by C. R. Jane
What had I just seen?
Mercy had told me the guys shared girls. And I’d just stupidly walked in on them seeing exactly that. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
Breathing heavily, I lean against the door to my room, vowing that I’m never going to let anyone hurt me this way again. I wipe away my tears, hating them for making me feel like this.
Broken heart be damned.
Epilogue
(Alexander)
Her soul is like fucking ambrosia. I’ve become addicted to her since first laying eyes on her, and I damn hate her for it. For making me feel anything for someone like her.
It’s easy to not form attachments usually. Most girls are so full of jealousy, self-loathing, and envy that feeding becomes just a means to an end. I’ve never been tempted to break the rules before.
Everything is different with Adeline. There’s a purity to her soul unlike anything I’ve tasted before.
I want more. I want it all. I want to own her soul, to keep it locked away safe so that no one else can have it.
It’s a funny thing how you can hate someone and yet want them more than anything at the same time. And I do hate Adeline. I hate her more than I’ve hated anyone, I think.
You would think that with that type of loathing it would be easy for me to forget the look of betrayal on her face, first at our little performance after the fake tape that Clarissa bitch put out, and second, when she saw Dante and I feeding off of Caroline.
It’s a look that has haunted my dreams since that day. She ignores us if she sees us. It doesn’t matter that Finn and Nyx weren’t even there. She hates us all.
I try and ignore the pit in my stomach as I walk into the council room to face my stepfather.
Of course, Dante’s already here, trying to suck up to his dad who wants nothing to do with him. He would want nothing to do with me either if it weren’t for the fact that my mother is part of the council. He has her ear as long as he’s nice to me.
Too bad Dante can’t see it for what it is.
I settle into the back of the galley. My mother likes me to attend since I’ll be a member someday.
It’s just another requirement that I hate.
“Let’s talk about the recent death of Bethanie Perkins,” says Elliot Cullpeper, one of the defacto leaders of the counsel.
I yawn. I’m not sure why we care about the death of our food so much.
I feel a twinge at the thought of it being Adeline who’d died, but I brush it away. There’s no room for sentimentality in this room or my life for that matter.
“Just an unfortunate event,” says Principal Asher, the prick.
“An unfortunate event?” scoffs Braxton London.
He’s another one that I hate. Not because he’s a bad guy but because he’s hot for Adeline. He may be only a few years older than me, but it’s a little too “hot for teacher” for my liking.
“What are you saying, Braxton?” asks Elliot.
“I’m saying that her death goes beyond a little too much feeding. Are we forgetting the blood that was streaming from her body? Too much feeding doesn’t lead to blood loss.”
Principal Asher scoffs. “I’ve been told that this girl made herself available to any willing male. In other words, she was a slut. I’m sure that blood play was involved with whatever she was doing.”
“That’s enough,” snaps my mother. She’s always hated the word “slut.” Maybe because she is one.
But Principal Asher is wrong about Bethanie being sleazy. That girl couldn’t even look us in the face let alone get down and dirty with someone. I figure he’s painting a bad image of her for the benefit of the council members, to not panic them because in truth, it could be anyone in the school who took her life. Anyone who got a bit too creative with their meal.
“I think we need to remind the students about the rules. The scholarship students serve an important purpose. If they start dying, it will be difficult to get them here,” Elliot’s voice booms.
I nod, thinking that people like Ryan and Clarissa could definitely benefit from a reminder. If Ryan ever shows his face at the school again though....
“Let’s close that matter and move onto Adeline Jones,” adds Elliot, glancing down at a list in his hand.
I’m immediately on high alert, leaning forward in my chair. Why are they talking about Adeline? I notice that Braxton looks like he’s about to jump out of his seat at the mention of Adeline as well. Bastard.
“I’m keeping a close eye on her,” says Professor Asher. “She won’t be going anywhere thanks to our payment of her father’s medical bills.”
I see my mother and Elliot nod, but Braxton looks as lost as I am about why she’s a topic for the council.
He opens his mouth, but Elliot cuts him off. “Make sure you continue to watch her. Ms. Jones is an interesting addition to our Academy.”
Elliot closes the meeting and the Council starts to file out of the room. Braxton stares after them, his lips pursed in displeasure. Professor Asher shoots him a smug grin as he marches out of the room, thrilled to be in the know about something Braxton isn’t.
Braxton and I exchange glances.
What do they know about Adeline that we don’t?
Authors’ Note
C.R. here. This could be one of the most fun series that I’ve ever written. I bet you have no clue what’s going on right now. Mila and I have basically put a twist on a legend that will keep you guessing...don’t worry, we will let you in on the secret eventually.
Many thanks go as usual to my amazing co-writer. I love having a partner-in-crime to bounce ideas off of. I love Mila’s mind!
We are so excited about where this series is going, and we’re so grateful you’ve chosen to come along on the ride.
Happy Reading!
Mila Young jumping in… I love C.R. Jane to bits and together we’re a writing machine. There is so much of this story that hits close to home for me, from desperation to do anything to help someone close to you who’s sick, to the fights in school hallways. Many of the scenes I drew from some version of personal experiences, putting a different spin on them… and no, I’ve never held up a 7 11. LOL.
I’ve adored writing this story with C.R. Jane so much and you’ll love what we have in store for you in the next installment.
Thanks for joining our imagination. So much more to come.
Love, Mila
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Other Books by C.R. Jane
The Fated Wings Series
First Impressions
Forgotten Specters
The Fallen One (a Fated Wings Novella)
Forbidden Queens
Frightful Beginnings (a Fated Wings Short Story)
Faded Realms
Faithless Dreams
The Rock God (a Fated Wings Novella)
The Timeless Affection Series
Lamented Pasts
Lost Passions
The Pack Queen Series
Queen of the Thieves
Queen of the Alphas (2019)
Broken Souls Series
School of Broken Souls
The Rise Again Series
The Day After Nothing (2019)
The Sounds of Us Contemporary Series
Remember Us This Way
Remember You This Way
Remember Me This Way (2019)
Fallen World Series Co-write with Mila Young
Bound
Broken
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Mila Young tackles everything with the zeal and bravado of the fairytale heroes she grew up reading about. She slays monsters, real and imaginary, like there's no tomorrow. By day she r
ocks a keyboard as a marketing extraordinaire. At night she battles with her might pen-sword, creating fairytale retellings, and sexy ever after tales. In her spare time, she loves pretending she's a mighty warrior, walks on the beach with her dogs, cuddling up with her cats, and devouring every fantasy tale she can get her pinkies on.
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Other Books by Mila Young
Gods and Monsters
Apollo Is Mine
Poseidon Is Mine
Ares Is Mine
Hades Is Mine
Haven Realm Series
Hunted (Little Red Riding Hood Retelling)
Cursed (Beauty and the Beast Retelling)
Entangled (Rapunzel Retelling)
Wicked Heat Series
Wicked Heat #1
Wicked Heat #2
Wicked Heat #3
Elemental Series
Taking Breath #1
Taking Breath #2
Fallen World Series Co-write with C.R. Jane
Bound
Broken
