Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (Supernatural Beasts and Bullies #1)(61)

After around half an hour, the Griffin grew tired of circling the treetops and descended out of sight again. The last rays of the sun sent a glimmer of light dancing from the top of The Orb in the distance and the temperature began to drop.

The sun slowly sank out of sight and I began to wonder if I should leave before the light was stolen entirely and I was forced to navigate the trail out of here in the dark.

I pressed my hands to the cool ground beside me and began to push myself upright just as the sound of laughter reached me.

A shiver raced down my spine as one of the voices was raised above the others in a mockery of a howl. I had the feeling I knew exactly who was heading my way and they were the last people I wanted to meet while I was alone in the woods. I’d presumed that Darcy meeting the four of them here had been an unlucky coincidence but maybe it wasn’t. Maybe this was where they liked to hang out, away from all the other students.

I glanced around at the small clearing and shuffled further into the hidden spot behind my fallen tree. Unless they came right around it they wouldn’t see me and as much as I hated to hide from a bunch of bullies, I knew that I didn’t stand a chance against any of them alone, let alone all four together.

I shifted so that I could peek out into the clearing between the roots of the upturned tree while remaining concealed by it.

“I heard something pretty interesting today, Darius,” Seth cooed as he stepped into the clearing, dropping down on a stump which formed part of the circle. He’d tied his long hair in a bun at the nape of his neck and it brought out the angles in his face more noticeably than usual.

“Hang on a second,” Max said as he entered the clearing alongside Darius. “If you’re going to get emotional over this then I want in on your pain.”

“If you must,” Darius said, giving a half-assed attempt to seem irritated about it as they took two more of the stumps for themselves and Max threw an arm around his shoulders.

After what he’d told me about Sirens, I guessed he was planning on feeding on Darius’s power and I was surprised that the Ignis Heir was allowing such a thing so casually.

“Well,” Seth said, pausing dramatically. “I heard that you’ve promised Marguerite a meeting with your parents the next time they come for a visit.”

Darius snorted a laugh as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and Max was forced to shift with him to maintain the contact between them. “Well she can certainly come up with some creative stories even if she’s less imaginative than a potato in the bedroom.”

Seth barked a laugh which actually sounded half bark and Max grinned.

“Still all set to marry your cousin then?” Caleb teased as he emerged from the trees, rearranging his fly in a way that made me think he'd just been taking a piss. Lovely.

Darius released a noise that was more of a growl than anything else and the others all laughed in response.

“I’m not marrying my fucking cousin. Besides, she’s my second cousin,” Darius muttered and it sounded like this was something they’d discussed plenty of times before.

“Okay then, are you all set to marry your second cousin? And did she ever manage to get rid of that growth on her face?” Caleb jibed.

“What growth on her face?” Darius asked, his lips twitching with amusement.

“No, Caleb. That growth is her face. Remember?” Max said and the three of them fell about laughing while Darius tried to maintain the pissed off vibe for several seconds before caving to the laughter too.

“Ah, your joy tastes so much better than your rage,” Max commented with a grin as he tugged Darius closer, pulling him into a headlock.

“I swear on all the stars I’ve never seen an uglier girl,” Darius chuckled as he shoved Max off. The Siren shifted his grip but didn’t let go, clearly not done feeding on his emotions yet. “And I’m not marrying her. I’d sooner give up my claim.”

I couldn’t believe they were all sitting around discussing him getting married like it was a genuine possibility in the near future. He was a sophomore for God’s sake. Why the hell would his family be trying to marry him off?

“I’d argue with you on that but I’ve seen her and I think I’d give up my claim to save you from that marriage too,” Seth snorted. “So maybe you will be presenting Marguerite as an alternative after all?”

Darius rolled his eyes. “No chance of that. Can you really see my father going for a Sphinx as an alternative? They’re ten a penny and half useless in combat, plus she’s only a level six in fire. No secondary power at all. Besides, I prefer my women to present more of a challenge and she’s far too... ordinary to make the cut long term.”

As far as I was concerned, Marguerite was a grade-A bitch but I still didn’t think it was particularly classy of Darius to be slating her behind her back while he was clearly screwing her.

“I can’t feel my left butt cheek,” Max complained. “Can one of you make these stumps more comfortable if we’re going to be sitting here?”

“Don’t look at me,” Seth said. “I’m tapped out until the moon rises.” He glanced up hopefully but there was no sign of it in the sky. I guessed that meant Werewolves replenished their power beneath the light of the moon.

Max turned his gaze on Caleb hopefully but the Terra Heir shook his head. “No can do, I rinsed my power in training tonight. Unless one of you wants to donate to the cause?”