“The Red Chamber.”
When Sophie wanted to ask her next question, Lamia silenced her by putting a finger to her lips. They were very close, and Sophie could almost forget about the freezing wind which seemed to blow right through her clothes. Not drawing back, Lamia continued with the presentation of the palace in a hushed voice. If someone were to see them so close and intimate, they would think the two girls had some secrets to share.
“In the South Pavilion, which is actually the smallest, you can find the offices and chambers of The Alluring Ones. You’ve already been there.”
“How many are there in the Pantheon?”
“Eleven.” Lamia circled Sophie’s waist with her right arm and dragged her to the middle of the court. “And that’s the East Pavilion. This is where they keep the prisoners.”
“Prisoners?”
“Sure. Who do you think we use for our practice lessons?”
“Practice?” At that point, Sophie’s eyes couldn’t have gotten any bigger. She’d expected many things from this new, surreal place, but she had never thought they kept prisoners. And the East Pavilion was huge, almost of the same size as the West one, which contained the dorms. She didn’t know what to think or expect. She was no longer in control, and maybe she hadn’t been from the first moment she came to this place, but it was certainly the first time she realized that. And it struck her.
Lamia was amused by Sophie’s obvious thoughts, which were practically flickering in her dark brown eyes. She hugged her tightly, giving her all her body warmth and showing her how happy she was to have her close. Sophie melted into the tight embrace.
“We should go inside, dinner is about to be served. I bet you’re starving. And then we’ll have quite a long night ahead of us.”
Lamia started walking back to the West Pavilion with her roommate still attached to her waist. Sophie let herself guided, and raised her eyes to the night sky and the tall trees guarding the Academy. The wind was blowing lightly and Sophie took a deep, hungry breath. She felt like a stranger in this place, but at the same time, as she watched Lamia’s profile, so close to her burning cheeks, and felt her scent and warmth in her arms, Sophie felt impatient and enthusiastic. Yes, it was strange and even scary sometimes, but this was what she’d dreamed of. This was who she was and she was determined to do her best. She was ready.
CHAPTER TWO
Kain was sitting at a table in the cafeteria, lazily poking at his food. His golden bangs covered his ice-blue eyes as he was bending above his meal. One had to pay close attention to see that Kain wasn’t actually looking at his salad, but was rather observing the man across from him: Alexi Volkov, his Russian roommate. The blond had moved in with Alexi one month ago and they still didn’t talk a lot to each other, which was driving Kain crazy. Around Alexi everything was quiet and peaceful, and Kain was a man of action. The guy would only read and study, and then read and study again. Now, normally, Kain wouldn’t wait to get bored, he would go have some fun. Practicing on the new prisoners, screwing the new students… “But still…”
Alexi was eating as fast as he could while skimming through a heavy book, paying no mind to his surroundings. As he was turning the pages, Kain couldn’t help but stare from behind his blond locks. Alexi was a bit taller than Kain, with strong, lean muscles and sharp, noble features. His dark green eyes were full of concentration, and his black hair, overgrown and disheveled, was sticking into his eyes. Kain was looking intently at his slightly upturned nose, his thin lips and, finally, at his long fingers. “Ah, yes. This is why I prefer getting bored near him instead of fucking around. He’s too damn hot.”
Truth be told, the blond hadn’t felt like this around someone for a very long time. Which scared him, surprised him, enticed him. He had heard about Alexi before moving in with him. The two of them were the best cambions Lure currently had, so of course they had heard about each other. But they had never worked together or even sat at the same table together. Until Ke-sar decided Kain needed some social interaction that implied more than his fuck-and-leave routine, and Alexi needed another roommate after his first had mysteriously disappeared. So, Kain, who was very difficult to live with, was now stuck with this silent, sexy geek. And he kind of liked it, except he was determined to like it even more. So the stupid book Alexi was focusing on had to go.
“What are you reading again?”
Alexi was startled by Kain’s sharp tone and raised his eyes for a mere second. Kain didn’t intend to sound harsh. But again, he couldn’t fight his natural attitude.
“There’s a new book on the Dukes.” That being said, Alexi got another mouthful of chicken and went back to his reading.
Kain couldn’t help rolling his eyes in annoyance. “What’s with you and the Dukes, anyway? I’ve seen a lot of research materials about them on your desk. Err… it’s now like I was looking through your things or anything.” Why was he stuttering? Dangerous, tough Kain stuttering? That was just wrong.
Alexi didn’t notice the change in his roommate’s behavior. “It’s nothing. I’m just trying to understand them better.”
“For what?” Disbelief crossed the blond’s beautiful eyes. The stuttering became a harsh growl. “You don’t understand them, you eliminate them. Filthy, abnormal creatures. And, anyway, you don’t do that by reading. You practice.”
“Practice is nothing without knowledge.” Alexi seemed unfazed.
“Yeah, whatever. Don’t need some stupid book to tell me what to do.”
“Hey! We just work differently.” Alexi’s brows were now furrowed. “Doesn’t mean you can simply insult me.”
That being said, Alexi stood up, dumped his remaining food in the bin and went back to their shared room, book in hand.
“Shit!”
A couple of stares were sent towards the angry blond. But seeing it was just him, the students went back to their food and chattering. Kain was always like that. Except now. Now he hadn’t intended to make Alexi angry. He had to learn to control his emotions. This was not the battle field, this was Lure. This was home. He could let go. Just for once, maybe, he could let go. So Kain threw away his own foo
d and headed after Alexi, a new plan taking shape in his mind.
?
Once in his room, Alexi plopped onto his bed and resumed reading. He was still thinking about his roommate. “What’s with him always bugging me off? I just want to be left alone. Jacob knew his place.” Jacob was his ex-roommate. It wasn’t like he missed him, but he couldn’t help thinking about him from time to time. They still didn’t know if he was dead or alive. Or, they didn’t tell. The Pantheon had their strange ways sometimes.