The Roses Academy- the Entire Collection

by Tara Brown

  He reached for my hand. “O, you're mine. Even though you're foul tempered and a bit more jealous than I had anticipated and still dating that shifter.” He drew me in and gently brushed his soft lips against mine. “You're mine.”

  I wanted to push him away.

  I wanted to be angry but I couldn’t.

  I kissed him back.

  His tongue slipped into my mouth.

  His hands pushed up into my hair. He gripped it slightly and pulled my head back from his. “I expect you will deal with the young shifter.”

  “I’m not talking about this with you.” I shoved him away. “You’re old and kind of like my uncle. And evil. And this is weird. Forced. It’s forced.”

  “Soul mates. The term is ‘soul mates.’ And I’m not old, I’m timeless.”

  “I don't trust you,” I whispered, hating the way I felt about him. “Let’s stick to the facts of the problems we have. Like where is my brother, really?”

  He darted his gaze around before he sat on a log next to me. “Tristan’s a prisoner. He's a sweet kid. He wants you to win. He wants to be free.”

  I swallowed hard. “Where's your son?”

  “With Tristan. They're friends. Well, that’s not entirely true. They're lovers. They want nothing more than to live together and be together in a sunny place, where they will never have to see Jonathan again.”

  I was confused. “Why would you let your only son live there? In those conditions?”

  “I don't control my son. He wanted it. He knew, early on, Tristan was his.”

  “My brother’s gay?”

  “Yeah.” He smiled softly. “Very gay, if that’s the way of saying it.”

  “Aww, that makes it so much worse. Him being gay with some tyrant as a father. We have to save him.”

  Oliver appeared lost. “The plan is to save him.”

  I sat next to him on the log. “What is the plan? What is your plan?”

  “I would very much like to make love—”

  “No. That's a creepy answer. I’m not losing my virginity in the forest. That’s weird.” My stomach dropped.

  “Virginity?” He seemed as uncomfortable as I was. “That changes things. Yes, let’s focus on the plan. We need to rally the troops. We have that friend of Aimee's who made the weapons for Jonathan with Marcus’ hellfire, last time. So, at least Jonathan won't have that this time around. He has sent me here with a message that your brother is getting the powers and that he has Abbey. Of course he still has her. He assumes you will come to him. That's going to happen again, but this time when I capture you with him, you will trust me. You come alone with me and let Lorri and Dorian go with the others. When he makes the trade of your sister for Aimee, she can't fight. He will let Aimee live if he has no reason to kill her.” I scrutinized him sharply. He put his hands up. “As far as I know, he doesn’t. I know his entire plan. I helped him come up with it.”

  “Why are you helping us?”

  He bent and kissed my lips softly. “You.”

  “No, there has to be something else.”

  He laughed softly. “Believe me, O, you are enough of a reason. You've given me something I've never known before.”

  “Just promise me you’ll protect Abbey. I made the mistake of assuming that since I was with the Roses Academy longer this time, Abbey was safe.”

  “I will.” He said it and I believed him.

  I was starting to believe everything about him.

  Chapter 31

  Don't think with your juju

  Ophelia

  We sat together and watched Giselle change. Her body healed rapidly. The guards at Lydia’s let her back inside.

  When she woke, Giselle cried for an hour about being back at Lydia's. Her skin glowed again, instead of being yellow and clammy.

  Aleks strode in. “Hey. Oliver wants us to meet with him. We need to go over the plan for tomorrow.”

  “We shouldn’t trust him.” Aimee darted her gaze at mine. “No offense.”

  “None taken. I agree but, he did this.” I pointed at Giselle hugging Lydia.

  Lorri crossed her arms. “You know, I was thinking the same thing, but then it dawned on me that he never told Jonathan about Ari. Jonathan was completely surprised by that one. I suspect he’s actually on our side. He’s just doing his usual bullshit.”

  “What?”

  “He’s the most selfish person ever—ever. He's doing all of this because he loves you.” Her eyes darted to me too. “I never thought I would see him fall in love. Ever.”

  “What about the mother of his son?” I asked.

  “Slave,” Lorri replied, making my stomach turn.

  “Jesus.” Aimee scowled.

