Rule 9 Academy Series Boxset: Books 3-5 Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy (Rule 9 Academy Box Sets (3 Book Series) 2)

by Elizabeth Rain

  Once more my eyes fell on the Yeti. At seven foot tall, he was the only one of us that was holding his own. His wicked claws cleaving flesh neat and his savage jaws bearing them down until many didn’t get up.

  But we were losing. I ducked and rolled to my feet, flinging twin stars from my fingers, calling my fire on impact at two vampires that charged me at the same time. Both were direct hits and center of their throats. It barely slowed them down. It took a lot to kill a blood sucker.

  I reached for two more stars and my breath stuttered when I realized I was out. I looked to the side behind Bale and realized Emerald had broken free for a quick second, using Bale as cover.

  She caught my eye, her expression grim and way too adult. “Throw me your bow and call your dragon Sadie, fly us over the wall!”

  I hesitated and felt the claws of a vampire sink deep into my shoulder for not paying attention. Those claws pulled me in towards a set of snapping teeth. The rage hit me then, and I didn’t even think of whether it was the smart thing to do. I tossed my bow and called the beast. The change roared over me, and even as I felt the graze of teeth my own were expanding and my jaw lengthening. With a scream of pure hate, I turned and sank my own teeth deep, shaking my head as the change hit me and flinging the limp vamp aside like a doll. He wouldn’t be chomping on anyone else’s neck for quite a while.

  The ground trembled as my dragon shifted, roaring her rage.

  Jerry scrambled aboard, followed by Elise and Nicholas. But despite my size, and the swing of my tail that swept them aside with a single flick, they kept coming. They pulled at my riders and their claws sank beneath my scales and drew dragon’s blood until it ran freely along my sides and neck. And the weight… I tried to spread my wings, but the weight of pressing bodies prevented them from expanding.

  Jerry screamed and I knew teeth had found their mark and my dragon’s heart thudded with despair.

  A sudden higher pitched call sounded and everyone hesitated. It had sounded like something large and dying being gutted. The pathetic sound drew the vamp’s attention and mine too. Only twenty feet away stood the Yeti, his arms high and his fur matted with blood. Behind him, hefting my bow with skill, stood Emerald. She held something in her hand she’d pulled from her pocket.

  Once more the Yeti screamed the same pathetic call that made me cringe in horror. But it was like a coming to dinner call for the vamps. As a unit they sprung away from me and my passengers and converged on the Yeti en mass. They were nearly on him when Emerald tossed something high over his head and swung the bow around and fired, hitting the small bag square.

  An explosion of pink mist split the air and fell in a cloud, covering his head and shoulders. Immediately she threw another as the first vamps reached him. And then he disappeared beneath them as they climbed each other’s backs trying to reach their helpless prey. Two more sachets took a direct hit, covering the squirming mass of vampires and one Yeti who had sacrificed himself.

  I pulled myself back with a savage yank and spread my wings, the whirl of sudden wind sending the weaving grass flat as I felt the lift. Below, Emerald was running for the gates that led to the tunnels. I lifted off, my wings beating with everything I had to make it over the walls of the courtyard with the added weight. My last view of Emerald was of her slim figure as the doors closed behind her.

  And then I was beyond the castle and flying low over the small stretch of prairie that covered the secret passages. I came in for a landing near the woods and weita tree that concealed the passage doorway, where Emerald should emerge if she’d made it.

  Everyone tumbled from my back and I moved off a pace to change back, conscious of not wanting to give anyone a show as I pulled a set of clothes from the satchel I made sure I was never without. By the time I made it back, Emerald had still not emerged. Elise stood at the open door leading down and waited, her face a picture of motherly anxiety.

  Nick hovered over Jerry, blue light flickering from his fingers as they moved over his neck and shoulders. I assumed he was working to do what he could to repair the damage somehow. It was something new I hadn’t seen him do with his sorcery. If it worked, it would be the beginning of a lengthy conversation between us when I got him alone.

