by G. K. DeRosa
“I did.” With a smirk, he sauntered off to join Raine and Aeria who sulked on the opposite side of the classroom.
For once, they were the only ones shooting me hateful glares. The rest of the students actually seemed happy for me.
Ryder appeared once again by my side. His dark gaze roamed over my arms and legs, and his lips twisted. In all the excitement, I’d completely forgotten about the bloody cuts. Apparently, Ryder had not. Everything else fell away, the rest of the class fading into the background at his ever-nearing proximity. He took my hand, extending my arm and ran his finger over the length of it. Tiny electric shocks prickled my flesh at his gentle touch. “We have to get these looked at. The last thing we need is you getting some weird human infection.”
I swallowed hard, unable to speak when he looked at me like that. Like he actually cared, like I could possibly be more than just his student.
Cillian cleared his throat, appearing over Ryder’s shoulder. I’d forgotten how imposing the angel headmaster could be as he loomed over us. Ryder dropped my arm and turned to his uncle. “She did good, right?”
“Very good, Luna. I’m pleased the classes are finally paying off. Kimmie-Jayne will be happy to hear it.”
“Thanks.” I’d texted with my half-sister a few times in the past month. She usually checked in about once a week for an update on my training. She’d be thrilled to hear something finally clicked.
“Ryder, why don’t you take Luna to the healer to get those cuts cured?”
He lifted his hand to his head and saluted. “Will do, boss.”
Chapter 11
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us to the movie?” Cinder, Maxi and Alissa stood by our dorm door dressed in plain clothes. Well, plain wasn’t exactly an accurate description. It was a Friday night, and they’d swapped out the traditional school uniforms for sexy dresses and sparkly mini-skirts. It seemed like a bit much for a movie night at the quad, but what did I know?
I tightened the tie of my fuzzy robe and stared at the book on spellcraft splayed across my bed. “Nah, I should really study.” After my magic made a cameo in Defensive Magic class a week ago, it decided to go back in hiding.
Cinder waggled her finger at me. “Okay, but don’t forget, you can’t go out tonight.”
“Yes, mom,” I teased. “Rule number three: No going out in the Fae forest on a full moon.”
She clapped her hands. “Very good, Luna. We’ll make a model student out of you yet!”
“Have fun, girls.” With a genuine smile on my face, I waved at the dragon shifters who’d adopted me. I never would’ve survived this long without them.
As soon as the door slammed shut, I hopped off my bed and shrugged out of my robe. Jeans and a comfy old sweatshirt were hidden beneath. I hadn’t been lying to my friends, I really did need to study, but it wasn’t spellcraft I needed to work on. I’d memorized those incantations a long time ago… it was another beast I needed to conquer.
Slipping on my boots, a beanie and my thick uniform coat, I dashed out of my room. The corridors were silent as I crept down the quiet floor. Luckily, all my dragon shifter floor mates had gone to movie night.
The first major unipeg race was coming up in under a week, and I still hadn’t even been able to mount Zeus. The animal was more thickheaded than a mule and twice as ornery. Every time I got the chance, I snuck down to the stables to make nice with the jerk. We’d made progress at least—he didn’t try to bite me when I fed him the elaria fruit he loved so much. I clutched the oval, pink-skinned fruit in my hand, which was now permanently stocked in my dorm room. I couldn’t blame the guy; they were delicious and nothing like we had in the human world. Its pillowy, white flesh tasted like a cross between mango and cotton candy.
My mouth watered at the thought.
Swinging the backdoor open, a frosty blast of winter wind nearly dampened my resolve. Freakin’ a, it was cold! I hiked up my coat collar and pulled my scarf over my nose. I just had to reach the barn, and then I’d be fine. Somehow the weird faery magic kept it nice and toasty for the unipegs.
Following the dimly lit path toward the stables, the icy air prickled my skin. The encroaching Fae forest loomed all around me, the towering pines caging me in. A full moon hovered over the treetops, bathing the dark green in a creepy ethereal glow.
