I’m safe. My guardian has me wrapped in his arms and the shadows can no longer reach me, but my heart still pines for the others.

I step away from my guardian, trying to find the others, when the shadows part to reveal them standing strong. When I take a step forward the shadows close in around them again and I can no longer see my other guardian. Heart racing in fear, I start running, the desire to find them so overwhelming it makes me nauseous.

A shadow emerges, his eyes beseeching me. “Come on, Valerie, let’s go,” he begs, his gray eyes burning into my soul.

I reach out and take his hand, screaming when his touch burns within me. A blast lights up the room and my guardians surround me, placing their hands on me, offering their strength.

“Fight, Valerie. You are stronger than him. Your soul isn’t his to take, it’s ours to nurture.”

 

Holy shit! My head pounds as I wake up wondering why these dreams keep accosting me. It’s the first time in my life where I’ve had the chance to really breathe. Even with my classes I have more time than I did when I lived with my mother.

I go to climb out of bed when arms tighten around me and I freeze. What the hell? Who is in my bed? That’s when the night before comes back to me.

Justin ditched me after school, so the guys took me for an early dinner. On the way home I fell asleep.

I relax and turn around to meet the amber eyes of Jaxson as he smirks down at me. “Did you know you snore and talk in your sleep?”

Oh my frigging god! No way! I knew my dreams were bad, but please tell me I didn’t snore!

“So what if I snore? You didn’t have to stay and listen to me. Actually, why did you stay?”

I decide to take the high road and pretend not to let the fact that I snore bother me. After all, he stayed in bed with me, so it mustn’t have been that bad.

He cups my cheek, gazing into my eyes. “You really don’t see it, do you?”

Huh? I have no idea what he’s talking about. The realization clicks in his eyes and a cheeky grin emerges. “I’ll just have to show you.”

He leans close as my heart pounds in excitement. The mere thought of having him touch me sends waves of arousal right to my core.

He leans forward, claiming my lips. He begs entrance and I moan, opening to him. The moment his tongue touches mine I push him down, crawling onto his lap. My hands roam over his naked chest and I break away to see his amber eyes filled with lust.

His eyes caress me and I watch him as I reach up, pulling yesterday’s shirt over my head. He reaches up behind me, his head nuzzled between my breasts while he unclips my bra. When he lays back I hold the bra to my chest, slowly dragging down each strap, enjoying the way his eyes zone in, waiting.

He looks like a starved man about to get his first taste of food. I fling the bra off and throw it to the side. Jax doesn’t hesitate to latch on to my nipple, flicking it gently with his tongue. I throw my head back with a gasp as his teeth graze over it, causing me to squeeze my thighs together. The small movement draws Jax’s notice and he lets go of my nipple with a wicked smirk. He flips us and I let out a squeal of surprise before a laugh bubbles out. “You know, you could have asked before acting all caveman.”

“Where would the fun be in that?” he murmurs, placing a gentle kiss on my abdomen. He nuzzles his way down to my hips, slowly undoing my jeans as he gets closer. When he reaches them he pulls them down, revealing my matching blue lace panties.

He tugs my jeans off completely and throws them across the room, placing himself between my legs. Running a finger over my clit through the panties, I try to hold back the moan of pleasure at his lightest touch.

“Oh fuck it.” he pulls on the side of my panties and the delicate material rips.

I gasp and look down at him, shocked. “Did you just rip off my panties? Why would you—”

His tongue brushes against my clit and I moan out in pleasure. How the hell does one gentle touch feel so good?

He teases me to the edge before pulling back. After what feels like an eternity of bringing me close but with no release, I beg, “Jax, I need to come. Please.” He thrusts his tongue inside me over that sweet spot. I ride the wave of pleasure and hear Jax’s answering groan.

He climbs up beside me and I notice the wet patch on the front of his pants. I smile over at him lazily. “I take it you reached your happy ending too?”

He laughs, leaning in to kiss me. When he pulls away I lick my lips, able to taste myself there. He groans and covers his eyes. “Don’t do that, Val. We’ll be here all day.”

“Sorry, Jax.” I sigh and look up at the ceiling, wondering if the others slept out in the lounge. “I guess that’s a good way to cement the relationship,” I chuckle.

