Supernatural Academy- Year One

by Jaymin Eve

  I pointed a finger at him. “You step one foot into my room and you’re going to leave without your balls.” He opened his mouth, but I cut him off. “And it won’t be in any fun sort of way.”

  “Spoilsport,” he muttered.

  Axl watched the two of us, amusement dancing in his beautiful eyes. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a female reject Calen. I’m so happy you wandered into our lives, Maddi.”

  I wasn’t surprised about the lack of rejection for Calen. He was hot. Atlantean-hot. Which was its own classification now. But I had zero interest in him.

  My stomach rumbled and I slapped a hand on my favorite part of the table: the bringer of food. “Have you ordered?” I asked them. They shook their heads, and then all three of us picked out our meals. French toast for me, and about six meals for them.

  I fidgeted uncomfortably while we waited for our food. Mostly because I was getting very dark looks from the six chicks at the table next to us. One of them I hadn’t seen before—with waist-length, dead-straight, platinum blond hair—was trying desperately to attract Calen’s attention. She even called his name a few times, but he was flat-out ignoring her.

  Never got the fun in chasing dudes who weren’t interested, but she seemed to want the challenge of it. She was damn persistent.

  “I found something,” Axl said, distracting me. He pulled out some papers that had been stuck in the front of a thick blue text book with the title Complex Algorithms of the Fey Language.

  “I did some research last night,” he said quickly, “and I found a few more readings from an Atlantean text of ours. Something I’d never much paid attention to, but it feels more relevant now.”

  He handed me the top sheet with a complex design on it—it looked like a family tree.

  “This is a translated copy of the royal lines of the three Atlantean houses,” he said, pointing out the familiar names of Sonaris, Corpinicus, and Jervania across the top. “Legend says those three were the first to find a way to open a step-through to travel between Faerie and Earth. The first supernaturals on this world.”

  Goosebumps spread across my skin and I shivered. Our history was powerful stuff.

  “They brought with them friends and family, probably a hundred supernaturals each, so three hundred in total. All with different ‘race’ strengths, even though at the time there was no such divide or distinction.”

  I nodded, encouraging him to continue.

  “The original Atlanteans settled on an island near Greece or Gibraltar, depending on what legend you believe.”

  I already knew this from Atlantis History channel.

  He placed his fingertip on the branch of Sonaris, and as it moved down I followed the names. Right to the very last one. I blinked twice at it. Macilinta.

  “That’s what he called me,” I said softly.

  Axl nodded. “I know, but this family tree cuts off almost nine thousand years ago.”

  I looked between them. “What the fuck does that mean?”

  Axl shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe nothing. Maybe it was just a common name. Or maybe there is something more to this that we need to uncover.”

  Calen looked uncharacteristically serious. “The Sonaris royal line was supposed to have died with Atlantis. Some of the sons and daughters of Sonaris escaped, but the royal couple and their children did not.”

  Axl nodded. “The queen from Asher’s line was the only royal that escaped, which is how he can be a descendent.”

  None of this made sense. “I mean, facts are facts. I’m not ten thousand years old. I don’t have the blood of an Atlantean. We’re missing something big here, and I wish I knew what it was.”

  Part of me wanted to track that Arterian down and make him tell me everything.

  Our food arrived, and despite my roaring hunger I couldn’t enjoy it as much as I would normally. My mind was filled with Atlantis and royal lines and that damn family tree.

  By the time I waved goodbye to Axl and Calen, I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or disappointed that Asher hadn’t made it to breakfast. He and his damn ancestors were occupying way too much of my headspace.

  22

  My classes for the day passed in a blur, I learned more about the supernatural world, and was the only one to find the teeny tiny purple herb, an alilia, in herbalism. This plant was the only known cure against the deadly bite of a golem, a creature created solely through the use of dark magic. I shuddered at the pictures of it in the text, because it had no eyes, nose, or ears, just a large slash of mouth filled with row after row of razor-sharp teeth. The creatures varied between one and ten feet tall and were built like a boulder with arms and legs.

  Those teeth though. I shuddered.

  I still carried my schedule with me, because if the teachers made any changes to our classes, that was where the information would appear. I noticed that Water Magic now had a “bring swimsuit” note next to it, and I decided I’d get changed before dinner so I’d be ready to head straight across.

  All of my new clothes were neatly put away—Ilia had kept herself busy while she waited in my room on Saturday—and I was now overflowing with clothing choices for the first time in my life. The phone was still in its box, though, waiting for me to have a chance to set it up. I just hadn’t needed it yet; someone was always around the commons.

  I put on a sleek black one-piece swimsuit with high-cut sides that made my legs look extra-long, a pair of cutoff shorts, and a “coffee then talk” shirt. Braiding my hair back, I thought about the way my hair color never faded. The pink would be this bright for the entire twelve months, with only the roots needing to be touched up. With the speed my hair grew, there was already a hint of silvery blond coming through. Luckily, I’d grabbed some supplies in town and could fix that next time I showered.

