Valkyrie's Harem (Academy of Immortals 1)

“I’m never giving up,” Luke says. “Getting Marielle to drink from me is like my holy grail or something.”

“Or your Stone of Knowledge,” the guy next to him says. His skin is smooth and dark, and his hair is in tiny braids.

“All things I plan on achieving,” he says, giving Marielle a look.

The two start to bicker, and I lean into Marshal and ask, “Seriously what’s the big deal?”

“When a vampire drinks from another person it’s an incredible rush—pretty much an instant, earth-shattering orgasm. The receiving party can’t help but fall for the vampire because who wouldn’t want to experience that again? That’s why they only drink from feeders, or bagged blood, or from their mate.”

I look up at the Immortal. “You know an awful lot about this.”

He shrugs. “I’ve lived a long life, Valkyrie. I’ve seen and experienced many things. That’s not the only thing that happens when a vampire feeds. They can catch a glimpse of their victim’s soul—their memories.” He takes a sip of his drink. “Be careful with Marielle, she’s very powerful.”

“If she’s so dangerous, then what are we doing here? Why are we inserting ourselves with these…people?”

“It’s a means to an end, Hildi. Don’t pretend you don’t understand how useful that can be.”

It’s a direct statement about our little arrangement.

He wanders away and inserts himself in the circle, right between the twins. Marshal, despite his years of torture and enslavement, easily fits in with this group of supernatural beings. There’s an energy about them, one I can’t deny, a pull of comradery. It’s something I’ve only experienced once in my life before—on the battlefield against the Morrigan.

As much as I hate to admit it, Marshal’s play is smart. If we’re going to find the stone and win this game, we can’t stand on the outside. Or I can’t. I have to be part of the inner circle.

Steeling myself, I pour another drink and walk over to the circle. Luke looks up and shifts over, making room next to him. Avoiding Marshal’s eyes, I take my seat between the Nephilim and the vampire, hoping I’m strong enough to come out alive.

I end up drinking two drinks and with the lack of dinner, the alcohol hits me fast. Which is why, when Marielle suggests we play a game, I find myself agreeing.

“What kind of game?” I ask. “Arm wrestling? Feats of strength?”

She smiles mischievously. “Well, a kind of wrestling…”

“Using your tongue,” Cora replies, winking at Luke. He raises his eyebrow in response.

“What kind of wrestling uses tongues?” I ask, still clueless.

“Kissing, Hildi,” Marshal. “You’ve heard of that before, right?”

I glare at him because he knows full well that I’m an amazing kisser—as well as other things that have to do with my tongue.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” I ask, holding his eye.

“Sure, I need another drink anyway.”

“Don’t dawdle,” Marielle says.

We move to the desk and I turn my back on the rest of the room. “Marshal, we cannot play a kissing game with these people.”

He glances over my shoulder and winks. Claudia grins.

“They’re not adults.”

“So, this is demon school or whatever. They’re immortals. They live forever. Time is a construct.”

I put my hands on my hips. “I’m not kissing a kid.”

He pours a drink. “Then kiss me.”

I frown. He knows what we were doing is over. No more. “What if we don’t get a choice?”