Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice (Hell Dimension #4)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

M y eyes darted to the door of the roof where I saw all three brothers standing. The hard lengths in their leather pants easy to see. When did they get here?

I scooted away from the middle of Dex and Alaric. Did they set me up? Were they there the whole time?

“No, we came when you opened the bond. I’m guessing with the first orgasm,” Bones explained, hearing my thoughts.

Then, I felt it. All the links to them were wide open, but Dex and Alaric’s were brighter inside of me. They felt different as well. I didn’t know why, but something had me glancing down at my arm. My demon mark was there, the half skull with a melting, colorful candle. I gasped as two black roses bloomed behind the skull. The tangerine and fuchsia flames flared brightly, casting shadows as if the mark were a meticulously done tattoo.

I glanced down at my chest. Dex’s black sexual lips mark was still there, and I could feel Alaric’s teeth marks from his wolf on my neck were still there. So, these roses were new marks for them. This was the first time we had real sex as mates blessed by the Goddess. Before this, we’d danced around the actual sex because of all the fighting.

“Oooh, me next. You’re so fucking delicious looking, Dreamgirl. I want my mark on you. Can I still carve my initials into your pretty flesh? I would love to smear your blood over my cock…”

Trigger’s voice trailed off in my head. Next? I wasn’t ready to forgive them. This was a primal desire that I couldn’t control. It wasn’t me forgiving them because nothing was resolved.

I backed away again. My leather outfit had reappeared on the ground next to my belt. I saw my way out and sucked in a sharp breath. I closed the bonds and grabbed my things. I had one teleportation potion left on my belt.

I lifted the green liquid in the air. “Wait! Please. We need you just as much as they do.” Bones’ words almost shattered me on the spot.

I hissed at him. My demon felt even stronger after sex with Dex and Alaric. More animalistic even.

“Nothing has changed. You fuckers still want to control me and keep me from fighting Lucifer.” My voice was raspy, and full of anger.

Alaric stood, but he didn’t move toward me. “We can change.”

Kain snapped his head in Alaric’s direction. “The fuck we will.”

“Kain, I want my mate back. This has gone on long enough. It’s hurting us all.” Alaric reasoned with him, but Kain just grew angrier.

“I don’t want her anywhere near the Devil. That’s what he wants—to steal her and make her his Queen. But she is ours. He can’t have her,” Kain’s eyes bore into me, “so you’ll stay away from him.” He pointed his finger at me like a weapon, and his shadows rose around him.

They didn’t scare me anymore.

I tilted my head and lowered into a crouch since I was naked. My leathers were in one hand, and the potion in the other. “Like I said. You could do it with me, or I’m doing it by myself. But I will end that fucker and find my parents.” I threw the potion down and vanished as they ran to me. My middle finger went in the air. Assholes. They ruined my quiet space.

Appearing in Lilah’s room was like breathing fresh air after pollution had scarred my lungs. My whole body went limp at the soft snores coming from her. The urge to cry darkened the edges of my vision, but I pushed the sensation down and fell into the numbness that waited for me. This was what I needed. To be around someone that cared about me, and I could trust while turning off all emotions. No matter what, I couldn’t lose her. She was my anchor.

“We really do need to get you a room of your own,” Demarcus murmured. I glanced at Demarcus and Brandon standing in the doorway, watching Lilah sleep. My smile widened as I sensed their fierce protectiveness. Neither of them looked at my naked body. Brandon pulled off his shirt and tossed it to me, his irritated gaze revealing his frustration over Lilah’s injuries.

I shook my head and slipped on his shirt. I didn’t like his smell on me, but I knew standing around naked wasn’t a good option. “Yeah, right. You love that I’m here because that means nothing would happen to Lilah…” I winced. “That she didn’t cause herself.”

“Yeah, protect her pussy better, then I’ll be happy.” Brandon was a slave, so to have him stand up to me like this gave me happy chills. The small changes at the Academy gave me way too much joy.

“But then you guys couldn’t kiss it better,” I teased.

Brandon growled.

I sighed, but really, I was having fun pushing. I put on the shirt to cover up. “I liked you better when you were a meek thing.”

“No, you didn’t.” He crossed his arms, daring me to lie again.

I smiled. “You’re right. It’s fucking awesome. But have backup if you decide to act this way with other high-powered Masters.”

