Grave Secrets: A Dementon Academy of Magic Novel (The Everlasting Chronicles Book 3)

by K. G. Reuss

  “General, why don’t you answer Everly’s question?” Damien smirked at me. I shot him an irritated looked before turning to address her.

  This was it. Our first conversation as we simply were. Coherent. In the moment.

  “We don’t always get what we want, Miss Torres.” I ground my teeth, hating myself for my next words. “This is no exception. You’re required to participate. We cannot get a good judge of your strengths and weaknesses without watching you. While many can forego the workshops if they’re transfers, they cannot forego the final. It’s a no exceptions rule.”

  “But Eric and Damien already know what I can do,” she argued, her voice shaking. “I don’t want to participate. I didn’t sign on to join some supernatural fight club!”

  Eric and Damien seemed surprised and exchanged looks at her passionate outburst. I opened and closed my mouth several times before I found the words to answer her.

  “There are no choices, Miss Torres. No exceptions. You are required to attend.”

  “And if I don’t?” she countered. I took in her hands balled into tight fists, her pretty face twisted with anger. The guys stared at me gauging me for my next move.

  There was a general murmuring throughout the crowd as she stood staring defiantly up at us. This was a first. No one ever dared question us.

  “Then you have a couple of options,” I cleared my throat, my voice taking on a low, dangerous tone. “Option one takes you to Xanan to be dealt with. Option two takes you outside the gates of Dementon. And I daresay, Miss Torres, you aren’t going to like that option much. Am I right?”

  She glared at me for a moment. Her hand went to the necklace around her neck. She fumbled with it, her dark brows knit.

  She seemed to come to a decision. “Then I’d like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to attend Dementon. I just don’t think it’s the place for me.” She didn’t wait for an answer. She turned on her heel and began pushing her way out of the stunned crowd.

  “What the hell just happened?” Eric asked. The shock written on his face had to mirror my own.

  “I think she just quit,” Damien chuckled, grinning at me. “Nice work, Gen.”

  “I’ll go get her,” Eric stated, hoping down from the stage without waiting for me to answer.

  I could only stare at the door she disappeared through, realizing that my Everly was a spitfire, and I’d have my work cut out for me.

  Six

  Everly

  “How was orientation?” Harper asked as she walked me to my second class. After I’d defected from orientation, it didn’t take Eric long to find me and convince me to stay. All he had to do was remind me of what my life had been like outside the walls, and I’d relented begrudgingly. His lips had tilted up into a sweet smile, relief painting his features. And once again, I willed myself not to ask him if he was Shadow.

  I still wasn’t in a good mood though. Now I was even more stressed. Seeing Raiden up close at the orientation made me drink in more of his features. Things I hadn’t noticed before. Both his ears were pierced. He wore a black leather bracelet on one wrist. His lips were full and pink. And his voice—it was a soft purr, even when he was being demanding and infuriating. And boy, was the general infuriating.

  Harper waved at Abby who came trotting over to us, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “Well, I guess this place might be OK. I’m not too sure about being surrounded by vampires and werewolves, but I guess…” I didn’t tell them about my outburst at orientation. Eric told me Raiden would come to me himself if I decided to have another tantrum. Eric was even crazy enough to suggest that I simply talk to Raiden, voice my concerns and let him know the upcoming tasks made me uncomfortable. I’d declined to do that twice before Eric had let out a frustrated sigh and told me it was my funeral if I acted out again. Whatever. It’s not like I’d never done that before.

  “Seriously. It’s not bad.” Harper bumped my shoulder with hers. “If you have any problems, Abby and I will hex ‘em, right, Abby?”

  “You damn right!” Abby proclaimed, falling in step with us.

  “We have to do some workshop thing and then the final with Conexus on Friday,” I grumbled as we walked.

  “They do that every year,” Harper said sourly, her eyes shifting over to Nevron’s group. He cast her a look before glancing at me. His eyes moved away from me quickly, thankfully. “They took Sloane shortly after she did hers. Don’t worry. Usually your trainer will just be someone you won’t have to worry about signing your life away to.”