An eerie howl shattered the stillness, echoing across the forest. What in all the realms was that? Another howl rang out from the opposite direction. My head whipped from side to side, searching the dark shadows. A chill skittered up my spine, and I hurried down the path. Just keep moving.
The dense foliage finally parted, and the gray stone stables appeared. Relief unfurled in my chest as I sprinted the last few yards. As I slammed the barn door shut behind me and leaned against the rough timber, I mentally cursed myself for not asking more questions about this full moon lockdown. Maybe I’d been stupid to think I’d be safe within the academy grounds.
A gruff snort drew me from my momentary meltdown, and I pushed myself off the door. Zeus’s head poked over his stall gate. His nostrils flared as I neared.
“Hey buddy,” I whispered, creeping closer.
He stomped his hoof, the clash of his metal shoe against the stone floor clanging across the quiet barn.
“Relax. I just brought you this.” I held out the elaria fruit, and his obsidian eyes widened. He stretched out his neck, his lips elongating to reach for the treat I held out of reach. “You remember the drill, Zeus. A bite of fruit for a pat on the head.”
I could’ve sworn the beast rolled his eyes at me. After a brief pause, he huffed and lowered his spiked horn. Slowly reaching forward, I ran my fingers over his soft nose and up to his shaggy mane.
He stepped back, pulling his head out of reach and stared at me expectantly. Man, this unipeg did not mess around. “Fine, here you go.” I held out the elaria, and he bared his big white teeth before taking a huge bite. I snatched my hand back right before he took the whole fruit and my fingers with it.
Chomping away happily, his lips lifted into a grin. I swear! I snuck another quick pat in while he chewed, always marveled by how soft and silky his mane was. It was nothing like the short, brittle hair of the horses hitched up to the carriages around Central Park.
“Listen, Zeus, we’ve got less than a week till the opening race of the year, and if I can’t even manage to mount you, I’m going to be the laughing stock of the school. I’m not saying we have to win or anything—you just need to let me get on.” He stopped munching, his dark eyes scrutinizing me. “Please. Do this for me, and I promise to bring you special treats every night for the rest of my days here.” Which might not be very long if I couldn’t get a handle on my magic, but he didn’t need to know that.
He snorted again, eyeing the remaining half of elaria fruit in my hand.
“Come on, what do you say?”
Zeus reached for the fruit, nuzzling my hand, which I took as a good sign. Usually he would’ve just tried to rip it out of my grasp. I handed it to him, and he continued to chew happily.
This was it. I had to try. I grabbed the halter from the hook and eased it over his head, making sure not to catch his horn in the straps. He tensed as I slid it over his ears, momentarily pausing his chomping. “Good boy,” I muttered. “You just keep eating and pay no mind to what I’m doing over here.”
With the halter securely fastened, I inched open the gate. The creak of the old hinges made my heart jump up my throat. A trickle of sweat dripped down my back as I pried it open the rest of the way.
Zeus eyed me curiously as he finished off the last bit of his treat. I managed to lead him out of the stall and hook him up to the crossties. He watched my every move, those intense irises boring into me with each step I took. When I approached him with the saddle pad, his eyes widened, the bright white brilliant against the velvety onyx hue. He swung his head back and forth, pawing at the ground.
“Come on, Zeus. Just one quick try. I promise I won
’t even take you outside.”
He huffed but lowered his head so I quickly swung the pad and the saddle over his back, careful to avoid his majestic wings. I’d never even seen their rainbow underside yet. He always kept them tucked tight to his body as if purposely hiding their beauty from me.
Cinching up the girth, a wave of giddiness swam over me. This was the farthest I’d gotten so far with the wily creature. The last part was the bridle—the trickiest by far. There was always that half a second from slipping the halter off and the bridle on where he could bolt. Then I’d be spending my night chasing Zeus across the Fae forest—and I’d probably get eaten by whatever was out there.
Steeling my nerves, I slipped the leather bridle off the hook and crept toward the unipeg. He eyed it warily as I approached. “This is the last part, Zeus. We’re almost done, and then I’ll give you another elaria fruit. What do you think?” I pulled the succulent fruit out of my pocket, and he whinnied. Setting it down by his stall door, I held up the bridle. “Ready?”
