Dark Angel Academy (The Complete Series)

by G. Bailey

  Ren writes something in the air before uttering one word. “Lumito.” A burning light bursts into existence in front of me, making a rectangle shape before it stops spreading. I step closer and run my fingers across the light, and it feels like touching cold silk.

  “Vampires have old magic, like none the world has ever seen. With training, we can travel anywhere we want and even stop death,” he whispers to me, stepping to my side. “Vampires are magic like nothing the world has ever had.”

  “Can I do this?” I question, lowering my hand and meeting Ren’s gaze.

  “I am unsure.” His brow furrows. “You are not like anyone I’ve met. You come from a vampire bloodline, even diluted with human blood, you are so powerful, and you can see ghosts. It is very possible your powers will be stronger than mine.” He smiles and shakes his head. “But this is a date, come on.”

  “Wait, I never said it was a—” I gasp on the end of my sentence as Ren tugs me through the portal, which wraps around all of my body before vanishing, leaving me in the street with Ren. The street is nearly empty, only a few couples walking around, and I can hear waves crashing in the distance. In front of us is a row of small shops, all selling fast food, and the one in the middle sells just ice cream by the looks of it.

  “I’ve missed ice cream,” Ren tells me as he leads me across the quiet road. “Being dead makes you realise you should have eaten ice cream more, or anything you like, more often. I was always so busy, so focused on the coven, that I didn’t stop to enjoy the little things.”

  “Is it hard to be the leader of the vampires?” I question as we get to the window of the shop. Ren doesn’t answer me as we head inside and the shop assistant smiles at us. I pick a chocolate ice cream, and Ren gets a vanilla before paying, and we head outside. Walking down the street, we eat our ice creams in pace, and it feels so normal. We stop outside an antique store, and I look in at the old chair they are selling and the birdbath, which is pretty. I end up watching Ren’s reflection in the glass, the wave of emotions and answers that flicker over his eyes. “My mother died in labour with me, like most female vampires do. Our death rates in childbirth are very high, and my father brought me up. He was cold, impassive and ruled the coven with an iron fist. He told me it was the only way to ensure the coven would be safe and under complete control...and it did work. Everyone feared him, especially me, and then his mistress killed him. It was unexpected, and she killed herself straight afterwards. Then the angels attacked and killed everyone I ever knew. I watched vampire children murdered, and all I did was run away, terrified.”

  “That is horrifying,” I whisper. “You had no choice but to run. It’s an instinct.”

  He humourlessly laughs. “Now I look back, I wonder if it would have been better if I never ruled at all. That I died then and there instead of running. I became the king of what was left of the coven overnight, at only eighteen, and I was clueless. I became obsessed with a way to free my people, to give them a chance to live a real life, not hidden away in the mountains, never seeing the world around us. You know what happened when I went to the angels and tried to make peace.”

  “Instead, you became a monster just like the angels, Ren,” I sadly say, wishing it wasn’t the truth, but it is. “Angels are in chains, trapped and locked up under your rule. The angels above can’t attack the academy because you will kill the angels they are sworn to protect. There isn’t peace. You have their young. Many of their children, like Henry.”

  “I’m not the monster in this world, Kaitlyn,” Ren growls, and without a care for the humans around us, he makes another portal right in the middle of the road. Taking my hand, he steers me to the portal and through it to another street.

  But this one I know so well. Just like the tiny house in front of me. The slate roof, the dark brown brick walls, and white framed windows make my heart ache for my old home. The home I grew up in with rose bushes by the front door and a wooden duck my dad bought my mum for one of their anniversaries. I take a step forward as I see my mum walk out of the yellow front door with a bag of rubbish in her hands.

  “Hello!” she says, smiling at us both with not a care in the world. Her messy blonde locks of hair fly around in the wind, and she has a few more wrinkles on her face than she did a year ago. “My husband never takes the rubbish out, such a lazy man, aye?”

  Any words get trapped in my throat as I stare at my mother, who doesn’t know me at all. I feel gutted, lost and in pain as I look at her.

