Broken Knights: A Paranormal High School Bully Romance (Gifted Academy Book 4)

by Michelle Hercules

  I steer us toward the auditorium.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” she asks.

  “I have to help those Fringes. They aren’t safe.”

  “You can’t help anyone in your current state. You’re bleeding and can’t even walk on your own.”

  Fuck. She’s right. I need reinforcements. I hope Nurse Ellen is still around. She helped Daisy before, and Phoenix told me her girlfriend was a Norm. But if the Neo Gods took control of Gifted Academy, they must have cleaned house and gotten rid of all Norm sympathizers.

  We’re halfway to the infirmary when three goons block our path. They’re older and not wearing school uniforms. But they’re Idols and, my guess, Neo Gods.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” the one in the middle asks.

  “I’m taking him to the see the nurse,” Renata replies. “He’s hurt.”

  “Hurt?” The guy to the left snorts. “If he’s hurt, then it means he’s a Fringe and shouldn’t be roaming in the hallways.

  Damn. Am I so weak that they’re mistaking me for a Fringe?

  “I’m not a Fringe,” I grit out.

  “Then you must be one of those traitors who likes to mingle with the dirt. Leave him to us, girlie.”

  Renata tenses next to me. I’m totally prepared for her to drop me like deadweight and bail.

  “No. I don’t care what he does in his spare time. I’m taking him to see the nurse.”

  “Are you defying me, stupid girl?” the first one snarls.

  “I guess I am.”

  My jaw is hanging to the floor. Renata’s one-eighty totally blindsided me. Too bad her bravado will cost her. I’m in no condition to fight three Idols, and I doubt she can take the trio solo.

  Their bodies tense as they take on an aggressive stance. I search inside of me for every drop of power I still have. If can create a bright enough flash, it could buy us time to run away. But before I can summon the strength needed for the feat, an explosion knocks the Neo Gods down and under a mountain of debris. We’re not left unscathed. The blast also sends us to the ground.

  A gray fog of dust soon makes visibility impossible. It gets into my lungs, causing a fit of coughing.

  “Are you okay?” Renata asks, already trying to get me back on my feet.

  “No worse than I was before.”

  “I don’t think you’re getting medical attention here. We have to go now.”

  I hesitate, digging my feet into the ground when she tries to steer me toward the exit. “I can’t leave Toby behind.”

  “You’re not,” a male voice comes from the fog.

  A second later, Toby steps into view, followed by my mother and Nurse Ellen.

  I stare at them. “You’re okay. I thought the new principal had locked all Fringes in the auditorium.”

  “He did. But I’m no longer a Fringe. I’m an Idol now.”

  “How is that possible?” Renata asks.

  “No time to explain,” my mother chimes in. “We need to leave now before they send reinforcements.

  “What about the Fringe students?” I ask.

  “They’re all out. We’re the last ones here.”

  I take a step forward, but my legs falter. I stagger ahead, almost face-planting on the floor if it weren’t for Renata keeping me upright. Nurse Ellen comes to assist, and now I’m sandwiched between the two. I’ve never felt more useless in my life than I do now.

  We hurry out of the building, more concerned with speed than stealth since the blast alerted every single Neo God in the vicinity. Mom’s car is parked right in front of the entrance, and I wonder how she managed to get back onto campus.

  But all my questions will have to wait. Shouts nearby tell me our time is up. The Neo Gods’ hounds are loose and coming for us.

  11

  Morpheus

  My eyes are bleary when I finally land at the private airport in Saturn’s Bay. I had every intention of catching a commercial flight, but Gunther Silverstone insisted on letting me use his personal private jet. Despite having the plane all to myself, I couldn’t fall asleep. Too many thoughts bouncing in my head. I may have found a lost brother and my father. Now I don’t know what to do with that information.

  At least I didn’t lose Andromeda at the party after all. She left with Stephan, and I figured they needed the time alone to talk stuff out. It would have sucked balls if on top of my personal turmoil I had to look for her.

