Zodiac Academy 5: Cursed Fates: An Academy Bully Romance (Supernatural Bullies and Beasts)

by Caroline Peckham

  “He didn’t have to leave on my account,” he said in a low, teasing voice and I bit my lip guiltily. “But I do want to talk to you in private, so this works out just fine. Can I come in?”

  I nodded, stepping back to let him inside with a curious frown. I shut the door and looked to Gabriel, finding it weirdly normal that he was visiting me here like a friend.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  “You need my help with something,” he announced with a grin. “And I’ve had a vision showing me exactly what items you require.”

  “What are you talking about?” My brows pulled tighter together.

  Gabriel fished through the stack of Phoenix books on my desk, picking up the one I’d been reading the other day and flipping it open to the page on Phoenix fire imbued objects. He tapped the page as he showed me it. “I saw how to do this. And I saw what you dreamed of making.”

  Heat flushed into my cheeks as I moved forward to survey the page. “It was just an idea…”

  “A fucking awesome idea,” he pointed out, smirking. “It’s just what Orio needs to cheer him up.”

  “So you’ll help me?” I asked, excitement flitting through me.

  “Yes, but you need to get some stardust from Darius. I’m rationed too hard for the amount we need. A full pouch.”

  I sucked on my lower lip in concern and Gabriel evidently read my thoughts as he continued.

  “Darius will help if you explain what it’s for. But just make sure you ask him before breakfast today, his mood is going to take a dive after that.”

  “Before breakfast?” I balked, glancing at the clock on the wall. That gave me like ten freaking minutes.

  “Better get a move on,” Gabriel laughed and I pulled my door open, throwing my bag over my shoulder as he followed me out.

  “See you later!” I called, running for the stairs as his laughter continued to follow me. Fate was such a bitch.

  I raced downstairs, nearly knocking several students over before I made it outside and jogged towards The Orb. I knew Darius had been running with Tory every morning so they must have been almost finished.

  I spotted them racing up to The Orb, way ahead of me and I pushed myself harder, casting the wind at my back to give me every advantage.

  Darius opened the door for Tory and she slipped inside.

  “Darius!” I called out and he turned his head just as he moved to follow her.

  He spotted me racing towards him and a frown creased his brow as I slowed to a halt, panting heavily.

  He folded his tattooed arms across his tank top, his brows raised as he waited for me to explain.

  “I need your help,” I said breathlessly.

  “What’s wrong?” he demanded instantly catching my hand and pulling me to one side of the door.

  “Nothing’s wrong,” I said, my cheeks heating. This had seemed a little dramatic, but I really wanted to give this gift to Orion. And if this was my best shot at getting stardust then I would suck up looking like a hot mess right now. “I need a pouch of stardust.”

  His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Why? It’s not safe to leave campus.”

  I raised a hand to cast a silencing bubble around us. “I’m not going anywhere.” I proceeded to explain to him what I needed it for and when I was done, he was smirking.

  “I’ll give it to you at lunch,” he agreed and I actually had the urge to hug him for a second. I refrained, considering that he was still, at heart, a douche. But I knew he was trying to be better. According to Orion anyway. And I guessed I’d seen some evidence to support that.

  “I need to grab coffee for Roxy.” He moved to step away, but I caught his arm, wondering if I should do this. But my sister lit up every morning when Darius brought her coffee. I’d watched it a thousand times. To the naked eye, you wouldn’t notice it at all. But I knew her so well, and that look she got around him held a secret only I could read.

  “You know what’s a shame? Tory loves those little chocolate wafers in the dessert section at lunchtime. She especially likes them with her coffee, but they don’t provide them at breakfast.”

  His eyes brightened and his lips hooked up into a grin. “That is a shame.”

  “Imagine if you were a big ass Dragon who everyone listened to all the time? Even the kitchen staff...”

  “Imagine,” he agreed with a snort of laughter.

