Hansel might have sensed my disappointment. He neared me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. The closeness made my heart skip. “I’ve been wanting to see you ever since the day I was chosen to become a vassal. Pardon that I moved too fast.”
“We’re not responsible for her feelings,” Liam said. “Just have to make sure that she’s alive. Stop apologizing and looking weak.”
Who spit in his soup? Did Liam hate me?
I stuck my tongue out at him. I knew how to be childish too.
“When were you chosen to be a vassal?” I asked. “How does this whole vassal-goddess thing work, anyway?”
Hansel let go of my shoulder. Almost at once, I missed his warmth. “Not all of us were born on Earth like you. The Haven is made of many villages, all working together to serve the goddesses. The goddesses keep the chiasma alive, which maintains balance between Earth and Haven.”
“So, I’ve been transported to a new realm?”
Hansel nodded. “Essentially. All of us were born in Haven. Every year, new vassals are picked. It’s random, based on what the goddess of luck decides, but once you are selected to be a vassal, there’s no going back. The vassals are picked first, and we have to train for a year. We only found out who we were going to serve last month, and since I’d been training for so long, I couldn’t wait to meet my goddess.”
Theo smiled. “In Haven, being a vassal is considered a great honor. Our families will be taken care of for life.”
“That sounds convenient,” I said.
“My family was struggling,” Hansel said. “Gradia, the goddess of soil, ran out of power to bless my town, and so we were starving that month. I’m in a very lucky position.”
“I’m not,” Liam said. “Never wanted to be a vassal.”
Was that why he was so sour?
“Why goddesses?” I asked. “Just the females ruling? Why can’t you four be chosen to be gods as well?”
“Power runs in Haven and comes from the chiasma,” Hansel said. “Those born with a strong connection to the chiasma, such as all the girls selected to be half-bloods and the vassals, often manifest powers eventually. But only the women can drink from the chiasma’s pond and ascend to godhood.”
“They’ve tried it on men?” I asked. Theo brushed his shoulder against mine. The way he looked at me told me that he wanted more touching. I avoided his alluring gaze. The remnants of it smoothed over my skin like a caress of smoke.
Hansel nodded. “Many times before. It never worked. Except for that time. Once.”
“Once?”
“Ares. He was the first of men to enter into godhood, and the goddesses regretted allowing him into their fold.”
“He and Aphrodite were a thing, right? Love and war and all that fancy stuff.” At least, that was what I learned in literature back in high school. If I remembered correctly, anyway. I’d been too busy watching birds hatch outside the window when Mr. Parks went over that bit.
Agness did say I was Aphrodite’s daughter. I wasn’t sure if that was true or how it was supposed to apply to me.
Hansel tapped his forehead. “Ares let the power get to his head. He grew too ambitious. He wanted control over the chiasma. Ares was killed, Aphrodite went missing trying to stop him, and men were never allowed to near the chiasma’s pond ever again. Anybody who goes there without permission is put to death without question.”
“That is how the story goes,” Devon, who was walking ahead, said. “It’s all filtered through what the council wants us to think.” His voice was low compared to the rest. There was a certain hardness to it that made me tense up. “Rumors say that Aphrodite never really fought against Ares. She had close relations with her vassals, but her heart belonged wholly to Ares. We’re not allowed to talk about it, however.” Devon looked around. “Discussions of rumors aren’t encouraged.”
“Yeesh,” I said. The Haven was more backward than America. They didn’t allow free speech entirely? “They really like their rules around here.”
“With the balance of the worlds at stake,” Hansel added, “there’s not much of an option. The chiasma’s been weird lately.”
“How so?”
He shrugged. “No idea. The council of goddesses haven’t been up front about that information. I don’t like how secretive they are, but at least they keep us fed.”
“Just because someone gives you three meals a day,” Liam said, “doesn’t mean you should be their dog.”
Hansel shook his head. “I’m happy to serve.”
“Dog,” Liam repeated.
