Legacy Academy Year Four: Paranormal Academy Romance

by M Guida

  Legacy Academy Year Four

  M Guida

  Copyright © 2021 by M Guida

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Foreword

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Before Legacy: Armond

  Dear Reader

  About the Author

  Also by M Guida

  Foreword

  Have you been enjoying the Legacy Series? Don’t forget Legacy the Early Years! It’s the prequel and about Raven’s parents! You’ll also get my newsletter and never miss a book!

  Chapter 1

  I woke up to another Ground Hog Day––excuse me, not Ground Hog Day––Broken Heart Day. Lucien and Bo were still gone. The Defenders were gone. My dad was gone.

  Everything had changed.

  Legacy Academy had closed.

  Yesterday, I had tried to use the Magic Orb to see what my friends were doing again, but all I saw was misty clouds. Something had gone wrong, and I was in the dark on what had happened to them. I was living in Bizarro World with no way to get back.

  Sunlight warmed my skin, but it couldn’t warm my heart. I curled up into a ball on my bed and stared out the window, wishing Lucien had found a way to escape from his parents and shown up here like he had done last time, whisking me away where no one had ever heard of Dark Demons.

  Black birds, robins, and sparrows hopped back and forth on the telephone wires. A jetliner grumbled, leaving a trail of white smoke, and I wondered where they were going. Flies and bees buzzed, circling or zig-zagging erratically.

  Lucien’s wings always reminded me of streams of golden sunlight. I stared at the rays of the sun, wishing they’d transform into a pair of golden wings, but nothing fluttered toward me. My throat and chest constricted tightly. The dull ache in my heart had never healed. I missed him so much that it hurt.

  After the horrible battle on Mt. Elbert, I was left utterly alone. Ever since the battle, I had been having nightmares about Bo and Poppy dying. They were horrible and fed my guilt. Thank God for Julie and her family I couldn’t have made it through those first couple of weeks without them.

  I missed my mom. When I had a bad day at high school––kids teasing me or getting a bad grade or whatever drama happened that day––we’d curl up on the couch and watch Netflix. Sometimes she would rub my back or make me hot cocoa or just listen as I poured out my problems. I wanted to feel her arms around me, telling me everything would be okay but that wasn’t happening.

  These days I slept late. The face on Julie’s round clock changed colors from purple to pink and said eleven o’clock. What was there to get up for?

  Julie burst through the door. “Raven, get up. Get up, lazybones.”

  Unlike me, Julie’s blonde streaked hair was curled and framed her angelic face. She wore a matching white laced crop top and shorts that highlighted her deep tan. Her makeup was perfect and her thick eyelashes made her blue eyes look huge.

  I frowned. “What? Why?”

  Julie sat on my bed. “Look. It’s a letter for you.”

  Excitement pulsed through me, and I scooted up to the headboard. “From whom?”

  “I don’t know. To be honest, I don’t think the mailman delivered it. There’s no stamp.”

  I immediately recognized the long slender handwriting on the gold parchment envelope.

  “It’s from Anton.” I carefully broke the wax seal of a red rose.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely,” I said as I carefully pulled out the gold paper. “I’d recognized his handwriting anywhere.”

  “Do you think he’s back at Legacy?”

  I laughed. “I don’t know, Julie. I haven’t read the letter yet.”

  “Well, what does it say?” She edged closer.

  Dear Raven,

  I hope this finds you well. None of what happened with Poppy or Bo was your fault. The Dark Demons wanted to divide us, and unfortunately, their plan worked.

  You are our greatest hope. Remember the prophesies. I’m going to give you another one: Path of the Burning Flame.

  Beware of what was foretold

  Lies always lead one astray

  Once one travels down the wrong path,

  Old betrayals bring more pain.

  Determination conquers.

  Light chases away darkness.

  East and west brings a new era.

  Solidarity is king.

  I’m putting you on this path. Learn it well and doors will open for you. I will see you soon.

  Yours truly,

  Anton

  “Path of the Burning Flames?” Julie gently took the letter from me. “What does that mean? Do you think it has something to do with the Angel Chamuel or the Angel Azrael? Or maybe it’s in Mystificus, the Silver Dragon Spell book?” Her rising and fast voice sapped the energy out of me.

  All I could think about was how I used the Puriforgio Virtueus spell in the heat of the battle on Mt. Elbert, and it hadn’t been enough. We were supposed to hold hands and combine our powers, then defeat Ryker. Unfortunately, Ryker had other plans.

  I flopped back onto the bed and stretched my arms to the side. “I have no idea. Another one of Anton’s famous riddles.”

  “So, what are you going to do?” She dropped her hands into her lap, still clutching the letter. “Continue to wallow in your grief.” Her judgmental tone pricked my anger, just hiding below the surface.

