ZODIAC ACADEMY
The Reckoning
by
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
Contents
Campus Map
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine.
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
Chapter Thirty Five
Chapter Thirty Six
Chapter Thirty Seven
Chapter Thirty Eight
Chapter Thirty Nine
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Welcome to Zodiac Academy, here is your campus map.
Note to all students: Vampire bites, loss of limbs or getting lost in the wailing wood will not count as a valid excuse for being late to class.
Click on the map to explore it more closely.
Twelve deaths. Eight from Starlight Academy, four from Zodiac. All students.
I was still caked in mud and blood long into the evening, the scent of smoke hanging over me.
Countless were injured but I'd healed as many as I could, then carried even more to Uranus Infirmary. I sent Darius off with the Vega Twins back to Ignis House to ensure they were safe. And when the last of the students were either back in their rooms or being tended to, I headed to my own place with a heaviness descending on me.
How the fuck did this happen? How did they get in? Why weren’t we more prepared?
I headed into Earth Territory, curving through The Wailing Wood which was eerily quiet, the leaves not even rustling in the still air. I soon arrived at the faculty quarters and unlocked the tall gate to Asteroid Place.
The yard was aglow with lights, breaking up the thick darkness on its verges. The long row of brick chalets stretched out ahead of me before the pool and I spotted Washer sitting on a deck chair, his hair damp and his clothes freshly changed. He held a bottle of something in his hand and as I drew closer the acrid scent of vodka hit my nose. I wasn't in the mood to be picky as he wordlessly offered it to me and I took a long drink, grimacing as I swallowed and passed it back to him.
He looked me up and down, eyeing the state of me with horror in his eyes. “I read the cards. Nova didn't believe me.”
I nodded stiffly, moving to walk away but he caught my wrist. His Siren power pushed gently against me in a silent offer.
“Let me,” he said before I could shut him down. “It's the least I can do to take away some of your anxiety. I should have done more to make Nova listen to me, but even I started to doubt the reading. I have made mistakes before...”
The promise of relief tingled against my skin, but I pulled away from him, my lips tight.
“It was only by chance I did the reading at all,” he went on. “I was practising for teaching Tarot – you know how I dislike Pitball,” Washer said, clearly desperate for me to say something.
I sighed. “Nymphs act spontaneously to get around our predictions. It is what it is, Brian.”
He nodded, his throat rising and falling. “What was the final count?”
I released a long breath, not needing to ask what he meant. “Twelve. Four from Zodiac. Two juniors who stayed to fight and two freshmen.”
“It's a damn miracle it wasn't more,” Washer muttered, sipping on the vodka again.
“Thanks to the Vega Twins.”
He nodded slowly, his eyes darting to me then back to the pool. “I suppose you have a theory on what their Order is?”
I didn't answer that. Mostly because I didn't have one. And partly because I could still smell death on me and I seriously needed some time to myself instead of discussing this.
“Elaine's calling an assembly at midnight,” I growled then headed down the alley between mine and Washer's chalets.
I hadn't fed from Darcy and I was nearly tapped out magic wise. It might have been tempting to let Washer syphon off some of this stress but I was down to the last of my power reserves. And I didn't want to be completely empty right now. Just in case this hellish night wasn't over. Maybe I should have fed from her. But it had felt like a dick move all things considered.
Since I’d left Blue with Darius, the lasting imprint of her ashen cheeks and wide eyes were burned into my retinas. She’d fought at my side tonight with the fierceness of a warrior. And she’d saved my fucking life.
Now, I was adrift without her, my heart trying to tear its way out of my chest in a bid to go to her.
Does this change things?
No. It couldn’t. I couldn’t let it. I’d sworn to keep away from her, but after tonight, after how close we’d both come to death, a small voice had awoken in my head that whispered, fuck it, we could be dead tomorrow.
I unlocked my door halfway down the alley, stepping into the large chalet I called home. I locked up behind me, sealing the door with a shield like usual before switching on the light. The open plan kitchen-diner swept out ahead of me in tones of grey and white. I'd lived here for nearly four years now and it was the one place on campus I felt I could really remove the professor mask.
I peeled off my filthy Pitball kit, tossing it in the trash and heading into the bathroom. I practically scalded myself in the shower in an attempt to burn away the blood of students and Nymphs alike. And when I was done, I pulled on a shirt and smart pants, snatched a bottle of bourbon from the cupboard and flung myself onto the couch.
Tiredness wracked every inch of my body and as I drank way more than I should have before a formal assembly.
I found my eyes drifting closed and let myself be swallowed by the sweet nothingness of sleep.
***
My Atlas was pinging and someone was pounding on my door. I groaned, shifting to sit up on the couch and finding my bottle of bourbon spilled all over the floor. Alright, a third of a bottle of bourbon.
