Academy Obscura - The Scorched Summer: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance

by Cassia Briar

  Deafening cheers and woots filled the hall. Gavin was outspoken and loved. At least there’d be someone else my age on the Council.

  “And lastly,” I said, “the new witch representative will be… Kyle Aimes.” My emotions flitted in rapid succession through disbelief, anger, and uncertainty before softening to cautious acceptance. During the culling battle, Kyle had fought with us. He’d offered me a hand up when I’d been down, and I’d warned him of the approaching enemy behind him, which had probably saved his life. The last thing I thought I’d ever do for Kyle Aimes was save him. Not after the abuse and bullying he’d put me through. But something about him had changed, though I didn’t know exactly what or why.

  His eyes were on me as he approached, searching, evaluating. I wasn’t going to give him a readable reaction. Instead my gaze slipped past him to find MacTavish and Bennet in the audience cheering him on. After the beating Sebastian had dealt me, the torment these three witch boys had put me through dimmed in comparison. Though I still held a grudge. If they hadn’t fought with us at the culling, I wouldn’t hesitate to punish them now. But, things had changed and I couldn’t justify making an example of them. That didn’t mean I had to like them—at all.

  Kyle stepped on the stage and it was time for the next part. We royals had spent some time coming up with a new swearing in. There’d be no kneeling and pledging loyalty to the queen—or the fucking Tromara like Jaxon, Angel, and Liam had to endure with the old Council. No, this new oath was to the people.

  The others moved back and away from me while I stayed at the podium. I was first to make my pledge to everyone. Dean Wright showered me in fae magic before I began, binding my words in a promise. “I solemnly swear to support and defend our laws under the new American Supernatural Council. I will administer justice, equality, and faithfully serve every supernatural type, as your queen, to the best of my ability. I freely take on this obligation. I hold no loyalties to anyone above this office. So shall my words bind my pledge.”

  I took a step back, and again was met with clapping and cheers. In that moment, the reality of what we were doing fully hit home. We might be leading a coup, but for the first time in the history of rebellions in this country, we were making a difference. We’d come further than any other attempt to destroy the Tromara and the old Council. We were going to win.

  One by one, the others took their turn at the podium and gave their oaths, adjusting the wording to suit their position within the Council. When everyone was finished, we exited to the loudest show of support yet. We had our very first council meeting to attend. Dean Wright took the stage and moved on to her own campus announcements before dismissing the assembly.

  After a private lunch with the new Council, I filled them in on everything we knew about our enemies. How the Tromara had misled everyone to believe they were immortal gods, when really they began just like us and had used the Ex Codice Tromara book of spells to consume other supernatural’s powers and lifespans. And in doing so, had earned their reputation as cannibals. That knowledge also shone light on why the Truce required a yearly sacrifice—to keep the peace while the Tromara fed.

  “Our priority is to destroy the Codex,” I said to the long table filled with our council of eleven.

  Itzel said, “I don’t understand why they need this Codex to continue feeding. They must have the incantations memorized by now. Surely, they do not need this book.”

  “If that were true, none of you would be alive today.” I pointedly looked at each of the survivors we’d rescued. “The Codex must be more than a book of spells. It has to be a key to their rituals, or something like that. Angel is leaving tomorrow night to get it and bring it back here. We believe dragon fire can incinerate it.”

  Regina asked, “Where’d you get that information?”

  “Um,” I glanced at Angel and Jaxon, and received nearly imperceptible nods, “the ghost of Marsilia Sorrentino told me.”

  Olin snorted. “Ghosts? Don’t be ridiculous.”

  My dragon inwardly glowered at the disrespectful tone, and I stared Olin down. “Hey, a year ago I didn’t believe in vampires, okay?”

  Regina laughed. Others around the table smiled.

  “Touché.” He bowed his head. “Apologies, my queen.”

  “Thank you. Now, before Angel leaves, I think we should come up with a rendezvous plan, in case the Academy’s defenses fail. Any ideas on where we could meet up and take shelter? If all this goes to hell.”

