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

by Cassia Briar

  I followed Regina through the entrance, my mates at my back and our security team, including Destiny, keeping close behind. Music thumped from someplace deeper in the building. Glimmering vampire eyes watched us from the shadows as we passed and my chest tightened. What if the vamps were against us and following Mia? I didn’t want to have to burn this place down and start a new war against the vampires.

  We walked through several large rooms and wide hallways, then entered a grand living room. Modern, deep red upholstered furniture was set up in clusters throughout the space. Humans lounged among the vamps. Moans and sighs caught my attention in the dimly lit, cavernous room. The whole hedonistic scene reminded of too many bloodsucker movies. Were these people for real?

  At the far end, we halted before an elegant woman. She sat alone on a long couch, wearing a black evening dress with her straight, dark hair pinned up. Her almond shaped eyes studied our party, then came to rest on Regina.

  “Aunt Genji,” Regina said, “is mother here?”

  “She is,” Genji replied.

  I bristled. Mia Chang was here? Several vamps who’d been idly reclining nearby were now edging closer to us. Our werewolf guard sounded a warning growl and the tension grew taut.

  Genji continued, “I have a question for you, Regina. Do you side with this usurper queen? Or were you hoping to lead her into an ambush here?”

  Regina’s features darkened. “I made my choice when I left mother the last time. No promises from the Tromara or the old Council will ever make up for what they’ve done to us for over a century. Mia Chang is a traitor.” She bared her fangs at her aunt. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll side with me—with us.”

  Genji gracefully rose to her feet. In a flash she stood right in front of Regina and me. I did my best not to recoil at the sudden change in proximity. She evaluated Regina, then did the same to me. Her gaze flicked over my mates and our guard, then settled back on her niece.

  “You do not disappoint, child.” Genji smiled, warm and genuine. It was an odd contrast to those deadly eyeteeth. “Your mother’s in the dungeon. We had a disagreement when she came here to gather support. I would have told you, but I didn’t know if you were infiltrating the dragon queen’s council or had truly chosen a side.”

  “I’ve chosen a side.” The tension melted from Regina. “It seems you have, too.”

  “All of us here have. Welcome to the rebel’s coven.” She addressed those last words to me.

  I spoke up. “I’m Caprice Sorrentino. These are my mates and fellow royals: Jaxon McIver, Liam Kavanagh, Montrell Freeman, and Angel Cortez. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Genji bowed. “We are honored to have members of the Council visit us. You are all welcome here.” She snapped her fingers and a young woman vampire appeared. “Bring our visitors something to eat. Then have their rooms prepared.” To us she said, “Please sit.”

  We sat, forming a semi-circle as the young vamp brought us fruit, a cheeseboard, and what I hoped was wine. Our guard stood silently nearby, rigid and watchful. The other vampires had backed off, resuming their sensual lazing about.

  Jaxon passed me a glass and I took a sip of fruity sweet wine. On my other side, Angel put together a small plate of fruit, cheese, and crackers and set it in my lap.

  Genji watched with a smile. “I love to see devoted mates.”

  I returned her expression, but changed the subject. “You imprisoned Mia Chang. I would like to see her.”

  “You may do so any time. Simply say the word.”

  “I’d also like to see her,” Regina said, sipping from a glass of thick, red liquid, “but she can wait. We’re here to find the nearby Tromara pod.”

  Genji lifted a brow. “I thought that was what Councilor Olin and his companions were doing here?”

  Regina nodded. “You seem to know a lot.”

  “Do you know where the pod is?” I asked.

  “I do. We caught Olin and the others sneaking into our territory, once they told us what they were after, we sent them on their way to confirm our suspected location of the pod. They should be returning tomorrow.” Genji drank from her own glass. “News of the last pod you destroyed has not yet spread. But it’s only a matter of time. Someone will travel there and find the devastation. Know that your luck won’t hold out for long.”

