We stopped at a small café in the mall. The guys didn’t want anything too extravagant. Carter just wanted a burger and apparently this place has one of the best. I have to admit, he was not wrong. I fell in love with the bacon burger and seriously contemplated ordering another to take home.

I laugh at Carter, who is cradling his stomach as if it’s about to explode at any moment, when I’m jostled to the side.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” I growl and freeze when I meet Justin’s gray eyes. I texted him yesterday to tell him I wasn’t feeling good and was taking a few days off classes. I only said I was ill because I didn’t want him to ask for an explanation when I still couldn’t understand it myself. Plus, I was a little wary about being alone with him after his party. I saw a whole new side to him, and I have no idea how he is going to react to finding out I’m in a relationship with my four stepbrothers — if it happens.

His eyes pass me over and there’s a blankness to his gaze. “I take it you were well enough to come out, but not well enough to see me?” He looks between Jax and Carter who are standing behind me, watching silently. His gaze swings back to me and his lip curls up in disgust. “If that’s the way you want things, then fine. Lose my number.”

He turns and continues walking into the mall without a backward glance at me. I don’t realize my eyes have teared up until Carter slips his hand into mine, whispering in my ear. “He’s not worth it, babe.”

I nod and turn my head, not wanting to see the sympathy that I’m sure he and Jax are giving off in waves. “Can we just go home please? I’m done with today,” I sigh, my head hanging down in defeat. I didn’t want to hurt Justin’s feelings but I’ve done exactly that.

Maybe I should just give him a few days to cool off? I don’t want to lose him as a friend. He’s been amazing since I’ve been here.

“Sure thing, Val. Do you want to come with me or Jax?”

“With you, please.”

Jax gives me a kiss on the cheek before taking off, while I climb into Carter’s car. Carter will either leave me alone or try to distract me. Plus, the feeling of the wind in my hair would be nice right now. It made me feel free and I need that. To forget about everything.

 

***

 

Last night Carter dropped me home before leaving me to my thoughts. I was still confused about how to deal with Justin and how to find out what I needed from the guys. The more I thought over their proposition, the more excited I was. My only lingering question concerns other women. Am I the first? Or am I one of many in a long line of women they have made this proposition to?

All the guys are waiting expectantly for me as I leave my little pool house and climb into the car, ready for a new day. Maybe today I can try get some answers.

The moment we pull into a car park I slip out of the door and make a beeline for the library. I’m supposed to be working on my Hecate and Ares project with Zane but I know he has a class this morning, so I told him I’d do research and just share my notes. We’re already behind because of the past two days. Zane, thankfully, had notes of his own so we can combine them, but I need to do my part.

The library door slams shut after I barge in and I breathe out a sigh of relief to find it empty. I glance around, heading straight to the shelves on mythology, passing the librarian’s desk which is strangely empty too.

Okay … she must have just gone to the bathroom. No need to get freaked out.

As I get closer to the shelves a voice starts whispering among the stacks. I can’t be sure what it’s saying, but if I had to guess, I would think they were saying Hecate. Maybe Zane beat me here and is trying to mess with me? I’ll show him not to mess with me.

I follow the voice until I’m led to a section of books titled WITCHCRAFT. What the hell? Why are there books on a college campus about witchcraft, especially when there are no witchcraft related courses?

I run my hands along the books when a particular book sends a zap of static electricity up my arm. I look at the spine. Origins of Witchcraft. Wonder how the hell I got static electricity from a book? I pull it out, intrigued, and turn to the inside cover page to see the subtitle ‘Hecate’s Power.’

I already know a little about Hecate from our mythology study sessions, but to see that a book is basing her as the original source of witchcraft has me intrigued.

Everything Zane and I have discovered about her so far says she was considered the Goddess of Witchcraft, Sorcery and Necromancy. In some mythologies she is said to have walked the Earth mourning the loss of her child, while others perceive her as a virgin goddess. 

Turning the page, a gasp slips free and I am unable to look away from the picture on the inside.

She has stunning glossy black hair flowing out behind her, as if the wind is enjoying playing with it. Her eyes are bright — the electric blue of lightning as it lights up the sky. She looks exactly the same as the picture in the headmaster’s office.

I take a quick look around the room for a spot to settle, noticing a sofa seat pushed up against the wall. Setting my bag down on the floor next to it I curl up on the sofa, pulling my legs under me and propping the book on my legs.

I stare at the picture, captivated. She’s so beautiful and strong. All dark and mysterious. Her eyes in this picture, though, they show a pain that’s breaking her heart. What could cause so much pain for a goddess?

Turning the page I begin to read:

 

 

Hecate, the Goddess of Witchcraft, Sorcery, Necromancy, and all things Magic, is often depicted as the Virgin Goddess; this is just myth.

As the Goddess of all things Magic, Hecate was all powerful, both loved and feared by humans, gods and friends. Humans bowed to Hecate’s beauty and power, convinced she could curse them if she so wished. Despite their fear, many became devoted followers of Hecate. As a reward for their loyalty, she gifted these devoted followers her own magic, creating the first human witches.