  Ren laughs, wrapping an arm around my waist, and in my shock, I don’t move. “We are newlyweds, so I still take the rubbish out.”

  My mum’s eyes twinkle with humour at Ren’s lie, and she looks closer at me. “That won’t last, make the most of it.” She pauses, staring at me a little closer, but never steps off the curb into the road. “Do...I mean, have we met?”

  “No, we are new to the town. Just on a walk,” I find myself saying, my voice surprisingly neutral even when it hurts so much. Even when every inch of me wants to run to my mum’s arms and hold her tightly and never once let go.

  But she doesn’t know me. She smiles and shakes her head of curls. “Never mind. Well, see you both around. Have a lovely night!”

  I watch my mum walk into her house before the first tear falls, and then so many follow it. My past is gone, wiped away into dust. I hardly notice as Ren steps in front of me, his hands cupping my cheeks and his thumbs wiping away my tears. “Who is the real monster? How can the angels be good when they do this? When they take so much?”

  Maybe Ren is right...this world isn’t black and white. Somewhere in the grey, I need to find someone to fight for.

  And would it be the worst thing in the world if that someone was closer than I thought possible?

  Chapter 38

  “Welcome to vampire defence, Miss Lightson, my name is Mr. Evetide,” the snooty, thin man states as he stands in front of me. His arms are held behind his back, and his green suit looks like something out of the seventies, made out of pure velvet. “You are quite behind, but our coven leader demanded you learn defence set out for vampires, so here we are.”

  “Yep,” I answer as I watch vampires jump from one ledge to another in the air. Each jump is perfect and in sync with the other vampires until they make one perfect moving circle. On the other side of the room are angels in a line, their chains clipped to the wall so they can’t move. I recognise Bonnie and Jessica in the group, though they are both napping against the wall, looking pale and nothing like the feisty and bitchy people I used to know.

  Everything has changed.

  “Miss Lightson, I would like for you to run the circuit with the other vampires. Go ahead,” he says, waving a hand at the pillars. I look at him with wide eyes, wondering if he has lost his goddamn mind. He sighs when I don’t move, stepping closer. “You are half vampire, and I have been told you are from an old vampire bloodline. This should be child’s play for you.”

  “Sir, poor Katy is new and stupid. I’m afraid she won’t be able to do this.” I cringe at Miranda’s annoying high-pitched voice as she walks over. Wearing little to nothing bright pink shorts and a tank top, she smiles at me. “Why our master loves her, I will never understand. Soon he will stop pining over you and climb into my bed. I will show him things you never could even think of.”

  “I agree,” I say, crossing my arms and smiling. “Anyone could climb into your bed as it’s just that easy. Maybe Ren likes a challenge? Maybe being easy is just...not what he or anyone decent ever wants.”

  “You bitch,” she growls, stepping into my face. “I could rip you to pieces where you stand.”

  I laugh, stepping that inch closer. “You could try and see where it gets you.”

  “Girls—” Mr. Evetide says, but I hardly hear him until he shoves in the middle of us. “Miranda, leave my classroom at once if you cannot be nice. As it stands, Miss Lightson is with our king and that merits her our respect. We are all aware of their mating, and once the mating is
final, Miss Lightson will be our queen. Do not make it impossible for you to stay in this coven. Ren is not forgiving in nature, and I would know; I’ve known him since he was born.”

  I look around, noticing everyone is watching and all the vamps are gathered around. For the first time, I notice how young some of the vamps in the room are. One girl, about eight with fiery red hair, narrows her eyes at me, and I look away. I can’t be on the wrong side. Angels are good...I believe that.

  But why does my gut tell me something else? Something I’ve never thought of.

  Turning to me, he narrows his eyes. “Miss Lightson, while you might not be happy to be here or want to learn about our people, you are still young and need lessons. I will not have fighting or disrespect in my class. Now get on those pillars and make the run and jump.”

