Merlin's Supernatural Academy: Complete series (Books 1-4) : A Young Adult Supernatural Academy Series

by K L Rymer

  Just like his rider, Thomas...

  And just like his rider, he turned out to be a handsome son of a bitch after all. His scales shine brighter than the sun’s rays, a true rarity amongst dragon kind, and he knows it.

  Max only has two horns on that big head of this, though he’s not as spiky as his brass brother, Buddy. Yet he has a dewlap around the neck, a type of skin flap that he can flare up as a defense mechanism against enemies.

  Then you’ve got Elvira... What can I say? She’s like a vampire in dragon’s skin with pointed fangs and horns, and her navy scales are so dark, they almost appear black.

  Elvira’s body shape is svelte, which is typical of female dragons when compared to their male counterparts, but she’s fierce. So fierce, she can use her tail like a whip, and she really is a dominatrix.

  Hey, just like Zahara...

  Zelina looks like a giant, horned snake with limbs, and I’ve never seen a creature so green. Her scales are iridescent, giving off a hue of pink and blue, and she’s by far the fastest flyer as she undulates like a fish in water. Every time she slithers through the air, the sun catches the pink of her green scales, and she’s a true sight to behold.

  Don’t get me started on Shadow Stalker, but I was right about one thing: he really has become one scary-ass dragon.

  He gave me the heebie-jeebies back when he was still the size of a Labrador pup, but now he’s twice as big as an elephant, and four times as deadly...

  And he still looks as if he wants to eat my soul. When he hisses, his breath smells like death. He’s like a giant bat with horns shaped like a pair of scythes, and you wouldn’t want to cross his path.

  Just like his fellow shadow dragon or ‘wyvern’ Elvira, he crawls around with his winged legs, and he just oozes evil.

  Despite his scary exterior, his blood-toned eyes always linger on Sparkle Hearts, despite the fact he hates her. Whenever he catches me staring at her, he expels his deadly breath, then goes off and hides inside a cave somewhere, and it seems he never outgrew his moody emo phase.

  Hey, just like Damien...

  Speaking of Sparkle Hearts... How can a creature so big be as cute and fluffy as she is? She truly is a BFG. Even though she’s a predator, there’s nothing scary about her. Even in adulthood, she smells of strawberries. A characteristic I thought she would have outgrown by now since all puppies lose that sweet coffee smell, but not Sparkle Hearts...

  Also, she’s the only dragon with eyelashes and hair, but her scales are still smooth and so, so pink, and not to forget sparkly...

  Her horns curve into the shape of a love-heart, and her floppy ears have grown a soft, feathery down the color of cotton candy.

  Basically, she looks like the lovechild of a dragon and a dog. Not unlike Falkor from the Neverending Story and I wouldn’t be surprised if she truly were a luckdragon.

  Everything about her is non-threatening. Her horns are blunt, her teeth are blunt, and her claws are blunt. She is not a dragon built for war, and I’m starting to wonder if we should let her join our army.

  I don’t want her to get hurt, but I trust Brynmawr will keep her safe. He would never let anything happen to his sweet little Sparkle Hearts.

  Just like his own daughter, and that’s where we stop at Azure.

  My dragon’s child still glows as pure as the day she hatched, and she’s even bluer than the atmosphere. My former bully named her well, and I never fail to see the look of pride in the vampire’s eyes whenever she gazes upon her dragon.

  Azure, like her mother and father, has the head of a rhinoceros, and I’m starting to notice that western dragons are as diverse as their eastern counterparts.

  Regardless, we’re going to bring Matthew senior and Diafol down. They will not plunge the world into darkness.

  The dragons line up before Myrddin’s portal with their riders, and I see that they’re all raring to go. Shadow Stalker is literally drooling at the prospect of sinking his teeth into enemy flesh, and I’m not surprised.

  These dragons have been preparing their whole lives for this battle. Granted, their lifespans are only six months long, but it’s been a lifetime for them.

  “Hurry up... open the gate...” Shadow Stalker growls, and I shiver upon my own dragon.

  It sounds like he gargled rocks or something. His voice is so rough and gravelly; I’m convinced he’s spent his whole life screaming at rock concerts.

  That is not a voice you want inside your brain...

