I opened my mouth and Ophelia dropped the liquid into my mouth. The second it hit my tongue, energy rocketed through my body like an adrenaline shot to my heart. My eyes flared wide and I sat straight up. Ophelia already turned from me and was pouring the turquoise liquid down Zinnia’s throat. She too sat straight up. She pressed her hand to her chest and sucked in deep breaths. “Tuck?”
“I’m here.” I lurched to my feet and dusted myself off. Just as I stood up straight, our crew flooded to the center of the courtyard, surrounding us. Zinnia took a small step away from me and I loathed every single inch between us.
Niche moved to stand between us. “Well, what happened?”
I glanced at Zinnia then back toward Niche. “The blade has been blessed.” There was no need to talk about what else we endured, or about the trials we’d just been through.
Ophelia closed her eyes and sighed in relief. “What’s next?”
Zinnia pulled the sword from the holster at her hip and held it out in front of her. Blue flames shot down the sword and out of the point. “Now? Now we destroy a crown.”
Chapter 8
Zinnia
“Can’t you write me a note or something?”
Niche shook her head, sending those bright red locks flying in different directions. “No, Matteaus said”—she held her fingers up, making air quotes—“Zinnia has other things to do. Best get it over with.” She shrugged then opened the classroom door and disappeared inside.
Nova placed her glove-covered hand on my shoulder. “Come on, Zin. You’ve got this.”
It was odd to think only weeks ago we were strangers. Now she was one of my best friends. As the queen of death, I expected her magic to be dark and twisted, expected her to be dark and twisted. Instead, I got a loyal friend who wore gloves to prevent herself from seeing the death of the ones she loved. “Guys, yesterday I almost died in Heaven.” I was still having trouble wrapping my mind around that. “Today I have to take my Magtrac exams?”
Ophelia leaned up against the wall behind her. “Tell me about it.” She yawned. “I just got here, and I still have to do my Magtrac exams. How fair is that? I mean, I got lost just getting to this classroom.”
“It’s not that difficult.” Nova motioned to the number carved into the wall beside Ophelia. 2736R. Nova pointed to the two. “Building two, seventh floor, third door, and once you open that door it’s the sixth classroom on your right.”
Ophelia snickered. “Right, because a school in New York City, which looks like a normal building, should house over two thousand rooms.”
“It’s a space charm. There are rooms within rooms in this school.” Nova tossed her white blond hair over her shoulder. “Try figuring it out when you’re seven.”
Ophelia pushed away from the wall and straightened her shoulders. “My turn.”
“Good luck.” I took the spot where she’d leaned up against the wall.
Ophelia pulled a vial from the inside of her black blazer. Sometimes I forgot all her clothes came from donations from the other queens, yet somehow, she pulled these outfits together as if they’d always belonged. Under her black blazer she wore a simple white T-shirt and a pair of skin-tight light blue jeans. I didn’t know which of the queens had clothing that ran that small. Maybe they were from a few years ago, but here was Ophelia rocking them like they were her own. She was tiny, but she was fierce. She finished the ensemble with red snake skin combat boots that were loose around her ankles. She shook the vial in front of my face and goopy liquid bubbled like sludge. A wide smile spread across Ophelia’s face. “If they don’t think I’m on the advanced track when it comes to magic, well then that’ll be their loss, won’t it?”
I pointed at the vial. “What are you gonna do with that?”
She shrugged. “Wait and see. You don’t get raised by the evilest man in Evermore and not know a few tricks.” She winked then stepped through the door and slammed it shut behind her.
Nova looked at me with wide eyes. “What do you think she’s going to do with that?”
“I don’t know, but I hope it’s not to blow up the school.” I sucked in a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves. “But with Ophelia anything is possible.”
What happened? What’s going on? Is something wrong? Kumi’s voice brushed through my mind a moment before she came trotting down the hall. Students jumped out of her way and pressed themselves up against the wall. Her nine tails swished back and forth, and she ran up to my side.
Nothing is wrong. Why would you think that?