  “Fine,” I mutter, shoving away from them both and running to the pillar. I push off the ground and instead of landing on the pillar, I just miss the top but catch the edge with my hands, scraping them as I hold on. I pull myself up and balance on top, albeit a little shakily.

  “Trust in your abilities. In your blood, Kaitlyn,” Mr. Evetide shouts up. “Close your eyes, that sometimes helps. You could be overthinking this.”

  Okay, Kaitlyn...you can do this. Come on. Miranda cannot win this argument by me proving her right. I close my eyes before resting my arms back, and without overthinking it, I jump and then jump again. Soon it becomes a natural movement, my feet always hitting the pillar perfectly without fail. I open my eyes to see the other vamps are running with me, and right in this moment, I’m part of the vampire coven...and I don’t hate it.

  “How was class?” Thallon asks as I take my boots off and leave them by the door. A wave of dizziness hits me before I can answer, and Thallon catches me before I fall to the floor. He carries me to the bed, and I’m sure he is talking even as all I hear is the sound of his heartbeat, the way his neck looks so inviting. Shaking my head, I push him away, climbing back on the bed.

  “You’re feeling better then?” I question him.

  Thallon frowns, reaching for me, but I jump away until my head hits the headboard. “Don’t come closer. I-I need Ren.”

  “No, you don’t. Talk to me, Kaitlyn,” he softly asks, inching closer. I shake my head once more, but it doesn’t stop him as he climbs on to the bed but doesn’t touch me. He watches me like a deer he could easily spook, and right now I feel like one. “It’s me, Kaitlyn. The doofus you liked to play board games with and beat all the time. How did you do that, by the way?”

  I chuckle, shaking my head. “Luck.”

  “Something like that, sure,” he replies with a grin. Biting on my lip, I search his eyes as I finally tell him what is going on.

  “I’m half vampire, and I know I need blood to feed. I can hear your blood like a siren’s call, and being around you is difficult.”

  As Thallon lifts his wrist, I stare at him in shock. “You saved my life, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t give you, Kaitlyn.”

  “You’re not disgusted by me?” I ask before lowering my voice. “I know I am.”

  Thallon moves closer on the bed and surprises me by cupping the back of my neck and kissing me. His lips softly move against my own, and like it’s a drug, I’m quickly addicted, wanting more, but he pulls back. “You’re a vampire, and there is nothing about you that is disgusting, Kaitlyn. Feeding is natural to you, don’t fight it with me. I will never make you.”

  “Thallon…” I whisper, tears brimming in my eyes. When did I get lucky enough to have Thallon in my life? I sure as hell don’t deserve him. Before I can reply, Thallon pushes his wrist against my lips, and a natural instinct takes over inside me. In a flash, I feel two of my teeth extend, and I sink them into his wrist. The first taste is incredible, like nothing I could ever imagine, and I close my eyes as the pleasure spreads all over my body. Thallon’s groan fills my ears as I struggle with how amazing he tastes and how turned on I am. Forcing myself to stop, I pull my mouth away and look up to see Thallon’s cheeks burning red before he kisses me, pushing me back on the bed and covering me with his very hard body. I moan, enjoying his touch until he suddenly stops, jumping off me, and I sit up in confusion as he climbs off the bed, limping as he sucks in a deep breath. I flick my eyes to his wrist, which slowly drips blood down his hand onto the floor.

  “Do you not want me?” I whisper, not understanding why he stopped. Thallon’s eyes widen, and he laughs before coming back to me, picking up my hand.

  “That was hot, but we should stop. I don’t want magic to be the reason we lose control,” Thallon softly tells me before kissing my palm. “I know you feel the same way. We should take our time.”

  “I don’t know what came over me, to be honest. It was intense,” I mutter. Intense isn’t a good enough word for how that felt, but it is close.

  “I’ve heard of blood magic, but I didn’t understand it before now,” he whispers and clears his throat. “Blood magic is the reaction when a vampire bites someone who wants them back. It can make everything so much more intense.”

  “I feel that,” I reply with rosy cheeks, and he laughs, pulling me to him and hugging me tightly as he kisses the top of my head.

