Nightworld Academy Box Set 1

by L. J. Swallow

  I reach out to place my index finger on his lips. "And I don’t think my blood is the only thing that attracts you. I think you’re scared because I have something else that scares you."

  "Such as?" My body heats everywhere as his fingers massage the nape of my neck. Andrei told me we can't get close, but he’s contradicting himself.

  "I see something you refuse to admit to yourself— you care what happens to others. You’ve helped me because there’s good inside you. You’re scared to let somebody prove this to you."

  He gently pulls my fingers from his mouth. "No, Maeve. You’re wrong. I have a need for you that rages through every cell in my body when we’re close like this. I’ve seen how gentle Ash is with you because he sees you as something fragile." Andrei’s fingers press into my skin. "I know you’re not fragile, and I don't want to be gentle with you. If you want tenderness, you’re looking at the wrong person."

  "But you were," I murmur staring at his mouth. "In my vision, your kiss was gentle."

  "Don’t talk about kissing me," he says voice thick. "Don’t keep putting that thought in my mind."

  "Then why are you touching me?"

  "Because we’re hidden in the dark," he says with a wry smile. "We’re not here."

  There’s a thrill that accompanies his words and touch. A secrecy that we meet like this and could hide from the world, that I could indulge a side of me that I pretend I don’t have. A raw, physical need.

  "I don’t care whether your kisses are gentle or not, Andrei. You think your body overwhelms common sense around me? I feel the same around you.”

  "You can’t trust me," he whispers.

  I rest my forehead on his and the intense need pools in my stomach. The frustration with Andrei builds, but because he holds back and I want to prove I can make him kiss me? Or is this something more?

  "I can trust you, Andrei. Don't push me away, and I’ll prove that you can trust yourself."

  My heart thuds faster. Weeks ago, I didn't want to be in the same room as Andrei, but now all I want is time alone with him. I touch his face again, unable to resist running my fingers across his skin. Craving a connection. There’s no need to look into each other’s minds to read what we both want.

  As my fingers reach his lips, Andrei grabs my wrist. His mouth hits mine, breath knocked away as my back slams hard against the wall. This isn’t like my vision. Andrei’s response is exactly what I imagined—harsh, uncontrolled, devouring.

  I grip his hair and return his bruising kiss, our tongues exploring each other's mouths. Andrei growls low in his throat and pinions me against the wall with his hips, hungry mouth still over mine. In that one move, he wipes away thoughts of anything but my matching obsession over what kissing Andrei would be like.

  I slide my hands beneath his T-shirt, exploring the tight abs and digging my nails into the muscles of his lower back. I can’t move and barely breathe, lost in the heady kiss.

  Andrei pushes his hand inside my coat and beneath my top, sweeping his fingers lightly along my side. My legs weaken and if he didn’t have me pinned against the wall by his hips, I’d be a heap on the floor.

  I could tell myself this is due to Ash’s rejection, but I knew this moment would happen the day I first saw Andrei.

  Andrei pulls away as quickly as he pushed me, breath coming in short bursts to match mine. "This is wrong."

  "That didn't feel wrong to me."

  He straightens my coat, face shadowed as he focuses on the action. "A really bad idea."

  "I don't care."

  Andrei stares in shock for a few moments. "I could hurt you." He holds up his shaking hands. "Badly. Look at what one kiss is doing to me. We should rewind before this gets out of control. Before I get out of control."

  I should agree, but the memory of his kiss remains on my lips. "I don’t think we can."

  Circling an arm around my waist, Andrei pulls me closer and rests his head on mine. "This is more than holding hands in the dark, Maeve."

  I laugh at him. "I’m aware of that."

  "And adds a whole new dimension to our ‘accidental meetings’." His breath strokes my skin as he speaks, cool against the heat.

  "They were accidental," I protest and pull away.

  "I wait for you every night."

  My calming heart rate picks up again at his admission. "Do you?"

  "Yes." I slide my hands around his shoulders and stroke the nape of his neck. "I'm not going to kiss you again, Maeve."

  "Ever?"