  My blood boiled, and I narrowed my eyes. “You weren’t there, Julie. You didn’t see…” My voice cracked. I had to clear my dry throat twice before I could talk. “You didn’t see Bo die… right in front… of you. Every night I dream about it. The Puriforgio Virtueus spell hadn’t worked. I could not do anything… But be paralyzed with horror.”

  “You’re right. I wasn’t there.” She slammed her hand on my thigh.

  “Ow.”

  “But I’m tired of seeing you wallow in self pity. You’ve got dark circles underneath your eyes from not sleeping. I know you have nightmares. I hear you groan in your sleep every night, but you can’t let the nightmares control you. Do you think this is what Bo or Poppy or even Lucien would have wanted you to do?”

  I wanted to put a pillow over my head and shut out her sharp voice. For one instance, she reminded me of Mom. Mom would have been all over me on this. When Dad had left us, I went into a major depression, refusing to play with my friends or taking a shower or even watching tv. Mom wouldn’t let me suck my thumb in a corner.

  She had yanked the covers off me and held a bucket over my head. She told me I could take a nice, warm hot shower, or she’d dumped ice cubes all over me.

  Needless to say, I chose a hot shower and brushed my teeth.

  “Okay. You’re right. But
I have to tell you, this feels even worse than when my dad left.”

  Julie clutched my hand. “I know it hurts. I’m sorry.”

  I gave her a small smile and shoved the tears threatening to fall away.

  She brushed my hair off my cheek. “Raven, you’re a freaking dragon. You even have Golden Demon blood. Last I heard, those were the most powerful creatures in the universe.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I think you’re exaggerating.” I pinched my thumb and finger together. “Just a little bit.”

  “Okay, fine. Maybe I am. But I can’t stand to see you like this.” She pinched her nose. “Besides, did I tell you––you stink to high heaven?”

  “What?”

  She patted my thigh. “When was the last time you took a shower, sweet pea?”

  My anger melted away at her kind voice. She was right. I picked up Anton’s letter. “Greatest creature of the universe, huh?”

  “Maybe.” She shrugged. “Not if you’re going to lie around here all day.”

  Lucien’s face flashed in my mind. He would be so disappointed in me. I threw back the covers and grabbed clothes out of my trunk.

  Julie clapped her hands like a gleeful little kid. “Yeah, when do we get started?”

  I glared. “Julie, you can’t help me. You’re human.”

  She walked over and jammed her finger into my chest repeatedly. “I’m the only friend you’ve got. So, don’t piss me off.” She whirled around and slammed the door.

  “Shit.” I headed toward the bathroom and smelled my pits. I wrinkled my nose. She was right. I had a severe case of B.O. If Lucien would have come, he would have been disgusted. I whipped on the shower and then stripped off my nightshirt and panties. Water pulsed down from the fancy shower head, reminding me of a beaded waterfall. Julie liked fancy things, and her dad indulged in her every whim.

  Unlike my dad.

  Since he dropped me off here, I hadn’t seen or heard a hair from him––just like old times.

  Steam swirled around and heat steamed the bathroom mirror, hiding my messed up greasy black hair and my too thin body. I swear I could see my ribs. I looked like I’d been living on the streets. I stepped inside, allowing the water to wash away some of my sadness.

  Within minutes, I jumped out. Anton believed in me and set me on a path. Maybe Julie was right. Maybe there were clues in the Silver Dragon Spell Book. I kept thinking about the words to the prophesy: Solidarity is king. It could only mean one thing. Resurrect the Defenders.

  No matter what it takes. We were a family once before and we’d be one again.

  I changed into a pair of jean shorts and pulled on a Legacy T-shirt. Maybe the school was officially closed, but it was the only home I’d known for the last three years.

  Damn, Ryker. He had destroyed everything I loved. Something I would never forget.

  I came down the stairs, refreshed and ready to do battle. I inhaled the smell of freshly brewing coffee and my stomach growled. Julie handed me a cup, loaded with cream, just the way I like it.

  “Thanks. Where are your folks?”

  “At work.” Julie poured herself a tall glass of sparkling water.

  I sipped on my delicious brew. “You’re not having coffee?”

  “It’s almost noon. I’m on to drinking water, or otherwise I’d be totally wired. What’s the plan?”

  “I need to get the team back together again.”

  “How? You told me you didn’t know where the other kingdoms were or even where the other academies are.”

  “I don’t.” I opened the refrigerator and grabbed some cherry yogurt and some walnuts.

  “Finally going to eat something?”

  “Yup.” I opened the yogurt and poured the walnuts into the creamy red tart custard.

  “How are you going to find your friends?”

  I dipped my spoon into the creamy yogurt. “Research.”

  “Do you want to go to the occult store where your dad gave you the spell book?”

  I nodded. “I do. Maybe lightning will strike twice.”

