Chosen: A Paranormal Romance Academy Series (Black Water Academy Book 2)

by Sloane Murphy

  Creed: I’ll come running with you, don’t want you getting lost out there.

  Z: I have my sister today, but if I can bring her along, I’m game.

  Me: I need to run alone, but thanks. Z, that’s totally fine. I’ll meet you by the boathouse in an hour?

  Z: Works for me.

  I put the chat on ‘do not disturb’ and grab my earbuds, turning on some music as I stretch before I start my run. I’ve not been keeping up with my regime since I started here, but that stops today. My muscles sing as they burn with my stretching before I jog out of the dorm building. A few laps of the grounds should make for at least ten miles. I hit play on my playlist and take off, feeling more like myself than I have in forever.

  ***

  “This is ridiculous.” I sigh as Z looks at me with complete patience and I hear Alayah giggle from behind me.

  “It’s not, you’re just not used to using all of your power all at once. Mer are taught from birth to embrace it. Alayah probably has better control of her power than you do,” he smirks. “But that’s just because you’ve been told to fear yours. You need to drop the fear, and trust that I won’t let you fail, or fall. You need to embrace who you are, Eden.”

  “That’s easier said than done,” I grumble, but I know he’s right. We’ve been working at this for literally hours. The sun is starting to set and I still haven’t been able to let all of my power out.

  “Here, I haven’t done this before, but I know it’s done between partners, so I’m sure we can.” He ushers me closer and holds out his hands to me.

  “Done what exactly?” I ask, skeptically.

  “Do you trust me?” He asks, and I realize that despite having not known him long, for a reason I put down to the bond shit, I trust him implicitly. I nod my head and he smiles as I take his hands.

  “Now, this is usually only done between Mer, but technically it should be possible for any of us to do it. I need you to let me in, and then unleash your power, channel it towards me, so I can help you control it and bring it back to you, okay?”

  “That sounds… utterly terrifying,” I let out a breath, but he just smiles at me.

  “We’ve got this. You have more control than you think you do. You just need to learn to trust yourself, trust your power. But I’m going to help for now.”

  “Okay,” I nod and close my eyes. “I hope you’re ready for this.” I warn him and open the door inside me, visualizing my power running from my chest, down my arms, and into him. I hear his gasp as my power reaches him, and it’s barely out. Next, I hear a pained groan and struggle to pull my power back. Sweat trickles down my back as I fight it, drain it back into me so I can lock it down. It takes what feels like forever, but I manage it before opening my eyes and looking at Z. His arms tremble as his knees give out and he falls to the ground.

  “Shit!” I shout as I follow him to the ground and Alayah rushes over. She puts her hands on his chest as I hear him take a gulp of breath as the sheen leaves his skin. Alayah smiles up at me and then goes back to her seat. She’s a quiet one, but she seems adorable. Z opens his eyes and groans.

  “Holy shit, Eden. How do you even cope with all of that inside of you? I barely got a taste and it floored me. What’s inside of you… It’s more than I ever thought. We might need all of the guys before we try this again.” He sits up and takes my offered hand to stand.

  “I did try to warn you,” I shrug. “I can barely open the door on it before it overwhelms me. Sorry, I didn’t know if I was going to be able to pull it back.”

  “Don’t be. You just did what I asked of you. I just didn’t know… Shit. If I had any doubts before, I sure as hell don’t now.” He laughs and runs a hand through his hair and I shrug. “How about we go grab some food, and then we can brainstorm with the others until I need to get Alayah to sleep.” She skips back over to him and takes his hand and looks up at him like the day starts and ends with him. A pang hits me, and I wonder if Jake and I would’ve been like that, or if we’d have fought each other all the time. I shake my head, shaking away the longing and smile at them both.

  “That sounds great. What do you fancy eating?” I ask Alayah. She tiptoes up to Z and whispers in his ear and his eyes shine with laughter.

  “Well, you better ask Eden then.” He tells her, encouraging her softly.

  “Could we, maybe, have pizza and ice cream?” She asks, her voice quiet and raspy, as if she barely speaks and it breaks her to speak at all.

  “We can have whatever you like,” I smile at her and she beams.

