Draiochta Academy: All Genres Academy Anthology

by BBB Publishings

  By

  Alexis Taylor

  &

  Beth Hendrix

  Trigger warning

  This book may contain triggers for some. Contains sacrifice of young adults, and lots of blood. Read on if you dare.

  Prologue

  “Are you sure this is going to work? We have to keep the demons from taking over.” He asked me as I just stared at him.

  “Have I ever lied to you before? I know what I saw. I saw the prophecy of what's to come. Seraphina showed that both ours and the Draiochta Council’s reign would be over when the new Demon Queen came of power. If we do this, not only will we have an endless supply of food, we will make sure no Demon is ever permitted to attend the Academy. Which in turn will destroy all hope of the prophecy coming true. Demons will be outcasted and hunted instead of attending our prestigious academy.” I stated once again, how many times was I going to have to repeat myself.

  “We are supposed to protect the students though. How can we do this to them?” He said looking at me as if I was a monster. I had always known he was weak. If I didn’t need him, I would have killed him years ago.

  “We have no choice,” I said before whispering a spell that I should have done ages ago. He’s too busy writing out the clues that he doesn’t even notice, “Egeo numquid vas rara blank. Ego clamo Hecate serve est mihi. Nunc age et noxium mea et lium. Et vie um sacrificium.”

  He went ramrod straight as a blank expression took over his face. Much better.

  “Finish the clues and send the students where we need them. Only the strong ones. We need as much strength as possible if we are going to hold Samael for long.” I stated before turning and heading to the caves in the basement.

  The thirteen students that I had taken lined the walls in chains and started to moan as I walked by. They were just my puppets or they would be before long. The spell requires twelve souls each year to keep him trapped and we need his power. The last one would be his vessel. As soon as she walked in, I knew I had the perfect patsy for my plan. Not only was she small thin and meek her parents had recently been killed. Leaving her under the care of the school until she came of age. No one would miss her and her disappearance wouldn't raise any questions. The other twelve were adventurous always on the hunt for the next mystery going on a wild goose hunt and being slain by vicious demons wouldn't be too hard to believe. Yes, my plan was coming along nicely.

  “You know you won't get away with keeping us here don't you? My father will hear about this.” As usual, David had to be a smart ass. His death was going to be slow and as painful as possible or maybe I would just make him watch as all his friends were slain first.

  “You are so lucky that I can't physically kill you because your death would be so much more excruciating if I could.” The day the Draiochta Council implemented that little gem was one of the worst days of my life. I used to love torturing the weak but now if we so much as laid a finger on a student they would be alerted.

  The clock struck midnight and it was finally time. Striding to the middle of the room, I began to chant.

  “Samael domne ego quaerere vos ego Invocatio vos dominus autem omnis libidinosa. Nobis quaerere vos hic et praesent et apud haec oblation. Veni ut nobis nunc, oostende vestra faciem. O dominus, nostrorum Rex nostrorum Deus VIDETUR NUNC.”

  Walking over to the girl who would be our vessel, I grabbed her and pushed her into the center of the pentagram. It was almost time.

  “Domine deus meus in te speravi conlitebor tibi domine in toto corde meo quem ad modum desiderat cervus sacrificium hanc virginem veni ad me et intraveritis hac tum praetoria nave et occiditus omnus petimus.

  No sooner than the final word left my mouth the girl fell to the floor. Her body rising up off the ground with a mild red glow before flames erupted all around her. I could barely contain my shriek of glee that the spell had worked. Samael was here. The smell of fire and brimstone filled the air as her body slammed back to the ground.

  Quickly binding her hand with the spelled silk, I had trapped him just in time as blood-red eyes snapped open and a very angry Samael realized he was now under my control.

  “Minion we need the souls of the twelve sacrifices, retrieve them intact as only you know how.” This time I didn't hold back the laughter as my new slave stalked his victims.

  Turning to me, he shoots me a look that if he had been in his body would have caused me to run. However, it was comical to see such a look on a weak pathetic girl’s face. Never breaking eye contact, he pulls the first sacrifice to the bucket and slits his throat. I can tell that he is imagining it was me he was doing it too. Reaching back he slams his hand into the back of the boy’s chest and pulls out his heart, sitting it on the cave floor beside him. God how I had missed the delicious sound that made.

  No words are spoken as the boy is slowly drained of his blood, only to have his eyes plucked buy the girl Samael was inhabiting.

  “Bring them all to me, and put the blood in the tub before you start with the next,” I say giddy at the thought of all the power that was going to consume me.

  Walking over to the large porcelain clawfoot tub that had been placed beside the pentagram, I got naked as he poured the blood in from the boy. Climbing in I willed a table to appear beside me.

  “The hearts and eyes go on this table, Slave,” I laughed out once again, starting to feel the euphoric rush of power. The eyes were like grapes as I devoured every piece that was laid on the plate.

  Once he poured the last bucket in, my body was taken over as the power coursed through my system. Samael stared as I stepped out of the tub.

