Nightblood Academy: A Paranormal Bully Romance

by Allison West

  Lil nodded at Willow. The more Lil stared at her, the less they looked alike. Swallowing her food, she glanced at Hudson. "What is Elfinland, and who are the fae?"

  "Elfinland," Arianna said, "is the land of the fae. Fairies, I think you call them in your world. And they are probably our best chance to get you home, since the plan with the Mystics didn't pan out."

  Hudson leaned on the counter. "There are a few things we should warn you about before we take you there."

  "Warn us? About what?" Jamie asked. His eyes widened with curiosity.

  Hudson grabbed a seat beside Lil. "Well, for starters, the fae aren't the nicest of people. They're not evil, but they're a complicated species. They are unable to lie, though they aren't always forthright with the truth. The fae love to play jokes and cause all sorts of trouble. If we tell you not to do something at the Seelie Court, you must listen, okay?"

  "Okay," Lil said. "What kinds of things can't we do?" She finished the last bite of her sandwich. She didn't want to screw up and cause more trouble.

  Willow started ticking the things off one by one on her fingers. "No dancing, no eating or drinking, no kissing, no eye contact for longer than three seconds."

  Hudson continued with the list. "No singing, no celebrating their festivities, no promises, and no gifts are to be exchanged."

  Lil laughed. "No fun, either, huh? That's a lot of rules."

  "She's Morgan Le Fay, legendary fairy queen for the Seelie Court. She's cunning, ruthless, and, at times, dangerous. But she's powerful. She has the gift of sight. If anyone knows what's powering the portal in your world and where it is, Morgan can help us. The Seelie Court is at least better than the Unseelie Court," Hudson said.

  "The what?" Lil asked.

  "The Unseelie Court," Willow said, keeping her voice low. "The Seelie Court is civilized, as in they have rules and order. There's mischief as with any fae, but they're not vicious. From time to time, they've helped our kind. But the Unseelie Court…"

  Lil swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She didn't need to ask about the Unseelie Court to understand what was being said. "How do we find Morgan?" She pushed the chips around on her plate, having lost her appetite.

  "I don't know how to get to Mount Etna, but that's where Elfinland is located," Hudson said. "I was hoping Rawlie would be able to figure the way."

  Lil contemplated their words. "Mount Etna? That sounds far away."

  "In your world, I believe Mount Etna is in Italy," Willow said. "And I know how to get us there."

  Lil's eyes widened. "You're not serious? Rawlie can't go home because the airports were destroyed, but you expect us to get from Orenda to Mount Etna. How?" Was Willow crazy? Lil wasn't about to strap on a jetpack and short of that, how else would they get to Mount Etna?

  Hudson laughed. "There's a network of academies through the tunnels. One of our neighbors has a direct portal to Elfinland. We have our ways to get around, Lil. Have some faith in us." He climbed off the stool and cleared the dishes. "We'll go tomorrow morning when we'll have all day to travel and are well rested."

  Lil glanced toward Hudson. "A portal?" She wondered if it could send her back home.

  Willow eyed Lil. "Yes, it leads to the different lands of the fae. It won't take you anywhere else, though." She answered the unspoken question. "If it could, we'd have sent Rawlie home years ago."

  Lil watched as Hudson did the dishes. Rawlie came into the kitchen, looking disheveled from sleep.

  "What'd I miss?" Rawlie ran a hand through his messy hair, sitting down at an empty stool across from Willow.

  Jamie grinned, excited. "We're going to Elfinland tomorrow to speak with Morgan."

  "The hell we are!" Rawlie's eyes widened, and he glared at Willow. "Was this your idea?" he asked, not believing it. "You'll get yourselves killed, and for what? What do you hope to do?"

  Hudson's voice remained calm as he rinsed the plates in the sink. "Morgan can help us stop Eilith and send Lil home."

  "At what cost? She doesn't just give away favors without expecting something in return." Rawlie pointed at Hudson. "You, of all people, should know that!" His tone was bitter and filled with disgust.

  "My deals are none of your business," Hudson retorted, scrubbing the dishes harder.