  I got closer and bent down in concern. Jerry’s eyes, dark with pain, met mine. But he was conscious. The vamp’s teeth had razed an open slice from the side of his neck straight down across his shoulder. But it appeared the bleeding had slowed, and though his shirt was wet with blood, he looked better than I expected him to. Whatever Nicholas was doing, it appeared to be helping.

  My eyes met Nick’s. I knew my exhaustion was mirrored by his own. If something, anything, followed Emerald down that tunnel, they’d have an easy time of it. There wasn’t a one of us that had anything left to give in the fight department.

  A whimper from Elise drew our attention and our eyes shot to where hers had focused and lit up. From out of the darkness limped Emerald, and straight into her mother’s shaking arms. “I left my heart on that field. I was sure you’d made it. But what if they saw and followed…” she whispered, shuddering with emotion.

  It occurred to me that those who thought all vampires were inhuman monsters had never witnessed what I had.

  “That was clever, Emerald. And your skill with that bow is… just wow. But we all saw the Shadow Guild sentry take Jerry’s pack with all the antidote in it. How did you get a hold of it?”

  Emerald stepped away from her mother, her expression stark. “I saw last night in the shelter. Or thought I saw us all die and the bag was gone. I didn’t know where it went, only that we didn’t have it and we died in Wyndoor Castle because of it. My visions allow me glimpses of the future. They are almost never complete and they aren’t always right. But when I was looking at the sachets? Well, I decided later while you slept that I should maybe keep a few of them back, just in case.”

  I nodded. She’d just saved all of our lives. “I’m sorry about your friend, Bale.”

  She nodded. “I didn’t know he was going to do that. But I knew what I had to do to make his move count so we could get away. They were all right there, and I’ve got to think, though it was only like five bombs, they should have all taken some of it in. Maybe it will be enough. I think we should all wait a few hours to check though.”

  Jerry spoke up. “Yeah, about that. No offense, but if you don’t mind, I believe I’ll let you and your mother handle that one. The checking on them, I mean.” He reached up and held the patch of gauze that Nicholas had covered his wound with in place. It was pink around the edges but was doing the job.

  Nicholas gave a short laugh. “I think we should all take that advice,” he agreed. “Thank God for your friend, Emerald. We couldn’t have done it without Bale. We won’t forget his death.”

  Emerald blinked at him. “What are you talking about? He’s not dead.”

  We all stared at her. Maybe the fight had rattled her brains. We’d clearly seen him disappear beneath a mountain of snapping teeth and ripping claws.

  Emerald shook her head, the beginnings of a cheeky smile creasing her lips. “No, he drew them to him on purpose. Sent them a cry to dinner they couldn’t ignore, and then the blood bags, all that pink mist they couldn’t resist. They did some damage for sure before he could sink beneath the pack and disappear. But it takes a lot more than some rogue vampire to kill my friend,” she stated proudly. Beside her, while she spoke, the Yeti revealed himself. His fur was damp and pink in spots, and there were several darker areas that were fresh wounds. He hadn’t come out of the fight unscathed.

  None of us could prevent the brilliant grins that split our faces. He didn’t know what to do with so much emotion aimed in his direction. Bale made a loud chuffing sound and shook his head. And disappeared.

  “I hate to break up the party, but we aren’t done here. Right now the Judge is on his way back to Drae Hallow and Breathless. We have to get to Nick’s father, Mayor Seul, and let him know what’s going on. I don’t
know about you, but I don’t trust Fino Vas a wit. My instincts tell me that what he’s done here is just the beginning. He has big plans, and it’s up to us to stop him.”

  Elise spoke up. “Agreed. But Emerald and I will not be traveling through the portal with you. Our work here is not done. We’ll go as far as the dimensional doorway, make sure you get through safe. After, it will be time for us to check and see if the antidote has done its job.”

  “And if it hasn’t?”

  “Then you probably won’t be seeing us anytime soon, right?” Elise added with a dark laugh.

