Darkblood Academy: Book One: Half-Blood (A Supernatural Academy Series)

by G. K. DeRosa

  “Toree fuocum celis demoniom, toree fuocum celis demoniom!” we all shouted in unison. Sparks flickered between our palms and searing heat scorched my hand. I gritted my teeth to keep from crying out as fire hemorrhaged through my veins. And then it burst from our palms in a wave of electric blue and brilliant orange.

  The surge of power smacked into the demon, consuming him in a fiery flare that sent shockwaves across the room. My eyes bugged out as the creature’s dark flesh was consumed from the inside out.

  Cillian burst through the door clutching his angel blade. The timber smashed against the wall tearing my attention from the disintegrating demon to the striking angel. Brilliant alabaster wings lit up the dark room as he dashed toward us, blue flames dancing across his sword.

  “You’re late,” said Raine, arching a perfectly plucked brow at our headmaster.

  After assessing us each for damage, his eyes pivoted to the pile of sooty ash on the dorm room floor. “You girls did it? You vanquished the demon yourselves?”

  We released our linked hands, and I shoved mine in my pockets, suddenly feeling awkward. That was like nothing I’d ever experienced. The surge of power that had flowed through us had been all consuming, mind-blowing.

  “I told you we could handle ourselves,” said Raine.

  I glanced up at Cillian whose jaw was still slightly unhinged. “What took you so long?” I’d waited and waited for the badass angel to swoop in and save us like he’d done so many times on Hitched.

  “I’m sorry. I couldn’t get inside the building. Something very powerful conjured a warding spell that even I couldn’t get around.”

  “We had the same issue,” said Aeria, twirling a lock of azure hair around her finger. “Luna did a pretty good job of handling the demon on her own after vamp girl got herself killed.” She pointed to Scarlett who still leaned lifeless against the other door.

  Cillian’s stormy blue eyes found mine. “You faced off against this Underworlder on your own?”

  I shrugged, eyeing the golden sword covered in black demon goo. “Yeah, I guess so. For a few seconds anyway.”

  His big hand closed around my shoulder, and he smiled. “Well done, Luna. Ryder will be very proud of you. I guess I wasn’t needed here after all.” His angel sword blinked out of existence, and a sheepish grin crossed the handsome headmaster’s face. “I’ll call for cleanup.”

  “What about Scarlett?” I asked.

  Raine crinkled her nose. “She’ll be fine in a few hours. We can move the party into our room so security can handle the mess.” She motioned to the mound of dark ash, and then turned to Cillian. “Do you think we’ll have more visitors tonight?”

  “Doubtful.” He glanced through the broken glass, the first rays of sunlight peeking over the dark forest below. “Attacking during the day wouldn’t be smart.”

  “I didn’t think lower demons were smart.” Raine crossed her arms over her chest.

  “They’re not, but whoever is sending them might be.”

  Cillian’s words stirred a memory in my mind—something the creature had said. “Oh! Before it attacked me it said something like ‘the dark lord will be pleased’.”

  “Ooh, creepy.” Aeria twisted her hair into a messy bun on the top of her head. “Lucifer, maybe?”

  Cillian shook his head. “No. Underworlders refer to him as king. The title lord would be beneath him, but it could refer to one of the six demon warlords who rule the subterranean levels of hell.”

  Great…

  He rubbed at his chin, his light brows scrunched together. “I’ll have to see what I can find out. Try to get a few hours of sleep, ladies. Security will be nearby.” He spun toward the door, and I almost stopped him. Neither Raine nor Aeria had mentioned the magical light show we’d created when we’d held hands. In all the classes I’d attended in the past few months, I’d never seen anything like it. It felt like something worth mentioning.

  I opened my mouth to say something, but Raine’s elbow jabbed me in the gut. “Keep quiet,” she hissed.

  As soon as the door closed behind Cillian, I rubbed my bruised rib and snapped, “What the hell, Raine?”

  She spun on me, her brilliant green eyes aglow. “You were going to tell him about the spell, right?”

  I snagged my lip between my teeth and nodded. “Yeah, so?”