  There’s no one waiting for me when deboard the plane. I really should have called the guys. I take a deep breath of the afternoon air, which finally has the bite of winter. Then I pull my cell phone out and call the person I need to speak to the most right away: my mother. I’ve let her keep her secrets for long enough. She obviously knows who my father is, and his connection to the island god. She wouldn’t have been able to rescue us from that horrible place all those years ago if she didn’t know where to look for us.

  She answers on the second ring. “Morpheus? Is that really you?”

  “Yes, Mom. It’s me.”

  “I’ve been worried sick about you. We’ve been watching the news about Hawk City. What happened in that mall was dreadful. Please tell me you weren’t anywhere near it.”

  “Mom, I’m fine. I just got back to Saturn’s Bay, and I was wondering if you could pick me up from the airport.”

  “The school didn’t order a town car to collect you kids? That’s absurd. We pay good money in tuition.”

  “I had to stay in Hawk City a little longer. I caught a later flight and forgot to make arrangements. I’m by myself.”

  “Oh, okay. Where did you land? At the Intercity Airport?”

  “No. I’m actually in a private airport. I’ll text you the address.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Mom’s dependable suburban car stops in front of the small waiting area of the airport. I get up, hoisting my duffle bag over my shoulder, and step out before she has the chance to exit the vehicle. She does anyway, circling around the car to engulf me into a mama-bear hug.

  “Morpheus, darling. I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’ve missed you too, Mom.”

  She eases off, holding me by the arms to look up at my face. “You’ve lost weight. And you haven’t been sleeping much, have you?”

  “I couldn’t sleep during the flight.”

  “What about the shadows? Are they—”

  “They’re under control. Come on. You can ask me all the questions inside the car.”

  “Oh, okay. I stopped by your favorite fast food restaurant and got you something to eat. You must be starving.”

  “Yeah, I could eat.”

  I circle to the back of the car to put my bag in the trunk, then slide into the passenger’s seat. Mom is already behind the steering wheel, holding a greasy bag in her hand. The smell of fries and burger fills my nostrils, making my mouth water. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now. Eagerly, I take the bag and dig in.

  “Why did you have to stay in Hawk City longer?”

  I swallow the big lump of bread and meat in mouth first, buying myself a few seconds to think about what I’m going to say next. I’m determined to get to the truth, but now that I’m about to do it, I find myself tongue-tied.

  “I had to meet someone.”

  “Are you going to elaborate on that?”

  I keep staring ahead, not daring to glance at her when I reply, “I met my brother.”

  “What?” she shrieks, taking her eyes off the road to gawk at me. The car begins to veer toward the next lane, straight into the van occupying that space.

  “Mom! Watch the road.”

  She swerves the vehicle back to her lane and doesn’t speak for a couple of beats. “You can’t spring something like that on me while I’m driving. I’ve always suspected Tarek had affairs, but I didn’t know about children.”

  I whip my face to her. “Are you saying he was cheating on you?”

  “I never got solid proof, but the signs were there.” She si
ghs heavily, her shoulders sagging. “I can’t blame him. I was the one who was unfaithful to him first.”

  A torrent of emotions crashes against me all at once. Here’s the opening to talk about my biological father, but my brain is stuck on the things Tarek, the man who was supposed to be my dad, did to Mom and me throughout all the years.

  “Why didn’t you leave him?”

  “Divorce him? You know that’s not an option in our family, Morpheus.”

  “That’s such bullshit. Why stay married to a man who doesn’t respect you? Who physically abuses you?”

  “He hasn’t touched me since the last time you visited.”

  “Oh, kudos to him,” I reply bitterly.

  “Let’s not talk about your father.”

  “He’s not my father,” I grit out.

  Mom lets out a loud exhale, but at least she doesn’t try to defend him. “You said you met your half brother.”

  The shadows are churning inside of my chest, reacting now to the rage within me. I’m still so fucking mad about this whole deal with Mom and her husband. I can’t believe she’s put up with his shit all these years for the sake of appearances.