  I nibbled on a cracker. “We know we’ll only have the advantage of surprise for a little while. The quicker we tear down the Tromara, the better. We plan to distract and divide our enemy’s forces. Will any of you help us? In battle?”

  Regina said, “I won’t order anyone to fight who doesn’t want to. They have to fight because they believe in our cause, or want revenge for themselves.”

  “Since we locked up my sister,” Genji said, “we’ve been preparing for war. I’ve already put out the call and received an answer.”

  I glanced down the room, taking in all the vampires who were sucking blood from humans, and others who were a tangle of limbs and moans. The sexual energy in the air was piquing my dragon’s interest. Spending two and a half days cooped up with my guys and not having sex was frustrating. We’d had to prioritize driving. I did my best not to look at my mates, though I felt a zing of lust through our new link.

  Genji caught my eye. “Don’t let them fool you. We are ready to fight when you need us.”

  The young serving woman returned. “Your accommodations are waiting, if you’ll please follow me when you are ready.”

  I turned to Jaxon. “You guys go ahead and settle us in. I want to go with Regina to see Mia. I’ll take half the guards.”

  Jaxon inclined his head and stood.

  “I’m coming with you,” Angel said, his tone said his word was final.

  “Let’s go.” Regina hugged her aunt, who offered us a low bow as we left the room. “I know how weird you are about vampires,” Regina spoke softly to me as we walked. “I just want you to know those humans are here because they want to be.”

  “I didn’t say anything about them.”

  “No, but you did wonder. Admit it.”

  I sighed. “Okay. It did cross my mind.”

  “You should really hang out for a while—sometime. We vamps are a lot of fun once you get used to the culture.” Her gaze seared down my body. “If you ever want to experience a bite again, just ask.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I muttered as we trotted down a flight of stairs.

  “Caprice is taken.” Angel scowled, and a growl rumbled deep in his chest.

  Regina rolled her eyes. “You wolves are so possessive. Live a little.”

  Angel huffed.

  “Speaking of wolves. How was your trip in the other RV?” I asked.

  Regina glanced back at Destiny. “More fun than I was expecting.”

  I quirked a brow in question, but her only response was a wink. What had those two gotten up to?

  We arrived in the underground tunnels. The dank, dark space held magically infused iron-barred cells down one side. I could sense the hum of the magic. A guard let our groups pass, with a head bow for Regina. Three cells in, we stopped.

  “Mother,” Regina whispered.

  Mia Chang’s small form rested in a corner. In an instant, she was inches from the bars, staring at us. “Regina. Have you changed your mind? Have you come to free me?” Her attention drifted to me and her lips curled. “Traitor.” She spat the word. “I have nothing to say to any of you, except know that you’ll die a most painful death. The king and queen will see to it. By the end, you’ll be begging me for mercy!”

  This was not exactly what I’d expected from this encounter. I’d wanted her to see reason, tell us their plans, and maybe make a bargain for her life. I knew already that I wouldn’t let any Tromara live, but what about the old Council or their followers? I didn’t know yet.

  Regina’s eyes flashed. “You’re going to tell us everything. Then you can beg us for mercy, Mother. How could you do this? How could you do this to me? You selfish bitc
h!”

  The thought of having Regina order her own mother to be tortured made me queasy. I understood her anger, but I didn’t want it to get out of hand or go too far. Regina didn’t need to make a rash decision now that she’d later regret. She was going to hate me for this, for a while, but I had to intervene.

  I infused my tone with authority. “You’re dismissed, Regina.”

  She sputtered. “You can’t—”

  “I can and I have. You will leave. Now.”

  Regina glared. “This is my house.“

  “And I am your queen.”

  With a hiss, she stalked back toward the stairs.

  “Well, well,” Mia said, “you’ve finally stepped into your role. Isabella will be proud—for a moment, before she kills you.”

  I stepped closer to the bars. “Regina was right. You will tell us everything you know. All their plans.”

  “You don’t have the guts! You’re so green—”

  “Angel, work with Genji and get it done.” I spun on my heel and left the dungeon, hoping Mia would talk without too much persuasion needed.

