Secret of the Gods (Magic Blessed Academy Book 2)

by Eva Ashwood

  He slipped his fingers between my pussy lips from behind, dipping into my core and gathering my arousal before bringing his wet digits back up to tease and play with my asshole. I let out a low moan of approval, renewing my efforts on the two men before me as Lach slipped one large finger into my tight back hole. My muscles clamped around him, but he was both patient and demanding, giving me time to adjust to first one finger and then two.

  With the second finger inside me, he began to stretch me out, and I gasped, letting out a keening cry as sensations barreled through me.

  “Fuck. You’re doing so well, Ari. Look at you.” Trace’s voice was thick with desire, and his cock pulsed in my grip. “Lach’s so deep inside you already. Getting you ready to take his cock.”

  I groaned, panting as I drew Merrick’s shaft deeper into my mouth, already imagining what it would be like to have all three of them inside me. Merrick’s hips were bucking restlessly, and I could tell all of us were getting close. I slowed down my strokes, teasing him and Trace, keeping them on the edge but never letting them go over as my body slowly began to relax around Lachlan’s fingers.

  When he drew them out, I whined in protest, but he gave my ass another little slap. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll take care of ye.”

  A second later, his large cock found the entrance to my pussy and pressed inside, making me groan with pleasure.

  Yes. Yes. I wanted that and so much more.

  Lachlan fucked me for a few strokes, pushing my body even higher and making my clit throb with need as he slicked himself in my juices. Then he pulled out, and this time the feeling of emptiness was even more acute.

  “Sit on Merrick’s cock, lass. Take him first, then me,” Lachlan grunted from behind me, and it was the only urging I needed.

  Crawling forward, I straddled Merrick’s lean hips as Trace rose to his knees. The tattooed rock star watched with blazing eyes as I fisted Merrick’s cock and sank down onto it, my body practically shaking with need as my pussy welcomed him, stretching around his thick girth.

  “Fuck, Ari. You feel so good,” Merrick murmured, gazing up at me. He reached up to brush his thumb over my nipple, making me hiss out a breath. “I can feel how turned on you are. How wet you are for us. We’ll give you everything you want.”

  I nodded dazedly, not quite capable of speech at the moment. As I rolled my hips, riding Merrick’s cock, I felt Lachlan’s hands on my ass again, spreading my cheeks wide, baring my hole to him.

  Bracing my hands on Merrick’s chest, I looked back over my shoulder. I couldn’t see the place where the fat head of Lach’s shaft pressed into me, but I could feel it. My entire body could feel it.

  He was big, so much thicker and longer than his fingers, and as he pressed inside me in small pulses, my chest heaved with my desperate breaths.

  Merrick’s thumb found my clit, and my mouth dropped open on a cry as pleasure shot through me like a bolt of lightning. I was already so close, my body burning for these men, that every stroke of his thumb against the little bundle of nerves made me shudder.

  “Trace!” I gasped, and he was there before I finished speaking. He gripped my chin and turned my head to claim a kiss, and as his tongue slid into my mouth, Lachlan bottomed out inside me.

  I kissed Trace like I was possessed, sucking on his tongue, biting at his lips, our teeth clashing together as the pain and pleasure of being so full threatened to overwhelm me. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before, and the slightest movement from either of the men who impaled me made sensations ricochet through me like a domino effect. Their cocks were separated by just a thin wall, and I was sure they could feel each other inside me as they slowly began to thrust, alternating strokes as they found a rhythm together.

  Merrick was still playing my clit like a finely tuned instrument, and my entire lower body felt flushed and swollen with arousal.

  Dragging my mouth away from Trace’s, I ran my lips down the side of his neck, over his tattooed chest, and down his stomach until I reached his shaft. It was smooth as velvet, still wet from when I had sucked him earlier, and so hard it looked almost painful. Craning my neck slightly to look up at him, I wrapped my lips around the tip, swirling my tongue over the soft skin.

