Grave Secrets: A Dementon Academy of Magic Novel (The Everlasting Chronicles Book 3)

by K. G. Reuss

  “She’s right,” I stated softly. “We do need to know exactly what the prophecy says. I’m just not sure how to get in to view it. I’ll send a fire message to my father. I’ll see if they’ll open the vaults so that I can look at the Wards.”

  “You know they won’t open it,” Brandon said after a moment of silence. “This is an old man’s war, Gen. I honestly don’t think we’re doing what we should be doing. Maybe we’re not even on the right side—”

  “Shut your mouth,” Amara growled. “What you’re saying is treason, Banks. Don’t say another word unless you want to stand before the Order. Do you think Raiden, Damien or Eric want to be the ones to gut you?”

  “I’m not saying I’m a Cipher,” Brandon sighed, looking over at me, his hands moving up in surrender. “I’m not. I’m just saying this entire thing feels weird to me. I feel like we’re being played sometimes. We’re tools used in some bigger plot. And who knows, maybe we’re the bad guys.”

  Everyone grew quiet at his words. The thought had never crossed my mind. The Conexus was created long ago in the hopes of policing our world. For protection. Honor. Our rules were strict. We had our duties. But could the Order have become corrupt to the point where we’d just be tools? Father did mention that someone on the inside was feeding the Cipher information. The very real possibility left a nasty taste in my mouth.

  “I think Brandon needs more fiber,” Adam laughed, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “He’s being weird again.”

  “I think I’m just tired.” Brandon rubbed his eyes. “Forget I said anything.”

  “Oh, we will,” Amara huffed, glaring at Brandon. “None of us want to be hanged for treason.”

  “Stop being dramatic.” It was my turn to rub my eyes. “I’ll message the sigil in the morning. We’ll start there. As for the hunt, we’ll gear up and go Sunday night. Me, Damien, Eric, Sloane, Adam and Jared. Brandon, Chloe, Amanda, and Mara, you guys can stay behind on the grounds. Do some digging on the prophecy. Gather notes and any information you can find. We’ll play the rest by ear. Got it?”

  There was a general murmur of understanding throughout the group. I broke the meeting up and went to my bedroom and got ready for bed. I was exhausted, but not enough that I was ready to fall asleep. I wanted to talk to Eric about how his night with Ever had gone. After lying in bed for more than two hours fighting sleep, Eric still hadn’t showed. I pushed away the anxiety gnawing in the depths of my guts and closed my eyes, letting restless sleep take over.

  Ten

  Everly

  “How were your first couple days?” Eric asked, walking beside me after my last class.

  “Not so terrible.” I cast him a nervous smile. “I was able to light and extinguish those candles in the workshops. And I was able to know what was behind those cards at the psychic workshop, so there’s that.”

  “I heard about the candles.” He nodded thoughtfully. “I knew you had it in you.”

  “Thanks.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “So… How was your day?”

  “Ah,” he scoffed. “Not bad. Basically, the same sort of thing I do every day. Conexus, classes, more Conexus, fighting Damien for the last muffin in the morning.”

  I chuckled softly. “What’s it like? Being in Conexus?” I asked as we walked to my dorm. People were casting us strange looks, scattering away from us, no doubt because Eric was with me.

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “It’s hard. We don’t get to have relationships outside of it, so that means making new friends is pretty much out of the question.”

  “Then how is it that we’re friends?”

  “I, uh, decided it was time to break a few rules,” he replied, stopping beside me at my dorm.

  “The last thing I want is for you to get into trouble. Seriously.”

  “Don’t worry about me, Ever. I can handle myself,” he assured me. My door clicked open, and I stared openmouthed at him.

  “Did you do that?”

  “Maybe.” He grinned, finally losing all the seriousness that had been around him. We stepped into my dorm, removing our cloaks and putting our bags down.

  “Sorry, I don’t really have anything for us to eat,” I apologized, stepping into the tiny kitchen area. “I'm still trying to find my classes. I haven’t worked out where everything else is yet.”

  “No worries.” Eric smiled. “If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be?”

