Chapter Twelve

Maureen

My dorm is eerily quiet when the elevator doors slide open. Everything is just as I left it—clothes strewn about the living room, mine and Libra's, a half-drunk bottle of whiskey on the coffee table, and a pile of blankets on the floor from the slumber party that we had with Villette the night before I left.

I sigh as I roll my luggage in. It wasn't ever my intention to have such a lavish dorm room. Ever since I came to Tenebrose, it's been one thing after another, painting targets on my back. From my last name to becoming the object of Riot, Atlas, and Valentin's obsession, to the murder of Zeke, and now… now I have ancient sigils carved into my body, visible for all the haters to see.

If there was any doubt before that Nocturnus had claimed me, that will soon be removed. No matter what I do, I will never be a normal student here at Tenebrose. With my family lineage, maybe I'm not ever meant to be.

The click of my heels echoes as I walk down the hall to Libra's room. I hesitate before knocking on the door. If she's sleeping and I wake her up, she'll throw a massive temper tantrum. But if I don't announce that I'm back, she'll be even more pissed. Ugh.

"Lib? You in there?" I knock softly, hoping to ease her out of her slumber. That girl loves her glow-up rest as she calls it.

No answer.

I knock again, louder this time. "Libra, I'm back. The clock is ticking to get out here and remind me of how basic I am." I chuckle to myself.

While she and I started out as bitchy rivals, we learned to tolerate each other fast and then eventually even grew to like each other. We come from the same world, but my life deviated away from it when I was born. While she has always been aware of our families' crazy, I just got a crash course in it a few months ago after arriving here.

Still no answer.

I turn the knob and crack the door open just to peek. I scan the room, half-expecting her to lob a pillow at me, but there's no sign of her. Guaranteed she's out having mimosas or bloody marys.

It's just as well. Now, I have some peace and quiet while I unpack and try to figure out my class schedule for the new semester.

After hanging up all my clothes and taking a quick shower, I sit down on the edge of my bed, pull out my phone, and log into my student email account. I have Professor Erebus again. Great. I think Val's uncle hates me more than his father at this point.

I also have Professor Harker again, along with Miss Tempest for costume design, Professor Visha for Botany, and a new name I haven't seen before—Professor Crane. I wonder if he's any relation to Villette… This school is steeped in family lore and history.

As I click out, three text messages pop up. One from Villette insisting we meet for drinks at Swallow tonight. I shoot off a quick hell yeah reply.

The second one is from Atlas: I wouldn't be mad if you snuck into my bed tonight, pretty girl.

I laugh and reply back with three devil emojis. Depending on how drunk I get tonight, I wouldn't put it past myself to do exactly that.

I scroll down to see the third text, and my heart skips a beat. It's from Bailey!

Hey, bitch. How's winter break going? Your guys better be keeping you happy. Miss you so much. Love, Bales.

A warmth spreads through my body just seeing her words on my screen. I miss my bestie so fucking much it hurts. We haven't spoken in a while. There's so much I want to tell her, but I don't know where to begin. Would she understand?

I know deep down inside that out of all people, Bailey would be the first person to get what I'm going through. But I still have a hard time remembering she's a ghost now. That she's doing her own thing in Wickford Hollow. And other than Raine, who is fucking nuts, Poe, Grim, and Saint aren't completely as psycho as my guys. My situation is so different in every way. I'm basically in a cult now. Fuck.

My hands tremble a little as I type back. Miss you too. Winter break was… interesting. I have so much to tell you. But I want to do it in person. Maybe I'll come visit at the end of the semester. Have a Jell-O shot for me. These bougie bitches here won't let me drink them anymore.

She replies back with a few laughing emojis before I see the typing bubbles again. You only use the word "interesting" when you're stressed about something. Come visit whenever you want, Maur. I miss your face and your voice.

A couple of tears leak out. Fuck. I miss her so much. No one gets me the way she does.

Love you, Bales. Talk soon.

I wipe my sleeve across my cheeks and give myself a little slap. "Snap out of it, bitch."

Libra and Villette have definitely helped fill a void, but no one can ever replace Bailey Bishop. That girl is literally my ride or die.

The sigil on my thigh burns, reminding me of the ways I've been degraded. I try to shove down the memory of Holden Graves humiliating me in front of an entire congregation of initiates. I could have refused to put the robe on, refused to take it off. I didn't have to go down to that ritual room. But the alternative would have been worse. They would have taken my sins out on Riot. And no matter the reason, the fact is that I did kill Zeke. And I chose to answer for it.

What makes me sick is how my body responded. I came in front of them. Multiple times. I'm disgusted with myself for getting off. For enjoying any part of it. I can still hear Holden's voice in my ear sometimes before I'm about to drift off to sleep—you're not just their little slut anymore, temptress.

The sigils heighten everything. They make me crave darker and dirtier things. They're like little switches that I'm still learning to control. But right now, all I want to do is cum.

I need release so I can clear my head.

After locking my bedroom door, I take off all my clothes and lie back on the bed. I need to be in control of my own pleasure for a change. I give my nipples a light squeeze as my pulse quickens.