  He growled, shaking his head in something like awe, as I took him deeper. Merrick and Lachlan were fucking me in earnest now, and the sounds of our flesh colliding filled the training room, accompanied by increasingly loud whimpers, moans, and grunts.

  Trace had been right to double up the protection spell on the door. Because they were going to do just what they’d promised.

  They were going to make me scream.

  “Let go, sweetheart. We’ve got ye.”

  Lachlan’s voice was strained, but I believed every word he said. One of my hands rested on Merrick’s chest, and Trace was helping support me, keeping me in place between the two other men as I sucked and licked his cock, my free hand wrapping around the base.

  I was completely at their mercy, and it was the first time in my entire life I had enjoyed that feeling. They filled me, stretched me, pounded into me, and every stroke made fire burn through my veins.

  “Fuck. I can’t last much longer. Oh, Gods.” Merrick hips rose up in rhythmic thrusts, his cock driving into me, and when he pinched my clit between his thumb and forefinger, I screamed around Trace’s thick length.

  The scream kept pouring out of me as I came like a runaway train, my ass and pussy both clamping down hard as shudders wracked my body. I pulled back from Trace’s cock, my fist pumping him desperately as I panted and sobbed out my release.

  Behind me, Lachlan roared, surging into me one last time before he came hard too.

  Merrick’s thumb kept working my clit, pushing my first orgasm into a second, as he pulsed inside me, flooding my womb with hot cum.

  “Let me see those gorgeous tits, Ari.”

  Trace’s command came through gritted teeth, and he took over, jerking himself roughly as I arched my back, jutting my breasts out. He let out a choked grunt as pearly white ropes coated my chest, stroking himself until he had spilled every drop.

  Lachlan and Merrick were still buried deep inside me, and Lach wrapped an arm around my waist to keep me from collapsing as all the tension seemed to drain from my muscles at once.

  Trace gazed down at me, tenderness mixing with the heat in his eyes as he took in the sight of me.

  Marked by them.

  Fucked by them.

  Claimed by them.

  “You’re it for me, Ari,” he murmured. “For all of us. No matter what happens at Magic Blessed, in the godly realm, or for the rest of my fucking life, I’ll never want anyone the way I want you.”

  My lips curved up in an exhausted, sated smile.

  I couldn’t have said it better myself.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Yes! Very nice, Aria!” Professor Howes called out.

  I flung my arms open wide, then clapped them back together, swinging my magical vines back and forth. I took several steps forward and ducked as the apparition that was supposed to be fighting me took a swing.

  Instead of rising up to strike him, I lowered my hands and then brought them straight up over my head. My magical whip caught the apparition between the legs and split him right up the middle, slicing through his body as if he were made of warm butter.

  The thing disappeared, and several people in the class clapped, including the professor.

  “Very well done. Very well done, indeed,” Howes said.

  Not to sound cocky, but I was kicking ass in this class.

  I didn’t know if it was due to my time in the godly realm or my natural aptitude for magic, but I was doing incredibly well in my classes. Magic surged through me, as if part of the boost I’d gotten in the godly realm had stayed with me even when I came back, and I had complete control over it. My power over it had started to feel instinctual, and I felt stronger than I ever had before.

  Merrick caught my gaze from
across the room, his amber eyes glinting as he smiled at me. I grinned back, loving the look of pride on his face.

  My three men were doing well in classes too, although none of them had improved by the same leaps and bounds I had.

  For just a moment, my thoughts drifted to the Gods’ Challenge. Was it possible the challenge really was meant to help the students? If I thought about everything we’d gone through, every trial and tribulation, every strength that we gained from having to fight for our lives, it almost made sense. The deadly game forced us to use everything in us, to think quickly, and to recall every magical lesson we’d ever been taught. Without those skills…

  “Without those skills, you’re as good as dead,” I mumbled to myself as I turned around, realizing that my logic was flawed.