  “Anything?”

  He nodded, waiting for me to answer.

  “Chinese food. What I wouldn’t do for some fried rice right now!” My stomach growled, and I ducked my head bashfully.

  “Give me a few minutes. I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you going?” I asked.

  “To get dinner.” He grabbed his cloak and stepped outside my door. “Seriously. I’ll be back soon. Wait for me?”

  “Si. I mean, yeah. Of-of course,” I answered breathlessly.

  He cast me a quick smile before closing the door behind him. I took the opportunity to tidy up my place even though it was already clean. Going into my bathroom, I washed up and changed into my pajama shorts and tank top. I sat on my couch, nibbling on my nails before getting up to pace, wondering where Eric had gone off to. It had been at least thirty minutes. Finally, there was a soft knock on my door. I rushed to it and pulled it open to find Eric looking windswept with bags of food in his hands.

  “What?” I exclaimed.

  “You said you wanted Chinese.” He shrugged, following me into my dorm and placing the food on the small coffee table. The delicious smells permeated the area causing me to breathe in deeply. “And what Ever wants, Ever gets.”

  “Oh my god! Thank you! How much do I owe you?” I went to my wallet and started digging around in it. Eric’s hand came out and tugged me away.

  “My treat.”

  “Really? I could pay you—”

  “No way.” He smiled. “Payment will be seeing the smile on your face as you enjoy your dinner.”

  My cheeks heated at his words.

  “I didn’t know what to get you, so I basically got some of everything,” he continued with a chuckle. “Hope that’s good with you.”

  “It’s awesome.” I beamed at him, causing his lips to turn up into a bigger smile. We sat on my couch and dug into our food.

  After a few moments of silence, I decided to ask him one of the many questions on my mind. “Eric?”

  “Yeah?” He looked at me with his bright, baby blues, waiting for me to continue,

  “You said you’re fae. I was wondering aside from stopping time, what are your abilities?”

  “Well.” He took a large bite of food and chewed for a moment before swallowing and continuing, “I stitch. That’s the whole time-stopping thing you’re referring to. And it doesn’t stop time all over. Just near me. So, the world still carries on, just not in my vicinity. I can’t hold it for long, because if I do, it pretty much sucks the energy from me. Then it takes days for me to recharge, even with Raiden and Brandon’s healing abilities.”

  “Is that all you can do?”

  He let out a laugh, his eyes sparkling. “What’s wrong? Stopping time not impressive enough?”

  “I-I didn’t mean anything by it—”

  “Easy. I’m just teasing you.” He grinned at me. “I’m in the psychic faction, just like I bet you’ll be. I’m telepathic and telekinetic, as well as being a stitcher.”

  “I forgot about the while mind reading thing,” I said, already having guessed the telekinetic thing.

  “Yeah,” he chuckled. “Don’t worry though. I’m not a jerk. I won’t just jump into your head. I can change memories as well. I’m a sifter.”

  “A sifter?”

  “Yeah, I can sift through thoughts and arrange them.” He shrugged and took another bite of food and chewed thoughtfully. “Meaning, I can make you think something happened that didn’t. Or make you forget something that did happen. Basically, jus
t change elements to a memory. I don’t do it often. In fact, it’s something I’ve only recently discovered I can do. I can do complete wipes as well.” He shuddered.

  “Have you?” I ventured. “Taken someone’s memory or messed with it?”

  He studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. “Yeah. I did it to the people at the diner the day you were there. They have no memory of you being there. Neither does your dad. And I do it in Conexus when I need to. But trust me, it’s not something I jump on. I avoid it if I can. I believe thoughts should be private. I’d never just jump into your head and start looking around. I promise, Ever,” his voice was laced with sincerity as he stared at me with wide eyes.

  “I believe you.”

  We were quiet for a moment. “Are you psychic? Like can you see the future?”

  He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Not really. It’s more like short flashes sometimes. Or like a sense of something extra, you know? Like déjà vu. I can’t just see into the future. Not many can. It’s a true gift. Unfortunately, those with sight get a bad rep just because a lot of people like to make money off it. Some can’t see past their own noses let alone the future. So, you’d have to be crazy strong and accurate to make an impression.”

