Second Breath Academy 2: How To Kill A Shadow (A Necromancer Academy)

by Leigh Kelsey

  “Exactly,” Kati cut him off, holding his gaze. “I do know who you are. And that’s got nothing to do with any of your blood relations. I know you. And yes.” She shrugged, feeling embarrassed even as she was deadly serious, her ears tingling as her blush spread. “I love you. I’m sure. Besides, you’re not the only one related to someone evil.”

  She winced. She didn’t really think Theo was evil. Or did she? He was prejudiced, a bigot, someone who was all for bringing back torture for power. Was that evil? If it had been someone she hadn’t grown up knowing, hadn’t loved for years … she would have said yes. All at once Kati understood those mothers who went on TV saying their serial killer sons were just normal, harmless boys who couldn’t possibly have hurt people.

  So she didn’t take the word back, even if it hung there in the room with them.

  Iain caressed her cheek with a thumb, watching the play of emotion across her face. “I don’t think he’s evil, Kati. I just think he’s … misguided. On a dangerous path.”

  “So you think he can be brought back? Put on the right path?”

  Iain’s smile was sad, sympathetic. He knew exactly how she felt, even if he’d been much younger when his aunt went on a murderous rampage in an attempt to take control of Great Britain. “There’s always hope. No matter how bad it seems.”

  Kati appreciated him saying that even if she wasn’t a hundred percent sure she agreed with him. “Ugh, this became morbid and dark. Where were we again?”

  “You were seducing me,” he replied with a swift grin, the darkness chased from his expression by a happiness so bright it blinded. And … and Kati was responsible for that. She’d made him look that happy. Her stomach erupted into butterflies and she reached for him again, kicking off her shoes as she walked backwards to his bed, startling when she bumped into it much sooner than she’d expected.

  Iain had her though; he wouldn’t let her fall.

  With a flick of his wand, the lock on his bedroom door snapped into place, but the look he gave her was questioning: did she still want this? Kati nodded, slipping her fingers under his unbuttoned shirt and sliding it off his shoulders.

  She was breathing hard, breathless from their kisses, and she shivered as his gentle hands trailed along her neck to her shoulders, then slid down her arms to the hem of her jumper. She could tell he was still hesitant, giving her time to reconsider, but Kati was thrumming with need and want. She didn’t want to stop.

  Iain peeled her jumper off, placing it on a chair beside his bed, and impatient, Kati just yanked off the shirt and vest she had beneath, throwing them halfway across his room as she reached for him again, exhaling a groan at the smooth, furnace hot feel of his bare skin.

  Their next kiss was fierce and urgent, a low sound building in the back of Iain’s throat as his mouth met hers in scorching demand, one hand diving into her hair while his other explored, skimming her shoulders and sending a rush of goosebumps down her body at the sensation of his calloused fingers skimming the lacy edge of her bra.

  He mapped the curve of her stomach and curled around her side, sending a fierce shudder through her and making her moan into his mouth as his broad hand flattened to her back. She’d never realised her back had the capacity to be so sensitive, but every new swath of skin he touched made her needier, their kiss almost combative now as they fought to consume each other.

  Kati dug the fingers of one hand into his back as the need in her body wound tighter, reaching for his belt with the other as Iain’s exploratory path brought him to the clasp of her bra. Kati fumbled at his buckle, frustrated and desperate to conquer the damn thing, but it wouldn’t comply, and she was forced to break their kiss with a growl of complaint.

  “I hate this damn buckle,” she muttered, her voice hoarse with need as she finally figured out how to undo it.

  “Likewise with your bra,” he replied with a chuckle, managing to unfasten it on his tenth attempt. He slid the straps down her arms and threw it to the carpet as if it personally offended him, and Kati gasped at the rasping warmth of his hand cupping her full breast.

  If she’d thought she was needy and desperate before, it had nothing on the emotion that built as Iain circled her nipple with the pad of his thumb, her clit throbbing in direct response.

  “Get these off,” she growled, shoving at his trousers.

  With a laugh that was more than tinged with satisfaction, Iain helped remove his pants, kicking them out of their path as he guided Kati to lay back on his bed, covering her body with his and surrounding her with heat.

