Legacy Academy: Year Two: Paranormal Academy Romance

by M Guida

  “To be honest, not much. I know you have golden wings and you can fly.”

  He smiled. “Our wings are very special, and they form when we’re fourteen years old. But we can change their texture based on need. Such as we can transform them into fire, solids, liquids, or gas.”

  “Really? I haven’t seen you do this.”

  “Golden Demons are learning how to do this in our Golden Demon Magick class.”

  “Wait. Shouldn’t you be taking that class?”

  He leaned back in his chair.

  “You already know how to do this ability, don’t you?”

  He shrugged. “Almost all of them. I can’t do fire yet.”

  My eyes widened. “Golden Demons can make fire?”

  “My dad and his fierce knights can.”

  “I bet it’s really cool.” I chewed on my cheek. “Do you think that’s what Anton wants you to teach me?”

  “You know as much as I do.”

  I smirked. “Yeah, Anton and his secrets.” This was overwhelming. I was a dragon. How was I going to change the molecular structure of my wings? I cleared my dry throat. “Your dad has knights?”

  “Actually, all the kingdoms do. They’re sort of like your King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table.”

  “But Arthur and Sir Lancelot aren’t real.”

  Lucien put his hands on the table and drummed his fingertips. “True.”

  “What other powers do Golden Demons possess?”

  “We can read auras, use empathy in combat, and generate heat.”

  I moved my hand over my head. “Whoosh.”

  He laughed. It came from his belly, and I noticed he was much freer one-on-one. His image didn’t get in the way.

  He ran his hand through his hair. “Okay, aura reading means just what it says. We can perceive and read auras of both people and supernaturals, which means we can determine their emotions, health status, power level, and moral alignment.”

  “Auras have different colors, right?”

  “Yeah. We can see eleven different colors––red, yellow, pink, blue, orange, green, purple, gold, silver, brown, and black.”

  “And I assume different colors stand for different emotions?”

  “Sure. Red means enthusiasm and energy. Yellow means analytical and logic. Pink, nature loving and giving. Blue, intuition.”

  He flashed his gaze over me. “You have a strong blue aura, which is extremely rare.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means you’re very bold and have a strong personality. You have the head and heart to make difficult decisions and choices, and you can inspire others.”

  I cocked my eyebrow. “Like you?”

  He shrugged. “Yeah. Maybe.”

  “And the other aura colors?”

  “Orange means generosity and charming. Green means highly creative and loyal. Purple means psychic, mysterious, and secretive.” He laughed. “Anton’s most dominant color is purple.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, that definitely describes him.” I circled my hand. “And the others.”

  He sighed. “Okay. Gold means beauty and an artistic flair. Oh, and the other thing, people can have more than one aura.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, like you. Your second highest aura is silver.” He ran his hand up and down my arm, waking hot sensations that I shouldn’t be feeling.

  I cleared my throat. “Silver means what?”

  “Special gifts. They develop their gifts as they older.” He leaned closer. “They’re always attractive, have a strong spirit, and shine above the others. Like you.”

  Heat swelled over my cheeks. Crap, did he know how I felt about him?

  “What about black? I saw a black light glowing around Professor Tuamma in the locker room.”

  “That isn’t good. Black and brown aren’t good. Brown means confusion, discouragement, or fear. Black means hatred, negativity, or depression. This is a really bad sign.”

  “How do you keep all of these auras straight?”

  “I’m not always the greatest on reading auras,” he said. “I’m good at health status and power level. I struggle with people’s emotions and moral alignment.”

  “What’s empathetic combat?”

  “We can fuse our empathy and combine it with physical combat. I know it sounds confusing, but basically, we can sense the emotions of who we are fighting and use it against them.”

  I thought about the trials last year when he fought Bo. Bo had to demonstrate he could utilize two weapons, and he had to fight Lucien. He was effective with the sword, but Lucien was the clear victor. “So, last year in the trials, did you use Bo’s emotions against him?”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  “Whoa. Does Bo know this?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I assume he knows about golden demon powers, so he should have.”

