by M Guida
“Raven, we’re in this together.” She threw up her hands. “Don’t you realize I worry about you every single day?” She lowered her voice. “Your house freaking burned down, and last year you almost died. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you. You’re like a sister to me.”
“Same with me.” I held up my pinky finger and curved it. “Sisters for life.”
She smiled and did the same. “Sisters for life.”
Julie brought up her legs and crossed them. “I just wish I could call you, or at least email.”
I lightly hit the back of my skull on the headboard. “Me too. Anton’s rules.”
Julie pulled her hair back and twisted it behind her. “He’s really a pain in the ass.”
I thought about the last two battles and how many times he defended us and risked his life for me. “Well, yes, he’s saved my own ass several times.”
“That’s the only thing that makes him redeemable.”
“He’s really not that bad.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”
Someone knocked on the door. “Girls, are you up?” Julie’s dad called from the other side.
“Yeah, Dad. We’re up.”
“Good. Your mom’s almost got breakfast ready.”
Julie’s dad had always been there for her. He attended any school event, including parent-teacher conferences, and father and daughter nights. Something I never got to do––not with Mr. Deadbeat.
“I know you think Anton’s being a pain in the ass––”
Julie got up and dragged her pink comforter up to her pillow. “Yup.”
“––but in some ways, he’s been more of a father to me than my dad.”
Julie squeezed my arm gently. “That’s the other reason he’s not all bad.” She put her hands on my shoulders. “Please let me take you to the train station.”
Against my better judgement, I said, “Okay, but if there’s danger, pull over.”
She frowned. “What?”
“You heard me. I can shift into a dragon and draw them away from you. Promise me you’ll do this.”
“Okay.” The flicker in her eyes told me she was lying. Julie wouldn’t abandon me. “I’m going to jump in the shower before breakfast.”
Maybe I should just shift and take all of my stuff with me. I had turned that over and over in my head, but always discard the idea, I’d be alone––a sitting dragon.
I got out and fixed up the bed, straightening out the comforter, putting back the lacy throw pillows and white teddy bear. I wouldn’t be back for a long time. Maybe Christmas break. I used to feel safe at Legacy, but lately I had nightmares of the Dark Demons penetrating Anton’s forces, of Ari and Faas roaming the grounds, setting things on fire and killing people. I thought they were only bad dreams, but lately, I wasn’t sure. What if they were premonitions? I hadn’t told Julie, because she worried enough.
I glanced around the pink room with family pictures, fluffy stuffed animals, and posters of the Avengers. Julie was a Marvel nut, and Captain America was her favorite. Having the Captain watch over us always seemed to make me feel safe.
Until now.
That was make believe. I couldn’t shake the feeling Ryker was doing more black magic. It was the only way to explain my dreams.
The water turned on in the bathroom. Julie liked to take marathon showers. I grabbed my three bags and stuffed all my clothes, crossbow and arrows, and make-up into them, and I put all my books, including the spell book and the magical orb, into my backpack. I grabbed a piece of paper from Julie’s desk and wrote, ‘Forgive me.’
I stripped off my pajamas. To shift, I had to be naked. I opened up the window. No one was outside that I could see.
Hopefully, no one would see me strutting around in my birthday suit on the Sumners’ roof.
As quickly as I could, I drew on my dragon power. I moved my bags out onto the ledge and then climbed outside. I quickly shifted into a dragon. With my talons, I snatched my bags, and clutched my backpack strap in my mouth. I lunged into the air, flapping my wings as hard and as fast as I could.
Wind whooshed over me, and the moisture from the clouds whisked over my scales. As I flew higher and higher, the rows of homes and cars shrank until they looked like something out of Legoland. Julie might not forgive me, but at least she’d be safe.
The Celestial Lightrail Express was only about a thirty-five-minute drive from Julie’s house. It was located up in the Colorado foothills, right outside of Denver. Juniper and pine trees grew together sagebrush on the red bluffs where the light rail was located.