From what I read in my magical studies class familiars for witches were supposed to be more obedient. That was not the case when it came to Kumi. Instead of having a compliant loyal friend, what I got was a sassy Kumiho, known as the devourer of men. She was an oversized wolf that nearly came to my shoulder with nine tails and hair as black as midnight. She rolled her violet eyes at me. Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I can feel the panic rolling off of you in waves? What are you standing out here for? I never understood why humans waited in lines. They just don’t make sense.
I’m waiting to take my Magtrac exams. I thrummed my fingers on my thigh and tried to brush away the sweat that slicked the palms of my hands. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was about to fail miserably.
“You know, Zinnia, you would think you would be a lot calmer after learning you were a witch, facing a dragon, fighting Alataris, dying, and becoming a Titan. For a short period of time.” Nova hiked her backpack farther up on her shoulder.
“What can I say? Tests make me nervous.”
Kumi rubbed her head against my elbow then swished her tails in my face as she turned to leave. There there.
Are you really going to leave right now? Right this second when I need you the most? Some familiar you are.
Kumi froze in her tracks and looked at me over her shoulder. You want me to stay? Fine.
Well, don’t make it sound like I twisted your arm or anything.
Just then a loud explosion sound came from inside the exam room and the door shot off of its hinges across the hallway, missing three students by barely an inch. Pink rose colored smoke billowed from the doorway. Ophelia walked out of the classroom with a large smile spread across her face. She dusted her hands off and laughed. “Compared to me now you’ll do amazing, Sis.”
She patted me on my shoulder as she walked by but kept on moving down the hall. Many of the students stopped and stared at her. She threw her shoulders back and held her head high and didn’t seem to let anything bother her. Sometimes I found it hard to believe we were even related.
Niche stumbled out of the classroom, covering her mouth coughing. “Zinnia Heart.” She fanned her hand in front of her face. “You’re next.”
Nova gave me a sheepish smile. “Good luck.”
I sucked in a deep breath and tried to calm my racing heart. “Thanks. I’m going to need it.”
As I stepped through the doorway, Kumi was hot on my heels. Where do you think you’re going?
You said you needed me. So here I am.
You can’t just come into my exam. I meant I needed you for moral support. Not to sit in and watch me fail hardcore. I’d rather not have a witness to my lack of skills.
She pressed her nose to my back and urged me forward. Oh, stop being such a chicken. You know you’re awesome. She shoved me forward. I stumbled into the middle of a big room. At the head of the room sat a long table with Professor Davis, Professor Howard, Matteaus, and Niche who came in behind me and took her seat at the end of the table.
Residual smoke hung in the air above my head. Matteaus pursed his lips and blew a stream of air out. The pink fog collected into a small whirlwind of stinky potion and blew right out the door. Once the room was clear, Matteaus sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I hope you don’t plan on impressing us the same way your sister did.”
“I have no intention of experimenting something in front of you and blowing the doors off their hin
ges, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Now that the pink smoke was clear I could see the room we stood in and it blended in perfectly with the old castle decor that was Evermore Academy. The walls were made of thick, rough pieces of stone and the floor was gleaning dark woods. All around the perimeter of the room stood sconces with lighting that gave the room a warm, candle-like glow. Even the table where my professors sat was thick and appeared older than the castle itself. The oversized chairs behind it all had high backs and were carved with beautiful floral patterns that I would think only royalty owned. Yet here they were in my exam room.
“Very well. We will proceed then.” Matteaus sat forward. “You will be tested on three fronts. The first will be hand-to-hand combat to see how your training has been going. The second you will face a mythological beast and see if you have learned the proper way to handle yourself, and the third you’ll be making a potion from scratch. Minus the explosion, please, Miss Heart.”
