by Cassia Briar
Academy Obscura
The Scorched Summer
Cassia Briar
Copyright © 2020 by Cassia Briar
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover design by Fantasia Cover Designs
Get Ignite: An Academy Obscura Prequel for free when you join my newsletter here.
Contents
1. Caprice
2. Caprice
3. Caprice
4. Angel
5. Caprice
6. Caprice
7. Angel
8. Montrell
9. Caprice
10. Caprice
11. Caprice
12. Caprice
13. Jaxon
14. Liam
15. Caprice
16. Caprice
17. Caprice
18. Angel
19. Caprice
20. Caprice
21. Caprice
22. Caprice
23. Liam
24. Caprice
25. Caprice
26. Montrell
27. Caprice
28. Liam
29. Caprice
30. Caprice
31. Jaxon
32. Caprice
33. Caprice
34. Caprice
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Harem of Redemption
Ignite: An Academy Obscura Prequel
About the Author
Also by Cassia Briar
1
Caprice
The next several nights after we’d exposed the traitorous Council, and rescued those who’d been held captive by the Tromara, felt surreal. The world had changed. We were in open rebellion, at the beginning of a fight that we had to win.
So far, our enemies had left the Academy alone. We’d thought the Tromara would surround the school, which was powerfully warded, and either wait us out or try to break through the barriers. Dean Wright had posted lookouts along the high walls and at the gates. They’d reported no sign of anyone in the dense forest that lay beyond. I was convinced the Tromara were either hiding nearby, or staying away long enough for us to become complacent, then they’d strike.
Tonight, I headed to the Dean’s Hall for another status update. The mid-June air was chilly. A blanket of stars twinkled in the cloudless sky as I crossed the crowded lawn, now filled with so many unfamiliar faces, though they all seemed to recognize me. I was often greeted with a murmured, “Council Queen” or “Dragon Queen”, and a chin dip. On such occasions, I tamped down the rising panic. I hoped to all the deities that I wouldn’t disappoint these people. Hoped that I had a clue about how to lead.
Outwardly, I tried my best to appear confident and pulled together, while my inner conflicts raged. I’d made no progress on the whole fourth mate dilemma. Apparently, I needed one more bonded mate to achieve my full fledged dragon form. The only person my inner dragon wanted was Montrell Freeman—shapeshifter, fellow royal, and ex-nemesis. But he didn’t want me.
As I neared the Dean’s Hall, a shout rose up from the direction of the main gate. I halted, micro-morphed to my dragon eyes, and peered into the darkness. Four forms strode in my direction. The ones on either side, I recognized as the guards for the front entrance. I let my dragon senses reach out and identify them both as vampires. They were escorting a fae and a witch between them.
I waited as they approached. Had they come in through the main gate? Or had they been trying to leave campus and the guards had turned them around?
The tall, buff fae took the lead, blocking my view of his companion. He was attractive, like all supernaturals, with short blond hair and a boyish face. Though he looked vaguely familiar, I hadn’t seen him around here before, so they must have just arrived. Locals seeking refuge? Academy Obscura was a long way from any towns, but they could have flown here. Many supes had gone into hiding, at our urging, now that we were at war.
I opened my mouth to question one of the vampire guards, when the fae guy reached for his companion and pulled her to his side. I gaped at the petite, tanned brunette as my stomach flip-flopped.
“Elena!” I sprinted to her and her face split with a smile. She closed the distance between us.
Catching me in a bear hug, Elena said, “Oh my God, it’s so good to see you!”
“You too.” I hugged her back, grinning, and feeling more grounded than I had in months. Elena had always been my support, my cheerleader, I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her.
We stood embracing each other for several long moments. The three men gave us space, but their gazes repeatedly darted in our direction. I didn’t pay them much attention.
I inhaled Elena’s familiar minty scent. My dragon nose being able to specifically identify the smell as mint when before it was simply Elena. Along with the fragrance came other information that I never would have picked up on in the past. Intense power coursed through her.
Gripping her upper arms, I jerked backward. “How..?” My forehead tightened. “You’re a witch?” I said.
Elena’s dark eyes widened. Awe and curiosity flitted across her features. “How do you know that?”
“I, ah—I’ve changed a lot since coming to Oregon.” As if that even began to explain anything. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell me? If you’re really a witch, you should have been in school with me last year. All supernaturals have to attend here. How did you—?”
Elena placed her hands on her hips. “How come I didn’t tell you? Oh no you don’t. I’ve been waiting ages for you to tell me you’re a supe, and did you? Nope. I’m your best friend, Caprice! What the hell?”
I inwardly groaned as guilt twisted in my gut.
The fae guy, Tyler, who now I remembered from that beach party last summer, stood with his hands in his pockets and gazed intently between us. Reading our emotions most likely.