  “Yes, but I didn’t mean an offspring of your husband. I’m talking about the real deal.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know what I mean, Mom. My biological brother, the son of the man who… sired me. I also caught a glimpse of him. My father. You need to tell me who is.”

  She doesn’t speak for a long while, and I let her stew on my words without pressing her. I’m not leaving her side until she confesses everything. I’m done staying in the dark about my heritage.

  Finally, she signals to exit the highway, but we’re nowhere near Gifted Academy. I see then she’s heading for a rest stop. Good. It’s not safe to drive while having this conversation.

  “He made me swear I’d never reveal his identity to anyone, not even you,” she says.

  “My father did?”

  “Yes. And I agreed, gladly. I didn’t want anyone to know.”

  “It’s too late now. While meeting with my half brother, we were both transported to the island of horrors.”

  Mom stares at me wide-eyed. “You went back to that place?”

  “Yes. The island god brought us there for punishment. You know he marked us all those years ago.”

  She nods. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you sooner.”

  “How did you know where to find us?”

  Her eyes are brimming with unshed tears when she looks away, dropping her gaze to her lap. “I had been there before. It’s where I first met your father.”

  “How did you get there?”

  “He brought me there. But he showed me a different side of it. He called it Starlight Island.”

  My jaw slackens while my pulse quickens. “That’s the name of the island Norms believe to be a paradise.”

  “I’m aware of the legend. I don’t blame them for thinking that. What I saw was idyllic and peaceful. When I was with your father, I never saw the dark side of the island. I had no idea such a despicable being lived there too.”

  I pull my hair back, yanking at the strands. “My father stopped the island god from punishing my brother and me. He blocked his blow. He’s a god too, isn’t he?”

  “Yes. Your father is Erebus, the god of shadows and darkness.”

  My power surges suddenly, coiling violently inside of my chest. My heart is racing while I grapple with the truth. I’m a demigod, then. And my father is not an ordinary god.

  “Erebus is a primordial deity,” I murmur, still too shocked by the revelation.

  “Yes. And I believe the god who has been tormenting you and your friends is Chaos, Erebus’s father.”

  “That son of a bitch is my grandfather?” My voice rises to a shrill.

  At once, the invisible lightning tattoo—his mark—burns on my back as if answering my question.

  Mom closes her eyes and whispers, “Yes.”

  I pass a hand over my face. “He wants Daisy gone. Fuck.”

  “She’s special. If he wants her gone, it means she poses a threat to him.”

  “Daisy is the Unmaker.”

  I don’t see the point in keeping the truth from Mom when our enemy already knows her identity.

  “The Unmaker? I thought there had only been one Idol with that power, and she surrendered her gift.”

  “Daisy is her direct descendant. When Bryce healed her, he awakened the power within her. But why would Chaos want to kill her?”

  “Because he’s Chaos. He thrives on turmoil and destruction. The more harm he does to mortals, the stronger he becomes.”

  I rest my head in my hands. “How am I going to keep Daisy safe from him? He’s too strong.”

  Mom touches my shoulder, squeezing it. “You love that girl, don’t you?”

  I turn to her. “With every piece of my black heart.”

  “Oh, Morpheus. Your heart is not black. You may be the son of shadows, but you’re pure light.”

  “Am I, Mom? My grandfather is a psycho. My half brother is a villain. As for my father…”

  “He was kind to me. He may be darkness, but he knows how to love. Besides, you can’t let your heritage define you. You’re not evil. You’re the kindest person I know.” She cups my face, staring at me with undiluted love.

  The memory of me lashing out at my former tutor and Daisy coming to his defense pops in my head.

  “You’re wrong about me. I used to be vile, a bully who took pleasure in tormenting people who were weaker than me.”

  “Do you still do that?”

  I look away. “No, not anymore.”

  “Why is that, honey? What made you stop?”