He remained still, so I took that as a yes. Unsnapping the crossties, I drew in a breath. With one hand, I eased the halter off, the bridle firmly clutched in the other. One…two…three. I slipped the bridle over his horn and ears, slid the bit into his mouth and quickly latched the leather straps. Yes! He hadn’t even tried to bite my fingers off like I’d expected.
Now I had to get on.
Moving to his side, I tugged the stirrup down and he backed up a few steps.
“Come on, Zeus. This is it. Let me get on for a few seconds and then you get your treat.”
He stopped moving, but his neck was fully craned facing me as I attempted to get my foot in the iron. Here goes nothing. Hitching my right foot in the stirrup, I hauled myself up.
Zeus took off.
“No!” I screeched as he reared. I clutched onto the reins, hanging from one foot as he raced backward down the stable. “Stop, Zeus!” My shouts did nothing as the stubborn beast bucked, determined to get the poor dangling human off his back.
My foot was slipping, and my grip on the reins faltered. I couldn’t hold on much longer. With Zeus bucking and rearing, I couldn’t swing my other leg over his body. He backed up all the way to the stable doors, ramming his butt against the timber. Oh sh—shnap! This crazy animal was going to break the doors down.
I had no other choice but to let go. Releasing the reins, it felt like I was falling forever. Just my luck, I’d get assigned the absurdly tall beast who towered over all the other unipegs. I hit the ground with a thud, the sharp pain ricocheting up my spine and leaching through every single bone.
I bit down on my lower lip when I hit the stone floor and a briny, metallic taste filled my mouth. Bleh. Staring up at the black beast, I shot him a narrowed glare. “I hate you.”
The moment I was off, his body relaxed, the crazy in his eyes dissipating. He huffed and trotted over to his stall without giving me a second look.
I pushed myself off the ground, brushing the dirt and hay off my butt. That was definitely going to leave a bruise. I limped over to Zeus’s stall and considered removing the bridle and saddle. Nah. Let him suffer. If he were so smart, he’d figure out a way to get it off himself. Latching the gate, I trudged out, making sure to grab the remaining elaria fruit before I left. I took a big bite of it just to spite the obstinate beast.
He snorted as I walked away, flashing me his muscular backside.
My shoulders slumped as I shrugged into my coat. I was never going to tame that wild animal. I was destined to spend my days at Darkblood grounded, without ever experiencing the thrill of flying. Unless Cinder took pity on me one day and let me ride her dragon.
The chilly air seeped right through my coat the moment I stepped outside. This night had been a total disaster. I should’ve gone with Cinder and the girls to the movie. A carefree night was just what I needed.
The snow crunched beneath my boots as I plodded up the pathway back to the dormitories. The full moon hung high in the air, seemingly at its pinnacle, illuminating the blanket of freshly fallen snow. Hugging myself to keep the cold from sneaking in, I hurried up the path as my frosty breath swirled at my nose. The trees thickened, dark green limbs reaching out to grab me as I passed. A jagged branch snagged the arm of my jacket, and I staggered back. A sharp rip had me cursing before I spun around to survey the damage on my new academy-issued coat. Great, torn already.
Breaking free from the stupid vindictive branch, I turned back toward the dormitory. Only it was gone. As was the clearly marked path I’d been following a second ago. I whipped my head back toward the stables. And the barn.
What the actual eff?
Towering pines boxed me in, the forest growing denser by the moment. I rubbed my eyes, convinced I was seeing things. The trees seemed to be multiplying right before me, sucking me deeper and deeper into the woods.
Darkness blossomed in every direction, the monstrous pines having grown so tall they blocked out the lustrous full moon visible only moments ago.
Panic seized my heart, her icy fingers wrapping around my frantically thundering organ. Stay calm, Luna. I couldn’t possibly be lost. I’d been less than a hundred yards from the dormitory when I got turned around.
The snap of a nearby branch sent my pulse skyrocketing. I spun in the direction of the sound. “Is someone out here?”
Silence.
“Hello?”