  Professor Howes glanced at me, her brows pulling together. “I’m sorry? I didn’t catch that.”

  I cleared my throat, shaking my head. “Oh, nothing. I was just making notes for myself so I can do it better next time.”

  “Ah.” She gave me a strange look, her features stiffening. “Good.”

  The class continued, and she worked with other students, trying to talk them through using their powers to defeat the apparition. None of them handled it as easily as I had, and a small swell of pride bloomed in my chest.

  But it only lasted until the end of class.

  As everyone was filing out, Howes lifted her head, catching my gaze. “Aria. If you’ll wait a minute, please?”

  My men all glanced at me anxiously, but I gave them a small nod to let them know I would be okay. I had a feeling they would wait outside the classroom anyway, ready to burst in if they heard any sign of distress. Once, that might’ve annoyed me, but now it warmed my chest.

  “Yeah, professor? What’s up?” I stepped toward her, noticing the way her gaze darted from side to side.

  “You did well today.”

  I gave her a half-smile. “Thanks.”

  “Aria.” For a moment, her gaze stopped shifting around. The jittery energy pouring from her calmed, and she looked right at me. “Don’t try so hard.”

  I blinked. That was about the last thing I’d expected her to say. “What? What are you—?”

  “You’ll be late for your next class.” The nervous version of Howes was back, and she quickly turned and strode back toward her desk, which was situated at one end of the large, open room. “Just remember what I said. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Uh, okay.

  I stared at her retreating back in bemusement, and when she sat and began looking at papers, pointedly ignoring me, I turned and headed for the door. I could’ve pressed for more, but I had a feeling she had gone out on a limb telling me even that much, although it was hard to interpret her meaning. I didn’t want to get her in trouble and lose a potential ally.

  The next class group began to file into the room, and I moved against the tide of bodies, slipping out the door.

  What the hell was that about?

  It made no sense. Why would she tell me not to try so hard? I’d thought the entire idea of school was to do the best you could.

  Her words lingered with me, and over the next few days, I began to pay special attention in all of my other classes. I watched as other students performed, as the professors interacted with the other students. And I began to notice a strange pattern.

  Standing in our Power and Precision class, I chewed my lip as I watched Professor Wist work with a student. Lachlan sidled up next to me.

  “Why do ye look like ye’re gradin’ everyone right now?”

  My eyes went wide for a second, and I jerked my chin toward the professor on the other end of the room. “That. That right there.”

  The tall man raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “I don’t know what ye’re talkin’ about.”

  I glanced toward him, keeping my voice low. “Remember how I told you Howes told me not to try so hard? It was strange to me, so I started watching the other professors, and the other students in class. At first, I didn’t see it, but the more I’ve watched, the more I’ve started to pick up on it. I think some of the professors are trying to make us worse at magic.”

  He furrowed his brows, watching as Wist coached another student who was struggling in the class. Then he shook his head, murmuring, “Why would they do that?”

  I shrugged, pulling my book bag onto my shoulder as Wist finally called an end to the class. “I don’t know. It’s like they’re trying to make their students less powerful. It’s the complete opposite of what they should be doing.”

  Lachlan’s gaze slid to me as we left the classroom, and I could feel his smile even before I saw it. “So, what’s cookin’ in that gorgeous fuckin’ head of yers? I can see ye thinkin’.”

  I glanced up at him, grinning in spite of myself. “I’m thinking there’s only one person who might have an answer for me. I’ll meet up with you later, I gotta go.”

  I rose up onto my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips, then darted down the hall. The next period’s classes would start soon, so I only had a little window of time.

  When I reached the Combat classroom, I didn’t hesitate. As the final student filed out of the room, I pushed my way in, closing the door softly behind me. As I walked forward, Professor Howes looked up at me, her expression instantly becoming nervous.

  “Aria.” She cleared her throat. “I was just about to go to a meeting. Whatever it is, we can talk about it in class tomorrow.”

