Magic Trials (Half-Blood Academy #1)(26)

Relieved that I might still be me, I turned my glare to Axel. “How dare you kiss me!”

My voice was harsh, even though my lips begged for another kiss.

I didn’t want to admit it, but his taste was as addictive as drugs.

There was magic in the demigod’s kiss.

He smirked at me. “You kissed me back.”

“I didn’t,” I said. “And even if I did, I wasn’t exactly myself.”

“Are you yourself now?” he asked gently. “Let’s get you settled down, Cookie. You need rest. You’ve had quite a shock today.”

His thumb wiped away my lingering tears. He slid his thumb between his lips, licking off my tears with a heated gaze, as if he wanted to discern if there was fire or magic in it.

Suddenly, another strong hand pulled me away from Axel, and I found myself in Zak’s arms.

The Demigod of War growled.

“I shielded her. I saved her, too,” Zak said. “So it’s my turn.”

His turn for what?

And he slanted his mouth over mine and kissed me as well.

What? Now I was their prize, a reward because I’d lived?

But the Demigod of Sky smelled really good, like sandalwood and sunlight and powerful sex. I should slap him to show that I still had some dignity and sense, but I wanted a bit more of him, too.

His sky power enveloped me, and a trace of his lightning fell on my skin, sparkling like tiny fireworks. It didn’t hurt, but sent a shiver of pleasure all the way from my breasts down to my toes.

My exhaustion faded, and my lust piqued like a beast at my new object of interest.

I grabbed his face to pull him closer.

I wanted him as much as I desired Axel.

My hunger for the demigods was so primal it stunned me.

The ritual had messed me up big time. I felt different now that the runes had sunk into my body. I couldn’t tell if I liked this version of me or not, but I felt powerful and liberated.

Something soul-deep within me wanted to merge with the Demigod of Sky, to be one with him and his power, to mate with him and claim him. Driven by a savage need, I kissed him with bruising force.

Zak chuckled against my lips at my possessive display, and Axel growled a warning.

The Demigod of Sea remained quiet, but his power refused to stay put; it crushed into me like waves, soaking me with his disapproval and dark need at the same time.

“That’s enough, Zak,” Axel said. “She’s mine. I saw her first.”

He shoved himself like a wedge between us and glared at the sky demigod.

Zak’s sky-blue gaze stayed on me, bright and awed and full of desire.

Axel didn’t miss a beat and wrapped around me, as if he was afraid that someone else would take me away.

“Be gentle with her!” he barked. “She’s still in shock.”

“She aroused all three of us,” Paxton said in a tone curling with dark anger. “No woman has ever done that.”

He said it like it was my fault. What was his problem?

“Haven’t you seen what the runes did to her?” Axel hissed. “It set her on fire from within! She can’t be responsible for her actions right now. I won’t let anyone take advantage of her while she’s vulnerable.”

“What about you?” Zak asked. “Who’s to protect her from you then?”

“I’d never hurt her,” Axel said.

Zak folded his muscled arms before his broad chest and snorted.

“She doesn’t seem fragile to me, even after what happened to her,” Paxton said. “She’s more like a she-shark that’s ready to bite.”

“I’m still here, in case you jerks haven’t noticed,” I hissed. “And is there even a she-shark? How can you know the sex of a shark? Do you flip it around and take a peek? I don’t think the shark will be so pleased at your poke.”

Axel laughed. “That’s my girl, as fun as ever.”

Paxton gave me a look. “I’m the Demigod of Sea. I know my shit.”

Zak chortled, running a hand over his cropped hair. “Marigold’s bite was actually delicious. I haven’t tasted the like for ages.”

“We’re done here,” Axel growled. “Marigold has had enough. She won’t put up with any more frivolousness.”

He put his trench coat over me and scooped me up, and I clung to him like a vine while gazing up at him expectantly, hoping he would grace me with another hot kiss.

I hadn’t savored him enough when he kissed me so briefly.

The old Marigold was thinking how crazy it was for me to have kissed two demigods. I barely knew them. But after the runes had jumped my bones and turned to nasty flames, maybe I deserved a little break with a big distraction?

“She isn’t yours alone, Axel,” said the Demigod of Sea. “Since you both kissed her, I demand the same courtesy. I did save her, too.”

I turned to him, licking my swollen lips—the result of being kissed by two demigods. Paxton was a knockout. His flowing silver hair framed a perfect, masculine face that seemed carved out of the purest, hardest ice. His body—every defined muscle exuding power—was every woman’s wet dream.

I was slick between my thighs, and I lusted after him as well.

However, I was also pissed.

He hadn’t been remotely friendly toward me, even though he’d helped put out the fire inside me along with other demigods.