14. Eldon

ELDON

The idea of attending the party sounded good at first. On paper, it still makes total sense, but what I didn’t consider was the distraction that is Raven fucking Hendrix swaying her damn hips on the dance floor like a vixen.

She’s drinking, having fun, and making my cock impossibly hard with every second that ticks by. There’s no smirk on her lips, no glimpse over her shoulder in our direction, nothing. She’s having a good time for her. The show we’re getting is just a bonus. The people naturally gravitating toward her and Leila, however, are pissing me off.

Nobody makes a move to touch her, though, not how they want to. I’ve seen a few glances in our direction from a couple of fourth years, but if my own glare hadn’t turned them away, Brax’s steely demeanor definitely did.

“If we’re being real about all of this, who do we think we should be keeping an eye on?” Zane asks, spinning his half-empty glass on the high table we’re all standing around. We’ve naturally opted to keep the drinking to a minimum so we can focus on the task at hand while also giving Raven free rein to go crazy, as we’ll be here to protect her.

“Where do we even begin?” Creed mutters, tapping his fingers on the wood top as he tracks Raven’s every move.

It’s still crazy as fuck that he destroyed that fucker back in Shadowmoor without a second thought. I would have expected that behavior from Brax more than him, but they do say it’s always the quiet ones you need to watch. His unhinged tendencies turned Raven on when he was in the Gauntlet and I’m sure her lady boner just got harder for him seeing him destroy that pissant. Shit, I was sure my own dick was going to twitch with awe.

“Sebastian.” Brax’s grunt interrupts my thoughts and I instantly seek out the other Hendrix. He’s on the opposite side of the graveyard, his hands all over someone who is not Genie, and I almost barf at the drama that’s going to unfold with those two. Especially when she catches wind of this. We were never really a thing, but even I know she quickly turns into a damn demon when she doesn’t get her way.

My gaze travels back to Raven. The stark difference between her and anyone else I’ve ever met in my life is staggering. I don’t know what Leila’s whispering in her ear, but she throws her head back a second later, laughing along like no one’s watching.

She’s a fucking goddess.

Ourfucking goddess.

Mylittle bird.

“Do you think we could get him to talk?” Zane asks, and my hands clench at the interruption again. This was my idea, I know that, but if I can’t be over there with my woman, swaying to the beat blasting around us, then I at least want to fantasize about her without interruption. With these guys actually focusing on what we’re here for, I’ve got no chance.

“I don’t think so. Not when he’s highly aware that he’s on our shit list. I don’t think we could trust a word out of his mouth. Do you?” I cock my brow at Zane and he grimaces, instantly agreeing.

“Maybe we need to consider what families people are from. The way he mentioned Zane’s dad has me thinking this is some elite shit. They’re not just going to invite anyone,” Creed offers, and I purse my lips, considering his words as I cast my gaze over the space again.

“There are a few kids here with families in The Monarchy, my father mentions it sometimes, but I would have to find out who exactly. Not everyone exploits that fact like some.” Zane rubs the back of his neck as he glances over everyone too, and I nod in agreement.

“Big-mouthed fools aren’t going to be where we need to be looking. If they’ve managed to keep this a secret from us for so long already, then they’ve got to be tight-lipped,” I summarize. I could be completely off track, but we only have five days to figure this shit out and make a decision, which doesn’t give us much time to vet anyone.

“Who is the fourth year pressing up against Leila?” Brax asks, nodding in their direction, and I whip around to double-check that someone isn’t trying to get close to Raven too. I should have known by Brax’s calmness that there was nothing to worry about, but seeing her still dancing alone, hands raised in the air as she swings her hips, eases the tension that stiffened my spine.

“I think that’s Grave Richardson. His grandfather is Monarch Richardson, head of Pinebrook if I recall correctly,” Zane murmurs and my eyes widen. I didn’t know that.

“Could he be someone for us to look into?” Hope rises inside of me and it only grows when Zane nods.

“He doesn’t tend to have drama circulating around him and his grandfather is highly regarded. He could definitely be a member.”

“Is there anything else we should know about him before we feel him out? We’re going to need to know his abilities at a minimum so we know what we’re up against,” Brax states, making more sense than I want to give him credit for.