Jax rolls and looks at me, an undecipherable look in his eyes. “You’re okay, right? We aren’t pressuring you, are we? Zane was worried you may not be agreeing because you want to.”

“Let me be perfectly clear, Jax. If I didn’t want to try this relationship with the four of you, I wouldn’t. Do I have doubts? Of course I do. Every relationship does. If there weren’t doubts then I don’t think it would be real. You know what I mean? Like the saying ‘Too good to be true?’ If this was easy then I would feel like it wouldn’t last … and I’m rambling.” I groan, sitting up.

I gather my clothes for the day and look back to see Jax smirking at me. “Can I join you?” he asks, watching my naked body as I look down at my torn panties.

I laugh at him as he goes to get up. “You can join me, but no sexy time. Okay?” I sternly point my finger at him, trying to hold back a grin of my own.

We shower and get dressed. I have no idea where Jax got spare clothes from, but I’m guessing he had some brought out to the pool house. He left me to have some time to myself before heading over to the house. He told me we were going out for breakfast because we all have late classes.

I grab my bag, ready to go, and walk into the house to whispered voices. As I get closer to the kitchen Zane speaks and I freeze, unsure if I heard him right. “Regardless of how much we care about Valerie, there’s nothing we can do about it until she knows the truth. She needs to accept us as her guardians before she will be able to let us love her.”

I’ve had enough lurking and this mysterious guardian stuff is starting to grate on my nerves. I have no idea what they are, but it’s being mentioned all around me.

I lightly walk back a few steps and call out to alert them of my presence, “Hey, guys? You in the kitchen? We have to leave for breakfast, don’t we?”

Silence descends in the kitchen and Carter calls back. “Yeah, Val, we’ll meet you at the car.”

My shoulders slump and I feel close to tears when a moving shadow catches my eye. Cassandra is leaning against the hallway wall, watching me with a sly smile.

“I know you heard what they said, and before you get upset, maybe you should talk to them. My boys may be a bit intense, something they get from their father”—she grimaces—“but they would each love you to the end of the earth. And know that, while there are secrets they are keeping from you, there is a very good reason for it. Something I’m sure you will find out soon.”

She walks over and embraces me, a comforting vibe coming from her. “When you need me I will be here to help you and explain everything.”

She lets me go and walks away, leaving me even more confused than when I first heard the guys talking. Is she okaying a relationship with her sons? All four of them?

I walk out to the garage, climbing in the middle of the car, Cooper and Carter sitting on either side of me. I guess Jaxson wants to give me some space, something I appreciate.

We end up at the same café Carter and Jax took me to for lunch once before. Their breakfast menu is just as good. I order French toast while the others order waffles. Apparently they were to die for. Of course then I had to test that theory by trying a bite from Cooper’s plate.

The moment it hit my tongue I moaned in pure bliss. “Oh my god. This is fricking amazing!” I exclaim when I finish. Cooper grins, leaning over and wiping a stray drop of syrup from my lips before popping his finger in his mouth and sucking it off.

I stare, completely absorbed until a hand grazes my thigh under the table. “You still with us, Val?”

Jax and Carter are grinning from across the table and I turn to meet Zane’s eyes as he grins at me, giving my thigh a gentle squeeze. “Valerie?”

I nod furiously, trying to gather my thoughts. “Yep. All good.”

Jax smirks at me. “You ready to go? Or are you a little frustrated?”

The laughter in his voice makes me scowl. Cocky ass. “Yep, ready when you are.” I push Zane’s hand off my thigh and get ready to stand before adding one last little sting.

“And Jax? I’ve been frustrated since I woke up,” I tell him, smiling sweetly.

I get up and go to the car, paying for our meals on the way out. They’ve been refusing to let me pay for the last few meals so this is the best way to pay them back.

The guys eventually meet me out at the car, each wearing content smiles. They look happy. I just hope it stays that way.

The school day goes by filled with anticipation. The guys keep finding ways to touch me. Jax seems obsessed with touching my hair. Cooper holds my hand between classes, making sure to rub his thumb over the sensitive spot between my thumb and forefinger. Carter keeps finding reasons to kiss me on the cheek. Not in front of others, but before I start class or when we’re in the car, staying just inside the rules I set for him.

