Corviticus University: Revelations

by J. E. Cluney

  “If Bee Sting can get the time off, we could even leave on a Friday and come back Sunday arvo. Maybe go down to one of the beaches?” Skip suggested.

  “Ally doesn’t swim, remember?” Ollie snorted as he shot me an amused look.

  “Right,” Skip sighed. “Still, you could watch us swim and build sand castles?”

  “Wow, how old am I? Four?” I shot back around a mouthful of delicious pizza. God, it was amazingly good.

  “Why not camp out at Borumba? They’ve got the lake there and the deer park?” Marcus suggested as he looked longingly at the pizza.

  My stomach tightened at the look he wore.

  It must really suck not being able to eat. I’d hate to never be able to have pizza again. Poor thing.

  His frosty eyes shot to me, and he gave me a soft smile as he heard my inner thoughts.

  “That’s a thought,” Lucas said as he bit into a piece of pizza. He had on a gorgeous grey suit with a purple tie. He’d even worn it out driving this morning, but he’d lost the jacket for the majority of it. Although I hadn’t seen him sweat. At all.

  Bloody warlock, lucky bastard with his magic.

  Ollie snorted and choked on his pizza as he glanced at me.

  I grinned as he struggled to regain himself as Skip slapped his back while he wheezed.

  He eventually threw up one hand as his face reddened, causing Skip to stop as he sucked in mouthfuls of air.

  “That was your fault,” he croaked as he looked at me with teary eyes from choking.

  “Sorry,” I shrugged as I picked up another slice.

  Lucas and Skip glanced between us while Marcus just smirked, knowing what had happened.

  It was nice that he’d started sitting with us at dinner despite not eating. I liked it. Having us all together as we laugh and joked over food.

  “So your grandmother and aunt arrive tomorrow is it?” Lucas checked as I reached for my water.

  “Yeah. My aunt said she’ll text when she’s picked up my grandmother from the airport and headed down,” I said as I sipped my water.

  “Hopefully they can explain everything that’s been going on,” Skip said as he annihilated a slice of pizza in three large bites. That was some skill right there.

  “Hope so,” I agreed as I finished off my slice and reached for another. Damn, it was good. I would easily finish this small pizza tonight. “I’ll transfer you the money too for the pizzas. I’m meant to be shouting Ollie’s and mine,” I said as I glanced at Skip, who’d paid for them all.

  “Don’t sweat it,” he waved me off.

  “No, I’ll pay. Just message me your bank details. Please.”

  Skip gave me his charming smile as he sighed. “Bee Sting, it’s one pizza night. If it bothers you so much, you can shout the next pizza night.”

  Well, I guess I could do that. I was finally starting to save a little from my first pay-slip, and my next one would come in next Monday. I’d paid my rent for two weeks already, as I decided I’d rather pay fortnightly so I could save more on the week between.

  “Fine,” I said as I downed my pizza with a mouthful of water.

  I could feel Lucas watching me, and I flicked my eyes to him. He looked perplexed as he stared at me, those dark emerald eyes concerned.

  I’d have to talk to him after dinner. Try to catch him alone. As it was clear something was bothering him.

  Had his father discovered something about me or the wendigo?

  The thought made my stomach knot up.

  I wanted answers desperately.

  I needed to know what was going on.

  “Have you found out something?” I asked as I followed Lucas down the hall to his room.

  I’d caught him after dinner as Marcus headed upstairs to get ready for class and Ollie and Skip headed to the living room for some PlayStation.

  He’d asked me to come with him, and now I was in his room.

  I momentarily forgot that I was questioning him as I took in the king sized bed with white and purple covers. The room was spotless, but what caught my attention was the walk-in wardrobe with the light on. I could see the collection of suits, an array of colors from yellow to lilac. All the neutrals, the whites, blacks, and greys, were on one end, while the rest filled the remainder. And the shoes. I’d never paid much attention to his shoes, but a glance at the floor in the wardrobe proved he had almost as many shoes as he did suits.

  Okay, maybe that was an overstatement, but still. He had more clothes than any woman I knew, and the majority of it was suits.

