Chapter 8

“Did you hear what happened?”

“He’s the one, right?”

“That’s the guy!”

“Wow, what a lucky asshole.”

“What does Lake even see in him?”

“He’s cute!”

“He’s plain.”

“He’s—”

Nix tried to tune the hushed whispers out, but it grew harder and harder to deal with as the day dragged on. By his third class, he was about ready to call Lake and concede just so he could hide back at the Roost where there was peace and quiet.

Or…at least quiet, in any case.

He’d yet to see a friendly face all day and he was starting to really see the appeal in having them. Ever since he’d arrived at this school, that was one lesson he seemed to be learning in spades. Prior to this, he’d always gone through life on his own, believing that friendship wasn’t all that important.

Seeing the Demons interact, and listening to all the gossip aimed his way with no one there to help defend him…Nix glumly admitted to himself he’d like a friend in his corner. Someone he could rely on.

Someone he could talk to.

Branwen had been that person for him before. Now there was no one. No one he could go to in order to get this load off his chest.

The whispers and the stares were all Lake’s fault, but he would merely shrug and say that’s what he wanted if Nix tried to complain to him about it. Yejun and West were both annoyed by the bite because not only had Lake done it without discussing with them first, it also lowered their chances of drawing the attention of the hacker they were after.

Nix had figured that out fairly quickly, which meant Lake had to have known when he’d made the decision to sink his teeth into his flesh.

His multi-slate buzzed and he sighed, anticipating it being a summons or whatever from one of the Demons. When he saw that it was an unknown number, his unease only grew. Tapping open the message, his eyes widened.

Unknown: Yesterday not enough for you?

Nix didn’t have enough time to even consider responding before another message popped up on the screen.

Unknown: You should run while you still can.

Who…Was it the hacker?

That seemed too easy, and according to what they knew about how this person approached Branwen, if it was the hacker, they shouldn’t be trying to convince Nix to leave. They’d want to use him to get to the Demons. Right?

Assuming it wasn’t the hacker, then…

Grady?

That made more sense. Grady had pushed him into that stall, so he’d known to comment about it today. He was also the only person on campus who’d warned Nix away from Lake and the others since the beginning. If anyone here wanted him gone, it would be his roommate.

Nix was going to have to talk to him. They’d need to clear the air, and he wanted to tell Grady to get rid of those shoes. If Lake saw him wearing them around, he’d recognize them the same way Nix had and then—

“Hello.” The man who’d introduced himself as Lake’s cousin the other day appeared next to Nix’s desk, cutting into his thoughts. Aside from hair color, there wasn’t much resemblance between him and the Imperial currently considered the bane of Nix’s existence, especially since Beck wore a friendly, almost hesitant, smile.

“What are you doing here?” Nix glanced around, shoulders caving in slightly when he saw they’d gained even more attention from the students leaving. Class had just ended, and even though Beck was a professor at Foxglove, he wasn’t the professor here.

He exited out of the message window, hoping the other man hadn’t noticed. The last thing Nix needed was for Lake or the others to find out he was receiving threatening messages now. He had to talk with Grady first.

Even if his roommate was behind the attack and these texts, Nix still trusted that all of that was coming from a good place. He wanted to help protect him, and truthfully, when looked at from Grady’s perspective, Nix couldn’t blame him. The Demons were vicious on the best of days.

Nix had firsthand experience with that.

“I saw you on my way,” he pointed toward the hall, “and figured I’d check in on you after yesterday. How are you holding up?” His eyes, a crystal blue, swept over Nix, lingering on the bandage peeking out from beneath his collar. “That definitely wasn’t there when I last saw you.”

Resisting the urge to cover it up, Nix grunted. “Upset you left early and missed the show?”

Beck frowned. “Is my cousin mistreating you? He seemed genuinely concerned for your safety.”

“Come on,” Nix called bullshit, “you know the guy better than that.”

“I do know him,” Beck agreed. “Which is why I’m confident Lake cares for you. If he didn’t, there’s no way he’d claim you. He’s in line for the throne, Nix. Don’t you understand what that means?”

Nix’s brow furrowed, because…no, not really. At least, not in terms of why it would affect Nix outside of the obvious.

“If he already has a claimed mate when he’s crowned, he’ll have to name that person as his Royal Consort…” Beck stared at him, seeming honestly surprised that Nix hadn’t put two and two together on his own.

