Another sigh leaves me, this time heavy with despair.
I’d give anything to fight with my twin again. To hear her laugh, practice magic with her, make potions at midnight while Grandma makes our favorite witches’ brew.
A crushing weight presses on my heart, dragging me back down to reality again. I frown at the never-ending stairs. By the time I reach the top of them, I’m out of breath and have to lean against the wall. Mrs. Thornhart turns her steely eyes on me and I straighten with a smile. With a slow shake of her head, she knocks on a set of doors. They’re at least eight feet tall with gold leaves embellished in the rich wood.
“Come in.”
Mrs. Thornhart ushers me into Lockwood’s office and leaves as quickly as she can. The inside of the tower is even more beautiful than its exterior. There’s elaborate woodwork and bookcases filled with leather-bound tomes. A rolling ladder runs on a track that goes all around the room and the furniture is a dark heavy wood created with an eye for detail. The desk is carved with an intricate pattern of vines, leaves, and flowers that shimmer in the light pouring through the glass ceiling.
Professor Lockwood is standing at the window facing away from me, his hands clasped behind his back. For a breathless moment, I think he has a cane in his hand, but it’s just a trick of the light. When I realize he’s not holding anything, I don’t know if I’m disappointed or relieved.
“I watched that little performance,” he begins, his voice gravelly with displeasure. He doesn’t even turn around. “Would you care to explain yourself?”
Not really.
Broin shifts on my shoulder and I think he’s getting ready to peck Lockwood’s eyes out if he has to. The eagle perched on a gold stand by his desk trains his eyes on me, his red eyes unblinking.
“Aurora was suggesting that I be hanged,” I answer, holding my head up high. “I couldn’t just stand by and let that slide when so many of my kind have suffered that fate.”
He turns to face me, and his eyes are burning.
There’s serious anger in there—a darkness I didn’t expect. He stalks around his desk and it occurs to me that he’s fucking huge. Bigger than Broin, and that’s saying something. He backs me right up against the door and stands just a few inches away, so close his hot breath fans my cheeks.
“If something like that happens again, you are to notify Mrs. Thornhart at once. She is assigned to your year for a reason.”
When he stands this close, I can feel power crackling through him. He’s no ordinary man. Just from our proximity, the hairs on my body stand on end as if I’ve stepped into the Devil’s Altar. He stares into my eyes, his bowed lips pressed in a firm line. The pressure of his power and darkness reaches into me and snakes around my heart, whispering sweet evils. My mouth falls open though I don’t make a sound.
Who the heaven is this man? Or rather, what is he?
“Yes, what Miss Briar said was out of line and she will be reprimanded. But this is the second transgression today, Miss Hemlock. Are you setting out to break all of the rules on purpose or does it just come naturally to you?”
He steps away and turns his back on me again.
“Witches are rarely tolerated here at Everafter, and if they are, it’s because they are white witches. You and I both know the spell you just cast comes from a dark source.” His large hands grip each other and I’m grateful my neck isn’t between them. “If you ever cast dark magic like that again on academy grounds, you will be expelled. If I ever see you casting any magic outside of your studies, I will have no choice but to enact discipline.”
I must be recovering my wits, because that sounds really fucking promising.
“Now return your familiar to its cage and go to your next class.”
Stunned, I turn toward the door. That went…surprisingly easy. I’m a little disappointed. There’s darkness lurking in the headmaster and I want to break it out.
I stop and look back at him, figuring today’s the day to press my luck. “Why must our familiars be kept in cages? Isn’t that barbaric?”
“This is a school, Miss Hemlock, not a zoo.” He pauses and turns around, the muscles working hard along his clenched jaw. “It’s not something I have control over, nor is it something you should concern yourself with.”
Of course Professor Lockwood doesn’t control the laws here.
The High Council does.
At least our government, Maleficis Invictus, actually know how to treat our familiars as equals.