  Damien laughs, rubbing his dragon’s smooth, black cheek. “Not long now, Shadow... You’ll get to feast on souls soon enough.”

  Shadow shudders at the prospect and his drool increases. It drips from his mouth like a waterfall, and Felicity shakes her head.

  I’m still not over her haircut. She promised me she would grow it back out, but it’s too short. Too sexy...

  “Shadow, stop drooling. It’s not very gentlemen-like,” the pixie scolds.

  Shadow hisses in her direction, and his breath almost knocks the pixie off her own dragon.

  Damien tells his dragon off. “That’s enough now, Shadow.”

  The shadow dragon snarls a few times before he sets his sights on the portal again. Myrddin’s almost finished anyway.

  Sparkle Hearts giggles sweetly, fluttering her eyelashes. “It’s okay, Shadow... I’m excited too. The time has finally come. We’re going to save the world!”

  Now that’s a voice I want oozing inside my brain. It’s soft, wispy, and sweet.

  Shadow gives her the side-eye, but I notice his glare isn’t so hostile when he looks at her. It’s almost amused. “You’ve got that right, Pinkie. Don’t want the humans all dying now... More souls for me to feast on after all...”

  Wow... he sounds just like Councilman Vlad.

  Shadow thrives off misery. I can imagine all the despair on earth would taste like chocolate to him right now, but it seems he still wants to help.

  Maybe I judged him too harshly before.

  Sparkles laughs yet again, nudging her head with Shadow’s. “Oh, you’re so funny, Shadow...”

  Damien and Felicity give each other a knowing look, and it seems they see it too. It’s exactly how they were when they first started dating.

  There’s love blossoming between their dragons. Fated mates and all, and it just warms your heart.

  Unfortunately, Maximus ruins the moment with his haughty, pompous voice. “I’m surrounded by imbeciles...”

  Shadow hisses in his direction. Max barely flinches, even when the stench of rotten soul mars his shiny, golden scales. “You are so uncouth. We may be dragons, but at least show some decorum.”

  Zelina sneers, slipping out a snakelike tongue. “Oh, shut up... You’re just jealous because no one loves you...”

  Shadow hisses at her now when she mentions the L-word, and now the dragons start bickering.

  “It’s okay, Maximus... you’ve still got me after all...” Elvira breathes, wrapping her whip-like tail around his legs for a good old game of bondage.

  Zahara grimaces on her back. “Ah, come on, El... A bit much don’t you think? You could at least be a little subtle.”

  I scoff. “You’re hardly subtle yourself, Zee.”

  The Unseelie sneers, twisting herself around on Elvira’s back so she can see me better. “What did you say?”

  I smirk. “You heard me...”

  Her eyes gleam, and I spot a hint of that wicked fae blood inside her, and now all the riders break into a fight.

  That’s when Buddy and Jack cut us off, and their voices boom through the oasis. “Enough!”

  And now everyone shuts up.

  Brynmawr rolls his eyes, turning his head to look at me. His golden eyeball finds mine. “It’s like everyone in Mendacious was cloned. We pretty much just heard the same argument twice... The first time with the dragons, and the second time with the riders...”

  I shrug. “What can I say? Dragon like rider...”

  My dragon sneers. “You’ve got
that right, little hill...”

  “And you too, big hill...”

  Brynmawr chuckles, throwing his head back. Gwyneira doesn’t look so pleased though as she turns to Azure.

  “Please don’t turn out like your father...”

  Azure laughs. “Yes, Mother...”

  Myrddin faces us at last, putting his back to the swirling portal.

  “The portal is ready. Now that you’re all done bickering, we can finally discuss our plans...”

  Dragons and riders alike drop their heads in shame now, and there’s just something so off-putting about being scolded by Merlin. It really bruises the ego.

  He demands a lot of respect in the magical world, and rightly so. Even Shadow looks a little ashamed now for being so impatient before.

  I guess we’re all just feeling the pressure of war. No one knows what the outcome will be. The good guys don’t always win after all.

  This time tomorrow, we will descend on the academy. The school where we all met...

  And it’s up to Mendacious to save the day. How bittersweet.

