Chapter Seventeen

Maureen

T he birds have been pecking at my windows for days. Ever since I left Valentin's room the other night. He left a chill in my bones and a fire in my belly. After I let him fuck me, twice , I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I hobbled all the way back to The Nest and went straight to my room without so much as a glance at Libra.

I'm thankful that she's left me alone. For once, her self-absorption is working in my favor. But Villette on the other hand won't stop blowing up my phone. I finally agree to meet up with her today.

Jessamine has appeared for the past three nights, but she's kept quiet and just sat in the corner and watched me sleep. I think she can sense my fear and frustration.

My emotions are tangled and twisted. I went from liking what they did to me in the car to being so angry when they left me there. It took me hours to walk back to Tenebrose in my stiletto heels. Three fucking hours. I was bruised and bloody and furious. I still don't know what came over me. What fucking possessed me to go to Nocturnus House. To bang on Valentin's door. I was just so fucking angry and yet so turned on at the same time.

This year is supposed to be different… I was going to study hard and hang out with nice people and make Bailey proud. But instead, I'm somehow in an ancient blood feud with three hot as fuck psychos who want to torture me as much as they want to fuck me.

It's sickening but it's all I can think about. I can barely pay attention in class. Especially the ones they're in. I can feel their eyes on me, taunting me, from across the classrooms. I've become their obsession and they're mine.

I want to tell Riot about Jessamine. I want to call up the grandmother I've never met and tell her that we can end this hatred between our families. But there is a darkness here that is getting harder to resist. A sinister energy that permeates around Riot, Atlas, and Valentin. It snakes around me every time they're near, tempting me to give in to it.

I hit the snooze button on my alarm for the third and final time before hopping out of bed. It's the weekend, so I don't technically have to get up early, but I also don't want to sleep the whole day away. If I wallow in here any longer, I'll never have the strength to go outside again. I need to face my fate.

"The shop is on the outskirts of town, so we'll have plenty of time for you to spill all the tea."

I groan as I slide into the passenger seat of Libra's sports car. "Nope. I don't want to talk about it."

The Winter Solstice Ball is next weekend, so Libra is insisting we go dress shopping today. Luckily, Villette is coming too, so she can balance the energy. Otherwise, I might end up knocking Libra out with a designer handbag or something.

"I have to admit I'm curious too, Maur," Villette chimes in from the back seat. "I was really worried when you didn't come out of your room for three days."

Libra snorts. "That's because she got railed so hard she couldn't walk."

"I don't understand… Don't you hate them?" Villette asks.

I close my eyes and sink into the leather seats, wishing I had just stayed in bed. "It's complicated."

I listen to the two of them go back and forth the whole drive and only chime in with a short response here and there to placate them. But what I'm really focused on is my phone. Riot has sent me a slew of messages since we pulled out of Tenebrose, each one getting increasingly aggressive.

Where are you? I need to see you.

You're not going to like what happens when you ignore me.

If I have to come find you, I'm going to be fucking pissed.

See you soon, Firecracker. Can't wait to pick out a dress for you.

Fuck.

Butterflies swim in my belly. He really will fucking show up at the dress shop. Do I care? I don't even want to go shopping anyway. Am I secretly turned on by this? Yes. Fuck me, I am. What the fuck is wrong with me?

"Who are you texting?" Libra snaps out of nowhere.

I let out a deep sigh. "I might have to cut out early today."

Villette whines in my ear, "You like them. Fuck. Have I not told you enough about how dangerous they are? They are already trying to control you."

I bite my lower lip in shame. I know it sounds crazy. That I shouldn't be so attracted to them. So drawn in. But I'm a hot mess and can't help myself. "I know what I'm doing, Villette. It's fine. I'm just…"

"Playing with fire is what you're doing," she retorts back.

"I am the fire." A surge of something protective and possessive reaches into my core and grips me. "They are the ones who want to play."

Libra white-knuckles the steering wheel and grits her teeth. "You have no idea what you're getting into with them. They will use you and humiliate you. Nocturnus controls everything and everyone at our school. Fuck, in this whole town. If you're one of the lucky ones who doesn't exist on their radar, then you just go about your business and stay out of their way. But people like you and me… we don't get that luxury."

I did my best not to gape at her but holy fuck. That was the most honest thing that's ever come out of her mouth. I didn't like a word of it, but it was her truth for once.

Yet despite the guys' brutality, I can't help but think back to how kind Riot was that night in Wickford Hollow. Then I think about Valentin stepping in when I was getting manhandled by Zeke that night at Swallow. And the way Atlas touches me like I'm a fragile flower.

"Maybe they aren't the monsters you think they are." I knew how stupid that sounded the second it left my mouth. Why am I defending them now?

She snickers. "Says the girl who got me whipped in front of all the Nocturnus initiates. They are monsters. But I bet that makes you want them even more, doesn't it? I had you pegged wrong at first. Thought you were going to be a fun party girl to get drunk and bang frat boys with. But after seeing the way you look at all three of them… they're right. They fucking own you, and you like it."