Fwump Fwump Fwump
My blood froze at the sound. I glanced over my shoulder.
Shitshitshitshitshit
I drew on the speed. A black mass of bats or crows, I wasn’t sure which, swarmed toward me, sending stinging sensations sliding over my scales. Evil permeated from the cloud, making my stomach swish uneasily.
The things were moving super-fast and closing the distance between us.
I wished I could call upon the Avengers, but telepathy wasn’t a thing for me. Or if it was, I had no idea how to use it. I had called upon Bo once outside of Legacy when the Dark Demons had attacked, but that had been close to the academy. Right now I was at least five miles in the air and fifteen away from the light rail.
The creatures had to be after the spell book. I couldn’t let them get it. Unfortunately, the book was in the bag I was holding in my mouth, so I couldn’t blow out my ice breath. And if I landed, they’d be all over me. Crap, this sucked.
Out of desperation, I led out a yell in my mind.
Help me! Help me!
I didn’t think anyone would hear me. Tears glistened in my eyes and I clutched the bag even more tightly in my teeth.
We’re coming, babe. Hang on.
Lucien whizzed toward me with his wings spread out wide and his sword in his hand. A red dragon-Bo-was right behind him. God, I’d recognize that dragon anywhere. Two huge vampire bats, Dante and Katona, flew on either side of them. Relief flooded over me.
“We’re here.” Lucien tilted his head. “Bo, Dante, and Katona attack. I’ll stay with Raven and protect her just in case anything gets by you three.”
Bo unleashed a blaze of fire. Screeches and shrieks burst behind me. I didn’t turn around and didn’t care how many demons got their asses burned to a crisp.
Ryker wasn’t getting the spell book. Not ever.
I spotted the foothill where Celestial Lightrail was located. Light flickered off the roof of the station. A small crowd of supernaturals mulled around outside.
Gogogogogogo
We were almost there. Once inside, the dark demons wouldn’t be able to get inside or on the train, because it was warded. That didn’t mean they couldn’t try to attack.
This was last year all over again.
I dove toward the glass station. Bo and the two vampire bats returned, and we all descended to the ground before next to the station. Lucien landed gracefully on his feet and his golden wings were tucked away instantly. He shielded his sword. He always reminded me of an avenging angel.
I dropped my bags and the precious backpack in my mouth. I shifted into a human again.
Lucien was right at my side. Heat burned my cheeks, and I avoided his gaze as I threw on my uniform. I still couldn’t get used to him, seeing me naked. He wasn’t a shifter.
Lucien tilted his head. “They were after the spell book, weren’t they?”
I nodded. “Most likely.” I picked up my backpack.
“I got these.” Lucien grabbed my other bags.
Bo, Dante, and Katona came running over, and Xavier and Poppy rushed over to us.
“Come on.” I hurried toward the front door. “We’ve got to get inside right away.”
Bo loped next me. His body had been buff before, but now, he looked like he just came down from Mt. Olympus. He’d cut his red hair, and it curled around the nape of his collar. It was still thick and
beautiful. Anger filled his blue eyes. “Why were the Dark Demons chasing you?”
“Because they’re assholes,” Dante said in a low voice. Unlike Bo, his silky black hair had gotten longer and now fell just past his shoulders. Anger flared in his dark eyes.
Lucien motioned with his arm toward my backpack. “She has a silver dragon spell book.”
Bo blinked. “What? I thought those were all lost in the old war.”
“Apparently, not all of them,” I murmured. I scanned the sky, but only white clouds floated overhead. That meant nothing. Based on my experience, the creatures could be camouflaged.
Katona clasped my arm. Concern filled her bright blue eyes that always reminded me of the Mediterranean Sea. “Raven, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, but I’ll feel better when we get inside.” I held all their gazes. “We need to talk.”
Aooooooo
A wolf pack barreled toward us, led by a huge blue-eyed gray wolf––Xavier. I couldn’t help but smile.
He shifted when he reached us. “We sniffed around the station, but we didn’t sniff out any dark demons.”
