The Destiny: A YA Paranormal Academy Romance (Deep Cove Academy Book 1)

by Madison Becker

  Tonight will be our second Night Sky Astronomy class. Once a month, around the full moon, we wrench ourselves out of bed at midnight, bundled in sweats and rubbing our eyes. Night Sky is the one class where we aren’t required to wear our uniform and most of us put in minimal effort.

  Kendra and her posse are the exception, of course — they show up looking like off-duty supermodels.

  I enjoyed our first class so much that I should be looking forward to tonight, but with the stress of the nightmares and of the search for answers, I can’t muster up any enthusiasm.

  The door to the common room slams open. Reef and his crew squelch into the room, soaking wet.

  “Sup, Landwalkers?” TJ forgoes the sofa and lays on the floor next to Casey. He shakes his wet hair towards her like a dog. She squeals and swats him away.

  Marlowe flops on the couch. “I’m beat, we got our asses handed to us at football.”

  Football, as they refer to it, is nothing like human football. It’s a siren game played underwater in the huge rockpool at the edge of campus. Reef and his friends often have a game when it’s not surfing weather, and Dennis, who was a football star back home, always joins in. It’s meant to be played by transformed sirens, but the boys play a hold-your-breath version, where they surface for air during the game. Lately, this happens less frequently as their gills develop.

  Reef lays on the sofa opposite me, his arm dangling off. He’s the picture of relaxation.

  “You ready for tomorrow’s exam?” I ask him.

  His green eyes bore into mine. “No. You are, though.”

  I smile shyly and my cheeks flame. I turn away, only to meet Kendra’s glare from across the room. She narrows her eyes and I hold her stare defiantly.

  TJ follows my gaze and chuckles. “Fenner, your girlfriend’s glaring again.”

  Reef’s face turns purple and he opens his mouth to shoot back at TJ.

  “Sorry, sorry, EX girlfriend.” TJ laughs. “She’s smoking hot when she’s angry. Mind if I take a shot at your seconds, bro?”

  “Whatever you want.” Reef rolls onto his stomach and puts a pillow over his head, but a moment later, he turns his eyes back to me.

  I drop his gaze and stare at my notes, feeling embarrassed and out of place. Reef wants to be friends, so why should I care what he thinks of Kendra?

  TJ glances quickly at Casey with a devilish look in his eyes and then yells to Kendra. “Hey Walton! How about you and me hit up the beach tomorrow, make it a date?”

  “In your dreams, TJ!” She snarls and flips her hair over her shoulder.

  He looks at Casey and seems to examine her features to see how she’ll react. It’s obvious that he likes her; I’d bet that he’s trying to get a rise out of her.

  But, he’s well-matched with Casey. Her expression is neutral, even bored. “Ooh, that’s gotta hurt. Not even good enough to be sloppy seconds, fish boy.”

  TJ explodes into laughter and pounces on Casey. He tickles her mercilessly, all thoughts of Kendra clearly out the window. I smile to myself.

  “What’s so funny?” Reef’s velvet voice calls me to attention.

  He’s looking at me and my stomach flips. My eyes drift over his perfect, smiling mouth, his angular jaw.

  “Nothing,” I say and then sigh. “I’m not looking forward to Night Sky tonight. I’m exhausted.”

  Reef nods imperceptibly. He knows that the stress of midterms isn’t the only thing keeping me up at night. “Skip it, then.”

  “No way.”

  “Do you think we could sleep through it?” Beau asks. “Blame a faulty alarm clock?”

  “So, all of our alarms didn’t go off?” Casey laughs.

  Beau shrugs. “That’s the story and I’m sticking to it!”

  “I doubt Nerida will cancel it,” says Marlowe. “My brother told me that classes here are never canceled. For any reason. When it's bad weather for Night Sky, Nerida just uses the time to do more textbook work.”

  I groan and assess my pile of textbooks and the seemingly interminable amount of work I have to do. Resigned, I climb onto the couch near Reef, careful not to touch him. I can’t handle the electricity between us right now.

  “I’m just going to take a nap here.” I joke as I curl into a ball.

