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Jacob pulls the car to a stop and parks, then grabs my hands and tries to get me to take some deep breaths.
My breaths are coming out in shallow pants, and my vision is blurry. I look at my brother, and for once, his walls are down. I can see how scared he is.
“Please, Chas, breathe. Don't let the demons win. You are so strong,” he mutters over and over until I stop shaking. Tears run down my cheeks, and I'm glad I didn't put makeup on.
“Will I ever be whole again? Can I ever just be a normal girl?” I whisper, and his eyes tear up.
“One day, Chas, you won't feel fear or have to look over your shoulder. I promise you that.” He reaches out for me and I fall into his chest, wincing as the seat belt presses on my side. We stay like that for a few minutes until I can catch my breath.
“Are you ready?” I nod and wipe my face with a napkin I find in the cupholder. “Let’s make sure your partner in crime is ready to smuggle you in, shall we?” Jacob smirks, looking a little more relaxed as I pull myself together.
Tempest is waiting for me, and I slip out of the car with a wave. Hugging me to her, she touches my dress.
“You look so pretty. The boys won’t know what hit them.” She grins.
Giggling, I shake my head as we start walking toward Levi’s apartment. “So much has happened between us lately. I want them to know I’m proud of them. Jacob acted as if this trial was rough. There’s so little I know about all the secrets at this Academy, but I can be here to celebrate their wins,” I whisper. We have to break into a run when we see a nun walking along the lighted path.
My grandmother has a thing for pretty twinkly lights in the trees. There’s no moon tonight, so this is the only illumination outside.
Tempest and I knock on Levi’s door, and I hear whispered hissing before he opens it. The guys can’t be caught here after curfew, so it makes sense that Levi is playing it safe. He grins at me, opening the door wider for us to come in.
“Hey, Little Sinner. This is a welcome surprise,” Levi says, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
“Don’t hold back there,” Tempest teases him as he rolls his eyes. “Where are they anyway? I figured the guys would be here.”
“I wanted to congratulate them,” I murmur shyly, wondering if I made a mistake. Things are so rocky, especially with Ash.
Steeling my spine, Levi gestures to his bedroom. My face is still a bit sore, and I feel a little self-conscious knowing the bruises are turning a glorious green. Yuck. Oh well, I’m here now. Throwing open the door, I watch as Jonas, Ash, and Bastian look at me curiously.
“Hey, I heard you guys passed your trial,” I say softly, before looking down at my toes. Bast growls and I jump a little.
Ugh, he hates when I look down.
“What have I told you about looking down, Beautiful?” He grunts, and I take a deep breath before raising my head.
“I know, it's just a hard habit to break,” I mumble and he nods.
Ash looks uncomfortable that I’m here, gritting his teeth as he stares at me. I thought they’d be happier to see I cared enough to come celebrate with them…
Stepping out of the room as they follow, Jonas murmurs that they need to talk to me. My heart races as I agree, finding Levi in the living room with pizza. Smiling gratefully, even though my stomach is in knots with anxiety, I gasp when I go to sit and he hauls me into his lap instead. I can’t help moving to find a more comfortable position, and Levi rasps in my ear, “I will spank your ass raw if you get me hard right now, Little Sinner.”
My lips part, my eyes darting to Ash’s to see if he heard. He doesn’t seem to have, and I relax in Levi’s lap.
Tempest is seriously enjoying her pizza. The sounds coming from her mouth are making me blush. She sounds as if she’s having a sexual experience, and Ash keeps staring at her.
I giggle, even though I struggle not to. Tempest’s cheeks turn red as she realizes she’s the center of attention.
“Oops, sorry,” she mumbles, grabbing her plate and bringing it to the couch.
Smirking, I turn my attention back to the guys. Something tells me, given the anger in Ash’s eyes, that I won’t be smiling for much longer.
“You wanted to talk to me?” I prompt, looking at the three of them. Levi strokes my arm, and I realize I’m shivering, even though I’m not cold. I’m dying to know why they all look so grim.
Ash swallows hard, stepping forward.
“What secrets are you hiding from us, Eve? Who the fuck is King?”
Tempest chokes on her pizza and my eyes widen.