Xavier was never shy with his nakedness. He definitely was hot with his muscles, thick shaggy hair, and his clear blue eyes. I wish I could be as easy as he was about being naked, but I always felt like I was the only one naked at a party. Maybe it was because I was raised human.
“Good,” Lucien said. “They were getting bolder.”
“They’re getting desperate.” Bo gripped my shoulder and winked. “I think you’re scaring them, beautiful.”
I laughed, and I picked up a strand of hair. “Yeah, right with my messy, tangled black hair.”
He grinned. “You could be bald and still be beautiful.”
Heat ballooned over my cheeks. Lucien frowned, but he didn’t say anything. Another few semesters with these two fighting over me, and the Dark Demons hot on my tail, meant it was going to be another rollercoaster year.
Chapter 3
We crossed over the threshold, and a sense of relief rolled over me. Students stood in line to purchase hot and cold beverages and bread and pastries before the train arrived to take us back to school. My stomach growled, and I licked my lips as a girl walked by with coffee and a huge cinnamon roll, dripping with frosting.
Dante, Xavier, Katona, Bo, and Lucien all crowded around me. With the Defenders, I always felt safe. My bunched-up muscles relaxed.
“We’re inside now.” Bo looked over his shoulder and then at me. “Now, tell us what’s going on. What’s so special about that spell book?”
My stomach growled louder.
Lucien laughed. “Hungry, are you?”
My cheeks turned red hot. “I had to leave in a hurry.”
He ran the tip of his fingers down my back, making me shiver. “Would you like me to get you something from the café?”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
“What would you like?” His eyes shone. “Cinnamon roll and café latte?”
He never missed a thing.
“Yes, please.”
Bo rolled his eyes.
“Tell us what gives,” Xavier said. “What’s so special about that book?”
I clutched my backpack strap tighter. “There’s a spell in it, we could combine our powers and it would make us all more powerful.”
Katona frowned. “What do you mean? We already do that. We work together.”
I looked at each one of them. “No, it would be one huge group blast. If we combined our powers, I think we could defeat Ryker.”
“Really?” Katona cocked her eyebrow. “Do you think that’s really possible? I don’t even know how we would do this.”
Bo crossed his arms and shook his head. “Silver dragon magic is tricky, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can be extremely dangerous.”
His cautiousness made me stand taller. “Bo, Ryker is getting bolder and more desperate. Last year, the Dark Demons almost killed me, and who knows what they’ve done to my mom.”
Some of the tension around his eyes and his mouth lessened. He unfolded his arms. “I’m sorry.” He clasped my arm. “But you need to know that silver dragon magick is dangerous. It’s a lost art, and if you don’t use it correctly, the spell will backfire.”
Dante clasped Bo’s shoulder. “No risk is no gain.”
Bo shook his head. He clearly didn’t like the idea. “Don’t say I didn’t warn all of you.”
“Here, Raven.” Lucien handed me a paper coffee cup. “You want out, Bo, like you did last year?”
Bo gritted his teeth. “I didn’t say that. I’m a member of the Defenders, just like you, Lucien.”
Lucien gave him a smirk and pushed on his chest. “You were at the back of the bus when we needed you the most.”
Dante grabbed his arm. “Hey bud.”
Bo edged closer. “Bring it on, Demon.”
I put my hands up. “Guys, stop. Just stop.”
Poppy joined us, sucking on a lollipop. “Squaring off again, are we?”
Lucien glared. “We’re not squaring off.”
She waved her sucker. “Nice try, alpha.”
“Come on, girls.” Poppy strolled toward a table.
Katona took the cinnamon roll out of Lucien’s hand and looped her arm through mine. “Come on, Raven. Let’s go sit down where you can drink your coffee and eat your yummy cinnamon roll in peace.”
Bo frowned. “Wait a minute. We’re not done talking about that damned spell book.” His voice was more of a growl.
“Give me a break, you’re not talking about the book,” Katona said. “Admit it. You guys can grab her bags.”
