Nightblood Academy: A Paranormal Bully Romance

by Allison West

  "No, I didn't see who picked her up. No, she doesn't have a boyfriend." Bray would know if she was dating someone. She didn't seem particularly interested in boys, at least there weren't any other guys she hung around with or swooned over. Bray's eyes momentarily widened. His heart leapt in his chest at the mere thought of that mysterious boy hanging around the woods. Could it possibly be that she had gone with him?

  The officer wrote down a few notes. "Do you have any idea where she might have gone?"

  "No. I tried to call her, but she's not answering her phone." The officers would think he was crazy if he told them about her dream. Maybe she was lost in the forest; at least that's what he hoped happened to her. Bray would find her.

  The officer glanced down at the pad in his hand. "Yes, Mr. Porter called us already and gave us her number. It's going directly to voicemail. Are there any problems at home or in school?"

  Bray shook his head, shoving his hands into his pockets trying not to act suspicious. "No, she loves her family. They get along pretty well."

  "Pretty well?" the officer asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Lil is independent, but she wouldn't go anywhere without telling someone," Bray said. "I know her; she doesn't have a boyfriend. She seems barely interested in boys."

  "What about girls?"

  Bray's face scrunched up. "Do you mean is she gay? No. I would know…" He shook his head, adamant that her lack of feelings for him was a result of them practically being brother and sister. They had grown up together, were best friends; it would be weird if they dated.

  "I meant friends who were girls," the officer said. "Friends? Enemies? Any high school bullies?"

  Shrugging, he glanced down at his feet, trying to think of anyone else who could be remotely involved in her disappearance. "She doesn't have many friends. Lil was always good at being invisible."

  Suddenly, Mr. Porter yanked the front door wide open and rushed inside the house. Jamey ran into her father's arms.

  "We'll find her," he said, reassuring himself as much as his daughter.

  The officer thanked Bray before walking over to Lil's father, questioning him next.

  Bray quietly snuck out the front door. The police were done with him, and he needed to investigate the forest. The world she spoke of, the boy, if it was real, it wasn't because it was a dream. There had to be a plausible explanation. More than likely, someone had snuck into her bedroom. Some disgusting pervert painted her fingernail and stalked her until they were certain no one would believe her. Then, they abducted her. Nausea gurgled in the pit of Bray's stomach, and he could feel bile rising, unwelcome in his throat. He swallowed down the sick feeling, taking several calming breaths to steady his racing heart and the nausea that surfaced. He could not let anything happen to Lil.

  Glancing back once more at Lil's house and the police cruiser outside, he headed for the forest. Maybe he was foolish for going alone, but what other choice did he have? Soon enough, the police would comb every inch of the town searching for her. If he could find her first, discover the truth, then everything would be all right.

  Bray walked through the forest. His eyes searched the bone-dry ground for any evidence that Lil had been there earlier, but he found nothing—no broken branches, no footprints. Those were the only tricks he'd learned from watching hours of crime dramas on television. What a waste.

  From within the forest, a dirt path caught his attention. Bray jogged over, spotting tire tracks, but he couldn't make out how old they were. Had Lil been here? Was she dragged by a lunatic into the forest? Maybe whoever had picked her up had driven her through the forest? He was grasping at any shred of evidence he could, but nothing pointed to Lil. He followed the path, stopping when the tracks vanished along the road. Where had the vehicle gone? Things didn't just disappear.

  "Help!" The voice was undoubtedly Lil's.

  Bray spun around in the forest. He couldn't see their subdivision. There was no way the police would hear either of them scream.

  "Lil!" Bray shouted for his best friend. If he could hear her, then she could hear him. She had to be close. Had she fallen into a hole? Had the ground swallowed her up?

  There was a slight whirl, accompanied by an odd, wobbling sound. He stepped toward the sound and reached out his hand, feeling heat radiate off a strange, crystal clear shimmer. It rested at the edge of the tire tracks in the middle of the path. "Lil?" His voice held a tinge of panic. He had no idea what this was. It pulled at him and dragged his feet forward like a black hole sucking him up. Even if he wanted to stop, he couldn't. He was paralyzed by the force before him. The moment his skin touched the shimmer, it burned cold. Bray opened his mouth to scream, but the sound died on his lips. He gasped for air, unable to breathe. He quivered, then convulsed, collapsing onto the ground, out cold.

