by G. K. DeRosa
Crap, Jay. I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to him. I never would’ve survived four years of high school without him. “K.J., can I call you that?” Kimmie-Jayne was just way too long.
A big smile lit up her face. “Sure. It’s actually what my favorite uncle calls me.”
“Great. So um, do you think we could stop by my friend’s house before we go?” I had no idea how we were even getting to Darkhen Academy. I’d heard there were portals to Azar, but their locations weren’t exactly common knowledge. The two governments were doing their best to monitor all travelers between the two worlds.
She glanced at the clock over my bed and grimaced. “I’m sorry, Luna, but we’re kind of on a time crunch. We’re meeting the headmaster at Darkhen in an hour. He’s a busy guy as you can imagine, and I’d hate to keep him waiting.”
My shoulders drooped. I had no idea when I’d see Jay again. With how tight security was between the realms, I doubted I was allowed visitors.
K.J.’s eyes lit up. “I’ll tell you what; I promise once you’re all settled in, I’ll bring you back here myself so you can see your friend.”
“Okay, thanks.” I slung the duffel bags over each shoulder, tossing my heavy coat over my arm and Kimmie-Jayne surprised me by grabbing my backpack. She definitely didn’t act like a normal celebrity.
“Fenix is meeting us outside. We can let him carry the heavy stuff.” She winked, and my stomach dropped.
“F-Fenix Skyraider? Like the Alpha of all the dragon shifters in Azar?” I froze on the top step of the staircase. My body broke out into an all-out sweatball at the thought of the drop-dead gorgeous bachelor. I’d forced Jay to watch every single episode with me. Poor guy had to sit by and watch me drool over the ridiculously hot bachelors on the show. Before Kimmie-Jayne picked the final two, I was totally team Ryder—a breathtakingly gorgeous demon bad boy. But once I’d seen her and Fenix together, I couldn’t deny she’d made the right choice.
“Yup—my husband.” She laughed.
Heat crawled up my neck and settled over my cheeks. Way to go, Luna. Nothing like coveting your half-sister’s hubby to make things super awkward. I swallowed down the embarrassment, unable to stop the next words from popping out of my mouth as I continued down the creaky old staircase. “I can’t believe you got to ride a dragon! And fly with an angel and spend time at Winter Court with the prince… It was all so unbelievably cool.”
She smirked. “Yeah, I guess it was. Except for when I was kidnapped and almost killed a few times.”
Oh my… what was wrong with me? Sometimes I thought my foot should be permanently shoved inside my mouth instead of dangling at the end of my leg. K.J. had almost died on numerous occasions thanks to some dark forces that tried to sabotage the show. “I’m sorry, that was a really stupid thing to say. When I get nervous, I babble.”
She squeezed my shoulder as we stopped at the door. “You don’t need to apologize. I can only imagine what you’re feeling right now. I kind of dropped a pretty huge bombshell on you.”
The weird thing was how not weird it all seemed. I should’ve been freaking out right now. My dad was a flippin’ warlock, and I was about to get sent off to some paranormal prep in a magical world. Why wasn’t I freaking out? I considered as my half-sister held the door open for me. Maybe it was because my life kinda sucked, and I always wished there was more out there for me. And now there was—a hell of a lot more.
We walked out, and I barely looked back at the home in which I’d spent the last four years of my life. Mrs. Sanderson had run out for groceries so I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye. I left a note though. There wasn’t much love between us, but things could’ve been worse. Much worse from what I’d heard from other foster kids.
Speaking of bombshells, a dark, tall handsome one stood in front of the walkway as we stepped off the porch. Holy dragon hottie! Fenix was more gorgeous in real life than on TV.
Golden irises pierced mine, a shock of dark hair tumbling over his forehead. “Hey there. You must be Luna.” A cute smile pulled at his lips as he extended his hand, and heat coursed through my veins. OMG, stop that! This was my brother-in-law for crap sakes.
I placed my hand in his and he gave it a firm squeeze, all the bones in my fingers scrunching together. I tried not to wince, but Fenix’s expression fell and he quickly released me.
