Academy of Magic Collection

by Angelique S Anderson et al.

  “She stays locked in her room. It is for her safety. Kyra will benefit if Arianna is killed and she will become more powerful than she is now,” said Liam.

  “That isn’t right. She shouldn’t have to pay for her sister’s decisions.”

  “You don’t look good and you are paler than Leonardo,” said Liam.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Orion. What happened to him?” asked Liam.

  “Cade was fighting two demons and he tried to save an angel and was stabbed with the vamp virus,” said Orion.

  “How long ago did this happen? You are not fine,” said Liam.

  “Cade will be fine. He has the cure for the vamp virus,” said Orion.

  “You told me that you have not found the cure, but you lied. You intend to take the cure for yourself. Some best friend you turned out to be,” said Leonardo.

  “If there is one cure, as second in command, the cure goes to him. I forbid any other outcome. We still have some time and can find another cure for you,” said Liam.

  “It’s a shame but one day Cade will see that you don’t care about anybody but yourself,” said Leonardo. He stormed out of the office and slammed the door shut.

  “You didn’t have to talk to him that way. You are heartless.” I walked out of the office and slammed the door.

  What about Maximus? I haven’t been able to reach him. Is he here,” asked Orion?

  “Maximus is not here. I called him but he has not called me back,” said Liam

  “How many times has he not answered you?” asked Orion.

  “This is the first time.”

  Looking around I didn’t see Leonardo anywhere. Liam has always been blunt. He didn’t have to forbid me to give my best friend the cure. I’m a man of my word. I promised that I would do everything to get the cure and I did. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t know that I would have to die in order to keep my promise. Leonardo would do the same for me.

  He was probably in the enchanted gardens. Ignoring the ache in my chest I flung the door open. Leonardo was sitting on the ledge with his head resting on his knees. He hadn’t looked so desolate since the death of his mother six years ago. I sat down next to him.

  “I can’t believe you lied to me. Why didn’t you make that witch chick give you more than one vial,” asked Leonardo?

  “I didn’t lie to you. I ‘m not Liam. If I say I’m going to do something, then I do it.” Rose didn’t want to help and she wasn’t concerned about the vampires dying because she hates us. I wish she or Zane could do more but it looks like we’re going to have to figure this out on our own.

  I pulled out the syringe. His eyes widened and he grabbed the syringe and injected it in his arm.

  “Where is your shot?” asked Leonardo.

  “I took it already. You feel bad before you start to feel yourself again.” I’m going to check on Arianna. Get some rest and stay on the grounds. Things are crazy around here.’

  I couldn’t stay in the enchanted garden since Melody lost her life there. It will be another issue when the vamp virus runs its course. Heading to Arianna’s room I knocked on the door, then opened it.

  “I’m just checking on you.”

  “If you’re not going to let me out of this room, you can get out,” said Arianna.

  “The headmaster wants to keep you in the room for your safety.”

  “Oh my, is that what he told you. He does want me out there because he doesn’t trust me,” said Arianna.

  “I’ve talked to Liam and he isn’t budging. Just give me time, I’ll work on him.”

  I have never been so happy to see my bedroom. Flopping down on my bed, I feel my strength leave my limbs. I’m not sure how I powered through this day and lived to tell the tale.

  The light poured in from the window. This box was sitting on my desk. I didn’t look at it but now I might not get the chance. Swallowing hard, I lifted the box lid. There was a medallion with a spirit on it. Where did this come from? Placing it to the side, I pulled out the photos. Wait. Letoya was pregnant in this photo. Her hair was blonde which meant this was before Derrick’s raping her.

  There were so many photos of Letoya. The water pooled in my eyes as I lifted the last photo. How is Letoya wearing this necklace? Sliding the necklace on my neck I tucked it inside my shirt. The last photo of Letoya showed that she was wearing the medallion and sitting in a cave with colorful drawings on the walls. Why did she go to that cave? She could’ve gone anywhere but she chose that cave.

