by M Guida
Even though the bus had many open seats, Bo and Lucien sat on either side of me, squishing me. Of course.
The others sat close to us too. Dante and Katona were behind us while Poppy and Xavier sat across from us. Rhys, Eden, and Vivian were behind the wolves.
Anton directed to the groups to the different buses and finally boarded ours.
I exhaled a sigh of a relief. Every instinct told me we were being watched, being assessed for any kind of weakness, and that whoever was watching us was waiting for a chance to attack.
Anton sat in the driver’s seat and shut the door. “Ready to go?”
“Been ready for ages,” Lucien said. “We need to get out of here.”
I glanced up at him. The lines around his eyes and mouth were tight.
“You feel it too?” I whispered.
“A hundred eyes on us?” He held my hand. “Yup. I felt it the whole time we walked back to the bus.”
“It’s that damn book,” Bo mumbled.
Lucien glared. “Shut up. Do you want Ryker to get this thing?”
Bo sighed and leaned his head back. “No, of course not. I just don’t like Raven being in danger. She’s already been stalked twice.”
“Shhh.” Anton glanced in the rearview mirror. “We don’t need to discuss the book until we arrive at Legacy.” His sharp tone silenced any further small talk.
I saw something flutter out the corner of my eyes, but it was gone in a flash. I swear my heart rate skyrocketed into panic mode. The hairs on my arms rose and shivers swirled along my skin. It could have been a duck or a goose or a fox jumping into the air. I wanted to believe that, but knew it was a lie.
It was so irritating how Anton drove the bus at the speed limit. I wanted to scream. The spirals of the towers peeked over the treetops. All I wanted to do was to get to Wyvern tower, get into my room, and unpack, then snuggle under a blanket on my bed. Tears tugged at the corner of my eyes. I could hardly wait for the bus to pull into the school grounds.
Anton drove toward the parking lot, but a lone figure stood in front of the gates.
Ryker.
The other buses pulled up beside us and the professors got out.
Two other figures joined Ryker: Faas and Ari.
There was no way all of us could get inside the Academy.
Bo slowly got out of his seat. “Anton, what should we do?”
Anton turned around. “You need to all stay here.”
Bo sat back down and took my hand in his.
“You can’t help us,” Anton said. “The buses are warded and the demons can’t get inside.”
Lucien stood. “We can help.”
Anton put out his palm. “No. You can’t. You must protect the others. Leave Ryker, Faas, and Ari to the professors and I.” His burrows furrowed. “That’s not a request, Lucien.”
He opened the front doors of the bus and stepped outside.
Ryker had a smirk on his face, and the other two had evil smiles. Faas tossed a fireball between his two hands thoughtfully.
The other professors joined Anton. It was going to be a showdown. All because of me. All because of the book.
“This isn’t good,” Xavier said as he peered to look up. “Dark demons are coming.”
I pulled the silver dragon spell book out of my backpack.
Bo frowned and folded his arms. “What are you doing? That’s what got us into trouble in the first place.”
I placed the book on my lap and flipped through the pages. “Obviously, the spells in here are really powerful, and that’s why Ryker wants it to so badly.”
“You don’t know how to use it,” Bo said. “A spell could backfire and get us all killed.”
Lucien cocked his eyebrow. “Always the coward, are we?”
Bo gritted his teeth. “I’m not a coward. I’m a realist.”
Xavier got out of his seat. “Bo, the professors are outnumbered. The dark demons will just pick them off one by one.”
Bo narrowed his eyes and gestured his arm toward the professors who were fanning out in front of the three Dark Demons. “Don’t you have any faith in your professors?”
Xavier puffed out his chest. “I believe in us.”
“So do I,” Dante said behind them.
Lucien lifted my chin. “I believe in you. Find us a spell that will send the punks packing.”
I took a deep breath, quivering with pride that Lucien had faith in me.
“Raven, you don’t know how to use that book,” Bo warned. “If you use the wrong spell or say it wrong, the results could be catastrophic.”