  “What do you say?” Z prompts and she smiles at him again.

  “Thank you, Eden” she says shyly and it’s not hard to believe she’s as young as she is. She’s so innocent.

  “Anytime, sweetheart. Now let’s go get that pizza, shall we?” I take her other hand and the three of us walk back to my dorm. I drop a text to Ruby to ask if she can get pizza for me again. She lets me know it’s not a problem and I tuck my phone back away, feeling more at peace around Alayah than I have in a long time.

  We get back to the dorm, and I let Alayah attack my Watchbox, while I make shakes a la Ruby in my kitchen with Z.

  “She’s adorable.” I tell him, and I can see the pride swell in him.

  “She’s definitely something. I try to get her here with me as often as I can, to make sure my father doesn’t take away the light in her any more than he already has. Since Luna, he’s been a different man, and I don’t want Alayah to suffer because of it. She’s special. Her powers at her age astound me. If I didn’t know you, I’d say she was the Chosen one.” He shrugs and I squeeze his hand.

  “Well it’s obvious how much she loves you, so you must be doing something right.” I tell him, as a knock at the door sounds and Ruby’s head appears. “Delivery,” she calls out, before coming in and dropping the boxes of pizza on the counter.

  “Thanks, Rubes.”

  “Anytime, cupcake. Just remember this when I want something,” she winks at me.

  “Yeah, yeah.” I stick my tongue out at her and she laughs.

  “I’ve got places to see and people to do. I’ll see you guys later.” She leaves me laughing at her as she breezes out again, and Z just looks at me like he just met hurricane Ruby.

  “She’s….”

  “She’s Ruby,” I tell him. “You grab the pizza, I’ll bring the shakes over, and let’s see what Alayah has planned for us.” He groans but with a smile and I know he doesn’t mean it.

  ***

  This last few months have been so exhausting. Between my powers, my secrets, and just trying to keep up with school—which I’m totally failing at the minute—I’ve barely had a chance to catch my breath. Despite this, instead of relaxing today, or doing the homework that I have piling up, I’m sat on the new jetty in my hoodie and yoga pants, (because it is hella cold out here), trying to work out how to access specific abilities rather than just letting out all of my power and flooding myself before I pass out. Yes, that’s what happened when I tried this before. No, I don’t exactly relish the thought of doing it again. I close my eyes and take pleasure in the silence surrounding me before I reach down to my power and ignite the sparks of it. I feel it rush forward, like it’s tired of being contained; like it’s angry. I let it out and feel it filling me up, trying to not let it overwhelm me, but it feels like I’m floating, high on power.

  I reach into my power more and try to work through the threads, rather than seeing it as one thing, while trying to keep my guards up like Kane taught me to keep the thoughts and emotions out. Thank God for mastering the small things.

  I reach for my empath string and let the emotions filter in slowly, still only letting a fraction of my power out. My muscles clench and I feel the sweat roll down my spine from the exertion of trying to keep such a tight grip on what I’m doing. I feel happiness, lust, sadness, and fear and let them wash over me before I try to pinpoint where they’re coming from. I try to follow the happiness and see if I can trace th
e host, the way I did with Aurora and growl with frustration when I get nowhere. I’m just going round in circles. I don’t want to follow the fear or sadness. Yes, they’re way more potent, but I have enough fear of my own for now.

  I shake out my arms and try something else. I try to focus on thoughts. I’ve not been able to read minds, just caught odd snippets when people are projecting, so I haven’t mentioned it to the guys yet, because it might be nothing. When I focus on my power, I can feel that there are so many strings to it, and I’ve barely scratched the surface of it yet. I try to focus, but I feel so much heat instead. I open my eyes and see I’m surrounded by a wall of fire. Holy freaking shit. I close my eyes and try to lower the flames to nothing. I’ve not done that since I set my curtains on fire, and I thought that was a fluke. Shit. Maybe this isn’t a good idea, but I really need to get a better handle on my abilities. I don’t want to hurt anyone, especially the guys when I’m training.

  “Eden!” I hear Cam’s voice from a distance as I wrestle my powers to extinguish the flames. He reaches me just as they reduce to embers and he picks me up from the ground, wrapping me up in his arms. “I don’t know what you did, but please don’t do that again,” he breathes against me, and I feel his fear, his love, and his longing.