“Sorry about that.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a light crimson dusting his cheeks and making him even hotter. “I guess I’ve been spending too much time in Draeko lately. I’ve forgotten the lighter touch necessary with humans.”
I shook out my hand and tucked it behind my back. “No worries.” I was lucky my brain was still able to form sentences being this close to the steamy bachelor.
“Here, let me take those for you.” Fenix grabbed both my duffel bags and turned toward the train station.
“I hope you’re okay with a little walk?” asked Kimmie-Jayne.
“We’re walking all the way to Azar?”
They both laughed. “No, we just need to grab a train into the city,” explained my half-sister. “The nearest portal is in Grand Central Station.”
“Seriously?” That’s so not what I would’ve expected.
Fenix nodded and took K.J.’s hand. “We could fly”—he tipped his head up to the sky— “but I don’t think that would go over well in these parts.”
My eyes widened, and I couldn’t help but bounce on my toes. “Oh please, can we?”
He laughed, his big chest rumbling beneath the tight black shirt. “Don’t worry, you’ll get to do plenty of that at Darkhen. I happen to know a dragon shifter or two I can introduce you to.”
Excitement spilled through my veins like a live wire. I couldn’t believe this was really happening. I was about to travel to another realm where dragons, faeries, witches and warlocks roamed the streets like nothing. More than that, I was about to live with and go to school with them. I didn’t know much about Darkhen—I added it to the list of a million questions to ask—but I assumed I’d be learning to use magic with other half-bloods. It was all unreal.
The train ride passed in a blur with all the wild thoughts clamoring around in my brain. K.J. and Fenix told me a little about Darkhen Academy, but I still had so many questions. My bio dad, Garrix, was a bit of a mystery even to my half-sister apparently.
“We’re working on our relationship,” said Kimmie-Jayne. “Garrix isn’t an easy man to get to know.” Fenix squeezed her knee, a reassuring smile on his handsome face. Man, they were as cute and in love in real life as on TV. A part of me wondered if it had only been for the cameras, but seeing them here together wiped out every doubt I’d had.
I still couldn’t believe K.J. was my half-sister. I covertly glanced at her from across the aisle. We definitely shared a similar shade of blonde hair, but whereas her eyes were bright blue mine were a darker hue. And she was like supermodel gorgeous. I was okay, but definitely not Hollywood material.
“I’m sure Garrix will come visit you as soon as he gets the opportunity.” Kimmie-Jayne’s sweet voice pulled me from my inner thoughts.
“Um, yeah sure, whatever.” I shrugged nonchalantly. If this guy hadn’t cared to come see me once in eighteen years, I didn’t need him either. “The man’s the president so I’m sure he’s got more important things to do than meet one of his many offspring.” How many of us were there anyway?
Kimmie-Jayne opened her mouth as if to say more when the sharp keening sound of the brakes cut her off. The train slowed and we pulled into the tunnel, darkness blotting out the windows.
“This is our stop,” said Fenix. He stood and grabbed my duffel bags from the overhead rack.
“I can take them.” I felt bad letting him carry all my stuff. Not that there was that much, but still.
“No way, Luna. I got the bags.”
K.J. ran her hand over his bulging bicep and smirked. “Yeah, let the guy get his workout in for the day.”
“If you say so.�
� I threw my backpack over my shoulder and followed them off the train. “So now where to? Is there a special magical train that takes us to Azar?” I totally felt like I’d just stumbled into a Harry Potter movie.
“Not exactly.” Fenix led the way down the platform, but instead of following the hordes of people heading up toward ground level, he pivoted in the opposite direction.
He led us through the dimly lit corridor until we reached what looked like a dead end. He stopped in front of a gray cinder block wall and whispered, “Apertum.” The stones creaked and groaned before shifting and falling away. I stared with my mouth hanging open.
“After you.” Kimmie-Jayne motioned me forward, but my feet were planted to the ground.
Fenix ticked his head through the magical doorway. “Maybe you should go first, treasure.”
“Right, of course.” Kimmie-Jayne walked through and I followed after her, willing my legs not to embarrass me again.
