Nightworld Academy Box Set 1

by L. J. Swallow

  The building's size and shape is identical to Walcott, but couldn't be more different in style to the bright and airy rooms and happy aura. The entrance hallway shape matches too—I know where the students' rooms are if the buildings are identical.

  Unsure what insanity grips me, I creep up the steps, holding the smooth wooden stair rail and squinting through the dark. All windows are covered in heavy black drape and though the walls are lined with candles, they barely light my way.

  I trip on the top step and land on my hands and knees, swearing at how hard my knees hit the polished wooden floor. A large pair of black boots appear in front of my nose, and I slowly look upwards along long legs in black jeans and a woven purple shirt with a familiar ruby stone hung around his neck.

  "Did you lose your way, Maeve?" asks Tobias Whitlock in his honeyed voice. "Or perhaps you're visiting? Although I doubt that, because everybody you know who resides here is at one of Mr. Worthington's illegal parties."

  I scramble to my feet and rub my knees. "I think Andrei killed someone," I blurt.

  Tobias presses his lips together. "And what evidence do you have for your claim?"

  "He had blood around his mouth, told me he'd screwed up, and ran." I pant out the words.

  "Why do they have to make life so hard?" Tobias mutters and holds a palm against his forehead. He sighs. "Especially him. Which way did Andrei go?"

  Where’s his urgency? "Did you hear what I said? We need to find who Andrei killed."

  "Don't be dramatic, Maeve. It's unlikely the girl is dead."

  "Girl? How can you be sure?"

  Tobias cocks his head. "Why do you think? Show me where Andrei went, and I will deal with the situation."

  My legs shake as I walk down the stairs, half-tripping again in the dim light. Tobias catches my arm to steady me and I recoil.

  "I'm not stupid enough to hurt you, Maeve," he says in a displeased voice. "I'm a respected member of the academy faculty and have been for over seventy years."

  Apologising, I allow him to help me through the shadows and downstairs.

  Outside, the moon lurks behind the clouds and I retrace my steps towards the Gilgamesh building with Tobias at my heels.

  "I saw him go—" The second I point, Tobias races in the direction Andrei did, and at a similar speed. He jumps up onto the cloister roof, his figure fluid and movement effortless as he does.

  Nearby, two other people stand outside the door to the party, and I step back into the shadows. There's no mistaking Ash's imposing frame and Jamie beside him.

  They can’t know what happened—but I need to know myself.

  The moon remains hidden as I edge my way along the cloister wall back towards the main building. I step from the cloisters and off the path as I see two figures ahead. I wait beneath a tree where the decaying leaves between my feet add an earthy smell.

  A side door into the academy building opens and closes as Andrei and Tobias slip inside. Rushing over, I follow them through. They stand in a corner beneath the house crests with Tobias admonishing Andrei. He purses his lips and stares at the floor, hair falling completely into his face.

  Tobias looks up as the door closes. "What are you doing here? Leave."

  "I need to know what happened."

  "None of your business," mumbles Andrei. "Go back to your party."

  "If somebody was hurt, I need to let others know." My need lies deeper than that: I want to know if the academy allows human death to go unpunished.

  "Andrei. Was somebody hurt?" asks Tobias.

  "Not much." He crosses his arms. "I didn't attack. I was invited."

  "And how many times have I warned you about invitations, Andrei?" He straightens. "Did you go off campus looking for a girl again?"

  Andrei dips his head further.

  "I presume that means yes. For pity's sake, you stupid boy, don't you understand that there are hunters waiting for people like you? Have you heard the phrase 'honey trap'?"

  "Yeah. I know there are those out there to deliberately tempt me, but I can normally read them," he mumbles.

  "Your skills aren't developed enough. You can’t always push past magic that blocks people's thoughts, Andrei. If you paid attention and studied properly, you would."

  Andrei looks up. "She wasn't a hunter. This girl works as a cleaner here. I met her in town."

  "And why would you meet with a human unless it was for blood?"

  "I didn't arrange to meet her," he retorts. "I wanted some beers to take to the party tonight. I bumped into her in the street. The stupid girl was drunk and shouting that she knew me, to impress the girls she was with."

