GRIMM Academy : The Complete Collection

by R L Medina

  She laughed even harder.

  Finally sobering, she clucked her tongue at him. “You want her back? The vampire queen?” She scoffed and shook her head.

  “I did you a favor in taking her. She was more criminal than I ever was. Yet you want her back and me, you’d lock up.” Her eyes narrowed.

  I scooted closer to my cousin, wary of him inciting her further. The last thing we needed was to deal with an angry fae royal.

  “Where is she? What did you do with her?” Javi demanded.

  Michael’s eyebrows rose with interest. “You’re the one who took Queen Damaris?”

  The fairy shrugged. “That’s no one’s business, but my own. You didn’t ask for the queen. You asked for something to track the wizard. Our deal is done. Goodbye.” She waved a hand toward the door.

  Javi didn’t budge. Shiloh bit her lip, reaching a tentative hand out to him.

  The royal fae smiled, but unlike before, she didn’t look amused. She looked dangerous.

  “Javi,” I warned.

  “We can’t just let her off after all she’s done,” he argued.

  Brady snorted.

  James glared at my cousin. “Like help you find your friend?”

  Javi glanced at Shiloh for help.

  She sighed and shook her head at him. “I don’t—”

  The fairy shot out her hand. Javi tried to deflect her attack, but he was too slow. It struck him full force, jolting him. His sword fell to the ground.

  “Javi!” Shiloh and I shouted at the same time.

  He was lifted into the air, flailing, and kicking as he cursed. Shadowy shapes appeared beside him. They stretched and morphed, throwing my cousin in the air between them. He cried out in pain.

  Shiloh and Brady raised their hands to the fairy. I raised my sword towards her.

  She clucked her tongue at us and looked to James. “Not even going to try, witch?”

  He shook his head. “I know better than to mess with shadow magic.”

  A smile flashed on her face before she turned to the rest of us.

  “Let him go,” Michael demanded, transforming to his werewolf form.

  The fairy sighed. “When he learns some respect.”

  I glared at her. “Stop this or the deal is off.”

  Her harsh laughter rang around us. Ash flinched and shook her head at me.

  “Your cousin’s life wasn’t part of our deal, silly.”

  My stomach turned with dread. Javi, you idiot.

  “Please. Don’t hurt him.” Shiloh’s voice shook with emotion.

  It was the wrong move. The fairy princess whipped toward her and smiled. “Why not? What will you give me in exchange for him?”

  “No, Shiloh.” Javi’s voice sounded strained.

  “Maloret. So, this is why you ignored my summons?” an annoyed voice cut in.

  We turned to find a towering, dark skinned woman. My eyes met her golden ones and my heart skipped. My GRIMM instincts screamed in my head.

  She was definitely not human. She hadn’t even bothered with glamour.

  Beside her, a slender, pale man appeared. His skin nearly translucent and his eyes were a freaky yellow. Also, clearly not human.

  His strange eyes narrowed on me. I gripped my sword. He tracked the movement and smirked. I knew without a doubt he could strike me down in one blow.

  “Oh, Cindra. You always have the worst timing.” The fairy, Princess Maloret, pouted.

  Her eyes slid to the newcomers. “What do you want? I’m busy.”

  The beautiful golden eyed woman grunted. “Put him down, Maloret. We have things to discuss.”

  My heart hammered in my ears. Was this the sister the GRIMM had mentioned before?

  “Don’t tell me you two agreed to the GRIMMs little deal. Really, Cindra, you of all people, helping the ordinaire?” The dark fairy giggled.

  The other fairy glared at her. “We’re only here to discuss a treaty. I never said I would help anybody.”

  “Please, you know Ren and Aubri are going to petition for this. This was their world after all.”

  Her sister, I assumed, glanced around at the shop, and looked at us, her lip curled. “Yes, I know.”

  I couldn’t help but get the feeling that she was repulsed by us.

  “Please, can you let him go now?” Shiloh interrupted, still trying in vain, to cast a spell to break the fairy’s hold on Javi.