  Pulling on my shoes, I left my room in a rush and headed to dinner. For the next hour Ilia and Larissa entertained me with stories about their day while I absentmindedly picked at my food. My eyes kept darting to the table where the Atlantean-five sat, and it was stupid, but I kind of wished we were sitting there with them as well. Whatever had happened when Asher unlocked my power and almost destroyed the school had given me a ridiculous sense of being bonded to him. To all of them.

  I needed therapy.

  Forcing myself not to stare, I finished my chicken pesto pasta, which had just enough creaminess and spice for the flavors to dance across my tongue.

  When the conversation turned to the dance, I joined in. “I need a new dress,” Larissa said. “I’ve managed to actually put on some weight recently. Dad is making me feed more regularly, so I better get to the shops.”

  The dance was held next month, February 18, and it was the first big social event of the school year. Apparently supes came from outside the school for the occasion, including donors and parents.

  “I need a dress too,” I said, somewhat reluctantly. I’d never worn anything formal before, and a part of me was actually excited to be able to dress up. Another part of me was freaked out that I’d trip on heels and make a fool of myself. But this year, the year of pink hair, was all about firsts. First formal dress. First use of magic. First assassination attempt.

  Look at me go.

  “It’s settled,” Larissa said, sounding more decisive than usual. “We’ll go shopping next weekend.”

  Oh shit. I’d forgotten one very important point in my sudden dance excitement.

  “It might not be a good idea for me to leave the school,” I said, sadly. Especially if leaving would put my friends in danger again.

  “I’ll clear it with Dad,” Larissa said. “As long as we take security and your power is still locked down, it should be fine, right?”

  I shrugged, having no idea, but if Princeps Jones agreed, then I’d go along with it.

  It was time for Water Magic, so I hurried off to class and was one of the last to arrive. Asher was already waiting, and I joined the line as everyone had another shot at walking through the door. Which n
o one managed. When it came up to my turn, Asher reached out and stopped me before I could try. “I don’t want to risk the block on your magic,” he said, his features colder than usual. Which stupidly bothered me.

  I didn’t argue, deciding I could act as dismissively as him. Asher did his magic hand thing and opened the doorway. As I passed by, I didn’t even give him a second glance.

  When we stepped out into the beach, I resisted the urge to run straight for the water.

  Everyone stopped right on the waterline, our shoes kicked off. A squeaking sound drew my attention and I smiled as a few of those pink dolphins made their presence known. Asher ignored them. “Everyone into the water again. If you can’t find your connection to Sonaris, you’ll never capture the essence of water magic. By the end of the lesson, I want to see you draw water up with your palm. I’ll demonstrate how in a minute.”

  As we waded out, I noticed that there were a lot fewer students today. We’d lost maybe a quarter. The ones that remained, though, looked comfortable in the water. They were determined to find the connection, and so was I.

  I spent the rest of the lesson finding my bond with the water. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the push and pull of the currents; I knew when the waves were about to hit; I felt the animals. If Sonaris was part of the power of the water, then I felt like I was one step closer to connecting with him. I also had no problem following Asher’s instructions, drawing up trickling streams of water with my palm, swishing them around the air in front of me.

  Asher didn’t speak to me for the rest of class. Or at the next class later that week. In fact, for the next month at school I barely saw Asher, even though I had two classes a week with him. At first it hurt me, and then it pissed me off.

  “I just don’t understand what the hell I did?” I complained to Ilia one afternoon when we were throwing bread into the water that surrounded the Academy. We sat on a small overlook, right beside the entrance bridge, in full sight of the security that lined either side of the main path now.

  She shrugged. “They’re always like that. It was surprising that they were so friendly with you in the first place.”

  It had been surprising, but it hadn’t felt weird. At least not to me. “Even worse is that they’re basically ignoring me, except for the one time they stepped in to stop me from going shopping. I mean … that’s bullshit and unfair.”

  There had been no dress buying for me, because they’d talked Princeps Jones out of letting me go. It hadn’t bothered me that much, because I thought it meant they cared, but now I was thinking that was just an asshole power trip.

  “Are you still determined not to go?” Ilia said, trying to hide her smile.

  I crossed my arms, staring into the clear water. “Can’t go if I don’t have a dress. Even if it is mandatory.” I was being a stubborn ass, but they had pissed me off.

  Larissa leaned forward, swinging her legs over the side. “Do you think Asher is distant because he’s worried that touching you might trigger some sort of power thing again? Like … maybe he wants to touch you, so the only way to keep you safe is by keeping his distance.”

  I laughed, and then laughed some more, holding my stomach. “Girl,” I said between chuckles, “you know I love romance novels as much as you do, but that’s not what’s happening here.”

  Neither Ilia nor Larissa joined me in laughing, and I just shook my head at them before changing the subject. “So, the dance. People are really excited. Like … I didn’t expect it to be such a big deal.”

  It was this weekend, and already the school was being transformed. Magic was in the air. Literally.

  The commons now sported some gorgeous fairy lights above them, twinkling in the trees and across the sky. There were huge floral arrangements filling every archway, and long flowering vines wrapped around all the pillars. The Academy had already been pretty, but now it was magic.

  “I’m almost sad I won’t be going,” I said with a sigh.