  He set their wands on the bedside table, and for a long moment he just gazed down at her while Kati looked up at him, enjoying the weight of his body suspended over hers, her heart so full of affection it should have burst.

  But then she shifted her thigh against his and need filled both their expressions again, the two of them meeting for a fast, frenzied kiss as Kati widened her legs, Iain settling between them. And even though they both still wore their underwear, Kati could feel the heat and hardness of him, her pussy clenching in anticipation.

  “Spell or condom?” Iain asked when they broke for breath, but instead of returning to her mouth, he trailed kisses down her neck, making Kati’s toes curl.

  “Up to you,” Kati replied breathily. She knew some people preferred one method of contraception over the other but she didn’t care as long as she got Iain inside her soon.

  He swirled his tongue over her thrumming pulse and Kati swore, digging her fingernails into his forearm braced over her. He did it again, and Kati was reduced to a puddle of carnal need. “Do you trust me to cast the spell?”

  “Do you expect me to speak when you’re doing that?” Kati gasped in reply.

  He laughed against her skin, her pussy throbbing at the sound. “So I’ve found your weakness.” Iain grazed his teeth against the spot and Kati’s back arched. “Good to know.”

  “Iain, for souls’ sakes,” Kati hissed.

  “Hmm?”

  Oh, this cocky side of him was going to make her spontaneously combust.

  “I need you,” she gasped out. “Now.”

  He caressed her cheek with a knuckle. “I’m not one to rush things.”

  Kati closed her eyes, groaning. “This is going to end me.”

  “Not the worst way to go, you have to admit,” he replied, laughing.

  “Iain.”

  She knew he was grinning, could hear it in his voice as he slid down her body, scattering kisses across her chest, pausing to suck one of her nipples into his mouth, his tongue flicking over her until a choked sound tore from Kati’s lips. “Where do you need me? Here?” He thrust slowly and shallowly against her pussy, the friction both divine and devastating through their underwear. Kati’s pussy spasmed hard.

  “Yes,” she said, breathless. “And if you don’t hurry up, I’m going to take over and do it myself.”

  Iain laughed through his nose. “Assuming you have the strength to overpower me.”

  Kati cracked open an eye, glaring at him as he placed slow kisses on the underside of her breast, moving down her stomach, and laying an exquisitely torturous kiss on the top edge of her lacy knickers. “Oh, I have the strength.”

  He grinned up at her, wickedness in his stunning blue eyes as he removed his glasses and set them on the bedside table. For a moment, she didn’t understand why, but then he pulled her underwear aside and buried his entire face in her pussy, and Kati swore for a second that she stopped breathing.

  Shit, her pussy was so wet and her clit so swollen that even one flick of his tongue had an orgasm coiling tight in her belly. This was what she got for three months of teasing and no relief. Her hand shot to his head, fingers twisting in silken brown strands as he lapped and sucked, her body growing tenser with every sweep of his tongue around her clit. He groaned against her pussy, licking her as if he genuinely enjoyed it; not just perfunctory to get her wet enough to take his cock, but one hundred percent committed to making her feel good.<
br />
  No, not good—amazing.

  “Shit, Iain,” Kati whispered, her breath giving out and a cold sweep of shivers moving from the nape of her neck to her toes. The low growl he made in response vibrated around her clit, and Kati shattered.

  She held tight to his head as her body jerked and trembled, stars exploding behind her eyelids as climax took hold of her. Iain let out another low sound, this one laced with satisfaction, and it drew another flash of pleasure from Kati, gasps pouring from her lips.

  “Fuck,” she swore when her body stilled, her eyelids heavy and her body lax. “Holy shit, Iain.”

  He rose over her with a grin, brushing a knuckle down her cheek with aching tenderness. “Good?”

  “Good doesn’t come close to describing it,” Kati breathed, pulling him in for a kiss and sighing deeply as their lips met.

  “I trust you to cast the spell,” she mumbled when they broke apart. Catching her breath, she trailed the back of her hand down his side, gratified to see goosebumps break out across his ribcage.