But there was a reason for that.

Nix laughed, the sound harsh and strained. “There’s no way. I mean, it makes sense in theory, but no. Lake did this to make a point. He wants me, sure, but not enough to make me his Consort.”

Imperials only got one of those. Ever. If Lake named Nix, he would never be able to give the honor to someone else, even if he changed his mind. The mating bite was different. In the past, it might have meant an eternal bond, but now? In this day and age, it was a gesture, sometimes romantic, sometimes possessive. But that’s all it was.

“He can tell the entire planet he has a claim on me and still have a different Consort,” Nix added, and there must have been something in his tone because Beck’s stare intensified.

“You sound upset about that prospect.”

“Do I?” He shook his head. “I’m not.”

It was hard to tell if Beck believed him, but he changed the subject in the end, either to help Nix save face or because he did. “That looks bad. There are blood stains. Why don’t you come with me to my office? I’ll clean it up for you.”

“Oh. No, that’s all right. Thank you.” Nix collected his things, shoving his tablet into his backpack before standing. “I should get going.”

“Do you have another class right after this?”

He shook his head.

“Then come with me,” Beck insisted. “Are you hesitant because I was once a Demon?”

That was right. Up until he’d graduated and become a professor, Beck had also been a Demon of Foxglove Grove. Had he graduated last year? The year before? Nix couldn’t remember. He’d have to find out. Although, either way, he shouldn’t have had access to the King chat since he wouldn’t have been an active student during Branwen’s time here.

Beck couldn’t be the King he was looking for, but maybe he knew something that could help Nix find the person he was after.

Getting involved with another Demon was the last thing he wanted to do, but…Beck was a professor now, and he seemed nice enough…

“My office is in the building,” Beck added, probably able to tell he was close to convincing him. “It’s not far and it won’t take long to apply a new bandage. You wouldn’t want that getting infected, it’ll scar even worse.”

Nix already hated the idea it would scar at all.

“All right.” Why not. His only other plan for the day was to find somewhere secluded to look through Branwen’s King chats. After he was done with Beck, he could head to the library and deal with it there. Then he’d had decide whether or not he was going to flee campus or—

“Nixie,” West called from the hallway a second before he entered the classroom and walked over toward them. He nodded once at the professor. “Beck. What are you doing here?”

“I was checking in on your Fourth,” Beck replied.

“Fourth?” Nix glanced between the two of them, jostled when West suddenly draped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in tight against his side.

“No need,” West was still staring at Beck as he spoke. “We can take care of our boyfriend without outside help.”

Beck chuckled and took a deliberate step back. “Message received.”

“That’s what I’ve always liked about you, Beck,” West said. “You never overstep.”

“I know my place.”

“Hey, that’s not what I meant,” he legitimately sounded apologetic, and Nix looked at him in mild surprise. “It wasn’t an insult. You’re a good guy. You respect boundaries. Not many people on this planet do, especially not if they’re Essential.”

This time, it was Beck’s turn to glance between Nix and West.

“Relax,” West reassured. “Nixie is safe to talk openly in front of.”

“Because he’s been marked?” Beck shook his head. “I can’t believe you and Yejun allowed him to do that.”

“We didn’t.” West’s mood soured.

“Really? So he just permanently tied someone to the three of you without even asking?” He grimaced and sent Nix a look. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Nix felt the same way.

Beck nodded then frowned. “But the Sacrifice can’t—”

“Actually,” West interrupted before he could finish, “if you’re so eager to play doctor, Yejun’s been complaining of a migraine since this morning. You should pay him a visit with that tea he likes. He’s in his studio, last I checked.”

Whatever silent warning he’d given, Beck clearly understood it, even if Nix was left in the dark.

Sacrifice?

What did he mean by that?

And why was he trying to foist the professor off on Yejun?

“Are you two close?” Nix hated that he asked it, but he couldn’t help it.

West snorted. “Don’t get jealous, babe. There’s really no need. You’ve gotten further with June than Beck ever has. Unless we’re counting in dreams, that is.”

“That’s not—” Beck blew out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I implore you not to listen to him, Nix. He merely likes to tease me.”

“He,” West bent some so his face was next to Nix’s and pointed at Beck, “has a crush, but he’s too much of a coward to make a confession. What do you think? Should he man up, or take it to his grave?”

