by M Guida
I winced and hugged my waist.
Pleasepleaseplease don’t let this be a repeat of last time.
Maybe I should be sitting in the corner. My powers were so different from them. What if I did something even worse this time?
Heath pointed. “You either work with them, or you can leave. Your choice.”
Bo jammed his finger into Heath’s chest. “I’ll be watching you. Don’t you dare hurt her.”
Heath glanced over at me. “I won’t.” He clapped Bo on the back of his shoulder. “It’s me who could be in danger.”
I tapped my foot nervously as Heath approached me with a scowl that would curdle cream.
He grinned, but the tips of his mouth didn’t reach his eyes. “Hello, Raven.” His voice was crisp.
I stood. “So, are you afraid of me?”
He tilted his head. “I just don’t want you to hurt them.”
“I didn’t mean to freeze Professor Tuamma. I didn’t even know I could freeze people.”
He walked around me. “So, I’ve heard. I don’t know very much about silver dragons, so we’re going to do this slow.” He gently squeezed my shoulder. “I seriously don’t want anyone hurt. Them, me, or even you.”
“I don’t want to hurt anyone either.”
“Good. Now, I want you to try and talk with your dragon.”
I glanced over at the others and couldn’t believe it. Vivian had nagged Bo as a partner. She was batting her eyes at him when Bo disappeared. Vivian blinked and whirled around. Her hair mysteriously lifted off her shoulders, and she squealed. I covered my mouth and swallowed a laugh.
Heath clutched my arm. “I wouldn’t be watching them.”
I dropped my hand and bit my lip. “Oh, sorry.”
He tilted his head away from the others. “Are you ready to begin?”
“Why don’t you just put me in a concealed room?”
“If I could, I would.”
He might as well as have slapped me. I hung my head. “Thanks a lot.”
“Now, let’s try and do this.” He actually stepped back. “You saw what I did. I’d like you to try and contact your dragon.”
I nodded.
Pleasepleaseplease work
Shutting my eyes, I inhaled and exhaled, allowing the tension to melt away.
Stay calm Stay calm
My dragon flashed into my mind. She looked at me with those same kind eyes, and her scales glistened.
Please, I need help.
My dragon tilted her head. What do you wish?
I need to be cloaked. Can you help me?
As always. Spread out your arms and think of silver.
What?
Your power is within our color. Trust me.
I felt confident and did as Heath had done. I tilted my head back and stretched out my arms. Tingling sensations slid from the tips of my fingers to my shoulder. Energy whipped and strength surged through me. I felt like I had downed ten energy drinks.
Ahhh!!!
Shouts vibrated off the auditorium walls.
“What are you doing?” Heath demanded.
My eyes flew open.
“What, What did I do?”
Hopefully, no one was a frozen snowman.
Heath stuck out his arm. “Half of them were invisible.” He threaded his fingers through his hair. “I can’t believe it. You sucked out their magic.”
Shitshistshitshitshit
I did it again. Why did my dragon lie to me?
I didn’t betray you, my dragon said. You asked to be cloaked. You’re now cloaked in power.
Great. I didn’t know what was worse, turning some into ice or draining their power.
The Hollows, here I come.
Chapter 19
Faster than a blink of an eye, I found myself back at Anton’s with another fuming professor wanting me expelled.
Heath gestured toward me. “Professor Tuamma is right, Anton. She’s a menace. We have no idea what power she’ll unleash.”
Tears pushed on the back of my eyelids. “Anton, I didn’t mean to. I did exactly what he said. I asked my dragon, and she said to think of the color silver.”
Heath frowned. “What the devil for?”
Crap, no one else does this?
I rested my elbow on the armrest and held my forehead. “Because she said our color gave us power. The way she said it, I assumed all dragons do this.”
“No, they don’t.” Heath’s voice killed any hope of me managing any of my powers.
“Maybe they should,” Anton said quietly.