  “Morons.” Lorri sounded more indifferent than I believed she was. “They didn’t like the idea that we were to help the humans. They saw them as weak and infantile and fun.”

  Aleks scoffed. “Humans are those things.”

  “God loves them. He wants them kept safe. That was the mission. He never wanted them used for anything or abused by things they couldn’t fight off. Oliver and Jonathan couldn’t understand that. They let the temptation in the air taint them.”

  I remembered what Sam had said about his mother and Lorri and glanced down. I didn't want her to know Aimee and I both knew about it.

  Lydia was stern. “You need to go. Ophelia’s birthday is in a few days.”

  “Fine.” Aimee flashed us to the place in the photo Aleks held.

  The smell of dust and cedar filled my nose. Oliver sat on the couch in a huge room with peaked windows that made up an entire wall. The moonlight was too dim to see outside, but it was obviously a skiing lodge.

  “Who’s ski lodge?” Ari grinned. “Is this Roses Academy territory? I have always dreamed of a place like this.”

  “It’s not ours. It’s Marcus’. But if you like it, you could buy one.” Aleks started to laugh. “You're going to have to start investing, like Lucas.”

  Ari looked at him. “Huh? With what?”

  Lucas’ tone was nonchalant. “I have money.”

  Ari raised an eyebrow. “You have money?”

  “I invest.” He grinned. “I get Annabelle to help me out. Same as Lorri does.”

  Aimee laughed. “Oh my God, you live in your room at Lydia's for free and have money?”

  Lucas frowned. “I like it there. I didn’t want to live in Wolfville.”

  My ears perked up. “I always forget you’re from Wolfville too.”

  He grinned. “Yup. Same town as you. Only I lived on the outskirts, like far out.”

  “That's so crazy.”

  Ari spoke seriously, “You have money?” She wasn’t dropping it.

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  Aleks poked her. “Maybe if you guys spent more time talking and getting to know one another and less time—”

  “Thank you, Aleks.” Ari's face flushed. “I'm pretty sure that’s exactly how we will be spending our evenings from now on.”

  Aleks turned to Lucas. “Sorry, bro.”

  Lucas scowled. “What the heck?”

  Ari went to a couch and sat down. Dorian flashed in. He grinned at Oliver but sat next to Aimee. “Brother.”

  Oliver began, “Well, let’s make a plan then, shall we?”

  The plan wasn't too far off from last time.

  When the unofficial meeting was over, I wandered the huge skiing lodge, exploring. The lights had been dimmed throughout. Oliver said it was built on sacred land so I didn’t have to worry about the shadows and darkness. Marcus had built his castle on sacred land as well, which was why we were always safe there. It reminded me that Aimee’s ex-boyfriend's house was also constructed on sacred land. Everyone seemed to be aware of the benefits of building on sacred land and the dark swirl issue.

  I had no idea of the power that existed in the world.

  A hand touched me and immediately I was in a dark room.

  I put a hand out to feel Oliver in front of me. I knew
it was him.

  His fingers brushed my arms.

  “Oliver, I can’t do this.”

  “Why?” He stepped in, surrounding me with his warmth as he mouthed into my cheek, “I did notice his absence from the evening’s festivities. Did you end things with him?”

  “Yeah, but not for you. I did it because it was the right thing to do.”

  “You mean because you belong to me and we’re meant to be together?” His breath tickled my cheek.

  “I don't know that. I know you make me feel weird. You make me uncomfortable and lost.”

  “But I also make you feel like you’re supposed to be with me, admit it.” He tilted my head as my eyes adjusted to the light.

  “Fine.” I sighed. “You’re like home and I don't ever want to leave. But it’s magic, I know it is.”

  “It’s not magic, I swear. I have never used magic on you. Not once.” His eyes glistened in the light. “I love you because you exist. No other reason.”

  It was a fairly magical sentence.

  Chapter 32

  Betrayed again

  Aimee

  “The hallway’s the same,” I muttered to Hanna.

  “I know. This whole place is creepy.” Hanna sounded uneasy.

  Ophelia was already gone. Dorian had gone to look for her while we searched the cells which we had to find on our own this time, without Blake as a tour guide. We were there without Giselle, Lydia, or Brandon.

