Truth- Shadow goddess seris(COMPLETE)

Chapter Twenty Six

I didn’t know what I was supposed to do heading to that office, my office, the next day. I was still blown away with how my uncle was taking all of this. Hell, it was me and I wasn’t handling it well. And I honestly don’t think the guys are either. They all have seemed to be avoiding me since yesterday. I didn’t know why and I couldn’t bring myself to ask. I guess I just didn’t want to know what they had to say about the whole situation, I didn’t want to know what they thought. What if it was bad? What if one of them wanted to reject me? 

That couldn’t be all that bad though, right? I did say I don’t even know how many times that I didn’t want three bonded. That I only really wanted one. But even now as I sit here and think about it, think about them rejecting and leaving me, my heart hurt. Could I handle losing one of them? All of them? What did they even see in me? 

I furrowed my brow as I entered the office and went to look in the mirror. There wasn’t really anything extraordinary about me.  My long auburn hair flowed down my back, my skin was still tanned, though lighter than usual. I was average height and my body shape was a little more defined than most. The only thing I thought was anywhere near beautiful was my eyes. They were this bright teal or aqua color that always took my breath away when I paid close attention to them. Because if you looked long enough, and I mean actually looked. You could see a deep sea blue outline around my pupil while the teal seemed to swirl around it. But other than that I found myself rather boring and average looking. Especially compared to the people who go to this Academy. 

“Rose, what are you doing in here?” 

I turned to face Casius. He was in his normal ‘professor’ garb. Black slacks with a white button up shirt that had the top few buttons undone, with the sleeves rolled up past his elbow. I hated how he always did that. Don’t get me wrong, I love looking at him like this. But so do so many others around here. More than I was comfortable with. Though I would never admit that out loud. I was not the jealous type. Well, normally I wasn’t. He did look amazing though, and he didn’t seem to even be trying. 

“My uncle gave me this office.” I finally answered. “I was grabbing my things I left in here yesterday.” I lifted my bag to show him. “Needed it for class.” 

“I wouldn’t worry about class right now.” He told me coming to stand in front of me. 

“What? Why?” 

“Because some of your followers have arrived?” 

“I know. My uncle told me yesterday. He said they were settling in.” I responded moving to walk past him, but he grabbed my upper arm, stopping me. 

I clenched my teeth as his emotions hit me. “They want to see you.”

“Oh.” I sighed, “Okay. Bring them on in I guess.” I said gently, pulling my arm free and going to sit at my desk. Cassius nodded, leaving the room swiftly. Might as well get this over with. I needed to get to class. I mean really. How could they expect me to do anything before I graduated? Then again I did know a lot about this new world, my new world. But was I really considering going and claiming the throne? Claiming my palace? Did I even want a place that freaking big? 

“Come in.” I yelled after I heard light tapping on the door. 

A woman with beautiful ebony skin that was flawless. She wore carefully designed dreads that went to her knees with what looked to be turquoise beads at the ends. She moved with grace, her small frame swaying and her bright orange eyes seeming to glow as she looked me in the eye. I flicked my eyes to her shadow, showing me she was a gorgon. 

After her was a man. He was tall and thin. It didn’t look like he had much muscle on him, his frame lanky. He had an odd creme colored skin and his eyes were black as tar. He carried himself with pride. Shoulders pulled back, chin up and eyes steady on me. At least I think they were, it was hard to tell. I again looked to his shadow. There was no way I was going to be caught off guard by anyone. 

I gasped at his shadow. It was frightening, and honestly bile inducing. He had the body of what looked to be a rather large lion. But he had two heads. One being that of a lion, the other was a long horned goat and his tail was a snake. It swayed through the air, its forked tongue flicking in and out periodically. He was a chimera, and I did not want to see him shifted. I quickly moved my eyes from his, letting them Land on the man and woman behind him.

This man was big. He was at least six foot nine, with biceps that could give Phoenix a run for his money. He was thick and not in a fat way. His chest muscles bulged and strained from the white shirt he was wearing, and I could make out each perfectly carved ab from here. Through his shirt. Did he just not have one that fit properly? Was I complaining? Hell no. Was I interested in him in any way? Absolutely not. His shaggy black hair fell into his eyes that was an odd lavender color and when they caught mine,something clicked. Not like with the others, and not the same as Ryker. But there was something there, I just didn’t know what. 

And finally behind him was easily one of the most beautiful but fearsome women I have ever seen. She was deeply tanned, and her golden eyes held a firmness I have never seen on a woman. She had an athletic build, her odd ensemble of a leather type belly shirt and skirt showcasing her build. Her hair was as black as a raven's wing and was twisted into a tight braid around her head and that flowed down her back to her waist. This woman was a warrior, and you could easily tell it by looking at her. Even if she wasn’t carrying a battle axe that rivaled me in size. 