  "So, you attacked her?" I gasp. "What about her friends?"

  Andrei drags a palm down his face. "No, I—"

  "We don't have time for stories. Andrei. Where is she?" Tobias towers over him.

  I don't hear Andrei's response. Tobias lifts his eyes skyward and mutters something beneath his breath. "Go to my classroom. Both of you."

  I open my mouth to protest but he's looming over me before I have a chance to register that he's moved. Dizziness comes over me, and a familiar sensation like fingers digging into my brain crosses my scalp. I shake my head as recent memories flood into my head, flicking in and out as if someone is sifting through them.

  An image of the day on the playing field with Ash sticks however hard I try to dismiss it, and for a moment the memory freeze-frames.

  My mind returns to normal again and Tobias smiles knowingly. "If you do not do as I say, I will reveal your secret, Maeve."

  "I don't have a secret," I whisper.

  "Everybody has secrets."

  "Even you?"

  His brows shoot up at my boldness. "Yes, Maeve. Even me. The difference is, I read your mind and saw yours. You could never know mine, unless I tell you."

  Chapter Twenty

  MAEVE

  I stand in the corner of Tobias's room, arms crossed tight against my chest as I stare out of the window rather than look at Andrei. I don’t know how to deal with my confusion and fear of both him and Tobias.

  "He shouldn't be able to read my thoughts," I say after ten minutes of silence.

  "Tobias?" Andrei sneers. "He hides half of his strength. My family knows his history—I know what he's really capable of."

  He sits on a desk at the opposite end of the room, feet on a chair. His cocky air is replaced by a troubled expression and knitted brow.

  "Can he wipe my mind?" I ask.

  "Yours? Little Miss Future-Sighted? Nope. He can search your mind for memories, but that's all. He doesn't even need to touch you like the witches do."

  "Why say witches with such disdain? I thought you were all equal."

  "There's no such thing as equality," he retorts.

  "Did you kill?"

  He blinks at my deliberately out of the blue question. "No. Did you?"

  "What?"

  "Your secret. I caught a glimpse from Tobias's mind. I saw death."

  I look out of the window again. "Why has Tobias told us to wait here? Jamie and Ash might be looking for me."

  "I think I can guess." He stretches his arms out behind his back and rests his palms on the table. As he does, his black t-shirt rides up, revealing the edge of taut abs. "He'll be here soon."

  "Don't you care about what you did to the girl?"

  "News flash: I'm a hemia vampire. I drink blood."

  "But you're not allowed to," I say in a small voice. "It’s wrong."

  He sits forward. "Maeve. I don't give a crap what you think. You've been part of the supernatural world for five minutes and don't know anything."

  "Why are you a patronising jerk every time we talk?" I ask.

  "And why are you a pain in the arse?"

  "I can be, if you want. I can give you a good kick up the backside."

  Andrei bursts into laughter and I fight a smile. "That's not a pleasant way to talk to a guy who helped save your life."

  "I thanked you and we moved on."r />
  "Did we?" Andrei jumps down from his perch on the table and strolls across to where I stand. "I sense some tension here, Maeve."

  I swallow. "That would be you attempting your mesmeric presence on me."

  "I don't need to," he says as he traces his tongue along his bottom lip. "Do I, Maeve? You're like so many other humans. You love a bad boy."

  I can't be sure what the effect he has is—fear or attraction—but his self-assurance irritates me. "I'm not human."

  "Neither am I, but my body responds like one and can recognise yours responding to me."

  My mouth dries and I duck away from him. Nothing about vampires or shifters—even witches—is anything like I imagined. How can a vampire have human traits? "You have a high opinion of yourself, Andrei Tepes."

  "I've lived a fuller life than yours in my nineteen years."

  "Nineteen? Aren't vampires older than they look, like Tobias?"

  He waves a hand at me. "Poor little witch, doesn't know anything."