  I climbed out of the window. My body ached but I could rest when I got to the cave. It should be safe there since nobody goes up the mountains and into the caves anymore. If it isn’t safe what do I have to lose?

  Three hours later I reached the cave. I fell to my knees in the entranceway. I was weak and my body didn’t have any strength. Sweat dripped off me, and I couldn’t stay warm despite it being a cool night. The virus was wreaking havoc on my body, and I couldn’t see suffering with it for a month.

  Grabbing the edges of the cave, I stumble to my feet. Using my pocket flashlight, I walked deeper into the cave. Stopping when I see the carvings on the cave. It was a beautiful woman surrounded by many people. The tribe of Zena was something nobody talked about. Why does that sound familiar? Zena was the love of Valcrum’s heart. There hasn’t been much to say about her other than she was Valcrum’s only love.

  All the carving showed that Zena shared her powers with her tribe and that they were indestructible. Sitting next to the carving of Zena I laid my head on the rock to rest my eyes. My temples throbbed and I could hardly keep my eyes open.

  I opened my eyes. A bright star fell from the sky and transformed into a white wolf. Her fur shimmered with golden hair as she ran toward me. Letoya then shifted from a werewolf to her human form. She looked the same, but she didn’t. There was a mature aura around her and she looked the same as she did when she passed away.

  “Beware of those you trust. Things are not as they seem,” said Letoya.

  I jerked awake. My phone vibrated in my pocket. Wiping the sleep from my eyes I looked at my phone. I had twenty missed calls. All from one number.

  Maximus had called me twenty-seven times. He put in his emergency code ten times. Scrambling to my feet I tracked his phone. It was a sneaky thing to do at the time, to place a tracker on his phone, but now I’m glad I did it.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Arianna

  How can Cade come check on me and still leave me locked in here? I’m not a dog. Punching my pillow, I flop back on the bed. Liam, that jerk, left me locked in here during an attack. I don’t want to be a sitting duck, but I don’t want to be caged like an animal either. There is always strength in numbers.

  When am I going to learn how to use my powers? My bedroom door flew open and Liam walked in.

  “Your sister is pregnant. I have explained it to her, but she refuses to listen. A person having a natural birth without the consent of the government is automatically executed.”

  “The capital doesn’t know and we can keep that to ourselves.”

  “I know she’s your sister, but she does not care about you.” He walked over to the door and leaned against it. He looked around the room before she spoke again.

  “What do you want?” Liam didn’t earn my respect with him blaming me for Kyra’s actions. How dare he stand in my room and calmly talk to me.

  “Try to reach her. You two are twins and twins have a special connection. This Trevor guy isn’t at the location that you gave me.”

  “You should have killed him last night when they attacked. I don’t know how to find him. I can’t help you.”

  “In less than twenty-four hours Kyra’s pregnancy has gone viral. There are videos all over social media, and it’s just a matter of time before the government comes to take her away. I’m asking you to dig deep and think about your niece or nephew. Once the government comes, they will kill Kyra and eventually kill the baby too.”

  “Kyra won’t lis
ten to me, but she may listen to mom.”

  “I’ll send for them to get your mom in an hour.” Liam turned and walked out of the room.

  A second later the lock slid into place. Closing my eyes, I prayed for patience. It wasn’t often that I prayed to Valcrum but it seemed like something that I should get used to. We need you now, Valcrum, more than ever.

  I’ve been calling mom’s phone non-stop. I was starting to think something might have happened to her until I called her job. When we were growing up, she always said don’t call her job unless we were dying. In my eyes, this was an emergency. Never, not once has she called to check on Kyra and me to see if we’re still alive. What kind of mother doesn’t check on her kids?

  This is all Liam’s fault. He had to know that Kyra was trouble. He should never have allowed her to come to the academy. It doesn’t make a difference now. She has brought these demons on all of us and she doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She sure didn’t seem happy about her pregnancy. I can’t imagine Kyra raising a child. The baby had a demon for a father and Kyra for a mother. What chance did the child have at a normal life?