  “And the last one… heat generation?”

  “I think this is the one that Anton thinks I can teach you and help you pass the dragon trials.”

  “Okay, don’t keep me in the dark. What’s heat generation?”

  “Golden demons can manipulate the kinetic energy of atoms and raise their temperature.”

  I flashed him a you’re-losing-me look.

  He lifted his arms. “I know. Speak English. Basically, it means you can focus your mind on an object and make it combust.”

  I grinned. “Like a pyre of wood. Can you control the heat level?”

  “I think so, but I never really tried doing it.”

  I scowled. “So, you can do this and never told me?”

  “Um, you’re a dragon. Didn’t think I would need to.”

  I folded my arms, and anger burned inside me. I narrowed my eyes. “You know, I barely passed last year. If it wasn’t for Bo, I’d be locked up in the Hollows.”

  He lowered his head. “I know. I just never thought about teaching you this. My mistake.” His voice sounded so sincere that my anger subsided.

  I clutched his hand. “Sorry for the attitude. I’m just extremely nervous about the trials.”

  Lucien squeezed mine and rubbed his thumb over my palm, sending tingles down my arm. He pulled me gently across the table and parted his lips. I should break away from him, but I wanted to kiss him.

  “May I make a suggestion?”

  Anton’s voice broke the moment, and we both let go. He swooped into the room silently.

  Lucien put on his game face. “Which is?”

  “Rather than jumping into all of them at once, I suggest you do one at a time.”

  I smiled. “So, you want us to start with heat generation first?”

  “Actually, no. I would start with the easiest one first, which would be aura reading. You already have a knack for this. The lights you have been seeing are auras, but you need to become stronger in this ability.”

  More stupid secrets again. I glared. “Why can’t I learn heat generation? I need to learn how to breathe fire as a dragon and demonstrate three different types of heat.”

  “Because you’re not ready, Raven,” he said. “And before you learn heat generation, you need to complete your independent study with me.”

  I gritted my teeth. “Why?”

  “You’ll find out. Besides, you’ll also be practicing with Bo.” Anton’s voice was steady and patient as if he were talking to a little child.

  Lucien snorted and leaned back in his chair. Once again, I was in between Lucien and Bo.

  I pretended not to notice and focused on Anton, who sat at the head of the table.

  “Lucien, do you think you’re up to this task?”

  Lucien put his hands behind his head. “Yeah, why?”

  “I just don’t want your emotions to get in the way of teaching Raven what she so desperately needs to learn.”

  He put his arm down. “I’m always in control.”

  Anton smiled. “We shall see. I want you to train Raven in this order and only in this order. She’ll learn aura readi
ng, empathic combat, elemental wing manifestation, and last, heat generation. If you don’t want to risk her life, you’ll follow my agenda.”

  My skin prickled, and the hair on my body tickled me. I threaded my fingers through my hair. “My life?”

  “What have you found out?” Lucien demanded.

  “I’m not at liberty to say just yet.”

  I clenched my fists and put them underneath the table to keep from slugging Anton right in his perfect teeth. It was my life that was at risk. What was so important in the order? And what would happen if Lucien and I didn’t follow it?

  Chapter 12

  Anton left us both alone.

  “Sometimes he’s so annoying,” Lucien mumbled.

  “You’re not going to follow his advice in order, are you?”

  Lucien rubbed his forehead. “Do you want to die?”

  I rolled my eyes and tapped my fingers on the table. “No, but I want to learn about heat generation.”

  “And you will, but first we need to practice on aura reading. Like Anton said, you’ve already done it unknowingly. We just need to turn up the volume.”

  I wanted to argue, but I couldn’t force him to teach me about heat generation. “Whatever.”

  He clasped my hand. “Don’t be mad.”

  Why did his slightest touch turn me into a mess? I took a deep breath. “I’m not. Just frustrated.”

  “How many times have you practiced meditation?”