She escorted me to the table, away from the testosterone squaring off. We sat down.
“You look a little pale.” Poppy clasped my hand.
“Bad memories from last year.” I squeezed hers.
“You’re safe for now.” Katona bumped my arm with hers. “Enjoy your cinnamon roll. I had one earlier…” She rubbed her palms together, “…and they’re delicious.”
I pulled the cinnamon roll apart, icing dripping down onto the plate, and took a big bite. “Mmmm. This is so yummy. My tummy is doing a happy dance.”
Poppy finished her lollipop and put the stick down on the table. “So, tell us, what gives with the book?”
I took a deep breath. “This summer, my friend Julie, and I were exploring occult shops to find out about the Archangel Azrael, since I’m somehow linked to him.”
Katona glanced at Poppy. “And?”
I told them about the mysterious guy at the shop.
“That’s weird,” Katona said. “Who was it?”
I shrugged as I licked the icing off my fingers. “I don’t know.”
Poppy frowned. “Don’t you think you should find out? It could have been a dark demon.”
“No, it wasn’t. Whoever he was, he didn’t feel evil.” The battle on top of Mt. Elbert flashed over me, and the sickening feeling of absorbing the evil, the turbulence in my gut, then the burning in my throat. I squirmed in my seat, trying to block out the taste. If Lucien hadn’t been there… “I would have known. Believe me, I would have known.”
“Why do you think he gave you that book?” Poppy asked.
I took a sip of my coffee. “That’s the million-dollar question.”
Katona tilted her head toward the guys, who were still having a heated discussion. “What does Lucien think?”
I swirled the last piece of my cinnamon roll into the puddle of gooey icing that had dripped onto my plate. “He was going to find out more about the book, and the spell.”
Poppy leaned forward eagerly. “And did he?”
“Maybe. I’ll be right back.” I picked up my empty plate and headed over to the trash can.
Lucien met me halfway. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, especially after that yummy cinnamon roll.”
“I don’t mean that.” He lifted my chin and desire flared in his eyes.
&nbs
p; My throat ran dry. Bo watched us with an eagle eye. The last thing I wanted was another row. “I’m fine.” I broke off from his clasp and tossed the plate away. “What did you find out about the book and the spell?”
“Unfortunately, my dad didn’t know a lot.” He pushed a lock of my hair behind my ear, making me shiver. “He did say that he’d heard of such a spell, but it was very difficult to use and cautioned us not to try it.”
I wiped my sweaty palms on my thighs. “Why?”
“According to him, the inexperienced ones who had tried it have died.”
My eyes widened. “All of them?”
“He wouldn’t tell me. I had the feeling he was doing everything in his power to discourage us from using the spell or messing with that book.”
I bit my lip. “Bo said as much.”
“He’s a coward.”
I elbowed him in the ribs, hard. “No, he’s not.”
“Ow.” He rubbed his side and narrowed his eyes. “Protective of him, are you?”
“Bo maybe a lot of things, Lucien, but you know as well as I do, he’s not a yellow-bellied coward.”
“You could have fooled me. Or have you forgotten how he abandoned us and went crawling back to his dad?”
I lifted my chin. “Lucien, his father threatened to take away his birthright.” I gestured with my arm toward the other princes. “None of you has had experienced that.”
He looked over at Bo, who was now sitting at the table with Poppy and Katona. “I wouldn’t bend to such a threat.”
I studied him. “No, you wouldn’t, would you?”
He put his arm around my waist and pulled me close. “Not when it comes to you. I’d do anything for you.”
“Someday you might have to put that to the test,” I said.
He laughed, but then his gold eyes turned serious. “And I will move heaven and Earth to prove it to you.”
I wriggled out from his embrace. “So dramatic, aren’t you?”
“You’re a beauty, and you’re mine.” The protectiveness in his voice made my cheeks heat up, and by the smirk on his face, I was sure five shades of red had rushed to my face.
He smiled. “Did you know you turn the prettiest pink when you blush?”
TooT Toooo TooT Tooo
