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

Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

W e must have run for miles in our designated area. Alaric made it fun, though. We went over boulders, logs, up a hill that I had no idea where it came from, and the whole time play fighting with me as a wolf. I didn’t care how long it took; I needed Trigger to show me this potion because being a wolf was fun. I still felt like myself, but not.

I collapsed on the cold ground in my leather outfit. Thank goodness the magical transformation didn’t shred my clothes like it would have for a shifter. Trigger was the first to plop next to me, using my left boob as a pillow. Alaric put his clothes back on as the others surrounded me. We were all panting, but the bond told me how hyped up everyone was. Tired, but we all had fun. This was their first run just like it was mine.

“We’re spending too much time in the forest these days.” I teased, but they all knew it was good natured. My Fae side loved this forest. No one had any idea how the academy got a Fae forest in Hell, or how it stayed luscious and alive without turning red like the rest of the place, but I was thankful. I bet it was the souls in the buildings if I was honest with myself. They probably sacrificed people with strong Fae abilities. But I hoped I was wrong.

“I think we have our best moments out here,” Dex whispered, then kissed my sweaty cheek.

I needed to cool down, and the warm weather wasn’t helping me.

I took a deep breath and called on my magic. With all the feeding and rest I was getting, it perked up, ready to be used. I asked my water element to help out like it did before. The air above our heads darkened, then lit up. Drops of snow descended on our heated bodies.

“I’m sorry, I forgot to do this while you were shifted. I bet your wolf would have liked it,” I said. My gut turned with guilt. Why didn’t I think of that before? We could have played in the snow as wolves.

“Next time. We have our whole lives to experience things like this. I know you guys think we need to cram all this stuff in before the battle, but I have faith in us,” Alaric said. His voice filled with joy and optimism.

I sat up, knocking Trigger off my boob in the process. He grunted but didn’t say anything. I playfully gave Alaric an astonished expression. My movements exaggerated to tease him.

“Okay, who are you and where’s the grumpy Alaric?” My smile widened. He reminded me of the cute nerd he was when we first met.

He shrugged. “He’ll definitely be back, but the run has me feeling like my old self. I like it, but I kind of don’t want to stay this way either. It feels vulnerable.”

He knelt in front of me, so I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Nothing wrong with enjoying the feeling of being strong. Just know, I’d love you regardless.”

His soft lips pressed into mine with the gentlest touch. “Good, because I’m not even sure if I know who I am yet.”

I snorted. “I understand that. We’ve changed so much in so little time, and we aren’t even done yet.” I grabbed Dex’s and Trigger’s hands because they were on either side of me but met everyone’s gaze. “No matter who we eventually become and how we change, just know I’m not going anywhere. My flight button was on overdrive when I got here, but now it’s on fight. I’ll fight for us no matter who and what the obstacle is, got it?”

“Same!” Dex squeezed my hand.

“Always.” Bones leaned over and kissed his rose on my mate mark.

“Couldn’t get rid of me even if you tried.” Trigger pulled me over to him and slammed his lips onto mine. Biting my lower lip. That’s for if you ever think you could leave. I’m a possessive fucker and you are a part of my horde now.

I snorted. He had no idea dragon romance was another one of my guilty pleasures. I liked anything dark and spicy, but the idea of him finding a smutty dragon book and transforming into a dragon made me wiggle in his lap. I had issues.

Kain lifted me up out of his brother’s lap and sat me in his. I loved how willingly he touched me since we made up. Before, he always kept his distance, watching and waiting.

He kissed my cheek and whispered, “Wasn’t even an option. Haven’t you learned by now that you’re ours?” His teeth gripped onto my ear.

I hissed. Then, he sucked the pain away, and I squirmed in his lap. It didn’t matter which mate I sat on, they all drove me wild each time. The exhaustion that licked at my limbs wouldn’t stop my vagina from sliding down on a pole or five. My demon practically winked inside me. Yes, she had turned me into a wanting slut. I thank her every time I have sex.

