Seraphim Academy 3: Fallen Kings

by Briggs, Elizabeth;

  It’s been weeks since we last saw each other, and my heart aches every time I think of his absence. I’m able to push it out of mind when I’m in class or hanging out with the girls and Jonah, but when I’m alone at night I often think of Kassiel. I worry about his safety or wonder what he’s doing, and it often keeps me up late. Sometimes I even sit by the lake where we used to meet, and I think back on those days when he was my professor. I saw him just about every day for two years and took it for granted. Now I’d do just about anything to see him that often again.

  Kassiel throws the door open and grabs my hand, pulling me inside in a flash. We don’t say a word, just cling to each other, and I realize he missed me as much as I did him. Then our lips find each other like two magnets unable to resist the attraction, and I lose myself in his touch, taste, and scent. His lust rolls over me, making me crave him even more, especially since I’ve been on an angel-only diet for weeks now. I’ve missed the dark decadence of his Fallen energy.

  “You’re okay?” he asks huskily when he lifts his lips from mine.

  “I’m fine. It’s you I worry about. Where have you been?” I press my hands to his cheeks and look deep into his green eyes. He’s absolutely gorgeous with hair just a shade short of black, perfectly trimmed stubble along his sharp jaw, and a mouth made for kissing. “Are you staying safe?”

  “Safe enough.” Did I mention his English accent? Yeah, even his voice is sexy.

  We kiss again, and my hands slide between us so I can unbutton his shirt. He almost always wears a dark suit, which only makes him more handsome somehow. When he realizes I fully intend to start our reunion with sex he growls against my mouth and grabs the tie of my red coat. The coat falls mid-thigh, just long enough to keep me covered.

  His growl turns to a moan when he sees I’m only wearing a red lace teddy under it. “Damn it, you’re so sexy.”

  I run my hands down my sides. “I bought this just for you. No one else has seen it.”

  He grips my waist possessively. “Even better.”

  Kassiel leans down and clasps my nipple in his mouth through the lace. My hands can’t stay still, and I run them through his thick hair, gripping it when he sucks harder. He runs his fingers along my hips, then pulls the teddy down. The lace scrapes my nipple, separating it from his mouth. He watches as his fingers pull the lace farther and farther down until my breast pops out, the nipple pebbled and aching for his mouth again. He devours it like he can’t get enough of my taste, making me moan with pleasure, and then he does the same to the other breast.

  Kassiel moves his hands down to my ass, and grunts in masculine approval when he finds it bare. He falls to his knees and grabs both cheeks, caressing and kneading, while peppering my skin with kisses.

  One hand reaches up and pushes on my stomach so that I fall back onto the bed, and then his mouth is on me. I cry out and spread my legs to give him the most access. He sucks my clit into his mouth immediately, then strokes my sensitive skin with his tongue. Sucking and stroking, teasing and tasting, he works his magic until I’m gripping the sheets and writhing in pleasure. But he demands more. He slides two fingers into me and pumps them in and out, quickly leading me into an intense orgasm.

  I ride it out, moving my hips rhythmically against his mouth and his fingers, unable to help myself. Before I have a chance to catch my breath, he kneels on the bed and plunges his thick cock into me, causing me to arch my back and cry out again.

  Kassiel wraps an arm under my back and lifts me up, pulling my chest against his, and our eyes meet. His shirt has been pulled open and his trousers are shoved down. In our haste, we didn’t bother to undress him properly. Seeing him so undone only makes him look even hotter.

  “Did you miss me?” he asks, as he begins thrusting into me.

  My words come out low and husky. “Yes.”

  “Did you miss my cock?” He punctuates his words by slamming into me.

  “Yes!” I cry out.

  His hand moves down to grip my ass and he uses my body as leverage, moving me on and off his cock. I moan with each thrust, thoroughly enjoying not being the one to take the lead. He knows I love it when he takes control in the bedroom, and his tight grip on my body proves he likes it just as much.