“Agreed. Let’s focus on him and see what we can figure out,” Creed declares, and my brows furrow.

“We can’t rest all of our hopes on one guy.”

“I’m not saying we should, but until we can gather a list of others to look into, he’s our shot,” he retorts, making me sigh.

“Fine, does that mean I’m off duty now?” I ask, already stepping around the table.

“This was your idea!” Zane exclaims, eyes wide as he gapes at me, and I shrug.

Turning my attention to Raven, I stalk toward her, my fingers itching to feel her bare skin. I don’t try to sidestep any of the students standing between us. I’m completely locked in on her, and it’s like they all know it, parting like the sea as I get closer until nothing stands between me and my little bird.

My fingers flex at her waist as I press my chest against her back. Her body melts into mine, her drunken gaze flicking over her shoulder at me as a slow smirk spreads across her lips.

“I knew it was you.” Her arms lift over her head before reaching back to circle behind mine. The move makes her back arch and her hips sway perfectly over my stiff cock.

“How?”

“I’ve felt your eyes tracking my every move and about ten seconds ago, the hairs on my neck prickled. The sensation didn’t stop until your scent wrapped around me.”

Hot. As. Hell.

“Do you like that, Little Bird? My eyes on you, my fingers on you?” My fingers tighten on her hips. “My words in your ear?” I push, feeling her shiver in my hold. “I know you’re a little exhibitionist. Is this your idea of foreplay? Teasing me with this ass while the rest of the world dances around you?”

She hums, her eyelashes dropping as she pushes her ass further back into me. Her sways quickly become a little sloppier, a telling sign of the liquor in her veins. As much as it puts a damper on all of the hot stuff I was hoping to do to her tonight, knowing that she’s able to let loose like this in my presence, trust us more and more, fills me up in an entirely different way. Cementing even further that she is ours and we are hers.

“Are you ready to get out of here?” I ask, slightly rocking with her as she nods, but when she faces forward, I catch her frown as she takes in Leila with the fourth year from earlier.

“Who is that guy with Leila?”

The worry she has for her friend is so typical of Raven. She has a hard exterior, but the second you get past that barrier, her love is fierce.

Following her line of sight, my eyes lock on Grave’s. He must sense the uncertainty because he leans down to whisper in Leila’s ear, and a second later, her dazed eyes find Raven. She slips out of his hold, wrapping her arms around Raven’s neck, forcing me to take a step back, but she’s gone again a moment later.

“What was that?”

“Leila confirming she’s happy and certain she's safe with him.”

“If you’re happy, then so am I, Raven. Let’s get my little bird out of here to sleep off all the shots she’s taken,” I murmur with amusement against her ear, and she grins.

“I’m happy now I’m with you.”

My heart warms and, for a second, I’m not sure if it’s my magic warming my insides or my raw feelings for the pink-haired Raven that consumes me.

I’m such a goner for this woman, I make myself sick.

* * *

Sweat beads down my spine, panting breaths echoing in my ears as the sound of skin on skin slaps around the room. My dick is deep in the hot core of my little fucking bird as she cries out my name, and I never want to stop thrusting into her, claiming her, taking what’s mine.

“Please, Eldon.”

I grin, my hair clinging to my forehead with sweat as I lean forward, wrapping my hand around her pretty little throat. The dining table rattles louder with my next thrust, but I don’t hear the scrape as Raven’s raspy moan fills my ears. My fingers flex at her neck as I grab the back of her thigh with my free hand, angling her for even better access.

“That’s it, Little Bird. Say. My. Name.” I enunciate each word with another thrust, bringing us both closer to the edge.

Her eyes flutter for a second, unshed tears misting her eyes as she lifts her hand to my wrist at her neck. She doesn’t try to loosen my grip, though. Instead, she surprises the hell out of me and grips me as tightly as she can, forcing my hand more tightly against her throat.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Lifting her thigh higher, I drape her leg over my shoulder and sink my teeth into the soft flesh of her calf. Her moan turns into a needy growl as her pussy clenches tight around my cock, milking me for all I’m worth as she comes on my dick.

It’s impossible not to chase the tingles of my own climax as they zap through my body. I can feel my movements stagger, my thrusts deepen and elongate, and just as I’m about to plant my seed in my woman, breed the fuck out of her, everything goes black.

