(PERCY POV)I never imagined my life taking such a drastic turn. Hunger gnawed at me relentlessly. It had been days since I last ate, pushing me to the brink. Stealing from the gas station wasn't exactly my proudest moment, but desperation had a funny way of narrowing down choices.It was either that or resorting to grazing on the grass like livestock.I had been selling myself again, trading my blood for cash in a bid to satiate my hunger. But I knew the vampires wouldn't appreciate a donor fed on vegetation. So, I stole those noodles, hoping to restore some semblance of nutritional value to my blood, to remain enticing to my nocturnal customers.Yet, in a twist of fate, my theft didn't lead me back to the shadows of the street but into the presence of vampire royalty. The irony wasn't lost on me. Standing before the vampire king's son, I couldn't help but reflect on the bizarre events that led me here.Turning to Deirk, I asked, "Wait, if the king is your marker and your brother is
(DEIRK POV) Holy shit, Percy was a blood dealer. Not here for that, but he was one. Selling blood to vampires could get you a life sentence if they caught you. To put it simply, if a vampire was resorting to buying blood from the street, there was a reason. I suspected Camilla had figured it out, too. That's probably why Percy had been holed up in the newbie dorm for the past six weeks. They were likely testing his blood to ensure he wasn't carrying anything that could be passed on to us. Vampire-transmitted diseases were a grim reality, not well-known outside our circles for obvious reasons. Trying to maintain my composure after his confession was a challenge. This was the aspect of the vampire world I despised the most. Humans, driven by desperation, made choices like Percy's only to end up punished far beyond what their so-called crimes merited. Percy could have easily become a plaything for someone like Magness...tortured and drained nearly to death...all because he was driven
(PERCY POV)I was utterly bewildered by what had just transpired. It was the most intimate and powerful experience I'd ever had with a vampire. Before, every encounter was rough, violent, and aggressively impersonal. They'd often force me into doing other things right after feeding, seldom bothering to heal the bites.That's why I was so covered in scars. But this time was different. No vampire had ever tried to cuddle with me after. Yet, here I was, nestled in a vampire's arms, and he seemed so content, almost radiating joy.Overwhelmed, I asked, "Why was it so different this time? All the other times, it was always so rough and aggressive. What just happened... it wasn't like that."His face was buried in my hair, his lips pressed against the back of my neck, and I could feel his grin. In a hushed tone, he whispered, "Because none of them cared about you like I do, Cariño.""Cariño, what does that mean?" I asked.When he didn't respond, I rolled over to face him, eager to look into
(JO POV)Being trapped in my body, able to see and hear everything but unable to move, was a torturous improvement over the complete darkness that had enveloped me before. The realization that Dane had been changing my diapers and feeding me with a bottle while I was incapacitated was mortifying. Part of me wished to remain oblivious rather than face such indignities.When Deirk introduced his new human, a striking blonde guy who strongly resembles Dane, I was thrilled. I couldn't contain my excitement about having another human around, especially since I had been isolated from any human companionship since this all started.Dane returned from the market with food that catered to our new housemate's tastes, which apparently didn't align with my usual food choices. Sitting in Deirk's lap while he perched on a bar stool, we watched Dane cook. According to what he said, he was preparing chicken and eggplant parmesan, the new guy's favorite. I was eager to eat it, particularly since my
(DEIRK POV)My original plan was merely to bathe Percy and ease him into what wards are expected to endure. However, as the bath progressed, I found myself apologizing repeatedly. I felt a profound sense of remorse for the position both he and Jo found themselves in, caught in a demanding situation they barely understood. Thankfully, they ended up with us, where I hoped their experiences would be far less harsh than they might have been elsewhere.As things unexpectedly moved forward with Percy, he climaxed swiftly, and I was secretly relieved. Midway through, I realized that not only could Jo see us from where she was, but she was also paying close attention. Not wanting to disrupt the moment, I continued. I knew that if it made her uncomfortable, she would have expressed it.I didn't need to feed much but was curious to experience what many spoke of. The intense moment when feeding coincides with a human's climax, supposedly enhancing the flavors and sensations of their blood. The
(PERCY POV)Waking up with Deirk holding me tightly was comforting and a reminder of the previous night. It felt like he was clinging to me like I was the only thing keeping him together, and perhaps I was at that moment. The usual tension in my chest each morning had loosened slightly, maybe because I didn't feel alone in this strange new world for the first time in a long while.Deirk's presence, a comforting constant through the night's delirium, had somehow held the shadows at bay.The nightmares had tormented me again last night, vivid and terrifying. Between the haunting replays of situations I unfortunately found myself in, I was in a dark, endless void, with eerie whispers and shadows that seemed to be closing in on me. But then, they shifted. I was back at the orphanage, surrounded by the first kindergarten class Miss Morgana had allowed me to lead after I proved to her I could. Strangely, this shift made me feel even sadder than the nightmare. I missed those kids terribly.
(DEIRK POV) Navigating the market was a familiar routine for us, but today felt different with Jo and Percy in tow. I'd always cared for females, so naturally, I didn't have a single item to suit Percy, especially given his larger build. None of my clothes would fit him.As we prepared to leave, I caught Percy eyeing Jo as she playfully snapped her collar on before leaning up and kissing Dane. His expression was somewhere between curious and totally horrified. The dynamics at play here were admittedly hard to understand.Jo, ever enthusiastic about the smaller joys, had found herself some teddy bear pajamas she adored. Percy watched, clearly surprised by her childlike delight. As for Percy, he made choices that reflected his maturity. He opted for sensible jeans and shirts, selecting a few slacks and button-downs that hinted at a preference for a more classic, understated style. His selections were practical yet smart, suitable for various occasions, and far from the whimsical choic
(PERCY POV) Returning to the townhouse, Jo was acting like a completely different person. Deirk mentioned that it was all for show, but it was still disorienting to see her behaving like a child, throwing tantrums and pouting. It didn't make sense to me, and I couldn't help but question what was really going on.We were trying to eat dinner when Jo threw her fork on the floor for the second time. Dane's eyes went dark, and he calmly stood, picked her up, and walked out of the room. Moments later, we heard the sounds. Sharp pops and anguished cries.It was clear what was happening.I turned to Deirk, confused and a bit alarmed. "Okay, explain, because I have to know what's going on here.""Look, wards are expected to act with childlike obedience after they get through the initial stages of acting out," Deirk explained, "It's all part of the academy's way of maintaining discipline and control.""So, Dane and Jo are okay with it?" I asked, trying to grasp the whole concept."Not really,
(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