by M Guida
I silently mouthed, “I don’t know.”
“Students,” Anton said. “For you who do not know, this is Professor Tia Soto. She usually only teaches battle techniques, but out of a favor to me, she will be teaching this class rather than Professor Tuamma.”
He gave me an intense stare. Crap, this was because of me.
Did he know about the professor’s threat? What am I thinking? Of course, he did. He’s Anton.
Professor Tia Soto smiled. “Thank you, Headmaster. The pleasure’s all mine.”
But I wasn’t so sure. Knowing Anton, he didn’t give her much choice.
Anton clapped his hands. “I leave you all in good company. If you’ll excuse me…” He exited, and a loud gasp of air echoed throughout the room.
I wasn’t the only one holding my breath.
Professor Tia Soto sat on a stool. “Since some of you haven’t had me before, I’ll tell you a little bit about myself before we start to learn about magick intuition.”
She flicked her blonde hair behind her shoulder. “I’m a Fae, as you can see, and I fought in the Great War against King Victor. I lost a precious thing in my life in the war––my mate. Ever since his death, I have been passionate about not letting anyone else follow in mine and my mate’s footsteps. Unfortunately, myself and my mate did not possess the magick to stop Victor during a terrible battle. Many of us were lost, all because we weren’t properly trained to fight against Dark Demon magic. This class is one of the weapons you can put in your arsenal to defend yourself and your loved ones. And no, I will not tell you how exactly how my mate died. That’s immaterial. What’s material is that you learn what I’m going to teach you, because when you’re confronted by a dark demon, you’ll have a fighting chance to survive.”
She scanned the class. “Can anyone tell me what magick intuition is?”
Vivian hesitantly raised her hand.
“Yes?”
“I think it’s when you can sense someone’s magic.”
“That’s part of it,” the Professor said. “But it’s more than that. Not only will you sense the type of magic the other supernatural possesses, but you’ll know instinctively what spell to counteract it. In the heat of battle, there’s no time to second chance. You must act immediately or die.”
I thought of the last battle, and she was absolutely right. If I had a pondered on what to do, I’d either be dead or imprisoned.
“However…”
Why was there always a but?
“You must know there are limitations. The biggest one is that it takes time to develop the spell, so the first thing you need to do is detect black magic. Because you might have time to develop a counter-incantation.”
She flicked her hand, and chalk floated over to the board. “The first way you detect dark magic is through visceral responses. Your body instinctively knows when evil is nearby, and you must not ignore it.” She scanned the room. “Ever.”
Goosebumps ran up and down my arms. I thought about the train and bus ride. I didn’t think I would have had time to conjure anything.
“Let’s talk about the recent train and bus ride to the Academy. Before you knew that the Dark Demons were attacking, how many of you felt something was wrong?”
Everyone sat sit still as stone.
Professor Soto clapped her hands. “I don’t believe this. None of you felt anything?”
I bit my lip and slow lifted my hand.
Professor Soto frowned. “Only one? How disappointing.”
Vivian blurted, “If we don’t feel anything, then what are we supposed to do?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You all felt something. The problem was you weren’t paying attention to your visceral responses. Take out your Magick Intuition book and read the first two chapters. Then tomorrow, we will discuss how to apply these beginning skills.”
People glanced at each other quizzically. I was totally surprised the Royals hadn’t felt anything, especially Lucien. Was it because I was a silver dragon? Was this another part of my powers that no one else possessed?
Chapter 9
After class, the Royals and I headed toward the gymnasium while the girls headed to the smaller gym. A good workout was what I needed to blow off all this pent-up, nervous energy.
Bo clasped my arm. “We’ll see you in a few minutes.”
I nodded and headed into the girls’ locker room. Like always, my pink gym clothes were neatly folded on a bench near my locker. For some reason, they were always the same color. Sometimes I felt like I was putting on a pink tutu. The warmth of the sun disappeared, and a chill came over the locker room as if someone had turned down the thermostat. Every hair on my body stood straight up, and when I exhaled, I could see my breath. I shivered as I quickly got dressed into my pink sports bra, lift tank, and leggings.
I had the strangest feeling someone was watching me, but I didn’t see anyone.
Screech Scrreeech Screeech
My blood turned into a slushy sledge. It sounded like fingernails scraping over metal.
I hurried out as fast as I could.
Sunlight peeked through the doorway. I reached for the door, and a dark shadow blocked it out. A frost dusted my insides until my feet were frozen stiff.
Professor Tuamma blocked my path. I wasn’t sure if I was seeing things or not, but I swear she had a black light around her. “Now that your little friends aren’t around to protect you, I’ll going to give you another warning. You won’t ever pass the trials. The best thing you can do is pack up your bags and leave.”
I couldn’t see her face; the sun shimmered behind her. Her evil voice should have scared me shitless, but my mom’s face popped into my mind. The same stubbornness that she had boiled up inside me, melting the icy cold inside me.
I glared and balled my fists. “We’ll see about that.”
She grabbed my arm, and her nails dug into my flesh. “We’ll see about that, dearie.”