Nix blinked, suddenly extremely uncomfortable. No matter what he said, it definitely would be twisted and taken the wrong way. Beck also seemed like he wished the floor would open up and swallow him whole.

To save them both, Nix found himself shaking West off and stepping toward the door. “I assume you came here to get me, right? Not stand around gossiping like children.”

“Guess my boyfriend’s not in the mood to play,” West said to Beck with a shrug. He grabbed Nix’s hand, loosely lacing their fingers, almost as if daring Nix to pull away, even though he kept all his attention on the professor. “I’ll talk to you later, Beck. You can thank me for the Yejun tip later.” He winked and then pulled Nix across the room and out the door.

“I didn’t get to say bye,” Nix complained as they headed down the hall, trying not to notice all the glances they were getting from lingering students. This building tended to be full of active classes this time of day, so there was no chance of avoiding their stares as they moved to from one floor to another.

“You don’t need to,” West said. “Beck is cool, but don’t wander off with anyone, yeah?”

“Do you not trust him? You seemed close.”

“We are,” he agreed. “And I do. But trust only goes so far. Beck is a nice guy, but his father is a complete asshole. He’s also our biggest obstacle at the moment. His goal is to stop Lake from taking the throne, which means he’ll do anything he can think of to make that happen. Including use you.”

Nix grunted. “That would be stupid. Lake isn’t going to give up a crown for me. I’d just end up dead.”

“Exactly.” West pulled them outside, but instead of going to the parking lot, he started them down the east path. “I prefer you breathing, Nixie. Cold bodies aren’t my thing.”

“Gee,” he drawled, “how romantic.”

West laughed. “Is that what you want? Romance? Don’t take this the wrong way, babe, but you hardly seem the type.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Romance, huh?” He hummed and thought it over. “I could try. Can’t make any promises, but if it means you like me more or at least as much as you like June? It’ll be worth the attempt.”

“You’re ridiculously competitive.”

He grinned, and teasingly parroted, “So I’ve heard.”

Nix rolled his eyes. “Where are we going?”

“The gym.”

A rush of unease settled over him and West noticed.

“Relax,” the Demon laughed. “I’m not going to beat you up, and if I was, I wouldn’t have to bring you all the way there to do it.”

That was true…

“Can you answer some of my questions as we walk?” Nix asked. He kept his hand in West’s as they headed down the path, ignoring everyone they passed. “If you do, I’ll pretend like I don’t know why we’re taking the scenic route.”

West laughed again. “You’re so fun, Nixie.”

“You wanted me to like you more than the others, remember? If you give me answers, I probably will.”

“You’re fun,” he repeated, a warning edge to his otherwise still light tone, “but there are certain games you shouldn’t play. Attempting to pit us against each other? That’s one of them. You won’t like the end results, and honestly, at this point, neither will we. We all like you, in our own ways. Don’t make us regret it.”

“Oh, so I’m the only one who has to carry around regrets here?”

West shrugged but left it at that, and when Nix tried to pull away, he tightened his grip. “Ask your questions. I can’t promise I’ll answer, though.”

“What’s a fourth?”

“You don’t—”

“It’s too late. Beck mentioned it yesterday already. Lake didn’t explain it fully because he was too worried about finding out who pushed me into the stall, but he knows I know.”

West’s eyes narrowed. “Would have been nice if he’d shared that detail with the rest of the class.”

“So you tell me.” Nix sighed when West hesitated. “Come on. It’s not like you need Lake’s permission or something. Unless you do?”

“What did I just warn you about?” The Demon growled.

“West. Please.”

He grew quiet for a few minutes, and Nix didn’t dare interrupt whatever thoughts he may be having. After a while, once the gym building was already in view, he finally spoke again. “How much did Beck let slip?”

Nix tried to remember in detail, but the whole conversation was fuzzy. He’d still been too freaked out over the attack. “…Something about how being the fourth is different from being your boyfriend. What does it mean, exactly?”

“You sure you want to know?”

“Don’t I deserve at least that much?”

West glanced at him and hummed. “Now that you have that on your neck, it’s not like you can leave us if you don’t like what you hear anyway…Okay. I’ll tell you. But you aren’t going to like it.”

The fact that West was saying as much made Nix’s stomach clench painfully. Because he wouldn’t if he didn’t one hundred percent believe that to be true.

