Fortune Academy: Year Three Read online

  Logan took note of Dante’s rejuvenated hand, but didn’t comment on it. Regrowing an appendage was apparently one of the Hunter’s skills before I’d come along.

  Instead of taking the offering, Logan chuckled. “Why? Am I turning you on?” He shook his hips for effect.

  Dante swiped a hand over his face. “No, but you might be affecting other… people.” He glanced at me.

  My face turned red, but Dante was just going to have to accept that if he wanted to be with me, I came with other Virtues, including the Alpha-hole shifter who had a penchant for walking around naked.

  Logan burst out into one of his wolfish grins that was all teeth. His brilliant blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he shoved past the Hunter and slipped an arm around my waist. “I sure hope so, Hunter, because I’ve paid my dues and it’s time to reap the rewards.”

  He tugged me with him as he guided us toward the tunnels that disappeared into the cracked wasteland. I swallowed hard as the obvious intent of his growl rumbled throughout the enclosed space.

  My Alpha had finally found me, and this time, I wasn’t going to get away from him before he claimed me.

  Dante followed from a short distance as we wound through the tunnels. A warm glow cast our surroundings in red and didn’t offer much light, but I could see just fine in the dark thanks to my Demonspawn side.

  Based on Logan’s flawless navigation of the rocks and Dante’s silent steps, my Virtues had no problem navigating the shadows with me. I glanced back at Dante to see his eyes glowing orange, giving him a predatory appearance.

  He watched me with a mixture of emotions I wasn’t used to. Pensive hope, irritation—adoration.

  A part of me wanted to slip back into his arms, but Logan’s warm hand on my hip reminded me of a Virtue I’d neglected for far too long. Dante wasn’t going anywhere, but that was precisely what I was afraid of. I had… matters, to resolve with my wolf. Matters that I wasn’t sure Dante was ready to face with me.

  Sighing, I fell into step with Logan.

  “What did you mean by ‘pay your dues?’” I asked him, hoping to break the awkward silence.

  “I’d rather tell you about it once we’re alone,” Logan replied as he dug his fingers into my hip to keep me close. He tugged me away from a rock before I stumbled over it.

  Dante growled. “If you think I’m leaving her alone with you, you’re stupider than you look.”

  “You’re the stupid one you—” Logan stopped mid-sentence as he jerked me to a halt and crouched. He sniffed the air as his nostrils flared.

  “What is it?” I asked, my voice going up a pitch.

  He growled and slammed a hand over my mouth before glancing up. “A spirit.”

  He flinched when I bit him. “I don’t care if there’s an army of spirits; you do not silence me.”

  “Shut it,” Dante added as he squeezed in beside us, trapping me between his back and Logan’s hard chest.

  Irritation bubbling, I was about to give them both a piece of my mind when a translucent woman dipped into view. Horrible, hungry eyes locked in on me as white hair flung around her haggard face.

  Dante pulled out his blade and it glowed red, causing the spirit to snap her gaze to him. She snarled before disappearing into the wall again.

  “I’ve been dodging those things ever since we got here,” Logan said as he straightened.

  Dante pointed the glowing dagger at the shifter. “I’ve seen those things before. Those are witch spirits.” He offered his palm as he held up the blade. “Give me your hand.”

  Logan frowned. “What? Why?”

  “Because I need to make sure you’re not possessed.”

  “Dante…” I rolled my eyes. The Hunter just wanted an excuse to slice up my wolf.

  Dante blatantly ignored me. “You know how I got my powers as a Hunter? From witches. I know them better than anyone, which means I’m your only defense here.” He lowered his voice. “Now give me your fucking hand.”

  “Fine,” Logan snapped and did as requested.

  The Hunter didn’t hesitate and sliced Logan’s palm, leaving a bright red line as my shifter growled.

  Dante murmured a chant under his breath, one I didn’t recognize, and the wound glowed with the same ruby power as his blade. It reminded me of the Blood Stone, but a lingering scent of spice hit my nose, distinctly different than the burning aroma magic the Blood Stone typically supplied.

