Kylie collapsed down into her seat, coughing heavily as she drew in deep lungfuls of air.
“It seems your friend is not a complete waste of oxygen, Miss Major. So be sure to prove to me that you're also not wasting precious air in my classroom.”
Kylie nodded, panting as she held her throat, staring back at him angrily. I was kind of impressed at how unaffected she seemed after nearly choking to death.
“So perhaps we aren't all entirely useless. Maybe you just need the right motivation to work harder.” He turned back up the aisle, his hand landing on Sofia's shoulder. His other palm shot out toward Tory and he stole the air from her lungs.
Tory sat bolt upright, her hand flying to her chest.
“Miss Cygnus, name the seven Cardinal Magics that all Fae are capable of before Miss Vega turns blue,” Orion commanded and Sofia squeaked in alarm.
My heart thumped madly but Sofia was the smartest Fae in the class and she gave his answer immediately. “Healing, Coercion, Levitation, Summoning, Illusion, Divination and Atmospheric Manipulation.”
Orion released Tory from his power and she gasped for air, managing to choke out, “Ass-hole,” as he marched back to the front of the room.
I gave her a sympathetic look and she pursed her lips.
Orion leaned back against his desk, folding his arms. “We have a serious fucking problem. Corbin, tell me what it is.” He pointed at Tyler who remained dead silent, shrugging his shoulders.
“Polaris?” Orion asked Diego who shook his head.
His eyes skipped onto me. “Miss Vega?”
“That our Cardinal Magic teacher is a psycho?” I offered, rage still simmering in me from him attacking my sister.
His jaw ticked in a deadly way and my heart thumped out of rhythm. “I prefer the term unbalanced and frankly it's the least of your problems.” His mouth twitched with amusement as he looked away.
Unbalanced was right. Plus totally unpredictable. And I didn't think it was the least of my problems at all, it was right up there with Nymphs declaring war on Solaria and some crazy ass fire living in my veins.
“If I don't get an answer in the next ten seconds, someone's head is going to be introduced to the ceiling,” Orion said coolly.
Everyone started calling out answers as he held up two hands, counting down fingers one at a time.
“The Nymphs?!” someone cried.
“The Reckoning?” someone else tried.
“Hell Week is going to kill us?” Jillian wailed.
“We suck?” Diego blurted and Orion paused one second from finishing his countdown and used that finger to point at him.
“What specifically do you suck at?” he demanded.
“Um, everything?” Diego tried and I couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped me.
“No,” Orion sighed, lifting his finger again, ready to count it down.
“Practical magic!” Sofia supplied just before he curled his finger.
“Yes,” he cheered with a bright smile. “Ten points to Ignis.” He stared around at all of us with gleaming eyes.
“Tell me, Corbin, how many Vampires drank from you last week?” Orion shifted closer to him as Tyler frowned.
“Um… four maybe?” he said with a shrug.
“And did you try to fight them off?” Orion asked.
“Well… it's easier to just, ya know, let them get on with it,” Tyler said awkwardly.
“Precisely. And some of you...” He swept through the class with his Vampire speed and everyone stiffened. His hand landed on Tory's shoulder as he leaned in close to her ear. “Actually enjoy it, don't you?”
Tory blushed which was saying a lot for my sister. “That's not really your business, is it Professor?”
“Isn't it? I beg to differ.” he stood upright then shot back to the front of the class. “What is the point of you all being here if you're content with sitting at the bottom of the food chain? I'm not going to waste my time training Fae who don't want to climb the ranks.” His sharp eyes scored over us all, cutting us down to the quick. “Raise your hand if you've been drained by a Siren recently.”
Everyone raised their hands, even the Sirens in the class.
“And keep your hand up if you fought back.”
Nearly everyone's hands dropped except Tory's and I threw her a grin.
“Oh yeah! Tory Vega totally throat punched Max Rigel,” Tyler said excitedly.
“Did she now?” Orion asked with a hint of a smile.