  “Yoga, but I was never good at it. My mind’s always racing.”

  Lucien rubbed his chin. “I practice meditating every day before school starts.”

  That was a new one. “You do?”

  “Yeah, it keeps me calm and keeps me from losing my temper.”

  “Meaning… I lose mine?”

  He shrugged. “Sometimes.”

  “I’ve seen you get upset.”

  He clasped my chin. “I never lost my temper until you came here.”

  I broke away from his grip. “So, it’s my fault.”

  “No, not at all. I just don’t understand this effect you have on me.”

  My jaw dropped. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah.” He sat on the floor. “Come on. Let’s get started.”

  I frowned. “Doing what?”

  “Meditating.” He patted the floor. “Come on. I promise I won’t bite.”

  Biting, no. Kissing, yes.

  I sighed but reluctantly complied.

  “Now, a take deep breath.”

  I inhaled, and he touched my stomach.

  I jumped back. “What are you doing?”

  “Relax. I just wanted you to breathe from your diaphragm. Put your hand over mine.”

  I inhaled deeply.

  “Hold your breath for a few seconds. Good. Now exhale.”

  I exhaled.

  “Breathe in, but try and go deeper. Deeper. Clear your mind. You’re safe here. Just concentrate on your breath. Exhale.”

  I cracked my neck and concentrated, but I kept thinking of what Anton had said.

  “Now, this time, close your eyes.”

  I forced myself to do it.

  “Tighten and relax your muscles. Start with your neck. Inhale and exhale. Lift your shoulders, trying to reach your ears. Now relax.”

  His calm voice hypnotized me, and I swayed back and forth like a cobra.

  “Tense and relax your arms, your fingers. Good. Now, your tummy. Move down to your buttocks. Tighten your legs and now your pretty toes.”

  Calmness rolled over me, and I forgot everything but the sound of his voice.

  “Now, relax those stiff lips.”

  Warm breath washed over me. Before I knew what was happening, he kissed me.

  My eyes flew open. “Lucien.”

  “Relax.” He put both his palms on my cheeks.

  His lips captured mine again, and this time, I relaxed, enjoying his taste, how the dust of his beard scratched my flesh and made my heart quicken.

  Someone cleared their throat.

  We broke off the kiss to see Anton standing there. “It’s time for your next class.” His voice and eyes were devoid of all emotions.

  Lucien stood and stretched out his hand. I clasped it, and he pulled me to my feet.

  He pushed my hair back. “I want you to practice what I just taught you every day.”

  I smirked. “Kissing?”

  He grinned. “No, meditation. I’ll see you soon.” With that, he left me standing there with Anton.

  “You need to leave from my front door,” he said.

  I dutifully followed him out of the dungeon.

  He clasped my shoulder. “Tomorrow, I’d like a summary of the first chapter of the angel lore book.”

  “By tomorrow? But what about my other classes?”

  “This is part of your curriculum, and you need to stay focused.”

  I got it. In other words, keep my lips off Lucien’s. Easier said than done.

  In Advanced Potions, Lucien and I focused on our assignment and didn’t even glance at each other, but my lips were still stained from his masculine taste, and my heart quickened whenever I heard his voice.

  After class, Bo walked me to Demonology.

  “I didn’t get to ask. How was your session with Anton?”

  I avoided looking at him and cleared my throat. “Fine. Why?”

  “Nothing. I was just wondering. Did I tell you who’s teaching Dragon Magic?”

  “Let me guess. Professor Soto.”

  “You would think, but no. My older cousin, Heath.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, Anton sent word to my dad, and he assigned Heath to Legacy. He had just become a knight, and he’s sworn to protect us all. I’ll introduce you to him at lunch.”

  He gave me a quick on peck on my lips and left.

  His brief kiss sent fires all over me. This was too much. I didn’t know what to do between the two of them.

  In demonology, Professor Elfiel continued to focus on doppelgängers. “One important about them is that they are your evil twin, and they want to be in charge. They need to draw more of your energy until they are the dominant twin, and eventually, they will kill you.”