“That’s ridiculous.” Heath jumped out of his chair. “She’s dangerous, I tell you. Someone is going to get seriously hurt, Anton, and it’s going to be your fault.”
“I’m willing to take the chance,” Anton said. “If you recall, Raven just saved us, including your cousin, Bo.”
He put his hand on his chest. “I appreciate what’s she done. I really do. But facts are facts.”
I slid down in my chair, wishing I could disappear. Why couldn’t I have that ability?
“What are these facts?”
“She’s not like other dragons. She’s not one of us. She needs to be with her own kind.”
My throat closed up, and I clutched the armrests tight. Pain gripped my chest as if Heath had just stabbed me.
I wanted Lucien here so badly. I wanted his arms around me. I wanted him to tell Heath off. Is this what Bo’s father thought? I clasped the locket around my neck.
“There are no silver dragons, Heath,” Anton said. “Raven’s the last of her kind. I would think you’d appreciate her. After all, she’s your unicorn.”
Heath stiffened. “No, she’s not. And I have a message from the king. Raven needs to prove she’s one of us by passing all the dragon trials. If she doesn’t, the kings want her to be sent to the Hollows or at least be expelled.” He reached into his leather jacket and pulled out a letter.
“If you don’t believe me, Anton, read this. You’ll see I’m telling the truth.”
Anton took the letter and then put it down. “I’m sorry, Raven. You must pass all the trials, including breathing fire, or you’ll be expelled.” He folded his fingers. “But I will reserve the judgment on whether she’ll go to the Hollows.”
Heath frowned. “But the king––”
“I’ll deal with the king,” Anton said. “You’re excused, Heath.”
I couldn’t say a word. If I did, I’d bawl like a baby and beg Anton to fight for me.
Heath left and slammed the door.
I wiped a dreaded tear off my cheek. “You’re really going to expel me if I don’t pass the dragon trials?”
“I don’t have a choice. It’s signed by all the kings.”
“Not the king of the Golden Demons.”
I whirled around, and Lucien leaned against the door. His face was pale, but anger flashed in his eyes.
“Lucien.” I jumped to my feet and rushed over to him, but he was so pale, I restrained myself from hugging him.
He clasped my hand.
“Who told you?”
“I did.” Bo stepped out of the shadows. “I’m sorry, Raven. I can’t believe my dad is doing this.” His voice dripped with misery, and he avoided looking at me.
“People do things out of fear, Bo,” Anton said. “What they do not understand, they fear.”
I blinked back tears. “Like me.”
Lucien hugged me. “I don’t fear you.”
“Neither do I. Nor do the rest of the Royals.” Bo gave me a weary smile. “I just can’t believe this is happening. It’s so stupid.”
“The first things first,” Anton said. “What needs to happen is for Raven to pass her trials.”
I released a quivering breath. “Easier said than done.”
Anton rose from his desk. “When dealing with the impossible, you must look for the possible.”
Lucien gritted his teeth. “What does that mean?”
“It means you must make it possib
le. Continue teaching her. The first trial she must pass is the fire trial. It’s right after Thanksgiving.”
My jaw dropped. “But that’s less than two months away. I haven’t been able to breathe fire, no matter how much I’ve tried.”
Anton’s eyes darkened. “And look for the missing prophesies. I believe they hold the key to your success.”
Bo frowned. “What prophesies?”
“I believe both Raven and Lucien can fill you on this, Bo. You’re all free to leave.”
“Meaning you have some important business to attend to?” Lucien asked dryly.
“In matter of fact, I do.” Anton got up, walked past us, and opened his front door.
With his arm still around me, Lucien limped toward the front door.
Concern filled Anton’s eyes. “Lucien, I suggest you return to the infirmary.”
“I’m fine,” Lucien mumbled.
“Maybe you should.” I put my hand on his chest and could feel him wheeze for breath.
He shook his head. “I’m tired of lying around.” He smiled. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan running a marathon.”