  A weird moment hung between us where I actually sort of liked the asshole, then I gave him an awkward smile and he headed away into The Orb. I took a moment to fix my hair using the reflection in the door before following.

  Was that the right thing to do?

  The stars did say I couldn’t make a wrong move today. So I guessed it had to be.

  Still…I didn’t know if I should be encouraging Darius’s behaviour or not. What was that really saying about me? That I wanted them to be together? Holy shit, I couldn’t mentally walk down that road. There were so many reasons why they shouldn’t have been a couple. And yet, all of them had to do with politics and one scaly green Dragon daddy who was trying to take over the world Pinky and the Brain style. Put that aside and they were a match made in heaven. The problem was, they were both so doggedly stubborn that I knew if I even vaguely suggested that Tory should try and figure out a way to counter the stars, she’d dismiss it. It had to come from her. And even if it was impossible to achieve, I just hoped she tried. That they both did.

  I pushed through the door and my ears were immediately assaulted by a horn blasting through the room. My gaze locked onto Mildred Canopus as she climbed onto a table beyond the Heirs’ couch just as Darius dropped onto it beside his friends. Her hand was raised and the foghorn noise seemed to be emitting from it to get everyone’s attention.

  “Listen up!” she demanded, the noise falling dead.

  Everyone in the room was staring at her and I drifted towards the A.S.S tables, sitting down beside Tory sipping her coffee.

  Mildred placed her hands on her hips as she surveyed everyone through her beady eyes. “There’s a new society starting at Zodiac Academy and I’m running it. So if you support the Heirs and want them to claim the throne and not the Vegas, then you can sign up right here and now.” She stamped her foot on the table and I spotted her Atlas at her feet apparently ready to take names. Several people rushed forward and started forming a queue to join her. “As of this moment, you are either part of the Heirs Officially Ruling Everybody Society, or you’re part of the Almighty Sovereign Society. You will choose. There is no in between. Do not be a cock-munching coward of a Fae. No one leaves The Orb until they’ve made their choice!”

  “Is she for real?” I muttered to Tory whose face was pinched with hatred as she stared over at Mildred and the people drifting closer to her, though there weren’t that many who’d bothered to get up.

  Chatter filled the room as everyone decided what to do and Mildred stamped her foot again. “Tell them, snookums.” Her voice suddenly became as sweet as pie as she looked over at Darius.

  The other Heirs glanced at him and his jaw ticked with annoyance. He nodded stiffly and a tsunami of people got out of their chairs, racing towards her to sign up.

  A noise like an angry bulldog escaped Geraldine and I turned to find she was climbing up onto our table with fury in her eyes.

  “The Heirs Officially Ruling Everybody Society?” Geraldine spat, rolling up her sleeves like she was about to go apeshit on Mildred. And I was definitely buying a ticket to that show. “You mean you’re the HORES?” she laughed and the A.S.S all joined in.

  I shared a look with Tory, snorting a laugh. It was like Geraldine didn’t even realise what her club name spelled. But I had to admit, this was possibly even funnier.

  “It’s pronounced Hores,” Mildred shot back with a snarl. “And don’t you talk to me, you filthy Heir traitor.”

  “I’ll talk to you exactly however I fancy, Mildreadful!” Geraldine cried then pointed at the crowd sweeping toward her feet. “You there! You nincompoops a
ll flocking to that horrid hagfish! Who are you really in support of? Four beastly barracudas who strut around this place like they already own the world, or the classy cuttlefish who swim elegantly through our waters, showing nothing but grace, poise and exude an air of true royalty!”

  All eyes swung between us and the Heirs and some people started backing out of the queue for Mildred’s club and a new queue formed behind Geraldine. Tory and I tried to keep our faces straight as Geraldine beckoned everyone around the room towards her, her legs bending into a half squat, up and down, up and down as she waved people over.

