Chapter Thirteen

Maureen

"Y ou want the usual?" The bartender asks Villette as she leans over the polished-wood bar. He looks at her like she's a meal to be devoured. Who can blame him? In a tight, black, strapless dress and four-inch heels, she looks even more stunning than usual. Her dark-brown hair is loose in waves around her tanned shoulders. She tosses it as she winks at him and nods. A whiff of honey and patchouli permeates the gesture.

I don't come here enough to have a usual, I guess.

"Just a shot of whiskey neat, please." I beam a little as he admires me as well. I'm in the mood to turn fucking heads tonight. Which is why I chose to wear a black leather mini skirt and pink lacey bustier that pushes my tits up so high, you could set your drink on them.

And there are plenty of people noticing me and Villette tonight. We're a Crane and a Blackwell out on the prowl like two nepo babies out of a trashy reality TV show. Just swap out the designer bags and lip injections for knives and dead bodies.

The music is loud as fuck. Perfect for drowning out the squawking ravens that have gathered outside. And for shutting out my intrusive thoughts. I want just one night where I can party with my friends without the weight of Nocturnus on my shoulders.

I glare over my drink at a few students who snicker at us as they walk by. Most of them haven't bothered to get to know me. As soon as they found out I was a Blackwell, another rich kid from one of the founding families of Ever Graves, they made up their minds about me. Even though I have no ties to my family or their money. If it hadn't been for Bailey, I wouldn't have been able to even afford a sandwich at Tenebrose, let alone tuition and dorm fees.

Villette is swaying her hips to the music while sipping on her martini when a tall, super handsome man with dark hair and brown eyes comes up behind her and curls his arm around her neck. "That better not be vodka, Lettie." He smirks as we lock eyes.

She wiggles away from him, laughing. "What are you gonna do about it? Tell Mom and Dad that your twenty-five-year-old sister is having a cocktail?"

He beams back at her, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I didn't tell them when you drank an entire bottle of wine on your sixteenth birthday. Why start now?"

She throws her arms around him and squeals. "I'm so happy you're here!"

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your gorgeous friend?" Felix still hasn't taken his eyes off me. I feel my cheeks heat.

"You mean one of your new students?" She arches a playful brow at him. "This is my lovely and amazing friend, Maureen. Be nice; she bites."

I laugh throatily and stick out my hand for him to shake. "Maureen Blackwell. I have you for poetry this semester."

If my last name bothers him at all, he doesn't show it. He takes my hand and shakes it formally, all while keeping that troublemaker grin on his face. "Do you consider yourself a poet, Maureen Blackwell?"

"I don't know about that, Mr. Crane. I enjoy reading it, but I wouldn't consider myself poetic." His expression is intense, pensive, yet playful. I take a small sip of my whiskey while I try not to get spooked by his charm. Especially since he's Villette's brother. And doubly so because Riot, Atlas, and Valentin just walked in with death stares plastered on their faces.

"You don't have to call me Mr. Crane till Monday. And from what I see, you aren't giving yourself enough credit. I think your very essence is poetic." His gaze travels over the sigil on my neck.

"You know it's frowned upon to fraternize with the students, don't you, Professor Crane?" Atlas slaps him on the back as he walks up.

Felix flashes him a toothy grin. "She's not my student yet, Atlas. Technically."

Riot flexes his jaw as he steps in between us. " Technically , she's with us, so be careful what you say and do next."

Fuck. Here we go.

Villette rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "Can you all just take the testosterone level down a notch?"

Felix laughs, completely unfazed by Riot's threat. "Relax, Graves. I only came out tonight to ensure my sister's honor is preserved."

I can't help but chuckle. Villette is one of the most pious girls I've ever met. Something tells me that she's the princess of her family. I've heard her other brother, Bones, is batshit crazy. This one looks like he has it in him to be as well.

"And we're here to preserve Maureen's," Valentin chimes in.

I let out a sigh. "Okay, everyone, chill. We're both grown women who don't need preserving or whatever."

Riot pulls me to his side and rests his hand on my hip. "I'm completely chill."

Felix laughs again before planting a kiss on Villette's temple. "Have fun tonight, sis. I'll be over there if you need anything."