Fuck.

I bite my lip and suck on it as the first wave of tingles spread through my core. I slide my finger down my slit, relishing the way my juices pool between my thighs at my first touch. I arch my back and whimper as the pressure builds. I rub my clit in circles before inserting a finger inside my warm pussy. "Mmm, fuck."

I rock my hips up as I pump in and out, adding a second finger as I begin to stretch myself. My breath hitches, and I push farther in, tapping gently against my G-spot. I try not to think about the ritual room and how feral I was with all those initiates surrounding me.

But the second the memory flashes, a deep spasm shakes my core. I let out another moan as I remember their masked faces, their shortness of breath, the way their robes shifted as they jerked themselves off, watching me.

Fuck. I liked it. No. I fucking loved being watched.

I let out a deeper moan as an orgasm rolls through me. "Uhhh."

I clench and twist around my fingers as I imagine my whole room filled with masked faces watching me, chanting softly under their breaths. I thrust harder, palming my entire pussy as I grind against my hand, desperate to draw it out as long as possible.

Another orgasm grips me as I remember the way they took turns lashing me. The leather belt slapping against my pussy stung, but then the burn turned to tingling. A deep spasm, a euphoria that rumbled through me and had me craving more.

"Fuck," I cry out as I finish riding out my third orgasm. My fingers are a sopping wet mess now. I reach for the box of tissues on my bedside table and wipe them off.

I blow out a steady breath and start to get up from the bed when my phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number. Next time you touch yourself, you better turn on your phone camera and show me.

What the… I look around the room, paranoid. The curtains are tightly closed. Did someone hear me? I tend to moan really fucking loud. Ugh. But still, I don't recognize this number at all.

Who the fuck is this? I reply.

My heart races as I wait for a response. No typing bubbles. No response. Great. I've only been back a few hours, and already the cryptic weird shit is happening again. What the fuck is with this school?

It's probably just one of the guys messing with me. They get off on their twisted little games of torment. But I can't help feeling like something's off. There's a prickling on the back of my neck and a sinking feeling in my belly.

I shiver and try to shake it off. My stomach grumbles as I look at my phone to see it's past noon. I shoot off another text to Villette, asking to meet up earlier to grab a bite to eat.

Thankfully, she says yes and is already heading downstairs to wait for me in the main lobby of our building.

I wash my hands, touch up my lipstick, and fix the eyeliner that smudged on my cheeks. Hopefully, she won't be able to tell that I spent the last hour finger fucking myself into a feral stupor.

But knowing her, she's too polite to say anything. Libra, on the other hand, would shout it from the rooftops. I'm so fucking glad she didn't come home during that. Lately, these urges are getting more and more frequent. And more demanding.

I need to talk to the guys about this tomorrow night.

I didn't think it was possible for Villette to look more gorgeous than she already did. Yet here she is, leaning across the wall from the elevator, her skin glowing brighter than ever. Her dark strands are swept up in a ponytail, all glossy and shiny.

"Wow, winter looks good on you, girl." I throw my arms around her and languish in the warm hug she gives me. An embrace I didn't even realize I needed until now.

She laughs throatily into my neck. "I have my brother, Bones, to thank for that. We went to the hot springs almost every day."

I pull back to get a better look at her. "Well, damn. You'll have to send me the link to whatever spa you were at."

"No spa, just home. Ever Graves. We have a lot of land there. There's something about the water in that place." She loops her arm through mine as we head out the main doors.

It's hard not to notice the stares as we cross the parking lot and head for the path through the woods. I can't imagine what people are thinking about me after the ball.

"Ignore them," Villette coos. "They've got nothing better to do."

I nod. "Already forgotten. So, how was Ever Graves? Any tea that should be spilled upon me?" I make a grand dramatic gesture with my hand.

She giggles. "Oh, just the usual stuff. The townies are nuts, the cliffs are haunted, and my brother's little group of heathens is still terrorizing everyone. Oh, and of course, your grandmother is still trying to convince my father I need to quit school and get married before I become an unbreedable old maid."

I gasp, stopping her in her tracks. I spin around so fast I almost trip on a thick patch of overgrown brush. "What the fuck? Seriously?"

Villette collapses into laughter. "The look on your face… I forget that you didn't grow up the way we did. It's fine, Maur. It's not gonna happen. No offense, but my father thinks your grandmother is off her rocker."

"Sounds like she fucking is. Unbelievable." I let her resume our walkabout toward the center of campus, all the while still shaking my head. "Did she say anything about me?"

Villette sighs. "A little. It's mostly nonsensical. I think she's getting a bit senile."

A knot twists in my stomach. "Tell me."

A sharp wind blows between us, chilling my bones. I half-expect to see Jessamine pop up out of nowhere before I remember that Professor Erebus has her sequestered. Another fucking thing I need to check in with the guys about.

Villette sighs again as if the very mention of Penny Blackwell makes it harder to breathe. "She rambled about curses and deals with the devil. But she also mentioned her regrets and how it's her fault you're damaged."