  Angel spoke first. “The Gran Lobo Pack has the room and resources to take in everyone.”

  “So do the vampires,” Regina said. “My territory in the Great Lakes region is highly secure.”

  “What about your mother?” Kyle asked. “Maybe she’s taken refuge there.”

  “No.” Regina shook her head. “The old Council is hiding with the Tromara. They won’t risk returning to their territories yet, not until they know if they have any support.”

  Montrell’s deep, silky voice sent shivers of pleasure over my skin. “I think we should avoid territories that currently have two leaders, one on each Council. That includes mine in the New England area.”

  “I don’t see why,” Itzel said sternly. “Do you think anyone could be loyal to the old Council? After how they’ve betrayed us all, do you think they’ll find supporters?”

  I cut in. “I do. Ms. Duinn, who used to be one of our teachers, was devoted to the Tromara for years. And she made the choice on her own. Who knows what the old Council and Tromara will offer anyone who will support them now? My guess is immortality, and there are plenty who would join them for a chance at that.”

  “I vote for the Gran Lobo Pack,” said Heller.

  Olin sneered. “Of course you do.”

  “Okay,” I sat up straighter, “let’s have a show of hands. Who’s in favor of choosing the Gran Lobo Pack?”

  Everyone except Olin raised a hand. I lifted a brow at Regina.

  She shrugged, dropping her hand. “Montrell has a point. Until mummy dear is ousted, my claim is nothing more than a coup. Like the rest of us, until we win this war.”

  “That’s settled then. Angel,” my gaze met his, “the Rocky Mountains cover a large area. Where exactly should we meet if we ever need to leave here?”

  “Pack headquarters is in Montana, but it doesn’t matter where you go, as long as it’s along the range. There’s a hidden pack network spanning the entire distance and they’ll have lookouts. Just make yourself known and a wolf will pick you up.”

  The Council members nodded in understanding.

  Olin’s blond head turned to me. “And what of this Josh Graves? Who is he? Does he really work for the European Supernatural Council?”

  “He’s one of the guys who rescued you,” Gavin said, crossing his arms.

  “I’d gathered that much. I’m asking for the rest of the information. Why is he here?”

  Montrell stood up. “I have him waiting outside, in case we needed him.”

  “Oh,” I said. “Uh, bring him in then.”

  Montrell exited to the hall and returned with Josh in tow. Jaxon and Liam made space, and found an extra chair, so Josh could settle between them.

  “It’s time for you to tell us why the European Supernatural Council sent you here.” I leveled my gaze on the Brit. I knew why he was there, but the new Council members didn’t.

  “Very well,” he said. “As I’m sure you’re all aware, the Tromara used to be all over Europe. We engaged in a seemingly endless battle with them for centuries until they sought out an easier conquest in the New World. Since then, the ESC has kept spies on the Tromara. You see, we want to make sure they never return to our side of the water. My job was simple: Spy and collect information.”

  I had to ask, “So, organizing a rescue mission wasn’t part of your job description, was it?”

  Josh chuckled. “Not exactly. I’m sure the ESC won’t be too happy when they learn about it.” He shrugged. “What can I say? I’ve been spying a
nd writing up reports for the past two years, I needed a little action.”

  Olin audibly inhaled. “If one of our spies went off and aided a coup without authorization, I hope we’d fire them—or worse.”

  “Show some gratitude,” Gavin snapped.

  Josh took a moment to scrutinize Olin, taking in the old vampire’s short blond hair, thin frame, and dark green eyes. “It’s very likely they will fire me. But I’d make the same decision again.”

  Olin sniffed, but kept his mouth shut.

  Ugh, leading this council was going to be a bitch. These people would eat me alive at the first sign of weakness. Fuck.

  “I know you’re still waiting for a reply from them, but do you think the ESC will help us?” I asked, drawing all eyes back to me.

  “Honestly, I wouldn’t count on their support.” Josh swept his hand over the table. “You’d do better to rally support from your five districts.”