  Letting go of my ass, he presses me back onto the bed and grabs my ankles, forcing my legs onto his shoulders. I’m totally under his control, my body moving in time to his hard length pumping into me, while his fingers reach down to tease my clit again.

  “Come with me,” Kassiel commands. “Now.”

  I cry out again, looking up into his intense green eyes as I do exactly what he ordered. My entire body shudders as the pleasure spreads through me, and I tighten up around his cock as his potent sexual energy fills me. He keeps pumping into me until I’ve soaked up every last drop, and then he finally slows.

  He lowers himself onto the bed beside me and pulls me into his arms. “I love it when your eyes turn black. It means I’ve done my job.”

  My cheeks flush with pleasure as he kisses me again, this time a leisurely kiss without the pent-up need from before. I feel a lot better too with my hunger sated. I’m still sleeping with Marcus and Bastien on a regular basis, but without Callan or Kassiel in the mix, it’s been a lot harder. I make sure not to take too much from either guy so I don’t hurt them, but it often leaves me a bit hungry. Especially since I got used to being nice and full all the time when I was sleeping with all four men. A night with Kassiel always makes my inner succubus purr with delight and keeps the hunger away much longer.

  “How have you been? How’s school?” He idly runs his fingers through my hair. “Tell me everything.”

  I laugh and spill the details on my first two weeks of school, although there’s not that much to tell. It’s nice to snuggle up against him and talk though, especially since he’s a really good listener.

  “I’m glad Bastien is doing a good job teaching Angelic History in my absence,” he says, once I’m done.

  “Do you miss teaching?”

  “I do. More than I expected.” He sighs and keeps playing with my hair. “But the work I’m doing now is more important.”

  I run my hands along his hard chest. “Have you found anything?”

  “That’s actually one of the reasons I came to see you tonight.” He sits up a little in bed and faces me. “I have a promising lead on the Staff. The best one I’ve had yet. I’m going in the morning, but I wanted to stop by first.”

  I sit up too. “I’m going with you.”

  He shakes his head with a sad smile. “There are a dozen reasons why that’s a bad idea.”

  “Then let me call Marcus and Bastien. They can be your backup.” I don’t understand why he insists on doing this stuff alone.

  His eyes harden. “I’d rather handle this by myself. I don’t feel comfortable working with them.”

  I grip his arm, like somehow I can stop him from going. “Then take someone with you. Don’t do this alone. Please.”

  He leans close and kisses my nose. “I have an army of demons at my disposal. I won’t go alone, I promise.”

  I sigh. “Tell me where you’re going at least.”

  “Utah.”

  “Where in Utah?” I insist.

  “I’m not sure yet. When I have some more information, I’ll let you know.”

  “Fine. Just be careful. Please.” I wrap my arms around him and press my face against his shoulder. It’s been hard enough only seeing Kassiel once every few weeks. I couldn’t bear it if something bad happened to him.

  He holds me against him too, his touch tender yet strong. “Stay with me tonight.”

  I stiffen in his arms. I’ve never stayed overnight with any of my men, and I never let them stay with me. It’s one of my rules. We have sex, and then we go our separate ways. I do it to prevent jealousy between them, and, if I’m being honest, to protect my heart. It’s a way of keeping everyone distant and making sure our sexual relationships never turn into something mor
e.

  But maybe I’m ready for something more. Maybe it’s time to open my heart a little.

  “Okay,” I tell him. “I’ll stay. Until you leave in the morning.”

  The look of happiness on his face makes my decision worth it. I’ve longed to sleep beside Kassiel since the very first night we met, long before we knew anything about each other, when we couldn’t resist the attraction between us. Things have changed a lot since then, and my feelings for him have only grown stronger.

  He pulls me harder against him and kisses me deeply, and I know he understands the significance of my choice. I’m taking this thing between us to another level, and there’s no turning back now. And if I’m going this far with him, I should do the same with Bastien and Marcus. It’s only fair, after all.