Despite Riot, Valentin, and Atlas hovering over me, Felix manages to find my hand and give it a light squeeze. "I look forward to getting to know more about what makes you tick on Monday."

Valentin's nostrils flare while my cheeks flame. "Um, cool. Have a good night."

Atlas barely moves out of his way, so Felix has to brush shoulders with him in order to leave our little circle of rage. But that doesn't seem to bother him either.

Villette sighs before turning around to the bartender. She orders another martini and then waves to someone across the room. "I'll be right back, Maur."

I slap each of them on the arm. "What the fuck was that?"

Valentin digs his fingers into my waist, pushing me back into a dark corner of the bar. "We didn't like the way he was looking at you."

Atlas sweeps my hair to the side and fingers my sigil. My belly flips as he whispers in my ear, "Some people need reminding that you belong to us."

"Maybe you do as well, Firecracker," Riot barks in my other ear.

The memory of when they first cornered me in the bathroom flashes in my mind. It heats my skin and spurs the dark craving that has festered since that moment. The ache that pulses between my thighs every time they surround me.

I glance around the room as Riot inches his hand up my thigh. "Stop. Someone will see us."

Valentin pushes me back against the wall. "That's the fucking point, Firecracker."

The music pumps louder, keeping time with the thumping in my chest. Atlas nuzzles my neck, leaving a trail of kisses up to my jaw. It sends goosebumps across my arms and legs.

"The three of you need to stop," I whimper. Who am I kidding? I don't want them to stop.

Valentin hikes my skirt up till it's barely covering my ass. He reaches in and pulls my panties to the side. "You're ours to play with whenever and wherever we want."

Riot sucks on my earlobe. "I wanna see those juices dripping down your thighs." He shoves a finger inside my pussy, and my entire body twitches, my back arching against the wall.

Atlas puts his hand over my mouth mid-moan. "Shhh, pretty girl."

Fuck. It's too good. Too fucking hot. I look past them to see if anyone is watching, but everyone seems oblivious. A part of me wishes they weren't. Why do I get off on that? Ever since… Fuck. No. Shut it out.

I whine as Riot thrusts two more fingers in. "Am I boring you? Hmmm?" Instead of thrusting in and out, he spreads his fingers wide, stretching my walls open. I shriek into Atlas's hand.

"There she is. Don't think of anything else except being a good little slut for us." Atlas covers my nose and mouth with his whole hand now.

I have to steady my breath so I don't suffocate.

I clench around Riot's fingers, my pussy sopping wet. I roll my hips and get lost in the rhythm. It feels so fucking good.

Valentin unlaces my top just enough to shimmy it down and expose my nipples. He gives each one a hard pinch. "I wanna bend you over and fuck you in front of everyone. Would you like that?"

I moan and twist under their touch. Riot probes his thick fingers deeper inside me, curling them up till he hits my sweet spot. My knees start to shake as I feel the pressure in my lower back.

This public display of debauchery has got me so wound up that I cum instantly at his words.

"Oh, fuck." Riot slides his fingers out, and my hips convulse. A stream of cum squirts out and onto the floor between my legs. "There we go. Now we're gonna have a good fucking time."

Atlas shoves two fingers inside my mouth, pressing them against my tongue. "Suck."

I moan and obey his command. No matter what they tell me to do, I obey. I can't fucking help myself. I'm a fiend for their brutality.

Val squeezes my nipples between his fingers as I unravel. I forget about the bar and the music and the crowd as a second orgasm shatters my core.

Riot breathes heavily into my neck as he kisses my sigil, licking and sucking on my tender flesh that's still not completely healed. I'm not sure if it ever will be.

My heart races while I ride out the last of my high. But just when I'm about to fully come down from my state of euphoria, I feel his eyes on me.

He smirks at me from across the room. The only one in the crowd who sees us. Who's watching us.

Felix Crane.

Fuck.

He leans against the wall, drink in hand, and something sinister darkens his gaze. Something feral and psychotic.

"Is he watching?" Riot taunts.

All I can do is nod.

Valentin snickers. "Our dirty little girl likes to put on a show. Doesn't she?"

Butterflies swim in my belly. "I… I don't know."

Atlas caresses my cheek. "Yes, you do, pretty girl. Now you're going to cum again… but this time, don't take your fucking eyes off him."