“Bitch,” Hansel said.
“Asshole,” I said to Liam.
Liam narrowed his eyes at me.
We reached the end of the hallway, where they showed me my new room. It looked just like the last one, with the decorative front door. Theo, still wearing his bright smile, leaned forward and opened it for me.
“Still no upgrade in decorations,” I said. I stepped into it, and the rest followed. I frowned. “Wait, all of you are coming in?”
“We have until fourth period to get to know you,” Hansel said with too much exuberance.
“Don’t you think the room might be too tight?” I asked. “There’s five of us, and the four of you are giants.”
“Nah.”
The door clicked behind Liam as he shut it.
Four sets of mesmerizing eyes fell on me. The temperature of the interior kicked up a notch. A tingle crept down my spine. I took a step away from the group of them. Devon seemed to notice and cocked a brow at me.
“Don’t be shy,” he said huskily. “It’s not like we’re going to fuck you.”
I balked at his directness.
I wrapped my hands around my arms and sat on my bed. “Getting to know me, huh? And how do you want to do that?”
“We have to prepare your meals for you,” Theo said. He opened my cupboard and looked through my new wardrobe, probably to make sure that all my outfits were in order. “Keep you nicely clothed. Ensure that your needs are met.” He glanced at me with a teasing smirk. “Keep you satisfied should it please you.”
“S-satisfied. What do you mean by that?”
“What do you want it to mean?” He drew his tongue over his upper row of teeth. A blush warmed my cheeks. I wanted to dig a hole and hide inside.
Liam must have sensed my arousal. His gaze heated. I could almost taste the desire coming off him.
“I’m going to take another shower,” I said. I didn’t need to, I’d already had one this morning, but the tension made me want to flee. The bathroom was the only place I could think to go to.
“Need help?” Hansel asked. He swept a hand through his blond waves.
I nearly combusted. “What?”
“With the shower.”
“I can do that by myself, thank you very much.”
The teasing expression on Hansel brightened. “You sure about that? I don’t think you’ve ever had anybody wash your back before. Half-blood privileges.”
“I’m okay with scrubbing my own back.” The intensity of his ocean-blue eyes made it impossible for me to keep still. I was wringing my fingers together, fidgeting like a nervous wreck. They could all sense the desire emanating off me. Their straightened postures made it clear. I felt like cornered prey, all four of them predators readying to eat me up.
Unable to take their unwavering stares anymore, I rushed to the bathroom. I shut the door and shouted, “Stay out!” Quickly, I stripped and walked into the shower cubicle. I turned on the tap, not waiting for warm water to spill out, and embraced the sensation of ice-cold water kissing my skin. The unbearable heat refused to simmer. Images of Hansel mounting me and taking me from behind kept flashing in my mind. The rest of them would be there, too, staring at me like they had just moments ago and wanting…
I slapped myself. Someone watching might think me crazy, and I very well might be. I wondered if Danna’s vassals treated her the same way. Maybe she’d stopped missing her date completely.
I turned off the tap and got out of the shower, then realized I’d forgotten to bring a towel and a change of clothes.
The rest of them were still outside, waiting.
Damn it.
They must have heard the water stop. A knock sounded at the door, and Hansel said loudly, “Do you need my assistance, Cara?”
I considered my options. I still had my old clothes on the floor, so I could wear them again, though I’d be damp and it wasn’t the most ideal. In my haste, I’d gone and made a fool of myself. Did I really have to walk out all wet, still embarrassed, and aroused?
Hansel didn’t give me a choice. I’d forgotten to lock the door. When I saw the doorknob turn, I nearly had a heart attack. I grabbed my clothes from the ground and covered my frame. Hansel entered with a fresh set of clothes and a towel. He had his eyes closed.
“I’m not going to make you uneasy if you’re not ready,” Hansel said. “Even though I’m dying to see you naked.” He grinned. His teeth shone a brilliant white. “I’ll just put these on the basin. I’ll dry your hair when you’re done.”