  “We don’t talk to Cillian about that sort of thing—only Ryder.”

  Aeria’s head bobbed up and down.

  “Why not?”

  She ran her hand through her luxurious red mane and blew out a breath. “Let’s just say that Cillian and Ryder have differing opinions on the use of darker magic.”

  “Dark magic?”

  Aeria waggled her finger at me. “Darker magic. The one that comes from darkbloods like us.”

  “Us?” I arched a brow.

  Raine and Aeria exchanged a look. “Oh sweetie, you’re so adorably clueless,” said the blue-haired beauty. “You’re part warlock, right? I can practically smell it on you. When Raine joined our hands, that surge of power came from you.”

  Chapter 21

  It had been two days since Ryder left, and I missed him more than I cared to admit. Every time I closed my eyes my mind filled with images of the demon bad boy—his bottomless onyx irises, his tattoo-covered rippling abs and those full, kissable lips. I’d hoped some separation would quell the burgeoning feelings for my off-limits instructor, but if anything, his absence had only increased my infatuation.

  I thought about him constantly—was he okay? Did he find the demon that marked me? Was he hanging out with daddy Lucifer?

  “Hello, are you even listening to me?” Scarlett’s annoyed voice snapped me out of my head.

  “Sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night so I’m kinda out of it,” I said with a big yawn. Lame, I know.

  We walked into the banquet hall, and all eyes turned on me as I strode in with Scarlett. Then their stares turned into all out gawking when Drake motioned for me to sit at their table. I could practically feel hundreds of eyes glued to my back as I crossed the hall to stand beside the Fae prince.

  “I think I’m going to sit with Cinder today,” I said to Drake. Triston and Ash sat beside him, chowing down on burgers. “I doubt some demon’s going to strike in the middle of a crowded lunch room.”

  “Fine.” But he didn’t sound fine.

  “What?”

  “You’re not doing it because everyone’s staring at you, right?”

  My brows knitted together. “No. I don’t care what everyone else thinks. I just want to sit with my friend and roommate who I haven’t seen in days since I’ve been sequestered on the seventh floor.”

  Raine and Aeria sauntered up to the table, each giving me tight smiles. Coming from them, it was a huge improvement. I’d still been too scared to ask Aeria how she knew I was part warlock. I wasn’t really, I was a witch from the way Cillian had explained it. And I really wanted to know what she meant about me having dark magic. I wished I could confide in Cinder about it, but I didn’t want to freak her out. More than anyone, I wanted to talk to Ryder, but he wasn’t here.

  “Don’t forget about training after lunch,” said Drake as I turned to leave.

  “Right. Where are we meeting?”

  “My room.”

  A vein in Raine’s forehead twitched, but she didn’t say anything as she sank into the seat beside Drake.

  “Okay, see you then.” Again, the burn of a million eyeballs followed me all the way to the dragon-shifters’ table. I folded myself into the seat, waiting for the watchful eyes to go back to their normally scheduled activities before opening my mouth.

  “Glad you could join us,” said Maxi, her snippety tone impossible to miss.

  “Geez, I didn’t think you’d mind one less person to share the bathroom with.” I unwrapped the sandwich I’d grabbed on the way over and dug in.

  Cinder’s hand landed on my forearm, her warm golden eyes on me. “We’re just worried about you, that�
��s all.”

  “It’s like you’ve been kidnapped by The Seven,” added Alissa. Her gaze pivoted to their table before settling back on me.

  I hated lying to my friends—especially Cinder. I vowed I’d tell her everything as soon as we were alone. The problem was, I didn’t see that happening any time soon. Not with a horde of intimidating security guards attached to me twenty-four-seven.

  “I promise I haven’t been kidnapped. Cillian wanted me to spend more time training with Raine and Drake because of my witchiness. Some of our sessions go really late so it’s been easier for me to stay the night.”

  “In Drake’s room or Raine’s?” Cinder’s dark brows waggled, and I couldn’t help the flush that crept up my cheeks.

  “Scarlett’s actually.”

  All three girls crinkled their noses in unison.