  But first, I need more of Kassiel. I push him back and move down his body, then yank his trousers down to take his hardening cock into my mouth. I’ll never get enough of him, and I only have a few hours with him before he ventures out into danger. I’m going to make every one of them count.

  Chapter Ten

  Olivia

  It’s the next night, and I’m perched on my balcony while invisible. From here, I have a clear view of Jeremy’s balcony a level below mine on the corner of the building. I spy on him every night, and if he flies out of there, I’ll know it.

  I yawn a little. It’s getting late, but I know how the Order works, and they always have a meeting on one of the first weekends at school. If a meeting is going to happen, it’ll probably be tonight. Besides, I doubt I’ll be able to sleep anyway. All I can think about is Kassiel. Waking up beside him this morning was one of the best things I’ve experienced, but now he’s run off to chase down this lead on the Staff, and I’m back to worrying about him.

  I’m just about to give up and try to get some sleep, when I hear the sound of a sliding door opening. It’s faint and I almost miss it, but then Jeremy quietly steps onto his balcony, already wearing his golden Order robes and his mask. I instantly jump up, fully awake now. I knew he would lead us to them eventually.

  He spreads his dull brown wings and takes off into the night. He’s not an Ishim, and although he tries to be discreet, I manage to follow him easily. Except he doesn’t go to either of the places I expect—the spot in the forest where the Order met new initiates, or the tunnel leading under the lake where they have their lair. Instead, he flies to the large library on campus, although he doesn’t go in the front door, but to the slanted gray roof where a skylight window is open.

  He dives inside the window and disappears. I hesitate, then land on the roof silently, still invisible. My necklace keeps me safe from any Ofanim who might see through my invisibility, but it won’t protect me from bumping into someone or the sound of my footsteps. I have to be careful.

  I kneel on the roof and peer through the window, where I see a large attic space filled with members in gold robes. This must be their new meeting spot in a place I didn’t even know existed. The golden throne sits empty on one end of the room, and in front of it stands someone wearing the crown. The one Nariel used to wear, when he was alive.

  How do they have a new leader already? Who could it be? It’s impossible to tell when the faces, bodies, and voices are all disguised by the robes and masks, and my heart sinks at this revelation. Killing Nariel was never part of our plan, but I hoped it had set the Order back a bit. That doesn’t seem to be the case. I’m starting to think the Order is like a hydra—as soon as you cut off one head, another two appear.

  I was in the Order for two years, but I only knew the identity of a few of its members. The Order keeps that information a secret, although if things had been different, the Princes would have learned a lot more about the members upon graduation. That obviously didn’t happen.

  One more person in a mask approaches the window, and I have to quickly move out of the way so they don’t brush against me as they drop inside. As soon as they land, the person in the crown nods and the meeting begins.

  “We have much reason to rejoice.” The crown-wearer raises their arms into the air. “We have the Staff!”

  The group cheers, each voice sounding exactly like the last, but their numbers are noticeably smaller this year without me, Tanwen, and Kassiel. Not to mention the Order members we killed in Faerie during the battle for the Staff, including Nariel. I would’ve loved to have been a fly on the wall when the Order figured out that Kassiel was one of their members and the son of Lucifer.

  “We’re making great progress toward using it,” the leader continues. “It should only be a matter of days before we can begin our noble work. As soon as certain things fall into place, we will notify each of you with further instructions.”

  They cheer again, and a chill runs down my spine. A matter of days? How is that possible? Unless they’ve got an Archdemon under their control, there’s no way they can use the Staff. What do they know that we don’t?

  “We have a large batch of initiates this year, with the hopes of bolstering our numbers,” the leader continues. “Please note we must remain diligent with the half-demon on campus. It is the duty of each member of this group to make sure she doesn’t interfere with our glorious mission. You will receive instructions if it comes time to intercede and subdue her. Remember, she is not to be harmed.”