  He chews the corner of his mouth but doesn't reply. If this is so wrong, why does everything feel right? My body craves his touch and kiss, for him to overwhelm me, but there’s also a comfort in his embrace. We fit together, even if we shouldn't. The misfits. The witch and the vampire hiding in the shadows. Andrei and Maeve no longer hiding from each other.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  MAEVE

  The mental magic challenge takes place in the main hall. I've sat exams before with rows of students at desks, the room filled with nervous tension as their futures depended on their performance.

  This is a competition and not an exam, but my stomach churns with fear I’ll fail.

  I'm confused why Gilgamesh take part. I've found their minds easy to control, plus they don't take mental magic lessons. Apparently, the shifters’ skill is blanking their minds, a technique learned through meditation. Defensive rather than offensive.

  Petrescu's offensive attacks could hurt more than the physical pain from exhausting survival challenges.

  I wait against the wall, lined up with other students as we wait to be assigned our opponents. As usual, we’re grouped in our houses. Ash met us earlier, and things were awkward but not unpleasant. Tobias told me Vincent’s aim is to pull the group apart.

  My attachment to Ash is more than romantic—I can hold onto and build on our friendship to keep him close. There’s no doubt Ash was hurting when he spoke to me last night, and shunning him from the group because he hurt my feelings would be immature and unfair.

  And what Vincent wants.

  But how can I not feel rejected? I soaked up Ash’s attention as if he were the sun shining on me in this gloom. He filled me with a warmth I haven’t felt for a long time. What girl doesn’t like when a guy looks at her as if she lights up his world too?

  Like Andrei does. Every time our passionate kiss crosses my mind, heat surges through my blood. I tasted something forbidden, from a guy who admitted he won't be gentle. That thought sends my mind in all kinds of crazy directions. But could we ever risk more than a kiss?

  Nearby, Vincent, Tobias, and Sofia speak in hushed tones, although Tobias's voice rises. Andrei caught up with us earlier but avoided speaking to or looking at me. He spoke to Tobias last night—as I suspected, Tobias can’t talk to Katherine, but he can keep a close eye on her. I keep an eye on her too—standing with her cronies, ignoring those around and flicking through her phone.

  Tobias storms away from the pair and stands at the desk towards the front of the hallway.

  One by one, he announces each student and their challenger. "Amelia. Ashley."

  Amelia's relief replaces the nail-chewing anxiety she’s had since she walked in here. If her weak skills were challenged by Petrescu, they’d tear her apart and destroy her confidence.

  "Katherine Edelston. Maeve Foster."

  The deep anger on Tobias's drawn features grows and he scowls in Vincent and Sofia’s direction. Frankly, I don't care since I'm not scared of her, and happily take her on. Plus, I’m on the lookout for tricks when others might not be. She could cheat, but not against me.

  Katherine stalks across the hall to take her place at the allocated table and with a sigh, I walk over too.

  Chair legs screech around the hall as each pair sit to face each other across the desk. Katherine folds her arms in front of her, revealing dark blue nails with tips decorated by moons and stars.

  I'm rarely this close to Katherine, but when I am, she fascinates
me. The girl's skin is air-brushed clear, but there's no photoshopping here. Her large blue eyes and cupid bow lips give her a doll-like appearance, but she can flick on sultry in the blink of an eye. If her challenger were a guy, he'd struggle against her lamia powers, whether used deliberately or not. Katherine is breathtaking—and annoying as hell.

  "Well, this is a surprise," she purrs, but there’s no surprise on her face.

  "This will be interesting, yes."

  "How is Ash? I've noticed you two are closer." Her eyes narrow in warning. "I wish you’d listen to me. You need to."

  "No. I don’t."

  Her lips part as I use the word few people say to her.

  She taps her fingernails on the desk. "Something weird is happening with you and your lapdogs. What?"

  I look over her shoulder. Is Katherine using this a technique to disarm me before we begin? To rile me so I lose focus? Katherine opens her bag and I sit up, anxious to see what she has in there. A small, pink hairbrush. I stare as she brushes her already perfect hair.