  Poor Javi. I looked up to find him still flailing in the air, the shadows moving faster and faster.

  Without warning she released him, and he dropped out of the sky. Shiloh and Brady cast a net at the same time as Michael darted underneath him to break his fall. He collapsed in the wolf’s arms with a deep groan.

  I turned to the fairies. “What did you do to him?”

  The pale one stepped toward me. I shrank back out of instinct.

  “Des,” his companion called.

  He glanced at her and back to me with a frown.

  “Leave, humans and… wolf man. You have your friend, now go.” His companion shook her head, her thick, dark curls coiling at the movement.

  Yeah. She was definitely royalty.

  Princess Maloret watched us, her creepy smile back on her face.

  “I just want to make sure he’s okay. That she didn’t… do anything to him.” I looked from her to the dark fairy.

  They looked to the smaller fairy.

  Her smile widened at the attention. “Nothing permanent, sweetie.”

  Anger burned through me. I opened my mouth to say something, but Michael tugged at my arm.

  He shook his head at me. “You’ll only make it worse.”

  “He’s okay, Rose,” Shiloh assured me.

  “And Ash?” I glanced at the young witch.

  The fairy sneered. “She’s none of your concern. We had a deal.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Her oath was to the coven before she ever made a deal with you. You can’t take her. She’s Luna Negra,” James spoke up.

  Princess Maloret pouted. “Details.”

  “A promise made in blood cannot—”

  “Be undone. I know. Where do you think you witches got that from?” She sighed.

  “I don’t know what good she will do you. She can’t wield magic anymore. She was dead too long. Your human bodies do have their limits.”

  “Ugh. Maloret, let them take their stupid human and hurry up. I have business with you,” the other princess snapped.

  The dark fairy snorted. “Bossy and bitchy as ever. You’d think being bonded would have done you some good. What’s the matter? Your vulgaire not keeping you satisfied in the boudoir?”

  Fire shot out around us, making me yelp.

  “I’ve told you not to use that word.” The dark-skinned fairy had turned from a whimsical princess to a fiery titan.

  My heart leapt into my throat, body trembling. The heat of the flames surrounded us. I had a flashback of the fire with Grayson. A ringing filled my ears.

  Princess Maloret cackled and turned to us. “You should probably go now before her royal bitchiness burns you all to ashes. Take your witch if you must. I don’t have any use of her.” She shoved poor Ash toward us.

  James steadied her as she stumbled forward. Not wasting any time to watch the two battle it out, we hurried away.

  Shiloh and Brady cast an opening in the fire ring, letting us all escape first. Javi brought up the rear, sword in hand, his face hardened.

  I doubted he appreciated the fairy’s lesson and if anything, it had only turned him even more against the extraordinaire. Sorrow filled me. How could I tell him about my father now? He would never accept me.

  Hurrying along the crowded streets, we made it back to Michael’s van. I held the can and weathervane in my hands, feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time.

  We would finally be able to find Grayson and the wizard who had him. It was clear now, the fairy didn’t have him, but that left more questions. If the wizard had him, why was he holdin
g him?

  Why did Grayson warn me to stay away? Could the wizard be just as dangerous as the witches? That thought made me shudder. We didn’t need any more trouble or enemies.

  15

  After seeing us back safely to the academy, Michael left to return to his pack, promising to keep us updated on everything and giving us explicit warning not to go after the wizard without him or a ‘responsible’ adult.

  Back at school, I fully expected the guards to be waiting for us. I was technically banned from leaving property and I’d broken that rule twice now. Not to mention we’d snuck away after the vampire and wolf attack. Surely, they had to realize were gone. It was past curfew by the time we made it to House Dragon.

  But much to our surprise, no one was around when we made it back to the dorms. Was everyone under lockdown after the recent attack? Why the Hell hadn’t they realized we were gone?

  “Is anyone else weirded out by the fact that the guards just let us through the gate as if we didn’t break curfew?” I voiced my concern.

  James snorted. “Your security sucks. They didn’t even catch my spell. I cloaked us as we went through.”