  Minutes passed before Bray's eyes fluttered open. Breathing hard, he ran his fingers through dry dirt. Realizing he was lying on the ground, he grumbled and moved to sit up. The dark forest surrounded him, and a hint of pink flickered from the distance. "Lil?" he shouted, standing up, swaying from dizziness. He groaned and fell forward onto his knees, throwing up the last of his lunch.

  The wind rushed through his hair and grazed his body. "Braylon." He heard her voice and wiped his mouth with the back of his arm.

  "Lil?" His voice was less certain as he pushed away from where he had knelt. He tried again to stand, this time, leaning on a tree for support. "Where are you?" he asked, seeing a figure in the distance. It was a girl with brown hair that hung down her back.

  "Over here."

  "Is that you?" He stumbled into the forest, using the trees for support as he headed toward the mesmerizing voice. He was certain it was Lil. It had to be her. Who else would be in the forest?

  His eyes squinted with suspicion, and he ducked as a black crow swooped low overhead. Bray shielded himself from the bird as it dove straight at him.

  "You're in Orenda. It's a land of magical power. It's the reason your nails, hair, and eyes are different in our world." Rawlie gestured toward the distinct changes that existed on Lil. "Our water and our atmosphere are unique, which allow the elements that harness our abilities to grow stronger. The Willow who grew up here always had Nightblood, which is rare, even for our people, but it was the Mystics who unveiled her destiny after the Scourge. I'm hoping you harbor the same abilities. By the looks of it, I'd say it's quite possible."

  "Nightblood? Mystics? Scourge?" Now she had more questions than answers.

  Rawlie grimaced. "You're a Nightblood." He ran a hand through his hair. "Your blood, your lineage is what makes you special. Just like Willow. She was tasked with being a gatekeeper, same as her mother and her grandmother. Willow protects both your world and ours. She's supposed to keep the door closed and keep Eilith from traveling between worlds."

  "How is it possible to travel between two different universes?" Lil asked.

  "Both worlds have areas that are degrading, falling apart. You've heard of the Bermuda Triangle in your world?"

  "Of course, there's always a lot of weird stuff happening there. People disappearing. Ships and planes vanishing. You mean they get sent here?" She relaxed slightly against the sofa, relieved her sister was safe at home.

  "It's Willow's job to keep them from coming over to this side and from allowing anyone or anything to your side. Places like the Bermuda Triangle are degrading areas we call soft spots. They intensified with the Scourge. One of these spots happens to be where your house is, in both worlds."

  "Why's that?" Lil asked.

  "I don't know. Willow couldn't figure out if it was natural or man-made, but she's the one destined to protect it. She was one of the last to attend Nightblood Academy. They were supposed to teach her all about her abilities, but that lesson was cut short."

  "What's the Scourge?"

  "A curse that Eilith spread across our world. Eilith, once a Nightblood, now part demon, is responsible for our world's devastation. She's wiped out the majority of
the population of Orenda. Her strength is gained from feeding on human flesh and blood. She consumed souls by the thousands in the beginning. Willow and I suspect she's grown weaker over the years, with less living entities to feed on. We've found no way to stop her, only to slow the progression of destruction. I suspect she kidnapped Willow to help gain entrance to your world, since Willow can easily move between parallel worlds with just a thought. Unfortunately, her ability only works in one direction. We usually travel together. She brings us over to your world, and I can bring us home."

  Lil didn't like thinking that her world might be in danger. Just hours ago, she had hoped this was all some weird dream. It didn't appear as though she'd be waking up anytime soon. "What was your world like before the Scourge?" She'd only seen a small part of their land, driving through the forest, and what she had seen, she didn't like.

  "Our technology had advanced beyond yours. Magic slowly began to overpower science. Our most talented scholars couldn't explain the Nightbloods, and what they did not understand, they feared. Those in the government wanted to experiment on the Nightbloods. Eilith wasn't always a demon. She was the headmaster for Nightblood Academy long ago, a well-liked sorceress, but as she grew powerful, she forgot who she tried to protect and went after everyone."