He nodded his head that he understood, and they both left. Without their masculine presence in the room, I could relax even more. I didn’t need any men around me… if they were my mates and they weren’t ready to work as a team.

I moved to get into bed but froze at the little hand in the air. “Put undies on and take off my guy’s shirt.”

I did as she said but couldn’t help my last taunt. “Oooh, very possessive of you. Kind of like they were your boyfriends or something.”

We knew they were, but she would only admit that Brandon was hers. In time, she would find out that having more than one was way more fun.

“Shut up and get in bed. I want to hear all about it tomorrow.” Just as I climbed into bed a flash of magic caught my eye on the floor next to the door. The room was mostly bare just the bed, nightstand, and dresser, so the pile of fruit cups stacked high stuck out like a sore thumb.

My communicator buzzed with a message. I clicked on it before I let the exhaustion take over. My body was finally ready to relax being so close to two of my mates earlier.

Dex: “I’m sorry the night ended the way it did, but I’ll never be sorry for loving you. Here are my daily gifts for you. The refrigerator is getting too packed. Oh, and I can feel you’re bone tired, so Trigger made sure they’ll stay fresh until morning with a spell. He comes in handy sometimes.”

I snorted but couldn’t control my eyes from drooping. Before I drifted into sleep land Lilah curled around my arm and whispered. “Let yourself be happy, Ivy. You deserve the world.”

I’ll try. I couldn’t say it out loud. I just prayed to Goddess Nyx that we all had a future to be happy in because we all deserved happiness.

The morning came too soon. My beeping alarm was the worst fucking sound. It thrummed against my brain, demanding I listen. If I moved, I wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep, so I closed my eyes again.

A smack sounded around the dark room, startling me, but not as much as the stinging pain that blossomed on my cheek. The little brat hit me. I swear, she was becoming more like a demon every day, which only made me inwardly smile. It was too early to smile for real, but I was so proud of her.

When I didn’t move, she let out a little growl. “If you don’t turn that shit off, I’m going to make you sleep in the living room.”

That did the trick. I smacked the beeping alarm off with a groan. Ark stayed in their living room, so I wasn’t surprised to see him sleeping on the couch. He was a new incubus at the academy, and I’d woken up more than once to find him groping me. He didn’t take no for an answer. Raised in a Hellish village where “no” wasn’t an option, his persistence was relentless.

It was weird as shit, and I wasn’t taking any chances. If Dex scented him on me, it would end in blood. Dex was sweet, but he was vicious around other Incubus. The first one that came to the Academy, after I was outed, almost got his head ripped off for shaking my hand. He practically had to pee on my palm before his demon could calm down. So, I got my grumpy ass out of bed.

The dark room reminded me of a cave, but it felt good on my sleepy eyes. I was too tired to shower. I got dressed, brushed my hair and teeth and left.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Ark said as he stretched.

“Fuck off and die,” I snapped. The world could suck my metaphorical balls. I needed more sleep. I missed my coffee-making Incubus.

Ark frowned but just shrugged and turned around. Good. I could accidentally kill him. His blue hair and perfect dark complexion annoyed me. Incubi always were too fucking pretty. The fact his skin had a tinge of ethereal blue made him popular for feedings.

He was also the go-between for the other Incubus Demons who were slowly trickling in, hoping to find a Queen. A few low-level Succubus Demons had heard my unintentional call when Dex was dying at the Demon Trials, so the Sex Demons actually had a chance at finding their mates. Who knew, maybe I had an act as a match maker.

I didn’t fucking care about that while I was sleep deprived, though. I missed sleep. My whole body hurt. Even my brain. Getting some cold water from the fridge, I gulped the liquid down like it could save my life. Professor Pain said it was a great energy drink. It would wash the grogginess from the brain as if I took it out and scrubbed the crevices. I needed that this morning.

My communicator buzzed. I finished the bottle and grabbed another. Lifting my arm to my face, I answered without checking the screen. Only one person called at this ungodly hour—the Headmaster. My mates knew better than to disturb me at such a horrendous time.

“What the fuck do you want?” I growled.

“Uh, uh, uh, you’re a delightful demon with a sparkling personality, remember.” The Headmaster’s red face appeared on the screen, his expression a blend of menace and mirth. His hard lines and slicked-back black hair screamed danger.

