Chapter 26

Shared Secret

Elijah’s face contorted with mock horror, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. A smirk twitched at the corners of his lips, barely contained. His posture tensed, but there was a deliberate dramatism in the way he held himself.

– Nah, I’m not scared – he scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest in exaggerated defiance. His tone was light, teasing, but there was a faint twitch in his brow that gave away how hard he was trying to maintain the act.

Kai, however, looked more uncertain. He bit his lower lip, his gaze darting briefly between Raphael and Elijah. One of his hands rested on his thigh, fingers twitching nervously.

– You wouldn’t dare.

Raphael flashed a mischievous grin, the corners of his mouth curving with slow, deliberate confidence. There was a devilish gleam in his eyes, and a sense of anticipation vibrated in the air like electricity.

– Now you both are literally asking for this.

Kai swallowed hard, his throat bobbing visibly as he tried to keep a straight face. He shifted in his seat, the fabric beneath him rustling softly in the quiet tension that had begun to coil around them.

– You wouldn’t really teleport into our rooms at night, would you?

His voice tried for casual, but the slight waver betrayed him. A drop of unease glimmered behind his usually calm eyes.

Elijah, in contrast, grinned with challenge in his expression. He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on the table, completely at ease, almost inviting.

Raphael tilted his head, his voice dipping into a silky kind of amusement.

– Why? Do you have something to hide? Or maybe someone?

Elijah’s grin widened, his cheeks dimpling and eyes crinkling at the edges. He leaned back with a low chuckle, stretching slightly as if unconcerned.

– You think we’re hiding something?

He turned to Kai with a pointed glance. The air around them thickened with something unspoken. Kai flinched ever so slightly, as if that look had pierced something tender.

Kai swallowed again, his eyes flickering with nervous energy, fingers curling in his lap.

– We? Should I know something? – Raphael added with a playful grin and a wink that held more curiosity than accusation.

Elijah shared a knowing look with Kai. It lingered for a moment too long. The silence that followed was heavy, expectant. Kai’s discomfort was palpable now — his foot tapped quietly against the floor, and his eyes refused to settle.

– Well… – Kai began, his voice tight, running a hand through his messy hair, dishevelling it even further.

– It’s not exactly–

– Would you be mad if we both admitted to having some… – Elijah cut in smoothly, his voice softer now, a slight blush colouring the base of his neck as he glanced sideways.

They’re nervous, Raphael realized. But why does that only make it more fun?

– Not at all. Why should I? It’s nice to have some fun – Raphael replied with a wide grin, one brow lifting in quiet provocation.

The tension between the boys tightened. A barely perceptible shift passed between them before Kai exhaled sharply, like bracing himself before a dive.

– Fine, you won’t get mad? Promise?

His gaze locked on Raphael, searching, vulnerable.

Elijah added quickly, voice low and edged with uncertainty:

– We might have been sharing something… or someone…

Raphael’s grin sharpened, and his eyes gleamed with intrigue.

– Mmmmm… gets more and more intriguing… Give me everything!

Both boys flushed crimson, visibly flustered now. Elijah scratched the back of his neck, and Kai looked like he wanted to disappear under the table.

Kai hesitated, then finally let it out in one breath:

– Okay, fine. We’ve been sleeping with the same person for the past few weeks. Happy now?

He folded his arms across his chest, a defensive gesture, his chin lifting slightly as if to challenge any reaction. Elijah nodded beside him, confirming it with a small, almost shy smile.

– At the same time? – Raphael asked, voice dropping into something sultry, a devilish grin creeping across his lips.

Their jaws dropped in unison, and then, a second later, they both burst out laughing nervously. The tension cracked, replaced with an awkward blend of relief and embarrassment.

– Damn… how’d you guess? – Kai admitted, rubbing a hand through his hair again, avoiding eye contact.

– Yeah… at the same time – Elijah echoed, his grin crooked now, bashful.

– Great! That’s a good fun. Why should I be jealous?

There was a beat of stunned silence. Kai and Elijah exchanged wide-eyed glances, then looked back at Raphael like they weren’t sure they’d heard him right.

Elijah’s brows lifted.

– Seriously?

– You’re not mad? You actually think it’s fun? – Kai’s voice held hope now, and the ghost of a smile began to return to his lips.

– Yes. Who is she? Or he?

A charged pause. Elijah’s eyes darted to Kai again. Kai cleared his throat, then answered more quietly.

– It’s actually a he. His name is Luke. He’s in our year, but he’s not supernatural.

Elijah added swiftly:

– He doesn’t know about our abilities.

– A human? I thought that this school is only for supernaturals.

Kai shrugged with a tinge of guilt.

– Luke’s parents are wealthy donors to the school. They got him in as a favour.

– Plus, he’s really hot and he doesn’t judge us for being different – Elijah added. The faintest smile ghosted across his lips as the memory seemed to warm him. Both of them looked away for a moment, cheeks tinged with heat.

– Seems like a great guy. Good for you – Raphael offered with a relaxed smile, leaning back ever so slightly. – And when you’ll be tired, I could help.