“What about an arena?” I ask casually, recalling how I’d once been to an arena. They take up little space on the outside, but the interior is enough to hold a million football pitches. Sort of like this castle. “I’m not sure if it’ll work, but isn’t it worth a shot? I’m sure they’d be grateful to run around during the day.”
And escape the students who clearly don’t know how to handle them.
His slate-blue eyes flash. “I told you, Miss Hemlock. I do not make this rule and I will not repeat myself again.” His body is rigid, telling me he’s barely keeping his anger in check. “You are dismissed.”
I incline my head and leave his office.
Outside, Broin remarks, —That went well.—
—I just hate the thought of you being in a cage all day,— I reply, climbing down the stairs. —It’s not fair.—
—It’s the rules. You need to follow them.—
“When have I ever been good at following rules?” I snort, saying the words out loud.
“Miss Hemlock.” Professor Lockwood’s voice catches me off guard and I let out a yelp. “How long does it take to walk down these stairs?” He sweeps by me and climbs down them, adding without so much as a backward glance, “My rules are ones you will be following at my academy.”
I just manage to stop myself asking, ‘Is that a threat or a promise, Sir?’, but Broin squeezes my shoulder. I bite back the retort and continue walking two steps behind.
Walking behind Professor Lockwood, in utter silence? Yeah. This is definitely going up there with the most awkward moments in my life. But damn, does he smell good. I take this moment to look over his body, and his ass is even better than his musk.
His navy suit is tailored perfectly around his huge, muscular body, framing his ass like a ripe peach. Damn if I don’t want to sink my teeth into it. When he looks over at me, I give him my sweetest of smiles. He ignores me and turns back, but that’s when I see something interesting.
The tip of a tattoo below the nape of his neck.
Beard, tattoos, and a sinister air about him? There’s definitely more to this headmaster than meets the eye, and I’m the girl to find out what that is.
We go separate ways at the bottom of the stairs. Watching Professor Lockwood stalk down the hallway, I can’t help but feel intrigued by him. There’s something menacing that calls out to me, mirroring my own dark heart.
Broin senses it too, because he stays silent all the way back to my room. When I step inside, Sirena is bent down to place Jasper into his cage.
“Hey, where’s Alice?” Broin flies off my shoulder and into his cage. I don’t bother actually locking it so that, when Broin knows it’s safe, he can wander freely.
Sirena closes Jasper’s cage and smiles at me. “She’s at the infirmary.”
An unexpected fear grips me. “Why? Is she okay?”
“Oh, yeah. She just gets really bad episodes sometimes.”
“Episodes?”
“Headaches. Fits. Extreme fatigue.”
I sit down on my bed, thinking about sweet Alice in the infirmary. She said her power exhausts her because it keeps her awake when the rest of the world is asleep. Does it do more than that? She always looks drained whenever I see her.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” I pick my bag up and sling it over my shoulder. “Maybe we can make a healing potion or something.”
Spinning around, Sirena shakes her head while tucking Augustus under her shirt. “I’ve known her since we were, like,
six or seven? She started having these seizures when we were around eight. She just sort of changed then, but she usually bounces back after a few hours.”
That’s a relief. I never expected to care so much about these girls, but I do.
“Where’s Alice from?” Sirena gives me a stupid look and I quickly realize my mistake. “Oh, sweet fuck. Her name. Underland. Is that where she’s from?” She nods. “Well, shit.”
That means she’s from Draoich like me.
Sirena grabs her pink satchel and nods. “Told you we all have secrets. That’s how Alice knew you were a Darkblood.”
Walking out of the door, I’m still intrigued to know how a Draoich and Poseidan became friends. Those kingdoms aren’t exactly friendly neighbours.
“So how did you guys meet?”
Before Sirena answers, Broin speaks in my mind. —After class, you’ll come back here and tell your roommates we’re going for a walk. Remember your knife.—
I swallow. Hard. He’s in Daddy Mode and I fucking love it.