  "Are you ready to lose?" I whisper.

  She looks at me as if I’m an imbecile. "That won't happen."

  "Why? Because you believe your cheating potion will work on me?"

  She maintains an innocent look as she drops the hairbrush into her bag and zips it closed. "Silly Andrei told you this, I presume. He’s always full of stories. Do you know the stories about him?"

  "Yes."

  She shakes her head with a patronising smile. "I bet you don’t know them all."

  "I’m sure I don’t."

  Andrei sits opposite Jade, several desks behind Katherine. Jade is a skilled elemental witch, but I don’t fancy her chances against Andrei’s mental skill.

  Katherine glances around at him. "He's good, by the way."

  "Yes. Andrei's not as bad as everybody thinks."

  Her laughter chimes around us. "That's not what I mean, Maeve. He's skilful, if you get my drift."

  I blink rapidly. Has Andrei... with Katherine? When?

  She holds up an index finger and makes a winding motion around with her other hand. "Do you think he's under your spell? It’s the other way around, Maeve. You’re the one charmed into stupidity—Andrei is a predator, and he has his sights on you."

  I keep my eyes on hers, refusing to show her words delve into the wariness I have around Andrei. If only she knew the truth.

  "One of Andrei’s skills is his camouflage. Pretends he’s a broken bad boy who resists affection until the right girl touches his heart." She places a hand on her chest and pulls a face. "All he wants is to feed his disgusting needs."

  I force myself to hide the doubts flickering into my mind. "You're wrong."

  "Am I? The guy's mother leads the Dominion, and he has her blood running through his veins. Tobias can try to control Andrei, but he’ll kill someone on campus soon. There’s too much temptation. Too many witches." She leans closer and places a soft, cold hand over mine. "Maybe Andrei will kill you."

  I snatch my hand away. "Give up, Katherine. You're not distracting me. I'm focused on winning against you."

  She touches her heart again, mock indignation on her face. "I don't need to cheat, Maeve."

  "Uh huh. That’s not what I heard."

  She narrows her eyes and wipes her hand on her leg as if touching me repulsed her. My skin crawls too—Katherine is the last person I want to touch me.

  Theodora's heels click across the wooden floor as she enters the hall.

  "Good morning, competitors. I'm happy I'm free to watch today's game."

  Game? I wish I could see it as a game. We’re about to launch into a battle that could end with someone’s mind injured.

  Katherine looks around the room and places a delicate hand over her mouth as she yawns. "Do hurry up, Theodora," she mutters.

  She clears her throat to deliver instructions. "Sofia is placing papers in front of you. You’re not to turn over the page until instructed. The student sitting on the left of the desk will begin. You will read the words silently and your competitor will attempt to see the words in your thoughts. Then he or she will write the words on their paper. Then, he or she will wipe the same words from your mind. The papers will be removed, and you will then attempt to remember what you read."

  Katherine laughs softly. "Child's play. Just because dumb shifters are involved and can't do more than this."

  "At least the challenge will be over quickly," I retort.

  Katherine leans across the desk. "I can’t wait to get inside your head."

  "I'd say the same, but I doubt I'd find much in there."

  "Oh, very funny, Maeve. I’ll find your secrets in here." She taps her head. "I bet that's why Tobias didn't want us together. He’s in your head too."

  Is that what he argued with the other professors about? He watches us, the same displeasure on his face.

  "I want to see what's between you and him." I snap my head back round at her words. "I also know he's not a hundred-and-fifty-year-old immortal. Does he tempt you?" Katherine grazes her teeth across her bottom lip. "Or has he tasted you?"

  If we weren't in the middle of a hall with half the academy present, I’d push back my chair and leave. Before I have a chance to respond, Sofia places two sheets of paper face down in front of us before moving to the next pair.

  Katherine smirks as a divider is placed between us. "You’re first."

  "Time starts... now. And read," calls Theodora.

  The buzz around the room instantly drops into silence.

  The random selection of words are printed on paper: apple shelf doctor blue five.