  “She’s actually really nice, you guys”—I lowered my voice—“way better than Raine or Aeria. Although, to be honest, they’ve been acting nicer than expected. I’m pretty sure Cillian’s paying them off or something.”

  “So is the training working at least?” asked Cinder.

  The explosion of power that wracked my core when we killed the demon still crackled over my skin, its memory forever etched in my mind. “I’m definitely making some progress.” After what Aeria said about my dark magic, I wasn’t ready to share the news with my friends. At least not until I found out more about it. From what I’d learned, shifters were on the lighter end of the magic spectrum, and I didn’t want to freak them out.

  The thirty-minute lunch break flew by as we caught up on all things dragon. I’d missed my best friend over the past few days.

  From the corner of my eye, I caught a platinum blonde head cocked in my direction. Turning toward the ice prince, our gazes met and he crooked a beckoning finger at me.

  I grunted and shoved the remains of my sandwich in my mouth.

  “Bossy, isn’t he?” Cinder’s lips curled into a smirk.

  “You don’t know the half of it,” I mumbled around a mouthful of bread. “Sorry, but I have to go practice.”

  “I’ll see you in Flying and Shifting?” asked Cinder. “It’s unipeg day.”

  I rolled my eyes, worried about the welcome I’d receive from my mercurial steed. “Yup, see you there.” Grabbing my backpack, I waved at the girls and rushed over to meet Drake at the banquet hall exit.

  He glanced up at the clock over the door and huffed. “We only have an hour before our next class so you better be bringing your A-game.”

  “Geez, no pressure.” I followed him through the walkways and up the stairs to the seventh floor in a semi-comfortable silence. I couldn’t say Drake and I were friends, but I’d seen sides of the Fae prince I was fairly certain not many had.

  Now including his private bedroom.

  A massive four-poster bed sat in the center of the lavishly appointed room. Everything was dark wood and gold accents, plus the occasional splattering of pale blue—the official color of the Winter Court. Not a single item was out of place, no dirty clothes or books on the floor like you’d find in a typical guy’s dorm room. A picture frame sat on his bedside table, but it was too far away to make out any details. A few landscapes in gilded frames lined the walls, but no other personal items. It was nothing like Scarlett’s room with all the posters plastered across the walls.

  “You live by yourself?” I finally asked when I’d finished ogling.

  “Senior privilege.”

  “Oh, I figured it was a Fae prince privilege.”

  He shrugged. “That too.” Dropping his backpack on the bed, he turned to me donning his characteristic expressionless mask. “So what do you want to work on today?”

  I chewed on my lower lip. What I wanted were answers about my dark magic, and for some reason, I thought he could give them to me. Steeling my nerves, I spat it out. “Did Raine and Aeria tell you what happened with that demon?”

  “Of course, they did.” He didn’t even bat an eye. Had they told him everything or left out the details like with Cillian? His brows furrowed as he scrutinized me. “What are you trying to say, Luna?”

  “I want to practice whatever it was we did that day, but I don’t know how to access it again.” There, perfectly vague.

  “Okay…” He picked up his spellcraft book and flipped through a few pages. “I think you guys used the banishing spell.” He held the book out to me, his finger pressed against a passage.

  It looked similar but wasn’t quite the words we’d used. Those powerful words would be permanently emblazoned in my mind. “No it was: toree fuocum celis demoniom.”

  His eyes widened, and he snapped the book shut. “I see.”

  Crossing my arms over my chest, my foot tapped out a nervous beat on the plush carpeting. Did he really see?

  “That would explain the ash,” he mumbled to himself. He took another step toward me, his lilac eyes pulsating a deeper lavender as they seared into me. His lips twisted, and I could almost see the gears grinding in his head. “Raine told me you girls had vanquished the marai demon, but she’d been a bit hazy on the details. Now I can guess why.” He moved closer still, his icy breath almost mingling with mine. I repressed the urge to step back, forcing my shaky legs to hold their ground. He sniffed the air around me, and his pointy ears twitched. “What did you say your non-human half was?”

  “I didn’t.”