  “The four Heirs represent each of the Elements. Together they create harmony, a perfect balance. Darius is brave and noble, and his heart is made of iron, he’ll rule with fire in his soul at my side and bring Solaria to greatness!” Mildred cried in retaliation. “Seth can be as ruthless as a storm or as gentle as a summer breeze, his passion for unity will bring Solaria together as one family. Max’s spirit is as wild as a river and his power to feel his people’s pain and love will be what heals our kingdom. And Caleb’s connection to the land will make our crops prosper and feed his hungry army which will protect us all from faraway powers. To choose two girls who have no experience in ruling, no guardians to have taught them the way of our world, not even had a head start in their magic training would be as good as flushing our lives down the shitter!”

  “That was so close to being eloquent,” I muttered and Tory barked a laugh.

  More students surged towards Mildred, chanting the Heirs’ names, but I could see Geraldine wasn’t going to stand for it.

  She started clapping to a steady beat and the A.S.S all joined in as she gestured to them. My lips parted as Geraldine opened her mouth and started singing to the beat.

  “They came from over the hill to slay, the monsters, beasts and bullies. The princesses came with their shiny crowns, two beauties in their flowing gowns. And so they shouted, away away away!”

  “Away away away!” the A.S.S. sang in response like they knew the words and my jaw dropped.

  “The monsters said we’re here to stay, raising forks and sticks and sharpened picks. The princesses came with their silver blades, two beauties with their loyal maids. And so they shouted, away away away!” She started up a dance, stamping her foot twice to the left, then twice to the right before jumping up and clapping above her head.

  “Away away away!” Tory and I joined in between our laughter as Justin Masters produced a flute from his bag and started piping out the tune. Oh my god this is actually happening.

  Geraldine reached out to us and I shrugged at Tory before climbing up to join her on the table. She started the dance again and I copied her, picking it up as Tory joined her other side, laughing as Geraldine continued the song.

  “The beasts they laughed with their hearts so black, they pushed, they fought and they attacked. But the princesses came with a swirl and a swoosh, and pushed those beasties in the Lake of Multush. And so they shouted, away away away!”

  “Away away away!” I cried with everyone else, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes as more and more people crowded around our table and joined in.

  “The bullies they smiled and they jeered the town, they jibed, they battered and made everyone frown. The princesses showed them the strength of their souls, no bully could make a dent on their walls. And so they shouted, away away away!”

  We clapped above our heads in time with Geraldine and everyone continued on singing that last line again and again, pointing over at the Heirs who were staring at us with their jaws slack like they couldn’t quite believe what was happening. “Away away away!”

  I clutched my side as we all felt apart with laughter and Geraldine wrapped us in her arms. “Holy onion balls, I haven’t sung my heart out like that in a yazzilion years!”

  “I loved it,” I laughed then someone tugged on my skirt and I turned, finding a swarm of people below us.

  “Where do we sign up?” they called to us and I looked to Geraldine as her face split into the brightest smile I’d ever seen. Mildred still had about half of the room around her and the Heirs were busy signing every spare space of flesh or workbooks that were thrust at them, but there were smirks playing around their mouths too.

  Mildred sprang down amongst them, throwing her arms around Darius and he jerked backwards before he could stop himself. My heart twisted as she moved into his personal space and he was forced to take a kiss on the corner of his lips and wind his arms around her. I guessed Gabriel had been right, he really was going to be in a foul mood for the rest of the day. And I couldn’t help but pity him.

  Seth caught my eye with a dark smile on his face and my heart pounded harder as Max and Caleb turned towards us with resilience in their expressions.

  They thrived on this challenge. And it turned out that I did too.

  Keep away from our throne boys. Away away away!

  Catalina:

  I need your help. I don’t have anyone else I can ask.

  I was sitting at my desk in my room trying to work on a Numerology assignment but since that message had come through, I hadn’t been able to think of anything else. Because it came down to this – was I going to help Mommy Acrux with her little problem?

  I hadn’t even replied yet so I had no idea what she wanted my help with, but I needed to make a decision before I did. Did I trust her? And how far was I willing to go for her?

