Montrose Paranormal Academy, Book 1: The Nexis Secret: A Young Adult Urban Fantasy Academy Novel

by Barbara Hartzler

  “That’s before I got to know him.” Shanda swung her tiny car into a parking space. “We should’ve gotten out of the car and asked what was going on. He’s a good guy, Lucy. There has to be an explanation for what just happened.”

  “People do stupid things sometimes.” I reached for the door handle, but Shanda stopped me.

  “Do you trust him?”

  I peered back at her, studying the expectant expression on her face. Slowly, her words sank in. “I thought I did.”

  She squeezed my hand. “Then maybe you should trust that this is all a misunderstanding. I bet if we just asked him right now, he’d clear up the whole thing.”

  I exhaled enough air to fog up the windshield. “With everything I’ve been through, I just don’t know. I need to think for a while. I’m going for a walk.”

  “Fine.” With a huff, Shanda let go of my hand and hopped out of the car. “Don’t stay out too long. It’s getting colder.”

  My arms felt like barbells as I opened the door. With every movement, my body hung heavier, like it was weighed down. We trudged in silence back to the dorm.

  At the edge of the sidewalk, Shanda hugged me. “You know where I’ll be if you need me.” Then she jogged to the door.

  I kept marching, not knowing where my feet would lead me. They trampled a path on the dry grass until I reached the quad. The cold bit into me, and I cinched the scarf tighter around my neck. Out of the corner of my eye, a shadow flitted past. I turned in its direction and saw him.

  Not some kind of strange shadow-vision, but the real thing.

  I blinked, but my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. It was Jake. The last person I wanted to run into on a dark campus with no one around. My heart practically beat out of my chest as every muscle in my body tensed. The library’s lights were still on, so I picked up the pace, booking it across the quad. Please let me get there first. Please don’t let him see me. Maybe the angels would hear me this time.

  ~

  The warmth of the library covered me like a blanket as soon as I opened the door. I gulped in hiccupping breaths of musty air, but calm escaped me. My heartbeat thudded in my ears, louder than ever.

  Quiet filled the room, not a whisper anywhere. I turned and peeked out the glass door. A shadowy figure lurked outside, but I couldn’t see his face. Had Jake spotted me, followed me? I ducked into the ladies’ room just in case.

  With shaky fingers, I dug my cell phone out of my pocket. I dialed Shanda’s number, and it went straight to voicemail. She must’ve turned it off. Who else could I call? My fingers did the work for me, dialing Bryan—my last resort. It rang four times, then voicemail picked up. Immediately, I hit the end button as hard as I could.

  He was still with Colleen—right when I needed him.

  What kind of strange message would I leave? Hey Bryan, I think my ex is stalking me, but I’m not sure. Oh yeah, and I saw you with yours so you better explain yourself. Probably wouldn’t go over well.

  But what alternative did I have? If Jake really had followed me across campus, I couldn’t go back out there by myself. So I did the only thing I could think of, I sent a text to Shanda and Bryan. Stuck in the library. Jake’s outside. Please help.

  As soon as I sent the text, I stared at my phone. No one responded. I paced back and forth across the bathroom tiles, each bootstep clomping back at me. One minute went by, two minutes, five minutes, still no response.

  Could I face Jake on my own? Maybe I could sneak past him if I stayed in the shadows, but the idea of facing him sent a shudder through my body. Maybe it was time to stand up to him, once and for all.

  I poked my head out the door and saw no one around. My mind flashed back to the initiation, that horrible night that Nexis made us break into the library.

  Then it dawned on me.

  When I discovered the book, Shanda had dragged me out the back door. If I was lucky, maybe I could sneak out that way again.

  I zigzagged among the maze of tables until I reached the back row of stacks. When I rounded the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks.

  Will stared back at me. Those familiar gray eyes were flecked with gold in the shadowy library light.

  “What are you doing here?” I croaked with another shuddering breath. My cheeks flamed.

