Reckless Souls (Saints Academy, #1)(31)

share a bathroom with the new one for the next three years.

Fuck.

“Fine, I agree. Treat the new girl like she doesn’t exist.”

The words leave my mouth, even though a part of my soul doesn’t agree, doesn’t even listen, but

I’ll fight against this attraction. I’ll do whatever is necessary for my brothers, even if my dick hates

the idea.





Chapter 10

Rhea

G ooey macaroni and cheese appears before me, with a glass of soda, and I groan at the sight.

I’m starving, and the food here the past few weeks has been nothing short of amazing. Eating

the cuisine has been one of my favorite experiences at the Academy. Learning about life here

has been a little crazy too, but the food makes it all worthwhile. If we weren’t training almost daily,

then I would definitely have gained weight, and I wouldn’t have been sad about it.

“Oh my Gods, my legs are aching something crazy right now,” Harmonia groans after a bite,

feverishly digging into her burger and fries as she sits across from me. We’re at our usual spot in the

corner, alone, with the perfect view of the entire room, while being discreet too.

The noise around us isn’t too loud over here, but I imagine in the center I would be overwhelmed

by it all. The hustle and bustle, the clattering of cutlery, the numerous conversations and occasional

bark of obnoxious laughter. It would be too much of an audio overload.

“Please tell me this afternoon's class is something that requires me to remain seated with minimal

participation?” I add, pulling out my phone to confirm it’s the study session, and I sigh with relief.

Professor Cila Orne, might be quiet and timid, but the facts and legends we read about in her

classes are freaking epic. The way she can spin stories into such captivating tales is unreal. I think it’s

become one of my favorite classes over the past few weeks.

Every lesson, Professor Orne is joined by the head of each hall, separating the class into groups

dependent on what kind of supernatural they expect you to become. Since I really could be anything at

all, I’ve been floating through them all.

“Girl, never mind that. How do I convince you to come to the party tonight? It’s Halloween and

you’re not allowed to hide away from the world in your dorm room again,” Harmonia states, pointing

a fry in my direction, and I roll my eyes.

She’s asked me almost weekly, but I don’t think she understands how much of a nightmare it is

being branded nothing.

I can’t stop myself from glancing around the room, feeling the attention that I seem to

automatically attract wherever I go, simply for existing, and my excuse is already on the tip of my

tongue.

Not a single day has gone by where at least two random guys haven’t approached me, laying it on

thick to try and worm their way into my pants. I don’t even give them a second to explain themselves

before I’m walking away. It could have fuck all to do with them thinking I might be nothing, and

everything to do with them just simply thinking I’m hot, but I don’t wait around to find out.

Thankfully, no one has just outright tried to kiss me again like the first guy, but if I have to fight

someone off again for trying to touch me, I fucking will. Defending and protecting myself is nothing

new. I’ve done it for as long as I can remember.

“Like you haven’t seen all the sleezy assholes I’ve had to bat off every day that ends in y,” I reply,

sarcasm laced in all of my words while stabbing my fork into my pasta a little more harshly than

necessary.

Poor macaroni and cheese does not deserve my wrath.

“But it’s a party. You haven’t been to a single one yet, and did I mention it’s Halloween?” she

emphasizes, her pink eyes pleading with me to give in.

I nibble on my bottom lip, deep in thought. What she’s saying is entirely true. I’ve spent the past

few weeks settling into Academy life, trying to play catch up with the lessons and just find my fucking

feet among it all.

It’s weird as fuck. I’ve been out of my comfort zone before, but shit, not like this.

Like my life literally upended. After spending twenty-two years in Phoenix Valley, you would

think I’d have calls or texts from people missing me, but I don’t have one. Not a single one. I know, I

kept charging my old phone for the first week or so, hoping it would work, before I eventually gave

up. The fact I don’t really have anyone to look for me, or notice my disappearance, doesn’t help.

Fuck, Dante was the only one, and he knows where I am, but if he even tries to reach out, I’ll hurt the

motherfucker.

This is my new life now, and I’m going to embrace it whether I like it or not.

A heavy shadow falls over the table, but I keep my gaze fixed on Harmonia’s for a moment,

raising my eyebrows at her before the person makes themselves known.

“Hey, Rhea, right? I’m Sh—”

“Wasting your time. You’re wasting your time, so fuck off,” Harmonia gripes, flicking her hand at