  They stayed behind.

  It was weird being there a second time.

  I hated that it was where Alise and Blake were tortured and made to do things against their will. Where Ophelia’s mom was a victim of rape and solitary confinement.

  It was gross to imagine it all.

  It made my blood boil.

  We left Sam’s mom in her cell. Without Sam with us to care if she was saved or not, Hanna became the only one who bothered to mention her when we first arrived.

  Lorri called her a traitorous slut and that was the end of the conversation.

  Oliver appeared in the long corridor as we opened the cell, knowing we wouldn’t find Abbey, but frightened she might be sacrificed if we didn’t stick to the plan.

  “Hello, Aimee.” Oliver did a better job of acting than I did.

  Aleks stared at me and whispered, “Your line.”

  I rolled my eyes. “What could you possibly want from us?”

  Oliver tilted his head. “You, Aimee.”

  “Great.” I moved closer to him. “Fine, done. Everyone else walks free.”

  Oliver flashed to the far side of the hall opposite us. “Walk out the door behind you into the snow. There is a courtyard. Stay there. We will meet you outside.” He was gone.

  I glanced over at Ari. “He's awfully theatrical.”

  “Yup.” She stifled a laugh.

  Aleks pointed to the door. “Ladies first.”

  The cold arctic air blasted us, once more. Again, I noted it was miserably cold for July as I scanned the white courtyard for movement.

  I knew it was coming.

  Luke lowered and growled as Oliver marched toward us. In his hand he had a thin girl. I knew it was Abbey. She looked much worse this time.

  Like before, her body was covered in sores. I assumed they were bite marks. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, like bedhead. Her jeans were ripped and torn, and her light-blue tee shirt was bloody. But she was thinner and more beaten down.

  Another man entered the courtyard with Oliver. It was Jonathan. The memory of the fire hitting me in the stomach crept into my mind. Ari put a hand on me. “It's okay.”

  “I know,” I breathed.

  Jonathan smiled and held his hands out. “Roses Academy. It's wonderful to meet you all. Sorry for being such a poor host. I'm sure you understand the time constraints placed upon me, what with Ophelia and Tristan turning eighteen and all.”

  Aimee stepped forward. The world fuzzed as I spoke the same words as last time, “Look, you want me to stay. I want them all to go free. Cut the shit and niceties.”

  He chuckled. “Aimee, I like your style.”

  I cringed, waiting for the gunshot.

  He pulled his hands from behind his back but there was no gun this time. We hadn’t killed any of his men or stolen his siren. “You remind me of Lorri, before she became old and stodgy Lorri. She used to be fun and carefree.” Jonathan’s dark eyes flashed at me. “I'll give you this thing here if you'll stay, as my guest obviously.”

  “Deal. Everyone walks.”

  “Hanna, you are welcome to stay. Marcus can't be nearly as fun as a cursed vampire. I'm a born. I have talents he doesn’t have.”

  Hanna chuckled and smiled. “If you want me to stay, then Aimee and O go home.”

  “Touché.” He laughed again. It was so fake I almost rolled my eyes, but I didn't want to give him a reason to bring out the gun.

  Even if I hated the smug expression on his face and wanted nothing more than a reason to suck his soulless body dry.

  I turned and smiled at Aleks, lost for a second in his crystal-blue eyes. “I'm yours and nothing he does can change that.”

  Aleks flinched, unprepared for me to say that.

  He reached for me but I took a step toward Oliver. Oliver released the thin, frightened Abbey. She was visibly disoriented as she stumbled forward, rubbing her sore-covered wrists. “Where is my sister?”

  I smiled at the frightened girl. “She's waiting for you,” I whispered and glanced back at Aleks. He nodded. His jaw was clenched. He seemed pissed.

  Oliver's fingers closed around my wrist and he flashed to a dark cell. It reminded me of Marcus’ dungeon. He was such a weirdo.

  “This is your new home.”

  I laughed. “Till I flash out.” I was smug. I couldn't fight it.