"For fuck's sake, Lib, you don't have to be so harsh," Villette chides.

What the fuck is she talking about? " Whipped? I'm going to need you to elaborate."

Libra lets out a dramatic sigh as she pulls into a parking spot outside the dress shop. "I shouldn't have brought you to the party that first night you got here. I knew that Riot hated your family. But I thought it would be fun to fuck with him. I didn't realize how deep it went… I got what I deserved."

I could feel my cheeks heating. "So they whipped you in front of their entire little cult? That's not okay, Lib. Fuck. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because that's what we do, Blackwell. We keep their dirty little secrets. But I'm no angel. I should have known better. When I saw the way he looked at you… It's more than hate. He's obsessed with you."

Villette curses under her breath. "Fuck, Lib. Did you have a thing for Riot?"

She snickers and shakes her head. "I have a thing for a lot of assholes. But after what he did to me? Nah, you can have him, Blackwell. I'm not a fucking psycho."

But apparently, I am? Maybe she's right. But I can't help feeling a twinge of guilt at the thought of Riot taking his issues with me out on her.

I'm still fuming as we sprint into the dress shop just as the rain starts pouring down on us. The store looks more like a Halloween shop than a designer boutique. The walls are painted black with purple trim. There are shelves lined with skulls and most of the dresses on the racks are black. I wander off and start fumbling through them. I spot a couple I like, but my heart isn't in it today. I'm pissed at myself because I usually love shopping.

The store clerk points me in the direction of the dressing rooms. I have to walk down a long, black and gold-painted hallway to get to mine. As soon as I turn the knob, I'm yanked inside and pinned against the door.

I open my mouth to scream but nothing comes out as I meet Riot's icy glare. It's like my voice is lodged in my throat and no matter how many times I tell my brain to let it out, it won't budge.

He pinches my chin between his fingers. "You've been a naughty little slut, haven't you?"

Chills snake down my back and my heart races. He smells so fucking good I want to lick him. But a hundred thoughts rush to my brain at the same time. I think of the ravens, the feud, the way Libra and Villette refer to them as a coven… I clear my throat and feel my voice returning. "What did you just do to me? What are you?"

Riot pushes against me, pressing me hard against the dressing room door. "I'm the devil you will obey. The monster who terrorizes you until you lose your fucking mind. Until I own it completely."

I swallow hard as he wraps his hand around my throat. "I could snap your neck right now."

Something dark and disturbed settles into my bones at the thought of him crushing my lungs. "Then why don't you?"

His grin is sadistic. Unhinged . "Mmm, yeah, Valentin told me you like it rough. The threat of violence gets you so fucking wet, doesn't it?"

I look away, ashamed that he can see how turned on I am. "Get out, or I will scream."

He yanks my head toward him, forcing me to look into his eyes. A flicker of light moves in circles around his dilated pupils. "No, you won't. Not unless I want you to."

Fuck. I feel dizzy. My limbs are heavy. " What are you?" I stutter out.

Riot presses his lips gently to mine. His breath is hot and heavy. "Powerful," he growls into my mouth. "You can't escape this, Firecracker. We are your fucking destiny. We're each other's curse. You think you came to Tenebrose all on your own? I fucking summoned you . You have no idea how many blood sacrifices I had to make. How many sigils we have burned into our flesh for you."

A wave of euphoria hits me, and I feel so strange. I should be terrified of this man. "I don't understand," I whisper.

His lips still hover over mine, so close we're almost kissing. "I know, but you will. Soon. But today, we've come here to pick out your dress. You know since you'll be accompanying us to the Winter Solstice.

My jaw drops. "You're a fucking psycho. I'm not going to the ball with any of you. I don't know who the fuck you think I am." I'm fuming again.

He fists my hair and gives it a hard tug. "You don't have a choice. Get that out of your head right fucking now. You're our little slut. You'll go where we say and wear what we tell you to. Now, take your fucking clothes off, and put on a good show."

A little light seeps into the dressing room and I almost have a heart attack when I see the two figures in the corner. Atlas and Valentin. Fuck, have they been here this whole time? There is only one way into this room so they must have been. I feel like I'm losing my mind .

I try to turn the knob behind me, but it won't open. "What the fuck? How is this locked? Let me out. I don't want to play anymore."

Valentin snickers. "You don't get it yet, do you? That door won't open unless we tell it to."

Oh, fuck. My stomach knots as I start letting my mind wander the possibilities. They could be fucking demons, devils, witches… I feel sick. "I'm not your dress-up doll." I can't keep my voice from shaking.

Atlas grins. "Yes, you are. You're our pretty little doll to mangle and fuck and ruin."

I flinch as he starts toward me. His eyes are glazed and wild. He pulls out a tube of red lipstick and applies it to my lips. I'm frozen, dumbfounded as he then takes his thumb and smears it around my face. "Mmm, look how pretty you are." He spins me toward the mirror and wraps his arms around me from behind. I draw in a deep breath as he starts unbuttoning my shirt.