We emerged onto another platform, nearly identical to the one we’d just arrived on. The rumbling of trains passing overhead filled the uneasy silence as I trailed behind them.
“Well, this is it.” Fenix stopped and peered down the dark tunnel. A headlight flashed in the distance, the tremor of an arriving train making my knees tremble.
“You should put on your coat now,” said Kimmie-Jayne, eyeing the old black jacket slung over my arm.
I shrugged into it and glanced down the dark tunnel. “So we just get on the train that’s coming?”
K.J. shook her head. “There’s no train actually coming. It’s an illusion to keep intruders away.”
I arched a brow. “So how do we get to Azar?”
“Jump.” Fenix’s lips twitched.
I stared down at the six-foot drop to the train tracks below. A rat skittered across the railway, sending a wave of goose bumps rippling over my flesh. “You’ve got to be joking.”
“There’s a hidden portal,” explained Kimmie-Jayne. “When you jump you’ll get sucked right in. It’s kind of like leaping into a vat of jell-o. Totally painless, I promise.”
I peered down the black tunnel and cringed. The train horn blasted in the not-so-far distance, the bright headlight flashing ominously. I’m going to jump and get squashed by a freaking train—that’s what was going to happen.
“Um, I don’t know about this, you guys.” I tightened the straps on my backpack, clenching on for dear life.
K.J. held out her hand and threw me a reassuring smile. “Come on, we can go together.”
My knees rattled, threatening to give. Every nerve in my body screamed at me not to take her hand. This was insane—jumping onto railroad tracks with a train approaching? Totally certifiable. But then again, until a year ago, dragon shifters, faeries, and demons were all things that had only existed in fairy tales.
What the hell, right? I took her hand, wrapping my fingers tightly around hers. For someone that didn’t trust easily, I was surprised how much Kimmie-Jayne put me at ease. “Okay, let’s do this.”
“On the count of three,” said Fenix. “One…”
I sucked in a breath.
“Two…”
My fingers clenched around K.J.’s hand as a horn blasted in the distance.
“Three!”
I squeezed my eyes shut and jumped.
Chapter 4
Yup, it was just like what I’d imagined diving into a vat full of jell-o would feel like. A thick, viscous liquid slid over my skin cocooning every inch of me. I opened my eyes but could barely see to the tip of my nose in the endless black. My body lurched backward like it was hurtling down the sharp descent of a rollercoaster but in super slow motion. Only the feel of Kimmie-Jayne’s fingers wrapped around mine grounded me from the never-ending free fall.
Suddenly everything sped up, and a brilliant light bathed the interminable darkness. Squeezing my eyes shut from the blinding flash, I tumbled out of a crack in the atmosphere and landed face first in powdery snow.
“Son of a biscuit!” My fingers dug into the softest snow I’d ever felt as I pushed myself to my knees. Towering pine trees encroached upon the small white clearing we’d landed in. The glistening snow covered the giant pines, catching the brilliant rays of the dipping sun.
Fenix held out his hand to help me up, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Are you okay?”
“Does a bruised ego count?” Somehow he and my half-sister had managed to land on their feet.
He chuckled as I brushed the snow off my jacket. I was suddenly very thankful Kimmie-Jayne had suggested I wear it. My teeth chattered, and I hugged my arms around myself.
My half-sister’s gaze lingered over me, the line between her brows deepening. “Don’t worry, you’ll be issued a uniform coat when we get to Darkhen—along with shirts, sweaters, pants and skirts.”
“Seriously? I have to wear a uniform? I thought this was like a university.”
“It is, but you’ll see it’s not so bad. They’re kind of cute. I wished I’d had a uniform at community college.” She squeezed my hand and turned me onto a path between the endless rows of pines and evergreens.
“It makes it much easier to roll out of bed right before class and throw on a uniform than having to pick what to wear.” Fenix winked.
“Yes, take it from my husband, the expert in fashion.”
I smirked, then turned to scan the forest, searching for something—anything—in the vast wilderness. “So how far do we have to walk till we get there?” I could already feel icicles forming on my toes. My beloved Converse weren’t really made for trudging through snow.
“Just a few more steps,” answered K.J.