  I tapped my pen against my lips as I wondered. Catalina had been messaging me every day since we’d swapped numbers. She gave me information on Lionel and Clara’s comings and goings and revealed anything they’d let slip but there hadn’t been a single, solid thing that she’d told me which would make any real difference to us. I understood that Lionel kept her out of his plans, but still, she hadn’t exactly given me any irrefutable evidence that she was actually on my side.

  There was something in me that still wanted to trust her though. Call it my gut, my instincts, whatever, but I just had this feeling that she was genuine.

  Tory:

  What’s wrong?

  Catalina:

  It’s Xavier. Lionel has employed a man called Mr Gravebone to Reassign his Order. He’s been coming and going all week but I thought he was a tutor. Instead he’s had Xavier locked up for hours at a time while he brainwashes him to believe he’s a Dragon instead of a Pegasus. I need you to do what you did for me and burn the lies out of his head.

  Well that’s seven shades of fucked up.

  Tory:

  What difference does it make if he believes he’s a Dragon? He’ll still turn into a Pegasus when he shifts.

  I frowned to myself as I leaned back in my chair. It didn’t make any sense to me. Someone could brainwash me into believing I was a cat and I might go around sleeping in the sun and licking my own ass. But I wouldn’t be a cat. I’d just be a crazy girl with some embarrassing hobbies.

  Catalina:

  I think Lionel plans to have him act like he’s a Dragon and fake some photographs for the press. Eventually if the secret becomes too hard to hide I think he’ll kill him and pretend it was an accident. Once Xavier has gained control over shifting, Lionel will Dark Coerce him never to shift in front of anyone so he can go out in public. I heard Mr Gravebone say he was making good progress. Please, I can’t bear the thought of someone messing with who he is on the inside. I’ve already failed him so many times.

  Tory:

  I can try. How am I supposed to get to him though?

  Catalina:

  Come to the manor tonight. Lionel is at a Council meeting in the city because of the war with the Nymphs. He won’t be back until tomorrow evening and Clara went with him.

  A shiver ran down my spine at that suggestion. Was I seriously going to walk into the lion’s den willingly? Sneaking over to Acrux Manor late at night when no one knew where I was going sounded like suicide to me. And yet…I just couldn’t help but trust in Catalina’s words. Which meant that Xavier really was in trouble. And
even though I’d only met him a few times, I’d felt a real connection with him. But the truth of his Order was a secret that was going to bury him before long and even if I could help with this issue, it wouldn’t be the end of it.

  I pushed out of my chair and quickly stripped out of my uniform before changing into high wasted jeans and a crop top, twisting my hair into a messy knot on the back of my head. Nothing about my outfit choice said that I was on a secret mission, which was perfect.

  I shot Darcy a text as I kicked on my boots, but I wasn’t going to hold my breath for an answer. She was staying with Lance tonight which basically made her uncontactable. But it was probably best I did this alone anyway. At least that way if this was some kind of seriously convoluted trap then there would only be one of us walking into it.

  I took the stairs down to the Ignis House common room and my stomach did an inelegant backflip as I spotted Darius holding court beside the huge fireplace.

  I raised my chin and headed straight for him, ignoring the way he made my heart thunder. He looked up as I approached, his eyes widening slightly as he realised I was coming straight for him.

  “Can I have a word?” I asked, pleased to find my voice steady even if the rest of me was shaking a little.

  “Leave,” Darius barked and every single one of the group surrounding us leapt to their feet and disappeared.

  “Bossy much?” I asked as I dropped into the seat in front of him and tossed a silencing bubble up around us.

  The common room was pretty packed so the stars were content to let us talk.

  “I assumed you’d want privacy for whatever it is you want to say,” he replied with a shrug as he leaned forward, elbows pressing on his knees.

  “Well I suppose it helps to keep your ego propped up to send people scurrying at whim,” I teased.