  Behind him tears poured down Ophelia’s face, real tears. Her dark-colored eye was creepy black against the light one. I started to panic, seeing her face as my hands were secured to the wall in a fabric. I tried to flash out of it. But I couldn't.

  I was stuck.

  Ophelia’s mouth was gagged with the fabric.

  A huge man came to stand next to Oliver. His massive fist came at my face fast, with no warning or words. My head slammed into the rock wall behind me.

  “I can’t believe you fell for it twice.” Oliver smiled and walked to O. He stroked her cheek. “Don't try anything. The fabric is made from Lillith's hair. It interrupts power, if you can imagine anything so bizarre.”

  I grinned as the fist slammed into my face again. “When I kill you, I will rip your soul from your eyeballs.” I tried to focus my eyes but the fist slammed into my face again. It hurt more than anything I’d ever endured. I was sure my head was bleeding in the back.

  Ophelia’s muffled cries filled the room.

  Darkness took my eyesight as an evil and creepy laugh filled my mind and the fist hit me again and again.

  Epilogue

  Ophelia

  The sight of the dark blood pouring from the cuts on Aimee's face sickened me. Her head hung low now with a pool of the dark blood beneath it so I couldn't tell if she was still bleeding.

  The quiet darkness inside the cell was frightening. I felt dirty and afraid. Oliver had conned me, again.

  I wriggled my lips enough to move the fabric from them. “Aimes.” I searched the darkness. “Aimes,” I whispered a little louder. “Aimee.”

  Aimee stirred and lifted her head. “What?”

  Her face was no longer beaten. Her healing powers still existed which meant some of our magic mustn't be blocked.

  “Where are we? Why does my head hurt?” She coughed and cleared her throat. “Oh shit. Your boyfriend really is evil.”

  “My sister got out though, right?”

  “I hope so. Jesus. I was flashed in here.”

  “Oh.” I winced, wondering if Abbey was safe. “Your face is healed. The fabric that keeps our powers isn’t taking everything from you. Plus, that guy shoul
d have split your head open. So it means we have some magic, not much, but some. What else can you do?”

  “I don't know.” Aimee shook her head. “I can't flash or feel the fire in my hands.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah.”

  My hope faded. “Shit.”

  Aimee squinted as if trying to concentrate. “You hear that?”

  “No.” I listened and bit my lip.

  She put her head down, pretending to be asleep again. I did the same when I heard it. Voices. My lip trembled as the footsteps got louder. Men's voices filled the cell.

  It sounded like two guys.

  “You're making noise.”

  “Shut up. I'm not even talking to you right now.”

  “You just did.”

  “I hate you.”

  “Ophelia?” Whoever spoke was wearing silver python-skin Christian Louboutin boots. In Alaska?

  My hope returned as I lifted my gaze and grinned when my own face, although more manly, stared back at me. “Tristan?”

  He squealed and jumped at me. “O, my little O-cake!”

  “What?”

  A dark-haired guy, who was almost the spitting image of Oliver, sighed. “Oh my goddess, he has been working on nicknames for you since the blue girls told him you were alive.”

  “You must be Oliver's son?”

  He smiled. “Yes, and I hear you two are quite close to hooking up. Let me just go on the record with a firm gross.”

  Tristan shivered. “Extra gross. Anyway, this is my ex, Phillip.” He emphasized the “ex.”

  Phillip wrapped his arms around Tristan and kissed his cheek. “I'll never ex you. You'll have to kill me first.”

  I couldn’t believe how much my brother looked like me. “That’s Aimee, Tristan, and Phillip.” I pointed to everyone in the room.

  Aimee cocked an eyebrow. “Look at those boots. Your gay brother is our rescue?” she muttered, maybe not intentionally aloud.

  Phillip smiled. “Maybe we like to be called homosexual. Maybe we get offended by the term ‘gay.’”

  “Oh my God. I’m sorry.” Aimee flushed red.

  Tristan burst into laughter. Phillip walked over and untied Aimee. “Girl, you gotta mellow out. You look really tense.” Tristan chatted nonchalantly as he untied her hands. “Dad is a shit, O. A major shit. He's been torturing your other sister for, like weeks. Anyway, Oliver couldn’t come up with a better plan than this one.”