  I bobbed my head. “I figured as much. Okay, unless there’s anything else we need to talk about right now, let’s get back to our number one priority. Josh, let’s get everything ready for Angel’s journey.” With that, I concluded our first meeting. The tension in my shoulders released as people exited. I’d done it, taken charge for my first time officially as Council Queen, and it hadn’t turned to complete shit.

  “Hey,” Montrell’s low voice soothed my raw nerves, “you did well.”

  For some reason, praise from him always set my stomach aflutter. Maybe because he’d been such a chastising asshole for the first three months I’d known him.

  I weakly smiled up at him. “Thanks.”

  “I know I’m not your teacher anymore,” one large palm rested on my shoulder, “but, I am your friend, and if you need anything, you can come to me.”

  “I know.”

  A deep growl sounded from beside Montrell. Angel pushed past him with a snarl. “Keep your hands to yourself,” he said, following Josh out.

  Montrell’s thumb brushed my cheek before he took his hand away. Then he rushed to catch up with them. He was a key part of the plan after all. I watched him go and my chest pinched with longing. He was destined to be my fourth mate. I knew that with more certainty each and every night. If only someone would clue him in.

  Jaxon and Liam were the only two left in the room. They leaned against the table on either side of my chair.

  Liam dove in for a kiss, drawing my attention away from Montrell and my mating dilemma. “You did do well, my queen.”

  I gained my feet to better recapture Liam’s luscious mouth with mine. His tongue flicked, parting my lips. I deepened the kiss and he moaned. An equally warm chest pressed against my back, where Jaxon had decided to join the fun. His lips brushed the side of my neck, and his hands slid around to massage my breasts as Liam squeezed my ass. I’d been sandwiched between these two gorgeous men before. My pulse spiked at the memory.

  The thought of having them both on the boardroom table made me giddy. I smoothed my hand down Liam’s chest, over his stomach, and gently gripped his swelling erection.

  The door clicked open behind us and we stilled.

  “Oh, my God! I’m so sorry,” Elena’s voice squeaked. She froze in the doorway and stared at us. Bewilderment, wonder, and embarrassment all crossed her face.

  I giggled, breaking the tension. “Okay…”

  Elena’s jaw snapped shut. “I’m so sorry. They said the meeting was over and I—well…” She started to back out, pulling the door closed with her.

  Liam kissed my forehead. “We’ll see you later.” He headed for the exit.

  Jaxon turned me, caught my lips briefly, then strode after Liam. My fae was speaking to a red-faced Elena, trying to convince her they were leaving and she could come in.

  I shook my head in amusement. This probably wouldn’t be the last time I was caught in the arms of at least one of my mates. As fun as boardroom sex might have been, it could wait. Elena and I had a lot of lost time to make up for.

  4

  Angel

  Caprice accompanied me to the side gate. Everyone else was in place, waiting for the signal to open the main gate and cause a serious distraction for any Tromara loitering nearby. No moon hung in the sky tonight. On top of that, a thick cloud cover had formed and low fog wove between the trees. The conditions couldn’t have been any more perfect.

  I tugged Caprice’s body against mine, reveling in the warm softness of her. “Take care while I’m away. Don’t let Montrell get handsy with you unless he agrees to be your mate,” I said in a growl. “And watch out for Heller, too. He’d love to take my place in your bed.”

  “I wish you and Montrell would get along,” she said, hands gripping my shoulders.

  “We will. Once he pulls his head out of his ass.” I nipped at her jawline. “He can’t have it both ways. He can’t be close to you if he’s not willing to be with you—with us.” I claimed her mouth, pouring all of my possessiveness into the kiss. I was quite certain Montrell thought he couldn’t share. And that was why he’d turned her down. But if I could share, anyone could. That was for damned sure.

  By the time I pulled away, Caprice’s breath came in shallow pants. I wanted to rip her clothes off and ravish her right there against a tree, but we didn’t have time for that. I made a mental note to fulfill that desire once I returned.

  Instead, I murmured, “I love you. I should go.” I pressed my forehead to hers.

  She inhaled a shaky breath. “And I love you. Be careful. Call me when you get there, so I know you’re safe.”