One of the guards spoke up, “You seem to know these people. Will you take them to the dean? We need to get back to the gate.”
“Sure, no problem,” I said, chewing my lower lip. The vampires turned away, leaving me with Elena and Tyler. “I’m sorry.” That was a good place to start with my explanation. I sighed. “I didn’t tell you for a lot of reasons. I wanted to keep you away from all of this craziness. I didn’t think you’d believe me or understand. And…I guess I was also afraid of how this would change our friendship.”
Elena stared back at me, eyes narrowed. Finally she said, “You still should have told me.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” I glanced between her and Tyler. “He obviously knows you’re a witch, so why didn’t you tell me? Why weren’t you at the Academy with me?”
“Well it’s kind of a long story.” She licked her lips. “Technically, my mother’s side of the family are all witches, but we don’t practice magic. We abandoned that part of ourselves and chose to live as humans. My parents raised me to believe that using magic would get me in trouble.” Elena’s gaze captured mine. “Grandma used to tell the most awful stories about these immortal cannibal gods, but I thought they were fairytales. I didn’t believe any of it. Then I met Tyler, and things started to happen. He actually figured out I was a witch before I did. As for not telling you…” She glanced down and blushed red under the lamplight, “I was being petty.”
I snorted.
Elena glanced up. “What? It’s not like I’m perfect, you know.”
“Neither am I. Far from it.” I embraced her in a crushing hug again. “Let’s not keep any more secrets from each other.”
“Deal.” She stepped back, gesturing to the campus. “I can’t believe it’s all real. We saw that video on our phones. They’re monsters. All of them, the Tromara and the Supernatural Council. Horrible people. And this place…” She shook her head. “And you! Why’d they call you dragon queen at the end of the video? They didn’t mean it literally, did they?”
Tyler spoke for the first time. “I told her about all the different types of supes. There’s no such thing as dragons.”
“Well, I’m a dragon-shifter.” I extended my hand. “Caprice, by the way, nice to meet you again, Tyler.”
He shook it, frowning slightly. “Sorry, but I don’t believe you’re a dragon. Some kind of lizard beast-shifter maybe, but dragons don’t exist.”
In a blink, I morphed to my half form. Black scales with undulating fire beneath, claws, smoke rings…the whole deal. I even let a little flame escape between my razor teeth. They both took several steps back.
“Holy shit-balls!” Elena said.
Tyler nodded, snapping his mouth shut.
I shifted down. “Proof enough?”
They both nodded this time.
“I can’t believe you’re a witch!” I said, I’d probably be saying that line for days.
“Me neither!” Elena smiled wryly. “What were the chances I’d become best friends with a shifter, and fall in love with a fae?”
“We have so much to talk about. Come on, you’ll have to see the dean first.” I motioned for them to follow me.
Elena’s expression sobered. “One more thing. Do you know if a Flora Chase was rescued with the other survivors?” She wrapped an arm around Tyler’s waist. “She’s his sister.”
“Dean Wright will know. Let’s go find out.” I hoped she was alive and had been rescued. Everywhere I turned people’s families had been traumatized by the Tromara. Each person I met who’d lost a loved on to the culling only made me more determined to destroy Sebastian and his creatures. How Isabella could be his ally… I still couldn’t believe it.
Elena and I spent hours together in my dorm room while Tyler visited with his sister. She was alive and among the healthier of the survivors. My heart broke trying to imagine what Tyler had lived through these past few years believing she was dead. Now they were together again, and maybe they could start to heal. This entire nation was going to have a long healing time once the fighting was over. I just hoped we wouldn’t lose too many more lives to the Tromara.
I filled Elena in on my evolution from thinking I was a normal human, to suspected witch failing at all things magical, to confirmed dragon-shifter who needs a fourth mate to reach my full form. I also told her all about the Tromara, the Council’s agenda to use me to brutally rule over the humans, last term’s horrific trials, my friends and their Omega Alliance, and how my witchy grandma turned out to be a ruthless bitch.
I left out the bit about the Codex. We still needed to keep it a secret and the fewer people who knew about it the better. I was already keeping secrets again, but this was a Council secret not a personal one. That made a difference, right?
“That pretty much sums up the last nine months,” I said. “You’ll meet the guys later, and my other friends. I don’t want to drag you and Tyler into all this. You two should probably find somewhere safer to hide out and take Flora with you. I’m not sure how long the Academy will stand against the Tromara.”
Elena chuckled. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” She casually leaned back on the bed. “I have to admit, I’m both terrified and super excited right now. If these Tromara people are going to attack humans, then there’s no point in my family hiding that we’re witches anymore. I want a freaking wand!”