Zane keeps his distance still, but I think if he got too close right now I may lose the thin hold I have on my libido.

 

***

 

Ah, Friday. The last day of the week. I’ve never been more excited for the weekend.

The guys and I started planning while we were in the car. We decided to do proper dates and learn more about each other rather than let our hormones control us.

Justin didn’t show up yesterday and I doubt he will today. I’m guessing he must really not be happy about what happened.

As we got to the school the guys informed me that they would be leaving the class before lunch early because they all have a meeting with the Dean. That just means I have to go get lunch by myself.

Something I was okay with until Joy and her posse decide to stroll by.

The moment she sees me alone an evil glint in her eyes has me groaning internally. She doesn’t waste any time with the insults. “Oh, look what we have here, girls. The incestuous freak is all by herself. Maybe her harem of men has finally given up on her trashy ways.”

I roll my eyes, but after overhearing the guys this morning, her little dig still stings.

“First, Joy, the term for multiple men in a relationship with one woman is a reverse harem. Second, for someone named ‘Joy’ you really don’t bring much joy to the people around you. Third, I am not in the mood for your shit today, so leave.”

I turn my head, refusing to give her my attention and my gaze cuts across to the guys as they make their way over to me. I wink at them and they all smirk at me which leaves me feeling lighter than I have all day. Being separated from them felt… odd.

Joy is still in a state of shock, probably trying to think of a snarky response, when I get up and walk to the guys. I know what I’m about to do is spiteful but I can’t find it in me to care. Zane is the first in my path and I reach up and pull his lips to mine. I kiss him gently, stroking my tongue across his lips until he opens his mouth and lets me in. The moment he tastes me he surrenders, picking me up so I can wrap my legs around his waist. All too soon the moment ends and he puts me back on my feet.

“If you wanted some attention from me all you had to do was ask.” He grins down at me. 

As he looks into my eyes, Joy all but forgotten, I can’t help the words that blurt out of me. “I heard you talking about me yesterday. I know you’re hiding something.”

They all seem a little taken aback by my outburst. I walk to the nearest empty table and lean against it as they follow me. I expect Jaxson to take charge but, surprisingly, they all start speaking, their words indistinguishable from each other.

“ENOUGH!” Zane raises his voice just enough to be heard, but not enough to draw attention from the surrounding tables. “After classes we’ll all sit down and talk. Is that okay?”

I sigh, relieved, before I offer a smile. He comes to my side and gives my hand a squeeze. At least now I know I’ll find out what is going on and why they keep hiding these things from me.

The guys all leave lunch, trailing after me to the sports complex. The administration decided they would run a monthly fitness course and apparently it’s a mandatory curriculum requirement. Supposedly it’s to help keep the Light Shadows student body bonded and involved with others, it’s a small school, but I don’t see the point. I mean seriously, why does it matter? Why can’t I just be unfit and isolated? Stupid exercise. It’s my one weakness. Well, okay, exercise and cake. Oh, and wine. Ah, and chocolate. Okay, so maybe I do need to exercise. Sure, I like to run for stress relief but when I want to. Not because I have to.

“Ahem.” Jaxson coughs, drawing me from my thoughts. I look up to see him smiling down at me with a softness in his eyes. It’s amazing how much I have come to care for them in such a short space of time.

“Come on, Val, we’re going to be late. It’s not a good idea today. The Head Coach is a hard ass.”

Oh, this is going to be fun then. I let Jaxson hold onto my hand as we all head towards the gym.

The gymnasium is actually pretty huge. I checked it out not long after I started here. Apart from the library, it’s the most abandoned place on campus. It’s mainly reserved for us to use to better ourselves and become fit. There’s a weights area and a range of exercise machines. When I questioned Zane he explained that the Dean was a big believer in healthy habits.

I’ve heard murmuring all day about the Head Coach. A lot of the other students shiver when they talk about him, as if the very mention of him will summon him from nothingness.