Widely perceived as the Goddess of Love, Beauty and Procreation, Aphrodite was Hecate’s closest ally and friend until she was consumed by jealousy.

Aphrodite knew of Hecate’s growing attraction to another of the gods. Shortly after their relationship was widely recognised, Hecate and her lover became pregnant. This was unheard of before in the Realm of Light.

The gods were unable to have children together. Demigod children had been born of pairings with mortals, but god pairings had never conceived a child. Even with the creation of the demigods, a true god had never been conceived. Those born of gods and demigods were no more powerful than the witches Hecate had created.

The miracle of Hecate’s child was celebrated far and wide; even the Earth Realm felt her joy. It’s said that, in a moment of bliss, Hecate gifted her witches with a boost of magic to protect her unborn child.

Her happiness, however, was short lived.

 

Before I can read any more a hand slams down on the book, almost causing me to shriek in surprise. I forgot I heard a voice in the library and now my heart is racing a mile a minute as I look up into green eyes filled with mischief.

“Hello, love. Fancy seeing you here.” Hades is standing above me and I’m so shocked that I don’t stop him when he pulls the book from me, slamming it shut. I jump at the sound and have to take a breath to center myself.

“Why are you here?” I ask.

He smirks at me and pulls me to my feet, the book gone. I frown, trying to figure out why he has appeared here. Does he have classes here? Surely not. He looks to be too old to go to class, but he could be a professor.

He reaches up and cradles my cheek, his hand feeling hotter than a hand should. “I’m here to watch over you.”

What?

He bursts out laughing. “Just kidding, love. I’m here to pick up something the Dean owes me. You, though, you’re late for class. I think you let yourself get distracted,” he smirks as I look down at my watch.

Shit, he’s right. If I don’t hurry, I’ll be late.

“Crap! Thank you.” I pick up my bag and hurry out of the library, slowing when I get clear of the double doors. I look behind me to see an empty hallway. Why isn’t he following after me?

I turn the corner out into the main hall and bounce off a hard body, landing on my ass. “OW!” I exclaim, looking up, ready to rip into the idiot who was just standing at the corner.

Jaxson is looking down at me with a smirk. He looks like he wants to help me up but knows I’m irritated. “Sorry about that. I lost track of time and was trying to run to make it.”

My stomach feels uneasy about not mentioning Hades to him, but I still feel like Hades is supposed to be my secret.

We walk to class and he sits up the back with me. Halfway through class he puts his hand on the back of my seat and starts to play with my hair. I have to use every ounce of willpower I possess not to let myself be distracted.

When class is over he sticks close by me. Zane is in my next class but Jax follows me in anyway. I take my seat beside Zane and Jax sits behind me.

The class goes by uneventfully and we all meet up for lunch. Before they sit down I stop them. “Uh, guys? Do you mind if we sit somewhere a little more suited to a private conversation? Maybe outside?” I ask.

Carter seems to see what I want and nods hurriedly. “Yeah, sure. Come on. We’ll go find a seat — you guys get some food.”

We take a seat at the edge of the patio and, while it’s a little chillier out here, I’m glad for the small amount of privacy.

The others all come out with trays of food. Jax slides a tray over for Carter and I, while the others sit down and dig in. Carter starts eating while I pick at the food he avoids.

When I’m finished, the guys are still eating. The anxiety builds until the first question just pops out. “Did you guys share Joy?”

Jaxson coughs, choking on his mouthful while food goes flying across the table from Carter’s direction, barely missing Zane’s face. Cooper is just staring at me with wide eyes.

Zane is opening and closing his mouth as if unsure how to answer when Carter’s laugh becomes hysterical.

I frown at him, punching him in the arm. “Stop making fun of me. I’m being serious. I want to know the truth — did you four share her?”

Jax clears his throat, his eyes watering from forcing his food down, and shakes his head quickly, taking a sip of water. When he puts the bottle down he meets my eyes across the table. “No. We never shared Joy. She was my girlfriend, not the others’.”

I frown, confused. “But you said you guys share. Why was she different?”

“Because she’s a bitch,” Cooper mutters from across the table.

Jax glares at him before answering me. “Look, it’s not that we share. It’s that we want to share you. Only you.”

That doesn’t make any sense. Why me? What makes me so special? And why share? Wouldn’t they want me to pick one of them?

“Okay … you do see how I’m having trouble understanding this, right? You guys are wanting a relationship with me, saying that you are okay with sharing me.”

Cooper holds his hand up, stopping me from continuing. “Okay, maybe we should have explained a bit more. We’ve always been … different. We each dated different girls but, no matter who was introduced, the girls always seemed to bicker. It wasn’t until one drunken night we thought the idea of sharing one girl could work. We never went ahead with that plan — never felt the need to — until we met you and realized each of us had growing feelings for you.  That’s when we cemented our decision. We want to share you, if you’ll have us.”