  “Sorry, Cam, I didn’t think anyone else would be out this early. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I tell him as he places me back on my feet.

  “My beast was restless, so I came out for a run about an hour ago. I was just heading back when I saw you surrounded by fire. My poor heart. I think I died a hundred times trying to get over here.”

  “I’m okay, just my powers going a little wonky.” I smile coyly.

  “Why are you practicing alone? I thought you were training with Z yesterday?”

  “I was, and we did, but I need to try to get a grip on my powers before any kind of training is going to be fully effective, so I wanted to try and get a grip on it. Obviously it didn’t go exactly to plan.”

  “Well, that’s enough for now. Let’s go get some breakfast, I’m starving.” He puts an arm over my shoulder and I laugh.

  “Of course you are.”

  “Hey!’’ He grabs me and puts me on his back and takes off running. “I worked up a good appetite.” He grins as he runs and I can’t help but feel weightless now I’m with him.

  Our breakfast session ends up being yet another research mission in the library, except I called in all of the guys and Ruby to help research this goddamn prophecy, because while I might not be prepared for even thinking about what the trials are right now, I want to feel prepared somehow, and so I want to know more about the prophecy. About what different people think it means and what comes after this ridiculous sideshow of a trial.

  So we’re all crammed around a table in the library pouring over more books than I’ve ever wanted to think about. Creed and Kane are looking into the trials themselves, while Z, Cam, Ruby and I attack the resources we found that mention the prophecies. So far I’ve read so much nonsense about other prophecies, and how the actual happenings were nothing like what was predicted that I can’t help but feel like this is all a big waste of time. I know Kane said he’d explain everything he knew to me, but that’s just his interpretation of what he’s read and for once, I just kind of want to get a handle on this with my own perceptions.

  Everyone else is so caught up in the whirlwind, but I can sense the underlying foreboding about what happens after. Yet no one will talk about it other than to say that unless I come out successful, we’re all totally screwed. Which is just fucking peachy.

  I try to refocus on the text in front of me, but it’s nothing but nonsense, so I slam it closed and let out a frustrated sigh.

  “You okay, Eden?” Ruby asks quietly from beside me.

  “Yeah, I just feel like I’m running uphill and getting nowhere. There’s so much information, but it doesn’t really tell you anything at all.”

  “I know, I’m getting the same feeling. The prophecy seems to be shrouded in mystery, like no one wanted it to be real, so they just spoke in riddles in the hope it wouldn’t come true.”

  “What are you pair whispering about?” Cam leans over from the other side of the table.

  “Just how infuriatingly futile this all feels.” I tell him, loud enough for all the people at the table to hear. “I just feel like I’m not prepared, and there’s no real way for me to get ready. Nothing in anything that I’ve read has any kind of specifics. It’s all riddles and bullshit.”

  “We’ll get there, you’ll see. I have faith in you, Eden. I just have this feeling that tells me something is coming, but we’ll make it through.” He tries to reassure me.

  “That’s probably just this bond. I’m not going to lie, having all of you around me at once isn’t helping my concentration.” I admit and Ruby bursts out laughing.

  “Babe, that’s kinda cute.” Creed pipes up from the far side of the table, teasing me.

  “You want us to head out so you can concentrate?” Z asks sincerely, even if he does look like he’s trying to subdue his laughter.

  “No, I’m just being ridiculous. Ugh.” I drop my head onto my arms and they all just laugh at me. While I might mock the bond, I’m grateful I’m surrounded by people who are willing to support me and help me like they are. Though I can’t help but wonder what my parents would have thought. Especially since I didn’t bond with Ethan. Did I make that happen, or was it pre-destined? I’m not usually one for the Fates, but this whole thing has spun my world upside down, so what the hell do I know? I wonder if they’d be happy about the path laid before me, if they’d support me. Though they probably already knew half the stuff we’re searching for. A pang of sadness hits me that I haven’t felt in a while. I wish so badly that my parents were still here, especially now. That I’d had the chance to train all my life with my father. He was epically skilled at fighting, and I’d be so much more ready for this. My mother’s quiet calm would have soothed my nerves, if I’d been able to talk to her about this bond and the jumble of feelings that comes with it.