Oh, fuck. This is how they mark their territory. They want him to see how they make me cum. They want him to know that I'm theirs.

They pull me farther back into the corner, into a dark spot where the lights barely hit. From across the room, it would be hard to tell what we're doing, but Felix's eyes move with us.

Valentin slips behind me, his back against the wall. I arch back as he fondles my nipples, pinching and pulling them up as he twists them between his fingers.

"He's my professor," I groan.

Atlas rubs my clit. "Yes, and now we're going to teach him a fucking lesson."

Oh, fuck.

I bite down on my lip as Riot slides his fingers back inside my pussy. "Look at him. Show him how fucking wet you are for us ."

I want to shrink back and hide. But I feel the sigils on my thighs come alive. Everything tingles. I hold Felix's gaze from across the room. He sips his drink and watches us quietly. Unfazed by our depravity. I pray to God that Villette doesn't see us as well.

I moan, and this time Atlas doesn't cover my mouth. Val's cock hardens against my ass. He lifts my skirt higher. "Fuck, your skin is on fire."

Atlas grins back at him and hands him a vial. "Get her nice and wet first."

"Wait, no. You can't just fuck me here like this." Panic spreads through my chest. It's one thing to touch me in the dark…

Val snickers as he unzips his pants. I feel the heat of his warm cock against my ass cheek. In one quick jerk, he rips my panties apart. "Don't fucking tell me what I can and can't do with you."

I gasp as he pulls my ass cheeks open and pours the liquid from the vial in between them. Atlas tilts my chin up. "Keep looking at Professor Crane, pretty girl. I want him to see every flicker of pain and pleasure on your face."

Fuck.

I let out a deep moan as Val slips his cock inside my ass. He inches it in slowly, probing with just the tip at first.

Riot strokes my clit. "That's our dirty girl. So fucking wet. Show Professor Crane what a good little slut you are for us."

I lean forward as Val fills me to the brim. I can't breathe, and everything burns. But as he thrusts in and out, the pleasure explodes in my core.

Felix shifts against the other wall, tilting his head to the side as he fixates on us. I hold his gaze. The guys hold me up as Val fucks me harder, making my body shake and tremble.

Atlas releases a glob of thick saliva down my chest, smearing it over my nipples with his fingers while Riot peels my pussy lips back. I'm drowning in their sickness, getting lost in this twisted display of dominance. I'm torn between satisfaction and shame, wanting to look away but needing him to see me unravel.

"Fuck, you're so tight," Val grunts as he rolls his hips, thrusting and grinding into my ass.

The tingling begins in my clit and spreads, rocking me into another fucking orgasm. I thrust back, riding his cock hard.

Felix inches forward, finding a closer wall to lean against. From this angle, I notice a fresh sheen of sweat on his upper lip, and how the base of his throat bobs and contracts.

"Oh, fuck," I whine as I get off on them. On all of it. I'm fucking rabid, writhing against all three of them, pulling them closer to me.

Val yanks on my hair and kisses the back of my neck. The spot where his sigil is carved into me. "Fuck you're so good at taking my cock. Mmm, let's see how much of my cum you can hold."

I cry out, my voice getting lost in the music. A burst of thick hot cream fills my asshole as he thrusts in deeper. "Mmm, fuck," he grunts.

It drips down my taint and into my pussy, running down my thighs and calves until it reaches my ankles.

He hugs me to his chest from behind while pulling my top back up. I wince as he re-ties the laces in the back, not sparing any room for me to breathe. "You did good, Maur."

"How the fuck am I supposed to sit in his class on Monday now?" I enjoyed that spectacle way too much, but in the aftermath, reality sets in.

Riot licks his fingers and smirks, but it doesn't reach the darkness in his eyes. "With your legs crossed and your pretty lips wet. And every time he calls on you, he'll remember how you came for us. Let him try and teach poetry with a fucking hard-on."

Atlas hums as he grabs a wad of napkins off the nearest table. He kneels down and wipes the cum from my legs. "I think what we really discovered here tonight is that our little firecracker likes putting on a show."

I feel my cheeks flush again. "No… no, I don't," I stammer.

Val straightens my skirt. "The fuck you don't. You're a bad liar, Maur."

