Legacy Academy: Year Two: Paranormal Academy Romance

by M Guida

  I nodded and closed my eyes.

  He rubbed the back of my neck. “Think of something that makes you feel calm.”

  His fingers unwound bunched-up muscles, and his warm scent was more calming than lavender. I leaned my head back and moaned softly.

  Images whirled around in my head, and the thing I thought of was Bo and Lucien. The rest of the Royals and my friends. The Defenders. Their belief in me unlocked the tightness in my lungs.

  Lucien pulled me to him and kissed me deeply, threading his fingers through my hair, chasing away all my fear. He rolled me onto my back. My body melted with desire so intense I shook with it. A hunger rose up in me that only Lucien could satisfy. But he was forbidden, by the nature of who he was and who I was.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this,” I mumbled, but my hands clung to his broad shoulders.

  “I told you, outlaws have more fun.”

  I moved my lips down his throat and tasted his skin. Inhaled his masculine scent. Something awakened inside me. I grew bolder, nibbling his ear, my hands slipping under his shirt and exploring his muscles. He sucked in his breath. I could feel his body reacting, his flesh hardening and thickening against my thigh.

  “You’re playing with fire.” He slid his hand inside my shirt and squeezed my breast, brushing his thumb over my nipple.

  I gasped. “Lucien…”

  “I want you, Raven. I’ve always wanted you, needed you…”

  He kissed me again. His mouth was hot and possessive. It was everything I had ever dreamed of and more. Perfect. Wild. A wild fire blazed through me. He devoured me, kissing me as if he couldn’t get enough of me. I knew I could lose myself with him.

  “If you fail the trial, I’ll protect you. I’ll always protect you. You’re mine.”

  That single word set off a river of passion in me, but set off something tugging in my mind, something I’d read before. The Archangel Chamuel…

  A foul smell drifted over me. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and fear exploded inside me. I dug my nails into Lucien’s shoulders.

  My eyes got wide. “Stop.”

  “Raven, you’re…” His face stilled, and I put a finger to his lips.

  He turned his head, and I followed his gaze.

  Shitshitshitshitshitshit

  Something glowed underneath the corridor that led to the cells.

  Without hesitation, we got to our feet and held hands. We didn’t have time to call for reinforcements, even Anton. Whatever it was could come through the magical gateway.

  Lucien opened the door. A black light swirled around where we had shut the magical gateway.

  He entered the corridor and pulled me with him. “Time to see if Anton’s right.”

  “We don’t have your sword or my crossbow.”

  He released my hand. “We don’t need them.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He looked over his shoulder. “Do you trust me?”

  I wasn’t sure what he had planned, but I could still taste his masculinity taste on my lips and it gave me strength. “Yeah, I do.”

  “We need to touch the floor and then the wall.”

  I stepped back. “Are you crazy?”

  “No, I’m not. Just trust me.” He kissed my hand. “Please. Before it’s too late. I can’t do this by myself.”

  I scanned his face, and he was serious… damn serious. I took a deep breath and nodded. We slowly approached the floor first.

  The black mist was fading to gray, and I swear I could see something moving. What if it was Ari or Faas? The air in the corridor turned foul as if someone had dumped rotting garbage. My heart quickened, and I wanted to scream.

  Lucien squeezed my hand and slowly bent down. He hovered his palm over the round gray cloud. I couldn’t believe I was doing this, but I copied Lucien and put out my trembling hand.

  “Touch it.”

  We dipped our hands into the dewy mist. I held my breath, waiting for something to drag me through the magical gateway.

  The mist swirled faster, but the figure seemed to grow smaller.

  Scrreeee

  “Lucien,” I whispered. “That’s the same scream I heard in the corridor.”

  He clutched my hand in the floating mist. “Don’t panic.”

  Strange sensations rippled through my fingers and up my arm. Energy surged through me.

  Scrreeeeck Popppp

  The mist melted back into the floor along with the disgusting smell. Our hands rested on a cement floor, but I couldn’t feel any power.

  “Lucien––”

  “Come on, we got to do the same thing to the wall.”

  “What are we doing?”

  “Closing the gateway.”

  “You mean shutting.”

  He shook his head. “No, I mean closing it.”

  We pressed our clutched hands into the mist. The same weird sensations rolled over me, stronger and faster, and I shook, my eyes rolling back into my head.

  Screeech Plooppp

  My knees gave out, but strong arms caught me.

  “I got you,” Lucien said.

  He was panting as hard as I was. The swirling black and gray mist had vanished, and the cement wall returned to a normal color.

  “It was just as I suspected.” Anton hurried over to us. “Are you two okay?”

  I nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Fine,” Lucien added. “I think we stopped whatever was coming through.”

  Anton put his hand on the wall and then the floor. He smiled. “I can feel it. They’re both closed.”

  Lucien and I sat on a cot in the cell where we had closed the gateway. I didn’t think I could move for a while.

  I put my palm on sweating forehead. “Anton, what happened this time?”

  “Somehow you were able to combine your powers and shut the gateways.”

  “I don’t understand.” I dropped my hand. “Rhys, Dante, Bo, and Xavier were all there. Why didn’t it work with them?”