  “You are not funny, Elise.” I growled. “If it isn’t doing its job, cross over and make your way to the Major. He can hide you until we can get to you and help. Remember, that was just a few of the afflicted. There are other cells and there is no more antidote…”

  Jerry spoke, “Let me help with that one. Emerald, leave me a blood sample before you leave us. And Sadie, Nick? Get me back to the Major’s secret room. While you kids head to talk with Lucas, I’ll be making more sachets.”

  He pushed himself to his feet, unsteady but determined. I’d known so many people, human and Magical alike in my life that deserved my admiration, but Jerry was one of the most courageous.

  Elise nodded. “I’ll send a runner in a few days, hopefully, to collect some of that. I have a feeling we’re going to be needing it.”

  The rest of us gathered what was left of our belongings. It was time to go and we were out of time.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Oddly enough, we made it back through two sets of woods and as many open plains to the Portal leading into Drae Hallow with nothing trying to eat us. Due to the fact that the portal was a known passage both to and from each dimension, we had become used to the Rule 9 Guard and Fino’s men lying in wait for us when we crossed.

  But I reminded myself; they thought we were dead, which brought us anonymity. I’d forgotten what it was like to walk the trails along Bane Lake without having someone stalk our every move.

  I felt a rush of anxiety in my need to get to Mayor Seul and spill what we knew. The drawn look of worry on Nicholas’ face told me he felt the need to rush as well. I wanted to say something, offer comfort. But Jerry was with us and at least for the time being, I did nothing. Healthy and whole, Jerry would have been fine to make his own way. But being bitten by a vampire could wreck one’s day. We needed to make sure he got home where the Major and Kimmy could look after him.

  It seemed to take forever once we reached the other side of Shephard’s Mountain to take the trail that led down to Breathless and cut up towards the Tuttle farm.

  “I should have another batch put together and ready in the next couple days.” Jerry gasped, trying to catch his breath.

  “Don’t talk, Jerry. Save your strength. There will be plenty of time later to discuss it.” Nick admonished, reaching out to lend Jerry a hand. But he waved him off and grit his teeth.

  “I’ve got this dang it. I’m not that decrepit.”

  I rolled my eyes. “A vampire bit you. Most humans I know would be hysterical and in shock.”

  He sent me a baleful stare, a fine sheen of sweat beading his brow. I didn’t like the glassy look in his eyes. “I’m not most humans,” he informed us.

  I ground my teeth. No, he most certainly was not.

  By the time we covered the final mile straight up to the Tuttle farm, Jerry had relinquished some of his pride. Enough that Nick and I had to assist him from each side.

  When we walked into the yard, the Major was on the porch swing puffing away on a pipe and watching the sun go down. Kimmy was at his side reading.

  Both jumped up in alarm and came down the porch steps to intercept us.

  The Major took one horrified look at the blood-stained gauze at jerry’s throat and put two and two together and came up with five. “Get the med kit Kimmy and meet me in the barn.”

  We wasted no time in disappearing behind that secret door and closing ourselves in. Jerry was staggering at that point, and burning with fever.

  Kimmy was back within minutes and they both took him over, assisting him to the same cot Emerald had vacated less than 24 hours earlier.

  Nick spoke up, “Are you guys going to be okay with him. That’s a pretty serious fever. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, they bit him.”

  I laughed; uneasy. “Um, he won’t like, turn will he?’ The Major shot me a ludicrous glance as he uncovered the nasty wound at Jerry’s throat.

  “What, this little nibble? Don’t give those blood sucker’s more credit than they deserve.” Kimmy helped ease Jerry back and removed his shoes. The Major was already at work cleaning the jagged edges of the wound.

  “Major?”

  He looked up at me in question.

  “We can’t stay. What happened in Wyndoor was no accident. We have to talk to Nick’s dad. He has to know what he—we are up against.” The Major’s eyes darkened and he nodded, mouth drawing into a fine line.

  “You’d both best get at it then.”

  I looked at Jerry. “You listen to what they tell you, get better, okay?”

  Jerry gave us a wan smile. “Workin’ on it.”

  We left without a further word.

  #

  By the time we traveled back the way we’d come and ended up in Bitterroot at the Seul residence, we were both dragging. We might have been Magicals, but we’d both put too many miles on our feet and they felt like they were on fire.