  “Get in the center of the pentagram, slave,” I said before summoning the power of the souls to trap him inside. “So powerful, and yet so weak. Samael, how must it feel for you to be entombed until I need you.”

  Leaving him with those words, I took one last look at the chaos that I had caused. I knew I should feel sad, but I didn’t. All the students were adults. Young adults, but either way I regret nothing and now that had Samaels power plus the power of the souls. Nothing or no one would be able to stop me.

  Chapter One

  One hundred years later

  Lyla

  “I’m so sorry Lyla, we found Krystal, but I’m afraid it was as we had feared she was already dead. It looks like she was killed the day she went missing.” The detective’s words while genuinely sorry meant nothing. I already knew my sister was dead.

  “I’m going to my room. I have homework,” I say to my mother and ignoring the detective.

  Running up the stairs, I slam my door and lock it. I knew my family and the Supe detectives, who found my sister, I sounded like I didn't care. However, what none of them realize is that I already knew she was gone from the second it happened. From the age of 10, I was not only been able to communicate with the dead, but I would have visions of people dying, especially if they were close with me.

  I would experience everything through the eyes of the victim. Feeling every emotion, all of the pain and their deaths would be as real to me as if it were my own. Worst of all was that sometimes while very rare, I would see things through the eyes of the killer. The glee they felt as they took innocent lives made me ill. Watching the light leave the eyes of the victims would never leave me and the nightmares never stopped.

  The only deaths I ever witnessed though were murders, sacrifices or deaths that weren’t fated to happen and almost always they were supernatural related. Originally, I thought there was nothing to be done. I would struggle through and deal with the nightmares and heartache of not being able to stop these awful things from happening.

  Until the day I had confided in my grandmother, she told me that she too had this gift and that we can control it. We could prevent these killings and save many innocent lives, but I could never ever tell anyone or attend the Academy every Supernatural attended. If anyone found out about my powers, I and my family would be killed.

  Not once in the eight years since that day h
ad I ever questioned what she told me. When the time came for me and my sister to join the Academy, I refused and enrolled in the local high school. I ignored my mother, father, and sister’s questions and concerns while I quietly studied with my Grandmother, who passed away the year afterward. My powers continued to evolve and get stronger and my studies became more advanced.

  It wasn't until our 18th birthday that I realized my sister become withdrawn, quiet, and lost a lot of weight. With her away at the Academy, we rarely had a chance to see each other. We talked at least once a week but with school, my extra studies and my own experiments with my newfound power there was little time for anything else. The day she died, she called me thirteen times but I had been at the local cemetery helping a ghost friend that I met the year before.

  I had only been home a few minutes when the vision started. I don't know how I knew it was Krystal because, for the first time, I saw no one, there was nothing but darkness. I could hear the sound of metal, faint crying, a horrible mocking laugh, and what sounded like someone whispering my name. A flash of white and then I was looking into the terrified eyes of my sister. Eyes so much like my own flashed with recognition almost as if she knew I was here.

  My sister’s eyes went full white as she went into a trance-like state and her final words cemented my fate. “You went too far this time. She now knows the truth. The Demon Assassin will not stop until those who killed me are brought to justice. She is coming and no one else will die because of the demons at BBB. Ly, you have to come to the Academy.”

  A guttural scream sounded at the end of her sentence and then my vision went blank as I felt my sister’s throat being cut open. Gasping for air, I touched my throat to be sure that it was unharmed before breaking down. That was the first time I had ever felt one of the deaths. A sob left me as I realized my sister was gone, tears had fallen down my face as I sobbed harder than I ever had.

  My grandmother walked through the wall, and just looked at me. Her being a ghost meant that she couldn’t comfort me the way I needed and I knew she wanted to.

  “Did you know?” was all I asked as I looked over at her.

  “Yes, dear. I led her into the light, she wanted you to know she loved you.” Her sweet voice broke as she spoke.

  “I have to go to the Academy.” I had no idea who this demon assassin was but she would not be the only one going after these monsters.

  “Lyla, you can’t. You don’t know what they will do to you if they find out what you can do,” Her voice took on a hysterical note as she continued, “I forbid it. You just don’t understand.”

  “What is there to understand? If I had just gone to the damn school instead of listening to you, Krystal would still be alive. I could have saved her. To forbid all you want, but you can’t stop me.” I spat out, knowing that I was lashing out at her because I was hurting and I would regret it later, but I had just felt my sister die, rational thought was out the window.

  All I knew was that I would finally ahead with my family’s wishes and join the prestigious Academy. Finding these demons, unraveling the mystery and I would avenge my sister. She said no one else would die, that meant there were others and more potential victims. Who best to find them than the one person who can unravel the mysteries of the dead.

  Chapter Two

  “Do you have everything you need?” My mom asked as I got out of the car, and stared at the looming academy in front of me.

  “Yeah, I got everything. I’ll be fine, Mom,” I reply before leaning over the window and giving her a hug.

  “Fine, just have fun and be careful. Don’t forget to call either.” She says before blowing me a kiss and driving off.