I dropped my backpack up against the side of the wall and strolled out into the middle of the room. I knew I would be tested on my hand-to-hand combat. I knew this would be difficult. Truthfully this was the only area of the exam I felt confident in. Tucker had worked with me for weeks leading up to this and I fought my fair share of bad guys, including my father. I even dressed for the part wearing my favorite pair of black leggings and a loose-fitting T-shirt along with my combat boots. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail and wound my wild, tangled mess into a high messy bun. I held my hands loose at my sides and widened my stance to keep my balance on the balls of my feet. “I’m ready when you are.”
Matteaus clapped his hands together. “Begin.”
A shadowy figure materialized in front of me. I knew this was a form of magic they used for training, but he looked so real. He wore a thick black cloak that covered him from shoulder to ankle. His hair fell back from his head in a dramatic widows peak. And his face was edged in disdain for me. He reminded me so much of Cross’ father, Dario Malbeck.
When we turned to face each other, I realized it was an exact replica of Dario, down to his thin-lipped sneer. I glanced at the panel of professors. “Are you serious?”
Niche nodded and motioned toward him. “Proceed.”
What the hell is this? Face your issues day? I held my hands up. At least this wasn’t a boggart in a chest waiting to pop out as my father kind of challenge. But Dario Malbeck was his right-hand man, his second-in-command. At some point I would have to go through him to get to dear old Dad.
Dario lunged toward me. I shifted to the side and spun away, coming up next to him. He threw his elbow straight at my face, aiming for my nose. I dropped down to the ground and kicked my leg out, swiping his feet from under him. His back slammed into the floor and he scrambled to grab onto my ankle. His fingers pressed into my skin, pinching me around my calf. With the heel of my boot I kicked him square in the chin. His head snapped back and he let my ankle go. I scrambled to my feet as the fake Dario struggled to his. Blood poured from the corner of his lip.
“I thought you said this was fake,” I called out to the professors without taking my eye off the magical made Dario.
“Magic has a funny way of making this real.” I could hear the smile in Niche’s voice.
Dario smiled at me. “Are you scared? Your father never would be.”
Low blow. Real life simulations here we go. We stood facing off against each other. Dario jabbed his fist out toward my cheek. I bent to the side and grabbed his wrist. I threw my hip into him and flipped him over the way Tuck had taught me so many times. Dario went down hard. His head snapped back and slammed into the ground. I stepped back, waiting for him to roll to his feet. The shadow disappeared from the ground and reformed two feet in front of me. He held his hand out and blew black smoke into my face. I stumbled back. My eyes were on fire. Tears ran down my face and I rubbed at them with the back of my hand.
I blinked away the smoke but not fast enough. The Dario creature kicked his foot out, hitting me square in the stomach. I fell back and the wind was knocked from my lungs. I was blinded and didn’t know when the next blow would strike. I gathered my magic around me, feeling it slide down my arms and up my legs. The room was dead silent all but for the muffled sound of quick footsteps coming toward me. I held my arms up, then threw my magic over my body. If it could siphon energy, it sure as hell could force it back out. I relaxed my power in a wave and blinked my eyes open just enough to see Dario launched across the room and smacked into the wall.
“Good.” Niche waved her hand and Dario disappeared once more and the magic cleared from my eyes as if it’d never been there. “Now weapons.”
“What?” I felt like I’d already had a workout and now she was asking for weapons. I didn’t have a second to protest as the fake Dario reappeared with his sword in hand.
He swung for my throat. I arched my back and dodged the blade. I summoned the duel blades Tuck had given me to my hands. White light flashed in the corner of my eye and I wrapped my fingers around the hilts. Dario spun in a circle and slashed at my midsection. I met his strike with my own and blocked him from hitting me full-on, but he nicked the skin on my forearm. A gash opened in my skin and my blood trickled down my arm and dripped onto the floor. In the corner Kumi growled a low and constant hum. Don’t kill anyone yet. I have to pass this first.
Kill it quick or I will.