  “I hope so,” I mumbled.

  “Just go in there and suck.” Abby chuckled. “They won’t pick you then.”

  “It’s, uh, not in my nature to slack off.” I frowned. I was way too competitive for that. However, I’d probably suck since I hadn’t practiced my martial arts or gymnastics in months. Not since I got sick. I’d already demonstrated my worthiness in a diner parking lot with Conexus. I was pretty sure a second chance wouldn’t yield better results. But something inside me didn’t want to be known to Eric and Damien as the girl who landed on her butt in a parking lot and cried. I was stronger than that, and I had a desperate desire to prove that to them. Besides, if I did work hard, then they’d know I wasn’t a pushover. “Guess it doesn’t matter. Eric and Damien already know I suck.”

  “Wait. How do they know that?” Harper stopped and narrowed her eyes at me.

  “We were attacked on our way here,” I admitted, my voice low. She and Abby exchanged wide-eyed looks.

  “That was you?” Abby exclaimed. “I was wondering who it was!”

  “What happened?” Harper asked.

  “We stopped to get something to eat. These things—carrion, I think they called them—came out of the woods and attacked us. We had to fight. That’s when Damien turned into a dragon.”

  “Wow.” Harper nodded, clearly impressed.

  “You got to fight alongside some of the most elite fighters in our entire world. That’s insane!” Abby said dreamily.

  “I wouldn’t say I fought beside them. More like cowered. It was terrifying. I never want to do it again.” Absentmindedly I touched the still tender spot on my neck where that thing had sunk his teeth in. My body gave a shudder at the memory.

  “Well, that could work out in your favor if they already know you suck.” Harper grinned at me. “Just keep sucking, so it doesn’t look like a fluke!”

  “Yeah, maybe,” I murmured as we entered the English department.

  But I couldn’t. I would not be remembered as the parking lot girl. I was better than that. The three of us had class together, thankfully. I followed Harper to the back where she plopped down at a desk. I took the one across from her while Abby sat behind her.

  “Hey,” a good-looking guy with dark brown hair and chocolate-colored eyes greeted us. His eyes swept over me quickly, a small smile on his face.

  “Hey! Ever, this is Jason,” Harper introduced us. “Remember me telling you about the fae who could predict lunch? This is him.”

  “Hi.” I gave him a shy nod, noting his green and gold pin.

  “Mind if I sit behind you?” he asked me, shooting a look at Harper.

  “Um, help yourself,” I said, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. He grinned even wider and sat down.

  “How are you liking Dementon so far?” He leaned forward in his seat.

  “Oh, uh, it seems OK,” I answered, turning to look at him. He reminded me of Dylan a bit with his looks.

  “It is. Student council is hosting a meet and greet dance this Saturday night for new students over in the fortress. You should definitely come check it out. Everyone will be there.”

  “The fortress?” I asked, taking the blue flyer he handed me.

  “Yeah.” He laughed. “It’s a building on the edge of the property near The Limits. The student council holds all their gatherings there.”

  “The Limits?” I asked, feeling like a nerd for not knowing.

  “I forgot h
ow new you are.” His eyes sparkled. “The Limits are the edge of Dementon property. It’s the magical line that separates our world from the Nattie world.”

  “Oh.” I gave him a tight smile. I wanted nothing to do with the going back to the Nattie world. At least not until I understood myself better. Or unless Raiden angered me again.

  “If you’re worried about going, I don’t mind accompanying you,” he said, his voice low, his brown eyes sincere.

  “Jason, are you asking Ever out?” Harper broke in, grinning. She and Abby exchanged looks, and Jason’s cheeks reddened.

  “You two are such a pain in the ass,” he groaned, sitting back in his seat. They giggled, and even I smiled a little.

  “I’m Professor Maris. I’m a caster, and I’ll be your English professor the duration of the year,” a tall regal woman proclaimed, coming into the room. The room quieted down. I took notes throughout class and groaned with everyone else when she assigned a three-paged paper on the history of a faction of our choice due by Friday. We got up and shuffled out of class. At the door, Harper grinned at me.