  Lil watched the exchange without saying a word. What had happened between them? She opened her mouth to ask, but Willow shot her a look and shook her head no. Lil tried to change the subject gracefully. "What's the plan if we don't go to see Morgan?" It was an honest question, and one that Rawlie needed to face so he could come up with an alternative solution.

  "You're stuck here indefinitely," Rawlie said.

  Lil pulled half a dozen books to the floor in the library and sat on the old artisan rug, flipping through dozens of pages in front of the hearth. She had so many questions and was itching to learn more. Lil had found it interesting that although they had electricity, there was no television, no phones. Their level of technology seemed inadequate compared to her home, but perhaps it was because Eilith had severed all lines of communication. What was the point of owning a television if there was nothing but static on at all hours of the day?

  She was beginning to understand their world. She read as swiftly as she could, fingering through pages of books, delving in and out of chapters as she tried to prepare for Mount Etna and the Seelie Court. It still puzzled her that the fae existed. She'd heard stories of fairies before, but none of them were remotely believable. They were children's tales, story-time fiction. Lil briefly wondered if they existed back home as well.

  "There you are." She snapped the books closed and shifted on the floor, looking up to find Hudson watching her. "The others are looking for you. They're in the study playing a game."

  "A game?" Lil asked. "What kind of game?" She pulled herself to her feet and placed the books back on their shelves.

  Hudson shrugged, hiding the hint of a smile. "Jamie's in bed, and Arianna is burning off some extra energy training. We thought truth or dare might be fun before we go tomorrow."

  Lil gave him a strange look. "Really? Truth or dare?" Nothing good ever came of that game.

  "It was Willow's idea. Sounded like fun to me."

  "If you say so. Let's go." She followed him out of the library and down the hall to the study. Rawlie and Willow were sitting together on the sofa; it wasn't a big surprise, as they always sat together. Lil sat in the empty chair opposite, and Hudson grabbed a seat on the floor.

  "Who wants to go first?" Willow asked. "Everyone knows the rules, right?"

  Lil laughed. "I'm pretty sure they haven't changed between worlds." It was a simple enough game to play, and it might take their mind off the trip tomorrow.

  Rawlie grinned. "I'll go first."

  At first, everyone stuck to simple questions—nothing too embarrassing. Even the dares were tame, but once everyone got a little more comfortable, the stakes got higher.

  Willow pursed her lips, considering her two options. "Truth."

  Rawlie nodded. "What did you first think of Lil when you met her?"

  Willow smiled. "That's easy. When she came over here, I felt like she was an impostor, trying to steal my life."

  Lil's mouth dropped. "An imposter? Believe me, this isn't where I'd choose to be right now." She hoped that first impression had changed.

  Willow glared at Hudson. "Truth or dare." She smirked.

  Hudson sat there a moment. "Truth," he said reluctantly.

  Willow nodded. "Do you secretly hope that Lil won't be able to return home?" Hudson didn't respond. "You have to answer the question," Willow pressed.

  He seemed reluctant to answer. "I know she wants to go home, but, yes, I guess I do hope that she'll find a reason to stay." Hudson stared down at the ground.

  "But do you hope she won't be able to return home?" She reminded him of the original question.

  "Yes. Now it's your turn again, Willow." He stared at Willow, ready to unleash his fury right back on her.

>   "Nope." Rawlie laughed. "You can't pick on the same person. Either Lil or me."

  Hudson groaned and nodded. "Lil, truth or dare?"

  Lil didn't like divulging her feelings, least of all around a group of people. She could handle dare. Besides, she suspected what the dare would be if she picked it. "Dare," she said, meeting Hudson's stare.

  "I dare you to kiss the person you're most attracted to in the room."