A sharp stillness cut through the air.

Elijah’s pupils dilated, and his breath hitched. Kai stared at Raphael, his mouth slightly agape, caught between disbelief and something deeper.

– Are you serious right now? You’d actually sleep with us if we got tired of Luke?

– Or with Luke when he got tired of any of you – Raphael added with a slow, wicked wink.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Then Elijah swallowed audibly, and Kai’s blush spread all the way to his ears. But behind their stunned expressions, something else shimmered — unmistakable interest.

– And you wouldn’t mind sharing with us? With Luke too? – Elijah’s voice was hoarse, uncertain.

– The more the merrier.

Kai and Elijah exchanged glances before breaking into matching grins. There was something unspoken passing between them — an agreement, a shared spark of curiosity and mischief. The moment stretched just long enough to feel dangerous.

Kai reached into his pocket and quickly sent a message to Luke. His thumbs flew across the screen, his lips pressing into a tight line, but the eager glint in his eyes gave away his excitement. Elijah watched over his shoulder, his knee bouncing restlessly beneath the table. His fingers tapped a rhythmic pattern against the edge, like he was holding back a rush of energy.

The room settled into a brief lull, anticipation coiling in the silence. Then, a few minutes later, the door opened.

Luke stepped into the room with casual ease, his gait confident but not arrogant. The light from the hallway framed him for a moment before he moved inside, casting a quick glance around. His eyes landed on Raphael almost immediately.

There was a subtle shift in the atmosphere — like something magnetic had entered the space.

Luke’s gaze lingered, and a slow, pleased smile spread across his lips.

– Mmmm… you both have a good taste in men – Raphael noted, letting his voice drip with casual approval.

Luke’s expression brightened further, amused and visibly intrigued. He walked over with fluid ease, his attention still fixed on Raphael.

– Hey guys – he greeted Kai and Elijah with a familiar warmth before turning to face the stranger among them. – And who is this beautiful stranger?

There was a lilt in his voice, somewhere between flirtation and honest curiosity. He didn’t stop walking until he was just within Raphael’s personal space.

– Hi. I’m Raphael, the new guy here.

Raphael’s voice was steady, but inside, he felt a flutter of something he couldn’t quite name — maybe it was thrill, or maybe the tension of being seen and instantly appreciated.

Luke’s eyes lit up as he took in every detail — the tousled brown hair, the sharp blue eyes, the composed posture that somehow still radiated chaos beneath the surface.

– Damn, you guys didn’t tell me the new guy was this hot.

With no hesitation, Luke reached out and gave Raphael’s waist a playful squeeze, testing the boundaries from the start.

Kai chuckled, leaning against the wall with a lazy smirk playing at his lips.

– We were too busy drooling over Raphael to think about mentioning it.

Elijah nodded in agreement, his lips parting slightly as his gaze drifted down Raphael’s body and back up again.

– Yeah, he’s like, annoyingly gorgeous.

Raphael blinked, colour rising to his cheeks, and let out a faint exhale. Why am I blushing like this? he thought, I was the one who teased them first…

– Stop it, guys, or I’ll do pufff – he warned with a wink, though the lightness in his tone betrayed his amusement.

Luke laughed out loud and pulled him closer with a quick tug.

– He’s blushing! He can’t handle the compliments!

His laugh was genuine, almost contagious. The warmth of his grip settled on Raphael’s skin like static.

Kai and Elijah exchanged a look, then lunged at him simultaneously, their hands moving with purpose. Fingers danced across Raphael’s ribs, his sides, under his arms — relentless, coordinated.

As soon as the evil idea comes to Raphael’s mind he’s teleporting alone to his room, vanishing from the guys’ arms.

One moment, the laughter echoed, and the next — they were left holding empty air.

Kai and Elijah looked around in confusion, eyes wide and hands frozen mid-motion. Luke blinked rapidly, his smile faltering in surprise.

– Where did he go?

He turned to Kai and Elijah, who stared at each other, startled.

– I… I think he just–

Then Kai’s eyes widened as realization dawned, and his mouth opened in astonishment.

Raphael teleports back to the cafeteria with devilish smile – I warned you – he said with a wide grin.

The three of them stared at him, stunned into silence. It was as if the very laws of reality had been casually rewritten before their eyes.

Luke’s jaw dropped open. Kai’s eyebrows climbed nearly into his hairline. Elijah stared with a mixture of awe and just a hint of wariness.

– Holy shit…

– Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself – Raphael said, still grinning, clearly enjoying every second of their reactions.

Luke shook his head, lips curling again into a grin.

– Damn, you’re fast. And sneaky.

Kai laughed, dragging a hand through his hair in exasperated admiration.

– No wonder you can handle all three of us. You’re basically a ninja.

– For now, I can only hope that I can handle you three. But I think we will need a proof.

The weight of the implication landed softly but unmistakably. Elijah’s face turned bright red, his lips parting but no words coming out. His eyes dropped, then lifted again, flickering with restless energy.