  An hour later, Julie and I were at the Emerald Hills Occult Store. It had been where we were looking when dad literally dumped the Mystificus spell book at my feet. I hoped it would be that easy. The store not only had shelves of books, but it had candles, crystals, tarot cards, and what looked like potions. There was even a psychic that sat in another room at the back of the store, and she always seemed to be busy, but I’d never actually seen her. Not that I cared.

  Julie and I gathered all the angel books we could find off the shelves. Next to the entrance to where the psychic saw people were two red wing chairs and had an end table in between them. I assumed they were specifically for the psychic’s clients, but no one was here, so we plopped down the angel books on the end tables and flipped through the pages.

  For the next couple of hours, we carefully read through the books looking for clues, but so far, we weren’t having any luck. I was deep in a book when a voice said, “There’s something different about you.”

  I jerked my head up. A woman with long black hair dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans looked at me curiously with her deep blue eyes that reminded me of Rhys’. She looked like she was in her thirties and clutched a big red cross that hung around her neck.

  “I’m Louise.” She motioned with her hand toward the back room. “The resident psychic.”

  “Louise?” Julie glanced at me. “That doesn’t sound like a psychic name.”

  Louise shrugged her shoulders. “It’s a family name.” She studied me. “You have great power.”

  I wasn’t about to get drawn into a reading, especially since I didn’t have any funds. I gave her a smile. “Really, that’s interesting.”

  Louise held out her hand. “Can I read your palm?”

  I glanced over at Julie, who tilted her head.

  “Go ahead.”

  I clenched my fist and shifted nervously in my chair. “I don’t have any money.”

  Louise smiled. “No charge. You intrigue me and I really want to read your future. Your aura is very strong.”

  I reluctantly unraveled my fist.

  Louise gently took my wrist.

  SZIT

  I jumped as an electric shock ran up my arm.

  “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to shock you. Sometimes that happens when I read people.”

  The hair on the back of my neck stood straight up and I wished I would have said no.

  Louise ran a finger over the lines of my palm. I hoped she couldn’t tell I was a dragon shifter, and it took everything I had not to yank my arm away.

  She dropped my hand and stared into my eyes. “You’re walking into danger.”

  I blinked. “What?” She was guessing. She had to be.

  Her brows drew together. “Are you in the armed forces?”

  I shook my head. “No. Why?” Well, sort of. The Defenders were a small army, but we were more like a band of brothers and sisters fighting for freedom.

  “I see a great battle. You’ve already lost people who are special to you.”

  Before I could stop myself, I yanked my hand free. “How do you know that?”

  She smiled. “I’m a witch.” She stood and picked up a book off the end table. “Angels?”

  “We’re doing a paper,” I lied.

  She smirked. “I don’t think so. You’re not who you say you are?”

  I sat taller. “What do you mean?” She tilted her head and stuck out her thumb. “If you want answers, dragon, follow me.”

  Julie’s eyes widened. “You know?”

  I slapped the arm of my chair and gritted my chair. “Julie.”

  Louise let loose a soft throaty laugh. “You can’t fool a witch, hon. Come and if you want to learn more.”

  Julie reached over and clasped my hand. “Raven, we’ve been combing through these books and haven’t found a thing.” She tilted her head. “Maybe Louise knows something.”

  I carefully checked around the
corner to make sure Louise wasn’t listening. “I’ve attended Legacy Academy for three years and have never heard of witches.”

  “You also didn’t know about the other academies, either.”

  As much as I didn’t want to admit it, Julie was right. I hadn’t known about the other academies until just last year, and now a new curve ball was being thrown at me. I needed answers, and maybe Louise had some.

  I grabbed my purse. “Come on.”

  Julie squealed and got off her chair. She reminded me of when she was a little girl, ready to tear into her birthday presents.

  Louise’s private room wasn’t what I expected. She sat in a tall wicker chair and looked more like she was on the beach, rather than a psychic waiting to do readings. Light shown through plantation shutters and made the room bright. Shuia plants and orchids of every color were on one shelf, and below it were books with strange names that I assumed were spell books. Purple candles flickered on a small table and I detected the scent of lavender. A life-size poster of Sam and Dean Winchester made me smile.

  Louise followed my gaze. “What can I say? I love those guys, even if they do hunt witches.”

  “This isn’t what I expected,” I murmured.

  Louise gestured toward two yellow barrel chairs that were across from her and winked. “I didn’t expect to run into a dragon shifter, either.” She looked at Julie. “Go ahead and sit.”

  I slowly sat down. “How did you know I was a dragon shifter?”

  She smiled. “I told you. I’m a witch and I’m psychic. There’s not much the supernatural or human world that can hide from me.”

  Julie looked around. “This place is cool. Are you going to shut the shutters?”