  “Oh, you’re definitely going.” Ilia smiled charmingly. “Trust me.”

  I shook my head. “Nope. I don’t have a dress. Or shoes. Or a date. It’s not happening.”

  Both Ilia and Larissa had dates. Ilia was still hot and heavy with Josh, and Larissa had accepted an invite from another vamp in her bloodletting class. I hadn’t had any invites, which I was trying not to take personally. The Clovers were doing their best to keep most students away from me, and I didn’t care enough to take them on over it. I had Ilia, Larissa, Simon, and occasionally Dee. That was enough.

  “We’ll see,” Ilia added with a smile.

  I threw the last of my bread at her, and with a laugh she changed the subject.

  When Saturday arrived, there was a sense of excitement in the air that had me wearing a stupid smile like the rest of the students.

  “We’re getting ready at yours, right?” Ilia said, barging into my room that afternoon. “You never told me.”

  I laughed and stepped back to let her—and all of her bags and cases—in. “Of course I’ll help you, but seriously, you’re ten times better with hair and makeup than me.”

  She threw everything on my bed, and five minutes later Larissa appeared. She had less stuff than Ilia, but still plenty, and between them I couldn’t see an inch of bed.

  “We have two hours to get ready,” Ilia said, glancing at her watch. “That should be just enough time.”

  She pointed a finger at me. “Maddi first. Sit your ass in the chair.”

  I raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m not going.”

  “You are,” she insisted. “I know you were really pissed about not being able to shop for a dress, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out. Don’t give those Atlantean assholes the satisfaction.”

  She crossed to the bed and hauled up two dress bags. “We always got your back, girl. We’re your fairy godmothers, and we’re going to dress you for the ball.”

  “What did you do?” I asked, as the slightest swirl of excitement sprang to life in my center. I couldn’t stop staring at the two black garment bags, wondering what might be inside.

  “Sit,” Ilia said again, pointing me to a nearby chair. “Don’t ruin your surprise.”

  I hesitated, because in general I hated surprises. The only ones I’d had in my life were of the bad variety. But … I trusted these two, they already felt like sisters to me, so I would let them have their fun.

  Two hours later I stood in front of the mirror, my best friends on either side of me, and we stared at our reflections. Ilia’s dress was a deep blood red. Of course. It was her color and I’d fight anyone who disagreed with me. It was a one-shoulder, slinky cocktail dress that draped across her lithe frame and fell in smooth waves to the floor. There was a slit all the way up one thigh, and every exposed part of her ebony skin was shimmery from where she’d dusted powder across it.

  “I made a good choice with this dress,” she said confidentially.

  “You definitely did,” I confirmed. Her makeup was also flawless: full red lips, and green eyes dressed in winged eyeliner.

  On the other side of me, Larissa was just as gorgeous. Her blond hair was slicked back in a low bun that offset the simple white, floor-length, strapless dress she wore. The white made her brown skin look even creamier—she had the most perfect skin.

  I was in the center, and I almost couldn’t believe it was me in the reflection. My long hair was curled, falling to midback, and Ilia had killed it with my makeup tonight; smoky dark eyes, a red lip, and shimmering cheekbone powder gave me a sultry, mysterious look.

  “Thank you both so much,” I said, feeling a bit choked up about it again. I’d never had anyone care enough to try and give me a perfect dress.

  They’d given me two.

  The first dress was navy blue, with a halter neck and plunging neckline. It was gorgeous, and had I not seen the second one I would have worn and loved it. But it was the black one, with a fitted, ornately detailed bodice and off-the-shoulder straps that captured my
heart.

  I ran my hands down the corset front, amazed by all the perky boobs I had going on now. My girls were Ds tonight. “You look so beautiful,” Ilia said, her voice breaking a little. “My little supe is growing up.”

  I laughed, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at her. “Seriously. I love you both so much. This is so much more than anyone has ever done for me. I won’t forget it.”

  I held my arms out, pulling them in for a hug on either side of me.

  “Stop,” Larissa said. “If you make me cry and ruin my makeup…”

  We were all in danger of that, so we pulled away and finished getting ready. I slipped into black shiny heels. Larissa had on amazing silver heels, which brought her to my shoulder in height, and Ilia was a few inches taller than me in her red numbers.

  “When are your dates getting here?” I asked, turning from the mirror.

  “We told them we’d meet them there,” Larissa said.

  I ground to a halt, halfway to the door. “What? Why would you do that?”

  Ilia looked at me like I was stupid. “We wanted to arrive with you, of course. Hoes over bros.”

  I was one lucky bitch.

  “Let’s do this,” I said.

  I was ready to see what this whole dance thing was about.

  23

  There had been a lot of talk about this dance, but since I hadn’t expected to go, I’d deliberately not paid attention to it. I had no idea where it was being held, and when we ended up in the practical magic area, I was surprised. I’d say sixty percent of the school was familiar to me now; I had classes in all quadrants, and even if I hadn’t been in every room, I had a good idea of what was around.

  The dance was in a room I hadn’t ventured into. The ice land.

  I shivered as we stepped across the threshold onto a white carpet. “Uh, should we have brought coats?” I asked, rubbing my arms.