Korbin guided me to my feet. “There’s something I want you to see.”
Electricity seemed to crackle in the air at his excitement. I couldn’t help but cheer up a little at his enthusiasm.
“What?” I giggled nervously.
“You’ll see. Follow me.”
I readily obeyed as we left the hideaway and meandered down the tunnel corridors. But tension stiffened my jaw at the thought of returning above ground, and I lagged behind his insistent pace until he stopped.
“Trust me. You want to see this.” His soft tone convinced me to narrow the gap between us.
“What does it matter anyway?” I lowered my head. “I’m leaving in the morning,” I whispered. “I am what I am, but I can’t stay here no matter…”
“No matter what?” he whispered, moving in closer. Lightly, his index finger traced over the edges of my bangs and down my cheek.
“No matter how much I like you,” I admitted.
He smiled. “I’ll always be your friend Adora, but after seeing this, I might graduate to your partner in crime.”
Excitement saturated his dark eyes, and I shook my head. “Fine.” I smiled. “Show me.”
He clasped my hand and the heat of his palm enveloped my senses. A burning desire snaked up my arm and through my chest, but I willed it down and didn’t openly react to the static energy between us. I nodded my head slightly to myself, relieved I could control my primal urges. The thought of exploring my raw desires with Korbin coiled through my mind, so I bit my bottom lip to focus yet smiled to myself.
“That’s the spirit. Finally, a little enthusiasm,” he teased.
My cheeks burned, but I felt confident Korbin had no idea of the scenarios in my mind.
Eventually we came to the end of a corridor where an expansive set of stairs lead above ground. Instinctively, I hesitated to travel any further.
“My lady,” Korbin said, grasping my hand as if he were going to whisk me around a ball room. “After you.” He gave a slight bow while he held my hand up in the air.
“I don’t want to do this,” I insisted.
“Oh, but you do,” he prodded and led the way up the stairs.
A wrought iron gate sat at the end of a large stone platform. At the foot of the gate, strange red and black flowers lined either side of the entrance. I inched closer to the gate, anxious to get out of the dank air. The welcoming scent of flowers, herbs, and fresh air calmed my nerves as I breathed the mixture deeply into my lungs.
Korbin tapped his fingers together as if he couldn’t contain his secret anymore. “Look,” he said, bristling with excitement.
Disappointed, I pressed my face through the narrow openings of the gate and grasped the bars. Several buildings lay out before me. Beautiful manicured grounds snaked around the structures with large tree peppered throughout the property. Normally I may have been excited to have a private view of an exclusive school, with a hot professor, but now it all seemed pointless.
“I told you,” I frowned, shoving down anger as I sensed he was trying to manipulate me into going to Ravens’ Blood by showing me the school. “I’m not staying. So, why bring me here?” I fumed.
Korbin slumped his shoulders and dropped his head in defeat but quickly lifted his gaze. Mischief roamed in his eyes as he peered at me. Slowly, he raised his head and stood tall as if he’d won a victory. He sucked in a deep breath and smiled.
“What!” I said annoyed, no longer entertained by his antics, regardless of how cute he appeared in his excitement. “I’m leaving,” I huffed, running down the stairs.
“Look,” he pleaded, but I didn’t respond.
I stopped but kept my back to him and folded my arms, every angle of my body sharp as I refused to turn around. “Let’s just go back.” I no longer had the energy for whatever manipulative game he wanted to play. He’d given it his best shot to change my mind. No matter how intriguing the school seemed, I wanted to get far away from this crazy place. “Let’s go,” I said again.
“No,” Korbin said, moving in front of me.
I’m going.” Rage at his refusal to let it go and realize he couldn’t change my mind washed through me, but I gritted my teeth to try to contain it.
“Not yet. No, you're not,” he demanded, spinning my body around until I faced the staircase.
Before, I could turn and lash out at him, he wrapped his arms over my shoulders, pinning my back to his chest.
“Let me go!” I insisted, thrashing against him, but he tightened his grip.
So much for vampiric strength. Note to self, feed before fighting with men.
“Not until you see,” he said as he lifted one arm and pointed at the gate before he tightly wrapped his arm around me again.
The light scent of his sweat and cologne mixed into a seductive concoction, luring me into his thrall. I shook my head to ward off the draw of his strong arms yet relented and fell still in his embrace.
Korbin relaxed a little too, but he didn’t release me. The warmth of his breath tickled my ear and I nudged my face closer to his mouth, exhaling a breath of anticipation. I closed my eyes and swayed my body and his followed as if moved by the will of the winds.
