Cardinal

Chapter 19

I stomp out of the stupid mansion into the stupid Escalade which Keenan is driving to the academy. 

I automatically run to the third row of the SUV, not wanting to be next to any of them. I shouldn't be angry, really. What did I expect after leaving? 

There were things that you do to cope. 

And there were things you do when you were man-whores. Keenan and William's revelation did nothing to prepare me. I knew what was coming in the back of my mind. I just didn't expect it to be...so bad. 

Not only did they share the three girls whose names I dare not think about but had also shared Sicily...and get this, Kayla. No, not only with Keenan and William but also all four of them. 

"Lil, I don't think we should talk about this..." A nervous grimace on Keenan's face. 

"I agree, Lilac. I don't think this is a good idea. After the plane, I think that you should..." 

"No, tell me now. You must be crazy to think I'm about to go into a chockful of academy girls with no insight of just what tomorrow's revelation will bring on to me." I tell them as sternly as possible. There was no fucking way I was going in there blind, especially during merc training. I need to know who to avoid if I was ever going to survive this and end up on their merc team. 

William and Keenan both glance at each other worriedly and proceed to tell me the most infuriating thing ever. 

My vision goes red and my anger boils. I stomp out of Keenan's room before they even finish their excuses. 

I stare out of the window, my arms crossed under my breasts, and a permanent scowl on my face. I watch the familiar winding road to the academy and mentally prepare myself for today. 

Good morning, beautiful. I missed you. Ready for today? Steel speaks, telepathically. 

I glare at him and proceed to continue to stare out the window like the view was the most interesting thing in the world. 

Hey!  Steel mentally nudges at me again. I'm already extremely annoyed and pissed at all of them for something that really wasn't their fault-which made it more annoying. I can't really help it either. I'm their cardinal and jealousy was my deadly sin. I put my mental barriers up to keep Steel from telepathically communicating to me. I can't deal with it right now. 

I see his eyebrow furrowing again, concern marring his face at my lack of attention to him. 

"Okay, there must be something that everyone knows here. Why is Lilac pissed?" 

I huff at his statement and proceed to ignore everyone again. 

Hmm, maybe the reason I'm so pissed is that, not only do I have to fight off everyone against the four of you, but I also have to fight off the most infuriating person I've ever met in my life as well as a couple of others. Being their cardinal publically is not going to be easy. 

"Maybe this isn't a great topic to bring up now on the way to the academy, Steel." Keenan voices from the front of the vehicle. 

Oh, he doesn't want to bring it up. For some reason, hearing him talk increases my anger. 

"Oh, yeah, Keenan? Why don't you and Will tell Steel why the topic can't be discussed? Better yet, tell Damian too since he wants to be so goddamn quiet up there." I yell out at Keenan. 

"Ah shit." I hear Will curse under his breath. 

As we pass the familiar tingle of the forcefield that protects the academy and keeps it hidden, we are met with a line of cars going through security to the entrance of the academy.