“Well yeah.” Tory shrugged innocently, but her eyes lit up with the memory.
“And I suppose you've attempted that with Caleb Altair too, have you?” Orion deadpanned and the smile fell from her face. “I thought not.”
“Sir – we're not trained to fight off other Fae yet,” Kylie called out. “Most of us aren't from the gutter with street fighting skills.”
“Maybe you'd better go spend some time in the gutter then, Miss Major, because you won't be trained to fight off other Fae magically until after The Reckoning,” Orion said and Tory and I started grinning. “The fact is, I don't care if you get knocked on your ass every time a Fae takes advantage of you. If you don't even try to fight back, you don't deserve your place in this school. Do I make myself clear?”
A murmur of yes sir filled the room.
“Good. Your first assignment this week is to embrace your inner Fae. Don't take any shit lying down. No one's judging you if you lose, but if you don't even try to win, you're not one of us. And if you can't hack it, get out of my class.” He gestured to the door and one boy actually gathered up his things and hurried out. The door slowly swung closed behind him and my lips parted in surprise.
“This is called Hell Week for a reason,” Orion growled. “We're going to try and break you. You might even get broken. But so long as you persevere and make it through The Reckoning you will be accepted as true Fae. Your place at Zodiac Academy will become official. Even if you don't make it through the rest of the year, no one will be able to take that away from you. So suck it up. And face the heat with everything you've got. Remember to look out for yourself, because not everyone in this classroom is going to be here next week.”
Ho-ly shit. Am I ready for this?
Orion tapped the board and the screen changed to the lesson title.
The Reckoning: How to Prepare for the Worst Week of Your Life.
“The Elemental Trials will be held this week leading up to The Reckoning.” He tapped the screen and the schedule flashed up.
Thursday: Air Trial
Friday: Water Trial
Saturday: Fire Trial
Sunday: Earth Trial
Monday: The Reckoning
“You will attend the trials of whatever Elements you hold.” He looked to Tory and I with a terse expression. “That means you will attend every trial of every Element you hold.”
“Great,” Tory muttered and my gut clenched.
“That's crazy, chicas.” Diego shook his head, pushing a hand through his curly black locks.
“The trials are top secret so I won't be giving you any pointers. However, what I can say is that it will test the abilities you have learned in your Elemental classes, but most importantly it will test your mettle. The older students have been instructed to make your lives as difficult as possible during this week, so when you face your trials, you will be exhausted, you will be angry and you will be ready to go home. So you'll have to call on the strongest part of your nature if you're going to survive it.”
“I changed my mind.” The guy who'd left the room poked his white-blonde head back through the door and everyone turned to look at him.
“I've already forgotten your name,” Orion snarled at him but the boy opened the door, edging back in with his Atlas clutched to his chest.
“It's Elijah Indus,” he said firmly, lifting his chin.
“Talk to me in the hall,” Orion ordered, a malicious look on his face as he hounded forward and Elijah backed out of the door. Orio
n stepped after him and as the door closed, several people darted out of their seats, clustering against it to listen.
It was totally unnecessary as Orion's booming voice made the whole classroom shake.
“DO YOU THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO INTERRUPT MY LESSON WITH YOUR INDECISIVENESS!?”
Diego shot out of his seat, running up to the desk and swiping the beanie hat from the watermelon. A noise somewhere between an amused laugh and a gasp of terror escaped me as he pocketed it and returned to his seat.
“He'll search you for it,” I said, my heart thumping harder.
“You're so dead,” Tory laughed.
“You're right.” Diego frowned deeply.
“Here, give it to me.” I held out my hand and Diego's eyes rounded.
He shook his head firmly “No, it'll get you in trouble.”
“He won't know I have it,” I said as Orion's voice split the air apart again.
“I DON'T CARE IF YOUR PARENTS SOLD ORGANS TO GET YOU INTO THIS ACADEMY, THAT'S ENTIRELY IRRELEVANT TO WHETHER YOU MAKE THE CUT!”