  "Really?" Lil laughed. It was pretty much what she expected, though she figured he'd have made her kiss him. So at least he won brownie points for creativity. "Hmm." She smiled. "Who do I find most attractive? Is it myself?" She got up from the chair, coming closer to Willow. She lingered with her mouth just inches away, feeling Willow's breath against her lips as she pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. "Are you sure you don't want to turn that kiss option into a lap dance?" Lil joked, grinning as she shifted closer toward Rawlie, teasing all of them. "Or perhaps Willow's boyfriend?" Willow's cheeks burned and her nostrils flared in anger. Lil smiled and laughed. Did they not realize she had feelings for Hudson, or were they all so caught up in themselves they really thought she liked them most of all? "Look at all of you, worried who I might kiss. Silly games." She stepped back from Rawlie and Willow, her eyes landing on Hudson. She bent down to the ground where Hudson sat. "This is why we're playing, isn't it?" Lil leaned in, her hands on the floor as she brushed his lips. The kiss was soft at first, tentative and curious before she took another taste, one hand moving from the rug to his cheek, stroking his jaw. She didn't want to let go, unless it was to climb on top of him and ravage him on the floor. Her hormones were uncontrollable. At least that's how she felt. Maybe it was the fact she knew she might never see him again and each kiss tasted better than the last.

  Hudson didn't seem to object in the slightest, shifting to lie down, letting her climb atop him. His lips parted, granting her entrance into his mouth.

  Their tongues dueled, and as she straddled him, her hands tangling in his hair, she refused to loosen her grip.

  He was everything she craved and needed, but was it enough to stay?

  Willow cleared her throat. Lil tried to ignore her but finally pulled back, blushing as she got up from the floor and sat back down in her chair. The room felt as though the heat had been on full blast. Had it been that hot earlier? All eyes remained on her. "I guess it's my turn to pick someone. Willow." Lil glanced at her.

  "Truth."

  Lil thought about it for a moment. "Did you really think I was going to kiss your boyfriend?"

  Willow laughed. "Yes! I can't believe you almost did that. Hudson was the one who picked the dare, not me!" Her cheeks reddened from laughter. "Besides, that's way too kinky for me!"

  "Somehow, I doubt that," Rawlie muttered under his breath.

  "Hudson," Willow said. "Truth or dare?"

  Hudson glanced at Lil, knowing whatever he chose would be about her. "Truth."

  Willow laughed. "No fun. Okay, truth." She spent a moment thinking up a question. "Have you ever had a girlfriend?"

  Hudson shook his head. "No. Since the Scourge, I've lived here with Arianna. She's like a sister to me, and I don't meet too many girls my age. So, no, I've never had a girlfriend. Are you done embarrassing me?"

  Willow smiled. "No. You should pick dare next time."

  Lil shut her mouth when Hudson's eyes landed on her. "Your turn, Lil."

  "Don't you have to pick Rawlie?" It wasn't fair that he didn't have a turn. They should all be subjected to the same punishment.

  "Nope. He picked you." Rawlie was enjoying the fact he wasn't being forced to embarrass himself like the rest of them.

  Lil sighed. "Okay, dare." She was avoiding truth at all costs.

  "Sing to me."

  "You're kidding?" Lil's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "I can't sing!" she croaked. "I have a terrible voice. That is just cruel." She had many small talents, but singing was not on the list.

  "It can't be that bad," Hudson said. "Come on, Lil."

  Lil shook her head, adamant. "Not going to happen. Pick someone else." She gestured at Willow. "Make her sing."

  Willow laughed. "He can't choose me again. Although Lil is right. If she sings anything like I do, you don't want to hear it." She stood. "With that, I'm heading to bed." She reached for Rawlie's hand. "Come on, you're going upstairs with me. It's late."

  Rawlie groaned in protest. "But I want to see what happens between these two love birds."

  "Tomorrow," Willow said. "Good night."

  Willow and Rawlie shut the door behind them, leaving Lil and Hudson alone together. Her heart quickened, and she felt the soft squeeze of his hand. "Let's go with truth instead. Trust me, you don't want to hear me sing." At least they were alone.

  "Okay," Hudson said. "Did you ever have romantic feelings for Bray?"

  Lil scrunched up her face in disgust. "No. I told you, we're just friends. He's like a brother to me."

  Lil's face grew serious. "I'm going to ask you a truth now, okay?" She didn't care whether he picked truth or dare. She'd made up her mind that there was something she wanted to ask him. Now that they were alone, she was comfortable voicing her question with just him.

  "Shoot," Hudson said.

  "What was the fight about between you and Rawlie? What happened the last time at the Seelie Court with Morgan?" There was no good time to ask him. If he was ever going to answer her, now was the time.