Your wish is my command. The fake Dario lifted his sword high over his head. I planted one foot and kicked him square in the chest with the other. He skidded back and I charged. With my blades in hand I spun to the side and ran one down his thigh. I twirled behind him and slashed the other across the middle of his back. Dario’s back arched and his sword clanged to the ground. I moved to this other side and stabbed my other blade into his thigh. His legs gave out and both knees hit the ground. I stood over him, waiting for him to make a move. A sheen of sweat covered my body. I was bleeding and out of breath. But I won this match. I knew it and when I looked at the professors, they knew it.
Matteaus leaned back in his chair with a smirk on his face. Professor Brown and Professor Howard gaped at me with open mouths and Niche made furious notes on her clipboard. I lifted my hand and opened up my powers. The magic that’d been used to create Dario drifted into the palm of my hand like I’d vacuumed up the shadow figure. Once he was gone, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Well, did I pass that portion?”
“Oh yeah.” Matteaus snickered. “You passed.”
Professor Howard cleared his throat. “Excellent. On to the mythological creature part of the test.” He rose to his feet, a tall thin towering man with soft kind brown eyes and an even softer voice. Only a few days ago we stood in an enchanted classroom in one of his workshops.
Kumi lifted her head and pulled back her lips, growling at him. Professor Howard dropped back down into his seat. “Seeing how your familiar is in fact a mythological creature . . .”
Kumi growled even louder. Drool dripped from her lips onto the floor. The Kumi is not in the mood for another creature. The Kumi will eat it. Then test will be passed.
Okay, seriously, you cannot eat my test. That takes on a whole new meaning to my dog ate my homework. I turned toward her and spoke out loud, “Time to stop.”
Kumi rolled her eyes, yet she still put her head back down and quieted. Professor Howard motioned to Kumi. “Case in point.”
You’re welcome. Kumi’s dark chuckle brushed through my mind.
Sneaky little devil.
No, sneaky little Kumi, she corrected.
Professor Brown clapped her hands together. “How marvelous.” Her salt and pepper hair stuck out in all different directions. Her chubby cheeks turned a bright rosy red and she bounced in her seat. “No one else has made it thus far. I dare say I’m a bit excited. Let’s make a potion.”
No one? Oh boy, here we go. I plastered a smile onto my face. “Yes, let’s.” Where is Ophelia with her exploding goop when you need her?
&n
bsp; Chapter 9
Tucker
An hour after her exam Zinnia and I stood in the center of the room in the abandoned wing of Evermore. A golden pentacle was laid into the floor and all around the desks had been pushed up against the wall. Down the hallway I heard the echoes of the ghost that drove all the other students out of this wing. The rest of the crew was finally back together. Serrina along with Tabi sat side by side on a table in the corner. They smiled and chatted in hushed tones, yet Serrina seemed completely engrossed with every word Tabi said.
Brax had stopped hiding the fact he kept a Piranhapup in his room. Now he sat on the floor with the little pug-like creature, playing tug-o-war with it. Its long, sharp raze teeth broke off the end of the thick rope, yet neither of them looked fazed by it. Brax just scooped the puppy up and held it in his arms. He rubbed his face to the dog’s, careful to dodge the razor teeth jutting out from its underbite. Nova hovered close by and petted the puppy behind its floppy ears.
For the first time in days Zinnia’s smile was bright and carefree. I didn’t want to lose a moment of that for her. But as the most powerful which court the world had ever seen in centuries, we had to stay focused. It was time, time for us to make a move on Alataris. Grayson leapt up on a table and took a bow in true showman ship style. His black suit pants were pressed within an inch of their life. His hair, which was normally combed back from his face, stood up a little higher and was messier than usual. His white shirt was rolled up to his elbows and the top two buttons were open on his collar. “First of all, I have to say you lot are a handful. But I wouldn’t want to hunt down an evil dictator with anyone else. Secondly, congrats to Tabi on her return from Poseidon’s den.”
Tabi’s cheeks turned a bright red. “It wasn’t as bad as you might think.”
Serrina bumped her shoulder into Tabi’s. “I’ll say, I wouldn’t mind spending time with a son of Poseidon either.”
Wicked Queen (The Royals: Witch Court Book 5) Page 6