  “I like to dress well,” he stated as he watched me awing at his wardrobe. “As for your question, nothing new sadly. I saw Emma this afternoon, got her to help me talk to my great grandfather. He used to study rare supernaturals, even traveled the world to learn more about them. He had a vast knowledge that he journalled and had some stuff published.”

  I turned to him, my interest drawn. Why had he wanted to speak to him? Was it about me and whatever I was?

  “He thinks the wendigo is after you for your power, the one we can’t place. He knows what you are, but he’s forgotten momentarily. He’s going to talk to Emma when he remembers, which could take a few days,” he sighed as he folded his arms, giving me an unhappy look, like he’d been hoping for more.

  Hell, I’d thought maybe he’d finally have some answers for me.

  But I was stuck not knowing anything more.

  Except that this wendigo was after me for my power.

  “Does he know why? Why it’s after me for my power?” I asked softly, a chill creeping through me at the reminder that I was being hunted.

  “No, he can’t remember exactly why, something to do with your power and combining them,” he said, his shoulders slumping.

  “Oh, okay,” I mumbled as I sat down on the edge of his bed. It gave way beneath me, and I wondered how comfy it would be to sleep in.

  Too bad I was more focused on this let down.

  “Hey, we’ll figure this out. Your aunt and grandmother may know more,” he said soothingly as he quickly moved to sit down beside me.

  I gritted my teeth, hating that all my worries and panic were now bubbling to the surface. I’d held it off for so long, pretending it wasn’t that bad.

  But this wendigo was after me. And I’d googled them on the supernatural web. They were nasty creatures that ate both humans and supes. Powerful, dark beings that had been hunted to near extinction because of how dangerous and ruthless they were. They couldn’t learn control like vampires, they were true monsters whose whole survival was on murdering and feasting.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Lucas murmured as he shifted closer and wrapped an arm around me.

  “I’m being hunted, Lucas. And I don’t even know why. I don’t even know what I am. I’m trying to focus on my new life, my studies, my work, but I can’t pretend like there’s nothing wrong. I keep distracting myself to try to feel…” I let the words trail off as I sniffled, hating that my eyes had begun to blur.

  “Hey, Cupcake, you’re safe here. You have all of us. We won’t let anything happen to you, I promise,” he assured me as he squeezed my shoulder.

  “Wendigos are nasty creatures, I looked them up,” I murmured, my voice hitching.

  Lucas leaned closer, and I quivered as he captured my chin in his thumb and forefinger and turned me to face him.

  I stared into those mesmerizing emerald eyes, so dark yet flecked with the most vibrant green. It made me think of moss in a clearing, soothing and free. And his warm fingers on my face only sent soft tingles through me.

  “I won’t let anything happen to you, okay?” he said, and the unwavering tone in his voice made the tension in my shoulders ease.

  He smiled knowingly as his thumb moved up to trace over my lower lip. His eyes fell to my mouth, and I instantly saw how he wanted to kiss me, so sweetly and tenderly.

  I didn’t give him the chance to decide against it as I leaned forward and closed my eyes.

 
His lips were as warm and smooth as the last time he kissed me, and his hand moved to cup my face as he stroked my cheek with his thumb.

  Our lips moved against one another, and he slowly deepened the kiss as his other hand moved to tangle in my hair.

  I gasped against his mouth as I felt the spike, the surge of power and energy within him. He was more powerful than most supes, so powerful that I could feel it when we were this close. I hadn’t felt it the first time we’d kissed. But I could feel a deep energy inside me reacting to him. Desiring him.

  He could protect me if needed. I knew that without a doubt. And the way he kissed me, the soft, tender movements, not quite as gentle and sweet as Ollie, but still filled with an underlying passion, it confirmed everything. He cared for me and wanted me as badly as I wanted him. Them. All of them.

  And he wanted to keep me safe. That was what I was getting from him. He wouldn’t let anything hurt me ever again.

  He broke the kiss, pressing his forehead against mine as he chuckled softly.