“Believe in yourself,” Lucien said. “Trust your gut instinct.”
I felt like I had an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. Whether right or wrong, I went with the devil.
I flicked through the pages as fast as I could, desperate to find the right spell. There were so many, and nothing was popping out at me. On the twentieth page, tingles went up the tips of my fingers.
Imbempra was at the top of the page. Something fluttered in my chest and in a loud voice, I said, “Imbempra.”
Blue, white, red, and yellow stars flew out of the book and swirled over our heads. My heartbeat slowed and lungs refused to inhale. All my power drained out of me as if I were a balloon leaking air.
“Oh, shit, Raven,” Bo mumbled. “What did you just do?”
I swayed back and forth. “I don’t know… I feel so strange.” My tongue felt thick and I could barely get the words out. I swear I sounded drunk.
The stars burst out of the bus.
My head tilted back, too heavy to lift. It felt like a bowling ball.
“What’s… happening?”
Lucien wrapped his arm around my waist and lifted my limp body off the seat. “Look.”
I blinked and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Faas threw a fireball, but it stopped, suspended in midair. An angry snarl smeared across Ryker’s face. He held out his palm as if to cast a spell, and nothing happened. It was as if he had been turned to stone.
“Those things up there.” Xavier pointed. “It looks like they’re frozen.”
I tried to follow Xavier’s gaze, but things turned fuzzy.
“Raven.” Lucien’s voice, was full of concern, sounded very far away.
His and Bo’s face swam faster and faster in my vision, making my stomach turn queasy.
“Damn it, what’s wrong with her?” Lucien demanded, his voice sounding like it was echoing in a metal coffee can.
“What did she do?” Another voice blurted… Anton.
He was mad. Why was he angry?
Someone put a palm over my forehead. “She’s dying. We’ve got to get her inside Legacy.”
“Hurry. Please. She’s turning paler and paler.” Lucien’s voice choked.
Vroooom Vrooom
Were those engines?
“Lucien…”
He pushed hair off my sleek forehead. “What, baby?”
“What happened…”
“Shhh, the Dark Demons are frozen. Stay with me. Just stay with me.”
“This is why I didn’t want her to do this.”
Bo? Was he crying?
My chest seized up. Pain burst inside me, and I couldn’t breathe. At least if I died, I would die in Lucien’s powerful arms.
Chapter 6
Something cool was draped over my forehead and warmth covered my body. My eyes fluttered open, and I would have laughed again, but my chest hurt too much. I was back in Anton’s room, decorated in a style that would have please Dracula himself, and was lying in a red canopy bed. Long velvet drapes were pulled back to reveal a balcony and I could see Anton’s tall dark figure. Two chairs with high, straight backs were on either side of my bed. Lucien was sleeping in one and Bo in the other. I curled up in a ball and drew the thick comforter up to my chin. Flames flickered in a fireplace, capturing my gaze.
“You’re awake.” Anton stood at the end of my bed. His long dark hair fell over his shoulders
and he was wearing his flowing black robe that always reminded me of a cape.
As usual, I didn’t hear him come inside.
I yawned. “Barely.”
He gave me a hard stare. “I want to hear how you found the spell book.”
I frowned. “Didn’t Lucien or Bo tell you?”
“They told me, but I want to hear it from you.”
I rehashed once again what happened in the bookstore.
He rubbed his bearded chin. “So, you didn’t really see this man?”
“No. All I know is that he was just really, really tall, and had long curly hair. I barely got a glimpse of him from the back.”
“Did he feel evil?”
“No. He felt - powerful .”
“Well, it might not have looked like Ryker, but it could have been him in disguise.”
“That makes little sense. If he had the spell book, why would he give it to me?”
“Because it’s not just the spell book he’s after. He might have been testing to see if you could use the spell book. Maybe he wants you.”