I glared at him with my jaw tightened. “Um, yeah. Thanks for the clothes.”
“It’s my job, precious. Don’t sweat it.”
He set them down neatly, just like he said he would, then left.
He wished to see me nude?
Having someone as hot as him want me pretty much blew my mind. I stared at my reflection again. I guessed I didn’t look that bad. My crimson hair used to make me get bullied, but maybe it was just because I stood out.
I put on the clothes Hansel had brought for me, then splashed my face with more water. Hansel had picked out a crop top and a pair of jeans that emphasized my figure. The clothes fit perfectly. How did they manage to get my sizing so accurate? I couldn’t even find clothes with such good cutting when shopping for myself.
When I walked out of the bathroom, they all stood around idly, their undivided attentions on my next move.
Hansel led me to the dressing table. He turned on the hairdryer, then pinched a large lock of my hair.
As Hansel blew my hair dry, Theo bent down next to me and took my hand. I frowned, questioning what he was doing, then spotted a bottle of nail polish on the dressing table. He’d chosen a pretty lavender shade that matched my crop top.
Holy crap, they were treating me like a princess.
I was living every girl’s dream.
“Is this real life?” I asked, talking over the loud sound of the hairdryer. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, Hansel—did you put drugs in my Heineken?”
He chuckled. “Why do you think so?”
“I feel like I’m high.”
Theo joined Hansel’s laughter heartily. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”
“Is it going to end?”
Theo’s expression turned serious. “The Sanctuary has a challenging curriculum.”
As Hansel styled my hair, his fingers grazed my cheeks. His touch was gentle, but his fingertips coarse. “There,” he said when he’d finished. “You don’t need much makeup.” He spun me around and was careful to not damage my nails, since Theo had just painted them. “Close your eyes.”
A tingling started in my stomach as he dabbed blush on my cheeks.
“Aren’t you just beautiful?” Hansel asked. I opened my eyes and met his blue gaze. When he stared at me like that, I thought he might be looking through me.
“Babying her,” Liam added sourly. “You guys are spoiling her too much.”
Theo ignored Liam. “Do you drink coffee?” he asked me.
“Um, yeah,” I replied.
“Milk. Sugar?”
“I take it with just milk.”
“Then you’ll have that with breakfast.”
“And we’ll do this every morning,” Hansel said, making his finishing touches on my fringe. “So you look the best that you can.”
When I glanced at myself in the mirror again, I couldn’t believe my own image. I looked like a completely different person. I had good hair texture, but Hansel had made the most of it. He’d given me beautiful waves that I usually saw on models on magazines. My locks had a shine to them I’d never seen before. My makeup, too, brought out the best features of my face and was perfectly color-coded to my outfit. “Wow.” My shoulders slumped. I wasn’t sure how else to respond.
Devon entered the room. Had he left earlier? Hansel and Theo’s pampering was too distracting for me to focus on my surroundings. Devon carried a tray of food in his hands. “I thought you might want an afternoon snack.” He seemed less enthusiastic about serving me, lacking the eagerness Hansel and Theo had.
He set the tray down on my dressing table.
“This is a snack?” I asked, dumbfounded. Donuts, croissants, rainbow-colored cakes, scones, and a huge assortment of fruits and vegetables lay on that tray. They huddled close together, as if fighting for space. “It’s a feast.”
“Are you complaining?” Devon asked. “Do you need me to feed it to you?”
“No?”
“Good. Eat up, then.” Carelessly, he let the tray down. The tableware clinked, and I thought the stack of fruit might collapse.
Why did he seem mad? I wasn’t even hungry. It wasn’t like I’d summoned him to go get food for me. “What about you guys?”
“We have separate times for food,” Devon said, shoving his hands in his pockets and leaning against the wall. I noticed he really liked keeping his hands there. Did he think it looked cool? Or did he really not give a fuck about most things? His bored expression gave off that vibe. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Let us help you enjoy yourself, Cara,” Theo said. He capped the bottle of nail polish. “We have another thirty minutes before class.”