"All three of you are deranged," I murmur. My pulse races so fast I can't contain it. I feel like I'm going to pass out or spontaneously combust.

He takes my shirt off and then unhooks my bra, pausing to grin at me in the mirror while they all watch. "Do I need to keep going or are you going to be a good little slut and take off the rest?"

Why does my pussy spasm every time they call me that? I turn around to face them and don't bother to cover my naked breasts from their view. This is what they want. And they will get it no matter what I try to do to stop it.

I unzip my skirt and let it fall to the floor. "Fine, hand me a dress to try on."

Riot saddles up behind me, and I can feel his cock harden against my ass. "Take off your panties, Firecracker. Naughty little sluts like you don't get to wear those anymore." He inches his hands across my belly.

Oh, fuck. Moisture pools between my thighs. With trembling fingers, I push my panties down and step out of them. Riot coos in my ear, "Good girl. Now go sit on Atlas's lap while Val and I decide which dress we want you to try on first."

He nudges me forward and I stumble onto Atlas. He takes a deep breath, inhaling my scent before running the length of his tongue up my neck. "Time for another lesson, pretty girl."

My stomach flips when I see the tiny vial in his hand. Fuck. "I'm not ready for that, Atlas."

He pops off the top and holds the vial to my lips. "Just one sip and you'll feel amazing. It only hurts for a second."

I shake my head. Is he trying to kill me? "Atlas, no. I'm not drinking poison."

"Okay, fine. Then kiss me." He dabs some on his tongue, and his eyes nearly roll back in his head.

Fuck. "I-I don't know. I'm scared."

"Shh, relax, pretty girl. Open up for me."

I part my lips and let him kiss me. The second his tongue touches mine I feel a sharp sting. I wince and try to pull away, but he holds me firm and kisses me harder.

I whimper against him, caught between the erotic rhythm of his tongue and the fear of dying naked in a dressing room with three psychos who I can't seem to stay away from.

But as our lips smack against each other, the pain begins to fade like a distant alarm ringing far away. And I'm left with an ache between my legs.

Atlas chuckles and slides his hand down my belly. "There we go. Now do you see how fun this is?"

I forget where I am, who I am, and spread my legs wide across his lap. The poison is like a drug. Like an aphrodisiac. And I can't control myself. I want more .

"Mmm, that's my pretty little doll. Lean back."

I tilt my head against his shoulder and let him release a drop of the poison directly into my mouth. My insides feel like they are on fire, and I start to panic. "It burns… I can't breathe."

Atlas pinches my nipples hard, and it distracts me from the pain in my throat. "You're doing so good, Firecracker. Hold your nipples for me like this, so I can play with that pretty cunt of yours."

Oh. Fuck. I am coming undone, unbalanced. I want to give them everything they demand. All of me. Every dark and demented piece of my soul. I arch my back and grab hold of my raw nipples. A surge of tingles shoots down to my core as Atlas fingers the lips of my pussy.

Within seconds, Riot's standing over us, his hand around my throat. He looks down to watch Atlas's fingers thrusting in and out of me. "I want to see how wide that pussy can stretch for me."

I let out a moan and roll my hips back as Atlas pulls my thighs apart as wide as they'll spread and angles my hips forward. He pulls his cock out of his pants and forces me to sit on it. I shudder at the wide girth of him. I can't help but clench around his shaft as I slide down. "Oh, shit. Fuck."

"Mmm, you're so fucking tight for a little slut." He pushes all the way in. "Oh, yeah, pretty girl. Just like that. You're Daddy's dirty little slut, aren't you?"

I nearly cum at his words. Fuck this is hot and so fucking wrong. I slide up and down his thick cock while Riot has a stranglehold on my neck. He just watches silently, his icy blue eyes expressionless while Atlas fucks me hard.

Valentin pulls up a chair next to us and leans over. He inches his fingers slowly down the length of my body, across my belly, and down my wet slit before caressing my swollen nub. "You have three daddies now. Three vengeful and merciless daddies who will punish you when you don't behave."

Riot tightens his grip on my throat as if he can sense I'm about to cum. He wants to push me over the edge. " Yes ," I utter hoarsely.

Atlas slaps my thigh as he thrusts his cock in hard and deep. "I'm going to fill you up pretty girl. Mmm, here we go. Fuck."

A burst of hot sticky cum shoots into me, and I cry out. The rush of it sets something off in me and a deep orgasm rumbles through me. Riot squeezes my throat until I see stars. I start to black out and all I can focus on is Valentin's fingers rubbing my clit back and forth until I think I might die from pleasure.

I buck wildly as I slide down Atlas's shaft, my pussy tingling over each veiny ridge. I am happy to die this way. I don't care about life or death or air. I will gladly sacrifice my body for this. For them.