Free Elysian by Addison Moore

partner will be.”
    “Very well.” Marshall straightens the excess papers in his hand. “In the meantime, I’ll allow you to join the Oliver clan.” He pulls his lips in a line, no smile. Such as in life. But make no mistake about our future. Delphinius was at the trial and gave a startling revelation.
    I take a breath and wait for it.
    It involves flesh . He tilts his head seductively.
    A strong pull of attraction sizzles between us. I can feel Marshall’s good vibrations launching an assault on my body without him even having to touch me. A warm tingle rides down my spine, circles around my waist before dipping down to far more intimate places—places that have the ability to set my insides on fire.
    I gasp for air.
    “What in the hell is going on?” Logan whispers, trying to break me from the trance I’ve fallen into.
    I open my mouth to say something, and only a choking sound comes out.
    The bell shrills through the air unleashing me from the bondage Marshall held me captive in—an alarmingly wonderful, achingly enjoyable bondage.  
    The class disbands around us. Marshall occupies himself in the front, and I don’t dare go near him in fear of another fit of pleasure that both Logan and Gage will bear witness to.
    Instead, I stuff my books in my backpack and head toward the exit with Logan and Gage. I don’t have Marshall again until fifth and that’s for trig which is useless. A few hours might give me enough time to catch my breath. If he plans on launching a tirade of seduction each day, twice a day, I’m in for a hell of an exciting senior year.
    Chloe cuts us off at the pass with a pissed off Miller by her side.
    Michelle doesn’t waste any time in jabbing her finger into my chest. “I knew you hacked my head off.”
    “No,” I try to deny the allegation. That was at Ethan’s stupid party last summer.
    “Don’t worry, Skyla,” Chloe says it in a way that assures me I have plenty to worry about. “You don’t have to hide anymore. I filled Michelle in on every last detail. She knows all about the fact you’re a witch with magical powers.” Her lips curve at the tips.
    “I’m not a witch,” I hiss. “I’m an angel,” I say it directly to Michelle, pumped and ready to correct all the wrongs Chloe most likely filled her in on, except for the fact I hacked off her head—that I’ll deny until the day I’m dead even if it is true.
    Gage wraps an arm around my shoulder and leans in. “Let’s get out of here.”
    But Chloe doesn’t look at Gage once. Instead she steps past me and gets right into Logan’s face.
    “I know,” she whispers.
    Logan gives a slow blink and the slightest hint of a nod.
    Gage ushers me out of the room as an entire sea of bodies stream between us and Logan.
    Just what in the hell does Chloe Bishop know?
     
     

 
7
Deflower Power
    Friday after school, and a rather torturous session of cheer practice, I straggle home with my brain on overload. I lounge in a nice hot shower trying to melt this entire week off my body—out of my mind. West doesn’t have a football game for two weeks which gives Logan and Gage a tiny reprieve before the skull cracking initiates. Logan and Gage. They waft in and out of my mind like ghosts, each calling for my attention. I try to put them out of my mind, focus on Ellis—the fact Ezrina is taking her sweet little time with my favorite party animal. It would figure Chloe’s blood is incapable of healing anyone. I thought for sure he’d be back by now, sporting a scar that would lure all of those love honies into his den of seduction. I’ll have to make arrangements with Marshall and head down to the Transfer. If anyone can speed things along with Ezrina, it’s him.
    Afterwards I head downstairs in hopes of smelling something delicious emanating from the kitchen but no such luck.
    “How was school?” Mom asks dressed in her best cashmere sweater, her navy pencil skirt, and pointy black heels. She’s got Beau strapped to her