  Hudson let go of her hand. Anxiously, he wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. "Are you sure you want to know?"

  "If we're going to see Morgan tomorrow, it would be helpful to know what to expect."

  Hudson couldn't meet her stare. His eyes focused on his hands and then down at the ground. "Morgan and I made a deal. Jamie was sick a few years back. We're not sure what was wrong with him, but the only way to heal him was to seek an elixir from the Seelie Court. There's a price for every favor—always a bargain to be made." He refused to look at Lil. Her warm hand rested on his arm. "I made a deal that was stupid. At the time, I didn't think anything of it. I mean, Willow was in love with Rawlie, and I'd never met a girl who could take my breath away."

  "I take your breath away?" Lil asked, wondering if she was stupid in assuming he was talking about her.

  Hudson's ears reddened. "Yes, you do." He reached for her hand. "I was stupid. Naive. I would have done anything to make Willow happy."

  "You loved her," Lil said, beginning to understand.

  "I suppose a part of me did. It was a boyish crush, but at the same time, you do anything for your family. Rawlie had nothing to bargain for—or at least nothing he was willing to part with—so I made the exchange."

  "What did she want?"

  "My first memory of true love," Hudson said. "I hadn't been in love before, but when I am, she'll know. She'll take the memory from me."

  Lil's hand loosened on his arm, and she gave him a hug. "That's awful. Does Willow know?"

  "I don't think so. Rawlie does. I was angry with him when I came back. He should have been the one to go, since he loves Willow. At the time, I hoped she'd take the feelings I had for Willow, but it has to be reciprocal. It can't be unrequited love."

  "So, I shouldn't start having feelings for you." Lil said, running her hand along the nape of his neck. It was too late. She already loved him. "I wouldn't worry too much right now. I hear first loves suck anyhow. Especially the heartache. She's doing you a favor, taking away the good memories with it." Lil was trying her best to put a positive spin on it. Maybe he didn't love her yet.

  "Do you think there are fae in your world?" His voice was soft, curious.

  "I was wondering the same thing; I have no idea," Lil said. There'd been stories of fairies, but they were just stories, right? "What are you thinking? If you come back to my world with me, will you be released of your contract?"

  Hudson laughed weakly. "At least she couldn't get to me."

  Lil leaned in, dropping a soft kiss to the corner of hi
s lips just beside his cheek. "Are you sure there's not another reason you'd want to come back to my world?"

  Hudson pulled her into his lap. "I've always wanted to see a blue sky."

  He didn't have to say the words for her to know what he felt, because she felt the same way too.

  Chapter 9

  Elfinland

  Lil found it nearly impossible to sleep. She wasn't sure what she was expecting tomorrow, but the warnings about the Seelie Court made it difficult to relax. The few short hours of slumber were filled with horrifying nightmares of being dragged away by creatures coated in glitter with sharp wings and long, colorful, shimmery hair. She doubted that would be their true appearance, but she awoke with a sheen of sweat coating her skin. She heard the commotion of the others getting ready. Her eyes darted to the window. The sun hadn't risen, but they were discussing leaving early. Even Hudson was amongst them. He had disappeared sometime during the night.

  Someone knocked on her door. "Come in," Lil said, sitting up in bed and drawing the covers up around herself.

  Willow pushed open the bedroom door and stepped inside. She looked fierce, dressed in dark boots and black pants. Her shirt reached mid-thigh and was royal blue with a lace edge on the bottom. A small belt rested at her waist, pulling the outfit together. If looks could kill, Willow was ready. "I thought you might want this today." Willow placed the eternal suit on the dresser for Lil. "It's the least I can do, considering you saved Jamie."

  "The fae… do they know about it?" Lil wondered if she'd even need it for today, but what harm could wearing it pose?

  "They helped design it. Pesky creatures at times, but bright. You should wear it to the Seelie Court. Morgan might like seeing you in it. Besides, you never know when you might need the extra bit of help."

  Lil wondered what Willow meant by that comment. "Thanks, I think," she muttered.

  "I'm going to finish getting packed and grab breakfast. I suggest you do the same. We'll be leaving within the hour," Willow said.