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

by Caroline Peckham

Damn, I love the sound of screaming in the moonlight.

Even angels fall...

Static rose in my chest and filled the room, causing her hair to lift a little along with every other hair on her body. I wasn’t just any Dragon. I was a rare ass Storm Dragon. Electricity was my thing and a live wire was shooting off sparks somewhere in my body right now. “He does that when he’s turned on,” Gabriel spoke his first words of the day and I could have punched him for them as a smirk danced around his mouth.

“Oh but, sweetie, you’ve got me all wrong,” she said mischievously, crawling forward to give me a view down her top and a sniff of her skin which smelt like my new favourite flavour. Elderflower and cherry gum. “I’m not cute, I’m deadly. And I wouldn’t share a bunk with you if the only other option was the roof.”

“Why would I take an interest in things that don't interest me? That’s fucking moronic.” He turned away to ponder on that and I snapped back to face my prey. Who was...gone. What? I searched around, turning left and right. Laini giggled as she leaned back against her and Gabriel’s bunk. “Where?” I demanded and Laini pointed. Fury burned a path through my chest as I slowly turned, gazing down to where Elise was stretched out on my bunk, rolling her neck from side to side. “Your mattress is way more comfy,” she sighed contentedly. “What have I gotta do to swap?” “I’m not swapping. Get up or I’ll make you.” I leaned down into the low space and she bit into her lip, her eyelashes fluttering, her hips wriggling. I found myself disarmed, watching this little creature toying with me, asking me to play her game. My anger fell away. “Well, carina, there’s a few things you can do for me. Most of them only need your mouth.” I smirked and the mischief in her eyes fled into the darkness. She wasn’t going to be an easy lay, but she was definitely going to be a worthwhile one.

But I wasn’t in the mood to be used in a pissing contest for some gang war I gave zero shits about. He wanted to know ‘or what’? Okay then dipshit, you asked for it. I shot into motion with my Vampire speed, catching his chin in my hand and forcing it aside half a second before my fangs found his neck. His palm splayed across my stomach, ready to cast magic to fight me off if I’d taken a moment longer, but I wasn’t a fool. And the second my venom met with his blood, the fight was won. My power immobilised his magic and his limbs lost their strength as he fell under my spell. This was the true strength of Vampires. Once our venom was in the blood of our prey, no matter how powerful a Fae they were, they were beat. I pressed my fangs deeper and his blood spilled over my tongue like the sweetest taste of heaven. I groaned, drunk on the lusty energy coursing through my body and the elixir of blood and magic I was sampling now. I’d drunk from powerful Fae before but fuck Dante Oscura tasted good. His magic poured into me like a tempestuous storm, filling my reserves in a way that made the hairs raise along the back of my neck and my toes curl with wanton desire. He tasted like thunder and freedom, rage and uncertainty and the brush of his skin against my lips awoke a shudder of pleasure which splashed down my spine.

As the adrenaline wore off from the high I’d ridden during the fight, my needs flipped like a switch. Pain gave way to lust. But fulfilling my sexual needs was a challenge in itself. I had to compromise. Hard. Half the girls in school were terrified of me, and the other half would fuck me any which way till Sunday. Except the way I needed. And the only way I craved.

Nox was as absent as the fucking moon right now. I swear he lived in actual shadows that fucker. But if you ever pissed him off, you’d know it like a murderous clown stepping into your living room.

Orange soda was easy. It was step one. Step two was mind-fucking her into oblivion to figure out her hard limits. I didn’t have hard limits. Unless you counted cuddling, spooning and heaven fucking forbid canoodling. Frankly, anything that ended with an ing that didn’t start with fuck was a solid no from me. I didn’t kiss, I tongue-fucked. I didn’t caress, I clawed. I didn’t go down on girls, I feasted on them.

I lay back on my bed and sighed. This place would probably be the death of me. But not before I ripped it apart first.

I sought Dante out on the pitch - if you could call this shitty sandbox with a hole at the centre of it a real pitch – and found him stroking my damn whistle. “Dante!” I waved my arms to get his attention. “Bad boy!” I mocked then patted my knees. “Bring it back. Come on.” I made kissing noises at him and he smirked, promptly placing the whistle around his neck on the chain. “No, Dante,” I complained, serious now. I pushed a hand into my shorts pocket, taking out a few gold coins. It was like trading doggie kibble for the TV remote.