  “Just doing some research for a paper. You okay?” Will’s golden hair fell over one eye as he held an old book in his hands, a greenish hardcover, not the Nexis book this time. “You look as white as one of those Twilight vampires.”

  His hand grazed mine, but it held no warmth. At least there weren’t any shadows around him this time.

  “You’re as cold as one of them.” I met his gaze as his lips curled.

  Those platinum eyes softened, like maybe he really did care about me. “You must be okay after all.”

  His concern pricked something inside, like a dead flower bursting from the pile of ash Bryan left in my heart. If I had any shot at getting out of this, I had to trust this guy.

  “I’m not okay. I just saw Jake on campus and now he’s right outside. I don’t know if I can get out of here without him noticing. Maybe if I sneak out the back ...” I trailed off, gritting my teeth and curling my fingers into fists. I couldn’t look at him. What must he think of me? First, I shun him and now I expect him to help me? I just stared down at my black boots, not knowing what else to do, what else to say.

  “No wonder you look so scared. And I thought it was me.” He slung his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into the crook of his elbow. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. I’ll call campus security.” In an instant he pulled out his cell, dialed the number, and relayed the situation to them.

  “Why didn’t I think of that?” My shaky voice was back. After Bryan and Colleen, and now Jake, my nerves were going haywire.

  Will’s strong hands held me steady, stroking my hair.

  For the first time in a long time, I actually felt safe. Maybe I was wrong about Will, maybe he really was a good guy and Bryan was the real jerk. The overhead lights flickered as the traitorous thought crossed my mind.

  Could everything I assumed was true actually be false? It would flip my whole world upside down. Seeing Bryan with Colleen had already turned the tables.

  “They’ll be over as soon as they break up a mob at the stadium. Someone tried to start a fight in the middle of the championship game. Can you believe it?” Right now his gray eyes were warm and inviting, something I’d never noticed before.

  “Of course. That’s why the quad was deserted. Thanks for calling security.” I chewed on my lip, staring up at him.

  No shadows surrounded him this time. Had I made them up before, or had he changed since then? Words bounced around in my brain, the right words mixed with all the wrong words I’d said to him over the past few months. How could I have been so heartless?

  Somehow, I had to fix this. I had to make it right. “I know I haven’t exactly been nice to you these last few weeks. And I’m sorry. I wish things had worked out differently. You have no idea.”

  “Me, too, Lucy. Me, too.” He pressed his lips to my cheek, murmuring against my face. “For the record, you have nothing to be sorry about.”

  Easing back to look at me, his eyes softened. “Maybe I should check and see if the coast is clear, since the library’s about to close. Who knows how long it’ll take to break up a football fight.”

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. He’s dangerous.” Something gnawed at my gut, something akin to dread, but I pushed it back. Instead, I squeezed his hand. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

  “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear that.” His face lit up, those silvery eyes twinkling at me. Puffing out his chest, he said, “I got this. You stay right here. I’ll be back in a sec.”

  His fingers brushed my cheek before he disappeared out the back door.

  I stared at the bookshelf in front of me. The titles blurred together until it made my head hurt. Now it looked like Wil
l was on my side, and Bryan abandoned my team—like black had suddenly become white.

  Ten minutes passed as I waited, checked my cell, and waited some more. Not a word from anyone, Will, Bryan, or Shanda. A vortex of nothing.

  I paced back and forth until I reached the last aisle, racking my brain for some kind of plan.

  That’s when the lights shut off, an announcement blaring over the loudspeaker. The words sounded like a Charlie Brown cartoon, but one word stuck out, closed.

  Where was Will? Had he abandoned me, or worse, what if Jake had gotten ahold of him?

  I tiptoed to the back door, pressing my face against the glass. Nothing but darkness and more darkness outside. If I didn’t leave now, I’d be stuck in the library.

  Maybe I could sneak into the woods and skirt the edges of the brush back to my dorm. I had angel power after all, even if I didn’t really know how to use them yet. It was worth a shot.

  I opened the back door just wide enough to slip out sideways. Cold air whipped around me, still smelling like snow. I had to make it back to my dorm, fast—without getting caught.