  Reef throws a blanket over me and laughs. “Sweet dreams.”

  I drift off before I know it.

  34

  The ear-splitting noise of the splintering wood hides the sound of my underwater scream. The mast of the shipwreck crashes towards me and I’m filled with a frozen hopelessness.

  Ahead, the necklace floats just out of reach. The symbol is clear and pulsing. And beyond it, I see Reef’s green eyes, pleading, begging for help. I start to make out the outline of his body through the murky water. He’s bound in chains to the haunting wreck.

  Then, his eyes shut and he slumps, unconscious. Blood mists the surrounding water. I need to get to him, fast.

  I can do it. I can grab the necklace, and then save Reef. I know I can.

  I frantically try to swim his way but my arms are slow and sluggish, barely cutting through the water. In slow motion, I reach for the necklace and my fingers wrap around it.

  From the shadows, inhuman hands — long, white, and spindly — reach for Reef. A scream rips from my body as the hands clasp around him. They claim him, pull him down.

  I grasp the necklace so hard that it cuts my skin. The hands drag him further and further into oblivion. I have the necklace, but at the expense of Reef. I’m losing him.

  “No!”

  This time, I hear my scream and the pitch stabs through my eardrums. I thrash forward and my lungs suck in air. I’m somehow above water, on the surface. How did this happen? I don’t want to be at the surface. I have to get Reef.

  I look around at the darkness in every direction. I’ve been here before — at the trial. What am I doing here?

  I tilt my head back and gasp at the sky above. A full, bulging moon hangs heavy in the center of the sky, while a meteor shower etches itself into the star-soaked tapestry around it. I take a breath, assessing the scene, before the hands close around me and drag me below.

  “Maya!” A voice floats through my dreams. I startle awake and the familiar trickle of cold sweat slides down my back. “It’s almost time for class. We have to hurry.”

  I open my eyes and Casey and Flo are staring at me. I’m disoriented, feverish. “What?”

  Flo giggles. “You fell asleep in the common room. We didn't have the heart to wake you earlier, so we came back for you before class.”

  Casey hands me my mug. “Let’s get you some coffee and get out of here. You know what Professor Nerida is like when people are late.”

  I stagger to my feet and we grab coffee before sprinting to the North Tower of the castle. The hot coffee sloshes down my arm as I run. I barely feel it. I have goosebumps, but it has nothing to do with the cold night air.

  I need to get to Astronomy. Now.

  Mr. Seaver is in the center courtyard with his flashlight, making sure all students are headed in the direction of class. I spot a few puffing away in front of us as they run to make it on time. Night Sky is definitely not a class that lends itself to punctuality.

  The rain has stopped and the ground is cool and damp. The stars are sprinkled around a perfectly full, bright and beautiful moon in the sky.

  Just like in my dream.

  I run faster.

  We slide onto a cluster of empty stools in the Astronomy classroom as Nerida begins her lecture. My heart thumps hard and I feverishly glance around the room for Reef. He’s a few rows up, by the window.

  He twists back to look at me and mouths. “You okay?”

  I give my head a tiny shake and roll up my coffee-soaked sleeve.

  “Reef Fenner!” Professor Nerida snaps. “When you are ready.”

  “Sorry, Ma’am,” he replies, not sounding in the least bit sorry.

  Professor Nerida commands our attention, pi
nning up a complicated-looking map of the night sky and explaining what we’ll be searching for tonight. Usually, I’m captivated by Nerida’s classes and excited to find what she wants us to seek. But tonight, I can't bring myself to listen. I’m counting down the minutes to the end of class. I need to talk to Reef.

  Finally, Nerida asks everyone to partner up at the telescope stations. I’m on my feet before she’s done talking.

  “Reef!” I dart across the classroom, almost knocking TJ off his seat.

  He steadies me with a big hand, and smirks. “You’re keen.”

  I ignore him and focus on Reef. “Can you partner with me?”

  “Of course.” He shrugs.

  “Rodriguez, you’re up! Seeing as Maya needs to be with Reef.” TJ grins at Casey and then winks at us. “They seem to love partnering up in the middle of the night, don’t they?”

