by Jarica James
Call of the Siren
Obsidian Cove Supernatural Academy Book 1
Jarica James
Copyright © 2019 by Jarica James
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover by Jodielocks designs
Formatting by Inked Imagination
Editing by Meghan Daigle
Warning
Call of the Siren is a reverse harem, new adult romance. It is intended for readers 18 and up, and does contain some triggering elements (violence, torture and assault)
Thank You
Thanks to my author friends and author groups for always supporting and encouraging me, this community is the best!
Thanks to AJ for keeping me on task and sending unicorns when I have bad days.
Thanks to Katie for always giving me amazing advice and being an amazing friend
Thanks to Ash for being an amazing reader and making me want to write! Your encouragement is appreciated!
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
Afterword
Also by Jarica James
My eyes scanned the courtyard of the school in the distance. The bell chimed for class as I waited with my eyes trained on the ground below, hoping to catch anything weird about the students. Our target was here, that much we knew, but it was our job to determine who and what they were.
My money was on the quiet girl, the one who stood out from the crowd. My anger boiled every time I saw them shove her or laugh at her expense. It's disgusting the way humans treat each other.
My comm beeped before voices crackled in my ear. "I think it's the brunette with her head down. By the fountain."
"That was my thought too," I answered back as I landed on the top of the bridge nearby and sat still. "I've got night watch."
The others all said their goodbyes, and the comm went silent, leaving me to my thoughts. I kept my perch, using my ability to control the shadows to surround myself in darkness, invisible to the naked, untrained eye. Even though we took turns, I always preferred to take the night shift. Darkness was my thing, and I'd catch far more after nightfall than the rest of my team would.
It was hours before I saw any movement. One solitary person walked out, arms wrapped around herself like she would blow away if she let go. Her steps were hurried as she made her way towards me, and I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle as she greeted the twin gargoyle statues below me. My heart stopped when she leaned over the edge, only relaxing again when she sat down, her feet dangling over.
Could she be our target?
February 19
Evening
Lennox
It wasn’t easy being the most hated student at Obsidian Cove Preparatory Academy. Sure, there were the occasional moments that someone did something and became the talk of the school, like who slept with who and all that, but I was constantly the main target. It had been the theme for almost four years now, though I had no clue why. If I smelled bad or there was some obvious reason for it, it might have been an easier pill to swallow, but I was pretty normal.
Everything had been fine at the beginning of freshman year. My parents dropped me off, I got settled into my dorm room, and even liked my roommate. It was exciting being here, feeling like we were special and grown up because we had the freedom to live on our own. Then one day everyone just turned on me. I went from getting along with my classmates, to being the target of their ridicule. I had a sinking suspicion that it was because one of the guys in our grade started talking to me, and Clara, my main bully, liked him too. It only takes one rumor to bring down a person, and I've heard several ridiculous ones over the years, each one turning more and more of my classmates against me. I would never understand how someone like Clara could intimidate so many, she was small. She may be small, but she’s ruthless, I reminded myself.
Thankfully, it never got physical, they just made every waking moment a living hell. Even my room wasn't a sanctuary since my roommate was just as bad. Though, now that it had been a few years, she ignores me more than anything. I even got a break on the weekends because her parents lived nearby and always had her come home for the weekend. The school was no help; I requested to get my own room several times, but they refused to 'bend the rules' for me, even though they never seemed to worry about doing that for my Clara and her lackeys.
After a particularly nasty mealtime, where bits of hamburger were thrown at my head, I went up to my room and grabbed my coat so I could go for a walk. I still had thirty minutes until curfew, which was the perfect amount of time for me to clear my head. Plus, nobody would want to stand out in the cold in the middle of February, which meant I'd have the grounds all to myself. I shook the last bits of food from my hair and pushed the anger aside. I refuse to let them win, their words don’t mean anything.
The front doors of Obsidian creaked open ominously, the echo reverberating through the empty halls. Snow was falling lightly, blowing around in the soft breeze that swirled through the courtyard. The grass and sidewalks were dusted lightly, the icy sheen sparkling in the moonlight. Everything was still and peaceful out there; the tension eased in my muscles, and I breathed in deeply, letting the hurt and anger fall away with every exhale.
The courtyard opened up to the front gates of the academy. Beyond that was a single lane road that parted the trees and led over a stone bridge that had the academy's symbol carved into the pillars. The little gargoyles glared down at me as I passed, looking far more sinister than any school symbol should. Maybe that’s why I like them, though. They don’t quite fit the prestige of this school, and neither do I.
"Hello, boys," I quipped, patting the closest one on his horns before taking a seat on the edge of the bridge, dangling my feet over. The dark, inky waters of the Obsidian Sea swirled violently below me as I peered over the edge. Our school was on the edge of the coastline, a small sliver of the sea separating us from the rest of Obsidian Cove.
