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I didn’t know if I was more scared of Roxy with my mates tonight, or of being turned away for being useless.
And then they might tell my scent matches, anyway. I’d assumed the scent match would fix everything. My aura, my insecurity… that they would be enough to make me feel confident.
But my mates had looked right at me and not known who I was.
I tried to bury that as I stepped inside, needing to focus on what was ahead. I’d been in here once before. I’d snuck in and out quickly through what I now knew was Dusk’s bedroom window.
The student apartment was large and much more modern inside than the rest of the old buildings that made up Rookwood Academy. When we entered, there was a hallway to the left, down which I could see two doors that led to what I knew were bedrooms. The other bedrooms had to be upstairs, as I could see twomore doors beyond the balcony overlooking the open living area and kitchen. The whole place was fully furnished and looked modern, with a sleek spiral staircase between the upper level and main floor.
Clinical,I told myself.Like your nest will be.
“Rules,” Dusk said, having led me to the couch where he dropped down, peering at me expectantly.
I swallowed. “Youcannotmake me follow your rules.”
Dusk leaned back, cocking his head and tapping a finger absently on his knee. “The rules were for you, Gem, but if you’d rather a free for all…”
“I’ll…” I had to clear my throat, noting the spark of feral delight in his eyes as he spoke. “I’ll hear them.”
His smirk sent white hot rage bubbling in my chest.
“Our rule: until classes officially start, the nest is your territory. No one enters unless you ask.”
My mouth popped open at that statement.
“Mine…?”The word was embarrassingly vulnerable, but it slipped out before I could catch it. I’d never been given a second chance at a real nest after I’d destroyed the first, even though I dreamed of one. Everyone was too worried about how volatile I would become.
I tried to claw the pathetic shock from my face, glancing at Umbra as if he was going to tell me Dusk was joking. He’d settled on the arm of the couch, watching my reaction curiously.
“And a-after classes start?” I asked.
“We can enter.” Dusk’s words sent a cold stone sinking in my stomach, though I wasn’t surprised. “The whole point of the omega pairing is to keep us balanced. But in the nest, no one touches you without permission.”
Oh.
Okay… That wasn’t what I’d been expecting, either.
“That’s our gift to you,” he said. “We uphold that end if you uphold yours.” The words were weighted with the obvious. Still, my weary fucking heart seized that gift like it was a life raft.
“And… my rules are?”
“Just two,” he said. “You do as you’re told. No hesitation, no arguments. The nest is yours, but we can ask you out of it if we need something.”
An off-balanced laugh escaped my lips. “I might as well have a dark bond.”
“If you believe that, then leave. You’ll find out soon enough.” He waved his phone at me.
I glared at him, taking a step back. “Iwon’tact like your slave.”
The nest wouldn’t be right, anyway. Not the way I needed it. It would have colours I couldn’t stomach or materials I didn’t want.
Like you’ve ever had the option to be picky before.
Not that it mattered. It was an illusion. Nests were supposed to be safe. Nothing here was safe.
Except… that was exactly what he’d just fucking offered.
Safety.
