The Fallen Ones (Holloway University #1)

41. Lily

Chapter 41

Lily

I opened my eyes to find myself alone in my room, my body aching in the most delicious way possible. Staring at the ceiling, I tried to make sense of what happened last night. Waking up to a hot masked man buried between my legs while his friends watched turned me on even now.

I felt alive.

I felt whole.

I felt… love.

Never having been in love before, I had no idea if that’s what this was, but it was the only way to explain the feelings bubbling up in my body. I wanted these guys.

My heart deflated when I realized they’d left me again without telling me their names.

Feeling sad, I rolled over to spot a red envelope on my nightstand. Eagerly, I sat up and reached for it, wincing at the ache between my legs but definitely not hating it.

I tore the letter open to stare down at the contents.

Lily,

We are ready to make you ours. We want you. No more masks. No more secrets. We want to show you who we are, but we need to make sure you’re ours just as much as we’re yours. It is why we ask that you consider making this a permanent situation with us. That means you need to get rid of the guy you’re seeing. Once you do, we will come forward and show ourselves. You have until Friday. If you decide to continue with him, you will not see us anymore.

We hope you decide to be ours. We need you more than you know.

Yours,

The Fallen Ones

I licked my lips, my heart pounding in my chest. They really wanted me. Their stipulations weren’t difficult to navigate. But my mind shifted immediately over to Jace, Caleb, and Damien. My heart hurt at the thought of never having them. Embarrassed as I was by that thought, it was there. I couldn’t deny I felt something.

But I wanted this too, and I already knew it could work since it had been working. Getting Caleb, Jace, and Damien to want me together would be a feat I’d never be able to accomplish. Jace and Damien hated each other. Caleb hated both of them. Jace didn’t like Caleb. And Damien would probably give both Jace and Caleb issues. It wasn’t feasible and would never work. Maybe separately, but never together.

The thought made me hurt, but it wasn’t in the stars and even proposing it to them made me think I’d be laughed right out of the room.

I exhaled, knowing the Brandon part of the equation wouldn’t be a problem. I’d thought on it already before the Fallen Ones had come over and realized he wasn’t for me, especially after the way he’d acted on our last date. I couldn’t be with someone who blew so hot and cold like that. Who didn’t want me to have my own dreams. It wouldn’t work long term, and I would be stupid to continue it.

I got out of bed and showered quickly before calling Caleb to tell him everything and hope he could help me with it all. Not that I could tell him I wanted him, but I could tell him about my night and ask him if he thought I was making a bad choice.

“Hello?” His groggy voice came through the phone. I winced. He said he had to work last night, so that meant he didn’t get home until late.

“Hey, Caleb,” I greeted him. “Sorry to wake you. You were the first person I thought of this morning when I woke.”

“Really?” He perked up, making my heart hurt a little bit at that.

“Yeah. Can we talk later? If you’re not working or busy?”

“Of course, Lil bit. When do you want to meet?”

“Um, like five?”

“OK. I’ll see you at five. Is everything OK?”

I didn’t say anything for a moment before I answered. “I think so.”

“OK,” he said gently. “I’ll see you tonight. Call me if you need me.”

“I will. Thanks, Caleb.”

“Anytime, Lil bit.”

The line disconnected and I exhaled again, trying to calm myself.

This was going to work. It had to.

Caleb arrived at my place right on time and sat on my couch while I twisted my hands nervously. I’d spent the day rolling everything over in my head and decided I was going to really go for it. As long as Caleb thought it was OK. It mattered to me what he thought. He never steered me wrong.

“Talk to me, Lil. What’s going on?” A look of concern washed over his face.

I cleared my throat. “The Fallen Ones were here last night. They came into my apartment.” I paused and looked at him. He didn’t move an inch as he stared back at me.

I licked my lips and continued. “I had sex with the three of them.”

I glanced at him again to see he hadn’t had a reaction yet. I breathed out and continued.

“They want me, Caleb. They said they’ll unmask and claim me if I break things off with Brandon. I mean, we’re not official or anything. We’re just dating.”

Caleb nodded. “OK. What are you going to do?”

I bit my bottom lip. “I’m going to break things off with Brandon. He’s a bit of an ass anyway.” I let out a soft laugh. “I can’t keep making excuses for his behavior. So that’s not the hard part.”

“What is?”

I shrugged. “I guess I’m scared. What if this is a bad idea?”

“What if it’s the best idea you’ve ever had?” He countered.

I stilled, contemplating his answer.

“Would you do it? Would you say yes?” I looked at him for an answer.

“It would depend on how they made me feel. If I knew I couldn’t live without them, yeah. In a heartbeat I’d say yes. But I’d have to know for certain it’s what I wanted. More than two hearts would be on the line. It’s you and three guys. If you’re going to do it, you go all in and don’t get scared and run. If you think you can do that, then I say do it. You deserve to be happy, Lil.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” He gave me a gentle smile. “Do what your heart tells you to do. Nothing less.”

I nodded. “OK. I-I’m going to do it. I want them. Am I crazy?”

He chuckled. “No. You’re perfect, Lily.”

I sniffled at his words and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Caleb. For all of this. You made me realize I needed to do this. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for getting me to try new things.” I pulled away and stared into his blue eyes.

He reached out and swiped a tear away from my cheek.

“I only want you to be happy. If you are, you’ll never owe me a thing. Now. You want to watch a movie and order in some dinner?”

I nodded eagerly, excited for the night ahead of us and grateful the Fallen Ones didn’t ask me to get rid of Caleb. Had they, I knew my answer would have been no.

The following day, my phone buzzed with a message from Brandon as I walked through campus. I paused and read it.

Brandon: Me and you. Friday night? I got us a place we can spend the night. Get to know one another better.

I bit my bottom lip, knowing I needed to just tell him we couldn’t see each other anymore. I wanted to do it in person, so I typed a message back to him.

Lily: Can we meet before then so we can talk?

His answer didn’t come as fast, but when it did, I let out a sigh.

Brandon: Friday night. I’m busy all week. I’ll pick you up.

Picking me up was out of the question. I needed to be able to leave once I was done telling him I couldn’t see him anymore.

Lily: OK, but I’ll drive. Where can I meet you?

He sent me an address and a frown emoji. I didn’t care about that. My mind was set on getting this over with so I could be with the Fallen Ones.

“Hey, baby sister,” Damien’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Damien,” I answered, looking at him as he invaded my space. I swallowed thickly as he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You look upset. Who do I need to kill for you?” he murmured.

“No one,” I said softly. “I’m just… I’m going to break up with someone and it’s stressful.”

“Mm.” His eyes lit up. “ Brandon Rogers. He’s doesn’t deserve you.”

I blinked at his words.

He smirked at me. “If you’re looking to fill the void, I don’t mind.”

My face heated at his remark, making his smile widen. “That’s what I thought. You know where to find me if you need a killer or someone to take care of you, little devil.”

And with those words, he sauntered away, leaving me breathless.

I shook it off.

I was the Fallen Ones’ girl now.

I wouldn’t be swayed by Damien.

… Hopefully.