  I wince as most of the class’s attention turns to me.

  Casey rolls her eyes and punches him in the arm. “Come on, fish boy, you know you’re full of it. Get the telescope ready.”

  TJ nods and does what she says while Casey mouths “sorry” to me. I smile despite myself, Casey definitely knows how to handle him.

  But the damage is done. Kendra, perfectly poised in her designer leggings and zip-up hoodie, looks at Reef and I with fury bubbling in her eyes. Professor Nerida watches us, too, with a curious expression on her face.

  I flush. I know I’m one of her favorite students, and I don't want her to think that I’m a boy-crazy teenager distracted from my studies. Especially by one of her, admittedly, least favorite students. She doesn’t like Reef one bit and the sentiment seems to be mutual. But, Nerida knows the truth about me, she knows that I failed the trial. She could have me kicked out of Deep Cove at any time, and she hasn’t.

  I give Nerida my best smile and she nods, the peculiar expression still on her face. I turn to Reef and clear my throat.

  “Which star do you want to identify first?” My voice is loud and clear, but my next few words are quiet, meant just for him. “We need to talk. I had another dream. I think something’s coming.”

  35

  Reef pauses as he processes what I’ve said. My heart gallops and I’m unsure what to do. The portion of the nightmare that took place above water is new, I’ve never seen anything like it. But, even more so, the pain in nightmare-Reef’s eyes is enough to turn my stomach. I have a sinking feeling that we truly are in danger.

  The class bustles around us as students get to work. At the front of the class, Professor Nerida tilts her head in our direction.

  Reef appears to wake up and he looks at me, answering the question I asked aloud. “You tell me which star you want to look for first. You’re the one who’s good at this.”

  Then, he lowers his voice and leans towards the telescope. “What’s going on? You look like you saw a ghost.”

  “Something changed, Reef,” I whisper urgently in case anyone is eavesdropping. “In the dream, I tried to save you and then, suddenly, I was on the surface of the water — the same place I was during my trial. In the sky, I saw a huge moon and a meteor shower.”

  I take a shaky breath, scared to utter the following words. “I think it’s a sign. Something is going to happen to you.”

  Reef listens intently, his brow furrowed. If he’s shocked or scared, his carefully arranged features don’t give it away. He’s always so composed.

  “What do you think it means?” He feigns looking at stars through the telescope.

  “I don’t know.” I shrug. “I think it’s time we talk to Professor Nerida. She might have some answers.”

  Reef stands straight and frowns. “No, Maya. I really don’t think Nerida is the one to talk to.”

  I look at our Astronomy professor, standing a couple paces away and helping TJ and Casey with the assignment. “Why not? She teaches Astronomy. Maybe the meteor shower symbolizes something.”

  Reef follows my gaze and Nerida suddenly locks eyes with us, her milky eyes piercing. I look away abruptly, shoving my face towards the telescope.

  “Just trust me on this,” Reef whispers and leans over our assignment, writing something. “Let’s try and figure this out ourselves first.”

  “How’s it going over here?” Professor Nerida appears by my shoulder and I almost jump out of my skin.

  “Good. Good,” I squeak.

  Reef smiles effortlessly. “Never better.”

  Professor Nerida nods at us kindly and moves along. I wonder if she overheard. It wouldn’t be the worst thing, especially if she might have an answer for us.

  “I wish I was as good an actor as you,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

  I force my mind on schoolwork and focus on completing our assignment. Professor Nerida will be upset if we don’t finish.

  Reef watches as I work and I mock-glare at him. “You’re some help.”

  “I’m helping!” He draws a five-point star on the paper.

  He looks at me innocently and I roll my eyes.

  Then, Professor Nerida claps her hands for attention. “Thank you class, well done this evening.”

  The classroom breaks into mutters and mumbles as everyone packs their bags. I want to get out of here as soon as possible so Reef and I can talk properly.

  But, Professor Nerida continues speaking. “Remember that next month’s Night Sky class will be an exciting one. There’ll be a lot to cover that evening and, as such, the class will be double length. On November 20th, we’re expecting to see a Supermoon and a meteor shower. So please, report here at midnight sharp.”