  I practiced this trick in mental magic the other day, with Amelia. As Katherine's probing thoughts reach me, I close my eyes and picture a black box. Climbing inside, I surround myself with darkness.

  But she's scratching at the box, pulling it apart and exposing my mind. A sharp pain enters my head and I open my eyes. The room spins and my stomach flips over like the time I drank too much alcohol.

  Katherine looks straight at me, but her face blurs in and out of view. "Are you okay, Maeve?" she asks in concern.

  I look down at the words again and they jumble in front of me, as if they’re random strokes on the page and not letters. Where am I? I look around the room at people staring. At desks. Am I in an exam?

  "Maeve?" croons Katherine. "Are you confused?"

  Confused. "I didn't drink any potions," I say hoarsely.

  "Potion? I didn’t use a potion, Maeve," Katherine is indignant but a smirk plays across her lips. She lifts her hand between us and points to the back. Then she nods at mine, where I grip the desk’s edge.

  A fleck of white powder sits on my skin, like icing sugar from a cake I ate. But I didn't eat.

  In alarm, I brush at the powder. Mistake, because the powder rubs into my skin and the room lurches to the left until I’m looking at the world sideways.

  I swallow down the rising nausea. Katherine touched my hand. I rubbed her touch away.

  This powder is magic.

  "You cheating bitch," I stammer out.

  Katherine’s smug face fades and I fall backwards as if someone kicked my chair over. The already sideways room begins to blacken.

  Shit, shit, shit. Not now.

  I’m plunged into midnight black, but only for a moment. A kaleidoscope of images and sounds overwhelm me, as if somebody has thrown me into the middle of a bad dream. Snap shots. Confusion.

  A vision filled with nightmares.

  Amelia screams as a girl with blonde hair drags nails down her face, leaving bloodied scratches. I know who the assailant is before she turns and faces me. Katherine with her features in the evil mask of an infuriated vampire.

  I scream out, but immediately jerk into a different scene. Vincent and Ash, arguing. Ash's eyes changing as they did outside the pub that night, as Vincent goads him to shift.

  A girl screams in the distance.

  Blue flames beneath the library. Tobias reaching out a
nd speaking, and I scream back at him because I can't hear what he's saying.

  I flail round, trying to fight my way from the vision. Never have I had so many at once, in succession like this.

  Andrei. His hands on my skin as he holds me to him, his mouth searching mine. Naked. I gasp against the arousal flooding through my veins and mingling with shock and pull back from him. He has a tattoo. Large raven wings open across his chest.

  Lungs constricting, I gasp for breath, and Andrei disappears from my arms.

  A woman's face comes into view. I know her, but we've never met. She's laughing at me, calling Andrei's name, and she steps back to reveal Jamie at the edge of a hole leading into a black void.

  And I scream, crying out again and again. The terror paralyses me, as I struggle to make my way from the confusing vision assaulting me and back to consciousness. But I can't free myself—the more I struggle, the tighter the grip. Something latches onto me and pulls me under, as if I'm falling into the hole Jamie teeters on the edge of.

  "I didn't know," echoes a voice. "It was a joke."

  "She's convulsing. Sofia. Help her."

  My heart aches as if it’s bursting from my chest, and the pulsing blood in my ears pushes painfully against my eyes. I scream again as the void swallows me whole, the voices growing more distant. I can't breathe. I can't feel. I can only see the blue flames bursting upwards towards me with a roar.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  MAEVE

  The strip lights in the academy infirmary are becoming too familiar for comfort. I sit abruptly and immediately drop back as if something pushed me down into the bed.

  Jamie and Amelia sit either side, with Ash standing close by. Andrei loiters further away, arms crossed but face sharing the same concern.

  "I'll tell the matron." Amelia leaps to her feet and scurries off.

  "You scared us half to death," says Jamie and touches my head. "Normally you're out minutes, but this..."

  "You were full on, Maeve," remarks Andrei. "Talk about making yourself centre of attention."

  I prepare to retort, but if I open my mouth, I swear I’ll vomit. Turning onto my side, I groan. I’m still dressed in my uniform, and the shirt sticks to my clammy back.