  "So, what happens now that your Willow is gone?" Was her world in danger? Was he trying not to worry her? It sounded bad.

  "Hopefully, nothing." He cleared his throat. "Any other questions?"

  "Why does Willow seem just like me, and why is your Jamie different than my Jamey?"

  "Our worlds were once one. It's why some things are so alike, still connected. Other things have changed over time."

  Jamie leaned forward in his seat toward Rawlie. "Do you think she can help us?"

  "Settle down, Jamie." Rawlie sat down beside the boy, patting his back. "The two worlds can be seen as parallel worlds, though, at times, completely different, both born from the same seed. Eight years ago, our world was overpowered by Eilith when she unleashed Pandora's box. That was what brought about the Scourge."

  Lil remembered the Greek myth of Pandora being given a box by the gods, which contained all the evils of mankind. She had been forbidden from opening it, but driven by curiosity, Pandora had unhinged the container and all the evil enclosed had escaped and spread across the earth. She had tried to close the box and stop the evil from spilling out, but by the time she shut the box, all that remained inside was hope.

  Jamie stood. "Can I come with you?" he asked with bright eyes.

  "Go where? What do you expect me to do? This world is nothing like my home! I may look like Willow, but I'm not a Nightblood. I don't have any abilities," Lil said. "How am I supposed to help? I just want to go home."

  Rawlie headed down the stairs with Jamie in tow.

  Lil threw her hands up in the air, frustrated they weren't listening to her. She dug into her pocket, found her phone, saw it had no service, and shoved it back inside her jeans. She left her book bag. She didn't need it here and honestly didn't give a crap about her homework. Lil followed Rawlie and Jamie down the stairs. "Is anyone going to answer me?"

  Rawlie grabbed his keys. "Jamie, you need to stay here. It's not safe on the way to the academy." He hugged the ten-year-old boy. "Lock up and don't let anyone in the house."

  Lil shook her head in dismay. "Why are we going to the academy? Is that where Willow is?"

  "We can't rescue Willow without your help," Rawlie said to Lil.

  "I'm not going anywhere, except back home." Lil crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. She wasn't taking anything else as an answer. "This isn't my fight."

  Jamie's bottom lip jutted out, but he didn't cry. He stepped closer to Lil as if she was his last hope. "If you won't go, then please tell Rawlie to let me come with him. I can learn to fight."

  "You're still a child," Rawlie said.

  "I am not!" Jamie insisted. "I can go to the Mystics on my own. They should make the decision, not you. You're barely older than I am. I just need someone to believe in me."

  "Out of the question. Willow would kill me if you left this house without her."

  Jamie slumped onto the sofa. "I wouldn't be alone. You'd be with me."

  "Let the boy come." Lil was tired of the arguing. She just wanted to go home.

  The wind outside picked up, and Lil shuddered, though the house hadn't changed temperature. "What's that?" It sounded like a storm had blown in out of nowhere.

  "Grab your bag, Jamie. We don't have much time," Rawlie said.

  Jamie's face lit up in excitement as he tore up the stairs to pack what he needed for the trip.

  Rawlie glanced at Lil. "You should come outside and see this…" His words trailed off as he unlocked the front door. It swung right open and the screen door flew off its hinges, disappearing into the forest.

  The gale was fierce. Crimson clouds drew closer to the house. The squall stung unprotected skin and felt as if it could burn flesh. Lil held her hand up to shield her eyes, while Rawlie stood there unaffected. Lil noticed the slight tremble in his eyes; he was putting on a good show, pretending not to be afraid.

  Lil shouted into the deafening roar. "What's going on?" Her voice barely reached Rawlie's ears as he turned to see her speaking to him.

  "Nothing good." He glanced back into the house, the door still open. Pictures fell from the wall as the wind assaulted the home. Jamie struggled down the stairs, gripping the banister. He slung the bag over his shoulder. His lips moved, but neither Rawlie nor Lil could hear what he said. Jamie stepped out, and Rawlie struggled to pull it shut, securing the lock. "Car, now!"