  Myrddin sucks in a deep breath, preparing his speech. “It is with a heavy heart that I must leave you... for now. There’s something I need to do.”

  My heart pounds, and I’m not surprised when everyone shouts, “What?!”

  We talk in unison like they do in cartoons, and we must look so cheesy right now, but who cares...

  Wtf, Merlin? Seriously? Leaving when we need you the most?

  He’s going to pull a Gandalf on us by the looks of it.

  That’s when my eyes pop and now a loud, obnoxious gasp bursts from my lips. Everyone turns my way, and that goes for both dragons and riders.

  I don’t blame them. I didn’t mean to sound like such a dork, but I can’t help myself.

  He’s going to find us a Deus Ex Machina! When all hope is lost and it seems like the enemy is going to win, in comes Merlin on a spaceship!

  Okay, highly unlikely, but still... We need all the help we can find.

  “What are you hiding, Myrddin? Come on, spill it!” I shout.

  Myrddin releases an aggravated sigh. “No, Bryn. You will have to be patient. Besides, I am counting on you to lead my army. My blood runs through your veins after all.”

  Suddenly, I feel as if I’m going to puke all over Brynmawr’s shiny, scarlet scales, and the dragon squirms uncomfortably when he senses my thoughts.

  “Ugh, get off, Bryn...”

  No... I can’t lead in Myrddin’s stead. I’m no leader; I used to be the wallflower in all my group projects at school while the bossier kids took over.

  Myrddin senses my discomfort and moves closer, placing a hand on my combat pants as I’m still perched upon Brynmawr.

  My father’s eyes crinkle as that bright smile never leaves his face. “I trust in you, Bryn. The time has finally come for you to live up to your destiny...”

  I jerk up then, proud. That’s right. I was prophesied to save the world, and now my inner badass shines through as I gaze upon the portal.

  We can do this.

  Just before I announce our departure, a soft voice interrupts. “Bryn?”

  Alarmed, I glance down at my mother. She eyes Brynmawr and all the other dragons warily, looking desperate to speak to me.

  Myrddin shrinks in her presence, and now that confident wizard vanishes when he looks upon the woman of his dreams.

  “Oh, h-hello, J-Jen... N-nice weather we’re having, hey?”

  Damien scoffs beside me. Matthew chuckles.

  Myrddin glances up at the demon and smirks. “Of course... be nonchalant. Hey, Jen... What’s up?”

  I groan, wanting the ground to swallow me up. Damien and Mattie are laughing at my poor father now. They were the ones who told him that the ladies like a nonchalant guy, and I will kick both of their asses.

  Yes, I still have my asses to kick list from first year, and they’ve just gone up several places (right below Diafol and Matthew senior).

  Mom gazes back and forth between me and Myrddin, biting her lip, and I can tell she’s desperate to say what’s on her mind. Myrddin watches her spellbound, not having a clue what to say.

  I roll my eyes, sliding down Brynmawr’s scales, and now I throw my arms around her.

  Mom cries into my hair.

  “It will be fine, Mom. Nothing will happen to us.”

  She sniffs, holding me closer, and she really is so soft and gentle. I have no idea where my tough girl attitude comes from. I definitely didn’t get it from Myrddin (he’s no tough girl) because he’s backing away from my poor, sobbing mother like she will give him the plague or something.

  He should try a hand at comforting her some time. Now that’s what a lady truly wants—a man’s shoulder to cry on.

  One who sticks up for her...

  He already saved her from that gross pig (who probably hasn’t gotten up from where Myrddin left him because he’s that lazy).

  Finally, I pull away and look at my mother’s beautiful, blue eyes. “Mom... we will beat Matthew III and return the world to normal. And you can go back to your life in Texas sans Larry...”

  She squeezes her eyes, then nods. A tear drips down her cheek.

  I look to Myrddin. “Isn’t that right, Professor? Tell Mom how we will all be fine...”

  Myrddin backs away toward his portal, and I can’t believe he is prepared to just leave without saying goodbye to her. This may be his last chance to tell her how he feels. The idiot.

  The wizard scratches his head, and now it’s like “Merlin who?”

  I always thought he was a ladies’ man. Well, according to legend. If he was, then he wouldn’t be getting bad advice from Damien and Matthew.