  I look up when I feel their gazes on me. I guess they can feel what I’m feeling because of the bond.

  “I’m just going to run to the bathroom,” I excuse myself and make a beeline for the bathrooms to hide away and try to compose myself a little before the tears start to fall.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Eden

  The banging against my door wakes me from my blissful escape. I try to ignore it to start with, but it gets louder and more insistent to the point not even my pillow over my head is drowning it out. I let out a frustrated scream and throw the covers off of me, stalking to the door before ripping it over.

  “This had better be good.” I growl, coming face to face with Creed.

  “Well, someone hasn’t had her morning dose of caffeine. Have a good night, sunshine?” he jokes as he enters the room. He shuts the door while I grumble and put on the coffee machine.

  “Why are you in your uniform?” I ask as I grab the biggest mug in my cupboard.

  “Because we have an assembly. You’d know that if you ever checked your phone.” He smirks and leans against the counter as I take a sip of the hot nectar.

  “But it’s a Sunday.” I challenge.

  “Doesn’t matter. Assembly trumps the day of the week. You need to get ready otherwise you’re going to be late. It starts in ten minutes. You go get dressed, and I’ll put this in a to-go cup,” he gestures to my coffee and I almost growl as he tries to take it. I take another sip and he laughs before I hand it over to him. He presses a soft kiss on my lips as I do, making me smile.

  “What’s the reason for this urgent, stupidly early assembly anyway?” I call over my shoulder as I go to my room and change.

  “No idea. Guess we’ll find out when we get there. So hurry up.” He laughs. I can hear him pottering around in the kitchen. “They’re in the cupboard above the coffee machine.” I remind him as I pull on my blazer and socks.

&
nbsp; I pull my hair up and bounce back into the room, grabbing my coffee from him, and his hands snake around my waist. “I thought we were going to be late?” I laugh.

  “Eh,” he shrugs and kisses me deeper, more needy and it takes my breath away. “It seems like it’s been too long since I did that.” He kisses me again softly before letting me go. “We really should get going,” he groans, and readjusts himself a little making me laugh.

  He takes my hand and drags me from the room, and I follow him willingly.

  We reach the assembly hall and he leaves me with House Dragon before going to the House Scorpion section. Kane waves out to me from where he’s sat with Ava and I climb the stairs to join them.

  “Hey” I smile at them both and take my seat. “You guys have any idea what this is about?” Kane looks pained before the lights flash and Laney appears on the stage below us.

  “Silence, please.” Her voice booms across the room. “I know no one is particularly happy to be here this early on a Sunday morning, but I believe that some of you will more than forgive me for dragging you out of your beds so early. I also want to welcome The Minister, and our local Councilor, Lucius Grayhart to join us.” Applause breaks out around us and I hold my breath. Laney looks around the room and finds me, holding my gaze, as if apologizing. Shit.

  “As most of you know, this year so far has been rife with negativity, but this summer we have something that is going to change everything. Something you’ve probably only heard whispers of from your grandparents.” She pauses, and the murmurs from the crowd get louder while I squirm in my chair. “I am proud to announce that Black Water Academy is going to be the host of this century’s first Fae Trials.” The noise erupts around me with excited chatter.

  “Quiet, please. Now, there will be the option for champions to be put forward, though this will be screened by the Fae Council. Champions will be presented at a ball which will be held here at the school two weeks before the trials begin. Until then, any champions who are successful will be forbidden from discussing their entry. Champion submissions can be sent directly to Lucius, who will be heading up the Trials. I do ask that you respect the traditions of the trials and continue to keep focus for the next four weeks on your studies until your exams are over. The ball will take place on the very last day of term. A stadium will be erected on the back green, joining onto the water, so I ask that you keep clear of any works taking place. Thank you for attending and have a good weekend.” She leaves the stage, Lucius, and Creed’s father following her out and the entire place erupts, while all I can do is sink into my chair, dreading what is to come, while quietly outraged at the spectacle being made, and the unnecessary loss of life they’re welcoming.