  I nodded. That made sense. We settled into easy conversation after that—school, my life back home, favorite subjects so far. I didn’t have one yet, but Eric said he enjoyed math which made me crinkle my nose.

  I’d gotten so comfortable around him that when he asked me about my experiences with the dead, I was candid.

  “I have a shadow,” I said softly as we sat on my couch facing one another. I’d already told him about Shadow once. This time I felt comfortable enough to add to it. As I spoke, I glanced at the clock. It was well after two in the morning. “Like he’s been coming to me since I was three. He’s grown up with me. When I was twelve and my dad left, he stopped coming.”

  Eric studied me wordlessly.

  Feeling brave, I pushed on, “Last year, there was an accident, and I was hit by a car. I almost died. And he came for me. Shadow. He saved my life. And ever since that night, he’s been there to help me. To protect me. I can’t explain it. I-I feel like there’s this… bond I have with him. Like he knows all my secrets. I feel connected to him. And I know what he did to me the night of the accident has something to do with why I’m the way I am now. I mean, I could see the dead before, but it’s different now. Heightened. Uncontrollable. After he saved me, there was no silence until the moment I climbed into that car with you and Damien.”

  Eric shifted in his seat and licked his lips.

  “And now? Do you still see Shadow?”

  “No,” I answered morosely. “He stopped coming aft-after I-I tried hurting myself. He kissed me and left. I haven’t seen him since. He must hate me. I disappointed him. I know I did. Even though we’ve never really spoken, I miss him so much that my soul aches.”

  “Do you love him?”

  I scoffed. “No. How could I? I don’t even know him.” It felt like an ugly lie clamoring on my lips to be retracted. I pushed the thought away. I couldn’t love him. I didn’t even know who he was.

  “Are you sure you don’t? You said he’s always been there and you miss him terribly.”

  “The truth is, I don’t know. I don’t know how I feel. Or what to think. None of this seems real, him included.” I grew quiet, the truth bubbling in my chest. Maybe I did love him. But it didn’t matter. He’d left me. Changed me and then left me. Or had he? I looked at Eric, pulling together all the bravery I had in the world.

  “Are you him?” my voice came out soft and strangled. “You’ve saved me like he did.”

  Eric gazed back at me, his lips turned down into a frown, sadness etched on his face. “I-I’m not. I’m sorry, Ever. Truly.”

  I let out the breath I was holding and hung my head. Figured.

  “Hey.” Eric’s fingers found my chin and lifted my head up, so I was looking at him. “Don’t be sad, Ever. You’ve overcome so much. You’re going to be fine. I promise.”

  “I-I just never got to say goodbye,” I sniffled, wiping at my eyes. “He just left me.”

  There was a pained expression on Eric’s face. “What would it have changed?”

  “I don’t know.” I swallowed and shook my head. “Maybe everything.”

  “Or maybe nothing,” Eric soothed. “Sometimes it’s best to just let go of the unknown. Sometimes the truth hurts. Take advantage of what he gave you and live a good life. It was a gift, the way I see it.”

  “I can’t. I feel like there’s more to our story. And he bailed on me, leaving me to be this-this thing. I hate my life. I’ll never be normal again. And I’m being hunted, Eric! I know I am! But I don’t know why. I just know that nothing will ever be the same again.” My breathing came out in sharp gasps, my head feeling light from lack of oxygen. I clenched and unclenched my hands, my body shaking. Fat ugly tears bubbled from my eyes.

  “Hey. Hey, hey, hey.” Eric’s arms encircled me, letting me rock and cry against him. “None of that. You’re safe, Ever. I promise, things will get better.”

  And while I wanted to believe that, I knew they wouldn’t. They couldn’t. I wasn’t just Ever anymore. She had died on the pavement all the months ago. In her place was me—the broken, terrified girl who was haunted. And hunted.

  And without Shadow.

  Eleven

  Everly

  I dozed off on the couch sometime after our conversation. Warmth enveloping me roused me. Eric was draping a blanket over me.