I snatched up my Atlas, finding it was only a quarter to midnight – so why is everyone hounding me right now?
“Lance! Open up!” Francesca's frantic voice called from the other side of the door.
I grunted, checking the message on my Atlas and finding it was just a reminder from Elaine.
I really need the backup at the assembly, Lance.
The FIB are breathing down my neck and we need to show them we're handling this like the professionals we are.
Don't be late.
Elaine Nova.
“Lance!” Francesca banged harder. “I'll break the door down if you don't answe
r in five seconds.”
I tried to conjure enough healing energy into my body to force myself to sober up. But shit, I was running on fumes.
I headed toward the door, trying to compose my face into an expression that didn't give away how much I'd had to drink. I disabled the shield around the door and unlocked it, pulling it wide, unable to fight a wince as the glaring lamp above Washer's porch pinched my eye sockets.
“You look like shit.” Francesca pushed past me with an eye roll and I groaned, pulling the door closed and pressing my back to it.
She was dressed in her black FIB jumpsuit, her hazel hair pulled up into a high ponytail and her features set in a disapproving frown. She gave the room a sweeping glance, taking in the spilled bourbon on the floor then turned to me with an even harder expression. “You can't do this. Not right now.”
“Skip the lecture.” I moved into the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water and draining it in two long gulps. Now I was half-cut, my emotions were muffled like I had a pillow pressed over them. Being numb made everything so much easier.
“I need to see what happened. The students are too traumatised right now and Principal Nova is too busy. Show me.” She strode forward with her hand outstretched.
I caught her wrist, a low snarl rolling out of my throat. “I've got a pounding headache, Francesca, I don't wanna throw-up from Cyclops invasion as well.”
She twisted her hand free, her brows drawing together as she finally dropped the FIB act.
“Are you alright?” she breathed, her eyes dancing with sympathy.
An uncomfortable feeling stirred in my chest as she looked at me like that. “I'm Fae.” I barged past her, heading to the mirror on the wall to see precisely how much of a train wreck I was right now.
“That's not an answer,” she pushed just as I looked at myself. My eyes were bloodshot and darkly shadowed; I looked like death warmed up. Oh shit, I can't go to The Orb like this, Elaine will have my balls for earrings.
I pushed a hand into my hair, flattening it down while Francesca stepped up beside me with a heavy frown. “You don't have to act like this isn't affecting you.”
“That's what I teach the students though, isn't it? Fae are tough, they don't break.” Now we're all going to gather in The Orb and keep up that lie.
She stood there for so long in silence that I had to shatter it again.
“Don't you have an investigation to be conducting?” I headed to my room to get a more suitable shirt because this one looked like it had been stuffed under a rock for a week.
Francesca followed me and I ignored her as I stripped off my shirt and took a black one out of my closet, shrugging it on. I turned and found her up in my personal space, her head tilted to one side. “I worry about you sometimes. And I mean that as a friend.” She gave me an anxious frown and I sighed heavily.
Francesca was one of my Nebula Allies. She'd been in Aer House with me at Zodiac and since she'd joined the FIB she'd helped me out more than a few times when she was off-duty.
The Nymph situation had been growing out of control for months and Darius and I had taken it into our own hands to help keep their numbers under control. She tipped me off any time there was a sighting within a ten mile radius of Zodiac. Which was strictly illegal, but she knew the FIB could use all the help they could get even if they wouldn’t admit it. She kept my secrets and I kept hers. Our trust was implicit. But she never looked at me like that. Like I wasn't handling shit.
“Well don't,” I said simply, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was just before midnight. “I've got to go.”
She nodded, tugging at a loose lock of hair by her ear. “I'll wait here. Top up while you're out so I can look at your memories.” She flopped down onto my bed, looking exhausted and I was hit with a knee-jerk reaction.
“No,” I blurted and she stared up at me like I'd grown an extra head.
“What?” Her brow creased with confusion. Even I was confused about where that reaction had come from. All I knew was that I needed my bed to myself tonight - with the exception of Lady Bourbon.
“You can't stay here tonight.” I strode out of the room, snatching my Atlas on the way as I headed for the door. I heard her walking after me and knew she deserved more of an explanation than a flat refusal. “I need some space, alright? Vampire needs.” I glanced at her and she gave me a pointed look before shrugging.
“Fine, but you owe me those memories.” She gave me a teasing grin as we headed out of my house and I locked the door.
“I'm sure Washer will offer them to you more than willingly,” I mocked as we walked out of Asteroid Place and along the path through The Wailing Wood.
“Ew,” she breathed. “God, does he still make the students wear those skimpy bathing suits?”
“Yep.”
“I remember mine used to give me the worst wedgie and he just loved watching me try to sort it out.”
“Oh yeah, I remember that. That's why everyone called you Wedge-cesca.”