I jerked free. “Don’t ever touch me again, or I’ll freeze your ass.”
She growled, but I slipped past her. I don’t know why she was out to get me, but I could feel the hate rolling off her.
The minute I left the locker room, sunlight warmed my slushy blood, and I could breathe, but my arm throbbed. I had three deep scratches.
The gymnasium was outside––it looked like a Roman arena––and my feet sank into the thick green grass. The marble seats were empty. At the trials, they’d be packed, and that was the day I’d make Professor Tuamma eat her words.
“Hey,” Bo called. He stood on the running track with Dante, Rhys, and Xavier. Shirtless and the sun glistening off their muscles, they looked like they were ready to pose in a Chippendale calendar.
I rubbed my arm and headed over to him. Our weapons were set out on a bench, including my trusty crossbow. That weapon had saved my life.
Anton walked alongside Lucien. He smiled when he looked at me and the others.
“Good, you’re all here. So, run ten laps.”
I took off on a slow pace, knowing I’d have to save my strength. I should have jogged more over the summer, but I was having too much fun partying with Julie. My arm throbbed, but I ignored it.
The guys all passed me, but I didn’t care. I’d catch up on the third pass; that’s when I put on the speed.
Beads of sweat slid down my body and into my eyes, which I thought was strange. I wasn’t even running that fast.
I panted harder and harder, and the track went in and out of focus. My stomach revolted, and I rushed over to the sideline and emptied my yummy lunch.
My legs quivered, and I sank onto my knees. What was happening? I hadn’t even made it halfway around the track.
“Raven, Raven, what’s wrong?” Bo’s voice sounded so far away.
“I don’t… I don’t know.” My lungs froze up. “I can’t… can’t breathe.” My voice barely squeezed out.
“Anton,” Bo called. “Come here quick.”
The sun spun out o
f the sky, and my eyes fluttered shut.
“Raven, Raven, can you hear me?” Anton’s gently voice pierced the fog in my brain.
I slowly opened my eyes and hissed. Pain gripped my bandaged arm. Liquid went through an IV into the crook of my other arm.
Instead of Anton’s quarters, I was in the infirmary, but it wasn’t like one I’d ever seen. Plantation shutters were on every window, and a vase of daisies was placed on the other nightstands next to wooden twin beds with daisy comforters. Purple candles flickered, and I could detect lavender. Peacefulness filled the room.
I was the sole patient. On the table next to my bed, not only was there a vase of daisies, but a vase of a dozen red roses and another of Calla Lilies––my favorite flower.
Anton sat in a high-back purple chair next to me. He had on a black robe, and the light flickered off his dark hair. Red glints glittered in his dark eyes. “The antidote takes time to work. You’ve been here for two days.”
“I have?”
“Your friends have been very worried about you. Bo and Lucien brought you the flowers. Bo gave you roses and Lucien the Calla Lilies.”
I smiled. “They’re both so beautiful. I can’t believe they did that.” I wondered if Lucien knew they were my favorites.
“They care a great deal for you, Raven. They all do.” He brought a handful of envelopes from a pocket in his black robe and put them on my bed. “Cards and letters from your friends.”
“Where are they?”
“Right now, they are all asleep. It’s four a.m.”
I yawned. “Oh. Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“Because it was my shift to guard you. I’m a vampire, and I’m home at night. Things have a hard time hiding in the dark from me.”
I remembered how he had ripped apart a demon during the battle last year, and a shudder ran through me.
“Each of the professors have taken turns staying by your side.”
My heart stilled. “I had guards?”
“Yes, we had little to go on and weren’t sure if another attempt would be made on your life. Who scratched you?”
Anger flooded through my weakened body. I didn’t hesitate. “Professor Tuamma.” Next time I saw her, I’d turn her into a permanent popsicle.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
I frowned. “Yeah. I’m sure. And there’s something else. She had a black glow around her.” I wasn’t going to lie to protect someone who threatened me––someone who was supposed to protect me.
“Professor Tuamma is missing.” His low voice struck a chord in my anger.
“I didn’t kill her, if that’s what you’re implying.”
“No, I don’t think you did, but I want you to tell me exactly what happened in the locker room.”
“You heard about that?”
“Yes. Please tell me, Raven. It’s extremely important.”
I told him what conspired.
He rubbed his chin. “The Royals told me she came to talk to you at lunch.”
“Yeah, she did, but she didn’t threaten me then. Because the others were there.”
“Are you so sure?”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course, I’m sure.”
He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “This is really important, Raven. What did you feel in the bathroom?”
My throat tightened as if fear choked me.
He leaned back in his chair. “Take your time, Raven.”
I took a deep breath. “I don’t know. I remember thinking it was too cold with the sun rays beaming through the window.”
“And what else?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Dread. Hate. I felt like she really wanted to hurt me.”
“What about the locker room?”
“The same. I just couldn’t believe a teacher would threaten a student like that. I know I froze her, but I felt like she wanted to kill me.”
He smiled weakly. “Don’t you find that odd?”
