Chapter 11

H eading back to the Academy, I'm just waiting for a pile of shit to hit me the moment my feet cross into my office. I didn't expect my ‘father' to be asleep—well, more like passed out—on my couch. Bottles litter the ground around him, and the room smells like a stale bar.

"Well, I guess this is why he hasn't returned Levi's calls," Jonas mutters, and I grunt.

I have known this man for almost my whole life. My grandfather would take me to The Societies meetings. I would color at the conference table while they chatted about things.

That's how I met Levi. He's a few years older than me, and we would play board games. So why did it take until I was almost murdered for him to confess?

Why not after my mom was killed? Or when I became The Dragon?

I have no love lost for the man who beat me instead of loving and raising me as a father should. I would have put a bullet between his eyes years ago, if it wasn't for my baby sister, Kara.

I still worry about how Isabella is going to treat her when she realizes Charity and I are coming after her. But, I think, if I ask Grandmother, she may be open to taking her in and keeping her safe within Holy Cross's walls.

I just wish we could have gotten Angel before it was too late. I'm still not ready to have that particular chat with my sister. She has been through so much in just twenty-one years of life.

She is a miracle. Her strength was born with blood and tears.

If only we could have females in The Society, instead of using them as Eve's. She would be a prime candidate.

"Should we wake him up?" Ash asks, and I shake my head.

"Leave him. We have other things to discuss right now."

Moving behind my desk, I take my seat and wait for the others to sit. Snake leans against the wall, which is fine, but it bothers me that he doesn't always follow my rules.

"Tomorrow night, we will be getting our next group of initiates, and with all the shit going on, I'm going to need some help. Father Pierce, as you know, is the Panther, and he's currently indisposed."

Ash moves closer to the desk and I grunt. "There are a list of possible Adams and Eves for this new group, but we are going to need to do a lot of deep digging into their families. I don't need any information getting back to Isabella."

Ash pulls out a knife from his pocket and starts to play with it. I know that working undercover has changed him, but I hope he can handle what's still to come.

"From here on out, I am no longer Jacob, I am the Dragon. We will need to get you some names and robes as well. I am going to have you—Jonas, Ash, Bast, and Levi—take over for the Eagle, Snake, and I."

Jonas jolts out of his chair and begins to pace. "Who is going to be at home with Chastity and the kids?"

"Otto, and we have some guards watching the property. We are going to be moving once more in a few hours. Levi is packing as we speak."

"Why not just stay here at the Academy?" Ash suggests, and I think about it.

"I guess that would work. We have some of the best security measures here, and we could place you guys in the east wing, which has secret tunnels leading down here."

"I'm sure Chas and Tempest won't love the idea of being back here, but it's better than moving every few weeks," Jonas mumbles and I nod, pulling out my phone to text Otto.

He's been acting weird the last week, and I'm worried about him. I love him, and he's it for me, but lately, he's mentioned having feelings for Tempest, and it's confusing him.

I would never stand in his way if he wanted to explore things, but I will not step aside. He's mine and I am his.

I must have been thinking too long because David wakes up and stumbles over to where we are.

"Jacob, I need to talk to you," he slurs and I sigh. Waving my hand, I dismiss the others, and wait until they leave the room.

"Honestly, I think Levi should be here if you're trying to have some kind of fucked up heart to heart with me," I mutter and he groans, dropping into Ash's abandoned seat.

"Levi and I will talk another time. I owe you an apology. I always suspected that you were mine, but your mom was married, and so happy. I didn't find out until she died, but by then it was too late. The man who raised you, he's dangerous. There is so much you don't know."

"And who's fucking fault is that? You don't think I know what kind of man he is? That I didn't have to deal with his abuse and punishments, all in the name of saving my soul? How his wife would sneak in and rape me? That my baby sister, Kara, may be my daughter!"

Shit! I didn't mean to say that. That was a secret I was hoping to take to my grave. I've never even told Otto.

David's face pales, and he stands up quickly, moving to the garbage can in the corner of the room, expelling all of the booze in his system.

Closing my eyes, I rub my temples and sigh. The memories want to hit me, haunt me, but I can't go back to that place.

Chastity wasn't the only one who had to survive that house of horrors. I wish I was stronger back then, to protect her.

"Jacob, your father is in bed with some really dangerous people. The Society has been trying to take them down for longer than I've been a member. Isabella is just a small fish in a huge ocean."

Scoffing, I open my eyes and laugh. "So much for me being the boss. Call in the others, it's time to have a long overdue chat."

"I will be there tonight, but after that, it's all up to you guys. I don't have time for this bullshit. We are in the middle of a war, and the Panther still hasn't been found."

Walking along the cobblestone halls, I lead Bastian, Levi, Ash, and Jonas—now known as the Wolf, Lion, Spider, and Scorpion—to one of the hidden passageways.

Masks firmly in place, I fix the hood of my black robe, and open the door by pressing onto a tile in the wall.

"This will take you right to the ceremony room." I whisper as the walls echo, and we can't be spotted until we reach the others.

My grandmother knows more than she lets on, but that's her story to tell. The Eagle and Snake wait for us with a group of ten men in red cloaks.

This reminds me of the days when I went through the trials. Mine were different from the others, since it was my birthright.

I didn't have to overcome the three tasks, but I did need to get my hands bloody, more than once.

I wish I could have chosen Isabella as my mark, but I wasn't fortunate enough.

"All bow for The Dragon," one of the guys barks, and all of the chatter ends.