“But we are yours too, Poison.” Kain was getting good at saying the right thing. Whereas before, every time that orifice moved it annoyed me.

My mouth opened to say something, but it quickly shut at the feeling of being watched. Not from my mates, but from a true predator. Something that eats demons. I wasn’t sure how my demon knew, but she did. I stood as the feeling grew. There were more than one surrounding us. No one else could sense it, though. Their confused gazes didn’t have a hint of fear.

Get up. Get your weapons ready. Something is out there, and it wants to eat us. Many somethings. I didn’t even know if I made sense as the wave of the enemies’ energy hit me.

Danger, danger, danger, was all my mind could process. I barely even heard my mates asking questions.

My hand buzzed and my soul knife appeared. It had morphed with the dagger that my mates had the set to. The pink jewel sparkling on the hilt. Theirs came out with mine. Trigger handed Alaric his blade, so all our jewels flashed in warning. The daggers knew danger was around as well.

My heart thrashed around in my chest. I couldn’t smell anything over the brimstone of Hell and the trees’ nectar, but I didn’t let it fool me. These things were masking themselves. The magic inside of me matched my heart’s tempo. My adrenaline was the spoon to mix all of it inside of me. The strongest pull was to my right, so I maneuvered my body in front of my mates.

They still didn’t sense anything but made a battle circle at my back.

What’s going on? Kain’s angry voice penetrated my adrenaline filled ears. My shadows won’t come out. What the fuck?

Animal eyes, was all I could say as red eyes appeared in the darkness. My breath came out fast. They were toying with me. Masters of staying hidden in the shadows. Whatever they were, they wanted my fear.

I ground my teeth and pushed the fear down with my Succubus power, it wouldn’t take it away, but the emotion wouldn’t rule me either. The anticipation was worse than the fear.

A massive creature slowly approached me. He was as big as an SUV. I gasped with wide eyes. What the fuck?

My mates turned my way, seeing the beast. Their bodies went rigid. We all knew fighting beasts like this wouldn’t be easy.

No. Stay facing in all directions. There is more, but this is the alpha. I think they can camouflage themselves, I commanded.

They didn’t need to be told twice. I gave them what was going on through the bond in pieces without distracting them too much. If the others attacked, they needed to be ready. We would have to fight for our lives, but like I had just told them, I’d gladly fight.

My demon shook inside of me. Her powers wouldn’t work on them. Fuck. I didn’t understand how she told me these things, but I loved the knowledge right now.

My hair turned black, my skin became palace porcelain, and my eyes went fully black as my Fae side rose. The air sparked around me, and my crown of flames floated over my head. Interesting. It only did that with Lucifer, but I knew this wasn’t him.

I sucked in a sharp breath as a beast that I have only seen in a textbook finally stepped out of the darkness. Its three heads all glared at me.

It’s a fucking chimera! Kain shouted in my head, but I didn’t move or say anything back.

Its lion, goat, and snake heads weren’t like anything you’d see on Earth. They were rippled with muscle, and almost looked zombified. Eroded gray flesh that was diseased, but somehow still natural. I didn’t know how I could tell, but I knew he was healthy and in his prime.

Hello, little Queen. It’s time we spoke. The voice was like a rattle and felt like it could be used as a weapon if wanted. So, you don’t think we are hiding, my faction will come out now. Make sure none of your men attack. I won’t hold my beasts back from killing any one of them. We do apologize to the demigod for blocking his shadows, but it is necessary to keep the peace.

The fact that they could do that was scary. I relayed the message to everyone just in case they couldn’t hear him, but as long as I kept the bond wide open, they could. It was a relief. My chest already hurt with anxiety.

One by one, the little opening we were in filled with beasts that were supposed to be extinct. A manticore with a huge-ass human male body and the head of a lion slash scorpion appeared to my right. It took all my control to keep my mouth from dropping as more appeared.

Was that a cockatrice? A serpent-like creature with a rooster's head squawked at me. Yep. It was official, I somehow died. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.