  A memory surfaced. The time I’d spent chained up while Sebastian flogged me, demanding I tell him where the Codex was hidden. He’d beat me raw, yet I’d told him nothing. I wasn’t sure I could do that to a person. To even give the order…felt wrong. But this was war and I’d soon find out which decisions I could live with and which I couldn’t.

  I woke late and stretched, my body sated after a steaming hot night with my mates. A girl could get used to this. I slid out from the empty bed and quickly dressed in a pair jeans and a tank top I’d gotten from Angel’s people. Shifters had a ton of spare clothes available. The door opened on silent hinges and I poked my head into the hallway. Two wolf guards gazed back at me.

  Closing the door behind me, I muttered, “Good morning.” One of the guards I recognized from campus. “Brandon?”

  A wide grin split his face. “Hey, Caprice. Long way from PE class, huh?”

  “You can say that again.”

  Brandon pointed at his companion. “This is Miguel.”

  Miguel clenched his square jaw and shot Brandon a pained look.

  “He’s old school,” Brandon stage whispered. “He doesn’t think I should be talking to you. Afraid Angel’s going to beat the shit out of me.”

  “Well, right now, Angel isn’t here. Do you know where he is?” I asked.

  “They all headed down about an hour ago.”

  I nodded and started walking along the hall.

  Brandon caught up to me.

  I side-eyed him. “What are you doing?”

  “I am on guard duty. And Angel will beat the shit out of me if I let you wander around unprotected.”

  I made an affirming noise in my throat. “I want to speak with Genji. Do you know where she is by any chance?”

  “Nope. Lead on. I got your back.”

  I wandered through the common areas, finally spotting her chatting with a couple of other vamp women. She saw us as we approached.

  “Council Queen,” she said with a bow, dismissing the other women and ignoring Brandon.

  “Good morning, Genji. I was wondering if you made any progress with Mia.” Last night, Angel had told me Genji had a vampire guard who was not afraid to get his hands dirty, and had been pleading with Genji to let him be the one to question Mia. I wasn’t sure what kind of person would want to do that, but I appreciated his volunteering in our time of need.

  “We have made progress. Mia is not nearly as tight-lipped as she’d like to believe.” Genji smoothed the front of her long purple robe. “You will want to hear the report from my guard personally, will you not?”

  “That would be great. Can we see him now?”

  “Of course. I will send word to your mates.” She flicked her wrist and the same young woman from yesterday appeared at her side. “Bring the queen’s mates and meet us in the conference room.”

  “Regina should come too,” I said.

  The serving woman inclined her head, then sped off in a blur of white fabric.

  “This way.” Genji led us through a maze of rooms and hallways until we were at the far side of the warehouse. There, we settled around an actual conference table and waited. Brandon positioned himself at the door.

  “How rude of me,” Genji said, “would you like breakfast?”

  “Thanks, but no. I’m fine for now.” My stomach was all knots. I needed to know what Mia had confessed before I could eat anything. Training with Destiny would have to wait too.

  Regina was the first to arrive. She bobbed her head at me with a respectful, “Council Queen,” in greeting. I could tell from her stony face that she was still upset that I’d sent her away last night. I was confident I’d made the right decision in taking the power to hurt her mother away from her. She’d get over it. I hoped.

  The doorframe filled with a broad shouldered, ominous shadow. At least six foot four, dressed in black, and scowling, the vampire exuded menace. I let my dragon senses search him, but he didn’t have that tinge of staleness that would peg him as a Tromara. He was just a really big, scary vamp.

  Genji motioned for him to enter. “Zed, this is our Council Queen, and the other Council members will be joining us shortly to hear your report.”

  Zed gave a cut nod and strode to the head of the table, facing the door. His dark eyes took on a silver glow and I followed his gaze to where my mates were coming into the room. My four men pinned the huge vampire with narrow-eyed stares. The tension in the room was palpable as everyone took a seat.