Jax grips my hand tightly as he drags me through the throng of students until we reach the other guys. Even the guys seem slightly afraid of being late to the mysterious Coach’s class. It’s weird. Does he really have the power to affect our GPA? Or is he just that frightening as a person?

Everyone’s stretching out and they all look invigorated, ready to start whatever grueling workout session we are about to be put through. There’s no other way to describe it. It’s like they have double the energy they did before coming in. It has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. A sense of dread settles in my stomach that they fear the Coach yet are excited for whatever he has planned. Carter, Cooper and Zane are all stretching and I notice they changed out of their tees into tight fitting tanks that show the bulge of their arms and abs.

Valerie, do not drool! I command myself not to let them affect me, but holy hot damn!

“Hey, guys. Sorry we’re late, I got side-tracked,” I tell them with a smile.

They glance towards Jaxson before focusing back on me. “That’s okay. Zane and I were making a bet that Jax threw you in the trunk of the car rather than bring you in here. I guess I lost.” Carter pouts at having lost the bet, but I see the laughter in his eyes.

Jaxson smirks. “If I was going to get rid of her it would be in a more creative way than being locked in a trunk.” Seeing him tease his brothers like this has me melting inside. He seems free, as if a weight is off his shoulders.

Cooper pulls me to his side just as a dark man comes stalking from the double doors to stand in front of the class. And I don’t mean dark as in his skin color — he’s a golden, sun-kissed god of a man. But the aura that surrounds him? It is as dark as they come. Everyone who isn’t already standing bolts upright. So, this is the elusive Coach Daniels. He stands as tall as a tree and looks to be made of pure muscle. Like, if anyone hit him they’d have more chance of hurting themselves than him. He looks around the class, his brown eyes settling on me for a fraction longer than the others before speaking, “Alright class. Today we’re going to do suicides. You know what to do, so get to it!” He blows a whistle and everyone takes off, running up and down the gym. I follow the class’s lead, not wanting to be called out in my first class with him. Zane and Jaxson both start their suicides and while I struggle to keep up they chat as if it’s not burning their insides to talk and run.

My legs are already burning and it hasn’t even been five minutes.

Halfway through the suicides I feel my legs turning to jelly. Everyone else seems to be full of energy whereas I feel as if someone’s sucking the energy from me.

When it comes, I see it in slow motion — a leg strikes out, tripping me. I fall, rolling over myself before ending up splayed across the floor. The whole class gasps and immediately stills as the coach stalks towards me.

I try to scramble to my feet but he grabs me by the shirt, hauling me to my feet. “What did you do?” he growls, shaking me. The viciousness in his tone frightens me. Is the coach allowed to treat me this way? And why isn’t anyone saying anything?

“Someone tripped me while I was doing suicides. I’m sorry, sir.” I bow my head, contrite, ready for him to embarrass me in some way. That’s what the gym teacher used to do if you disobeyed in high school.

He grins maliciously. “You’re sorry, huh? We’ll see how sorry you are.” I don’t know what he intends to do, but the moment his hand rises I flinch, so used to being punished by my mother that the action is instinct.

A spark of electricity runs through my body, and the coach’s eyes widen in shock before he’s being sent flying into the wall on the opposite side of the room, slowly sliding down with an eerie creak.

He gets to his feet with a look of anger so intense that I cringe. He stalks towards me when, all of a sudden, his track pants go up in flames revealing a pair of boxers with tiny lightning bolts on them.

I freeze, not sure what to do. The whole class is quiet and I do the only thing I can think of. I run.

A burst of energy zaps through my veins as I run from the room, ignoring Zane as he calls after me. I run straight past the parking lot and out into the street, cars honking at me as I keep sprinting, but I don’t stop for anything.

When I calm down enough I realize I have no idea where I am. I see a park with a set of swings and sit down, swinging myself gently as I think.

How did I do that? One minute, the coach was going to swing at me — well, I think he was — then the next he was sent flying across the room by some unseen force. Did I do that? What was the spark I felt before he went flying? Did I imagine it? What the hell’s happening to me?

If I believed in magic I’d think I had some kind of magical power, but that can’t be it. I mean, magic doesn’t exist, does it?

An image of Hades pops into my head and I start to think maybe, just maybe, magic could be real.