  I hugged the bricks with my back and darted across the darkest part of the open lawn until I reached the woods. I made it! I almost jumped for joy. I crunched into the dry grass, staying in the shadows of the treeline.

  A familiar melody sang through the night air, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, like a siren. A stalker siren. I smacked my forehead. How could I forget to silence my stupid phone?

  Behind me, footsteps rustled in the underbrush. Was Jake waiting for me in the woods? I couldn’t let him sneak up behind me, so I raced back to the library and banged on the doors. They rattled, but wouldn’t open. Why did they have to lock everything?

  I spun back around. And there he was, dead ahead, face shadowed in the lamppost light. The ex I’d moved a thousand miles to escape was staring me in the face. So who was crunching through the woods behind me?

  Chapter 29

  I stared at Jake coming toward me across the dead lawn, not knowing what to feel first. All those memories swirled inside me, the shock and horror of watching him kiss Becca, the sheer hatred seething inside me when they spread those rumors.

  I tried so hard to let it go, to move on, but it had happened all over again with someone I really cared about. It was all Jake’s fault, and I couldn’t let it go this time.

  “What are you doing here?” I narrowed my eyes and jutted out my chin, balling up my fists, fight face on. I wouldn’t slink back into the shadows this time.

  Nebulous specters hovered near him, their murky tendrils hovering over his sandy head. “It’s good to see you, Lucy. I just want to talk.”

  He took two steps toward me, I took two steps back.

  “No.” I locked my gaze on his, shaking my head so hard my neck cracked. “You know, Jake, I’ve had enough of you just showing up and demanding things from me. I don’t want to talk to you. What I said at Thanksgiving is still true. I don’t ever want to see you again. Why can’t you get that through your head?”

  Adrenaline coursed through my veins. It felt good to finally stand up to him.

  “I just wanted you to hear my side of the story, Luce.” His voice came out gruff, especially when he said Luce—way more creepy than sweet. “If you just listen to what I have to say, maybe you’ll come back with me. I really miss you.”

  He flashed me that almost-innocent smolder he’d used on me so many times before. Now he looked more like a snake charmer. He lunged forward, his hand grabbing mine.

  All of my emotions surged with adrenaline, congealing in a power I’d never felt before.

  “Don’t call me Luce.” I shook off his grip, stepping back again. “And I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “What if I told you I found your brother?” In the light of the lamppost his eyes were different, changed somehow. He looked haunted, not like himself.

  Smoke practically fumed from my nostrils. “Do you really expect me to believe you found James?”

  His face fell, and I had my answer.

  “He’s in Europe. I can take you to him if you just come with me.” He turned those ghostly eyes on me, edging closer.

  “Yeah, right.” Couldn’t he take a hint? I backed up again, my shoulders jamming into something solid.

  Rough tree bark snagged my hair. It was the same tree, the tree that marked the start of my new life at Montrose. Funny, now it might see the end of it.

  I probed my fingers into the bark, my arms stretching as far as they could. Nothing within reach, not even a branch to swing at him. Fear pricked at my newfound courage, but if I didn’t lay into this guy now, I might never have another chance.

  And then it hit me. He wasn’t here for me, he was here for them. “Tell me exactly how long have you worked for Nexis?”

  “Lucy, I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to find out like this.” He edged closer now, like he knew he almost had me.

  I glanced around the quad, not a soul in sight. What ever happened to Will? Had that been him in the woods? Whatever I heard in the brush didn’t show itself.

  I was trapped like a caged animal with only one thing left to do, claw my way out. “Just tell me the truth. You owe me at least that much.”

  “Fine, maybe you’re right.” He inched close enough to me that I could smell his disgusting aftershave. “I’ve been working for Nexis since we met. Right after James disappeared.”

  “Whaaa—” My jaw dropped as I gaped at him. And here, I’d thought the Watchers were maniacs for trying to brand me like cattle. But Nexis was clearly a million times worse. They’d been after me for years, ever since they figured out I was next in line to be the Seer instead of James. Was this going to be my lot in life, being a nothing more than a pawn to the whims of the three societies? Was my mom in on it, too?