The crunch of snow beneath heavy boots sent me spinning in the opposite direction. Squinting, I stared at the break in the trees. The leaves began to shake, and my hands followed their lead.
A hooded creature emerged from the shadows, bright, neon-yellow eyes peeking out from under a dark cowl.
Good goblins!
Ice surged through my veins, running all the way up through my vocal chords. I wanted to scream, to run, to do anything, but I was frozen in place.
Unearthly irises pierced me, their intensity more fierce than the chill setting in my bones. “Mortal,” he growled, the sound more animal than human. “You dare set foot in my dominion?”
“I, um… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I got turned around somehow and ended up here.”
Another hooded figure emerged from behind a nearby tree, the same neon eyes glowing beneath the dark hood. I clasped my hands together to keep them from trembling. This was bad—really bad.
The second creature sniffed the air, his cowl sliding back an inch, revealing brown leathery skin beneath. “Blood, human blood,” it hissed. “And something else too…”
My heart staggered as I glanced at the tear in my coat. A tiny trickle of blood seeped from the opening. That damn tree cut me!
They slunk closer, the pair moving as one. I took a step back, then another.
“Me want a taste,” said one, lifting a clawed finger.
“She smells delicious,” hissed the other.
Okay, now it was time to run. I spun around and sprinted through the darkness. Rogue branches tore at my coat as I ran. Pumping my arms back and forth, I wound through the thick copse of trees, no idea if I was going in the right direction or disappearing further into the twisted forest.
The crunch of heavy footfalls behind me quickened my pace. I was suddenly very thankful for all the running Ryder made us do in combat class. Whatever those things were, they weren’t giving up. I swung a quick left, hoping to lose them and dug my heels into the ground, throwing my hands up to keep my balance.
My heart leapt up my throat as six pairs of lupine eyes froze every ounce of blood running through my veins.
Chapter 12
Wolves—a whole pack of them. Only they were nothing like the ones I’d seen at Central Park Zoo. They looked like wolves on steroids, easily the size of small horses.
I backed up a step, and the giant gray one snarled. His huge amber eyes lit up as they scanned over me, his nose high in the air. He ticked his head to a smaller brown one, and the animal scampered off disappearing in the dark trees. Behind me, I could still make o
ut the heavy footsteps of my attackers. They’d slowed from the sounds of it, but they were nearby.
Oh fudge, I was so dead. My only choice was which way I’d rather die—by wolf or whatever the hell those creepy hooded things were.
The leader of the pack moved forward, and the other four tightened the circle around him. A low rumble reverberated in the gray wolf’s throat as he inched closer, his silvery gray fur glistening under the moonlight. If it weren’t for the sharp teeth and menacing growls, the wild animal would’ve been beautiful.
Behind me, the scuffle of approaching footsteps drew my attention and I spun around. The two dark figures emerged from the dense forest, their eyes aglow. Dead, I’m so dead.
The giant gray wolf let out a sharp howl and lunged.
I screamed and threw my arms up to cover my face as a blur of sharp white teeth and claws sprang at me. I waited for the pain, for the searing slash of teeth against flesh, but it never came. Instead a wave of warmth tingled my flesh. Prying my eyelids open, I took in the blue bubble radiating around me. I huffed out a breath of relief, my shoulders sagging.
The muffled sounds of fighting animals resonated beyond my orb of safety as the wolves and the hooded creatures battled it out.
My breath came in haggard pants as I pushed myself off the snowy ground. I had to get out of there while the monsters were distracted. My blue bubble moved with me as I crept toward the never-ending tree line.
Hidden within the safety of the shadows, I leaned up against a rough bark and sucked in a sharp breath. The protective sphere suddenly disappeared, shattering my hopes along with it. “Damn you, magic!” Can’t you just stick with me?
A hand clamped over my mouth, and my heart stopped.
I gasped, trying to wriggle free from my captor’s iron hold, but his arm encircled my waist from behind the tree. I was trapped.
“Don’t scream. It’s me, mini minx.” The familiar raspy voice did things to my insides that no mere male voice should be capable of.