My scowl deepened. “I’ll cut your head off and carve it up like a pumpkin.” He burst into laughter. The high-pitched giggles gave him a more childlike aura, which just weirded me out. A behemoth of a demon with large goat legs should never have that kind of aura. It reminded me of my childhood boogeyman.

My mother’s sweet voice echoed in my mind as she sang the riddle to me. Lamia is watching. Her eyes are dark and hungry. Her rooms are bright and funny. Beware of her smile because it hides sharp teeth that go on for miles. Don’t trust the light, for she might be pretty, but she’ll kill you without even a fight. So, be good because she sneaks into bad kids’ rooms late at night.

I shivered. Would that boogieman ever stop haunting me?

I didn’t have time to deal with past traumas. There was work to be done. Since my bitch-ass mates couldn’t stop with their caveman shit, I had to do it alone.

“You know the drill, miss sparkles. Meet me there.” He hung up.

Ark noticed I was getting ready to leave and sat up. He said something, but I ignored him. I didn’t want to talk to him.

I used a teleporting potion to take me to the dungeons before I got caught up in a conversation with Ark. My last five potions were on my belt. I would have to make more tonight. I messaged Lilah to have the things prepared for me since she used them as much as I did, and she didn’t have to go to class for a couple more hours.

As my body appeared in the dungeon’s entry way, I stiffened. This place was all shadows and dark brick. The beginning of the cells were open cages with bars. I slowly moved through the levels, scanning the prisoners. They yelled or pleaded with me, but I ignored them. They all deserved to be here.

The deeper I went, the more secure they were. All the rooms were heavily locked and closed in. I knew when I was almost at my destination because the insane asylum vibe. I’d had no idea there were several layers under the academy, but it made sense, and the worst of the demons were living down here. It helped out for moments like this.

The dungeon was all shadows and dark brick. The beginning of the cells were open cages with bars. The deeper you went, the more of an insane asylum vibe came into view. These rooms were heavily locked and closed in. I’d had no idea there were several layers under the academy, but it made sense, and the worst of the demons were living down here. It helped out for moments like this.

Before I made it to the last section of the dungeon on foot, since no one could teleport down there, Ark came running through the hallway. I could still hear the prisoners shouting for him. He didn’t use the word no, so I guess I understood why he ran like a three headed hellhound nipped at his ass. Ark would get trapped down here pleasing these prisoners forever. The snarky part of my brain snickered.

“What the fuck are you doing down here? I told you this would be a death trap for someone like you, pretty boy.” My harsh tone didn’t affect him, he just perked up at my words, even as he panted.

“I am pretty, thank you,” he said quickly and fanned himself. The glistening mess of his face just made him look like he sparkled. My demon didn’t like it. She was the only one that glittered. I shook my head at that thought.

He smiled at me when I waited for him to settle. I couldn’t help my scoff. This guy was too chipper for my liking. I needed a brooding demon here, so we could grumble and talk shit together.

As he reached me, he bent over and put a hand on his hip. “You… wouldn’t… mark… me…” He kept breathing roughly as his words came out in staccato, “so… I… ran… my pretty ass… here.” I rolled my eyes but let him catch his breath because I needed full sentences, not this panting mess.

With one more big gulp, he stood. “That run was no joke. The building even helped part of the way. Fuck cardio.”

I tapped my foot. My patience was gone already. “Spit it out. What do you want?”

He licked his lips before speaking. “Right, okay. The other Incubi are not happy, Ivy. You made me their spokesperson or go-between. Whatever. I’m a glorified messenger.” He flipped his blue hair from his sweaty forehead. “They want to challenge your Incubus protector.”

The growl slipped out of me even before my brain could register that he had more to say.

Ark lifted his dark, almost feminine, arms. “Before you go all Hulk on them, it’s not their fault. You’re a Queen, Ivy. Your protector—or protectors—are supposed to be by your side at all times. They don’t know you guys are fighting, so they feel insulted that Dex would keep them away but not protect you. We don’t want their anger to get out of hand. I know you don’t want them following you around everywhere, so I volunteered to be your… well, your assistant.”

My lips twitched in a reflexive refusal, but he noticed and pushed on. “You don’t want the Incubi challenging your mate. We don’t fight fair. They’d attack all at once. If you stepped in, it would mean forfeiting your protector. I promise you, it would make your life a million times worse. There might not be many Succubi around, but already there are fifty Incubi here. You really don’t want them turning against your mate.”

