(DANE POV)Getting Jo ready for her first class was an exercise in precision and care. I braided her hair, meticulously ensuring each strand fell perfectly into place. She needed to look flawless, the epitome of perfection. Beneath my meticulous preparations, I harbored a quiet optimism that she would embrace her role more gracefully today.I couldn't help but amuse myself by her reluctance to tell me anything about her dream. She didn't know it and hadn't mentioned it, but I was already privy to its contents.I'm the one who created the content. The realization that I had the power to shape her dreams and was acutely aware of them was something she hadn't pieced together yet. In time, she would understand that there were few secrets she could keep from me, least of all those firmly in the fabric of her subconscious.Stepping into her first class with her was an experience that bordered on the ethereal. I quietly observed, a silent guardian in the background, watching her assimilate
(JO POV)Upon our return to his room, Dane playfully tossed me onto the bed. Flying through the air, covering what felt like an impossible distance before landing perfectly in the center of the bed, was terrifying and exhilarating. As the initial shock faded, replaced by a rush of excitement, I couldn't help but bounce on the mattress. "How did you do that?" I asked.With a smile, Dane showcased his vampiric speed again, pulling the table up to the bed and laying out all the food instantly. He even plucked a rose from the bushes outside his window so swiftly that I barely registered the movement, only feeling the gust of wind it created as he handed it to me. "Wow," I breathed out, genuinely impressed."I'm really old, Jo," he explained, his smile still in place. "I've had literal centuries of practice and mastery over just about every vampire trick you can think of."Curious, I took a fry and asked, "Then why don't you do that more often?" as I munched on the food."Don't talk with f
(DANE POV)The entire ordeal was tearing me apart inside. Every fiber of my being screamed to go to her, to wrap her in my arms and assure her that everything would be fine. Yet, I lay rooted, constrained by the necessity of the lesson at hand. While her rebellious spirit was one of the traits that drew me to her, it now posed a risk to our future within these walls. Her defiance and her unfiltered expressions of anger could jeopardize our chances of leaving this place behind. If any trait needed curbing to ensure our success and safety, it was her tendency to speak without restraint.As Jo's tears began, my resolve began to erode. I told myself that this harsh lesson was necessary, that it was for her own good in a world that wouldn't coddle her. But as the minutes ticked by, each second heavy with her quiet sobs, the consequence of my actions pressed down on me.For an hour, I listened to the sound of her crying, each sob a crack in my facade. I knew I had to maintain a pretense o
(DANE POV)Her next observation caught me off guard, sparking a burst of laughter that resonated through the silent expanse of our connection. "Well, it's far more empty in here than I thought it would be," she remarked, a playful jab at the vast, uncluttered landscape of my mind. Laughing together, we returned to the present, our eyes meeting in mutual amusement. I pierced my finger once more and extended it to her. "I didn't know you could do this," she said, a smile lighting up her face."Years of practice, kitten," I replied. "Now, like I said, take it slow, okay?"Once more, we retreated into the sanctuary of my mind, her curiosity undimmed. "Is it always just white?" she inquired, her gaze sweeping across the endless expanse."No, it's not always white. I'm just not showing you anything yet. I was hoping to see some of yours first," I admitted, the idea of exploring her memories, fears, and joys an intimate prospect."You can see in my mind, too?" Her surprise was evident, matc
(DANE POV)A chill enveloped me, as if the mere mention summoned the darkness of that night. Summoned him. "No," I said, more sternly than intended. "You will never see that one."Her face fell into a pout, but this was one area where my resolve was ironclad. "Jo," I started, struggling to keep my voice even, "my transformation into what I am was... violent. Revisiting that memory requires a strength I can't muster at the moment." The truth was, some scars ran too deep, their edges frayed with a violence that threatened to unravel at the slightest touch. "And besides, it awakens certain... impulses that are better left dormant."The warning in my voice was clear, a boundary drawn from years of wrestling with the beast that transformation had birthed within me.As our argument unfolded within the bounds of our shared dreamscape, I realized the intensity of our connection. My finger remained in her mouth, drawing upon the essence of my being long after the wound had sealed. The realiza
DANE POVJo's curiosity about the next day sparked an idea. "Well, you have two classes tomorrow, and since it's Friday, we'll have the entire weekend to ourselves. I thought we could visit the market and get you some new clothes," I proposed. The thought of spending time away from school with her filled me with a pleasant anticipation. Her reaction sent me over the moon. "The market? Away from the school? I can leave the school?" she asked.I chuckled at her astonishment. "Yes, with me now that we're official. But only if you promise to behave.""I promise, I promise, I promise." she chirped, bouncing excitedly. I sensed a perfect time to help her control her temper and, most importantly, that mouth. "Okay, if you do well in your classes, we will go to the market first thing Saturday morning," I said with a wink. We settled into bed. "Now, go to sleep, kitten," I whispered, feeling her relax further in my arms.The next day's class, focusing on feeding and aftercare, was compulsor