  His lips pursed together, his heavy gaze still boring into me. “Warlock,” he muttered, and then his light brows slammed together. “You’re a darkblood like we are.”

  Crapcicle. He was the second person to say that.

  “What the heck does that even mean?”

  “They don’t call it Darkblood Academy for nothing. Don’t Cillian and Ryder tell you anything?”

  “Apparently not enough.” I did vaguely recall a conversation about darkbloods the day I arrived, but most of it was a blur.

  “Come on, let’s sit.” He motioned toward his monstrous bed, and I arched a skeptical brow. “Or we could sit over here?” He pointed at the small leather sofa and chairs gathered around the fireplace.

  “That works.”

  “So very untrusting, Luna. Believe me, if I wanted to get you into bed, I’d be much more charming about it.”

  My jaw fell open. Did the ice prince just flirt with me?

  He dropped onto the couch, and I took the chair across from him. “First, a little supe 101 refresher course. All supernaturals have light and dark swirling inside them—none of the houses are inherently good or evil, but some have darker tendencies while others have lighter ones. Our sources of power differ, that’s all. Shifters, like your dragon roommate, come from light magic, while the Coven Council—witches, warlocks, sorcerers and other magic users—like you, and the Fae like me, tend to live in the gray. We’re the midpoint of the spectrum and can lean either way. Our headmaster, Cillian and my friend, Raf, along with all the other Sons of Heaven come from pure white light. They’re the most ‘good’ of us all. Now, the Royal Vampires, like dear little Scarlett and the Underworlders, like our fearless leader, Ryder, are descendants of dark magic. It runs through their veins, and from what I understand, it’s a constant battle for them to overcome their darker urges.”

  I couldn’t imagine living like that. It was hard enough to harness your magic, but to have to keep it restrained? I’d seen the demon side of Ryder try to rise to the surface on a few occasions. A chill skirted up my spine at the memory of his elongated pupils and pulsing citrine irises.

  “If your father is a warlock and based on what happened with the demon, I’d say there’s a good chance you’re leaning toward the dark side, little witch.” An evil grin stretched his lips. “I must say, human, you’re surprising me more and more each day.”

  I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult so I ignored the comment and pushed on. “So let’s say I do have this darker magic? What does that mean?”

  “It means you could be more powerful than s
ome of your full-blooded counterparts. If your power combined with Raine’s and Aeria’s was enough to decompose a marai demon, it means that the eight of us together could be unstoppable.”

  My chest tightened, the weight of his words crushing my lungs. Dark magic, demons, unstoppable? I didn’t think I was ready for any of that.

  He leaned forward, stretching across the table between us and tipped my chin up. “There’s nothing to be scared of, Luna. Dark magic isn’t bad or evil. All seven of us have it coursing through our veins, including our nephilim friend, and we’re not so bad, right?” His lip slanted up, and he winked.

  Right… Only the entire student body feared them.

  “You ready to get to work?”

  I nodded, but a pit of dread knotted my insides. What was I getting into?

  Chapter 22

  Another uneventful night passed and I was starting to think word of our badassery had spread to the Underworld, striking fear in the hearts of the demons that were supposed to come for me.

  I’d even convinced Aeria and Raine to take the night off from guard duty so I could get some quality time with my roommate. They hadn’t even put up much of a fight. Cinder and I huddled on her bed, scooping huge spoonfuls of ice cream into our mouths straight from the containers we’d snatched from the kitchen.

  “So are you finally going to tell me what’s going on?” she asked around a mouthful of chocolate ice cream.

  I dropped the spoon into the half-empty tub. “Yes. But you have to swear to keep it a secret.” Tugging down at my shirt collar, I showed her my puckered red skin bearing the devil’s mark.

  Her golden eyes blazed as she stared, her hand flying to her mouth to cover the gasp. “I swear,” she mumbled.

  I told her everything, from the mark to the real purpose of The Seven and all the way up to smiting the marai demon. As soon as the words were out, the two-ton elephant I’d been carrying around on my shoulders for the past few days vanished.

  To her credit, Cinder hadn’t even cringed when I told her my conversation with Drake and his assumptions that I was a darkblood.