  The large stone building loomed in front of me, and even though I didn’t want to admit it, I was more than a little terrified to step inside. My grandmother’s words pounding through my head getting louder the longer I stood here. There were kids milling about everywhere, but my focus was on said grandmother who was floating on my left looking concerned. We were on good terms now, because logically I know that my sister’s death was not mine or her fault.

  “You be careful. I’ll be watching your back as best I can.” My grandmother said before blinking out and disappearing. I knew she was still there because I could feel her presence, but since she was a more advanced ghost she could hide her body from those of us who could see it.

  Nodding, I grabbed my bags and pulled them up and through the big stone door. In the packet of papers that I got from the Academy, it told me that my dorm was in the west building that I just walked into. I was thankful for that because it meant that I could go straight to my room instead of having to go through a long line at admissions or something like I had seen on television.

  Lost in thought, I wandered down the hallway until I found room number 666. I don’t question the number, nor do I take it as a bad sign. That is what I tell myself at least, as I open the door and see the bleak dorm room with two twin beds on opposite walls. Same with the desks and closets, if they could be called that.

  “Wow, this place has really gone downhill since my day.” My grandmother says causing me to jump. I hate it when she does that.

  “Was it a lot different when you went here?” I ask sitting my bags down before opening them to get my room fixed up.

  “Oh, yes dear. It used to be much more colorful. Now it is just so bland. It has to be all the deaths that happened here through the years. I heard your mother talking about how a lot of people have pulled funding from the school because of that. However, the head couple is so strong that the Academy will never really cease to be because they are the only ones powerful enough to protect their children from the others. They have been in charge here since before I came to the school when I was young” She replies shocking me because after all of this time I never really thought about what she did when I couldn’t see her, and it was a little weird that she could just loiter around and watch everyone. Her words took a few seconds to sink in as the shock wore off.

  “The head couple? How can they still be the same? I thought all supes aged except the vampires?” I was trying to wrap my head around her words as I heard the door behind me open.

  “Who are you talking to?” A snappy voice said from behind me causing me to turn around. Only to see a pretty brunette, who looked as if she belonged in a barbie box instead of at this school.

  “Oh, sorry. Sometimes I just mutter to myself,” I pause and put my hand out before continuing. “My name is Lyla, nice to meet you.” I keep eye contact with her bright blue eyes and watch her look me up and down.

  “I’m sure it is a pleasure. I’m Jennifer Jacobs, you should know who my family is.” She continued to speak, but I stopped listening after the better than everyone attitude reared its head.

  Nodding along as she continued talking about her family and how powerful she was, I unpacked my bags and made my bed. It was getting late and with tomorrow being the first day of classes, I wanted to get as much sleep as I can.

  “Well, I am going out. I would invite you, but I have a feeling that you would be outta place. I prolly won’t be back till late.” And with that, she flipped her hair and left the room.

  “Oh dear, that girl is awful. That Jacobs family has always had their nose turned up at everyone else.” She says looking at me before continuing, “You look exhausted. Go to sleep, I’ll watch over you, Ly.”

  “Love you, Gran,” I reply, there was no way I was going to argue with her. Tomorrow was a big day and I had to be ready.

  “Lyla, help me,” A feminine voice echoed through the cave that I found myself in.

  Looking around, I notice that the walls are covered in a blue rock that sparkles and is almost mirror-like as I see the form of a girl who looks to be no older than me.

  “Who are you?” I ask moving closer to the image. Purple eyes stare at me as if terrified that I will run away.

  “I don’t remember who I am, but I have to be released. Only you can do so. Please help me.”
The pain in her voice caused my heart to clench. Her eyes pleaded with me, and I could tell that something truly awful had happened to her.

  “How do I find you?” I question, seeing that her image was starting to fade.

  “Follow the clues. Tell no one what you can do. It’s not safe.” She replies as her voice goes quiet and her image disappears.

  “Hello?” I yell, only to hear my own voice echo in the cave.

  Turning in circles, I see the torches on the wall slowly being extinguished as I take off running in the direction that is still light up. Fear takes me over as I run as fast as I can. I didn’t have a clue what was going on, but I had to get out of here.

  Chapter Three

  Jerking awake, I sit up drenched in sweat and see that the sun is just coming up. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my racing heart as I think back over the nightmare I just woke up from. That was the most vivid dream that I ever had, it was so real. Over the years there have been hundreds of visions but nothing had grabbed ahold of me like that dream had.

  “Sweetie, are you ok? You look like you had the fright of your life.” Somehow having my gran near calmed me. My heartbeat slowly started to calm down as I struggled to remember every detail. I knew I had to help that poor girl and maybe gran could help.

  “Gran, when you were here did you ever have any nightmares?” I ask before getting out of bed to shower and change clothes. My jammies were currently sticking to my body from sweat.

  “Only one. The same one over and over about a girl trapped. Since I never met her or had any visions relating to her death so I assumed it was just a scary recurring dream. Why do you ask, sweetie? Did you have a bad dream? You know nightmares are normal with what we can do, it's an unfortunate side effect.” She looked at me with something like pity in her eyes. Walking over to her, I knew of one way to convince her this wasn't just another dream.