Something about the dark water called to me... the kind of call I had a really hard time shaking off. It pulled me in, almost literally, with an overwhelming urge to dive into the frigid waters below. Which would probably kill me. Which they would probably all like. Which is why I haven’t done it.
The thing that bothers me most about it is that Clara seems to hold all the power. Sure the others jump in and never miss a chance at what they call ‘fun’, but she is the puppeteer, always using her influence to make others act how she wants them to. Even her own friends don’t seem to think on their own. Fuck, focus on something else, Lennox! I looked back over the sea, desperately trying to numb my feelings.
The sound of the water helped relax me even further, my thoughts drifting again to the places I couldn't wait to go after this. Obsidian Cove Academy had an extension program that was a fully accredited college, so if I wanted to stay for four more years, I could. But the very idea made me want to dive into those dark depths for a whole new reason.
The bell tolled in the distance,
signifying that I had fifteen minutes until curfew. I wasn’t one to challenge the school staff; detention was no place for a person like me at this school. With a sigh, I stood up and stepped away from the edge, working my way up the path that led back to the building. My stomach knotted with anxiety as my hand touched the door. Please let me slip by unnoticed, for once.
Obsidian Cove Academy loomed in front of me, the dark stone exterior reflecting the moonlight and illuminating my own personal Hell on Earth. Thankfully, as a senior, I'd be done with this place at the end of this semester. I can’t fucking wait.
My footsteps echoed along the path, the only other noise was from a coyote howling in the distance. The cold winter air kept everyone from loitering out here, which was why I chose it in the first place. Plus, the bridge was my happy place. Once I was inside with the door closed, I shook off the snow and turned to walk upstairs. A familiar voice startled me, the sound grating on my nerves immediately.
"Oh look, it's Lennie. Talking to your imaginary friends outside?" Clara teased, giving me an obvious once over as her mouth twisted in disgust. I didn't bother saying anything back; instead, I just rolled my eyes and walked directly into a wall of muscle. Cue her evil twin, Alistair. Clearly, their parents were into super pompous names. They were also clearly raised with no manners or morals.
"Don't touch me, I don't want your pariah germs rubbing off on me," he said as he jumped back, letting me fall hard on my knees. I just glared at him, picking myself up and heading for the stairs.
"Going to go cry, Lennie?" Clara called after me, her whole body shaking in laughter as she whispered back and forth with Alistair. They were like two dark haired, green-eyed demons, intent on making me break.
"I don't cry over assholes anymore," I called back as I flipped her off over my shoulder. They used to be able to break me, leaving me sobbing and running through the halls on more than one occasion, but not now. I'd gained a backbone since freshman year, I no longer cry and pity myself, but I also choose not to fight back. Having violence on my record wasn’t the way to get into a good college. Instead, I kept my head down and my record clean, so I could escape as soon as I had that diploma in hand. "Man, I can't wait to leave this hell hole," I muttered the last part to myself, but the laughter following me meant they heard. I continued up the stairs, letting my mind wander to all of the places I'd go when I graduated.
"Move," a random girl huffed out as she hurried past me, knocking me into the wall. It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't so small, but my five foot petite frame didn't give me much in the way of strength. I should probably start some kind of martial arts training or something. Maybe it would help me stay on my feet more.
The way everyone treated me... it was almost as if Alistair and Clara went around to every student and said 'hate Lennox Malia, or else'. It honestly wouldn't surprise me anymore. The teachers and faculty didn't bully me themselves, but they openly ignored it, never putting a stop to it. It was like they were just waiting for me to snap.
Cierra, my roommate, just glared at me with a huff, before slipping her headphones over her ears and drowning me out with her music. It was so loud I could hear the faint melody from across the room.
My side of the room was pristine since I was too afraid to make a mess and have her do something ridiculous to my stuff. It honestly felt like I was walking on eggshells. The only positive part of my year was going home for Christmas and summer break. It wasn’t that my family was exactly inviting; in fact, my parents were older and stern, not bothering to show much love or even basic interest in me. But the beautiful silence and not being constantly bullied was pure bliss. Plus the cook never failed to slip me extra dessert.
I flipped on the dim desk lamp and started on my math homework. At least my grades were fantastic. With no time spent on anything else, I tended to bury myself in my studies in hopes that when I was ready for college, I could go to a good one. The idea of being in a place where nobody recognized me, and I could have a real fresh start, was so appealing. Do they have good colleges in Alaska?
Eventually, the lights overhead flicked off without a word of warning from my roommate, because why use common decency? Sighing, I went to my closet and changed into pajamas, before I clicked off my light and snuggled under the covers.
Only three months left until I graduate, and only one until I'm eighteen.