Steps? We were in the middle of a frozen tundra. “Huh?” I stared at the thick copse of trees in front of us.
“Darkhen Academy is warded for the students’ protection,” she continued. “Just like at Grand Central, we don’t want just anyone getting in.”
“But who’d want to hurt some college kids?”
Fenix and Kimmie-Jayne exchanged a furtive glance. “It’s just precautionary. The headmaster likes to err on the side of caution,” she explained.
Fenix snorted. “Damn, overprotective angel—”
She elbowed him in the gut, cutting off the rest of his grumblings and we trudged on. The tip of my nose throbbed, my icy breath swirling with each exhale. If we didn’t get there soon, I was certain hypothermia would set in. Why would the faeries want to live in such a freezing climate? I’d always pictured them as lithe creatures in light airy clothing, not bulky giants in thick fur coats to protect against the frigid temperatures.
“We’re here!” Kimmie-Jayne paused in front of a massive pine.
Thank the freakin’ faeries!
She muttered a few words much too quickly for my ear to make out, and a scanner appeared, built right into the bark of the tree.
My eyes popped open, and I inched closer. “What the heck is that?”
“It’s the best of both our worlds,” answered Fenix. “High-tech human technology paired with good old witch magic.”
A red light blazed from the scanner, running over my half-sister’s face.
“Top of the line biometric recognition software,” he whispered.
“Kimmie-Jayne Starr,” a robotic voice droned. “Identity confirmed.”
The dense forest stretching out before us shimmered and swirled until it completely fell away.
My jaw unlocked like one of those crazy snakes able to consume animals four times their size.
A ten-foot wrought iron gate soared before my eyes, the name Darkhen Academy atop a fancy crest fashioned right into the thick black metal. It loomed over us like a dark totem daring us to enter its hallowed halls.
Finally tearing my eyes away from the imposing gate, my gaze settled on the school itself. Or maybe fortress or castle were better terms for it. Massive gray stone walls soared high into the darkening sky, spiraling turrets and ominous towers shooting up against the deep green forest backdrop. The spraw
ling building looked like it had been torn out of medieval times with its arched windows and candle-lit torches. It was eerily beautiful.
A flag flew over the immense structure, jutting out from the tallest tower, its maroon, green and black hues whipping in the wind. The official flag of Azar.
My half-sister seemed almost as entranced by the school as I was. She finally tore her gaze away and swallowed, turning to me. “Welcome to Darkhen Academy, Luna.”
“Thanks,” I sputtered, my mouth gone completely dry.
The massive gate creaked open, revealing two men in black military uniforms. Each had a sword hung at their hip and a menacing twinkle in their eye. They nodded at our approach, clearing the way for us to enter.
“Pretty tight security, huh?” A nervous giggle bubbled out.
“It’s for the students’ safety,” assured Fenix.
I wasn’t so sure about that. Goose bumps puckered my skin. Once I was in would I ever be able to get out? Dammit. I knew I should’ve said goodbye to Jay in person. The quick text I’d sent him didn’t go into any of the important details. Now Mrs. Sanderson was the only one who knew where I was, and she wouldn’t care less if I disappeared into a hidden magical school in the land of the Fae never to be seen again.
Why had I been so trusting?
Kimmie-Jayne appeared at my side as we trudged up the winding walkway to the entrance. She squeezed my shoulder and shot me a reassuring smile. “Relax, Luna. It’s not as terrifying as it seems, I swear.”
We walked up the stone steps, and my eyes landed on the pair of gargoyles perched on the ramparts on either side of the massive oak door. Their sharp-toothed grins sent shivers down my spine. Their cold gray eyes followed us as we neared the entryway. Before Fenix lifted his hand to knock, the door swung open.
A long, crooked nose appeared through the opening before revealing the rest of the tiny man. A pair of beady black eyes glanced up at us, thin lips twisted into a half-sneer. I wasn’t tall, and I towered over the elderly, hunched figure before us. Two wrinkly hands emerged from the folds of his graying robes, and he motioned for us to enter. “The headmaster has been waiting,” he grumbled before scurrying down the dark corridor, leaving us with no other choice but to follow.