We walk down the stairs and through the emptying common room. Double Defence Training with Professor Mulan is going to take up the afternoon, which I’m actually looking forward to. Kicking more butt today sounds like a great way to let off some steam. We head toward the ground floor to meet the class in the dojo.
“I met Alice when I was six,” Sirena finally answers. “My dad divorced my mum then and I was pretty cut up about it. God, the whole kingdom was.” She shakes her head and I glimpse tears in her eyes. “Anyway, I ended up swimming away and falling through a portal. Next thing I know, I’m caught in a fishing net on the coast of Neverland. Alice helped me escape before any of the Lost Boys found me.” Entering the main courtyard, she adds with a wink, “I’ve been trying to get rid of her ever since but she just sticks to you like seaweed.”
I burst out laughing, my side twitching from the impact. “You know something, I’m so fucking glad we all became friends.”
Sirena links her arm with mine. “You and me both, sista. You and me both.”
Professor Hua Mulan is a force to be reckoned with. Before introductions are made, we’re told to run ten laps around the biggest field I’ve ever seen and this is only the warm-up.
Luckily I’m good at running. I’ve spent my whole life running away from Witch Hunters and healthy cuisine. So it’s pretty much the best non-magical skill I have.
Some of the other students aren’t as fast on their feet, the poor little babies. The students who do lag are made to do extra laps while we get to watch from the sidelines. Watching Rapunzel sweat and heave like a pregnant nun is pure comedy gold. Looks like princesses aren’t perfect at everything. As for her hair? The infirmary must have counteracted the hex. Such a pity.
I’m exhausted when class is over. It felt more like boot camp than anything. Running, push-ups, squats and anything else the professor could use to test our endurance. I actually respect her as a teacher though. She wants to whip these pretty boys and girls into shape and I’m living for it.
—It’s time for your punishment.—
Broin’s voice causes a shiver to run down my spine. Those words are like music to my ears.
After taking a drink from the water fountain, I wave at Sirena, who’s busy giving Erik a well-deserved earful. For once I actually see him look a little hurt by her comments and he goes to follow her, but Gideon places a hand on his shoulder and pulls him away. It really pisses me off that Gideon looks sexy with his cheeks flushed and slightly damp hair. I’m not even going to mention the way he fills out his tight shorts.
Scowling, I turn away and enter the changing rooms. Sirena steps into the cubicle next to me. While we shower and get dressed, she talks about Erik and how she’s tired of the way he treats her. I suggest she kick him in the nads, but she laughs and says he’d probably dodge that like he dodges his royal responsibilities.
His father is King Gareth of Aira, the kingdom at the north of the Great Forest. Just like his pretentious leather coat, Erik is all about playing the irresponsible jerk to win all the girls. He doesn’t want to ascend the throne when he turns twenty-two. She doubts he even wants her.
“We’re betrothed,” she says as we step out of the changing rooms.
I come to a stop. “No. Fucking. Way.”
“Way.” She nods, rolling her eyes and snorting. “Since before we were born. But the worst part of all? I do like him. When it’s just the two of us, he isn’t such an asshole, you know?”
“He just puts up a front,” I offer, knowing his type quite well.
For a short time I dated Damon Salvador, our coven’s future High Priest. He was very similar. Grandma was so proud of our relationship but I grew tired eventually. The typical bad-guy persona bored me to heaven. The guy used to get me to kill his spiders, for hell’s sake. That’s not the kind I look for in mates.
I need real men—not boys.
“Do you want to hang out tonight?” Sirena asks over a yawn. “I don’t know about you, but I’m beat. Maybe you can conjure some pizza and we can chill in our room?”
That does sound amazing, but I already have an…appointment.
“I’d love to but I’m going for a walk with Broin. It’s so unfair that he needs to be caged all day.”
A hand goes to her neck, where her necklace and familiar are hiding. “I can’t even imagine. That’s why…” Lowering her voice, she whispers, “I have this. Augustus doesn’t only protect the locket. He’s able to go through the portal when he feels like it.”