  Logan clutched his arm as his veins lit up. The spell traveled through him with impressive speed, running through the arteries until his entire body glowed.

  “Damn it! That fucking hurts!”

  Dante smirked. “Well, if you had been possessed that spell probably would have killed you. But now you’re immune to witch spirits for a few hours, so you’re welcome.”

  I shoved myself between them. “Dante!”

  He grinned, showing off those dimples that made him look deceptively sweet as he sheathed his dagger. “Relax. I’m going to scout the tunnels and clean out the spirits.” He jabbed Logan in the chest. “So you keep her safe or I’ll do more than slice up your wrist when I get back.”

  The shifter growled. “I thought you weren’t going to leave her alone with me?”

  Dante huffed and twirled his blade. “My magic’s in you, wolf. I’ll know if she’s in trouble and I can get here fast enough to rip your head off, so don’t fuck it up.” He pushed Logan aside to get to me. He swept in and brushed his lips over my neck, making goosebumps spread across my skin. “I’m not an idiot. We’re facing literal Hell here and your Awakening is long overdue.” He glanced at the wolf as he gave me another sensual kiss on my pulse, making me shiver. “Just promise you’ll think of me when you seal the mate-circle.”

  Logan shoved Dante off of me before I could reply, which was just as well. I’d forgotten how to breathe.

  “Stop getting on my last nerve, Hunter.”

  Dante flung up his hands. “She’s all yours, wolf. I work faster alone and there’s a lot of ground to cover to meet up with the others.” He adjusted his blade as his orange eyes fell on me. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Logan chuckled. “Take your time.” His arms slipped around my waist and pulled me against him, making me squeak when his erection hit my backside. He brushed away my hair and buried his nose into my neck to breathe me in. “She smells delicious and I’m going to take my time.”

  I swallowed hard.

  To my surprise, Dante smirked as he wrapped his cloak around himself, masking his silhouette against the cave walls in the darkness. His mind briefly touched mine as he slipped out of sight.

  As I said… think of me.

  Chapter 3

  Logan growled, but it was a pleased sound as he tugged me further into the tunnels. “I thought he’d never go away.”

  “He didn’t have to,” I complained as I followed my naked wolf shifter into the darkness. “He left because you’re so damn territorial about me, and he’s being selfless, unlike you.” I jabbed him in the ribs to emphasize my point. “He thinks if I complete the mate-circle, then I’ll fully Awaken and we’ll have a chance at getting out of here alive.”

  Logan chuckled and ducked into another tunnel, taking me along with him. “Is that your way of saying you want to have sex with me?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going to have sex with you because I have to, wolf. I might be part succubus, but I do have some pride, you know.”

  He tugged me in close as the tunnel narrowed, making me swallow the lump in my throat. “You don’t have to make excuses. I know you want me, and as my mate, I fully intend on claiming you now that my suffering is no longer required.”

  Before I could reply, we emerged into a room lined with glowing mushrooms that illuminated the walls with a faint blue luminescence. I gave my wolf a raised brow. “What’s this?”

  He snatched up one of the small caps and tore the mushroom in half. He offered it to me with a grin. “Food. I assume you’re hungry. We need to keep up your energy before we go face whatever Dante is going to piss off in the lower levels.”

  I lifted my lip at the mushroom, but come to think of it, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d actually eaten something. “You really think eating shrooms that grew in Hell is a good idea?” I asked as I took the offering.

  He chuckled and popped his half into his mouth. “Hey, it tastes like chicken,” he said around the bite as he chewed, then swallowed. “And coming from a wolf, you know it’s true.”

  I turned the mushroom over and it sparkled, making it look like it was coated with sugar. “Okay. Just a piece of chicken.” Closing my eyes, I took a bite, then flung them open again. “Holy shit, that’s actually good!” Falling to my knees I plucked more of the little sprouts and shoved them into my mouth.

  Logan chuckled, but I didn’t care. I was freaking starving.