  I was beginning to think mom didn’t care about me either. How is it possible that I have left thirty-seven messages and she doesn’t call me? I’m so tired of being used and abused. They’re not the only ones that can play that game. I quickly send her one last text stating that the headmaster is sending for her so that they can meet her and give her a cash award for our performance at the academy. A second later she sends me several smiling faces in a text message and confirms that she’ll be there.

  Kyra was right that mom only cares about mom. She doesn’t care about me or anyone else. Tossing my phone on the bed I walked to the bathroom for a quick shower. I guess as soon as I stopped giving her all my check, I no longer mattered to her.

  An hour later, Liam and several men came to the room. It was five minutes until the hour. Liam was many things, but he was punctual.

  “Your mother did not come. When we arrived at her home, she said that she was busy but to leave the money.”

  “Wow.” My mom was a piece of work. I was tired of being embarrassed by them. I have been embarrassed for Kyra’s actions and betrayals, and now mom’s greediness is out in the open. My time at the academy has shown me that I am not responsible for everyone’s actions. I’m tired of being shamed for what others do. I am not my sister’s keeper. So, what if my mother is greedy and only cares about money? I’m sure she isn’t the only parent that lusts for it.

  “I told her why we required her presence and that we did not bring any money. I assume that you told her money was involved to get her here, but it did not work.”

  “It’s just you.” He held the door open. The crestfallen looks of the security guard’s face were a real confidence booster.

  I’ve wanted out of my room ever since they locked me in it. Once we reached the basement, which is hidden, I felt my palms sweat. The space looked soundproof. It wasn’t how I pictured a basement to be. I thought she was in a dungeon, but she was in a bedroom. There was no way that she would be claustrophobic in here. The space was fit for a queen. The bed was draped with silk linen, and the curtains were adorned with huge crystals. A scent of tea rose filled the air from all the fresh yellow and red roses in the six vases throughout the room.

  The room was the size of our house at home. Her feet weren’t shackled to the floor and she didn’t look at all bothered about her situation. She sat at her mirror playing with her hair. Her makeup was still fresh from the days before.

  I cared, more than I would admit, about that life growing inside Kyra. How could I not? This is my niece or my nephew, and I didn’t want Kyra and Trevor ruining the baby.

  Kyra stared at me through the mirror. “Why are you here? I had hoped that he had killed you last night. He can’t do anything right.”

  Liam stepped forward trying to deflect her attack on me. “Have you thought about what we talked about? Trevor doesn’t care about you, just the baby. Demons and angels have been battling for centuries, it is not something that you need to tell him to do. If he wanted to kill Arianna, then she would be dead. She has not even mastered her power, so she is easy prey,” said Liam.

  “You keep trying to convince me that he doesn’t care for me. He does, but that doesn’t matter.”

  Liam pulled out a black remote. He nodded to the security guard to touch the button on the camera. It flashed before coming to the blue screen. Liam pushed the button, and footage from last night’s attack was played.

  Trevor and a handful of demons ran through the halls killing whoever they encountered. A female was with them. She stayed closer to Trevor and watched his back more than she did her own. There were several times she almost died watching out for Trevor.

  “Tramp,” mumbled Kyra.

  “Find Kyra.”

  “If she’s given birth and there is a choice which one do you want me to save?”

  Trevor blocked off an attack and sliced off the head of one of the guys and kicked it out of his way. “The baby.”

  Kyra’s mouth fell open. A single tear slid down her cheek and she turned away from the camera feed. “I’m not telling you where he is. I would never betray him whether we are together or not. You are wasting your time.”

  “Then you and your baby will die for a man who never cared for you. He’s more protective of her than he is of you,” said Liam. He pointed to the girl on the footage standing behind Trevor like a human shield.