I had to slow my step, so he could hobble alongside me. “I think you’re being a stubborn mule.”
He shrugged. “I think we’ve missed Advanced Potions. Time to get Raven to Demonology.”
My next classes were a blur, and I could barely eat at lunch. All I could think of were the dragon trials. How was I going to breathe fire? Anton had hinted the answer was hidden in the prophesies.
When I got to defense and battle techniques, I was a nervous wreck.
The Royals all waited for me on the field, including Lucien. He leaned against Bo. This time, we had the girls––my friends and enemies––too.
Teaching all of them was way over my head.
Vivian cast her gaze over me. “What are we going to learn today, teach? Are you going freeze us or drain us?”
Bo glared. “Shut up, Vivian.”
Anton came out of the boys’ locker room. “Good, we’re all here. Now, I want all of you to pay attention to Raven, because your lives may depend upon it. None of you”––he gave Vivian a pointed glare––“have possessed the ability that she has.” He bowed slightly. “You may begin, Raven.”
“Okay,” I mumbled. “I’m not sure where to start. But before we begin, I think we need to have code word for the Defenders.”
“We already have one.” Lucien grinned. “Guacamole.”
Dante laughed. “You’re kidding?”
“No, I’m not.” Lucien’s grin faded, and seriousness flashed in his eyes. “I want everyone’s word here and now that you won’t tell anyone our code word. If you do, you’ll have to deal with me.”
Everyone nodded.
“Raise your hands and swear it,” he said.
Each one of them raised their hand and swore allegiance.
Vivian smirked.
“Just to let you know, Vivian,” I said, “the creature posing as Lucien swore he knew the password, and it was wrong. This is probably one of the simplest ways to decipher a demon or a doppelgänger.”
Vivian’s sarcastic smile disappeared, and she kicked the grass with her shoe.
“Now that that’s over,” Anton said. “Tell them your process, Raven. Beginning with the train.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Well, what I can tell you is the minute I got on the train, I had an uneasy feeling.”
Poppy frowned. “Why? I was sitting next to you, and I didn’t notice anything unusual.”
“What did you feel?” Anton asked.
“I felt an icy chill that ran down my back.”
Xavier studied me. “Really? It was practically a hundred degrees that day.”
“Think, Raven,” Anton said. “What was it about the train that made you feel that way? This is what they all need to learn.”
I chewed on my lip. “It’s hard to explain.” I shoved my hair out of my face. “I have been doing this my whole life. For me, it’s just second nature. I’ve always paid attention to my feelings more than my mind.”
“Why?” Anton clasped my shoulder gently.
“I learned a long time ago that my feelings were always more truthful than mind. My thoughts always led me down the wrong path.”
“But feelings can be irrational,” Poppy said. “When I listen to my feelings, I get into all kinds of trouble.”
“It’s more than just feelings,” I said. “My body reacts, too.”
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Everybody does that.”
“But it’s my feelings that sense the evil,” I said. “It’s weird. My body reacts as if a switch turns on.”
Anton looked at all of them. “How many of you can do that?”
Vivian didn’t falter. “We all react that way.”
“I don’t,” Katona said. “Or at least I don’t think I do.”
“I suggest we do an experiment,” Anton said. He looked at me. “Tell me, Raven. How did you feel when you were in my quarters alone?”
I blinked. “You left me there on purpose, didn’t you?” Anger seeped into my voice.
He smiled. “I suppose I did. Tell me how you felt?”
“Uneasy. I kept expecting the bookcase to open and something to pop out.”
“Unfortunately, it’s because of the magical gateways. Evil still lingers there, trying to break through. So far it’s been unsuccessful.”
Lucien glared. “Why did you put her through that?”
“You’ll see. We’re all returning to my quarters.”
“We are?” Vivian asked. “Why?”
“You’ll find out.”
A few minutes later, we were all stuffed around Anton’s desk. He opened the bookcase to the well-lit stairwell. The same eerie feeling gripped me, and I shivered. I didn’t want to go down those stairs.