  “Abby and I have potions. What’s your next class?”

  “Um.” I looked down at my schedule. “Astronomy.” I wrinkled my nose. Who decided that was a good idea?

  “I’ll walk with you,” Jason offered immediately. “We’re in the same class.”

  Harper and Abby grinned even wider at me. I gave them a quizzical look as Jason glanced down at his schedule. Harper nodded to Jason, her eyes wide.

  “What?” I mouthed.

  Abby giggled as Harper made a kissy face and pointed to Jason. I shooed them away, my face hot with embarrassment.

  “Do you need to stop at your dorm or anything?” Jason asked.

  “No.” I shook my head, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. I fell in step beside him as we made our way across campus. He was greeted a lot of times. I was surprised when we were stopped by Marcus, the amber-eyed warlock I’d seen on the grounds earlier.

  “Anders, what’s up, man?” He gave him a bro handshake, his strange amber-colored eyes sliding over to me. “Who’s your friend?”

  “Hey, man. This is Everly Torres. She just started here.”

  “Everly,” my name came out smoothly on his lips. “You’re an incredible view, aren’t you?

  “Excuse me?” I frowned at him.

  “You coming to the meet and greet dance Saturday night?” he continued without answering my question. He had an accent similar to Eric’s, Damien’s, and Raiden's.

  “Um.” I shook my head as his hand began to move in front of my eyes, a golden swirl enveloping it. A moment later a red rose appeared, and he handed it to me.

  “A pretty flower for a pretty girl.” He smirked, moving closer. Jason let out a sigh and turned away. “You should come. I’d love to take you.”

  “Thanks, but I haven’t decided yet if I’ll go,” I said, casting a look at Jason who gave me a slight smile.

  “Well, if you decide to, I’ll be there. Maybe we can get to know one another,” Marcus’s voice was low and suggestive.

  “I doubt it, but thank you for the offer,” I replied, feeling frazzled. He had a lot of nerve. He chuckled softly before giving Jason a nod and walking off.

  “He’s actually not all that bad once you get to know him.”

  “Yeah, right,” I snorted, watching as he swaggered across the campus, girls giggling as he passed.

  “You’re right.” Jason laughed easily. “He’s a bit of a douche, but he’s damn good to have on your side in a tight pinch. The guy is easily one of the best locks to ever walk these grounds.”

  I didn’t say anything as I watched Marcus greet the blond vampire, Nev. The two cast me a quick look which made my face redden. I quickly ducked my head and turned away from them.

  “So… Were you serious about not going on Saturday?” Jason asked as we walked across campus.

  “Yeah. I really just want to relax in my room. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to enjoy the silence.”

  “I bet,” he said sympathetically as we started walking again. “Harp told me about your Whispering.”

  I remained silent as we continued our journey to the Astronomy department, a large building with high towers perfect for star gazing.

  “It’ll be fun if you do decide to go,” he continued. “Someone is bound to get embarrassed by introducing a new dance move. It’s always fun to break the ice by laughing at one another.”

  “That does sound fun.” I smiled, wondering if maybe I should go. It had been a long time since I’d done anything remotely normal.

  We ended up talking a lot through Astronomy together, and I was happy he became my partner. He was funny, always saying something sweet or lighthearted. He made me smile more than once. By the end of the day, he’d walked me to all my classes along with Harper and Abby. I smiled to myself. It was only my first day and already I was starting to feel normal again. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it until the moment we were all waving goodbye to one another.

  I walked back to my dorm with Harper after classes ended, my brain feeling full. Shadow had popped into my head more than once during the day. I kept wondering when would be the right time to ask Eric if he was him. Our conversation from earlier after he’d chased me down flashed through my mind.

  “Ever, hey, wait up!” Eric called out, rushing to catch up with me as I practically ran back to my dorm to pack my bags and get the hell out of Dodge.