It can't come fast enough.
February 20
Afternoon
Lennox
Something happened today, and since I wasn’t exactly in the loop, I spent most of the day wondering what it was. All day, everyone had been huddled together, whispering hurriedly and not giving me a second glance. Not even Clara or Alistair bothered to taunt me. It was a welcome change, but my ridiculous brain was unsettled, assuming it was just a new tactic to put me on edge, or the calm before the storm.
"Did you see them?"
"We never get new kids, now we get five?!"
"They don't look the same, but I hear they're supposed to be brothers."
"I don't care who they are, I just know they're gorgeous."
The whispers surrounded me the entire walk down the hall, and my interest was piqued. I couldn't help but scan the halls, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever the talk of the school was. Things would go back to normal soon enough, so I figured I may as well enjoy being able to look around in peace while it lasted.
No matter how hard I tried to focus in class, the constant passing of notes and gossiping whispers wouldn't stop. Even the teachers seemed to get frustrated and give up on teaching, assigning us busy work instead. I'd never been more excited for the lunch bell to ring, needing a break from the constant whispers. I already dislike them, and I haven’t even met them.
I practically ran to the cafeteria and through the lunch lines, before taking my usual seat in the back corner. I claimed that spot so my back was against the wall, never wanting to leave myself vulnerable or unable to see who was coming up to berate me. Needing an escape, I pulled out my tablet and started reading my latest book. Fantasy worlds and exciting plot twists were my favorite form of distraction.
"Mind if we sit here?" a deep voice rang out. I didn't bother to look up, knowing it wasn't for me.
"Do you think she's deaf?" a smooth, honeyed voice whispered back.
"I don't want to tap her and scare her," a melodic, cheerful voice said with a chuckle.
"This is ridiculous," another smokey voice chimed in with a huff. I finally decided to glance up, jumping when I found five tall and very intimidating guys looking down at me.
"Ah, there she is," the last teased, his gravelly voice full of laughter, not malice. My cheeks flared at the attention, no words coming out of my mouth. So, in true Lennox fashion, I simply turned back to my book and completely ignored them.
"Did that just happen?" the deep voice asked, his words laced with shock and amusement. I gave a small shrug as I shook my brown hair out from over my shoulder so it cascaded around my face, giving me a sense of privacy. With one last snort my way, they all sat down and drifted into an easy conversation. I felt weird listening in, so I did my best to tune them out, refusing to take in their faces. Besides, I knew I'd get caught; after all these years of being friendless, I wasn’t the most smooth when it came to social situations . My chest tightened as Clara's fake, sugary tone interrupted them. I guess it was nice not being ostracized while it lasted.
"Hey! I'm Clara," she started, giving each of them her thousand watt smile. A grimace flickered over her face as her gaze drifted past me. "I'm sorry nobody invited you to sit with them, how rude of us. Why don't you come join us at our table? We'll make room for you guys. You don’t want to sit with Lennox."
"No worries, Clara. We are just fine with Lennox here," the guy with the gravelly voice answered, before introducing himself to me. "I'm Lachlan."
"Oh, come on, you really don't want to sit with Lennie," she retorted, her sweet facade faltering for a moment. She reminded me of those v
ideo game villains, flickering into her 'final form'.
"I find Lennie quite interesting," the melodic voiced guy said, holding his hand out to me. "I'm Aeson, by the way," he said, giving me a wink. When I gave a small wave instead of taking his hand, he retracted it and looked even more amused.
"Evander," the boy with the honeyed voice said, giving me a small smile and not bothering to look at Clara. Are these guys nuts?! She's gorgeous and tall, they're crazy to ignore her.
"Hello, Gorgeous," mister deep voice said, as he looked right at me, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. Did he just read my fucking mind?! At that panicked thought, his smile spread. I'm fucking losing it, I thought, pulling my eyes away. "I'm Tristan."
"Calev," the broody boy with the smokey voice said simply, giving me a curt nod before looking back at his food. I get it, dude, this whole thing is uncomfortable. His eyes flickered to Clara as her face turned a brilliant tomato red. Clearly, she was not used to being ignored. I, however, enjoyed her discomfort immensely. I had the overwhelming urge to stick out my tongue at her, but I knew when these guys’ fascination with me wore off, I’d have hell to pay for it.
"Don't think this makes you any better than you were before. You're still the same Lennie you’ve always been," she reminded me, her voice returning to sugary sweetness, while her eyes filled with a deeper hatred than before. Not wanting to make it worse, I simply looked back down at my book. I went to my fail-safe, singing ridiculous songs loudly in my head until they just go away. I glanced up to see Tristan rubbing his head like he’d suddenly been hit with a headache, and the others had varying looks of confusion and judgement on their faces.