  I smoothed my thumbs over her cheeks. “I will.” With one last kiss, I stripped my clothes and morphed to wolf form.

  Quickly and silently, Caprice opened the small side gate and I slipped out to the forest beyond. I watched to make sure she secured the exit, while I hid under the dense foliage. A moment later, loud booms came from the direction of the main gate. Shouts rose up. Then the din of battle reached my sensitive ears. We’d been right. The Tromara were lurking out here.

  I crept slowly, low to the ground, pausing every few feet. Letting my wolf senses take over, I scanned the area. The musky smell of decay mingled with the sweetness of blackberries. Laced through those scents was one I associated with the Tromara: Old and sharp with the beginnings of rot. They were nearby.

  The forest undergrowth rustled as large blurs of darkness sped past me toward the sounds of battle. I laid flat on my stomach to avoid detection. Seconds ticked by as I waited. Another sniff of the air told me at least one Tromara still lingered.

  To my right, he stepped out from between the trees and lifted his nose to take a whiff. His entire body flexed. He’d caught my scent. Deliberately, the Tromara followed his senses toward the small gate in the wall. He audibly sniffed around it, sinking to his hands and knees to smell the ground.

  Shit. If he was a wolf or a shifter, I was screwed. He’d shift and find me. Then we’d have to fight and my mission would have failed before it had even begun.

  He clambered to his feet and paused, gazing at the small iron gate. Like the rest of the campus perimeter, it was warded with a mix of witch and fae magic against anyone who intended us harm from entering. While we could come and go, if we wanted to, our enemies could not.

  Then, he did the unthinkable. He reached for the bars.

  The blast was so strong it threw him back twenty feet. His body hit a tree and landed with a thud on the forest floor. He didn’t move. I waited several moments to see if he’d regain consciousness or if his fellow Tromara would aid him. All was still. This was my chance.

  I bounded forward on nearly silent paws, deeper into the woods. Soon the Academy and the battle were far behind me. The first part of my journey was simply to get off this mountain while under the cover of darkness. As the sun rose, I turned northwest toward the coastal range forests. Now the trick was going unnoticed by humans.

  My pack, the Pacific Pack, was well hidden in the Olympic National Forest, hopefully far away from the Tromara an
d old Council’s clutches. We had a large, secure network of underground tunnels and caverns. No one had used these since the first rebellion, well over a hundred years ago. When I’d brought the Codex up here to be hidden, I’d made sure the stronghold was updated and restocked. And, made sure there was a secure room for my traitorous father.

  Fully clothed, I sat in a circle with my brothers and several other pack members, including my father’s beta, Estevan. The older wolf had been horrified to learn of his alpha’s betrayal of the people. Like my mother and me, Estevan knew nothing of the old Council’s plans. Diego Cortez was not the man we all thought him to be.

  Battery powered lights strung around the cavern illuminated the space. A faint trickling of water echoed in from one of three tunnels beyond the wooden door. The place was old and dank. I hoped the pack wouldn’t have to live here long term. Undesirable as the caves were, it was better to stay here than risk any one of us falling into the hands of the enemy.

  I turned my attention on my brother. “Bruno, I need you to make the trip to the Gran Lobo Pack headquarters and get that book.” When I’d had the Codex moved, Bruno had volunteered to take it. There was no one I’d trusted more for that task than him. Now I needed him to bring it back. “As quickly as you can,” I urged.

  He inclined his head and stood. “I’ll leave right now. I’m taking one of the cars. Be back in three days tops.”

  “Safe travels,” I said. Others murmured the sentiment. I addressed them. “If for any reason you need to leave here, go to the caves near Swan Lake in Montana. It’s the rendezvous location for those at the Academy too. Make sure the other pack leaders know, but go in person to tell them. I don’t want the message intercepted.”

  “I’ll make sure it’s done,” Estevan said.

  “Good. Those are the only urgent pieces of business. The rest can we can go over while we wait for Bruno’s return. You may go.”

  Everyone cleared out, except Casparo and Damian who remained seated across from me.