  “You need me, and I’m here. Just ask,” he promises me, and I rest my head next to his heart. I will think this a million times and it will never be enough: Thallon Cross is the kindest soul I’ve ever met.

  And I love that he is mine.

  Chapter 39

  “What do you mean I’m not welcome in this lesson yet?” I question the snooty nose woman who looks down at me. She is seriously tall, like well over seven feet, and I feel like a tiny bug, wearing a blue T-shirt that says “I’m over it” with a rainbow under the words.

  “Miss Lightson, I was made aware Master Raloxisys has given you several books to read. These books will need to be read before you start my class halfway through the year. The history of vampires is long, but the beginning must be understood,” she tells me. “Come back when you have read the books.”

  Without another word, she shuts the door on me, leaving me outside alone. Dammit. I storm back to my room, which is empty as Thallon is walking around the academy with Henry to get some movement in his leg. I’m so happy he is up and moving around, but I almost wish he was here to read these books with me, because I’ve ignored them for a reason. And the reason has everything to do with the island of “Denial Central” I’m currently living on. While I’m shopping on that island, I sneak another sweet tube of Parma Violets out from under the sink. Grabbing the books, I sit on the bed, crossing my legs and leaning back against the headboard as I open the first page. A white note, much newer than the yellowing pages of the book, falls out onto my lap, and I pick it up.

  “Thank you.”

  Knowing it’s from Ren just makes me mad, and I throw the note onto the bed before turning the first page of the book open and popping a sweet into my mouth. The book has been transcribed from Latin to English on modern paper stuck on the plain side next to the Latin, making it easy for me to understand. The first half of the book explains how the mating bond between vampires is very instinctual, and most vampires lose control the moment they meet their mate. The longer a mate bond is ignored, the female vampire could die a horrible death. Even though this explains what Ren did, I’m still mad. I can’t forgive him that easily, not when he is hell-bent on revenge as his priority over me. And I’m too scared to ask him to choose me, because the answer wouldn’t be what I wanted, and I know that. Ren is living for vengeance, and what am I compared to that? The book goes from a page of writing to a page with the same painting I saw in the angel’s library, but instead of two men standing next to a pregnant woman...they are angels. One with black wings and one with white.

  What the hell?

  I quickly look at the writing and start to read.

  “It is said a goddess walked the earth alone for many years, her sisters fighting a war she wanted no part in. Knowing her siste
rs would destroy each other in the end, the goddess decided she wanted to be alone. Travelling around the world, she found two men with wings like birds and eyes that glowed with the power of the gods; they were angels. She believed a man she had once loved and changed into a god long ago went to the stars and bred a new race…and called them the Angels. She soon fell in love with them both, and with that love came a child. The child was not born well, the power of angels and gods in a small body wasn’t right. The fathers gave the child their blood, and he became well and in time grew to be strong, but it changed his soul. It bred new magic. The war between her sisters called the goddess back, but before she went, she watched her son have children of his own and name the race Vampires. When her lovers died of old age, thousands of years after they met, the goddess bid the vampire race goodbye.”

  I quickly turn the page, watching in horror. “With his mother gone, the vampire was named a master, and so were his children and his grandchildren. Groups of vampires left and spread around the world, finding humans with magic and angels who protected them in covens. Many thousands of years later, a vampire fell in love with an angel...a romance that cost the vampires their very existence. Thousands of vampires died in the war, their bodies littering the homes they once cared for and loved. Eventually, there was little left of the vampires, who once were a peaceful race. The angels took over all magics, making sure there was no doubt of who was in control.”

  I flip the page and see the couple kissing in the middle of the bodies. This time, the man has black wings and there is a spear stuck in the middle of their hearts, connecting them. My tears drop onto the page as I feel their pain and the truth behind the book. I spend hours reading the rest of the book, which tells of one coven’s escape and how they hid. How everyone from shifters to tales magic helped them hide over the years, even demons helped them against the angels who everyone seems to fear. On one page of the book is a quote, but it doesn’t say from who.