“That’s a relief. I was starting to wonder if you were trying to smother him with your breasts.”
A scarlet tinge rises to her cheeks. “No! … Gosh, I don’t have much anyway.”
I wrap an arm around her and rub her shoulders, surprising even myself. “You’re a Queen who’s going to be slaying this school, girl. Own it.”
She laughs and we climb the stairs to our dormitory. Inside our room, I’m sad to see Alice still isn’t around. I hope she’s okay. Maybe I should try a potion just in case.
Broin is perched on top of his cage with my dagger beside him. I grin and slip it into my sock when Sirena isn’t looking. Broin flies up to my shoulder, and after telling Sirena that I’ll be back later, I close the door behind us.
Students swarm the hallways. I can hear them going wild in the common room, too. Not that it’s really necessary, but I cast a glamour so we can walk through undisturbed.
“Valamen.” As I whisper the incantation and rotate my finger anti-clockwise, a nearly transparent veil drops around me. I hold my nose to suppress a sneeze. Glamours don’t always work and a more powerful witch can easily detect them, which is why I don’t use them often. Plus they make me sneeze and they’re friggin’ cold. I rub my arms against the icy chill settling over me.
—Do you remember the maintenance closet?— His tone is hard, adding to my shivers.
—Yes.—
—I want you to go in there.—
Even though it was dark, I remember the path the girls showed me before. I walk into the common room to make my escape. Just as I was expecting, Gideon is sitting near the fire, slouched in an armchair like it’s his throne. Only Christopher is with him, though he’s busy reading a book. I catch wind of their conversation and pause for a moment.
“The Darkblood has got to go,” Gideon drawls, running a hand lazily through his short hair.
Christopher looks up from his book. “Why do you despise her so much? She’s just a girl.”
Gideon’s face twists into an ugly grimace. “Because she’s a freak. Because she’s contaminated. Because we all fucking know that she doesn’t belong here and should be hanged like the good old days.” Raising his voice so that students look over at him, he shouts, “Because no Darkblood has ever been to this academy and they never will be.”
His declaration receives a round of applause. Next they’ll be getting out pitchforks. A red-haired girl turns around in her seat to frown at him.
“Because I do!” Gideon snaps, glaring venomously at her. That’s really not much of an answer, but whatever.
Christopher sighs heavily and goes back to reading his book. The girl returns to her business, too. My blood boils through my veins. Half of me wants to hex Gideon, but Broin nudges me with his beak and I leave the common room without making a scene.
A contaminated freak who deserves to be hanged just for existing? And they say Draoichs are the villains. I’m beginning to think Everafter wouldn’t be so different to Nevermore after all.
The closet isn’t far once I leave the common room. Two corridors later, I’m standing outside the door, and my heart skips a beat. I wrap my hand around the handle, which is soaked in dark magic.
From the moment we step into the closet, our dynamic changes.
Broin shifts into his man, wearing just a pair of pants that hang loosely on his hips. His long hair is tousled over his broad shoulders and the dark look in his eyes sends a rush of desire through me. A part of me that gets locked up until moments like this crawls to the surface, free at last.
Gone is the defiant, rebellious Ravyn that takes no man’s shit. Now I’m just a witch, standing in front of her Daddy, wishing he’d bend her over his knee already.
He reaches out and caresses the side of my face. “How I’ve missed touching you like this,” he whispers, his nose brushing mine.
I close my eyes and lean into his touch. “I’ve missed it too, Daddy.”
“It seems like an eternity,” he says, rubbing his thumb across my cheek, “though it’s only been a few days.”
“An awful few days,” I grumble, letting tears well into my eyes. Broin’s the only person I would ever cry in front of.
He brushes a tear from the corner of my eye. “I know it has been, Little Red.” He slides his fingers down to my lips, his touch warm and gentle. “I think we both need this.”
Once Upon A Wolf: A Dark Academy Reverse Harem Bully Romance (Everafter Academy Book 1) Page 11