I wince. Fucking hell. "Damaged? All because my dad was poor, and they were unmarried? Ouch."

"I don't know, Maur… Ever Graves is a dark place. And I don't just mean because of the fog and stone. Since I was a little girl, I have always felt scared to be alone. Like something would reach out in the night and snatch me away."

I shiver. That was one privilege I had over her; Wickford Hollow wasn't like that. "I guess maybe I should feel lucky I wasn't born there."

Villette reaches out to open the door of the campus café and holds it for me. I grab the first window table that's empty, and we both plop down across from each other in the black vinyl booth.

"Oh, I wasn't born there. My parents were on vacation here in Raven's Gate when my mom went into labor. We stayed here for a few months until it was safe for them to travel back with me."

That's odd. Who goes on vacation when they're close to giving birth?

I smile as the young blonde server places menus down in front of us. I arch my brow as I look them over. "Too early for a cocktail?"

"Never," Villette quips, grinning from ear to ear.

Thank God. I would have ordered one anyway but I'm glad I don't have to drink alone. I order a whiskey old fashion while Villette opts for an ice-cold dirty martini.

"Have you seen Libra? She wasn't there when I got home." I scan the menu as my stomach growls again.

Villette shakes her head. "I don't think she's back yet. Her brother, Aries, said something about her staying a little longer in their winter villa."

"She didn't go with you to Ever Graves? Isn't that where she's from?" Another odd piece of information that didn't sit right with me. These people have so many fucking secrets.

The server comes back before she can answer. We order our food and another round of drinks. I go for my usual sweet potato fries, grilled cheese sandwich, and extra ranch dressing, while Villette opts for a Cobb salad with balsamic vinaigrette instead of the creamy bleu cheese it comes with. All of which literally sums up our two very different approaches to life in a nutshell.

"Yes and no. Well, her family has a pretty cool estate in the mountains. But she was born in Raven's Gate too. Her family moved back to Ever Graves when she was like two or three, I think." Villette takes a sip of her martini and I fixate on the bob of her throat as I lose myself in my thoughts.

"Was anyone actually born in Ever Graves?" I ask, a little too accusatory.

She purses her lips, and it looks like she's genuinely thinking. "Your mom, right? My brother was born there, and your cousin Draven. Libra's brother too."

I nod. "Sorry for all the questions. I'm tired and think I forgot how to have a normal conversation."

Villette laughs and shrugs. "I missed you, Maur. Tell me, how was your trip? What shenanigans did the four of you get up to?" she asks excitedly.

A pit of dread forms in my stomach like a ball of lead. There's no way I'm telling my only friend here how Riot's depraved father stripped me naked and forced unspeakable acts on me while his initiates watched. Villette already thinks Nocturnus is dangerous and fucked up.

I smile after taking a big sip of my cocktail. "We just chilled at Val's cabin. Drank too much, slept in late. You know the usual winter break debauchery."

"Ooh, girl, thank you for not going into detail," she teases. "I know how obsessed you all are with each other's anatomy."

I almost spit whiskey out of my nose. "Facts."

We both fall back into our friendship with ease, spending the rest of the night like two normal college students excited about classes and upcoming events. We agree to go dress shopping together again for the Spring Equinox Ball. All while under the surface, secrets and lies simmer, threatening to boil over at any moment.

But the longer I live in this world, the easier it gets to shove the truth down.

The server drops the check, and we both scramble to pay. "I told you, my treat," Villette hisses.

I concede, but only because she snarls at me, which is not a common look for my normally mild-mannered friend.

I admire her tenacity and spirit as she slaps down her credit card, satisfied with herself for beating me.

"Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Are you related to that new teacher, Professor Crane?"

Villette's face lights up even more. "Felix! Yes, he's my older brother. I'm so happy he's at Tenebrose this year. I finally get to spend some time with him."

"That's amazing, Villette. I can't wait to meet him. They put me in his poetry class." If he's half as nice as his sister, that class should be a walk in the park.

We lock arms again as we head out the front doors of the café. She gives mine a squeeze. "I told him all about you last night. The poor guy is staying in my room at the Nest because his faculty apartment isn't ready yet. Anyway, he might pop into Swallow tonight. No one knows he's a teacher yet." She giggles.

"Well, you are a great sister for letting him crash at your place. And I can't wait to see the looks on everyone's faces in class on Monday after they realize who he is." It feels good to talk like this again. Like some sort of semblance of me is a normal woman. The darkness surrounding me keeps getting more suffocating, but when I'm around Villette, I feel lighter. Less anxious.

"Is it cool if I get ready at your place, tonight? I'm sure Felix could use some space." Everything about this girl is warm and thoughtful. I always wondered what it would be like to have a sibling. Villette is the poster child for sister of the year. I chuckle as I think of how Libra talks to her brother. I heard her on the phone once and felt so sorry for him, I almost sent him condolence flowers.

"Hell, yeah. I'll chill a bottle of champagne for us. Gotta celebrate the first night out of the new semester."