  Intercede and subdue me? I do not like the sound of that. Maybe the guys have a reason to be so overprotective of me. Then again, I bet I could handle most of the people here. My succubus powers are pretty good at bringing both men and women to their knees, I just prefer not to use them unless I absolutely have to.

  The masked faces murmur amongst themselves, but I can’t make out individual conversations. Then a door opens, and I lean forward through the window to get a better view as the white robed initiates walk into the attic. The leader wasn’t lying—there are a ton of them. It makes me sick seeing how many people have been invited to join their ranks, although I wonder how many of them will make it past all three trials. Do they all hate demons? Or are they just here because they’re curious? Or because their family members told them to do it?

  I sit through the rest of the meeting while the leader gives his normal speech and the same task to the initiates of stealing something from a professor. I wonder if any of them would dare steal from Bastien, or if everyone is too intimidated by him.

  As the meeting ends, I launch into the air and fly away before anyone discovers me. In the morning I’ll have to tell the others what I learned. Not just about their new location and leader, but how they believe they’re almost ready to use the Staff.

  Which means we’re running out of time to find it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Marcus

  As I move around the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on dinner, a knock on the door makes my heart soar. Today is one of the two days a month Olivia gets to escape Seraphim Academy under Uriel’s new rules, and I invited her over tonight to the house I share with Callan here in Angel Peak. I knew Callan would likely be here too, but it can’t be helped. Besides, the two of them need to get over their issues already. If Callan apologized and quit being such an idiot, everyone could relax.

  I hear Callan let Olivia in the door and her icy voice as she asks, “What are you doing here?”

  “I live here too, you know,” he replies.

  “I hoped you’d be gone tonight. I see enough of you at Combat Training, after all.”

  I quickly hurry over before they start fighting again and slide an arm around Liv’s waist to pull her against me. “Hey, gorgeous. Is that a new dress? You should warn a man before you show up wearing something like that.”

  She flushes and smiles at me, and for a second she’s forgotten how much she hates Callan. Mission accomplished. “Yes, I went shopping with the girls earlier today and got a few new things. I’m glad you like it.”

  “I love it.” I bring her in close and nibble on her ear. “I’ll love it even more when I’m yanking it off you later ton
ight.”

  Callan rolls his eyes and crosses his arms, but he doesn’t leave. It’s his house too, but the dude could give us some privacy at least. Why torture himself by watching us together when he can’t have her?

  “Come on.” I take Liv’s hand and lead her into the kitchen. “Dinner is ready.”

  “You cooked?” She looks so shocked I don’t know if I should laugh or be offended.

  I wink at her. “Don’t sound so surprised. I’m a man of many talents.”

  She follows me into the large, modern kitchen with gleaming white cabinets, brand new appliances, and smooth quartz counters. Only the best for Callan, of course. Not that I’m complaining.

  When Callan follows us, Olivia turns and gives him a hard look. “I thought we were eating alone.”

  “It’s fine,” I say quickly. “I made enough for all three of us.”

  “Next time we should go somewhere else,” Liv mutters.

  I sigh, starting to get frustrated with both of them. “I wanted to cook for you tonight. I made chicken enchiladas from an old family recipe.”

  She gives me an apologetic smile. “I’m sure it will be delicious. I just wish we had some privacy.”

  “Fine, I can take a hint,” Callan snaps. “I’ll leave you two to your little date. But you might as well accept that I’m not going anywhere, Liv. You’re sleeping with two of my best friends, and my other best friend is your brother. We’re all searching for the same thing. And you’re in my house.”

  “I accept that I can’t seem to get rid of you, no matter how much I try,” she snarls back.

  “And have you accepted that three guys isn’t going to cut it?” He steps toward her so they’re right in each other’s faces. I don’t need to be an incubus to see the hate-lust coming off them. “You need me, or you need to find someone else. Otherwise you’re going to hurt Marcus and Bastien again. I won’t let that happen.”