A typhon with its snake lower half, human upper half, and black wings snorted like it found me funny. His wings had holes in them, so I didn’t know if he could fly, but I kind of wanted to ask. Yep, I had gone crazy.

Are you insane? Your mind is way too curious without enough fear. We have no idea what they are doing here, Bones chastised me. Okay, so I was kind of fangirling, but I was still scared.

They could probably kill us regardless of if I’m scared or not, I said in my defense.

The chimera head smirked. His intelligent eyes were amused, yet quizzical. So, the big three headed shit could read my mind. Great. How did one turn off their fangirl-ness?

I’m not sure what a fangirl is, but I listen to figure out who you are. Most think of money or a prize to be captured when they see us. I’m pleased to find out you’re different. Although, the one with several blades is thinking about making you a fur blanket.

I opened my mouth in shock. Trigger!

What? I won’t do it, but a couple of these things do look cuddly. I couldn’t hold back my snort. Especially when a medusa hybrid thing with a fluffy lion’s body and female head with snakes appeared. She hissed at him.

These are just a few of my faction. We have many hybrids as well as creatures like sphinxes and harpies.

Holy shit, were there griffins? I swear, they were my favorite animal to learn about when my fathers spoke about history. Their bird like head, lion body, scorpion tail, and wings were crazy cool. Did my parents know they were still around?

The chimera chuckled. I’m glad I got to meet you, little Queen. The forgotten beasts have a prophecy of a young Queen rising up in the Underworld who will set us free from our hidden darkness. Several have come and gone in our time, but we come to meet them regardless.

That was a lot to unpack. I needed less pressure on my back, not more. Damn beasts were giving me a headache. Did this mean I needed to do something for them? Did I even have time? My list of things to do had lessened, but I didn’t think there was time to help out this alpha beast. Even as the pressure piled on, I knew I’d help if they needed me.

The heads on the chimera snaked around getting closer to me. His necks stretched a lot further than I thought. My hand twitched to pet one. Of course, I didn’t because I wanted to stay alive, but the struggle pulled at my gut.

Do not stress, little Queen. Only the Fates can control what will happen. We do not need anything from you. If you’re the one, the forgotten beasts will aid you in your fight to come. If not, all the best wishes.

All three of his heads turned at once as he walked away. Ugh, now I wanted to ride him like a horse. How bad ass would it be if I rode around on a fucking chimera? I shook my head. When did the fear turn into whatever the heck this was that I felt?

He stopped walking after that thought. It’s our magic. If you mean us harm, the fear will consume you. If you don’t, you turn into, how did you call it, fangirl?

Well, I guess that was a cool power to have. My Succubus side could do the same. The demon puffed up her chest inside of me, annoyed at me for not recognizing her greatness sooner. I rolled my eyes.

They all slowly faded away back into the shadows, but before he could disappear, the chimera turned just his snake head back toward me. If you survive, but aren’t the one, you could still visit our lands. It’s hard to come by good people these days. I’m sure the younger beasts would let you ride them. The innuendo in his tone made me shiver. I was a sick demon.

Not happening. Kain growled. It gave me some sense back. I didn’t say sorry, but I sent the feeling through the bond. I’d be a good girl. No screwing legendary beasts.

Visiting their home sounded freaking amazing, but I didn’t want to act like a kid at Disneyland the whole time. My pride couldn’t take it.

Again, I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but the fangirl part only lasts for about ten to fifteen minutes. Bye for now. I’ll be rooting for you, little Queen.

I nodded, but I needed to ask one more question before he disappeared. How did you get in the Academy? The sky and walls are magically sealed.

He made sure to turn, so I could only see his eyes and his sharp teeth, that were barely visible in the darkness, before he answered. The prison entrance. No one guards the boulders, but I guess no one really needs to. Not many would survive going into the prison.

How?

They trap demons, not creatures.

Well, shit. At least someone found a loophole for the prison. Wish it was me, though. I could use a jail break.