Kai’s grin returned, slow and full of heat. Luke’s arm slid casually around Raphael’s shoulders, his fingers curling gently against the fabric of his shirt.

– Oh, we’ll give you all the proof you need.

– Can’t wait – Raphael replied, his smile challenging, daring them.

Kai quickly glanced around the cafeteria, making sure no one was watching. The usual lunchtime buzz had dulled, leaving behind only scattered voices and clinking cutlery. He moved with quiet urgency, grabbing Raphael’s hand and tugging him gently toward the nearby supply closet. The hallway lights flickered faintly above, casting long shadows on the tiled floor.

Elijah and Luke followed closely behind, their steps light and eager. There was a spark in their eyes — part excitement, part disbelief — as though the whole thing had become some surreal, shared dream.

– Alright then, let’s give you that proof right now.

The words hung in the air like a promise.

– Here??? – Raphael’s voice held a note of mock protest, though his eyes glittered with curiosity.

– Trust me, it’s the perfect moment. Private, no interruptions… – Luke whispered into his ear from behind. His breath was warm against Raphael’s skin, sending a ripple of anticipation down his spine. – A little bit of extra adrenaline…

His hand found its way around Raphael’s waist, fingers gliding over the fabric of his shirt with quiet intent as they all slipped into the closet.

The space inside was tight and dimly lit, lined with cleaning supplies, spare trays, and the faint scent of citrus and dust. Kai reached back and locked the door behind them with a soft click. The sudden closeness made the air feel heavier, charged.

Elijah bit his lip, standing just behind Raphael. His eyes darted between the others, unsure where to look, yet clearly trying not to miss a single movement.

– I think I have a better idea. But don’t freak out. Just all three grab me tight.

His voice was calm, but beneath it pulsed something deeper — the edge of something electric. The others hesitated for a brief second, sharing a silent question through glances. Then, without another word, they obeyed.

Luke’s arms wrapped firmly around Raphael from behind, his chest pressed against his back. Kai moved to his side, sliding a hand around his waist, the touch more intimate than before. Elijah stood in front of him, eyes wide and searching, before finally reaching out and resting both hands on Raphael’s shoulders.

The sensation of being held by all three was overwhelming. Warmth surrounded him. Three different heartbeats. Three different scents — something earthy from Kai, a trace of spice from Luke, and Elijah’s subtle mix of soap and ink.

The world narrowed to a single breath.

– Okay, now what? – Elijah asked, voice hushed.

In the next instant, the room around them dissolved into a rush of pressure and silence.

In an instant, the group found themselves in Raphael’s bedroom.

The shift was disorienting — the cramped darkness of the supply closet replaced by warm, ambient light and the soft scent of linen and citrus. The room had a cozy, lived-in quality. A large bed sat unmade at the center, sheets slightly ruffled. Books and trinkets lined a low shelf beneath the window, and a few crystals scattered on the nightstand caught the light with subtle glimmers.

Kai blinked rapidly, still clutching Raphael as if unsure the floor wouldn’t vanish beneath him.

– Holy shit, you can teleport with others?

His voice cracked slightly with disbelief, but his grip tightened for a heartbeat before releasing.

Elijah’s eyes were wide, his pupils dilated in pure astonishment. He stepped back slowly, staring around as if trying to prove to himself that this wasn’t an illusion.

Luke let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. His gaze swept the room before settling back on Raphael.

– Isn’t that better place for some “tests”? – Raphael said with a wide grin, spreading his arms as if presenting them with a private playground.

A beat of silence.

Then laughter broke the tension — soft, intimate, laced with disbelief and excitement. It echoed off the high ceiling, tangled with the sunlight that spilled through half-drawn curtains.

Luke stepped closer and reached up to trace Raphael’s jawline with his finger. His touch was featherlight, yet it sparked like static across Raphael’s skin.

– Much better.

His voice had dropped — lower, rougher. The playful tone still lingered, but beneath it simmered heat.

Kai moved without a word to close the curtains, his movements quick but careful, like he was suddenly very aware of the privacy they now had. As the room dimmed, the golden haze from outside was replaced by a cocoon of soft shadow and stillness.

Elijah cleared his throat, shifting slightly as his hand trailed along the bookshelf. He looked almost out of place for a moment — like someone who had wandered into something far more intimate than he had anticipated.

– So… what kind of tests are we talking about exactly?

There was a tremble in his voice, one that tried to disguise itself as a joke. But his eyes betrayed him — they flicked from Raphael’s mouth to his collarbone and back again, his tongue briefly wetting his lower lip.

– Simple. If I can handle all three of you at once – Raphael said, his grin now positively wicked, predatory in its confidence.

The room fell quiet again, but this time it wasn’t awkward.

It was expectant.

The tension coiled between them like a drawn bowstring. A breath. A glance. A heartbeat too long. Every small movement — the brushing of fingers, the intake of breath, the faint creak of wood — suddenly felt amplified.

Raphael could feel the shift inside himself. Not power, not magic. Something more primal — a pulse of yes beneath his skin, rising to meet the moment.