  Lil wanted to hold back and ensure that Rawlie was taking her home and not to the academy, but the words were lost on her lips. She struggled to breathe and pushed against the wind's resistance with each step toward the car. It was like pushing an elephant to move a fraction of a step forward. Beads of sweat dripped from her forehead but never reached the ground. She reached for Jamie's hand, doing her best to help him forward.

  A lifetime seemed to pass before she reached the door. She didn't bother with opening it. The top was down on the convertible. The drive would be brutal. Dirt, slicing like glass, tore at her skin. Lil helped Jamie climb into the backseat before she found her position up front. Rawlie joined them, started the car, and sped away from the forest through the large expanse of nothingness, not waiting for them to fasten their seatbelts.

  It took several minutes to breach the windstorm and pass through as though nothing had occurred. Lil turned around and could see the giant shape of a bubble encased over the home and a fraction of the forest. "What is going on?" Lil glanced at Rawlie.

  The car pulled to an abrupt halt. Rawlie saw a dark figure two feet from the vehicle. He turned the key, but the car didn't start. "She's not real," he said. "Everyone out. Help me put the roof up, now!" He jumped out of the convertible and Jamie followed suit. Lil climbed out, fascinated by the figure within arm's reach. Black smoke billowed up and around the dark-haired woman. She appeared almost translucent. Her hair was short and black, framed around her sharp jaw. A terrifying smile shaped her blood-red lips.

  Rawlie and Jamie struggled to secure the roof to the car. Lil didn't budge from outside the vehicle; she stared at the strange demon in front of the car, mesmerized. Lil's body refused to move, and the smoke rippled closer to her, winding around her petite frame. She opened her lips, tried to speak out a single word of help, but the sound never escaped. Her eyes widened, and the smoke formed a view of a scene she couldn't fathom—Bray lying on a cobblestone floor, his body inches from her own.

  "Rawlie!" Jamie screamed. The smoke surrounded Lil.

  The roof was secure and tight in place. "Get her in the car!" Rawlie edged around the back of the vehicle, farther from Eilith, one hand keeping the smoke from finding its way to the three of them. Jamie and Rawlie pushed Lil into the car. Jamie climbed in and slammed the door.

  Rawlie moved around the front of the vehicle
just past Eilith. "You won't touch me." He passed alongside of her. It wasn't a question. Eilith didn't respond as the smoke dissipated along with her appearance. He climbed into the driver's seat and glanced at Lil. Slowly, she came to, a dazed look on her face.

  She tried to remember what she'd seen. Rawlie tried the key, and this time, the car started without hesitation. He took off, leaving dust in the rearview mirror.

  "Bray." Her voice caught in her throat, and her fingers trembled. Lil reached out, painfully gripping Rawlie's arm. "Bray's here. You have to take me back to him." Desperation dripped from her voice. Her heart ached at the thought of anything happening to her best friend.

  "Bray?" Rawlie repeated, glancing at Lil, confused.

  Covered in a sheen of sweat, she said, "My best friend. He's here with Willow. I saw him." Her grip on Rawlie's arm lightened before finding its way back into her lap.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Whoever, whatever that woman is, she has Bray." Lil glanced out the window. "Bray needs my help, and I won't leave him." Lil didn't quite understand how Bray had managed to find his way into this world or what Eilith would want from him. Lil was certain he was here and the vision, the manifestation that she had witnessed was real.

  Jamie leaned forward, coming to rest a hand on Lil's shoulder. "Are we going to the academy?" he asked.

  "Of course, we are," Rawlie said. "We're halfway there already."

  "What?" Lil shifted in her seat, glaring at him as he ignored her and focused on the road. He looked on high alert. Not a surprise after what had already transpired.

  Rawlie laughed. "I knew you'd agree."

  "I didn't agree to go to the academy. I agreed to help find Bray and your Willow." Lil rolled her eyes, annoyed. Her allegiance was to her best friend, not some stranger. Lil glanced at Rawlie. "What exactly is the academy?"

  "We need to get you and Jamie prepared for when we storm Eilith's castle. Trust me, we'll all end up dead if you're not able to wield a sword." Rawlie continued driving, turning off the main path onto a stone road. "We need the eternal suit. Hopefully, Hudson will be willing to help us."