I could feel the blood drain and drain and drain from my face. A buzz of something eerie echoed in my ears and stars floated in front of my eyes. A shudder of simple fear shot down my spine.
“Raven, you’re safe. Look at me.”
The stars dissipated and Anton’s intense his gaze brought me out of my fear. In a soft voice, he whispered, “Powerful? Powerful how?”
“I don’t know. I almost feel like he was concealing his power.”
He gripped one of the bedposts, and his shadow fell over me, making me shiver. “From you?”
“Maybe. I guess I never thought about it.”
Anton’s dark eyes seemed to be lost in thought. He wasn’t even looking at me.
I scanned the room. “Where’s my spell book?”
“Safe.”
“What does that mean?” I slowly wriggled up onto the pillows.
“You’re not yet ready to use it.”
“You can’t keep it from me.” My voice was angry.
He put his hands behind his back. “I’m not.”
“Then where is it?”
He smiled. “Hidden.”
Drawing on my strength, I sat taller, ignoring the pain tightening on my chest. “Why? I’m a silver dragon, and that’s a silver dragon spell book.”
“To a certain extent, yes. But you’re not a hundred percent pure. I fear that might interfere with your ability to manage the spell. I’m not sure.” His uneasy tone set off a turmoil of anxiety and fear within me.
Beads of sweat broke out on my forehead. “You mean my Golden Demon blood?”
“Possibly. Or maybe your dragon does not know how to tap into its magic.”
I tilted up my chin defiantly. “Yet.”
“Indeed. Raven, you’re a magnificent creature.”
I cocked my eyebrow. “Creature?”
He chuckled. “Sorry. Wrong word.” His laughter faded. “You’re not ready to use the magic now. But I suspect you’ll be able to use it soon.”
“How long?”
“Always the impatient one.”
“You sound like Yoda.”
“Yoda is a very wise alien, and you’d do well to listen to his teachings on how he trained Skywalker.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Seriously, dude?”
He shrugged. “I just thought I’d make a reference to pop culture.”
“Okay. Whatever.”
“Raven, you need training. From what I can decipher, the spells draw on the power within you, same as last year when you allowed the evil inside. And your body has limits.”
“Meaning what?” Bo asked in alarm. He and Lucien had wakened and were listening to Anton.
“I think my explanation is self-explanatory.”
Bo’s face paled. “She could die?”
Lucien gritted his teeth. “That’s what he said.”
I didn’t even see Lucien move. Sometimes he was just as mysterious as Anton.
“I’m not an idiot, Lucien. Stop treating me like one.” Bo got out of his chair. “You’re the one who’s willing to risk her life.”
Lucien moved across the room like a panther. “When did I say that?”
Bo headed toward him and stuck out his thumb. “Back on the bus. You were willing to sacrifice her to save your own skin.”
Lucien sneered. “I’m not the coward.”
I held up my palms. “Stop. Just stop. I can’t deal with you two fighting right now.”
Bo and Lucien gave each other death stares but clamped their jaws tightly. One little spark could set those two into World War III.
Anton stepped in between them and stretched out his arms. “I suggest you two return to your corners or you can vacate this room. Your bickering is drawing on Raven’s powers.”
I blinked. “It is? I don’t feel anything.” Not exactly true. It hurt even to breathe.
“You’re in a weakened state right now.”
I dragged my shaking fingers through my hair. “I’m fine.”
Anton gave me that perceptive stare that always made me feel like he was stripping away all of my defenses. “You’re not fooling anyone, Raven. You’re pale and you’re still struggling to breathe.”
“I’m feeling better,” I lied. A sharp pain tightened in my chest, as if someone just gave me a quick kick.
Anton walked over to the side of my bed. “I can feel you trying to conjure a protective spell without even realizing it.”
“How am I doing that?”
“You’re not. Your dragon is. You used a protection spell to stop Bo and Lucien from killing each other. Your dragon is now obsessed with that book. I fear your beast can’t always turn it off.”