  “Damn, Cupcake, you sure are tempting,” he breathed, and I raised my hand to stroke his light stubble. It scratched beneath my fingers, and I opened my eyes, smiling softly at the stunning, crooked smile that took my breath away.

  “I live in a house of models,” I blurted, and he let out a light-hearted laugh as he kissed my forehead and leaned back.

  I pouted at this, wanting to kiss him more.

  “Remember, I’m a warlock. Not even a wendigo can take me on,” he said, giving me that gorgeous, lopsided smile that made my chest flutter.

  “I wish I knew the extent of what your magic can do,” I murmured, wanting to reach out and pull him back in for another kiss. Those lips were so soft, and he tasted fruity and sweet. Despite having just had pizza with us. How strange.

  “Well, let’s put it this way, I know that you got up to some naughty stuff with Ollie and Marcus, together,” he said, his voice low and teasing as he moved closer, his lips only an inch away.

  My eyes widened in shock, and he just smirked at me.

  “I have magic wardings on this house to protect it and to know what’s going on. I don’t make it obvious, because living with a bunch of young men means they love to jerk off in their rooms at night, but it is a precaution I have. And I know that you guys…” he paused to bop me on the nose playfully with his finger, “were doing the naughty deeds in the upstairs shower.”

  “That’s spying,” I gasped, my body reacting at the thought of him watching us.

  “It’s not spying. I only know what happened, I don’t see it,” he murmured as he trailed one smooth finger down the side of my face, sending delicious chills through me.

  “That’s still a violation of privacy,” I said, my voice barely a whisper as I caught my breath. He was so close, I could almost taste him.

  “You never signed any real contracts, besides, it keeps us all safe,” he purred as he moved his face closer to nuzzle my cheek. It was a strange sensation, but I absolutely loved how his stubble scratched against my cheek. He planted a light kiss on my cheek, and my mouth parted slightly in anticipation.

  “Do you care?” I asked.

  “That you like to be shared? Oh, on the contrary, I’d love to share you,” he growled softly, and my body reacted instantly as he captured my mouth in a fiery kiss.

  I moaned as his tongue dove into my mouth, and he knew how to kiss as he stroked my tongue and then pulled back to nibble on my lip.

  ‘Really? Back at it again?’

  I could just see Marcus rolling his eyes, but I knew he was getting some pleasure out of it.

  ‘We didn’t satisfy you?’

  Now Ollie’s sweet voice was in my head, and I could feel him pouting.

  ‘Did we satisfy her? Yes. But it doesn’t last long. Don’t take it personally,’ Marcus laughed, and I frowned.

  Wait, could he hear Ollie’s voice too?

  ‘Ever since you had us both, yes,’ Marcus admitted, although he wasn’t too enthused with the idea. At least it seemed to only be when they were talking with me.

  ‘We can’t hear each other if we’re not focusing on you it seems,’ Ollie explained.

  Well, that was a new one.

  To be honest, it didn’t even surprise me now. I should be used to this weird shit.

  Lucas broke the kiss once more to give me a curious look.

  “Where did you go to?” he asked as he gently tapped my forehead.

  “Well, Marcus and Ollie can hear each other too now. Ever since we did stuff as a group. Only when they’re talking with me though,” I relayed.

  He frowned as he sat back more, perplexed by this.

  “This magic of yours is really strange. Sex plays a part into it. Especially since you even saw my thoughts when they are sexual,” he mused as he pulled his legs up to sit cross-legged. He looked completely edible in his suit, his golden blond hair side-swept, and one finger on his chin as he thought about my magic and bondings.

  And his purple striped socks. I hadn’t even paid them any heed, but now I was just staring at them, all sparkly and vibrant and unique.

  Yep, definitely Lucas.

  “I reeeaally hope my grandmother has some answers for me,” I sighed, drawing my eyes back to Lucas’ lips.

  “I hope so to. You’re quite the little enigma,” he stated as he cocked his head at me.

  Fuck, he was gorgeous.

  And fuckable.

  ‘Seriously, VB?’

  ‘Stop looking into my head if you don’t want to hear it!’

  ‘I can hear it too,’ Ollie complained.