  “Daisy. She rescued me from the pit of despair. I was so lost before she came into my life.” I face my mother again. “I can’t let Chaos harm her, Mom.”

  “You won’t. You’re a demigod, Morpheus. There’s more power in you than you know.”

  I laugh without humor. “If I can just figure how to tap into all this power, that’d be great. The war for Norms and Fringes has started.”

  “I know. It’s all our community has been talking about. Hard times are ahead of us, but we must endure. Oppressed people don’t stay like that for long. Rebellion is inevitable.”

  “What are you and your husband are going to do?”

  She gives me a loaded glance. “I don’t know about Tarek, but I’m going to fight.”

  The fire in her eyes surprises me. She’s been meek and subdued my entire life, living under the thumb of her husband.

  I smile proudly. “I should try to convince you to stay away, but I won’t. I’m glad to have you by my side.”

  12

  Daisy

  Still in the throes of mortification, I hastily leave Phoenix’s room with every intention of taking a very cold shower. But I’m intercepted by Rosie, who comes running into the hallway with her phone in her hand and eyes that are too big for her face.

  “The school was taken over by Neo Gods,” she blurts out.

  “What do you mean?”

  Rufio and Phoenix join us in the hallway, but it’s Rufio who speaks first. “I just got a text from Bryce. Our mother got sacked, and the new principal is a Neo God.”

  “Are he and Toby okay?” I ask.

  “Toby is fine,” Rosie replies. “He didn’t mention Bryce.”

  “Bryce got hurt,” Xavier announces as he comes in.

  There’s a sudden sharp pain in my chest. I press my hand against it, trying to soothe the phantom aching that’s just too real. My fear for his safety mixes with guilt. I shouldn’t have let Bryce go back to school.

  “He didn’t tell me that,” Rufio replies with an edge.

  “He might not have been able to elaborate. He sustained three wounds from lightning-glass. The poison works quickly. You know that.” Xavier gives him a meaningful glance.

  Rufio’s already pale face blanches even more. Threading hi
s fingers through his hair, he walks away from the group. Phoenix and I lock gazes, and in silent agreement, we both follow him.

  “Bryce will be okay,” Phoenix tells Rufio. “He’s too fucking strong to be taken down that easily.”

  “Lightning-glass poison can kill any Idol, even the most powerful ones.” He turns around. “But I know he’ll be okay. My mother will do anything to save her Idol-making machine.”

  And that knowledge is not comforting in the least. Not the saving Bryce part but what Jodie wants to do with him.

  “Are they coming here?” Rosie asks Xavier.

  “No. Absolutely not. I don’t want Jodie to know this location.”

  “Good,” Rufio says. “You shouldn’t trust my mother.”

  “Am I the only one here thinking that if she can’t be trusted, then we shouldn’t be following her insane plan to build an army of newly minted Idols?” Phoenix poses the question that’s been plaguing my mind since Mr. Silverstone announced his alliance with her.

  “Most Idols hate us.” Rosie steps forward. “How many do you think will side with the Knights? We need more power on our side.”

  “There’s no guarantee that the Idols Bryce makes will fight for our cause,” Rufio retorts.

  “I have to go see Bryce,” I say suddenly, veering toward the front door.

  “Daisy, wait.” Xavier comes after me.

  “Don’t try to stop me.”

  He places a hand on my arm. “I wasn’t trying to. Jodie hasn’t told me where she’s taken Bryce and all the Fringes she rescued.”

  “Yet, right? She hasn’t told you yet.”

  “I don’t think that’s the case. She’s still angry that I swept in and took you under my wing. She’ll keep their location a secret for as long as she can.”

  I’m so furious, I could break things. Rage simmers in my gut, ready to be unleashed. If Andromeda were here, she’d be able to find them. But no, I can’t think about that traitor now.

  “I’ll turn Saturn’s Bay upside down to find them,” I grit out.

  Xavier squints while a muscle in his jaw ticks. He’s scrutinizing me big-time, but I don’t care.