My blood runs cold. It’s one thing for me to suspect Principal Fallon has a hidden agenda, but for Bryce to feel the need to spy on her? That rings all kinds of alarm bells in my head. “If she’s not to be trusted, then why did Mr. Silverstone partner up with her?”
“That, you’ll have to ask him. I don’t know.”
He leans closer and kisses me tenderly at first. But I throw my arms around his neck, rising on my tiptoes to deepen the kiss. I don’t know when I’ll see Bryce again, so I need to get my fill of him, of his love, to hold me over. My cheeks are wet when we break apart.
He wipes my tears with his thumbs and whispers against my lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I reply in a choked voice.
He steps back and then glances in Phoenix’s direction. “Don’t let anything happen to her.”
“You know I won’t.”
On the way to his mother’s car, Bryce stops next to Rufio and whispers something in his ear. I can’t hear the words, but Rufio nods in response.
While I was saying goodbye to Bryce, I missed Toby’s departure. He’s already by Principal Fallon’s car. Rosie is a sobbing mess, hiccupping. I make a motion to go to her, but Rufio beats me to it. He squeezes her shoulder and says, “He’ll be fine. He’s an Idol now.”
Rosie nods and then wipes her runny nose with the sleeve of her jacket. The moment is surreal, which explains my dropped jaw.
“Come on, people. We’ve lingered here long enough,” Xavier calls our attention.
With sluggish steps and morose temperaments, we board his SUV. Rufio asks to ride shotgun, which feels like another jab against me. Rosie ends up sandwiched between Phoenix and me since I can’t be near him without sucking his powers. As soon as Morpheus returns from Hawk City, I’m resuming my training. This succubus deal can’t go on for much longer.
“Where exactly are we going?” I ask Xavier.
“You’ll see when we get there.”
“You’re not going to make us wear blindfolds, are you?” Rufio asks.
“No. Why would I do that?”
“My father made us wear blindfolds when he took us to his Neo Gods’ lair.”
“We’ve established that your father is a major asshole. Please don’t put me in the same league as him.”
“I think we all got the short stick when it came to parents,” Phoenix mutters, reminding me that he may pretend everything is fine, but one can’t simply erase years of trauma and torture in a few weeks.
I wish I could grab his hand, offer some kind of comfort. But all I can do for now is keep my distance and pray I don’t end up unmaking him too.
5
Morpheus
I laugh without humor. “You must still be under the effects of the tranquilizer. I’m not a demigod, my father was.”
Andromeda twists her face into a scowl. “I know you’re not lying. But you’re wrong.”
Soren and his father are both gawking at me with renewed interest, which only serves to grate on my nerves.
“Quit staring! I’m not a demigod. Don’t you think I’d know if I were one?”
“It depends. Like you said in that alleyway, not all demigods are created equal. It seems you were talking from experience,” Mr. Silverstone replies.
“I wasn’t.” I pull my hair back, yanking at the strands. “The gods left this world many centuries ago. There’s no chance one came back to sleep with my mother.”
“Are you sure your mother is your mother?” Soren asks.
Without a second thought, I raise my arm, sending a dose of terror his way. He clutches his chest while his eyes bug out. Darkness swirls in my core, growing exponentially with my anger. I’m not sure how long I’d keep torturing the guy if it weren’t for Andromeda’s chain wrapping around my wrist and yanking back.
Soren lets out a gasp, leaning his hands on his knees. “What the fuck!”
“Don’t ever talk about my mother,” I grit out.
“He didn’t mean it as an insult, dumbass.” Andromeda removes her chains from around my arms but doesn’t stand from the couch.
“How do you know what he meant or not?” I spit back.
“It was an honest question,” Soren pipes up. “Maybe your parents adopted you.”
As quick as it came, my anger deflates. I rub my face, glancing at a random point on the far wall. “I’m not adopted. I look like my mother. And I heard my parents arguing about my conception. My mother wanted an Idol child so badly that she cheated on my father. I’ve always assumed she was able to summon a demigod to sleep with her, but maybe I was wrong.” I shake my head. “No. That’s not possible. If I were a demigod, I wouldn’t have spent most of my life at the mercy of my powers.”
