Page 1 of The Ever Legacy
CHAPTER ONE
ELLA
This was a mistake.
She was definitely going to get caught.
It was better than porn—he was so close, the forbidden.
His muscles moved and flexed as he pulled himself up on the bar. And down. Back up. He dropped to the floor and started doing push-ups. A bead of sweat rolled down his face and she could imagine it hitting hers.
She could imagine being under him as he held her tight and thrust in deep. Using her as he saw fit.
Fuck.
Then his eyes met hers. It was too late to turn away. She’d been caught in his web. Frozen in place with her mouth slightly open, afraid to breathe. He kept his eyes on her and continued his pushups. Not breaking eye contact.
Ella wanted to shake out of the hold he had on her—but she couldn’t. She felt her chest rise and fall heavily. One second he was on the floor, the next he was standing in front of her, a smirk on his face.
He’d found her hiding place.
She wouldn’t call herself a stalker; that seemed harsh. She wasn’t a threat to him. There was something pulling her closer, like an invisible magnetism. Something about him called to her. The need to do anything he asked. A desire to kneel before his feet and never leave. She couldn’t shake her head and get out of the trance-like state.
The visions took over. Like memories waiting to happen.
This wasn’t the first time she’d been caught watching. It had happened a handful of times, not exactly rare. She couldn’t help it. From the first moment her eyes landed on his, she was pulled in. She could remember that day as if it were yesterday. Their tenth year at Ethereal Prep had already begun a few days prior, but it was his first day. Nearly three years later and she still couldn’t help watching him. The need to be close. The fear if she got too close, she’d burn—it was why she kept her distance. Every time his eyes met hers, it was as if her heart slowed down.
Time.
Slowed.
Down.
This time was different. Sure, in the past when he knew she was watching, he was precise about his movements, as if knowing he had this effect on her. Other times, he didn’t know, but she suspected he had a feeling. There was something between them they could never act on.
Now he approached her.
Before, he kept his distance.
She made sure to stay at least ten feet away. If he was coming down a hallway, she’d take the long way around. Anything to avoid the chance of entering one another’s bubbles. As if being too close would cause a new orbit, gravity would push them closer together.
Then she wouldn’t be able to say no. She wouldn’t be able to stay away.
“Princess.” He stepped closer, into the dark corner of the gym.
That did it though, that broke the spell. The nickname the other kids had given her growing up because she was an Ever who lived in a castle. They couldn’t say it anymore. Now they lived in the castle with her.
“Then you must be the new jester.” Her eyes narrowed.
He laughed.
She was supposed to stay away, she couldn’t anymore. Not when he was living under the same roof.
For months, her family had relentlessly drilled into her the importance of a university for the supernatural. She didn’t disagree with the idea of it. Being an alumnus of Ethereal Prep, she understood firsthand how crucial having a safe environment for kids coming into their gifts and abilities was. She even agreed to be among the first class to attend this new institution.
It wasn’t like there was already a college that offered the necessary coursework that could be helpful in their community. It was in her future plans to be part of The Council, so if they required it, no big deal.
She wasn’t ready to leave the safe space of her family home so soon, but she knew it was for the greater good. Then, her family broke the news. The university needed to be in a safe and easily hidden location. Somewhere where magical wards and protective barriers would already be in place. She just hadn’t been prepared for it to be her family home.