“Oh. So you’ve never shared a girl before? Do you have any idea how this is supposed to work then?” Silence greets me and I plough on. “Look, I have been leaning towards saying yes to this arrangement because I do like all of you, and I am intrigued to see where it could go. But … how am I going to be in a relationship with all of you? Like, do we create a schedule? How do we split time equally so no one gets jealous? Sleeping arrangements? Are you going to get upset knowing I’ve slept with one of the others?” I ask, feeling like this may be a lost cause. I mean, really? What was I thinking? One girl in a relationship with four brothers? It's unrealistic.

Carter shifts his body closer to mine, halting my tirade of questions. “Val, do you like us?”

I nod.

“Well then, how about we just trial this? You know, you date all four of us at once and see how it goes? If it gets too much then you can always back out. What do you say?”

I think over his words, not sure. I guess it might work. But I’m scared. What if I fall for all of them? What if they change their mind and want me to choose?

Jess’s advice rattles in my mind and settles my resolve. You only live once. “Alright, we’ll try it. But I have some ground rules.”

Each of the guys has a massive grin on his face, which is distracting while I’m trying to be serious. I focus on a spot behind Zane’s head, where I see Joy watching us through the cafeteria windows.

“First rule. When we get on campus we aren’t dating. We can hold hands, but no kissing. I don’t want rumours floating around when I’ve barely settled in. Once we’re at home then you can show affection.”

So far each of the guys is nodding in agreement. “Now, as for dates. I don’t want any fighting, so if you can’t organize a schedule or discuss dates between each other then I’ll end it.”

Jax smirks. “And what about sleeping arrangements? I, for one, would love to spend the night.”

I sigh and sink down into the seat. “To be perfectly honest I’m not sure there should be any more sleepovers. I’m worried that if things go too far you’ll get jealous of each other,” I admit.

Zane leans forward on the table between us, a glint in his eyes. “Val, you know we all know you had sex with Jax, right? We try to tell each other everything when it comes to you,” he explains, my mouth dropping open in response. They talk about that stuff? It sounds worse than when girls gossip.

“Okay, then. I am well and truly embarrassed. Why don’t we leave sleeping arrangements for another time. I’m going to go to class. Or go die.”

Zane chuckles as I stand. “Ok babe. We’ll talk later.”

Now that’s all sorted, we pack up and continue about the rest of our day. Despite being embarrassed, I feel happy for the first time in a long time.

It isn’t until the afternoon that my mood drops. The guys are all waiting for me to get in the car, but part of me is hoping Justin will show up. It feels weird without him picking me up at the end of the day. After twenty minutes I have no choice but to accept he isn’t coming today. Instead I climb into the car with the guys, trying not to let it bother me.

Jaxson turns to me before we leave the parking lot. “What do you want for dinner? First thing that pops into your mind. Go!”

It’s been so long since I’ve been able to choose that I stall. “Uh, Italian?” I shrug my shoulders, unsure if that was a good choice. I still have no idea what the guys like. We pull along the main road in town and park at a beautiful little homey restaurant at the end of the street. It’s a gorgeous setting, lanterns glowing around the inside and a small outdoor dining area off to the side. Wicker chairs and tables are set up, decorated with pale green tablecloths and red napkins. It’s so nice.

“You coming?” Carter asks at my door, making me jump. I was staring so long, the others had time to get out and are watching me from the sidewalk. I nod, taking Carter’s offered hand with a small smile, trying not to let my nerves show.

He gives my hand a squeeze as we walk into the soft ambiance of the restaurant. The waitress standing by the door smiles at us, handing us each a menu before directing us to take a seat wherever we want. Zane leads us out onto the side patio and heads to the back section of chairs.

Once we’re all seated I look through the menu, trying to decide what I want. It’s a toss-up between carbonara and lasagna. I haven’t had either for so long and they both sound awesome.

“Val, you’re drooling.” Zane laughs, startling me from my daydreaming.

Oh, crap. Talk about embarrassing! I reach up to wipe it away, refusing to look any of them in the eye, only to realize there was nothing there. I glare at Zane and he just winks, refusing to be cowed by my glower.

The waitress comes over and we all order. Surprisingly Cooper, Jaxson and Zane all get lasagna so I change my order at the last minute and get the carbonara. I can always try their lasagna. That’s if it’s not already gone by the time I finish.

We all sit around talking about classes and assignments while we wait for the food to come out. I guess the guys must sense my need not to talk about our relationship details because they steer clear of the subject.

However, no matter how much I try to distract myself, Justin is still in the back of my mind. Why didn’t he come today? Is he really that hurt about things? Maybe I should go to his house after class tomorrow and explain?

Our food comes out quickly and I end up stealing more than I should off the guys’ plates, but not once do they object. In fact, they seem to find it endearing.

After dinner Jaxson pays for our meals and we all climb in the car. A wave of exhaustion hits me. Cooper and Zane join me in the back on the ride home and while I’m squished between their hulking forms I let myself relax, closing my eyes with a soft sigh. I struggle to form cohesive thoughts so I just let sleep take me. I can worry tomorrow.