“What do you mean, son?” Mr. Silverstone asks.
“The shadows. They used to take over my body. They’ve almost managed to kill me a few times. My mother had to procure a special bracelet set to keep them contained.”
Mr. Silverstone’s gaze narrows. “Hmm. It’s possible that those bracelets did more harm than good. By suppressing your demigod powers when they manifested, your Fringe lineage became stronger.”
“How did you finally learn to control them?” Andromeda asks.
“Daisy destroyed my bracelets by accident. Then I had to learn or die.”
The conversation ceases for a moment. There’s been a lot of new information to process. I’m reeling from the possibility that I might be a demigod. If it’s true, then I could maybe defeat the island god and free us all from the stupid promise we made him.
Andromeda hisses, breaking the silence. She’s clutching her right hand, bending forward. “Fuck. He’s back again.”
“What can we do?” Mr. Silverstone takes a step forward, watching her as if he truly cares about her well-being.
“Nothing. That son of a bitch wants to talk to me. Most likely to ask why I failed to bring Daisy to him tonight like I had promised.”
“Where’s your phone?” I ask.
“Here.” Mr. Silverstone hands me the device. “We kept it to support our former plan, which was to keep Andromeda prisoner to buy us more time.”
“That doesn’t help her with the torture,” I retort.
“I know. We were working on a way to remove that mark from her.”
“Bryce and Rufio had a block in their heads, which was also the work of the Neo Gods. Only Daisy was able to remove it from Bryce.”
“I don’t think Daisy can help me,” Andromeda grits out. “If Nathaniel is a demigod, then surely his mark is beyond the skills of the Unmaker.”
Her phone rings with an ominous sound that makes me question the girl’s taste.
“That’s him,” she says.
“What are we going to do now?” Soren looks at his father.
“We can’t let him keep punishing her.” I give her the phone. “Answer him.”
She presses the screen, silencing the abhorrent noise. “What do you want now?” she asks her jailer.
“Don’t you ‘what’ me,” an angry voice retorts loud enough that we can all hear it. “You were supposed to bring me the Unmaker. That should have been an easy task for you.”
“Daisy didn’t come alone. I had to fight all her boyfriends at once. I almost didn’t escape.”
“Somehow, I have a hard time believing you. But you met someone else tonight, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” She turns in my direction. “He tried to help me.”
“The Unmaker must be on her way back to Saturn’s Bay already. We’ll get her later. I want you to bring me your new friend.”
The small hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Anticipation gives me a stomachache. This person, no matter how awful he is, might have answers about my heritage that I can’t ignore. I sense the Silverstones change their demeanor as well. They’re anxious for this encounter too, but for different reasons.
“I think I can arrange that. Where should I meet you?”
“I’m having a smal
l get-together at my house tonight. Bring him as your guest.”
Andromeda twists her expression into a glower. “Are you kidding me? You’re throwing a party?”
“Well, I thought you would be bringing me a great prize, so I wanted to celebrate. I can’t kick everyone out now. What would your parents say?”
Andromeda’s face seems to drain of blood. Her eyebrows furrow in a stern line. “Fine. I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“Oh, and dress accordingly, darling. You don’t want to stick out more than you already do.”
The call goes silent, but Andromeda seems frozen in time.
“Why was Nathaniel talking about your parents?” I cross my arms.
She finally wakes from her stupor and sighs. “He’s a sneaky weasel. He tricked my father into becoming his business partner. It wasn’t enough that he got me to pledge myself to his disgusting cause and put a torture device on me. He also had to bring my folks into the picture. You know, for extra leverage.”
“What are we supposed to do now? Let Andromeda go, just like that?” Soren turns to his father.
Mr. Silverstone rubs his chin, staring hard in her direction. “That wasn’t the plan, but letting Andromeda return to the Neo Gods’ fold will work to our benefit. We need more information.”