  “S-sure... we... we will all be fine, Jennifer. Mark my word. Our daughter will return...”

  Mom pulls away from me and approaches Myrddin now, and sweat shines across the wizard’s forehead.

  Jennifer Williams regards him with her big, beautiful doe-eyes, and it’s plain to see she’s doing things to Myrddin.

  In fact, just having her so close does things to him, and I’d rather just get to war.

  I am not ready for this.

  “Myrddin?” Mom says, her tone feather-soft.

  Myrddin swallows. “Y-yes... J-Jennifer?”

  “Do... do you promise to keep our daughter safe?”

  The wizard turns completely speechless as my mother’s words echo through the oasis. He takes several moments to reply before he clears his throat, and now he actually resembles the wizard from all the legends. “I promise, Jennifer...”

  That’s it. Just three words, but they’re enough for my Mom, and now the waterworks come at last.

  “T-thank you...”

  Myrddin’s face breaks as he watches her crying, and it’s obvious he’s desperate to comfort her, but he’s far too shy.

  That’s when my dragon swings his tail around and knocks her off her feet.

  I managed to jump out the way in time, but my poor mom goes flying straight into Myrddin’s arms.

  Like a true hero, he catches her, and Damien and Matthew give obnoxious frat boy sounds.

  Sure, Myrddin gone and got himself the girl at last, but that girl is my mom!

  But my anger should be directed at Brynmawr, the scoundrel. He did that on purpose!

  “Obviously, Bryn...” the dragon replies. “You can thank me later, Boy Wizard...”

  Myrddin scowls at the Red Dragon, but then my mom wraps her arms around him and he freezes. “Keep her safe, Myrddin...”

  Slowly, he places an arm around her too, and pats her back. “I will.”

  Mom lets go of him and looks into his eyes. Then she takes his face in her hands, kisses his lips, and Myrddin melts into a puddle.

  The guys make more frat boy sounds, and I bark, “Shut up!”

  Mom pulls away from the wizard at last, and now they both turn an embarrassing shade of puce.

  Myrddin yanks on his starry tie, getting all hot under
the collar. “Well... that was certainly unexpected... Th-thank you, Jennifer...”

  Mom dips her head. “Just something I’ve been waiting to do for twenty years... I’d... never stopped thinking about you, Myrddin... ever. It’s... always been you...”

  Myrddin watches her dumbfounded. But then he smiles all smug-like, putting on a show as he puffs out his chest.

  “Well, I best be off. Leave it to me, Bryn...”

  And then he disappears through the portal.

  I climb back up my dragon. Just before we follow Myrddin through the gateway, Megan and Sophie arrive, and my old pin glistens on the redhead’s shirt.

  I spot the Dancing Dragons emblem on the shiny brass and smile to myself. It’s Brynmawr and Gwyneira, of course, and it’s hard to believe that I am riding one of those dragons into battle.

  Matthew rides the other dragon, my old nemesis. But look how far we have come. Now we’re lovers and comrades-in-arms, and we will defeat his father.

  I’m positive of it.

  Myrddin has entrusted the spirit world to Megan in his absence. In fact, one of her jobs is to find as many people as she can and teleport them back to the oasis with the pin if things go pear-shaped.

  If all goes wrong, then humans will perish. I’m not sure how many spirit worlds Myrddin has in his possession, but there should be enough to save a number of people.

  The humans will not go extinct. Not with my fellow Zoology student around.

  Megan smiles and waves. “Good luck saving the world, Bryn.”

  I smirk. “You too, Meg...”

  Chapter 22 - Bryn

  We crash-land in a clearing a few miles away from the academy on our dragons, and now we’re back in the supernatural world once again.

  The frozen comet beams down on us as we set up camp, and all I can do is wonder just how on earth it got stuck in the sky.

  I’m carrying a pile of firewood. I was supposed to be helping with making a fire, but the comet’s way more interesting.

  “What are you staring at?” Mattie says, coming up beside me.

  I shrug. “How that big ass comet got stuck in the sky? I never asked Myrddin, but what’s it all about? How did it end up there?”

  Matthew shrugs along with me. “Who knows? It’s just one of those things we don’t question. It was there when my father attended the academy...”