  “Ever, come on.” Eric’s hand caught my arm and pulled me to a stop. I ground me teeth and looked at him, waiting for my reprimanding.

  “I’m not going to yell at you. I only want to make sure you’re OK.”

  I let the tension leave my body, his calmness easing my worries.

  “I can’t do this, Eric. I thought I could—” I looked around in a panic, feeling helpless.

  “Hey, now. Come on. You’ve got this. You’ve overcome so much already.” Eric captured my hands in his and led me to a large oak tree where he tugged me down beside next to him. “I promise you, it sounds worse than it is.”

  “To you maybe, but this is so new to me. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all.” I swallowed down the desperate whimper which tried to claw its way out of my throat.

  “I get it. I really do. So does General Hawthorne. Even Damien gets it.” He stared back at me with his big, blue eyes. “You have to excuse the general, Ever. He takes this stuff serious, as should you. We only want your safety. That’s it. Not your blood or anything else. It’s to help you, not hurt you. I swear.”

  I looked away and shook my head. “I’m already safe. Mostly.”

  “How so?” Eric cocked his head at me.

  I licked my lips and locked my eyes on his. “I-I have a protector. Shadow. He’s been coming to me since I was a kid. He looks out for me.”

  Eric gave me a tight smile. “I see.”

  “You think I’m crazy.”

  “I didn’t say that. The only thing I think is you owe it to yourself to learn to take care of your business. If that means sucking it up for a day in a ring, then you should do it. You want to be strong on your own, right?” He studied me as I frowned.

  “I-I guess.”

  “Then it starts with you being the brave girl I know you are and getting into that ring. Got it? From here on out, life is going to get harder, but I promise it’ll be worth every challenge. Believe me?”

  I searched his face for a moment, silently willing him to admit he was Shadow. He only smiled back at me, no sign of giving up his secrets.

  “Besides, what if Shadow can’t make it to help you? Then what?”

  “I’d miss him,” I admitted. “He’s my protector. In fact, I miss him even now.”

  Eric nodded and looked away from me, his gaze fixed elsewhere on campus. We were both quiet for a moment before he spoke.

  “We’re in charge of our own lives, Ever. Own that and don’t wait on someone else to save you. Even t
hose dreams we have of being saved can turn to nightmares.” His gazed returned to mine before a small smile split the seriousness on his face, and he bumped shoulders with me. “You’ve got this. I believe in you.”

  He didn’t even come close to spilling his secret much to my disappointment.

  Instead, he’d only smiled and changed the subject to the workshops I had to participate in so I could be graded on my abilities.

  “Do you need anything before I go?” Harper asked, jolting me back to the present as we stopped at my dorm. I fumbled with my keys, my mediocre mood dissipating as frustration about my thoughts of Shadow took over.

  “No,” I sighed, pushing my door open. “Thanks for today. You, Jason, and Abby are lifesavers. I was worried about not fitting in here, but you guys have been really great.”

  “Of course!” Harper reached out and gave me a quick hug. “What about Jason?” She pulled away and looked at me, her eyes sparkling.

  “He’s nice,” I admitted, with my heart aching for Shadow. “But I’m not interested in being more than his friend.”

  “Can’t say I didn’t try.” She let out a sigh, a smile behind it. “That ex of yours hurt you pretty badly, huh?

  “Something like that,” I replied, not meeting her eyes. I knew deep down it had nothing to do with Dylan. “But I’m going to get to bed. It’s been a long day.”

  “I bet,” she said sympathetically. “I’ll see you tomorrow! Maybe we can work on some of your skills for the workshops. It’ll be fun,” she added at the grimace on my face.

  “OK. Tomorrow then.” I stepped inside my room and gave her a wave as she laughed out a goodbye.

  Immediately, I went to my room and got into my pajamas and crawled into bed. I felt so alone. It wasn’t easy to talk to my mom or Nina. And something deep within me didn’t want to. I remembered the look on their faces as they watched me catch fire and burn. I’d been a wreck. I wanted to be better, more clear-headed, when I called them. The letters I sent would have to do for now.