“What about him?” He points at me.
“What now?” I frown.
“The Neo Gods know about your involvement with the Knights. You can’t simply waltz into their domain as if you weren’t the enemy.”
“Don’t worry about me. If Andromeda is right and I’m a demigod, I can handle whatever those motherfuckers throw at me.”
“I’ll keep Morpheus safe,” Andromeda declares, amusing me to no end. I chuckle and immediately pick up on her irritation. “What’s so funny? You don’t think I can protect you?”
I raise my hands, palm up. “I believe you. I didn’t mean to offend.”
“Whatever. Let’s get going. Nathaniel is not a patient man. If I don’t arrive at his stupid party when I said I would, he’s going to make my hand burn again.”
“Fine. I can’t linger in Hawk City for much longer anyway. I have to get back to Daisy.”
Andromeda bites her lower lip. “On a scale of one to ten, how pissed off do you think she is at me right now?”
“I don’t think she’s angry at you. Probably shocked. But once she learns the truth, it’ll be fine.”
“No. Under no circumstances are you to tell anyone else about Andromeda,” Mr. Silverstone pipes up.
I give him a droll stare. “No offense, sir, but I’m not lying to my girlfriend or my friends.”
He opens his mouth to no doubt argue with me, but Andromeda butts in. “I’m with Morpheus. Daisy is an ally. She needs to know I didn’t betray her.”
Mr. Silverstone stares at the ceiling and lets out a heavy sigh. “This is what I get for dealing with a bunch of teenagers.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes, but Soren doesn’t. Our gazes meet, and some kind of understanding exchanges between us. I still think he’s an ass, but maybe we can find a way to work together in peace.
I glance at my casual clothes. “I’m not changing to attend a Neo Gods party.”
Andromeda snorts. “And you thought I was going to?”
6
Rufio
Hollow. That’s how I feel. I never understood what my powers meant until I was stripped of them. They were an intrinsic part of me, and now I’m not even sure who I am anymore. My identity was linked to my abilities, and now that they’re gone, I’m nothing. Vapor.
I’ve been avoiding Daisy. I don’t want her to see that I’m an empty shell, not the man she fell in love with. The old Rufio would hate her for what she did, vow revenge, but there’s not a smidge of animosity in my heart toward her. The ugly feeling is reserved for the real villain in this story: my father and the other sycophants.
It would have been easier if I had gone with my mother, but I can’t bear to stay away from Daisy. Honestly, I don’t know how Bryce was able to make that decision. He has his reasons, and I can’t begrudge him for what was no doubt perceived by Daisy as a traitorous move.
The place Mr. X brought us to is a beach house near Echo Cove. I questioned his choice. The house is the furthest thing from what a secret hideout should be like. It’s right smack in the middle of one of the busiest destinations in Saturn’s Bay. Hiding in plain sight is Mr. X’s strategy.
Nonetheless, it’s a comfortable house with plenty of rooms. I don’t even have to bunk with Phoenix, something I was totally expecting. As soon as we arrived, Mr. X offered us food, but I refused and retired immediately to my new quarters. I wasn’t hungry despite not having eaten anything in hours.
It’s already morning, but since no one was able to shut their eyes on the flight here, the first order of business was to catch some z’s. If only I could shut my eyes and relax. The queen-sized bed looks inviting enough, with its fluffy pillows and soft sheets, but I’m too restless to fall asleep.
I wait until I don’t hear a sound in the hallway and slip out. If I can’t sleep, then I might as well do a little exploration. The beach house is spacious and light. Big glass windows give anyone in the house an unobstructed view of the ocean. It was the first issue I pointed out to Mr. X. Any onlooker from the beach would be able to see us as well. I forgot that Mr. X wasn’t born yesterday though. Those windows are mirrored from the outside.
I walk closer to them, losing track of time by just watching the waves crash against the turf and then slowly recede back. It wasn’t that long ago that Daisy almost drowned in those waters. I was able to save her then, but if anything were to happen to her now, I’d be useless. A boulder sits on my chest, caving it in. I meant what I said to her. I’m another deadweight attached to her ankles, dragging her down. She won’t let go of her sister, understandably so, but she should cut me loose. She doesn’t need me.