  Walking over to her I jerked her around to face me. “The fact that you are pregnant is all over social media. It’s only a matter of time before the government comes and takes you away. At that point, you forfeit your child’s life.”

  “You don’t care about my life.” Kyra snatched free.

  “I’m talking about the life of your child. You made your bed rough now you have to lay in it.”

  “I hate you. You always gloat about being right. You don’t know everything. If they kill my child, so what.”

  “She thinks her pregnancy is normal, and that she’ll survive the birth. Let’s go. I’m done wasting my time on her,” said Liam.

  “I’m strong enough to have this baby.”

  “No, you don’t have any magical abilities. Valcrum didn’t see to bestow any on you. The power that you feel coursing through your veins is because of the baby. A human cannot have a demon child,” said Liam.

  Kyra snorted.

  My sister was hardheaded and selfish. She’s never been able to see past herself to anyone else. One day it was going to cost her life. I just hope that it didn’t cost us our lives as well.

  They dropped me off in my room and locked the door. This was one time that I was glad for the solitude. Picking up my phone, I saw a text from Kyra.

  Your time is running out. I don’t know what my future holds I but do know this, you don’t have a future. If I must die so be it. Nobody lives forever and you can’t constantly escape death. It’s like an illicit love affair. You are fated to lose everything.

  Kyra.

  Tossing my phone aside, I laid on my pillows. My temples throbbed. I’m surprised that my head hasn’t exploded. Just then my door swung open and Ivy walked inside. I meant to ask her how she was getting in my room or if my door was only locked to me. If I need to sleep with one eye open, I need to know that right now.

  “How are your ribs,” asked Ivy?

  I sat up. “How have you been getting in my room? Can anyone just come in here and kill me in my sleep?”

  “No. The door is locked but there is a spell around the lock. My best friend Ava Marsh was a witch and taught me a few things.”

  “Can you teach me a few things?”

  “No. You have to blood bond. I blood bonded with Ava.”

  “I didn’t know that witches really exist. So, what is blood bonding? It sounds painful?”

  “It means that you link your souls to one another. Your spiritual journey becomes theirs. Ava was a g
ood witch but she struggled with depression and I struggled with self-confidence. We tried to help each other. I thought we did until Ava was found hanging from our favorite oak tree in the Lynwood forest.”

  “Valcrum doesn’t forgive suicide.”

  “Nope, he doesn’t. Ava will ascend to Xundar if I don’t commit suicide and I never will. I care more about Ava than I do myself.”

  “You aren’t alone now. Audrey and I are here for you. We are friends and friends have each other’s back, no matter what happens.”

  “You say that now. You don’t know what I did.”

  “Whatever you did, it won’t change our friendship.” I hope. If she tells me that she’s on Kyra’s side or some crap like she’s fallen in love with a demon then we’re going to have serious problems in our friendship.

  “I snuck out with Bethanny to meet guys. I was afraid of her. When she approached me and asked me if I thought she would bully me like she does you.”

  “I can’t believe you trusted her enough to leave campus with her. Bethanny is bad news and she doesn’t like anybody. I’m questioning whether she even likes herself at this point.” I shrug. “You have a right to pick your own friends. It doesn’t mean if you want to be friends with Bethanny, that I can’t be your friend. I’m not like that.”

  “Thanks, but there’s more,” said Ivy. “We are not friends. You are not supposed to be afraid of your friends, and bullies aren’t friends. I’ve never been invited to go anywhere with or be a part of a group.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Bethanny is bad news. I know enough to know that she can’t be trusted and should be avoided.”

  “They took me off campus to this fancy house. The other girls from here went too and they were having sex with the guys. I heard Kyra’s name mentioned and figured out that these were demons and that the blonde-haired brooding demon was Kyra’s boyfriend.”

  “Who were the other girls?”

  “I only know Bethanny and Chasity but there were several other girls. The demons wanted them to bring a bunch of girls with them. I think they have been luring angels off the school grounds.”