  My blood chilled as I remembered my doppelgänger and wondered if it was plotting how to drain my energy or just to kill me. I thought about Professor Tuamma and wondered if she was still alive.

  After class, we had lunch. I didn’t want to completely pig out on carbs today, because I had defense and battle techniques with the Royals and then one-on-one time with Bo. Today, the specialty was fajitas. I piled on chicken and beef and stir-fried red and green peppers and onions on a big bed of lettuce and topped it off with sour cream and guacamole.

  Bo glanced on my tray. “You’re not having any rice?” His plate was loaded with carbs and a big piece of cherry pie.

  “No carbs. I just want plenty of fat and protein.”

  “Hope that lasts you until dinner. I doubt Anton is going to go easy on you.”

  “Maybe. But I don’t want to work out with a big ball of carbs sinking in my gut. I need to be alert.”

  He winked. “Don’t worry. You will be.” He put his plate down and motioned with his arm. “Heath.”

  A tall, muscular man parted through the sea of students. Heath had the same red hair and green eyes as Bo, but he was more muscular, and he had the same sparkling grin as Bo. But it faded away when our eyes locked.

  “Hey, Heath. I want to introduce you to Raven.”

  Heath flashed his gaze over me. “So, you’re the famous Raven I’ve heard so much about.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, and something about his tone sent a quiver of fear down the back of my neck. I tried to ignore it.

  “Go get a plate and join us.”

  “Sure.”

  But he never looked at Bo. He just stared at me. The same uneasy feeling came over me, like I had experienced in the locker room, and he had a black glow around him. I could feel his hatred and anger. God, he’d j
ust met me.

  Beads of sweat broke out all over me, and my palms turned clammy. I immediately put my tray on the table before I dropped it.

  “I’ll be right back,” Heath said. “Nice to meet you, Raven.” His voice sounded odd.

  He left and headed to get some food.

  I took a deep breath and sat down.

  Bo frowned. “That was weird.”

  I wiped my shaking hands on my skirt. “What?”

  “He doesn’t usually act so surly.”

  Someone came up behind me and warmth breath warmed my neck. I knew who immediately who it was.

  Lucien scanned the cafeteria. “Are you sure that’s your cousin?”

  Bo ran his hand through his hair. “What do you mean? Who else would it be?”

  Lucien and I glanced at each other.

  “Guacamole,” I said slowly.

  “What?” Bo asked. “You’ve got enough to feed two people.”

  “Guacamole,” Lucien mumbled.

  I scanned Lucien’s grim face. “You felt it, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah, I did.” He stepped in front of me. “And you need to get the hell out of here now.”

  Heath came out of the dining area, but he wasn’t carrying a tray. He held something shiny in his hand.

  I stepped back and put my hand over my mouth.

  “Get her out of here, Bo.” Lucien’s wings sprung out of his back. “That’s not your cousin.”

  Bo’s eyes widened. “Lucien, what are you doing?”

  Xavier came up alongside Lucien and sniffed. “I can smell the evil.”

  Heath lifted his arm, holding a knife in his hand, and yelled, “Die, bitch!” He threw people down on the ground. Girls screamed.

  “He’s got a knife.”

  Hate flared in his eyes.

  Xavier shifted into a wolf and jumped in front of Bo and Lucien, baring his teeth.

  Any minute, he’d cut down Lucien, Bo, and Xavier.

  Without thinking, I burst through them and shifted into a dragon. Heath charged me. Death reflected in his eyes.

  I exhaled and gas steamed out of my mouth. He swung his arm, and the blade stopped inches from me. His body iced over, and his hair turned to icicles and dangled in front of his eyes.

  “Everyone stand away.” Anton’s thundering voice stopped the screams and hushed voices.

  I shifted into human form and edged away from Heath. The Royals immediately surrounded me like a supernatural shield. Professor Tuamma hadn’t stayed frozen for long.