  Everyone audibly groans and shuffles around, stuffing textbooks into backpacks. But I barely register anything around us. Reef and I are stock still. Goosebumps erupt over my skin and my mouth is dry.

  Slowly, I look at Reef and we lock eyes. His face is white as a sheet.

  “The Supermoon.” My voice is shaky.

  “November 20th,” Reef whispers. “My mom went missing on November 20th.”

  Nausea sweeps my body. The Supermoon and meteor shower. That’s what I saw in my nightmare. Is it possible that my nightmare will somehow become reality? On the same day that Reef lost his mother? If so, we have thirty days until it comes for me. Comes for Reef.

  Black spots appear before my eyes and I’m dizzy at the thought. There’s no way my nightmares are somehow foretelling the future. It isn’t possible. But then, I didn’t think mermaids — sirens — could be real until two months ago.

  In my gut, I know the truth. Something terrible is coming.

  A warm hand grips mine and I return from the edge of panic. Reef squeezes my hand gently. “Lighthouse, twenty minutes.”

  I nod slowly and he runs to catch up with his friends, already on their way out of the classroom.

  Casey tugs my arm. “Hello, Maya? Anyone home?”

  “What?” I blink. “Sorry, Case, what did you say?”

  She loops her arm through mine. “Space cadet! I was asking what you put for Part D of the assignment? TJ and I could not figure it out. He ended up drawing a random cluster of stars.”

  She chuckles and then lowers her voice. “Also, what was with you throwing yourself across the room at Reef?”

  “Uhhh…”

  And I’m distracted yet again. I watch Kendra approach Reef as he leaves the classroom. She tugs on his sleeve and he turns to her. She whispers something in his ear, and they walk away together.

  What the?

  Casey sees it too and squeezes my arm. “Don’t worry about her, Maya.”

  I sigh and change the subject. “Anyway, for Part D, we were looking for patterns in—”

  “Miss Murphy?” Professor Nerida’s voice trills. “Do you mind staying back for a moment?”

  “Sure,” I say slowly and wave Casey on.

  Professor Nerida gives me a cool, appraising once-over. I swallow as I walk towards her, wondering if I’m about to get into trouble.

  “You were distracted tonight, Maya,” she says,
not unkindly.

  I lower my head, giving her a nod. “I’m sorry Prof. It won’t happen again.”

  Nerida sits at the teacher’s desk and gestures for me to sit in one of the student desks. I glance towards the exit, I need to get to the lighthouse to meet Reef. But, I have no choice but to take a seat opposite her.

  “Are you doing okay, Maya?” Nerida’s voice is calm and concerned.

  My shoulders tense. I want to ask Professor Nerida about the Supermoon and the meteor shower. I want so much to tell her about the danger I think is coming. It’s possible that she has answers for us. It’s possible that she knows something about the shipwreck, or the necklace, or the long, spindly hands.

  But, that would mean explaining my nightmares to her, explaining that I see Reef and the strange necklace on a nightly basis.

  I open my mouth, but the words die in my throat. I told Reef that we would try and figure this out ourselves first. As much as I want to ask Professor Nerida about everything right here and now, I know that I owe him that much. We can come to her in a few days if we don’t work it out ourselves.

  I clear my throat. “There’s just been a lot going on with midterms. I’m really tired.”

  She nods, her eyes understanding, and my resolve almost breaks. “I understand, there has been a lot going on these past few weeks. Have you had any luck finding leads on the necklace?”

  I shake my head, staring at my hands.

  “Not to worry.” Her melodic voice soothes me. “We have time to get to the bottom of this. I’m simply looking out for one of my best and brightest students. In the meantime, keep your grades high and focus on school. You’re exceptional at Astronomy.”

  I smile at her gratefully for her kind choice of words, for not pointing out that I’m struggling to transform and my Destiny hasn’t found me. I do feel guilty for not paying attention tonight. Professor Nerida has been so kind to me.

  “Thank you, Prof. I’ll be better in class in the future,” I murmur.