  “I don’t want you to get cold,” Eric murmured, tucking me in on the couch.

  “Thank you,” I mumbled, my words garbled through my sleepy state. “Are you leaving?”

  “Yes,” he replied.

  “You don’t have to,” I whispered, opening my eyes and staring up at him. He hesitated for a moment before reaching out and tucking the blanket in once more.

  “It’s best if I do, Ever. We don’t need me causing a stir around here.” He chuckled softly. “Tomorrow is the declaration and pinning ceremony. You’ll be assigned your trainer as well. It’s a big day. Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “OK.” I closed my eyes, snuggling deeper into my nest. Eric laughed softly before I heard him padding away, the door softly clicking closed behind him.

  The next day came far too soon. I woke up with a groan, dreading what I knew I had to do. After forcing myself out of bed, I showered quickly and dried my hair before pulling it into a high ponytail. I made sure my uniform was on straight and all the buttons were buttoned. Heaven knew I didn’t want to have to deal with Raiden coming at me again over school dress codes.

  Or maybe I did.

  I needed a distraction, and he offered it with knowing I could push his buttons. Maybe the guy needed someone to challenge him a bit so he’d see being uptight wasn’t a good thing. Maybe he’d loosen up and smile more. Or maybe he’d haul me to Headmaster Brighton’s office and demand me be removed from the grounds.

  He probably had the power to do that. It made me shudder.

  Tabling those thoughts, I gathered my bag and went out to the grounds to find most of the students already out and about.

  “Hey, girl!” Harper called out to me, Abby in tow.

  “Hey,” I greeted them.

  “Are you totally excited for today?” Harper asked, she and Abby falling in step with me.

  “Actually, yes. I want to learn how to control all this ghost stuff, so I can go home and visit my mom. Maybe have some semblance of a normal life again.”

  “You’ll get it,” Abby assured me. “Everyone learns to control their powers. You’re no exception.”

  I breathed out easily at her words. Of course, everyone learned to do it. That was the whole point in Dementon.

  “Who do you think you’ll get as a trainer?” Harper asked as we reached the table we’d officially dubbed as ours and flopped into our seats.

  “I’m no
t sure,” I answered with a tight smile. It was the only thing that really had me nerved up at that point. What if I got the vampire, Nevron Blackburn or the lock, Marcus Ambrose? Or what if I got a werewolf? What if I didn’t get along with my trainer? The thoughts sickened me.

  “Maybe it’ll be Jason,” Abby offered. “He’s in the psychic faction and a trainer. They usually like to pair you with someone who has similar strengths. I doubt you’ll get a Conexus trainer. They like to zero in on casters and locks.” She frowned, and I knew she was thinking about Sloane.

  “Sloane got Damien,” Harper supplied. “And you know how that went.”

  I nodded. She got sucked into Conexus. I suddenly would rather have Jason or even Nevron or Marcus.

  I didn’t bother eating anything. As the time ticked closer to the ceremony, I grew more nervous. My heart fluttered like mad. My hands shook, and my palms sweated. My vision darkened, like I was looking through a tunnel. My breathing hiked up into short, little gasping breaths.

  Great. I was having a full-blown panic attack right in the center of the courtyard.

  I looked around wildly, trying to center myself. Focus.

  I couldn’t. I was going to pass out. The panic ebbed and flowed through me. Sweat beaded up all over my skin.

  “Miss Torres,” Raiden’s deep voice called out to me. I’d been in such a panic I hadn’t noticed him approaching with the guy I recognized as Brandon. Harper and Abby’s gasps of surprise barely registered in my mind.

  I couldn’t even form words to answer him. I sucked in a sharp breath as he knelt in front of me, his pretty eyes locked on mine.

  “Ladies, would you excuse us?” Brandon asked. Harper and Abby didn’t need telling twice. They booked it out of there.

  “Miss Torres,” Raiden repeated. “You seem unwell.”

  “P-Panic a-a-attack,” I managed to stammer out. “G-get t-them when I-I’m n-nervous.”