  "Don’t patronise—"

  The door crashes open and Tobias walks in, leading a girl behind him. She's shorter than me, curvier too, with brown curls reaching her shoulders. She gawks around her, mouth open, eyes glassy, and follows him like an obedient puppy. I cast a glance at her neck and can't see a wound, but my stomach still churns when she looks to me.

  I've seen her before, cleaning the cafeteria.

  Andrei's victim. Where's her protest over where she is and why she's here? Is she drunk? High?

  "I told you we'd find Maeve, Sally," says Tobias with a smile. "Did you lose her?"

  Sally's mouth purses as she looks around the room. "I guess. I mean, I think I did."

  "And you were wandering the academy grounds looking for her. Did you get lost?" he continues.

  I bristle at his cajoling tone as he catches her eye, his expression bewitching. Literally.

  "I think I must’ve." She switches her focus to Andrei. "Hang on. I was with you, wasn't I?"

  "No." He's dismissive, but in contradiction he looks straight at her. "I was at the party, but never saw you."

  I snap my head back in confusion. Sally wasn't at the party.

  "You were with Maeve at the party," continues Tobias.

  Blood drains from my face in shock at what they're doing. "I don't think—" I begin and then catch Andrei's imploring look as he pleads for me to join the trick. To help him.

  I'm not happy about this, but he’s right—Andrei helped save my life a few nights ago. I've no choice but to return the favour.

  Besides, I need to get Sally away from here. "I'm tired. Maybe we should both go home, Sally?"

  She rubs her head. "I think so. I feel awful. I just want to go to bed."

  "That's settled." I stand again. "Come on, I'll call you an Uber."

  Andrei repeats "Uber" beneath his breath with amusement.

  "Well, I can't fly her there!" I retort. "Nobody gave me my broomstick yet. And I doubt it's a good idea for you to accompany the lovely Sally home."

  Andrei’s mouth drops open at my outburst.

  Sally breaks away from Tobias's enthralling gaze when she hears her name. "I'm sure I was with you tonight, Andrei." She touches her lips. "Wasn't I?"

  "Stop playing with her," I say to Andrei.

  "We're not."

  The reason I can't see a mark on her neck is answered when she lifts a hand and brushes hair from her face. Sally's wrist is bruised and the skin damaged. My mouth fills with acid, and I stare at Andrei.

  Sure, every girl likes a bad boy, but not one who’s tempted to kill her. I rub my hand down my face. My new world is a confusing nightmare.

  "I screwed up," he mouths again. "Please."

  "Sally." Tobias clicks his fingers to gain her attention and her puzzled expression switches back to him. "I think Maeve has the best idea. We should help you home."

  "What time is it?" she asks him in a faraway voice.

  "Time to go home." Tobias steps forward and takes her hand. I stiffen. Will he attack her? Kill? She gazes up at him, her eyes filled with a trust that prickles the hairs on the back of my neck.

  "Good idea," puts in Andrei again.

  Sally glances over, distracted by Andrei again. "I've seen you around the academy when I've been working. I remember."

  "Yeah, I'm a memorable guy. Usually."

  His eyes meet Tobias's. Is this a joke to them? I'm witnessing the mental magic class in action—wipe a human's mind; preserve the secret. All because Andrei couldn't keep himself under control.

  I can't stay in this academy. This terrifies me.

  Tobias gently takes Sally’s arm too and turns it over to look at her wrist. "That’s a nasty bite. Was it a dog?"

  "I’m not sure."

  "I think it was."

  "Oh, right. I remember. The one that lives two doors down from me. She’s small but vicious." Sally laughs. "Chihuahuas think they run the world."

  Fleetingly, I picture a Chihuahua shifter. Could there be? And how am I having the thought right now?

  "Don’t mention the dog bite to anybody. I know you've had some conflict with those neighbours before," purrs Andrei. "There’s no point causing trouble."

  "Good idea." Sally's eyes are wide and filled with wonder like a preschool child learning secrets from a trusted teacher.

  "It's late. Andrei? Maeve? Who wants to accompany Sally to find a ride home?"

  "Maybe you could take her home." I pause. "Unless you’re worried you'll bite her too."