Her shadow was human looking. All but the wings that sprouted from her back. She was no angel, and that was easy to see just from her blood red aura. But whatever she was, I would not want to fight her on a battlefield. She looked like she could take your head off before you could even blink. 

“Rose.” Cassius said strenuously as he came and stood behind me. “These are the people who have come to see you.” He placed a heavy hand on my shoulder, grasping to me tightly. 

“That is Serena.” He said motioning towards the first woman who came through the door. “She is a…”

“Gorgon.” I interrupted, smiling over at her. “I’ve always found the gorgons interesting.” I stood and reached my hand out to her. “Hello Serena. I am Rose.” 

The woman reached over and grasped my hand. “It is nice to finally meet you.” She said in a honeyed voice before sitting back in her chair. 

“This is Jordan.” Cassius moved on as the lanky looking man stood. 

“You’re a chimera.” I said, trying to keep my voice from quivering. This man scared the living s**t out of me. 

“Indeed I am.” He smiled crookedly, reaching his hand out to me. I took it hesitantly. 

“Next is Aaron. Aaron is a…” 

“Minotaur.” I interrupted again

I wish she’d stop that. I heard Cassius huff. 

I turned to him with a pinched brow. “What did you say?” 

“I didn’t say anything.” He told me mimicking my confused expression. 

“Okay.” I drawled, turning back to Aaron. “It is nice to meet you Aaron.” 

“Last and most certainly not least is Athena.” Cassius said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. Oh, hell no. I turned and cast a warning glare over my shoulder to him, making him smirk in response. 

She’s cute when she’s jealous. I heard Cassius say, but his lips never moved. I tilted my head at him, studying. Could he talk without moving his lips? I suddenly pictured Cassius with a ventriloquist doll, speaking through the doll. Nah. I laughed. I could never picture that ever being true. I turned back to Athena who was beaming over at me. Her smile lit up her once strained features and hard eyes. 

“Now I can’t tell what you are.” I told her, shaking her hand. “I know you’re a warrior, and you have wings. But otherwise your shifted form looks human. 

“I am a fury.” She told me. Her voice was surprisingly soft for how she looked. 

“A fury? As in the goddesses of vengeance?” I asked. 

Her smile broadened. “Yes.” 

“Is it true the furies protect women?”

Her eyes hardened again. “We furies protect our own. We are harbingers of vengeance and revenge. Should a woman come to us. On purpose or accident and ask for help, we will oblige. It is our duty as goddesses to ensure women are protected. Speaking of which.” Her eyes moved from mine as she reached into a small bag I never noticed she was carrying. Turning back to me she passed me a beautiful silver bracelet. Runes and unfamiliar symbols were etched within it, glowing gold once it touched my hand. “This is a fury bracelet.” She told me. “Should you ever have need of me or one of my sisters when we are not here, you take the bracelet and throw it high into the air. It will make a high pitched whistle that will call to us.” 

I turned the beautiful creation over in my hand studying the runes and symbols etched into it. It was a magnificent creation, and I couldn’t even begin to imagine the time that was put into it. “Thank you.” I smiled at her, slipping the bracelet over my hand and onto my wrist. 

I sat back down and looked over the four people before me. “You all are the first to show up.” I told them. “It is nice to meet some of the people the Embassy seems to fear so much.” I specifically avoided Aaron’s inquiring gaze. It was off putting how his laendar eyes watched me. I knew by his look he felt that click, and had questions. But they were questions I couldn’t answer. “How has your visit been?” 

“More accommodating than we thought it would be.” Aaron’s thick accented voice sounded. What was that accent? Australian? 

I turned to him. “I am glad to hear that. I hope more show up soon, but until then you all are free to explore the grounds, or even attend classes. I’m sure my uncle wouldn’t mind, and think the rest of the school would even love to learn a thing or two from all of you.” 

Is she crazy? Cassius’s voice echoed inside my head. I didn’t turn to him this time, sure he didn’t speak out loud. How was I hearing him? There was no way he was doing it on purpose, so how was he speaking into my mind? This couldn;t be normal could it? Was feeling his emotions not enough? Cassius was an intense guy. He was complex and his emotions were like a volcano ready to erupt. Every time I felt him I felt as if I were drowning. I hope I can help him relieve some of that, and ease the pressure and weight he felt. 

“I do need to get to class though.” I said standing. 

“I will accompany you.” Aaron said, his tone holding no room for argument. 

“Alright.” I tipped my head towards him before walking past them all to leave. “I will see all of you tonight at dinner. It was nice meeting all of you.” 

As we bid each other goodbye, I locked the office and made my way to class with two very stern faced men at my side. It was uncomfortable, and I wanted to get away from them. But somehow I knew Aaron was not going anywhere. Even as Cassius went to his first class for the day, Aaron followed me silently. His eyes darted all over the place. I wasn’t sure what was going on here, or what that click between us was, but I fully intended on finding out.