  “I think you all had to be touching each other. From what Professor Soto told me, you used the sword and Lucien’s blood had been on it. It was enough to shut the gateways but not seal them.”

  None of this made sense to me. “But Bo had used the sword and nothing happened.”

  “Like I keep telling you both, you must uncover the prophesies. I believe this will solve the riddle.”

  Lucien demanded. “Are you going to let people know, including Heath, what happened down here? Maybe we can call off this witch hunt.”

  “I’ll report to the staff and kingdoms what occurred, but the news won’t stop Raven from having to endure her trial. Not unless you’re able to find Professor Tuamma.”

  I sat straighter as an exciting thought flashed into my mind. “Anton, what about the magic orb in my room? That could show us where Professor Tuamma is being held.”

  Anton moved his hand across the wall. “This gateway is definitely closed. I don’t feel any dark magic.” He faced me. “As far as the magic orb, it’s one of many that can see things. Unfortunately, none have proved fruitful.”

  I rested my head on Lucien’s shoulder. “Another one of Ryker’s spells?”

  “He’s very powerful.” Anton glanced between us. “You two look weary. I’m excusing you both from classes. I suggest you get some rest.”

  “Thanks,” I murmured. “But I’ve got to practice for the trial.”

  “I think you’re too drained for physical activity, Raven,” Anton said. “If I were you, I’d continue to look for the answer to the Three Become One prophesy. I myself have been looking, but unfortunately, I keep coming to a dead end.”

  I didn’t answer. I couldn’t figure out why he was so sure the prophesies were so important. Could they really help me pass this trial?

  Chapter 22

  After Lucien and I closed the magical gateway, we headed out of Anton’s quarters.

  Lucien looped his arm through mine. “What are you going to do now?”

&nb
sp; I yawned. “What I want to do is sleep, but I don’t think that’s an option.”

  He clasped my shoulders. “You’re not strong enough to use heat generation or try to cloak yourself. You don’t want to drain your powers; you’ll be too weak to do anything at your trials.”

  “Lucien, the trial is only in four days. I’m not any closer to mastering either one of those tasks.”

  “If you’re tense, you won’t pass. Take a catnap, and I’ll help you later.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  He grinned. “The same.” His eyes turned serious. “I want you to do something for me. Don’t think about the trials or the angel lore book, just think of nothing.” He winked. “You’ll be surprised where this can take you.”

  “Sure.” I didn’t know if I could. Right before we went into the corridor, the Angel Chamuel and the riddle crossed my mind, but I couldn’t put my finger on why and now, my mind was too tired to discover the answer.

  Back in my bedroom, I sat on my bed and combed through the angel lore book, looking for any answers to the riddle. I wished I had access to the internet, because I might have been able to find something there.

  I slapped my head. I was so stupid. Maybe I couldn’t access the internet, but we did have a library. I was too wound up to sleep, so I grabbed the angel book and left.

  The library was located on the third floor where all of my classes were held. Luckily, passing period wouldn’t be for another twenty minutes. I didn’t want to run into anyone and answer any questions on why wasn’t going to class. That was Anton’s job.

  I had rarely studied in here, because I preferred the quietness of my room. I did better wearing head phones and sitting on my bed rather than at a desk. Libraries had never been my jam.

  But the ornate library was beautiful. The five petaled Tudor Rose and the Fleur di Lis were hand-carved into the wood ceiling. Soft red velvet carpet covered the floor, hiding any footsteps. Wall-to-wall rich mahogany bookcases contained books on every subject. To reach the top, the librarian, Professor Hobbs, would have to use a ladder.

  Professor Hobbs sat behind a large reference desk and seemed to be cataloging something in a computer. She had her long dark hair pulled up into a neat bun and had on a black robe decorated with red roses. I’d heard she’d been the librarian ever since Legacy had been built. Definitely a vampire. We could use computers, but none of them were connected to the internet.

  “Hello, Professor Hobbs.”

  She looked up and smiled. “Raven, shouldn’t you be in class?”

  I handed her Anton’s pass. “I’m excused.”

  She glanced at it. “Very well. What can I do for you today?”

  “Do you have any angel books, especially on the Archangel Chamuel?”

  “The Archangel Chamuel?” She typed into her computer. “That’s an usual request. What types would you like?”

  I sighed. “At this point, anything.”

  “We have several books, but some of them are in the restricted section and can’t be checked out.”

  “That’s fine.”

  She scribbled down some notes on a piece of paper. “Why don’t you sit at one of the tables, and I’ll bring the books to you?”

  “Thanks, Professor.”

  “You’re welcome, Raven. Oh, and good luck on your trial this week. I knew your mother and you have the same fire as her. I’m sure you’ll do well.” Her voice sounded genuine, and the corner of her mouth reached her brown eyes.

  Some of the weariness and tension unwound inside me. “Thank you so much. You don’t know how much I needed that.”

  “Sure.”

  I took a spot at a table close to the reference desk. Professor Hobbs came back with several thick books.

  “If you need anything else, just let me know,” she said.

  “I will. You’ve been really helpful.”