“I’m sorry. Why?” I couldn’t keep the resentment out of my voice.
“I’ll tell you in a minute.”
I clenched my fists. Sometimes his games got so old.
“Fine.”
“In the cafeteria, did you feel the same hatred coming off her?”
I almost blurted that I did, but it had felt a little different. “No, I guess not. I was still scared, but when Lucien confronted her, he turned the tables on her, and she was the one who was scared.”
“Another peculiarity, don’t you think?”
I lifted my arms. “I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”
“Raven, think about what you learned in Magic Intuition today.”
I was too tired to play these games when my stubbornness melted away. “Professor Tuamma’s practicing dark magic?”
“No, I don’t believe so.”
I rubbed my forehead, and blood thumped between my temples. I thought of what Professor Soto had said earlier. It couldn’t be. I could feel the blood gushing down my face and pooling in my gut. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. “Are you saying that wasn’t Professor Tuamma?”
“Unfortunately, yes. The grounds have been thoroughly searched, and like I said earlier, she’s missing.”
Cold chills skated over me, and I dragged the comforter closer to my neck. “Then who do you think it was? Ari?”
“I’m not sure. It could be. Or another dark demon. Or Professor Tuamma’s doppelgänger.”
“Great,” I mumbled.
“But based on your encounter with the evil, you have given me some valuable clues on how to detect the imposter.”
I frowned. “I have?”
“Both times you could feel the creature’s hatred and malice toward you. This may be the way we can capture or detect a dark demon on the Legacy grounds next time.”
“You think there will be a next time.”
“Ryker doesn’t give up easily.”
“How did they break through your wards?”
“I’m investigating this as we speak. Ryker is even stronger than I anticipated.”
“Do you think more dark demons will be able to get through?”
“I think not. It would have taken a tremendous amount of energy for Ryker to break my ward, and I suspect he’s spent.” He shrugged. “But I could be wrong.”
Not what I wanted to hear.
“I also have another special project I want you to do. It will be an independent study with me.”
I wanted to argue, because I thought I had enough on my plate. “And?”
He lifted a thick book that I hadn’t even noticed he had. “I want you to read this book on angel lore by the end of this term. I’ll quiz you on it later.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Because I think it’s vital you learn about angels.”
His constant mysteriousness sent my mind reeling, and I sighed heavily.
“You’re still gray, Raven. You need to get some sleep.”
“How can I after you told me someone’s imitated Professor Tuamma and tried to kill me?”
He put his hand gently on my forehead. “Sleep.”
Tingles rolled over me, and I couldn’t keep my eyelids open. The lavender scent became more powerful, and I drifted off to sleep.
But before I went off to dreamland, a foul voice whispered, You escaped me once. You won’t again.
I groaned and thrashed back and forth, but I couldn’t wake up. Weariness pinned me to the bed.
Something else wasn’t working. The tattoo that was supposed to keep dark demons had failed. It was supposed to stop them from entering my dreams.
Before I drifted off, an eerie thought lingered. What if the voice hadn’t been in my nightmare? What if Anton was the imposter?
Chapter 10
I walked through the same forest I had dreamed about earlier, but this time, it was daylight. Despite the bright sun, coldness gripped me, and I shivered. Brown, black, and gold leaves littered the ground
and my boots crunched them. The same gothic-looking castle peered through the trees.
I was an easy target, and anyone looking at the windows would see me.
My heart pounded so hard I was afraid a Dark Demon would hear. I looked for Ari or Faas, but I didn’t see them. I moved closer, hiding between the pines, desperate to look inside the window where I had seen my mom.
Dirt and grime stained the gray bricks. Green stones led up to the double front metal doors that had lion knockers. I was only a few feet from reaching the twisted tree.
Creeekkk Creeeekkk
Someone opened one of the metal doors.
I slammed myself on the ground and peered up. Darkness rushed over me as if someone had put a blanket over the sun.
The dream faded…
I thrashed back and forth.
“Raven,” a familiar masculine voice murmured. “Wake up.”
It sounded so far away, but so safe.
Someone clasped my hand, their thumb caressing my flesh. The freezing fear seizing me thawed. Sensations slid over me, and my eyes fluttered open.
Sunlight warmed my face.
Bo grinned and pushed my hair off my sweaty face. “Hey, beautiful.”
I smiled and squeezed his hand. “Bo. You’re here.”
“Yeah, I am.”
I bit my lip and made a quick decision. “I had a dream.”
“About Professor Tuamma?”
I shook my head. “No, my mom.”
I quickly told him about both of my nightmares. The laughter in his eyes changed to wariness.
“What do you think it means?” I asked.
“I don’t know. It’s strange you keep dreaming of the same place. Do you think the magical orb is trying to tell you something?”
“I only see my mom and that castle in my dreams. The only thing the orb reveals is the twisted tree.”
“Have you told Anton or Lucien?”
I thought about telling Lucien, but things were so complicated with him. I needed someone I could confide in without emotions and lust getting all jumbled inside. I needed a friend. “No, just you. I trust you.”
He kissed my hand. “That means a lot to me.”