  After I’d stemmed the worst of my hunger, I turned around and found Logan watching me. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

  He knelt and cocked his head in that wolfish way of his. “How do you feel?”

  I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, brushing away the speckled sugar-like bits from my lips. “Why? Should I not eat too many of them?”

  He leaned in and lowered his voice. “Tell me, Lily, why are we here?”

  “Because we need to stop the Third Echo of Calamity.”

  He nodded. “Okay, sure, but that’s not the only reason, now is it?”

  The words came out of me before I had a chance to stop them. “I deserve to be here.”

  He flinched. “Is that what you really believe?”

  “Yes, because I’m a monster.” I shook my head as a headache started to form behind my right eye. “Why did I say that?” It wasn’t like me to be so truthful
. Even if Logan was one of my Virtues, I didn’t want to sound like a sap by telling him I thought I deserved to be in Hell.

  My wolf’s features softened and his thumb trailed over my cheek. “And all this time I thought I was the one suffering.”

  Gasping, I flinched away. I snatched up another handful of mushrooms. “What the fuck are these?”

  “If you paid more attention in class, you’d know that Hell’s tunnels are a breeding ground for supernatural fungi and flora that witches like to use in their potions.” He grabbed my wrists as he pulled me in close. “Lucky for me you’re a poor student.”

  “Fuck you, Logan,” I growled. He leaned in to kiss me and I bit him, which only made him laugh. “Why would you make me eat truth shrooms? You’re a giant asshole.”

  He stroked his thumbs over my knuckles as he ran his tongue across his lower lip. “To clear the air between us before I claimed you.” He gave me a wolfish grin. “See? I’m forced to tell the truth just like you are. An Alpha never expects his mate to do anything he wouldn’t do himself.” His hand trailed to the back of my head and threaded through the roots of my hair as he yanked, exposing my neck. “I want to bite you and fuck you at the same time. I think that makes me a monster, too, so maybe we’re meant for each other.”

  I shivered as my wolf pressed in closer and a low rumble vibrated from his chest. “Logan,” I warned as my back hit the ground. He lowered himself over me and matched my gaze until my entire world was consumed by his crystal blue irises.

  “I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do,” he said, his voice low with desire. “I knew I couldn’t be truthful with you on my own. There’s too much pride in me, so this is just as much for me as it is for you. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us Lily, not anymore.”

  “What secrets?” I asked. “I haven’t hidden anything from you, Logan.”

  “But I have hidden things from you,” he said, his eyes going to my necklace. “I knew what Hendrik had planned for you. I knew that I needed to suffer to give you enough power to overcome the Dean, so I set it all up. It wasn’t easy, but it worked out perfectly. I got the Demis to piss you off. I instructed Miss Williams to get you in our shifter game before I told Petunia she couldn’t play. I needed you there. I needed you to do what you do best—show everyone that you are not to be underestimated.”

  My eyes went wide. “What?”

  His muscles rippled as the pent-up truth spilled out of him. “I hated you because I knew what had to happen. First my public humiliation. Then I told Orion to meet us in the locker room. I said he could have you as long as I got to watch.” His gaze met mine and an array of emotions swirled in my wolf.

  Hurt.

  Sacrifice.

  Despite the way that made me feel, my heart opened to him at finally hearing the truth.

  “It was the only way we could be together, wasn’t it?” he continued. “If I had claimed you in that locker room instead of Orion, none of this would have happened. The Dean would have killed us all and I would have been to blame.”

  “Logan,” I whispered as pain gripped my heart. I’d been such a bitch to him and he didn’t deserve the pain I’d caused.

  But I could make this better. Maybe I couldn’t change the past, or fix what had happened between us, but I could give him what he’d been denied for far too long.

  I kissed his neck, then nipped in a way I knew my wolf would like. He went still as my tongue explored, running up his jawline until I tasted the curve of his ear. I pushed his chest and he responded to me, rolling onto his back as I pulled away. He watched me with such intensity that I thought I might implode.