  Shiloh frowned. “That should have alerted the system. I just assumed they sent a message to the headmaster when they let us in and didn’t want to bother writing us up themselves.”

  “Maybe everyone is freaked out by the attack,” Javi suggested.

  “But that’s all the more reason to increase our security. This is strange.” Shiloh bit her lip.

  Javi glanced at his phone. “That’s weird. No missed calls from my mom or dad.”

  “Aww were you expecting a call from Mommy and Daddy? They’re probably dealing with the shit storm right now.” Brady grunted.

  He made himself at home and flung himself on my bed, sighing loudly. “Can we please move on and get this wizard tracker started.”

  “Yeah, are you gonna actually get up and help?” James stood above him with his hands on his hips.

  Brady waved him away. “Once you guys set up, sure.”

  Ignoring the strange feeling I had, I watched as Shiloh and Javi set up the strange wizard weathervane in the middle of our room, my heart racing in anticipation. James and Ash stood beside me, grim looks on their faces. Even Brady, who had sat up with feet hanging off the edge of the bed, looked concerned.

  Were they all thinking what I was? What if it didn’t work? What if the fairy tricked us?

  Shiloh stepped back and motioned for the rest of us to grab her hands. I moved between her and Javi, not wanting to get stuck next to James. He had tried to strangle me with those same hands. I shuddered at the memory. There was no way I would touch him.

  I tried to follow the chant as best as I could, but the foreign words felt strange on my tongue. A tingling sensation covered my skin, and I had the very real sense that something was happening. But the metal didn’t move.

  “Is it working?” I broke the silence.

  Shiloh bit her lip. “I think so. But it’s strange…”

  “Why? What is it doing?” I asked.

  Javi bent next to her to examine it. The cartoonish face of the wizard stared back at us. I gasped as the top of the weathervane started spinning. It floated above the ground and spun once more before coming to a stop, the pointed arrow landing in the direction of our door. Excitement stirred within me. Did that mean it worked?

  “Are we supposed to follow it?” I asked.

  “It can’t be right. It should be leading us outside away from the school. I don’t understand.” Shiloh frowned at it.

  “But maybe it knows we can’t get outside from the window so it’s leading us to the elevator first?” Javi answered.

  Brady snorted. “Yeah. Because it’s sophisticated enough to know that. It’s a rusted piece of metal.”

  “Or maybe the wizard is here. In the school,” James offered.

  Javi scowled at him. “No way. The GRIMM would know if a wizard showed up on campus.”

  Shiloh chewed on her nail. “Unless…”

  Before she could finish, the weathervane spun again and exploded, pieces of metal flying everywhere.

  I shielded my eyes. “What the? What is that?”

  Brady’s face turned murderous. “That fairy bitch gave us a piece of shit. That’s what.”

  No. Angry tears filled my eyes. What were we supposed to do now? How would we find Grayson?

  “Where are you going?” Shiloh’s voice made me look up.

  Brady was marching for the door. He glanced back. “I’m going to find her again and get some real answers.”

  “I’m coming too.” My fists curled at my sides. I wanted answers too.

  Javi frowned. “What about curfew? They’re not going to let you back out.”

  Before we could argue, Shiloh’s bracelet lit up, blinding me.

  When I adjusted to the brightness, I turned to her. She looked like she was about to faint. Dread filled me.

  “What is it, Shiloh?”

  She held up her wrist to Javi. “The wards around your house. They’re down.”

  Fear flashed in his eyes. “My parents could have taken them down. Maybe they’re redoing them.”

  Shiloh bit her lip. “I don’t think so, Javi. They’re not just down. They’re… gone. Like completely.”

  “Shit.” He pulled out his sword and ran for the door, shoving Brady out of his way.

  He grunted. “It could be a trap and you’re just going to run into it?”

  Javi glared at him. “My family needs me.”

  “Wait! What is going on?” I called.

  Shiloh rushed around the room, packing a bag. She met my eyes. “Luna Negra, I think. They’re looking for you again. You have to get to safety, Rose.”