  I groaned as I rolled my eyes.

  “What?” Lucas arched an eyebrow at me.

  “They’re just talking to me.” I shrugged.

  “Well, you finally got to see my room,” he noted with a playful smile.

  “Yeah,” I murmured, still staring at his mouth.

  What else could he do with his magic? In the bedroom? You know, apart from turning into a girl.

  ‘Quite a bit, actually,’ Ollie said thoughtfully before realizing his mistake as I peered into his mind.

  That kinky little shifter. He’d done more than just suck this warlock’s dick.

  He was a bottom guy though.

  ‘Ally!’ he groaned, shocked that I’d found his little secret. I kinda already knew that, thanks to Skip. But he’d never said anything about Ollie going the whole way.

  Marcus was chuckling away inside my mind as Ollie groaned.

  “Sorry Cupcake, as much as I’d like to do more than kiss you, I’d like to know what I’m dealing with in regards to this bonding first,” Lucas sighed as he gave me a longing look.

  I pouted at this, and he managed a smile as he shook his head.

  “Don’t take it personally, gorgeous. I want to, I really do, but I need to play it safe. Let me figure out what’s going on, and if it’s nothing major, then we can have some fun,” he said as he slid off the bed and offered me his hand.

  I just gave him a childish look of displeasure, which he just smirked at and rolled his eyes.

  “Hey, I promise that if it’s not something I need to worry about, I’ll even have you with Skip,” he offered with a wink.

  My frown fell instantly as Marcus groaned and Ollie showed interest.

  Now that was something I could wait for.

  “I feel like poor Skip is out of the loop on all this,” I grinned as I accepted Lucas’ hand and allowed him to pull me to my feet.

  “That you’ve already done a threesome, or that he’ll get a chance with you?” Lucas chuckled, that rich sound making my heart flutter as he led me to the door.

  “Both.”

  “Well, he’ll be in for one hell of a surprise then.”

  Our lectures and prac were pretty straight-forward, but my mind kept wandering back to the night before with the pair in the shower, and then Lucas afterwards.

  I couldn’t believe how I’d lucked out with them.

  And
I spent the day laughing and spending time with Ollie as we studied and did our classes together.

  He truly was wonderful and sweet, and he didn’t care about hiding that he considered me more than a friend now. He held my hand whenever he could, and snuck kisses every chance he had.

  There were a few times our kisses would become heated, and I’d consider ditching to go find a secluded spot to escalate things.

  Somehow, he kept his head and made sure we made our classes.

  I loved every moment of it, finding it cute how he showered me with more affection while we were at uni than at home. Maybe because Marcus would try to keep me to himself at home. At least they both got their one on one time with me.

  I spoke to Ollie at lunch about it as we’d headed to meet with Lucas under the fig tree. Skip was working his full day as a chippy, so we wouldn’t see him until later on this arvo.

  He was willing to share me, and he wasn’t even fussed about the thought of it. He’d wondered about it, if he could do it, but after last night, he realized he could, and that he actually enjoyed it. He knew my feelings for him were still strong, that just because I liked Marcus too, it didn’t change anything between us.

  We were bonded. Me and them. But they weren’t bonded to one another unless I was involved, which was intriguing.

  Sadly, my excitement died off as lunch had ended when I received a text from my aunt. My grandmother’s flight had been delayed, and they wouldn’t be able to make the drive down until tomorrow now.

  I hated waiting, but I couldn’t change her flight.

  And my uncle was coming too. I’d completely forgotten about his enthusiasm to see me too. I was nervous about it, thanks to Wayne and Brett ruining my uncle/father figures for me.

  But I wouldn’t let that dictate how I was towards him.

  My past was my past, and I wouldn’t let it ruin my future.

  24

  “Thanks for driving me to work, I could’ve walked,” I thanked Skip as I pushed the door open and grimaced at the hot air that hit me. Today was going to be one hell of a scorcher.

  “No problem. You finish at three, right?” he clarified as he shifted from the wave of hot air I let in. His air-con was doing a damn good job for such an old vehicle.