I wiggled my fingers at Diego and he hesitantly took the hat out and placed it in my hand. “Are you sure?”
“I'm sure.”
“Good luck with that,” Tory jibed while Sofia stared at the hat like it was about to explode.
I stuffed it into the back of my skirt where Orion wouldn’t dare go, arranging my blazer so it concealed the lump. I sat up straighter as the door flew open and the students scattered, fleeing back to their seats.
Orion shoved Elijah into the room, pressing his hands to his shoulders as he guided him to the head of the class. Elijah was pale faced, but had a determined expression in place as Orion prepared to dole out his punishment. He prodded Elijah so he was front and centre then stepped back so we were all staring at him.
“Mr Indus has something to say,” Orion announced.
Elijah cleared his throat. The class waited attentively and some people sniggered. “I'm pathetic.”
“And?” Orion prompted.
“And a coward.”
Orion cocked his head, still waiting.
Elijah sighed. “And I'd like to apologise to you all for being an embarrassment to the school. And to Solaria. And to the entire race of Fae.”
“If you walk out again you're done,” Orion snarled and I sensed he really meant that. He stalked down the aisle to Elijah's chair and carried it to one side of the room. “Twenty points from House Aqua. And you can stand up in every one of my classes until you earn your seat back.”
Elijah nodded quickly, hurrying back to his desk and standing awkwardly where his chair had been.
“Right.” Orion returned to the board then his eyes floated down to the hatless watermelon. A dark chuckle rolled from his throat and he turned smoothly toward Diego with a challenging grin. “Stand up, Mr Polaris.”
Diego did as he was told, shaking a little as Orion moved to stand in front of him. The hat seemed to burn against my flesh as he studied Diego like he was deciding specifically how he was going to destroy him.
“Hand it back.” Orion held out his hand and Diego shook his head in response. He leaned in closer, his eyes calculating as he looked Diego up and down. “Hmm… you don't have it, do you?” His eyes whipped to me and my heart nearly combusted.
I quickly schooled my expression and felt Tory leaning closer like she was gonna grab it if he got too close to his prize.
Orion cast his gaze across me, Tory and Sofia, then back to me, curling a finger to make me stand up. A little thrill danced through me as I stood. He couldn't shove his hand down my skirt. He was a teacher. A fact he had reminded me about quite clearly at Lionel Acrux’s house.
He held out his hand and I shrugged.
“I don't have anything, sir,” I said innocently.
“Are we really going to play this game?” He leaned into my face and my throat closed up as the all-too-familiar cinnamon scent of him washed over me, reminding me viscerally of the kiss we'd shared. Danger tingled my senses as I read the double meaning to his words. A smile caught the corner of my mouth and I nodded.
He gave me a devil's grin that made my confidence plummet. He thought he'd won. But had he?
He stepped back, still smiling. “Everyone will lose five House Points for every minute Miss Vega keeps hold of that hat.”
I gasped, immediately feeling hands on me from the students behind. I lurched away, snatching the hat out from my waistband and throwing it at Orion, releasing a noise of frustration. He caught it out of the air, strolled back to the watermelon and redressed it.
“How the hell am I supposed to get it back if you threaten everyone in class?” Diego huffed.
Orion leaned back in his chair, resting his feet up on the corner of the desk. “That, Mr Polaris, is exactly what you have to figure out.”
I left Cardinal Magic feeling even more anxious about this Hell Week stuff than I’d been before it. Professor Orion’s teaching method left a lot to be desired. In our last high school back in Chicago I’d had this over-interested guidance counsellor called Mrs McGravy who had tried to smother me with warm and fuzzy feels. I remembered wishing for her to be an asshole instead. Now I was beginning to think I’d been wrong to want that. Mrs McGravy would have given me constructive advice about how to make it through Hell Week and bolstered my confidence in my own ability for good measure.