  “Don’t you want a minute to recover?” Iain asked, even as his cock pressed urgently at the front of his boxers.

  Kati snorted, hooking her leg around his back. “No. Do you?”

  “Souls, no,” Iain replied, his voice hoarse with need. “I need you now.”

  Kati grinned. “Get rid of these, then.” She tugged on the waistband of his underwear.

  Iain surged forward to kiss her hard and fast, and his boxers soon joined her clothes wherever they’d ended up on his bedroom floor, her knickers swiftly following.

  The contraceptive spell slid over them like a cool silk blanket and Kati shivered, gasping into Iain’s mouth.

  She tangled her fingers in his hair and held on tight as the head of his cock nudged her pussy, a delicious shudder of anticipation trembling through her.

  “Sure?” he asked against her lips.

  “Yes.” Kati nodded, her breathing fracturing as the head of his cock brushed her clit. “You?”

  He held her gaze, a stunning smile spreading across his face. “Yes,” he replied, resting his forehead against hers as he pushed inside her, slowly, carefully.

  Kati groaned at the sensation of being full, but his pace made her shake with need. She lifted her hips, taking matters into her own hands, and swallowed his low growl as she took him all the way inside.

  “Shit,” Iain hissed between kisses, his blue eyes dark with desire. “You feel so good.”

  “So do you,” Kati tried replying casually but he moved inside her and she bit her lip to contain a whimper.

  She locked her legs around Iain’s back and met him slow thrust for slow thrust, their mouths mashed together in a never ending kiss. Kati wasn’t going to last long before she came again; her pussy fluttered around his length, heat and tension already coiling in her lower belly. It felt so fucking good to be connected to him like this, the sex going far beyond just fucking into something much more intimate, a melding of souls.

  “Iain,” she gasped, her fingers locking in his hair as his mouth trailed down her neck, sucking at the delicate spot where it met her shoulder. “I’m gonna—”

  His hips snapped forward, his kisses gentle but his thrusts more forceful, more intent.

  “Oh, fuck yes,” she hissed, her eyes flying wide as her orgasm roared closer. When his mouth closed around her nipple, Kati’s back bowed, her mouth hung open, and she came so hard she forgot to breathe. She’d thought the climax he’d given her with his mouth was amazing, but it had nothing on coming with him inside her, her pussy gripping his cock hard with every spasm.

  “Kati,” he groaned, his fingers curling into her hip, squeezing hard, and his cock throbbed wildly inside her. Still shuddering with aftershocks, Kati gasped at the added sensation, and her eyes damn near rolled back as his tip brushed up against an electric spot inside her.

  For a long while after, they just lay there, Kati’s legs wrapped around him, Iain’s face buried in her chest, both of them panting. She trailed gentle touches down his back, her heart swelling as he let out a sigh, pressing a kiss to the curve of her breast.

  Kati had had sex before but not like this. This was … wow.

  Iain laid another kiss against her chest and pulled out, rolling onto his back beside her and throwing an arm over his face. But when he lifted it, there was a soft smile on his face, and it only grew when their eyes met. “Come here,” he murmured, hooking her around the waist and drawing her close to him. Kati snuggled into his warmth, loving the feel of skin against skin, wishing she could stay here forever.

  She’d settle for staying the night, but they couldn’t risk it. Give it a few minutes, and she’d have to sneak back to her dorm. But she could steal a few more kisses before then.

  When their lips met this time, it was slow and lazy and made Kati’s heart pound in her chest. It went on for a long, long time, and then Iain sighed, drawing back.

  “I know,” she muttered before he could say it. “I need to go and pretend to be a good girl again.” She pretended to pout, greeted with a warm laugh and Iain’s hand sliding down her spine in a broad, proprietary caress.

  She indulged in one last kiss and gathered up her clothes from the floor, complaining the whole time.

  “One day,” Iain said, watching her from the bed where he was propped up against the pillows, still temptingly naked, “you won’t have to sneak out. And I won’t have to worry about anyone catching us.”