I nibbled on a scone. “Thanks. I am enjoying myself.” Too much, perhaps. My appetite had disappeared, because the guys had filled me up with their attention.
“You’re going to make the rest of the girls jealous with how beautiful you look,” Hansel said, stepping back to admire his handiwork.
I said as I chewed, “That’s what I’m worried about. That they’ll be too jealous and give me a hard time.”
Eight
I entered the new classroom without my vassals. The guys had told me that they were only supposed to be there for me during rest periods. They were to protect me as well as make sure that my well-being was fine.
I looked at my schedule. Devon had dropped me off in front of my first class—potions theory. The minute I entered the class, I’d nearly knocked over an entire row of beakers. Devon caught me just in time, but not without giving me a judgmental look after. The classroom was actually a large glasshouse. Long tables had been arranged into columns, and a chalkboard had been propped in front of them. The class had already filled with girls. I’d arrived late in comparison.
Slung around my body was my new bag, filled with the necessary writing materials and textbooks. Before coming to the Sanctuary, I’d gone around taking music gigs to make a living. It’d been a while since I’d had to scribble in a notebook. Me and academics didn’t go well together.
Danna waved at me from one of the tables. I should ask her to calm down with her waving. She looked like she might break her hand off. I walked up to her.
“You’re not on my team,” she said.
My shoulders slumped. I wanted to be with her.
“There’s a list tacked onto the chalkboard.” She pointed at it. “The groupings are on it. I feel sorry for you.”
“Sorry for me?” I raised a brow. “Why?”
“You’re grouped with the bitch.”
“That’s an odd nickname to give someone.”
She gestured at me to near her, so I lowered myself, allowing her to whisper into my ear. “Be careful about Francesca Lancaster.”
“Who?” The girls were already beginning to form cliques? Mythical academy or not, people just loved acting like high school kids. “Hasn’t it been less than a day? What happened?”
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br /> “Turns out,” Danna continued in her whisper, “Francesca’s one of the few born in Haven. She thinks it makes her all that, since she knows how the system around here works. She wants special treatment, but considering you got your own room and she didn’t, she’s jealous. She’s spreading rumors about you.”
“Rumors. Like?”
“That you killed Miley.”
“What?”
“Few people believe Francesca. Most still think that it’s something to do with the goddess council. That they’re hiding too much. Tensions are boiling.” She glanced at Francesca, then leaned to my ear again. “Most of the girls hate her because she’s been trying to boss everybody around. Some of us are on your side.”
“Only some?” I asked. “So, there are people who actually believe that I offed my roommate? How did she even justify that rumor?”
“People will believe whatever they want.” Danna made a swishing motion with her hand. “You can’t stop them.”
I nodded in agreement. “Weren’t you guys supposed to be hanging out with the vassals?” I knew I was too busy doing so to involve myself in such drama. “How did all of this start?”
“When with hormonal, catty young ladies, the gossip spreads around quickly.” She glanced at Francesca. “Anyway, good luck. Maybe you might get along. I highly doubt so.”
Considering that Francesca had tried to sully my name with her far-fetched tales, I didn’t want to get along with her.
“How were your vassals, anyway?” I asked.
Danna’s face split with a sly smile. “Oh, don’t even get me started.”
I clutched the strap around my bag and strode up to the chalkboard. I looked at the group assignments just to make sure that what Danna had told me was right. I was indeed grouped with Francesca, the bitch.
I sighed, then took my place next to her. She was so poised and refined, with such sharp features, that my shallow judgments immediately classified her as high maintenance. She dressed in an all-black outfit with a crisscross pattern over her ample boobs. I glanced at her feet. They were covered with six-inch fuck-me heels. Did her vassals dress her? They needed an upgrade in tastes, because she looked like she belonged in a nightclub, not an academy for potential goddesses.
Goddess Academy: The Complete Reverse Harem Collection Page 6