  “You’re more selfless than I could have imagined,” I whispered as I ran my hands down his naked chest, indulging in the hard crevices and lines that made him so gorgeous. My lips followed my touch as I spread kisses and nips down his body, going lower, making my wolf’s breath catch as my attentions met supple, delicate skin. “I’ll make this up to you,” I vowed, matching his gaze as I took him into my mouth.

  Logan groaned and flung his head back, snarling when my succubus side came out to play. Red wisps of my power plucked at him, but I knew how to have sex without feeding, at least when I had my Blood Stone with me and juiced up enough to give me control. It warmed at my chest, providing me a medium to hold my powers in check. This would be my redemption for being a fool to the best of my Virtues. He was the only one whose secret agenda had been entirely for my benefit.

  “Tell me,” I demanded, then gave his shaft a long, sensual lick, “why did you do it?”

  He hissed when I stroked him, but the Hell shrooms we’d eaten demanded an answer. “I know everything, Lily. How do you think I know about Hell shrooms in the first place? We had some at the Academy and I gave them to Kaito after I found you sneaking around with Dante. I had to know why, and then I found out everything. I found out who you are.” He ran his fingers through my hair, gripping at the roots as he guided my mouth. “What… you are. A succubus. A Demonspawn.” He grinned. “A fallen angel and daughter of the Queen of Hell herself.”

  What?

  My eyes went wide as I jerked off of him with a pop, making him growl. “The Queen of what now?”

  You come from royalty… demonic royalty.

  The truth trickled into my mind and made my blood run hot and cold all at the same time.

  “I guess that makes you a princess,” he said with a smirk. “You sure act like one, so no surprise there.” He grinned, showing off those teeth that only seemed to grow longer and sharper as he became aroused. “It explains everything.” He growled as his gaze fell to my cleavage. “Take off your clothes while I talk, unless you want me to shred them and force you to walk through Hell naked with me.”

  Swallowing the lump in my throat, I did as he instructed, slowly lifting my shirt over my head before removing my skirt.

  His gaze roamed over my body while he stroked himself, which only turned me on more. “You are my mate, Lily. I had to suffer for us to be together. There was no way around that. You needed to power your Blood Stone to face Calamity, to Awaken your true potential and to come here where your mother can help us.” He growled when I covered my breasts with my arms. “Lay on your back and spread your legs.” When I didn’t obey, he snarled and jumped on me, shoving me down.

  “Logan,” I warned. I sensed the primal side of him coming out to play and being in Hell only amplified his pent-up frustration, rage, and instinct to claim what belonged to him. Red power swirled in the backs of his eyes, proof that my influence would only heighten his aggression.

  “Do you want this?” he asked, his mouth parting and revealing sharp fangs that both thrilled and terrified me.

  “Yes,” I replied immediately. I didn’t need truth shrooms to help me answer that question. “But you’re frightening me.”

  He chuckled as he took my knees and spread me, shamelessly enjoying the view. “Good, you should be frightened.” His gaze turned completely primal as his nostrils flared. “Because everything is about to change.”

  He bit down hard on my inner thigh, making me cry out as pain lanced through me. The bite did something else, too. Raw warmth shot straight to my clit and then spread out through every nerve, sending an inferno to take over my body.

  A bite to claim.

  Logan snarled as he unlatched and fresh, black blood streamed down my leg, but it didn’t seem to bother him. He crawled over me and centered himself over my entrance, but didn’t thrust inside. Instead he ran the full length of his shaft over me, spreading my slickness and stoking my passion.

  Pain and pleasure made my world spin and the intoxicating scent of my aroused wolf dominated me.

  Musk, vast forests under moonlight, and pure sex.

  “Bite me,” he commanded as he nuzzled my neck. “Bite me and tell me to fuck you, to seal my claim, and I will.”

  Even now, my Alpha wanted to take over completely, but he gave me a choice.

  Even if I didn’t really have much of one.

  The instinct to seal the bond with my final Virtue screamed in my head and an ache ran across my jaw. I brought a finger to my mouth and winced when I pricked myself on a sharp canine.