?“I’d also like to know.”
?I whip my head towards the voice of my nightmares but I don’t brace this time.
?“Mr. Kyros,” I greet, a smile spreading across my face as I approach him. “What are you doing here?”
?He grins so openly as he opens his arms. Without hesitation I hug him. Warmth envelopes. The kind you get when your parents wrap you up with their arms and hold you safe and sound after a nightmare.
?His hands go to my arms and he pulls back. “I’ve heard through the grapevine I have daughter fated-in-law.” He quirks a brow and gives me a stern look mockingly. “What happened to the young woman who called my son a winged bitch?”
?I bow my head and wince as my face flames. Especially as I say, “Will it make you feel better if I said he was my winged bitch now?”
?The devil who is the face of my nightmares and body of who can still touch and torture me throws his head back and laughs.
?He pulls me into another hug and pats my back. “And here I was worried five would be too overwhelming for you.” A throat clears and Mr. Kyros nods to three of the five. “Ah, Varian, good to see you again. You as well, Castiel and Callahan. I thank you for allowing me entrance to the library.”
?Yes, the other reason they both are here. We’re learning about the library in Magic History so it’s only right we can study it ourselves, but no one is allowed entry unless granted by select professors of the school.
?Varian stares darkly at me. “You have yet to answer us.”
?I roll my eyes.
?“Do you even know what started the War of Gods?”
?A muscle in his temple twitches. I think part of me likes getting on his nerves. I’ve been ignoring him for the past two weeks. Him and Castiel since they still have not spoken to me about their connection to the rebels. The fact that Varian has a twin who is nicknamed the Kolasi and symbolized as the Death Devil.
?Thorne said it’s not his place to say anything and that it would be best to wait until we can all be together to discuss it. In a – childish – fit I’ve decided I won’t be having sex with Thorne then. At least not until I know some answers. He’s only rolled his eyes at me.
?I’ve also been banned from the fight club so Darian has enlisted the creepy shifter to spar with me instead. He’s blood bound to Darian and has sworn to me that he won’t tell anyone.
?This last week has been equal parts torture and relief. The shifter is strong and I’m able to fight him with the same physical prowess I did Varian’s twin. Not as powerful since that momentary glitch of letting my soul breathe from where it’s contained won’t be happening again, but without my magic it’s a fair enough fight.
?I’ve also learned just because we are fated and they’ve touched me before doesn’t mean it still won’t burn. When Darian does it without any pleasure associated – it’s agony. It also happened the other day when me and Jullia were walking back to our dorm and Thorne popped out of nowhere to finish the walk with us. He had kissed the side of my head like he’s done a few times already now and the flash of pain was brief but powerful.
?As I’ve said I’ve been ignoring Varian and Castiel, but Callahan has also not touched me. We’ve barely spoken since I told him Darian is also connected to me, though this time it’s mutual.
?I don’t want to hurt him, but I also don’t know how to comfort him while keeping my own boundaries. Not that they matter all that much considering Darian has eaten me out too many times to count and I’m no longer a virgin because of Thorne. Well. . . technically, by definition I was not a virgin thanks to that fucking sun devil, but I digress. I do not particularly care to go into that sort of trauma right now anyway. Or anytime in the future. Ever.
?I finally cluck my tongue to break the silence. “I thought not.”
?Dismissing the devil, I walk past him back to Jullia and our little group. We have an essay to write about the inner workingsof the magic associated with the library to make it seem infinite while still being in a finite space.
?Then, as a group, we must select a topic from history and create a presentation on it, as well as dig up information that has not yet been discovered.
?Which is another reason we’re in the library. Research.
?I begin leading and make my way through the bookshelves to where I had seen the common area while on the way down here. There’s a huge fireplace with smoke signaling where to go if anyone wonders too far into the shelves, and tables, couches, and other areas for students to sit and read or do work.
?Behind me I hear Mr. Kyros mutter not so quietly, “Whatever happened, just know it is your fault and your woman is always right.”
?Someone scoffs but I smile. Jullia skips up to me with her own sly grin. “I’m going to quote that to Asher whenever he wants to be a know it all and start a fight.”
?We giggle to each other and I can feel the glares pointed at our backs but we continue on. Our group crowding around a free table with everyone else spreading out in their groups. There are other people here too. Students with different threads through their blazers and different symbols stitched.
?One of them, with black stitching and silver feathered wings on their blazer, has actual white wings cinched in tight behind them. White, feathered wings that slightly glow.
?He’s bent over a textbook with other books and papers taking up the entire table as he reads with a concentrated expression. One of his feathers twitches as he takes a pen and begins writing.
?“I’d ask if you’ve ever seen an angel before,” Hanna says rather loudly, which makes me jump and the angel turn his head towards us, “but I know you have, so why does it look like you’ve never seen an angel before?”