JO POVThe week flew past, a whirlwind of learning and adapting to the academy's pace. To my surprise, with Dane there constantly encouraging me and pushing me to do better, I wasn't just keeping up. I was excelling. The curious glances and nods of approval from teachers and fellow students were a testament to my hard work and dedication. I had never received this much acknowledgment for doing the right things instead of the wrong.Throughout the week, our most persistent argument revolved around those dreaded collars. The notion of being collared struck a chord in me, igniting a refusal that resonated through my being few other things in this created. Dane attempted to secure the collar around my neck each morning and after naps. Anytime he let me take it off, he had to know how hard it would be to get it back on. Our struggles peaked when, in a moment of extreme frustration, he clasped it so swiftly I had no chance to resist. The act led to a punishment after I tore it off in defi
(JO POV) As the limo pulled up to the academy, its arrival marked a distinct shift in the atmosphere. It was no ordinary vehicle but an opulent, brand-new stretch limo. The extravagance of the moment was not lost on me, reminding me of the world I was now entangled with. Deirk escorted us to the vehicle with a warmth uncharacteristic of the stoic persona I had come to associate him with. He wrapped me in a brief hug that felt surprisingly intimate. "Thank you," he murmured, "for allowing me to feed. I really needed it." The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable. Dane couldn't resist a light-hearted jab. "Alright, don't go getting all sweet on my girl," he teased, his words carrying a playful edge that misrepresented the possessive undertone I clearly sensed. Though made in jest, his comment resonated with a sense of territorial claim that, oddly enough, didn't feel as suffocating as I might have expected. The sight of the limo elicited a laugh from Dane. He turned to Deirk in
(DEIRK POV) The struggle had been almost overwhelming for hours. Mag was vulnerable and weak, and all I could think about was how easy it would be to rip him apart. Every time I tried to push the thoughts away, the memories came flooding back, vivid and sharp, slicing through my mind like the knives he used on me for centuries.I leaned back, trying to escape the constant loop of flashbacks. Percy lay beside me, close enough that I could feel his heartbeat against me. He always knew when I was close to breaking. His touch was steady, tracing shapes across my chest.He was trying to remind me I was still here, still in control. But the memories were relentless.The first time Mag strapped me down, I thought I'd die from the pain. I could still feel the cold metal biting into my wrists, the restraints cutting into my skin as he stood over me. The blade he used wasn't sharp. It was dull, dragging across my chest just deep enough to make me scream but not enough to kill. He enjoyed it
(DANE POV) I stood outside the room where Mag was held, feeling the moment's gravity. For 1,200 years, this man had been my "Daddy," inflicting pain, manipulating me, and shaping my life in his twisted image. Yet, there were times when he provided care and shelter, giving me some stability in the chaos. Now, the roles were reversed, and it was my turn to take care of him. A responsibility I never imagined. I opened the door and stepped inside. The air was thick with the smell of blood, remnants of the recent horrors that had unfolded. Mag lay on the floor, battered and broken, his once formidable presence reduced to a fragile shell. "Mag," I said as I approached. "It's time to get you cleaned up." He didn't respond, his vacant stare fixed on the ceiling. The man who once controlled everything now seemed utterly defeated. I crouched beside him. "Let's get you up and into the shower," I said, offering my hand. "I'll make sure it doesn't hurt more than it has to." Mag's eyes f
(DANE POV)I didn't want her to deal with my insecurities right now. She had enough on her plate. Between last night's chaos and everything still unresolved, burdening her with my doubts felt selfish. But I couldn't shake the nagging thought clawing at me for what seemed like forever.She pulled away slightly, her expression shifting as she processed what I had said. "What? No, Dane, you know I chose you. How long have you been dealing with that and not said anything? What the hell?"Oddly enough, seeing her getting worked up over this made me feel a little better. It was like a reminder that she did care, that this wasn't just something trivial to her. I shrugged, trying to downplay the unease that had been messing with me for days. "I didn't want to upset you more."Without hesitation, she pulled me down until I was practically kneeling in front of her so we were at eye level. She gripped my shoulders, and the intensity in her eyes forced me to focus on her and nothing else. "I ch