Riot cups my face in his hands. "The sigils bring out our darkest parts. Don't fight against your nature."

Fuck. Why am I like this? What is it about the power and rush of getting fucked while people watch? Just even the thought of it now gets my pulse racing again.

I look back over at the wall and see that Felix is gone. He got what he wanted and left. Fuck. What if he tells Villette? What will she think of me?

I shove Atlas off and head for the bathroom so I can properly clean myself. Despite how crowded the bar is, there's no line to get in.

I get a few weird looks as I start wiping my legs with wet paper towels. But all it takes is a hard glare to remind them that Zeke was stabbed to death after hanging out with me, and they look away and scurry off.

Just as I finish patting myself dry, my phone buzzes. I sigh as I click on the new text message.

It's from that same unknown number from earlier.

Slut.

I gasp and cover my mouth. What the fuck? Is this person here right now? It's definitely not the guys messing with me. This fucking pervert is someone else. My fury grows like wildfire. How fucking dare they?

Coward . I reply back.

Is it Holden Graves? Maybe he sent one of his initiates to torment me. Fuck. I need to tell the guys about this.

The phone buzzes again.

My stomach drops when I see the text.

It's a picture of my bed. I stagger back against the sink.

This fucker is in my room.

"That's it. You're staying with us tonight," Val barks.

I glance around my room, looking for any sign of foul play, but everything looks untouched. Except a pair of my black panties are laid out on the bed. I don't remember putting those there.

Maybe he's right. If this psycho was in my room, then I'm not safe.

"I can't believe you waited this long to tell us about the first text." Riot hands my phone to Atlas. "Track down this number. Use your raven sight, your connections, everything you have. I want to know tonight who this fucker is."

Atlas takes a screenshot of the text and hands me my phone back. "Your little stalker must have a fucking death wish."

"Or it's someone trying to get back at us for Zeke," Val adds.

I'm still reeling off the rush from earlier. My adrenaline is through the fucking roof. "What if they're just trying to scare me? To taunt me."

Riot's face pales. "Didn't you say that Felix is staying with Villette here? He got off watching you earlier. Then he disappeared right before you got the second text."

The vein in Val's neck pulses. "I'm going to fucking kill that asshole. Tell me what room Villette's in right now."

Panic rises in my chest. The last thing I need is to drag her into all of this. "Stop. Professor Crane is not sending me these texts. He's not like that."

Atlas knocks back a vial of poison as he shakes his head. "Yeah? How can you be so sure?"

"Villette adores him. I trust her judgment. She wouldn't be so happy to see him if he was some kind of predator." I have to believe that anyway. My friendship with her means too much to me to risk it over a possible hunch. And we can't just break down her door and accuse a brand-new professor of sending lewd texts to a student without any provocation. Not yet anyway.

"We're all predators," Riot snickers. "The only difference is that you are our prey—not his or anyone else's."

Val pulls me into his arms, hugging me to his chest. "Stop being stubborn and come back with us willingly. We just want to take care of you."

Riot towers over us. "I will drag you back to Nocturnus House kicking and screaming if I have to." His blue eyes are glowing; his expression demonic.

"Don't be a dick, Riot," I hiss. He's close to crossing a line.

"Don't fucking provoke me, Maur." His fingers twitch as a rush of energy spikes between us. The sigil on my thigh flares, burning my skin like I'm lying on hot coals.

I push back, using my own power to counteract his, but he's stronger. "Calm down," I plead.

Atlas places his hand on Riot's shoulder. "Relax, brother. Let her be."

He releases me from his grip, and I draw in a deep breath as the pain in my leg subsides. "Are you scared for my life, or are you just pissed that someone else wants to play with your toy?"

Riot charges toward me and wraps his hand around my throat. "You know how I feel about you. And I fucking hate it. It makes me weak. Vulnerable. And it paints a target on my back. The blood pumping through your veins has brought me nothing but trouble. And yet, I can't ever let you go. So I'll be damned if I let someone else get their hands around your throat like this."

"Fine. I'll go with you tonight. But I'm not moving in. Not until we're done with school. I have to have some sort of normalcy, Riot," I wheeze,

He tightens his grip for a second before letting go. "We'll see about that, Firecracker."