He was a damn magpie. And birdie would come flying when he saw these. I pinched them between my fingers and let the sun catch them, shining them in his direction. His head lifted and he wandered over, his eyes never wavering from the gold. He reached for them immediately and I held them behind my back. “Whistle. Now.” Dante sighed. “But it’s so…” “I know. And it’s so mine. Give it or I’ll cut you from the team.” I meant it. Sort of. Dante was a solid Airsentry and though he was no Lance Orion from Zodiac Academy,

“Be careful. This face is worth a lot.” “Not enough to afford that long of a look at my chest, Leon. Do you also stare at Dante’s tits like that, or is it just the female members of the team you perv on?”

“I don’t need to look, he lets me fondle them in the locker room.” I flashed her my best grin and she choked on a laugh as she tried to keep it in. My grin widened and I slid my hand down her back, prodding her onto the pitch.

I blew the whistle and a fwooomph sounded as an Airball shot out of the hole in the Air Quarter. It reached twenty feet – Zodiac Academy’s Air Hole shot it fifty, not that I was jealous – and everyone waited for Elise to go for it. She lazily swatted her hand and a slap of air knocked it right into the Pit. My jaw fell slack. “You’re in. Fucking in.” She beamed, twirling around and lifting a pretend skirt as she curtsied. I grinned stupidly then noticed Dante doing the same. I blew my whistle so loud it hurt my own ears and everyone on the pitch flinched.

She didn’t taste like soot, she tasted like cherries and fucking sunshine. I ground her against my arousal and she moaned. By the stars, that sound needed to be my new ringtone. “Do it again,” I begged. “Make me,” she whispered. I opened my eyes, still kissing her just because I needed to see how her face twisted in desire for me. She was totally absorbed in my kiss and I hoisted up her legs, grinding into her until I drew that noise from her again. “Screw practise, come to my room. You’re already on the team.” I wanted her frontways, sideways, backways and always. Something in me just needed her. I couldn’t explain it even if I tried. I doubted my half a brain cell Numerology teacher could either. She was like a shell without the nut inside. Speaking of nuts. Elise was grinding into mine and it felt like pure sin frozen into a popsicle and stuffed in my mouth. “Let’s go. You can do whatever you want to me,” I panted and she drew away, her lips puffy from where I’d kissed her so hard. “Wow lucky me,” she said dryly then she tapped my nose, unwound her legs from me and straightened her top. “But I’m kinda hungry. See ya Leo.” “Leon,” I corrected tersely, knowing she was playing me like a fool. “Right,” she laughed. “Thanks for the candy.” She sashayed her hips and I just stood and watched her walk away with my hard-on sinking like the Titanic.

With a snarl that was half lust and half rage, my fangs snapped out and the vision shattered. Ryder’s eyes widened with surprise and I got the feeling that hadn’t happened to him very often. “I think you’ve got me all wrong, asshole,” I growled as I stalked towards him. “I’m not some submissive little Fae just begging for you to fuck me. I’m a monster of my own variety. And I like it better on top.” I leapt at him with bloodlust pumping through my veins and my fangs aimed at his throat. With my speed and strength he didn’t stand much chance of fighting me off from this distance but he didn’t even try. I slammed into him, driving my fangs into his throat as my weight collided with his chest and I sent him crashing to the concrete beneath me. A hiss of pain that sounded really damn sexual escaped him but I didn’t care. I dug my fingers into his chest and sucked on his neck, not even trying to be gentle with him as I drank deeply from his life force. His blood rolled over my tongue and I moaned in satisfaction as the raw brutality of his power flowed into me, riding on the coppery taste. I drew more and more of his magic into my body, swallowing greedily like I’d never be able to get enough. I straddled him on the cold ground, pinning him down with my strength forcefully even though he wasn’t making any effort to fight me off. He moved his hands to grip my waist, pushing up my shirt until he was grasping my flesh and a groan of pleasure escaped him.