  Lucas Seul took one look at us both and ushered us in the door. “We just sat down to supper and there’s plenty. Fried chicken and all the fixings. You both look like you could eat. Cold iced tea to go with it as well.”

  I struggled to hold back a moan. Nick wasn’t so reticent as his eyes lit up and he left me standing, struggling with my shoes. He was already sitting at the table and dishing a plate when I came in and smiled at Wendy Seul, sitting with an abject look of relief on her face as she stared at her son with hungry eyes. I knew she’d worried. I hadn’t missed the look of gratitude Lucas had sent his son on our arrival either.

  I sat beside Nick and waited long enough for them to pass me a dish, before I was filling my own plate and digging in.

  “This is amazing, Mrs. Seul,” I moaned.

  “There’s dessert too. Apple cake.”

  My taste buds nearly cried.

  After supper, while Wendy wheeled herself into the kitchen for the cake, Nicholas and I shared what we’d come for.

  “They call themselves the Shadow Guild. And Fino Vas is their leader. He’s behind the poisoning of the vampires,” Nick added grimly.

  “He was there, in Wyndoor. He left us to die. It was his plan. No witnesses to share the fact he was responsible.” I smiled at Wendy as she cut a large slice of cake and handed it to me.

  “I think he was behind the rogue vampire attack on Bitterroot, too.” I mumbled around my second bite. I moaned as the cinnamon and apple exploded on my tongue.“Mrs. Seul, you are killing me. This is awesome, thanks.”

  “You are welcome, and please call me Wendy outside of class. Mrs. Seul makes me sound old.”

  Lucas rolled his eyes at his wife. “Not likely, but this is delicious as always. And to think I’m just worried about packing on the pounds when you cook.”

  His expression darkened when he turned back to us. “You told me he left you to die. But here you are. How did you escape?”

  I exchanged a secretive look with Nicholas, whose lips twitched with sudden humor. “Well, let’s just say that sometimes salvation comes from the most unusual of places. We’ll share that later. But what I’m worried about is what the Judge is going to do now that he’s back. We don’t know where he is and that scares us. Is he in Breathless now? Or did he return to Seattle? What I don’t believe for one minute is that this is all he’s about. I said it before, I think this is just the start of what he plans.”

  Nick spoke up, his cake finished before mine. He looked in my direction. “Remember, he said he w
as setting things up so the Vampire Nation could take its rightful place and recognize him as their leader.”

  I considered what he said. “So, what do you think he has planned for here? Poisoning the vamps in Wyndoor and getting them to cross over into Drae Hallow was a stretch, but it was doable as we saw. No way are they going to be able to cross over into Breathless or Seattle…” and just like that it hit me and I felt dizzy with horror. Suddenly I wasn’t guessing at all. I knew.

  My eyes met the Mayor’s and widened in alarm. “Bitterroot was just the test. He as much as said they were. The toxin… he’s going to taint the blood banks in Seattle. Poison his own people and set them loose on the innocent civilians there. It will be a bloodbath.” I stated a fact.

  “He’s mad,” Nick breathed. “No way can he hope to pull them back and control them. That’s lunacy.”

  Lucas Seul lurched to his feet, tossing his napkin on the table. He sent an apologetic look to his wife. “Sorry, but I think I have to go. I’ve got to call and have them gas up the helicopter. I’m going to Portland.”

  “What?” Wendy Seul screeched in alarm; her own dessert forgotten as she stared at her husband in horror. “Surely you don’t think you can stop them!”

  Lucas’ mouth formed a thin line. “No, I don’t. But I know who can. I need to go over Fino’s head and speak to the Supreme Elder, head of the Vampire Nation. Shayla Silvers has a fall home there, and maybe I can get her to listen to reason.”

  I blinked in surprise. “Fall home? Is that like having a summer cottage in the south?”

  Lucas nodded. “Well, when you’ve lived for centuries like she has, you have plenty of time to amass a fortune. I’ve heard she’s partial to the fall color tour there.”