“You came to the right place.” I lay on my stomach next to her. “I know what you mean. This changes everything. Even with all that we’re facing right now, I don’t think I’d want to go back to being a normal human.”
“Right? Plus, have you had fae sex? It’s amaze-balls!”
I laughed. “Yes, it is. Witch sex and werewolf sex are pretty good too.” My train of thought jumped to Montrell. What would it be like with him? His massive, hard body against mine—I shook off the visual. “How about we go get you that wand?”
Her eyes lit up. “Really? I’m so ready.” She sat up, then stilled. “Back in Baltimore, I killed a Tromara.”
“What? How?” There was more she hadn’t told me.
“Tyler’s fae friends think I conjured a protective shield and the Tromara’s killing spell rebounded on him.”
I sat up, too. “Wait. Start from the beginning.”
Elena’s story was in some ways crazier than mine. Fae mind magic had somehow uncovered her witchy abilities without her knowing it. A Tromara on her college campus—a teacher—became suspicious and had tried to do some horrible shit to her. Elena and Tyler had fought for their lives and miraculously survived. All thanks to her innate, powerful magic.
If what she was saying was true, and I had no reason to doubt her, Elena was going to be one kick-ass witch.
“Now I think you really need a wand. Come on!”
We left my dorm, and I led us to Academy Hall. Elena checked out all the people we passed, asking me what type of supernatural they were like it was some kind of game. When we arrived at our destination, I knocked on May’s office door, hoping she was still spending time in there now that school was officially out.
May opened her door. “Hey,” she said, glancing at Elena.
I introduced them to each other. “Elena’s a witch. Her family has been hiding among humans for several generations by not using magic. She wants to change that and get a wand. I thought you could help.”
“Wow.” May’s brows crept up her forehead while I’d explained. “Yes, of course. Let’s go.”
We walked back across campus, past my dorm building, to Aeras Hall. Uncomfortable memories of taking Magic 101 in this place had me fidgeting. This was where I’d failed over and over. The teacher, Ms. Duinn, had done nothing to help me learn. The other witches had distanced themselves from me and I’d felt so alone. All of that seemed like a lifetime ago now.
We entered the long room where one wall held closed and locked cabinets. May swished her wand at the wall. The wooden doors swung open to reveal tapered, stone and crystal wands of all colors. They hung horizontally, secured in place with two small brackets.
Elena stared up in awe. “Holy crap, they’re beautiful.”
“Now,” May said, “you’ll want to stand here in the center, close your eyes, and let your wand call to you.”
“Okay,” Elena said, stepping into place. With a deep inhale, she did as May had instructed. For several seconds, she stood there in silence. Then her feet shuffled forward and left. An orange, gold, and brown striped wand high up began to glow. It vibrated, shaking free from the brackets, and swooped down. Elena caught it, opening her eyes.
She turned to me and held up the tiger’s eye wand. “Oh my God, it chose me!”
May and I both smiled back at her. It did choose her. I could feel her witchy energy, so I wasn’t surprised, but the wand confirmed she truly was meant to wield magic. I pulled her in for a hug.
“I’m happy to teach you,” May said.
Elena let me go and turned round. “Really? You wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all! I am a teacher here, you know.”
“Thank you so much.” Elena studied her wand, running her fingers over the smooth surface. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“Welcome to the supernatural world,” I said. “Ah, one thing your should know. There are two witch cliques, those who came here from the United Kingdom and the other sect from Italy. Naturally, they don’t get along.”
“Naturally.” Elena beamed. “I’m too happ
y right now to care about witch politics. I got my wand and my best friend back. Tyler found his sister. I’ll deal with witchy feuds later.”
I left May and Elena to chat about witchy stuff. The floaty, joyful feeling faded a bit as I refocused on the tasks that lay ahead. We had to get the Codex back here so I could destroy it with dragon fire. Angel had hidden it among his people and he was getting ready to travel north to retrieve it for us.
Angel, Jaxon, Liam, Montrell, Josh, and I gathered in the Omega Alliance’s room to go over the plan. We stood around a table gazing at a map of the Academy.
“Now we know for sure the Tromara haven’t surrounded us,” I said. “Elena and Tyler walked right up to the front gate.”
“I doubt that will be the case for long,” Josh said in his slight British accent. “Besides, the Tromara could have let your friends slip past to make it appear they aren’t waiting out there, surrounding the campus. We can’t trust assumptions, and we should prepare for the worst.”
As a spy for the European Supernatural Council, Josh had a lot of experience with strategy and tactics. Apparently, he’d been sent here to spy on the Tromara. The Europeans had been at constant war with the Tromara a few centuries ago—until King Sebastian set his sights on the New World where he could rule from the start. The Tromara left Europe and haven’t been back. The European Supernatural Council wanted to make sure it stayed that way.