  Regina spoke first. “What did you learn, Zed?”

  “The king—Sebastian has acquired dragon blood,” his gravely voice filled the space.

  “We know. How does Mia say it happened?” I asked.

  “They saw the dragons arrive at the Academy. The Tromara fashioned a giant spear and waited for the dragons to fly overhead again. When they did, Sebastian drew blood. He intends to sacrifice shapeshifters and eat their souls so that he may use the dragon’s blood to shift.”

  Montrell grunted. “He’s already done that. They attacked Academy Obscura and we fled.”

  “That was the next part of the plan, though they hoped to take as many of you as possible prisoner, to feed on.” Zed’s dark gaze swept the table. “They do not plan to chase those who got away. They believe you will return and fight at the Academy, where they will have the benefit of its defenses. They are recruiting hard across the nation, promising immortality and riches for all who join them.”

  “How do they plan to defend the Academy?” Liam asked. “Sebastian’s dragon fire burned through our wards. Caprice can do the same to theirs.”

  “Sebastian is working on combining dragon fire with magic to create new defenses, ones that will be invulnerable to your flame.” Zed tilted his head toward me. “They are also working on weapons using ancient magic that the witches’ ancestors once used to slay dragons. They will be prepared when you return.”

  “This is why I want to draw them out,” I said. “Sebastian and Isabella think they can hide away and wait for us. By the time I’m done, the only Tromara left in the country will be behind Academy Obscura’s walls.”

  Zed’s lips twisted. “I would be honored to make that vision a reality along side you, Council Queen.”

  Something in his tone made me blush. “We’d be honored to have you,” I said, covering Jaxon’s faint groan.

  Montrell asked, “Did they kill the dragon when they took his blood?”

  “No. Mia said the dragons fled and did not engage in a fight.”

  “Iria’s message said Zafer was wounded but okay,” I told Montrell. “But I thought a shapeshifter had to take the creature’s spirit in order to take its form.” I was confused, though relieved my uncle was for sure okay. The Tromara would have bragged about slaying a dragon.

  “We do,” Montrell said. “Normally. But I’m beginning to suspect there’s nothing normal about dragons.”
r />   My gut twisted tighter. “If shapeshifters can turn into dragons with just a drop of blood…”

  “We’re in trouble,” Liam said.

  Angel crossed his arms. “More like fucked.”

  “Like I pointed out before,” Jaxon said, “Sebastian won’t share that power.”

  “Even so,” Regina leaned forward, “we need to keep a closer eye on the situation. As it is, we no longer have the advantage with your full dragon form. If Sebastian starts creating a dragon army we’re screwed.”

  I agreed. “Well he hasn’t yet. Maybe he only had enough blood for himself. Either way, I’ll talk to Josh and let him know we need eyes on Academy Obscura.”

  A knock sounded at the door and the serving woman shuffled inside. “My lady, Councilor Olin and his associates have returned.”

  “Thank you, Lyn,” Genji said. “Bring them here.”

  If they were here, it meant they had news of the Tromara pod. I was so ready to burn another of their strongholds to the ground. How many losses would Sebastian take before he turned up to confront me?

  23

  Liam

  The Tromara estate stood in the middle of a flat, open landscape about sixty miles southeast of Chicago. A stand of tall trees offered privacy, but would do nothing to hide the towering flames when this place erupted.

  A horde of angry vampires zipped across the plain below me as I flew, my wings giving off a faint green glow. Angel and his wolves loped after them, giving the vamps first dibs on the unsuspecting Tromara. This time the air around me was quiet. Jaxon rode his broom twenty feet away. Above us, invisible, flew Caprice.

  I watched as Jaxon circled the estate in a wide arc while casting a concealment spell. We didn’t need anyone reporting a house fire in this rural countryside. Not until we were long gone. He came to a halt at my side, his features stony.

  Since the mating ceremony, my insight into my friends’ and Caprice’s emotions had intensified three-fold. The difference was still jarring—I knew it was challenging for the rest of them, too.