Bo slammed back into his chair, nearly knocking it over. He flicked his hand. “See, I told you something like this would happen. That book is nothing but trouble.”
Lucien looked at me with concern. “Raven, are you in pain?”
“Not really.” I rubbed my throbbing chest. “I’m feeling better.” The charade was becoming harder and harder to maintain.
Lucien reached over and grabbed my trembling hand. “Good.”
Bo rolled his eyes. “You don’t believe ghost girl here, do you?”
I glared. “‘Girl’? Seriously?”
Bo laughed for the first time. “You don’t like that name, beautiful?”
“No. I don’t.” My voice sounded sluggish, and I yawned.
“Boys, out. Raven needs to get some rest.” Anton walked over to the door and opened it. “If you don’t mind.”
“I want to stay here,” Bo said.
Lucien gave him the evil eye. “I’m not leaving.”
“Her life force is draining. I need to put her dragon to sleep.”
“My dragon’s fine,” I mumbled.
“Oh.” Anton crossed his arms. “You like that sharp pain in your chest? It’s only going to become worse and worse.”
Lucien sat on my bed. “Is that true?”
I avoided his gaze and shrugged.
“Don’t lie to me.”
“You want the truth?”
He gave me his leader’s stare.
“All right. It hurts. A lot. Happy now?”
Bo headed toward the door. “Told you.” He saluted me. “Get well, beautiful. I’ll see you soon.” He left without waiting for Lucien.
“As much as I hate to do this,” Lucien said. “I’m leaving too. I don’t want you to be in any more pain.” He looked at Anton. “You’ll help her?”
Anton nodded. “You know I will.”
Lucien disappeared out the door same as Bo, leaving me hurting and alone.
Anton sat in the chair that Lucien had been sleeping in. “Raven. You need to develop your power so that when you are using a spell, your life force is not completely drained.”
“How do I do that?” I couldn’t keep the agitation out of my voice.
“Practice.”
Weariness and pain gripped me. I grew tired of his games. His answers were always vague and cryptic. “How am I supposed to do that?”
“There are two ways. One is through meditation, and the other is through your dreams. Now listen to me. You won’t be taking dragon magick this semester.”
This was going from bad to worse to an absolute nightmare. I threw up my hands. “Why not?”
“Because your dragon is not reliable right now.”
I gritted my teeth. “Won’t I have dragon trials again?”
“Of course.” He leaned back and put his hands. “Everyone does. Why would you be any different?”
“How am I supposed to pass the trials if I can’t take dragon magick?”
“Every year you amaze me, Raven. You are always different from the others, and this year will be no different.”
I squirmed as uneasiness settled in the back of my spine. “Meaning?”
“I will have different trials for you than anyone else. You will have to master your dragon’s obsession with the spell book. It is you who must be in control, not your beast.”
“I hate to ask this, but if I don’t––”
“You know the answer to that, Raven.”
I slapped my palms on my thighs. “Are you serious? The Hollows?”
He stood. “We can’t have you casting spell after spell indiscriminately. Tomorrow, I will have your schedule, and you’ll be ready to move back in with your roommate, who has been pacing back and forth outside my quarters.”
I smiled. Mina was just as loyal as Julie. I don’t know how I would have made it through Legacy without her.
“Are you hungry?”
My stomach let out a loud roar. “Yeah, I am.”
“I’ll order some dinner for you. Would you like to see Mina?”
“Absolutely.”
“Very well.” He left and within a few minutes, not just Mina, but Poppy and Katona came barreling into the room.
“Raven.” Mina rushed over to the bed and gave me a bear hug. “Are you okay? We’ve been so worried about you.”
I squeezed her, loving that she was here. “I’m fine, just a little tired and hungry.”
Poppy and Katona sat on the other side of the bed.
Mina tilted her head. “Lucien and Bo didn’t look too happy when they left. I swear any minute fists were going to fly again.”
Katona shrugged. “What’s new about that?”