  Kati zipped her jeans, fastened the button, and bent over him, laying a lingering kiss on his lips. Okay, so maybe she’d lied about the kiss before being the last one. She grabbed her wand from the bedside table, shoved it in her pocket because she couldn’t be bothered with the holster, and flattened the creases from her top. “Do I look presentable, or like someone who just had amazing sex with her death magic theory teacher?”

  Iain’s mouth curled up. “Both.” He crooked a finger and Kati leaned in for one of Iain’s trademark fierce, heated kisses. Souls, she loved him. Especially the way he kissed, so unexpected for someone so calm and harmless-seeming.

  “I really need to go,” Kati mumbled against his mouth, annoyed by the truth in her words. But if people found out about her and Iain, several things would happen. One, every mark and score she got in her lessons would be brought into question. People would assume favouritism, even though Kati knew he was harder on her, rather than easier, because he knew she was capable of more. Two, Iain could be fired. Kati was a legal adult and so was he, but it was definitely a grey area. Madam Hawkness could kick him out of SBA—and therefore Kati’s life—if she found out and disapproved. Three, and the real crux of the matter for Kati, if people looked at Iain closely because of his relationship with her, they might find out that he was Lady LaVoire’s nephew. And he’d be vilified. No way in hell was Kati letting anyone look down on him. Worse—they might fear him. She knew it would ruin him.

  So she kissed him one last time—and it really was the last this time—gathered her bag and athame, and cast the invisibility spell.

  “I’ll leave you to your paperwork,” she said with a smirk. “It looks like your pile’s about to fall over.” She gestured at the stack of papers and books.

  “Yeah,” Iain agreed with a laugh, scratching the back of his neck. “I still need to come up with a lesson plan for tomorrow afternoon. I’ll start that now.”

  “Well, have fun,” Kati said, her hand on the handle. “I love you,” she added, a flip of nervousness in her belly until he replied.

  “Love you, too. Please be careful in your lessons in the future.”

  Kati snorted, opening the door. “No promises,” she replied.

  The Storm After The Calm

  Tiredness crept up on Kati as she made her way quietly down the spiral staircase to the ground floor, SBA’s empty halls flooded with dawn light. Whatever that tonic Iain had given her was, it had eased all her aches and pains, but her body still needed sleep. She couldn’t wait to fall
face-first into bed and sleep for hours.

  When Kati rounded the corner to the lobby, shadows fell across her path, but she didn’t think anything of it, so used to the corridors being dark anyway. She didn’t think to call up a shield.

  Big mistake.

  The shadows continued to thicken on the bare stone at her feet, much more than a cloud blotting out the sun, and Kati spun with a gasp. She went completely still at the sight of a swirling mass of shadows and teeth towering over her.

  For a long, long moment she just froze, stiff and terrified, staring open mouthed as the whirlwind of shadow and teeth flickered into the shape of a blonde teenage girl in a pink PVC minidress, popping gum and texting on a Motorola flip phone.

  This was … Kati has no words.

  The wraith resolved into its nightmare form, its mouth opening to better show off those rows of teeth. Yes rows, plural.

  Shit.

  Kati jumped back, motion returning to her even if shock made her sluggish. She tripped over the boot of a suit of armour but caught herself on a stone column as the wraith flickered, the blonde sighing as her eyes met Kati’s.

  “Don’t be a bitch about this,” the girl—the soulwraith—said, popping her gum. “I’m starving, I need to eat something.”

  Kati leapt back a few steps, drawing her wand. “Well you’re not eating me.”

  This couldn’t be happening. This was SBA; there were wards. How...?

  Kati, Dolly hissed reproachfully. Watch out!

  Kati shook herself, diving across the hallway as the wraith became a black tornado speeding towards her. She pricked her finger to fuel a shield spell. It was enough—barely—to stop the soulwraith touching her skin. Enough to keep it—her, Kati supposed—from draining her lifeforce and magic. But just being around the darkness, its oppressive presence, was leeching what strength Kati had left, and the shield wasn’t one of Kati’s best.

  How had the wraith got in? How had nobody noticed her? And where the fuck was Balham—she was supposed to be guarding the academy, keeping them safe!