Nightmares at Everglade Falls

19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Ophelia

My head has been hurting for a few days, but I don’t want to worry Gabriel about it. This is my first relationship, and I don’t want him to think I’m a burden.

Plus, he looks a little distressed lately. I know the duties of school are stressing him.

His thumb caresses my cheek, and he leans in to gently kiss the corner of my mouth. A thrill rushes through me. I lean into him, deepening the kiss. His lips are soft but demanding, moving against mine with a hunger that sends shivers down my spine.

We make out, our breaths mingling and our hands roaming over each other’s bodies. His touch is both gentle and insistent, making my skin tingle with anticipation. I can feel the heat building between us, and it makes me forget about everything else.

“It’s early,” he murmurs against my lips. “We need to go to breakfast before getting the new school timetables.”

I nod, but I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with him. “Just a little longer,” I whisper, my voice husky with desire.

He smiles, his eyes darkening with lust. “Okay, just a little longer.”

I reach for the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head. He does the same, his hands quick and eager as they strip away my clothes. He pauses, looking at me with concern.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly.

I nod, taking his hand and placing it on my breast. “I’m fine. I want this.”

His eyes turn molten as he squeezes, and I gasp at the sensation. “Ophelia,” he breathes, his voice thick with need.

He’s rough as he bites and kisses me. His hands roam over my body, touching, teasing, driving me wild. He drags a claw lightly over my skin and nipples, making me shiver with anticipation. I moan, arching into his touch.

“Gabriel,” I gasp. “Please.”

He smirks, clearly enjoying the effect he has on me. “Patience, love.”

He reaches for a condom, tearing the packet with his teeth and rolling it on. His fingers trail down my body, finding their way between my legs. He slides a finger inside me, then another, his thumb circling my clit. I cry out, my hips bucking against his hand.

“Goddess, you’re so wet,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky. “So ready for me.”

“Please,” I beg, my voice breaking. “I need you.”

He doesn’t make me wait. He positions himself at my entrance, pushing in slowly, inch by inch. I gasp at the feeling of him stretching me, filling me completely.

“Is this okay?” he asks, his voice strained.

“Yes,” I breathe. “It’s perfect.”

He starts to move, his thrusts slow and deep at first, then faster, harder. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer, wanting more. He groans, his hands gripping my hips as he drives into me with increasing urgency.

I moan, my fingers digging into his back as I match his rhythm. “Gabriel,” I gasp. “Oh, Goddess.”

He leans down, his lips finding mine in a searing kiss. “You feel so good,” he murmurs against my lips. “So fucking good.”

He grabs my neck with his teeth, biting down just enough to make me cry out. The pain blends with the pleasure, making everything more intense. He kisses the mark, soothing it with his tongue.

“You’re mine,” he growls, his voice rough. “Say it.”

“I’m yours,” I gasp. “Always.”

He growls in satisfaction, his thrusts becoming even rougher. I can feel the pressure building inside me, the pleasure coiling tighter and tighter until it’s almost unbearable.

“I’m close,” I pant, my nails raking down his back.

“Come for me,” he orders, his voice dark and commanding.

His words push me over the edge. I cry out, my body tensing as the orgasm crashes over me. He keeps moving, riding out my pleasure, and then I feel him shudder, his own release overtaking him.

He collapses beside me, both of us panting and sweaty. He pulls me into his arms, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin.

We lie there for a while, just enjoying the quiet and the closeness. Eventually, though, we have to get up. I sigh, knowing we can’t stay here forever.

“We should go to breakfast,” I say reluctantly.

He nods, kissing my forehead. “Yeah, we should.”

We get dressed, stealing little touches and kisses as we do. It’s hard to pull away from him, but we manage. As we head to the dining hall, I can’t help but smile. Despite everything, we’re together. And that’s all that matters.

We walk into the dining hall and join Owen and Aurora at our usual table. Aurora looks up and smiles at us. “Morning, lovebirds.”

“Morning,” I say, sliding into my seat.

Aurora eyes me with concern. “Are you okay?” she asks, her voice low.

“What? Why?” I ask, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

“I don’t know. I had no idea that this attack was this bad,” she says, pointing at the bruising in my neck.