Orion publicly humiliated me, made me feel worthless and called me names before telling me straight to my face he fully expected me to fail. And I got the impression he actually wanted me to fail too. Not like the other students who he wanted to push into succeeding. With me and Darcy it came down to his allegiance to Darius and the other Heirs and at the end of the day he didn’t want us on the throne.
The freshmen all stuck together as we headed towards The Orb for lunch and it was kind of amusing to find that all of the cliques, House divides and social circles melted away into nothing as we were faced with a greater threat.
Every older student I saw was wearing one of those long, black robes and I guessed it was to make sure the freshmen stood out as easy targets in our uniforms.
I kept a shield of air magic raised around me as well as making sure I was protecting myself from Coercion too. It took a fair bit of concentration and we stayed silent as we walked. It was probably the least excited I’d ever been about food in my entire life.
“Your Majesties!” Geraldine called loudly the moment we entered The Orb and I turned to find her waving both of her arms above her head as she stood on a chair. In all honesty, she was one of the tallest girls I knew and it was completely unnecessary for her to raise herself up any higher to be seen over the crowd, but she seemed to like doing it.
I sagged in relief as we moved to join the A.S.S. to the left of the room with Diego and Sofia keeping close as we went.
“I saved your table for you,” Geraldine gushed as we approached. “It’s the darndest thing, but after all of your help with the Nymph attack, we’ve had over a hundred new members join the Almighty Sovereign Society!”
“Oh wow,” Darcy said, summoning some enthusiasm from somewhere even though I knew this fan group still made her as uncomfortable as it made me.
They wanted us to rise up and take back our throne and despite the fact that I was becoming more and more tempted to challenge the asshole Heirs, I still didn’t have any intention to place a crown upon my head. So their faith in us was more than a little unwarranted. Still, in this particular situation, I’d gladly accept any help going and if the Ass Club could protect us while we ate our lunch then so be it.
Geraldine was wearing a black robe just like all of the older students and her friend Angelica smiled warmly as we came to sit at the table beside them.
Geraldine had already brought over a selection of sandwiches and bowls of french fries for us and I dropped into my seat with a groan of longing after missing breakfast.
I fell upon my food while listening with one ear to Geraldine ratt
ling off the names of the newest members and occasionally offering out my hand to shake when one of them moved forward excitedly to meet us. I doubted I was really what any of them expected from a princess on my best day and I internally apologised to them for the fact that I wasn’t going to be distracted from filling my face while these introductions continued.
When I finally finished my fourth sandwich, I leaned back in my chair and started picking at an overflowing bowl of french fries. Diego was stewing over his missing hat, coming up with more and more pathetic ways to get it back while looking like he might start crying over it.
“Why don’t you just buy a new hat, dude?” I asked eventually.
Darcy kicked me beneath the table and I raised my eyebrow questioningly but apparently her warning had come too late. Diego dropped his head into his hands and started murmuring about his abuela knitting it before descending entirely into Spanish. Sofia tried to comfort him, offering me a look that said it was my fault and I rolled my eyes dramatically as I took a sip of my drink.
I quickly placed the coke back down on the table and glanced at the others. “Did someone want diet coke?” I asked, wondering whose drink I’d ended up with by accident. As much as I argued against Geraldine getting our food and drinks all the time, she insisted on doing it and never forgot our preferences so I doubted she would have made that mistake.
Before anyone could respond, Geraldine and Angelica burst into a fit of hysterical laughter, drawing our attention away from Diego’s display of self pity.
“I g-g-got you diet!” she cried, barely able to force the words out between her laughter.
“What?” I asked in confusion.
“The mayo in your sandwich was half fat too!” Angelica added, clinging to Geraldine as she wiped tears from beneath her eyes.
“Why?” I asked in confusion.
“H- h -hell week!” Geraldine spluttered through her laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
My lips parted and I threw an extra dose of false outrage into my expression in response to the ridiculous prank, placing a hand over my heart. “How could you, Geraldine?” I gasped. “I thought we were friends!”
Zodiac Academy 3: The Reckoning: An Academy Bully Romance (Supernatural Bullies and Beasts) Page 4