  Strong fingers clamped around my arm with an iron grip. The once hovering wraiths swirled around Jake now, picking up speed.

  “Ouch, let me go.” I tore at his hand, digging my nails into him, but he grabbed my other wrist. I squirmed against his unusually strong fists. Maybe the shadows were giving him supernatural strength.

  He tightened his grip, shadowy tentacles snaking from his fingers up my forearms. My eyes widened at the sight behind him. An army of black wraiths were lined up in the distance. Their beady eyes glowed red as their shadow hands reached for me.

  Eeoow, eeooww, eooww. Screeches sliced into my eardrums. The ungodly sound coalesced into words.

  Kill him, Seer. Drain the life out of him.

  Use him as a puppet like you did before.

  Become one with us, a dark Nephilim to bring back our brethren

  Dark Nephilim? My stomach curdled, and I closed my eyes against the horrible sight. Wriggling against Jake’s grip, I wracked my brain for answers.

  Don’t believe the lies. It’s exactly what the Nexis Society wants. In a flash, my eyes snapped open as a glimmer of white light trickled down from the heavens. Were the angels on their way?

  Remember the consequences of succumbing to the darkness. Memories flashed in front of my eyes like scenes from a movie—the church fire, the Halloween cyber-bullying stunt, Jake showing up at Thanksgiving, and Colleen kissing Bryan.

  How had I not realized the truth by now? Were all of these bad things happening because I’d used my dark powers?

  Yes. A pillar of light shot straight down through the black sky. Wraiths screamed in its wake, rearing back at the brightness in front of me.

  A sonic boom erupted from the light, followed by a flash of strobe light. Tendrils of lightning shot out on all sides—sending the shadows screeching away.

  The lightning materialized in a vaguely human shape, unsheathing a sword of equally brilliant light, poised for battle. An impossible peace bloomed in my chest.

  “I’m sorry, Lucy. But you have to come with me. You don’t know what they’ll do to me.” Jake’s low voice sent a shiver down my spine. He was completely oblivious to the supernatural bat
tle going on around us.

  Don’t forget, this boy is just a mixed up kid caught in the same web you are.

  “I do see. It’s clearer than ever now.” I stared at the angel with my mouth hanging open and my pulse pounding in my ears.

  “If you won’t come willingly, I’ll make you come with me.” He pinned my fists against the tree. The back of my head smacked into the bark as his breath steamed my face, his eyes glowing with anger.

  A shadow man morphed into being beside him, a pillar of dark mist taunting the lightning man who stood still as an ivory chess piece, sword lifted to the sky.

  I blinked and blinked, but the scenery didn’t change. Angel, demon, and Jake. I could only stare in shock for a few heartbeats.

  I’d never seen Jake like this. It must be the demon-wraith. I had to get away, but he held me too tight.

  “What can I do?” I whispered to the angel.

  The brightness shimmered in front of me. If you choose the light over the darkness, you’ll become an angel conduit. Half of your soul with be infused with angel powers, making you a Nephilim of Light.

  With a gasped, I wriggled against Jake’s unearthly grip. But there was nowhere to run anymore.

  The angel’s golden eyes glittered. Or you can choose the darkness and call up the demons to do your bidding. Tell me this—is Jake really your enemy?

  With Jake’s sneering face close enough to spit on and his supernaturally strong hands pinning me to the tree behind me, I had to think about it for a second. The demon wraiths started screeching again, so loud I could barely hear myself think.

  “No!” I shouted above the roar, staring straight into the golden eyes of my angel. “The darkness is my enemy. I choose light.”

  He nodded once, and those eyes blazed, golden and warm as the sun. In a split second, he punched his lightning sword heavenward. A bright bolt crackled over my head.

  I snapped my neck straight up to see purple electricity split open the sky above me. With a zap, it struck the great tree at my back. I whirled around as the huge trunk quivered.