He stepped closer and placed a hand on my shoulder. “That’s why I’m backing you up. Flirting aside, I know you’re not going to take another Incubus. I’m doing this out of respect and loyalty. You give us hope, Ivy. Please handle this the right way."

I sighed. This was going to suck. I shrugged off his hand, stood straighter, and gave him a sharp nod.

His pleased smile only annoyed me more. “Be quiet and follow my orders. The Headmaster will put a silencing oath on you. Understood?”

Ark eagerly nodded. The excitement on his pretty face just annoyed me. I was going to regret this. Yet, I still took his arm and sent my energy into him. He felt like a warm bowl of soup on a cold day. My mark wouldn't be on him, but he could link with my mind as the faction member. As he did a happy dance, I turned and walked away.

We were close to where I needed to be to speak with the prisoner, so once I went through the door, the Headmaster’s loud voice echoed around the hall.

He was on his communicator with someone. His red fist clenched as he glared at the hologram screen. “For fuck’s sake, shut up and challenge the bastard. The Queen of the school made the battle matches for a reason.” He hung up.

His hooved legs stomped around. “These communicators should stop translating different languages, so I could go back to shaking my head and saying, I don’t understand you.” He mumbled to himself. “Life was better when I didn’t have to hear them bitch like a bunch of newborn babies.”

I cleared my throat before I got too close to him. No need to startle the Potens Demon and end up with a fire ball to the face or something. He might be magically trapped in the academy like me, but he had won the Demon Trials once and had tons of power inside that red body of his. He had to or the other staff would kill him. The professors couldn’t touch the students without cause, but there wasn’t any restraint for staff. If they weren’t all powerful Potens Demons, there would be a fight every day. It was in demon’s nature to fight for dominance.

His red face turned my way. Those red eyes roamed over my tired pinched face, making his mood brighten. I really should kill him. He shook his head and handed over a large steaming cup of hope. “I’m glad I got this. Drink up, we have things to do.”

The fucker got me coffee! I couldn’t kill him now. Damn. I guess the prisoner was going to get the brunt of my anger.

I sucked down the liquid gold. Coffee was practically nonexistent in Hell until Dex bribed the Headmaster to put a café in the slave’s entertainment center. I had forgotten where the hidden door was located, or I would live there. It definitely wasn’t Heaven, but we had coffee, which was the next best thing, right?

It was time to get some answers, and this demon better have them. This was our first captured Potens Demon. They were way harder to capture, so we ended up killing them instead. Lucifer himself read from the Demon bible to give them the extra boost in power, so I wasn’t surprised it was difficult to capture the fuckers. The book was ancient and demanded respect. Literally. The book was alive and only gave spells when earned, or Lucifer would have abused the magic the moment, he got it for sure. I had never seen it, but the stories were well known.

The wondrous, steaming joy going down my throat woke me up and made my chest feel bubbly like after watching a good comedy did almost instantly. “I’m glad we have this place for the big bads now. It makes life more interesting.” My growing good mood was cut off by the Headmaster’s snort.

My glare snapped to him. “This isn’t where ‘the big bads,’ as you call them, go. Only a true demon-holding prison could keep a Potens Demon locked up for long, or a strong demon. Those ones go to the rock.”

I stopped walking. “What the fuck is the rock?” I didn’t stop drinking though and the hot liquid damn near burnt my tastebuds completely off. There wasn’t a thing in me that cared about the pain, as long as I had more coffee.

He waved me off like it didn’t matter, but my status in the Academy said he had to tell me. “It’s a set of boulders in the Fae forest on the opposite side from where the Nati Demons come onto the grounds during Night Duty. Not many know about it because of its ability to link to other worlds.”

His words got stuck in my head as if my brain had turned into sticky honey.

“Are you saying we could get out of the Academy through the prison?” I whispered my words just in case someone was listening.

He snapped his long, sharp finger and pointed it at me. “That is why we stopped telling students about it. The prison is a trap. If I could get them on the other side of the wall and off school land, I would. No one, not even Lucifer himself, could leave once they’re in there. Anyone with demon blood inside of them could never leave. The Goddess Nyx made the place herself.”

That fucking sucked. The dungeon was nice, but the prison would help us keep stronger demons for questioning. And it could be away to escape.

Maybe there was some type of loophole to the prison. I’d have to look into it. I was a demon after all, and we loved our loopholes.