  I gaped at her, terrified at the seriousness in her tone. “What are you guys going to do?”

  Though I already knew the answer.

  Javi glanced back at me. “I have to check on my family.”

  “I’m coming too.”

  His hand shot out to stop me. “No. Not you. It’s probably you they’re looking for.”

  I gaped at him. “Javi. I have to help. Your parents… your sisters.”

  Horror filled me at the thought of them coming to harm because of me.

  “Get the GRIMM. The wolves. Send whoever you can, but you can’t follow me.” Javi’s hand tightened on my wrist.

  “He’s right, Rose. You should stay here where you’re safe,” Shiloh added, “all of you.” Her eyes met Brady’s.

  She was already gearing up, ready to fight.

  I didn’t want to waste any more precious time arguing so I nodded. “I’ll send help.”

  Javi met my eyes, both of us silently asking ourselves the same question. What if we were too late?

  My stomach churned as I thought of my tío and tía. My little cousins. God—what if something happened to them too?

  “Javi.” I stood in the doorway.

  He was already halfway down the hall. He looked back. “We have multiple safe-guards and a portal. I’m sure they’re okay. We’re prepared for this.”

  With that, he and Shiloh rushed out, leaving me and the others behind.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. Of course, they were prepared. They were freaking GRIMM. Having an escape from witches protocol was probably more common than a fire evacuation plan. Knowing that they weren’t completely sitting ducks gave me some measure of comfort but fear still spread through me. If Luna Negra killed off any more of my family…

  The dark thought made me shudder. I didn’t want any more deaths on my hands. The witches had caused enough pain and destruction. Were they after me again? To finish their sick ritual?

  An icy fear washed over me. The silence of the hall was eerie. My own heavy breathing filled my ears. I stepped back into the room and shut the door. My eyes caught the pieces of the wizard tracker strewn all over the floor. Brady helped James and Ash pick the metal up, using a spell to try to meld it back together.
>
  I turned my glare on James. “You said they didn’t need us anymore. To complete the ritual.”

  He knelt down, cleaning up the metal pieces, but looked up at my words. “Yeah. They don’t need you.”

  “Then what are they doing here? What are you really doing here, James? How can we trust you?”

  His eyes narrowed. “I told you. I’m here to help take them down.”

  “Then shouldn’t you be with Javi and Shiloh right now?”

  He rose to his full height and frowned at me. “I said I would help the GRIMM take them down. With a plan. Not commit suicide like your idiot cousin.”

  Anger ripped through me. I advanced on him. “What did you say?”

  Brady stepped between us, arms raised. “Everyone needs to calm the fuck down,” His eyes darted to me. “I’ve already sent my Dad and the security a message. They’ll get agents over to your uncle’s house. They’ll be fine.”

  He turned his attention to James. “Can you fix this thing or not? Is it even worth our time if it’s just trash? The witches can wait. Grayson can’t.”

  His words rang through me, making my chest tighten. Grayson’s words repeated in my mind.

  You have to accept I might not be coming back.

  “Grayson said we know the wizard. He got cut off before he could tell me who it was, but what if the tracker wasn’t wrong. What if the wizard is here at the school?”

  Brady’s eyebrow arched. “Hiding at the academy? They’d have to be pretty strong to hide here.”

  James shook his head. “You guys really think you’re something special, don’t you? The GRIMM have been fooled before. It’s not that hard to trick you all.”

  Brady smirked. “It’s cute that you think you can trick me.”

  Rolling his eyes, James returned to trying to piece together the metal. He glanced at us. “You guys want to help or what?”

  “A reversal spell would be easier.” Brady cracked his fingers.

  I watched as they chanted once more and sent their magic flying to the metal. It started putting itself back together, making me blink in surprise.

  The broken weathervane gave off such a strange feeling that made nausea roll in my gut. As if it was watching me. I snorted. It had to be my mind running wild. Though I was still a newbie with magic. Who knew what the thing was capable of.