I flatten my palms against the glass, leaning forward until my forehead meets the smooth surface. “Fuck. What am I going to do?”
“Rufio?”
Warmth spreads through my chest, easing the heaviness. Daisy’s voice is like a caress against my bruised heart. I almost think she’s just a figment of my imagination. I didn’t sense her approach, after all. But when she stops next to me, understanding dawns on me. I’ve lost my sensitivity to auras along with my powers. An elephant would have been able to sneak up on me and I wouldn’t see until it was right in front of my face.
“You couldn’t sleep either, huh?” she continues.
Wordless, I push myself off the window and turn around, ready to leave. But she grabs my arm, halting me. “Don’t go. Please.”
“What do you want from me, Daisy?” I ask without making eye contact.
“I want you to look at me, for starters.”
With a heavy exhale, I do as she asks. And like a sandcastle, my heart crumbles into a pile of dust. Her beautiful hazel eyes are filled with regret and guilt, which only makes me feel worse.
“Stop that,” I say.
“Stop what?” She releases my arm.
“Stop feeling guilty for what you did. It wasn’t your fault.” She takes a step back, but I can still see her lips quiver. “Damn it, Daisy. Don’t you dare cry on me.”
“Quit telling me what to do or how I should be feeling!” With a jerky swipe of her arm, she dries off a rogue tear that escaped her eye.
I turn away, pulling my hair back hard until it hurts. I welcome the pain. “I can’t deal with your torment on top of everything.”
“Please don’t shut me out, Rufio. I’m hurting too, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” She steps closer and places her hand on the middle of my back. “I’ll find a way to restore your powers, even if it’s the last thing I do.”
I pivot on the spot, reaching for her arms. “I won’t allow you to risk your life for me, Daisy. You’ve done enough.”
She winces at my words, and I don’t understand the r
eason. What I’m asking her is not that farfetched.
“I know I’ve done plenty. I unmade you.”
Fuck. That’s what she thinks I meant?
I cup her cheeks between my hands. “No. That’s not it. You’ve helped us plenty. You’ve risked your life to save us even though none of us deserve it.”
“Shut up. Don’t say that. And I already told you that you can’t order me around. If I want to risk my life to save yours, I will.”
“Why are you so stubborn?” I press my forehead against hers, breathing in her sweet perfume.
The heady scent goes straight to my head, making me dizzy, but not because she’s stealing my powers. There’s nothing left for her to take. I’m unsteady for different reasons. My craving for her has not diminished. If anything, it’s grown exponentially, and now there’s nothing deterring me from claiming her. I bring my lips to hers, prying them open hungrily. It’s been too long since I could kiss the girl I love like this, and I plan to savor every second of it.
Daisy curls her fingers into my shirt, bringing me closer to her. Her tongue mingles with mine with the same urgency. I run my fingers through her hair, grabbing a fistful of the strands and tilting her head to the side so I can devour her mouth thoroughly.
She releases my shirt to circle my waist with her arms. An enticing moan escapes her lips, spurring me on. My entire body is on fire, even my bones. My cock is pressing hard against my jeans, and I’ve been without sex for so long that any little friction could be my undoing.
No. I can’t lose control of my body like that. The only way my cock is going to explode is inside Daisy’s sweet pussy.
I pick her up and with urgent steps and veer for the nearest couch. I’m too lost in my lust to make it to my bedroom. Everyone is asleep anyway. We’re all alone. Daisy sits on the couch and, without letting go of me, pulls me on top of her. I fit snuggly between her legs, but my jeans are in the way.
“Hold on.” I jump back to my feet, then remove the pesky barrier as fast as I can—which, considering I no longer have enhanced Idol speed, isn’t fast enough. I push the bitterness aside. I can’t let it sour this moment.
Broken Knights: A Paranormal High School Bully Romance (Gifted Academy Book 4) Page 4