“Never mind then,” I said dismissively. “But thanks for the drink, sweetie,” I added casually, taking a step back. “Sweetie? There’s nothing sweet about me, new girl,” he scoffed. “Sure there is,” I purred, holding my ground as he advanced again. “You taste like rainbow dust on a fresh summer morning dipped in sugar.” I licked his blood from my bottom lip to emphasise my point and his brow furrowed. “I doubt it. Maybe you need another taste.” He bared his throat to me and I smiled, no fangs in sight. “Thanks but no thanks. Wouldn’t wanna get diabetes.” I winked at him then shot away with my Vampire speed before he could respond, leaving him alone in the dark.

“Gabriel,” I snapped. “Get out of my way.” No response. And I was seriously starting to need a piss now. I snapped my fingers under his nose and he didn’t even fucking blink. “Stronzo!” I barked forcefully in his face, and he wiped a fleck of spittle from his cheek, still lost to his trance. Elise started giggling and for a second, I could have sworn the two of them were silently ganging up on me. Fuck this. I’m not gonna stand for it. Electricity crackled in my veins. My spine pulsed with the urge to shift, but not here. I couldn’t. But I could cast a storm which would knock bird boy through a wall. I didn’t care if he fought back, he was clearly baiting me. And Dante Oscura did not back down from a fight. “You asked for it, Gabriel.” I gathered air in my palms, charging it with sparking electricity as the Dragon part of me came to life. “I am Dante Oscura,” I growled, drawing my shoulders back. “A morte e ritorno!” Gabriel walked past me, his wing brushing right over my face. By the time I turned around to glare at him with a vein about to burst in my temple, he was already perched atop his bunk like a fucking eagle. “Fuck you, Gabriel. Fuck you so hard.” “No thank you,” he said calmly and my lips twisted with rage. Elise’s giggles rose into the air and I scowled as I marched out of the door,

“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.”

Leon started groaning in the seat beside me as he devoured my chocolate and I couldn’t help but laugh as he kept getting louder and louder with each bite. “Mr Night, do you care to tell the class what it is that you are finding so pleasurable?” the Professor asked suddenly, swinging around to fix a glare on him. I bit my lip, keeping my eyes low as everyone in the auditorium turned our way. “Elise just gave me a mouth orgasm,” he explained innocently, holding up the wrapper of the chocolate bar he’d just finished. I scoffed dismissively even though I could feel a blush lining my cheeks. “You wish.” A few sniggers came around the class and Professor Rayburn rolled her eyes dramatically. “Please try to keep the wooing for after class. Some people are trying to learn here.” Leon nodded seriously, miming locking his lips up before handing me the imaginary key which I took for some reason with a soft snort of laughter. I pretended to slip it into my blazer pocket as Leon smirked at me like we were sharing a secret.

He didn’t skirt around what he wanted from me but I wasn’t going to forget myself with another one of the Kings. I wanted them close because they were suspects. But I wasn’t going to complicate my investigation by letting them become anything else. When I’d finally had enough, I pushed his thumb back out of my mouth and looked up at him. “Do you like that, baby?” I teased, echoing his words back at him. Before he could respond, I wriggled out from his grasp and started backing away. “Race you back to the dorm.” “What?” he asked with a frown. I laughed as I shot away with my Vampire speed, the sight of his shocked expression the last thing I saw before I sprinted all the way back to my bunk.

Dante eyed the chocolate on the desk then took off one of his gold rings and planted it down in front of Elise. I inhaled sharply. I’d given him that fucking ring. “Traitor,” I growled, though I kind of liked the idea of him and me taking her together. Like, just a little bit. Mostly I wanted her as mine though.

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. When I finally meandered my way back to my desk, I took a nap until Mindy finished our potion. Titan gave me ten rank points for showing power by getting another Fae to do my work for me. Today was gonna be a great day.

“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.”

My head was spinning with the force of his power, my whole body lighting up with the electric energy of him in a way that made me moan with desire. Dante’s hand fisted in my hair as he pulled me closer and I could feel how much he was enjoying this as he shifted beneath me, aching for more. I finally pulled back, running my tongue up the length of his neck to catch a stray drop of blood which spilled from the bite. Dante groaned hungrily, his hips rocking beneath me in a demanding plea. But I couldn’t let it go further. No matter how desperately my body ached for more of him.