“Vivian, you don’t look well.”
Her face was pale, and her eyes wide.
“I don’t want to go down there.” She backed up and rubbed her arms. “There’s evil down there.”
My eyes widened. “You can feel it?”
She looked around wildly. “Doesn’t anyone else feel it?”
Xavier sniffed. “It smells bad.”
“I know this is going to sound strange, Xavier, but I want you to ignore your sense of smell and rely on your feelings.”
“Kinda hard for a wolf,” Poppy whispered.
“Trust me. It’s important.” Anton looked at her curiously. “You don’t look well, either.”
She flicked her hand. “Well, it’s creepy.”
“I don’t feel anything.” Rhys gestured with his arm. “You’re just letting your imagination get away from you.”
“Besides Vivian, Poppy, and Raven, does anybody sense anything?”
Katona, Demi, and Eden all raised their hands.
“This is an interesting development.” Anton tapped his fingers on his desk.
I didn’t like the hint of wariness in his tone. “What?”
“For some reason, the females are able to detect the evil, but not you guys.”
“I said I could sniff it,” Xavier said.
“Sniff it, but not feel it. There’s a difference. I believe Ryker cast a spell for this very purpose. He wants to draw females to him.” He held a single finger. “If he could, I think he would only target one female.”
Lucien slipped his hand in mine. “You mean Raven, don’t you?”
“Yes. Unfortunately, Raven, I suspect this has to do with your mother. He wants your mom above all others.”
Anger buzzed through me like angry wasps. What was the bastard doing to her? “Why?”
“I’m not sure yet.” The scowl on his face was unsettling.
“What aren’t you telling me? I need to find her. This isn’t getting worse.”
“I’ve told you everything I know,” he said. “If you want to help your mother, you need to pass those trials.”
I glanced between Lucien and Bo. Everyt
hing came back to those damn trials––me staying out of the Hollows, remaining at Legacy, and saving Mom––and I was no sooner passing them than I was last year.
Chapter 20
When we left Anton’s, I had a one track mind. The others headed to change. Heath was pacing outside.
He grabbed Bo’s arm and dragged him to the side. “I need to talk to you.”
Bo growled. “Let go of me.”
He glared over Bo’s head at me. “No. You’ll come with me. Your father’s orders.”
“Don’t pay attention to him,” Lucien murmured. “He’s an asshole.”
But I couldn’t hide the hurt in my heart. Bo and I had been such good friends… more than friends.
I nodded.
“Hey, we’re going to the cafeteria.” Xavier put his arm around Poppy’s neck and pulled her toward him. “All I can smell is that disgusting stench. I need something delicious to replace it.”
“Sounds good to me,” Dante said. “Are you guys coming?”
“I need to talk with Lucien for a minute,” I said.
They all left, talking softly about what happened in Anton’s quarters.
Lucien and I sat down at a picnic bench close to the cafeteria.
“What’s up?” Lucien asked.
I glanced nervously toward Anton’s door, hoping he wasn’t lurking around. “I know Anton said we had to go in order with you to teaching me the Golden Demon powers.”
He grinned. “You want to speed up to heat generation, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Don’t worry.” He squeezed my hand. “I was thinking that. Following the rules has never been my thing.”
“Where should we practice? We can’t do it in the dungeon. Anton might find out. Plus, I hate the feeling down there.”
“I know, but I’ll be with you.” He caressed my arm, his hand generating a heat of desire.
I tried to clear my thoughts of kissing him and concentrated on the current problem. “Anton keeps mentioning those prophesies. Did you get the books from your dad yet?”
“Not yet. But don’t worry. He’ll send them. We’ve got time.”
I scanned his eyes. Lucien always thought he could make this happen, but deep in my gut, I knew he was wrong. “No, we don’t. Maybe there’s something in those books that will help with that passage I found in the angel lore.”