“They did not!” She smacked my arm and I chuckled, a weight easing from my chest.
I was still lightheaded and I wasn't sure if it was from the alcohol or my lack of magic. Francesca eyed me with a frown then held out her wrist. “Here. Just don't tell anyone you bit an FIB agent.”
My fangs prickled and I couldn't resist as I caught her arm and slid my teeth into her veins. We paused in the woods and Francesca rested her other hand against my shoulder as I fed. Her fingers trailed up to my neck and wound into my hair, causing a tight squeeze in my chest. The well inside me started to fill and relief spilled into my gut alongside it.
I pulled away, swallowing the last of the metallic taste and finally healing the haze in my brain. “I’d better be on time tonight,” I said and she nodded, understanding what I meant. She checked her watch then rolled her eyes to the sky.
“Well I guess five minutes late is on time for you.”
I gave her a slanted grin then shot away into the trees, using my Vampire speed to eat up the distance between me and The Orb.
I arrived outside and an icy wind gusted across my neck. I glanced behind me with the gut feeling of being watched. I bared my fangs, hunting the buildings circling The Orb for any sign of an enemy. But all was quiet apart from Nova's voice carrying from inside. A few FIB agents appeared, patrolling the paths and I nodded to them before turning away.
I silently stepped into The Orb, moving to the right of the door and pressing my back to the wall. The place was packed with students, everyone listening attentively to Nova at the far end of the room while the rest of the faculty sat behind her.
On instinct, I hunted for Darius, but I found Blue first. She was with her sister, the two of them surrounded by an army of A.S.S. I had to figure out what that fire was they'd cast. It was driving me mad. I'd fought alongside Darcy and seen the full extent of her power. And I was worried as all hell about what it meant. With magic like that, she and her sister were an official threat to the Heirs. To Darius. And no matter what strange connection I had with Blue, it could not stand in the way of me ensuring Darius sat on the Celestial Council and unseated his father in the process.
I can control this.
Diego Polaris shifted beside her, dropping his arm around her shoulders. My jaw locked and white hot energy built in my chest. I had the completely irrational urge to go over there and drag him out of The Orb by the throat.
Be sensible, Lance. It was a one time thing. She’s not yours to be jealous over. Leave it alone.
I spotted Darius sitting on his usual couch with the rest of the Heirs. Seth's jaw was tight and emotion flickered in his eyes. Some of his pack were quietly sobbing in their chairs and my mouth twitched. Ashanti Larue had fallen today. She'd been on the Pitball team since the start of the year after the former Airsentry had graduated. From the red eyes around the room, I could figure out who had been friends with the other three who'd died too.
A fierce anger rose in me, knowing that the Nymphs ha
d taken Ashanti and several others of our kind. Their magic stolen along with their lives. The Nymphs would pay for this. No doubt the Celestial Councillors were already preparing a retaliation which would see them brought to their knees.
“We are all deeply saddened by the losses our academy has suffered today,” Nova said gravely. She looked preened to perfection, her dark locks coiled into a shining bun and her clothes immaculate. There wasn't a single sign she'd fought in the battle earlier on as a powerful Manticore, but she had. Just like plenty of others in this room. But that was the way of Fae. We kept going even through the hardest of times. “The FIB have sent the bodies home to their families. We will all greatly miss Darren Torkin, Lily Jessops, Harriet Kent and Ashanti Larue-”
The wolf pack howled as one, the sound piercing my gut. Caleb wrapped an arm around Seth and Max reached out to hold his hand, taking his pain away with his Siren gifts.
“Although this tragedy has rocked us to our core, we must remember that we are Fae. We do not falter in the face of adversary. We lift our heads high and walk on. Tomorrow, classes will continue as normal and freshmen will begin preparation for The Reckoning which will be held this coming week. We will show those cowardly Nymphs who skulk in the shadows that we cannot be broken. Not even for a moment.”
A few people clapped, but most of the students seemed subdued.
Nova pressed out an invisible crease from her button-down jacket then clasped her hands together. “Now,” she said sharply and everyone lifted their heads. “Zodiac Academy is officially on lock down. We will not lose a single other student to the hands of the vile creatures who have declared war on us this very day. Curfew will start at nine pm sharp every night without fail, including weekends. Any student found out of their Houses after this time will face severe punishment. Two hundred and fifty points will be docked from your House and you will face detention with Professor Orion.” She gestured to me and a sea of eyes turned my way.
I gave them a dark look to stoke a little fear in the hearts of any rebels considering breaking those orders. Darcy's eyes locked with mine and my lungs compressed. Why was it so fucking difficult to cut her out of me? One look was enough to make me consider risking everything I’d ever worked for.
Zodiac Academy 3: The Reckoning: An Academy Bully Romance (Supernatural Bullies and Beasts) Page 1