Because an angel of vengeance was coming for them. And I wouldn’t rest until I was bathing in the blood of the guilty.

“By the stars, Ryder,” she sighed dramatically. “Just try it.” She scooped up a spoonful and lifted it to my lips. I stared at her like she’d gone mad and a dare entered her eyes. Was I going to let this girl feed me like a fucking baby in a high chair? I hesitated on that thought, pursing my lips. “Hurry up, Ryder, or I start making aeroplane noises,” Elise teased and a single breath of laughter escaped me. This went against everything I was. Every. Fucking. Thing. Down to my pissing DNA. But for some reason known only to the stars themselves, I opened my damn mouth. She slipped the spoon in with a bark of laughter and fuck if that didn’t taste like the best thing ever. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten food for pleasure. Definitely not since Father died.

When I arrived at Potions Class, she was already in the seat next to mine and I relaxed as I knew I had her for the next hour. And I was determined to face out this fear in me. If she wanted me to drop the bullshit, maybe I could for her. I’d seriously fucking try anyway. The three Fs were becoming four. Because I needed Elise to feel for me. I dropped into my seat, slinging my arm around the back of hers and leaning in close as the rest of the class continued to chat. Professor Titan wasn’t here yet so I had a few minutes to get her agree to something I had never, ever offered anyone. A date.

Elise extracted her fangs while Dante continued to smile like he’d won the fucking lottery. And he had. My lottery. She was mine to win. No one else’s. Least of all that Oscura vermin. Elise was suddenly right up in my face, his blood on her lips. His fucking pain. I reared away from her, ready to lose my mind, but she wrapped her hand around mine, her eyes begging.

She clawed at my arm and I released her from the vision, finding her face pale as she stared at me. “He’s my Source!” she shouted again and her palm crashed into my cheek. Pain stung keenly, locking me back in the present and finally making me hear what she’d said. I searched her eyes for the truth and found it shining back me. My mind worked over that nugget of information as I tried to figure out what to do with it. The answer came to me like a lit-up bulb and a dark smile pulled at my mouth. “Then I’m your Source too.”

“See, Inferno,” Ryder taunted. “It’s perfectly fucking acceptable. So I’m hers now too.” I snorted a laugh. All the talk of me being his and now suddenly he was mine?

“If you wanted to see me naked, you only had to ask, carina.” “Oh yes my long-winded plan of waiting out here in some busted up boat shed in the hopes that you might appear in your birthday suit has finally paid off,” she said dryly, a hint of amusement to her tone. And I didn’t miss the way her eyes fell to my dick and widened.

Wuthering Heights. I passed it back to her, cocking a brow. “Didn’t peg you as a romantic.” “I’m not. I’m in it for the revenge and seeing why nice people are driven to do bad things.”

But the earth would still turn whether the moon was watching or not. Maybe she likes the company though.”

“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.”

Leon pushed himself to his feet, clearly intending to leave and I replaced the lid on the box. “I’ll see you in class?” he confirmed, his gaze sliding to the window where the sun was shining in. He began to loosen his tie, clearly intending to head out for a power top up sunbathing style. I shot to my feet before he could leave, stopping before him and pushing up onto my tiptoes as I pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Thank you,” I breathed and his eyes widened in surprise as the length of my body brushed against his for a moment and a shiver of longing darted through me. Leon reached out to snare me in his arms, tilting his chin like he was going to steal a proper kiss and I laughed as I sped away from him before he could catch me. “You’ll have to be quicker than that if you want to win a kiss, Leo,” I teased as I grabbed the box from the table and he turned towards me with a frown. “No fair,” he protested, reaching towards me again. “All’s fair in love and war,” I taunted, shooting away again before he could reply.

Second chances didn’t hang around Alestria too often. Maybe the stars didn’t shine so brightly on this city. But I’d learned a long time ago that even the heavens could be bribed.

“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.”

“Hi,” I breathed as he pinned me in his gaze. “You...splendi più luminosa di tutte le stelle del cielo, bella,” he said with a smile that made my stomach do a backflip even though I didn’t know what it meant.