Gabriel laughs as he takes my hand and squeezes it, “Uhmm… I didn’t realize I had been so rough.

“Does that mean.. oh… ohhhh,” I watch as realization dawns on her.

Owen is smiling beside her. He leans in and kisses the side of her head. “Yes, Rory, those marks are very similar to the ones…”

“Shh!” she gasps, clasping her hand over his mouth. “C’mon.”

He only laughs, which makes Gabriel laugh.

I like having friends. Yes, this school came with a whole barrage of secrets and danger and creatures who, for some reason, only seem to be interested in attacking me, but this school also brought me friends.

And a family I had no idea I even had.

If I were to choose, I would choose it all again.

“Hey, you are sure you are okay?” he asks, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

“Yeah,” I smile, leaning into his touch. “Just a bit tired.”

He kisses the corner of my mouth gently. “You sure?”

I nod, feeling a thrill rush through me. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

Gabriel squeezes my hand under the table. “We need to get our new timetables after breakfast.”

I nod, taking a bite of my toast. The cafeteria buzzes with chatter, but I can’t help but notice that Isabella is missing. I hope she’s okay.

After breakfast, we all head to the office to get our new timetables. Principal Celestia is waiting for us, looking more serious than usual.

“Good morning, students,” she says, handing out our schedules. “We have a new class starting today. Supernatural Lore and Ethics. It is time you guys learn a little about that. The classes are divided into two, with some students taking it today while others take it on different days.”

“It’s compulsory?” Aurora asks.

“It is compulsory for all students. It starts in twenty minutes, so you best be going.”

“Supernatural Lore and Ethics?” Owen raises an eyebrow. “That sounds... interesting.”

Gabriel chuckles. “Could be fun.”

We all head to the classroom, choosing seats at the back. The room fills up quickly, and I notice a mix of excitement and nervousness on everyone’s faces.

The teacher, Professor Elara, walks in. She’s tall, with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes. “Welcome to Supernatural Lore and Ethics,” she begins, her voice commanding. “In this class, we will explore the history, culture, and moral dilemmas of various supernatural beings.”

She starts with an overview of vampire ethics, discussing the importance of consent when it comes to feeding. Gabriel and Owen exchange glances, and I suppress a smile. This is definitely going to be an interesting class.

After the lesson, Gabriel and Owen head to their next class. Aurora and I have Mycology, a study of magical mushrooms and fungi. As we head to our lockers, Aurora grills me about my relationship.

“So, how are things with you and Gabriel?” she asks, a mischievous glint in her eye.

I blush. “They’re going well. Really well.”

“Good to hear,” she says, smiling. “Owen and I are perfect, too.”

We reach our lockers, and I start to gather my books. “We should meet up by your locker after class,” Aurora suggests.

I nod. “Sounds good.”

She walks away, her head bent down, and I rush to my locker. The attention I was getting has kind of died down especially after the announcement of the Founder’s Ball. Then, the other students were more interested in me being with Gabriel than anything.

Now, their looks have changed into pity as they wonder why I was the only one getting attacked, twice in a row.

They still keep their distance, but it is all for different reasons now.

As I close my locker, I feel a strange tingle in my fingers. Suddenly, a spark jumps from my hand to the metal door, zapping it. I jump back, startled.

“What the hell?” I mutter to myself, looking around to make sure no one saw. Luckily, the hallway is empty.

I stare at my hand, trying to convince myself it was just static electricity. “No way,” I whisper. “I have no magic. It has to be static.”

Shaking off the weird feeling, I head to class. Aurora is waiting for me outside the door. “Ready?” she asks.

“Yeah, let’s go,” I say, forcing a smile.

We sit through Mycology, but my mind keeps drifting back to that spark. What if it wasn’t just static? What if... No, I can’t think like that. I need to focus.

After class, Aurora and I meet up by her locker. She’s chatting animatedly about the lesson, but I can’t stop thinking about what happened.

“Ophelia? You okay?” she asks, noticing my distraction.

“Yeah, just... tired,” I lie.

She nods sympathetically. “It’s been a rough few days.

“Right,” I agree, managing a genuine smile.

“Take it easy. This school is not for just anyone. I know it can’t be easy for you!”

Damn! She got that right.