Blacker than black.

Pitch black.

What the fuck?

Looking down the length of me, my fingers tentatively run over the floor-length black fabric that covers my body. It drapes down my arms and I feel a hood over my head, but before I can lift up to confirm it, a dim candle flickers in the distance.

With a slow inhale and deep exhale, I take a step toward it, my cock no longer standing to attention as the room begins to lighten ever so slightly. Gray hues scatter throughout the circular room until a familiar sight comes into view.

Darkness. A vortex of grays in every shade. The paler tones offering a small glimpse at my surroundings. There’s no sun in sight, not even a beam of light from the moon. I spin in a circle like always to see where I am. Black marble floor, which is scattered with cracks and blemishes, stone walls with names carved into the surface, while burnt-out torches line the edge of the room. Nothing but a golden table stands in the center of the room, but the sound of scurrying feet echoes around me.

I get ready for everything to fade away as it always does, only this time… reality doesn’t come.

The room lightens a touch more to reveal long black cloaks with oversized hoods and gold masks shielding the faces of those surrounding me. There are maybe fifteen or twenty people staring at me, and as I shift, I notice it’s the same black fabric I’m wearing.

Running my tongue over my lips, I lift my hand to my face, but before I can press a finger against my nose, I’m met with the touch of metal.

A mask.

One just like theirs.

I lurch upright in bed, a gasp burning my lungs as I try to gulp a calming breath, but it does not come easily. When I don’t feel like my entire body is rattling with the remnants of the vision coating my skin, I push a hand through my hair and shift so my feet hang off the side of the bed.

What the fuck was that?

It’s the same vision that’s been haunting me for days, the same marbled floor, the same names etched into the stone walls, and the same fucking table in the center of the room. Resting my head in my hands, I try to replay the new addition to tonight’s torment; the masked men.

I sit up straight, my spine stiffening as my foggy, tired brain slowly pieces it together a little more. The Guild. It’s got to have something to do with the Nightmares Guild. I know it.

Scrambling to my feet, I rush for my bedroom door in just my boxers. My dick is stiff beneath the fabric, the real me still enjoying the sweet fucking dream about Raven I was having before I was so rudely interrupted.

I pause for a second when I step into the lounge, unsure of who to go to first, but a mere second after my door opens, so do Brax’s and Creed’s across the hall.

“What’s going on?”

I don’t have time to question how they know something is wrong or even heard me get up. I need everyone present so I can make sense of this while it’s still fresh in my mind.

“Get the others,” I rush out, my words far more breathless than I was expecting. To my surprise, they both move without further question.

Flopping down on the sofa, I stretch my arms up above my head as I try to ease the coiled tension stiffening my limbs.

“Please tell me this is something important because I was having the best wet dream of my life,” Zane grunts, adjusting his dick as he flops down beside me with Creed right behind him. You and me both, brother.

Brax appears a second later with Raven draped in his arms bridal-style as she peers at me with concern.

“What’s going on?” she murmurs, curling into Brax’s lap once he sits to my left, and I heave a heavy sigh before I repeat the entire thing to them from start to finish. Well, I omit the part where I was balls deep in Raven first, but I make sure not to miss a single detail out of the actual vision.

“It sounds like the Guild,” Creed surmises once I’ve spat every word out, the others nodding in agreement as my body slowly starts to come down from the adrenaline coursing through me.

“Have you heard from your father, Zane?” Raven breathes, her eyebrows pinched as she glances at him.

“Not yet, but the visions say it all, man. We always trust in them, and if they’re practically leading us to it…” His words trail off. No need to finish a sentence we already know the answer to.

“Every time?” Raven asks, uncertainty still warring in her eyes, and I nod.

“They led us to you, didn’t they?” Brax states, his lips at her temple, and I watch her softly shiver in his hold.

“Get a hold of him first thing. It makes sense. Then we can have all of the facts before we dive in,” Creed says to Zane, solidifying the next step for us.

“Are we doing this?” Raven asks, sitting up properly in Brax’s lap, and I sit tall, speaking the words I really wasn’t sure we were going to settle on.

“We’re accepting the invitation of the Nightmares Guild.”