  Nope. Sorry, lady.

  I hated to potentially drag someone else into danger with me and the men, but I needed answers badly enough to risk it. Stepping in front of her, I shook my head. “No. I can’t talk about this in front of other students, and it can’t wait. I need to know what’s going on here, Professor. I know what you and some of the other professors are doing. Giving us bad directions or coaching us to fail instead of succeed. Why? What’s going on?”

  Professor Howes shook her head, her large eyes appearing even bigger as she closed her bag and put it on her shoulder. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. That’s ridiculous. Why would any professor want to make a student less powerful?”

  She tried to push past me, but I wouldn’t move. “That’s exactly what I’ve been wondering. Why don’t you tell me? If I knew the answers, maybe I could do something about this. I know there’s more to this place than what we’ve been told.”

  Professor Howes let out a deep breath and put her finger straight up into my face, a vaguely threatening gesture. She glanced at the doorway and then back at me.

  “I’m going to tell you this just one time, Aria Banks. I’ve done what I can, but you can’t continue to ask questions like this. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll drop it all. Just… let it go.”

  Without another word, she walked around me and out of the classroom, closing the door behind her.

  I stood there in the silence of the room, anger and fear churning in my gut.

  Dammit. I was pissed as fuck that I couldn’t find any answers, but I was worried for Professor Howes. It was obvious she was caught up in something she didn’t want to be part of, and she was doing her best to help me.

  But I wasn’t sure anyone could help me. And even though I believed her warning, there was no way I would heed it.

  I was in too fucking deep to stop now.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  After that day, I stopped asking Professor Howes questions, and she seemed to avoid me at all cost. My classes continued, and despite her warning not to excel, I noticed that my strength and powers seemed to be increasing.

  With my magic becoming stronger than I’d ever thought it would, coupled with half the teachers seeming to encourage students to be more fucking average, I began to worry about standing out. I decided maybe it was best to start doing what Professor Howes suggested, hiding my powers even as they grew.

  It was hard to do. Magic was practically bursting out of me these days. But I managed to focus well enough to inte
ntionally do poorly on several of the practical assignments as well as holding back my magic when I was asked to perform a spell in front of the class. Deliberately doing shitty work went against everything I was, but I couldn’t let my pride get in the way of my mission.

  Besides, one of the things I’d learned as a fighter was that it was easier to take out an opponent when they thought you were weak.

  Near the end of the semester, several weeks after we’d gotten back from the challenge, Eden bounced up next to me as I headed toward my last class. Finals week had everyone on edge, and she seemed to manifest nervousness by being more peppy than usual.

  “How did you do in there?” she asked, then groaned. “I hate finals, and this is like the worst of them.”

  I chuckled. “Mediocre, at best.” On purpose. “It’s pretty tough. If I were you though, I wouldn’t worry about it if you don’t do the greatest. I think around here, it’s better to be right in the middle where nobody notices you than to be the best or the worst. You’re definitely not the worst.”

  Eden smiled at me, perking up again. “Maybe you’re right. I never did like attention anyway.”

  “Only one more to go. You ready for Defense Class?” I lifted my brows at her.

  Eden rolled her eyes. “I will have absolutely no problem being mediocre in that class. Good luck though, I know that’s your thing.”

  She patted me on the shoulder and smiled as we walked into the classroom. My gaze immediately moved to where the three men stood off to one side of the large room, as if a tether joined me to them. I moved toward them, nestling between the three of them and feeling their strength, support, and warmth surround me.

  “You ready for this shite, sweetheart?” Lachlan asked, leaning in to brush his lips against the shell of my ear. The rumble of his voice made goosebumps break out over my skin, but his words were like a bucket of cold ice water over my head.

  “I sure as fuck hope so.”

  “You’ll do great, Ari,” Merrick promised soothingly.

  “No, she’ll do terrible.” Trace chuckled, nudging his friend. “Get it right, dude.”