  “That’s my job.”

  I was deep into doing research when someone cleared their voice. I looked up and groaned. Heath gave me one of his famous disapproving looks. How could he be an older version of Bo but act the exact opposite?

  “Ditching Dragon Magick before your trial. Not very smart, Raven.”

  I lifted my chin. “I’m not ditching. Anton excused me. I have a note––”

  “Notes don’t concern me. Your lack of dedication to passing the trial only confirms you shouldn’t be at this Academy.”

  I closed my fists and drew on every ounce of determination I had not to slug him in his stupid, arrogant face.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” I gritted my teeth. “I have work to do.”

  He put his palms on the table. “Just to let you know, I’ll be one of the judges. If I were you, I’d start packing.”

  I kept my head up high and refused to cry, no matter how much my tears pushed on my eyelids.

  “Excuse me,” Professor Hobbs interrupted. “Is there a problem?”

  Heath smirked. “No. No problem at all.” He left as quickly as he had entered.

  Professor Hobbs rushed over to me. “Raven, are you okay?”

  I nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “That was uncalled for. I will talk to the Headmaster about his intimidating behavior.”

  She was being so kind. Maybe I should have studied in the library more often.

  She patted my back. “If he bothers you again, let me know.”

  “I will.” I returned to my research, more desperate than ever to unlock the Archangel Chamuel’s clues. What was I missing?

  About half an hour later, another male voice broke my concentration.

  Lucien slid into the chair next to me. “Did you take a nap at all?”

  I ran my fingers through my hair. “I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Could have fooled me.” He pulled a book out of his backpack. “You look exhausted.”

  I wasn’t sure if I should tell him about Heath, but the look in his eyes told me to keep silent. Lucien confronting Heath would only make things worse for me.

  He opened his book. “I think I found something.”

  “What is that? That doesn’t look like a book.”

  “That’s because it isn’t. It’s my great, great grandfather’s diary, and it mentions the Three Become One.”

  My heart skipped a beat. “It does?”

  “Yeah, I think the missing words in that riddle might be constellations.”

  “Really? Let me see.”

  Lucien’s relative had talked about going on a journey to see the three constellations at the top of Mt Elbert that related to the Three Become One. Mt Elbert was the tallest peak in Colorado.

  I closed the diary. “I have a radical idea.”

  “What?”

  “We’re not that far from Mt. Elbert.”

  “You’re not serious.”

  “Yeah, I am. Maybe if we went and looked at the sky, we could figure what the constellations are and solve the riddle.”

  “If we do this, we could be expelled. Anton has forbidden any of us to leave.”

  I cocked my eyebrow. “I thought you said outlaws had more fun.”

  He clasped my chin. “Not when it means I could lose you.” His husky voice sent chills down my back.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He tilted his head and parted his lips.

  Aaooooo

  We both jumped. Xavier hurried over to us and slammed his backpack on the table.

  “Damn,” he said. “I just heard. Something just tried to break through the magical gateways, and you guys both closed it?”

  Lucien put his hands behind his head. “Yeah, we did.” He snapped his fingers. “A piece of cake.”

  I sighed. “I wouldn’t say that.”

  “Raven, you don’t look so good.” Xavier flashed his gaze over me. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” I mumbled. “I just need to keep researching for a few more hours.”

  Lucien closed the book I was looking at it. “No, you’re not. You’ve got dark c
ircles under your eyes.”

  I snatched the angel lore book back. “Lucien, I have to find this prophesy. According to Anton, it will determine whether I pass or fail the trial.” My crisp tone didn’t seem to faze Lucien.

  He clasped my hand. “You’re exhausted. You need rest. The trial is less than four days.”

  “I can’t. I have to find it.”

  “What’s this prophesy?” Xavier asked. “Maybe we can help.”

  “Lucien, we weren’t supposed to tell anybody about it.”

  “We’re the Defenders, remember?” Xavier sat taller. “We’re either a team or we’re not.”

  I swore the hair on his head bristled.

  “I’m sorry. I’m just so tired. Anton had me study this angel lore book to find the missing prophesies. He said it was important for me in passing the trials, but I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone.”

  “We found one,” Lucien said. “It’s called the Three Become One. Can I show him?”

  I sighed. “Sure.”

  Lucien opened up the glossary and showed Xavier the passage. “It’s missing letters and words, but based on something I found in one of my relatives’ diaries, we think the c word is constellation, but we have no idea what it means. I don’t have clue on what constellations.”

  “You figured this out from one of your dad’s books?” Xavier asked.

  “A diary,” Lucien corrected him.

  “How do you know the rest of us don’t have books or diaries or something that goes back to this prophesy?”

  My eyes widened. “What?”

  “I’m assuming this has to do with all the supernaturals. Maybe we need to pool our resources and find out if our histories have any clues.”

  I clasped Xavier’s hand. “God, I never thought of that.”

  He grinned. “That’s because you were thinking as an individual, not a Defender.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, worries. I’ll gather the rest of the team and see if we can get books from our dad’s about this. Don’t give up yet, Raven.” Xavier kissed me on the cheek. “The fight has just begun.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

  He winked and left.