“What is it?”

“There are three of us this year, that’s pretty rare,” West began. “There would already have been four, but one of the other Legacies bitched out. For the best, really. Yejun, Lake, and I have a bond unlike any of the past Demons. We already pull more rank, for instance. Anyone else around would always be beneath us. There aren’t typically a ton of Legacies, believe it or not. There are even full years where the Roost is empty, or at least devoid of seniors. You have to be a senior to take part in the ceremony.”

“What ceremony?”

“It’s called the Night of the Nightshade.”

“When is it?”

“Worrying already?”

“Didn’t you just say I should?”

West tutted at him. “Think of it as an initiation ceremony of sorts,” he continued, ignoring the question. “The three of us will be one step closer to becoming official members of the club once we present our sacrifice to the Order.”

“What?” Nix came to a standstill, forcing West to stop as well. He refused to budge when the Demon tried tugging on him. Sacrifice. This was it. This was what they’d meant earlier when he’d overheard them talking in the kitchen.

But…

“Who? Who’s the sacrifice?” He frowned. “I thought you needed to catch the hacker.”

“We do,” West replied. “That’s a separate mission. We have until Demons Passing for that. Once we accomplish it, we’ll be made official members of the club. Until then, we’re still in processing, so to speak. As for the sacrifice…come on, babe. You’re not that dense.”

Nix blinked when he stared at him, and it took far too long for his brain to follow than it should have. An embarrassingly long time, in fact. He yanked his hand free and retreated a full three steps before West’s low warning growl gave him pause.

“Me?” His hand pressed against his neck. “But how can I…?”

“It’s not a sacrifice in the way you’re thinking,” West told him. “We’re not going to hurt you, Nixie.”

“What the fuck do you call this?!” He pointed to the bloody bandage.

“Keep your voice down,” West said. “That’s not the kind of attention we need.”

“You sure? From where I’m standing, it’s exactly the kind you need. The hacker isn’t going to believe I can be recruited if we keep walking around holding hands like I actually like you.”

“That ship has sailed and we both know it.”

“What happens to me?” Nix was shaking, but he couldn't tell if it was due to fear or rage. “How much more are you assholes going to put me through before you’re finally done with me?”

West’s brow furrowed. “Babe, you losing it? That thing on your neck means we’ll never be done with you. Pretty sure we’ve all been saying as much since last night. I get not wanting to believe it, but enough is enough. This is your reality now. May as well accept it and milk it for all it’s worth. Sort of like the way your ass milked my cock last night.”

“Don’t be disgusting.”

“You like it when I’m crass.”

“I do not.”

“Your hole said differently. Every time I spoke dirty to you, it gripped me nice and—”

Nix slapped a hand over his mouth and exhaled slowly. “That’s enough.”

West captured his wrist and held on, gaze hardening. “Becoming our fourth doesn’t mean anything you’re concocting in that fascinating brain of yours. It’s actually a great honor. It also means Lake complicated things even more than you’ve yet to realize by claiming you. You want to know what it means to be our sacrifice, Nixie?”

He nodded, completely overcome by the intensity permeating off the Demon before him.

“It means a one-way ticket into the good life. The sacrifice becomes one of us. They become Essential. It means,” he stepped closer, other hand wrapping around Nix’s throat, thumb pressing against the bite with just enough pressure to make it sting but not have him cry out, “we originally meant every word when we promised you’d be free come Demon Passing. At least, from us. As another member of the Essential, we wouldn’t be able to mess with you in the same ways we can now. However…” His gaze trailed to the mark and the corner of his mouth twisted upward in a cruel smirk.

Nix’s heart thumped wildly in his chest. “No.”

“Yup. Now you’ve been claimed, babe. Now you’re ours. Even once you’re a club member. Even once this mark heals over and there’s nothing left but scar tissue. You’re ours forever thanks,” he tapped the mark, “to,” again, “this.”

Nix felt like he was going to throw up.

Somehow, knowing it hadn’t all been a lie this whole time, that he really was going to be allowed to walk away at the end of this as promised…only to have it so bitterly yanked out of his hands…

West said it was thanks to the mark.

Lake said it was thanks to Branwen.

That was maybe the worst part of it all.

Nix didn’t know who to blame.

And a part of him feared there was actually no one else he could but himself.