  I stumble backwards at the furious expression on Tobias's face, but Sally laughs. "He's not a Chihuahua."

  I don't catch the rest of the conversation between Sally and the professor, but she leaves, footsteps buoyant as he escorts her from the room with a guiding hand in the small of her back.

  The moment their echoing footsteps fade along the hallway, I slam the door closed and lean against it.

  "What the hell was that? Did he just brainwash Sally?" I ask, struggling to catch my breath.

  Andrei puffs air into his cheeks and regards me for a few seconds. "Brainwash is a strong term, Maeve."

  "Will she remember any of this tomorrow?"

  "No."

  "How?"

  "Like I said, there's a reason Tobias teaches the mental magic class. He’s good."

  I rake a hand through my hair. "I can’t cope with this. I have to go."

  Andrei strides over to me and this time, I move sideways before he can loom. "You can't tell anybody what happened, Maeve. Sally didn't die. I just lost control."

  "You moved from making out to sucking her blood? That’s a big change in direction."

  "I didn't make out with her," he protests. "I invited her to the party to shut her up, and when we arrived on campus..." He shakes his head. "I'm not explaining or justifying my behaviour to you."

  I reach behind for the door handle. "You don’t need to. She's alive. That's all that matters to me."

  "And me, Maeve."

  I yank at the door, willing him not to stop me. "I can't believe the academy allows killers to attend." What if my life is at risk?

  Andrei slams the door closed again and holds his palm against it. "Every student here could accidentally hurt or kill a human. That's one reason we're all at the academy."

  I shrink back further. I can't argue because I don't know if this is true.

  Andrei lowers his voice. "One day, Maeve, you'll make a mistake and need to use the skills Tobias teaches you, and you'll be thankful."

  Hidden thoughts spill from my mouth. "I thought I could trust you, but I can’t. You helped me, but then you attacked a defenceless girl and tried to drink her blood. That’s messed up, Andrei."

  I flinch as Andrei leans forward, face close to mine. "At least you know exactly what I am and what I struggle with. If you trust others over me, you're a fool."

  Where is this going? I don't want to be here when Tobias returns. I turn and fumble with the door handle before bursting from the room.r />
  Jamie and Ash will be looking for me, and I don't want to explain my absence in the last hour. I need to find and reassure them I’m okay, then go.

  I don't want to leave my room again this weekend.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  MAEVE

  I successfully fielded questions from Jamie and Ash, especially Ash as he'd drank more. I could see Jamie's suspicion, but I convinced them I'd become overwhelmed and taken a walk around campus. Of course, they had strong words to say about the decision, but I smiled through their anger and told them I was headed to bed.

  I spent much of Sunday alone, escaping the last week by watching Netflix and eating. Amelia returned on Sunday evening, quiet about her family and how she’d spent the weekend.

  Monday passes quietly. I'm now aware that many students sleep in the daytime, all races exhausted by late nights studying or at class. I'm not a morning person, so that suits me. I mooch around, waiting for class to start with Amelia by my side fussing about how behind she is on work.

  Andrei passes but doesn't look at me. He's with Katherine and Clive, and their hangers on. I hate that I ever trusted him. Do they know what he does when he loses control? I half-wish Andrei would look at me, but he keeps his eyes front, sauntering in that cocky way that makes me want to stick my leg out and trip him over.

  If this had been an academy for witches, I think I'd get my head around everything quicker. Now I'm second-guessing the world. How many vampires and werewolves—shifters—are out there? There’s a whole other world I know nothing about. What will happen if the Dominion's aim to reveal themselves to the world comes to fruition?

  I don't know, but if my gift can help stop a war that humans would lose, leaving a blood-soaked world, then I’ll commit to helping in every way I can.

  Amelia stops by the library to pick up a book she needs, and I wander in behind her. The tall bookshelves arranged around the circular floor hold more books than I’ve seen in my life, and this is just one floor. The book Amelia wants is in the section on the top floor. I stare at the staircase leading upwards and bemoan the lack of lifts.

  "I might stay here," I tell her. "I don't want a workout."