your years as a human screwed with your loyalties. Witches and vampires don't mix. Look what happens."

  The world around me lurches in and out of view, but this isn't a vision. "Nothing. Nothing happened. It wasn’t him."

  Tobias closes his eyes and shakes his head. At me? Or the situation? I step backwards. I hold my hand over my mouth and again look for Jamie. Finally, I spot him sitting on the hallway floor, hands wrapped around his legs as he stares forward. He doesn't register what's happening around him.

  "Excuse me," I mutter and attempt to pass the accusers.

  "He was here last night," the girl announces. "Someone saw him in the building around midnight. The bastard is guilty as hell."

  "He was with me and Jamie," I retort.

  "All night?" She cocks her head at me.

  "Perhaps we should talk to Maeve later." Tobias stands between me and the girl, arms crossed. He's pulled on his authoritative air, but he's not okay. Even without sensing how he feels, the shock in his eyes is visible to everybody.