“Trust me,” he whispered.
And I did. I patted his hand to signal my submission, but he hesitated to release me. His fingertips grazed over my temple and down the length of my jaw, falling lower, tracing my collar bone, before his hand enveloped the front of my neck, massaging it lightly. To my disappointment, he stopped abruptly and released me, yet grasped my hand and drew me halfway up the stairs.
“Look at the top of the gate,” he instructed.
Dazed, I studied the intricate design. Above the seams, where the two gates joined to close, sat a full moon underneath a red sea. A mountain range made up the background. Ravens flew around the moon and a few lingered above a howling wolf.
“You see?” Korbin said.
“The spell, it’s all here,” I admitted dumbfounded. “How did you know?”
“I didn’t really—until you mentioned your heritage.” He paused and led me to the top of the stairs.
“Okay, you’ve got my attention.”
“You see that building over there with the pointy top,” he motioned toward a building in the middle of the grounds but didn’t wait for me to respond. “The Book of Pedigree is locked in the bell tower.”
“And that holds the history to my bloodline.” Stunned, I didn’t move as the full implication of his revelation threatened to bring me to my knees.
“You can find out exactly what you are and who your parents are.” He paused. “If you agree to stay at Ravens’ Blood.”
Tears of anger and relief flooded my eyes, and I gripped the bars as the realization hit me. “I have no other choice now.” I glanced upward at the scene above the gate. The majestic wolf appeared to stare right through me.
A wolf.
With blue eyes.
Like mine.
I’m the beast.
I’m the wolf
“Trifectus Rara,” I mumbled.
“Yes,” Korbin tried to soothe me. “We can solve the problem.” He placed his hand over mine and loosened my grip on the gate.
“The witch, the vampire, and the wolf.”
“Ravens and wolves always work together. We’ll get through this, I promise.”
I smiled, grateful for his help and guidance. “And those prissy bitches can get what they got coming.” I vowed.
“That’s the spirit,” Korbin joked, trying to alleviate my stress.
I leaned backward into him, letting go of all the worry and life shattering events of the night. He hummed a tune in my ear lulling my eyes shut. As if in a trance, I recited part of the incantation, “A crimson sea demands to be tasted. Unleashing the power that has been wasted. Under a full moon the creature no longer waits. To claim their destiny at the wrought iron gate.”
The heavy iron gates clicked as the locks sprang open then creaked on their hinges
. I popped my eyes open and exchanged a surprised glance with Korbin as the gates stood open in welcome or foreboding. We clasped hands as I took a deep breath and peered through the entrance. Accepting my destiny. And stepping into my fate.
The End
Ravens’ Blood Academy Book 2 (available for preorder)
About Scarlette D’Noire
Originally from Chicago and now residing in Florida. Scarlette D'Noire is a lover of all things chocolate, vampiric, dark, and sexy. She can be found sitting at her computer on several social networks, claiming to be working on several books and short stories with a Psychological Horror, Paranormal Romance or Reverse Harem Fantasy theme.
Scarlette D'Noire is a nom de plume used to protect the identity of the author so she may avoid prosecution and bring Vampire Historia a Series of Revelations and all her other dark little tales to light without consequences.
https://scarlettednoire.com/
https://bloodygoodbookblog.com/
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Also by Scarlette D’Noire
Short Stories:
Vampire Historia: The Making of Marea
Sleep, Little Pigeon
Shattered
Anthologies:
Captivated: A Limited Edition Reverse Harem Collection
Coming soon:
Vampire Historia: A Series of Revelations
Ravens’ Blood Academy Book 2 (available for preorder)
Ravens’ Blood Academy Book 3 (coming soon)
Heavenly Harem: Angels of Darkness and Light A Paranormal Romance Reverse Harem Fantasy
Born of Fire (available)
Hearts of Fire (available)
Cursed by Fire (coming soon)
Gods of Destiny, A Paranormal Romance Reverse Harem Fantasy
Gods of Death
Gods of Love
Gods of War
My Three Bad Wolves, A Reverse Harem Shifter Series
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Secrets of Nepi Island Series
Envy’s Revenge (in Captivated)
Envy Reborn
Envy Released
Check out Aiden Martin on his official Instagram account : https://www.instagram.com/aidanmartinreal/
Ravens' Blood Academy 1: A Vampire Historia Paranormal Fantasy Page 11