I stand as the Initiates drop to their knees and begin the chant I know in my bones.

We bide by law and sacrifice.

The flesh between a woman's legs is our price.

To honor thy society, the truth we must seek and always our secrets we must keep.

Lies and sins we will abolish, for the cause of the brotherhood is our promise.

When the last word is spoken, the lights shut off and the candles light up. I've always had a flare for the dramatics. A few of the pledges gasp, and one screams before passing out.

I nod to The Lion, and he walks over to the unconscious boy, scoops him up into a cradle carry, and removes him from the room.

We don't have any time or space for weakness. He's not the first, and won't be the last, to pass out during a meeting.

"Now, I am going to be stepping away from my duties, so you will honor, respect, and bide by Lion, Wolf, Spider, and Scorpion. They will be your leaders, your mentors. You have taken the oath and the pledge; you know what happens if anyone is to reveal secrets that don't exist."

No one says anything, and I take that as their acceptance.

"Welcome to the Adams, your trials begin now."

"Grati frates et initiati!"

TEMPEST

Living here with my best friend and her family is torture. Don't get me wrong, I love them to death, but their happily married bubble just makes me crave things that I can no longer have.

Laying here in bed, trying not to listen to Otto and Jacob in the shower, I put my headphones on and open my Kindle app.

Otto added some new books for me this morning, and I'm so thankful. God, I am thankful to them for so many things, but the way they love and support me and my son tops everything else.

I read a few pages before giving up. I don't know what is with me lately. Maybe I just need to get away from this house.

I think I'd be safe to go out for a few hours. Maybe I'll grab a Society member to guard me.

There are some really hot ones. They have that dangerous, broody attitude, which I happen to be a fan of.

I wonder if Jacob will get mad if I fuck one of his guys.

With that thought in mind, I turn my music off and get up. I don't go near the bathroom. They deserve some alone time.

Jacob has been really stressed lately. Isabella is escalating, and when this is all said and done, I don't think everyone we know and love will still be around.

Otto tries to keep things from me and Chastity, but we aren't dumb. Plus, all she needs to do is get on her knees and Jonas starts singing like a bird.

We know all about them taking over the new Adams initiation, while Jacob goes to meet some people at a cabin somewhere.

I don't know the specifics, but it doesn't matter. As long as they are careful and safe, and come back home to us, it'll be okay.

"Hey, where are you off to?" Levi asks me as I'm slipping on my shoes.

"I need to get out of here. Is there any chance you could call one of the Society grunts and have them be my bodyguard?"

"Tempest, I know things are getting crowded in here, but Jacob mentioned that we're all moving back to the Academy. You will have some time then for yourself. You can go to the shops by the Academy."

He moves closer to me and pulls me into his arms. "I can't let you go. If something were to happen, my wife would not only have me by the balls, but she would die."

"Please. I won't be gone long. Just like an hour tops. I need to get out of this love, hormones, sex infested house. I am the only one not having sex here, besides Snake, and Chas would kill me if I fucked her dad."

Levi snorts and pushes me away, only to bop me on the nose. Batting him, he sighs.

"I will ask Jacob, and whatever he says is law," he grumbles before leaving me.

I finish zipping up my ankle booties and grab my jacket. Rome is still napping, and I know someone here will babysit for me.

"So what is this I hear about you being in some den of sin?" Otto jokes, walking into the kitchen, looking freshly fucked and too hot for my hormones.

"I know in the beginning I didn't want to date, and I was fine with being single, but I'm starting to want to move on, and…"

Sighing, he pulls me into a hug and kisses my head. "I know, Tempest, and I know I need to let you go, but I can't lose you," he mumbles, and I squeeze him back harder.

I don't know what's changed between us, but I've been getting the feeling recently that Otto may not be one hundred percent gay.

"So, did the Lord of the castle say I could leave for a few hours?"

A snort from behind has me jumping away from Otto and looking at my feet.

"Yes. I've already asked a few of the guys to accompany you. Last time we spotted Isabella, she was in New York, so you should be fine," Jacob says with a laugh.

"Thank you," I mumble, then grab my purse and give Jacob a quick hug goodbye.

The moment the fresh air hits me, I take in a deep breath and curse my heart and body. Otto is taken, and Jacob is amazing. I really need to get laid and let my crushes die.

"Miss Tempest, we really need to be getting back," Liam says and I sigh. I know that I'm pushing it, and Rome probably misses me, but I'm not ready to go home.

"Just one more store, please." I grip Liam's arm and bat my eyelashes at him. He licks his lip, and once again, I can't get over how blue his eyes are.

Damn, he's fine, but sadly, he's taken. All the pretty ones are, or they're gay. Such is my life.

Nodding, I give him a smile and drag him into a lingerie store. Chastity's still breastfeeding, but pretty soon she's going to want to flaunt her new cup size.

"Ma'am, maybe I should wait outside," Liam mumbles as his ears turn red. Ugh, he's so adorable.

"I won't be long." Walking inside, I'm immediately greeted by salespeople, and I know they are just trying to make a commission, but I feel crowded.

"Just let us know if you need anything." I nod and begin perusing the nightgowns, taking in all the silk and pretty colors.

Grabbing a few for Chastity, and one for myself, I walk towards the back where the clearance section is.

Someone grabs my arm and covers my mouth before I can scream. I drop the clothes and thrash, but it's useless. A prick to the skin of my neck has my body becoming weak and my eyelids heavy.

"We've been waiting for you, Tempest," a man whispers as everything goes dark.