I left Deirk, Jo, and Percy curled up in bed asleep, intertwined after the chaotic night. They refused to sleep in different rooms, insisting on sticking together. They insisted on the same during sex with us, effectively turning it into our first foursome. I didn't dwell on why. Maybe they sought comfort, or perhaps they were afraid of us. Nevertheless, it was the right decision. I had to restrain Deirk more than once to prevent things from escalating. I hoped I had done it subtly enough that Jo and Percy didn't notice, but I wasn't so sure. They seemed more aware than they let on.As I stepped out of the room, I found Dom and Marshall loitering in the hallway. Seeing them there so early wasn't surprising, but there was something different about them. There was a hunger and eagerness in their eyes that I hadn't seen before. Lately, they had been pushing boundaries and testing limits, as usual, but this time it felt different."What's up?" I asked, heading toward my office. I had a
(JO POV) I woke up to the unsettling emptiness beside me. Percy was still there, deep in sleep. Dane and Deirk were gone. I slipped out of bed. The silence weighed heavily, broken only by a distant, rhythmic sound that made my skin crawl.As I moved closer, the noise became unmistakable.Agonized groans accompanied the sharp crack of a whip. My heart pounded as the sound pulled me toward a door I had never noticed before. It was slightly ajar, with a sickly maroon light spilling into the hallway. I pushed it open and stepped inside.The room was a nightmare. Mag knelt in the center, shackled and bleeding. His body was crisscrossed with fresh wounds. Dane and Deirk stood over him, their eyes solid black, their faces crawling with red veins that pulsed with rage. Their need for total vengeance was consuming them. The brutality was terrifying to witness."Did you think you'd escape this, Mag?" Dane snarled in that thick accent, lashing the whip across Mag's back. "That we would just o
(DEIRK POV)The moment I saw Marshall with those knives, everything I thought I had buried came surging back, tearing through the mental walls I had so carefully constructed.I was thrust back into the nightmare, and suddenly, it wasn't Marshall holding the blade...it was Mag.His twisted grin, the way he'd relish in our pain, the unbearable torture that followed. Mag didn't just inflict physical wounds. He cut into our very souls, leaving scars that never truly healed.He always started slow, like he was savoring the moment. The first cut was an intro, a reminder that the nightmare was beginning all over again. He'd look me in the eye, a sickening smile, and then drag the blade across my skin, just deep enough to make me scream but not deep enough to be fatal. The real agony came later, drawn out over hours, sometimes days.The burn of silver seared through my skin, leaving marks that would never fade. The scent of burning flesh, my own flesh, still haunted me. Mag would just laugh,
(DANE POV)Marshall had always claimed to be bisexual, so I decided it was time to let him prove it. It was the only way I'd consider letting him continue attending the male events he enjoyed so much. Tonight was his test, and Mag was about to become his plaything.I turned to Marshall, who was already eyeing Mag with a dark gleam that matched the twisted grin spreading across his face."Have your way with him," I said as I tossed him a set of knives. He caught them mid-air with ease, his excitement noticeable. "Break him from the inside out. Make it count, and don't hold back. You might want to stretch him a bit, loosen up... you know, to get things going in easily."Mag's eyes went wide, his bravado shattering as the reality of his situation hit him. The fear consumed him, and the blackness in his eyes betrayed his panic. He began to unravel, his desperation flooding the room."Dane, please! You don't have to do this!" he stammered out in a rush. "I didn't mean it... I was just tryi
(DANE POV)Mag slid into the leather jacket, his excitement radiating off him like heat from a fire. He looked at me, his eyes gleaming with what he believed was shared anticipation. "I knew you'd like it," I said, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Figured it would help you settle in before you dive into things at the school."He beamed, completely convinced that he had finally won me over. Inside, though, all I felt was cold resolve. I might have been excited...if he hadn't crossed the line, if he hadn't forced Jo into that unbearable situation. But he had, and now, he had to pay.Deirk played his role perfectly, not giving anything away as Mag eagerly shrugged off his sports coat and slid into the jacket like it was a badge of honor. It fit him like a second skin, making him look every bit the predator he fancied himself to be. Deirk and I exchanged a brief knowing glance. The first part of our plan had succeeded. Mag, completely oblivious, was wrapped up in his delusions
(DANE POV) I slammed my phone down, the sharp sound breaking the silence. Two weeks had passed since we found out Jo was pregnant, and now, after what seemed like forever, the message I'd been waiting for finally came through. Mag was coming home.Tonight.Deirk looked up from across the room, his eyes meeting mine. He didn't need to ask what had me on edge, but he did anyway. "What now?""It's happening," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "He's coming tonight.""Tonight," Deirk echoed, a slow smile creeping onto his face. "Perfect. Full moon and all.""Yeah," I agreed, the plan solidifying in my mind. "We're going all out."The hunt had been meticulously crafted, not just as a hunt but as a punishment. Tonight, the academy's halls would become a battlefield. Slaves and wards who had stepped out of line, or those whose masters wanted to teach them a brutal lesson, would be let loose. They could run, they could hide, but escape wasn't an option. The vampires would be released to hu