Dark Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac, #1)

by Caroline Peckham

“I haven’t stopped looking at you from the moment you walked into our dorm. I’ve seen your pain, your sorrow, your light and your fire. And it isn’t enough. You captivate me.”

MY LION KING! I’M WAITING! #Icanfeelthelovetonight

Leon started telling me about the pranks he’d pulled in school so far and he’d only been here a month. He’d swapped sugar into Ryder Draconis’s morning eggs instead of salt, causing Ryder to hit his minion so hard he went to the ward, he told Dante Oscura a dark-eyed woman was out to kill him so he broke up with two girlfriends and glared at any dark eyed girl until she left him the hell alone. He’d convinced Gabriel Nox he was moulting by scattering black feathers behind him wherever he went, and he set off the fire alarm more times a day than was even funny anymore.

If he wanted Elise, I would make it my personal mission in life to never let her fall into his bed. Which meant I needed to lay my claim outside of visions and tricks of the mind. Dante Oscura was clearly trying to take my girl. So I needed to lock her down fast.

“So here’s the deal, I want you in the Brotherhood. You can skip initiation if you agree to be my girl. I’ll have you moved to a dorm downstairs before tomorrow.” I raised my brows, waiting and she looked at me like I’d just put on a tutu and done a pirouette. “No.”

“How can I make you mine?” I demanded. “I can’t be owned.” “How do I make you see me exclusively then?” “I dunno, maybe you can figure that out.”

I found two light green eyes to hold onto and it took me an age to recognise them. Her magic crashed through the barriers of my skin and melded with mine. For a moment we were one and it was bliss like nothing I’d ever known. I didn’t power-share with anyone. But somehow, I’d let Elise’s magic into my body, let it wash through my veins and fill me up. It was intoxicating, like a drug only better. So much fucking better.

But I was tired of Mindys. I wanted Elises. One Elise in particular.

I wafted her away. I could do stuff. And things.

“If it feels so good, Leo, why don’t you try it sometime?” Elise suggested with a playful smile. “Leon,” I warned in a growl and Ryder stiffened beside her. “You know what might feel good, fuckwit? You leaving this table and never coming back,” Ryder suggested but I ignored him. “Oh you’re talking now, are you?” Elise shot at him and I glanced between them in surprise. “I don’t recall ever stopping, baby.” He fixed me with a death glare. “Now fuck off back to Pride Rock, Simba.” A smile grew and grew on my face. “Oh shit, I didn’t realise you were a Disney fan, Ryder. Which one is your favourite?” “Fuck. Off,” he growled, trying to grab me in one of his visions again but I was ready this time, blocking him out with a mental shield. “Lemme guess…” I tapped my chin as I took my time mocking him and a smile danced around Elise’s mouth. “You get your inspiration from The Jungle Book and sing yourself to sleep with the snake’s Trussssst in meee song.”

I raised an open hand, angling it toward Ryder’s face so I could no longer see him glaring at me.

I lifted my hand to block out Gabriel’s face again, locking Elise in my gaze. Dante appeared, looking over her shoulder. “What’s going on? Did you just ask Elise to the ball Leon?” “Oh fuck my life,” Elise muttered. I growled in annoyance, not having another hand to block him out too. Maybe I should throw a shoe? Actually, better idea. “Mindy!” I called and the blonde one appeared behind me. I took her hand, lifting it so Dante’s face was covered then smiled at Elise as I returned my hand to blocking out Gabriel.

“So what will it be? A night in Psycho the Snake’s funhouse, a ride on a Dragon who threw you out a window, or a night with a mighty Lion who will bring you more chocolate before and after the ball.”

Ryder grinned darkly, leaning in to Elise’s ear. “Well my option doesn’t expire. If you get bored of Mufasa’s kid and fancy a taste of Scar, you can come to my room. And all over my room too. I’ll wait to hear about the safe word.” “Yeah, thanksssss,” I hissed like a snake. “But shhhhe’s not interesssted.” I got up and walked away with a satisfied smile, hearing Elise’s musical laugh following me.

“The best of things move on swift and silent wings, look closely dear and you can have it all, but beware my love, for even angels fall...”

“Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice a dangerous growl. “Who hurt you?”

“To everyone else you’re like this perfect little doll, but I can see how fractured and torn apart you are inside,” he breathed. “I can see the cracks in the perfection. I can see the poison that’s tainting your essence. And every break, every scar and burn and fissure in your soul only makes it more beautiful. Only makes you more perfect to me. This pain is strength. This agony is beauty.”

Ryder’s fingers flexed against my jaw and I could only look up into his dark green eyes, his pain mirroring my own. “Be mine,” he growled, a demand and a plea.

“Look a little closer, Dante, I’m not a nice girl. And being a Callisto was never a walk in the park either. Your father may have forged you into the man you are, but I built myself up into the woman I am. Each cut and every scar only toughened my skin. Every break and fracture only steeled my determination. And everything I’ve lost has only strengthened my soul. I won’t flinch at the worst of you because there is no best of me anymore.”

“If you were mine, I’d protect you from everything the world ever had to throw at you,” he said. “No one would ever dare to hurt you or take something from you again.”

The only way I’d ever give myself to one man completely would be if he turned out to be my Elysian Mate.

“I’m fucking nailing this generous shit,” he said proudly.

“You don’t look pretty,” I growled and her expression slammed into bitch gear, but I didn’t give a shit. “You look like the most lethal poison I’ve ever seen. It’s fucking divine.” “That’s a weird ass compliment, Ryder.”