Legacy Academy: Year Three: Academy Romance

by M Guida

  Chapter 19

  I could barely concentrate on Demonology, regretting the ultimatum I’d given Lucien. I’d just wanted to lash out at him for hurting me, that was all.

  Stupid, I know.

  But it wasn’t just that. Anton had said I had made some progress on one of my trials, but I wasn’t done yet. Not by a long shot.

  After class, I headed toward the cafeteria to get something I could eat outside. It was a mild fall day, and I needed some fresh air. I also didn’t want to sit at the Royal Table today. I needed time to sort everything out. I had to get back in my groove again, because I had four, count ‘em four, trials to pass by the end of the year, and I had to figure out what the key was on top of Mt. Elbert and who was coming.

  Whoever it was, I knew I was a total mess, and I had to get my shit together.

  Dante and Rhys were already at the table, but they were deep in conversation with Demi and Katona. I quietly snuck over to the cold lunch line and got a six-inch ham and cheese sub sandwich loaded with jalapeños, lettuce, tomatoes, and banana peppers and got it to go. I also grabbed a bag of chips and a diet soda.

  I put my head down and headed toward the front door to avoid being seen.

  “What are you doing?”

  I jerked my head up and groaned. Lucien blocked my path.

  “I want to go outside to eat today.”

  “Alone, or can I join you? We need to talk.”

  “I didn’t mean to push you about Armond. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Find a spot outside and I’ll join you. I’ll let the others know what we’re doing, since you obviously weren’t going to do it.”

  Heat burned my cheeks and before I could answer him, he disappeared into the cold lunch line. I thought about ditching him, but that would be cruel and really dumb.

  I found a picnic table away from prying eyes. I had no doubt Lucien would find me. He always did. I unwrapped my sandwich and took a bite––delicious. I ripped open my bag of potato chips and gobbled a few down chips.

  Lucien came over to me carrying a twelve-inch sub, a bag of chips, and a soda. He sat across from me. “Is your sandwich good?”

  “Yeah, it is.”

  He ripped off the paper of his sandwich. “Rough couple of days, huh?”

  “You could say that. Seriously, you don’t have to talk about your brother if you don’t want to. I was just being mean.”

  “No, you weren’t. It’s okay. You’re mine, and I shouldn’t keep secrets from you. That’s not what mates do.”

  I blinked. “Mates?”

  “You know I want you, Raven. I have wanted you ever since the first time I saw you sitting at the Royal Table without asking for permission.”

  I cocked my eyebrow. “Permission?”

  He ran his thumb over my lips. “Yes. The word mine popped into my head.”

  I laughed and tilted my head. “I fell for you when you let Mina sit at the Royal Table, even though her dad was accused of being a traitor. She’d been so lost, and you opened up a whole new world to her.”

  His eyes turned serious. “I’d do anything for you.”

  I frowned. “But you were with Demi.”

  He shrugged. “She was a girlfriend, not a mate. Big difference. Girlfriends are temporary and mates are forever. Supernaturals are different from humans. We don’t get divorced.”

  I lowered my head. “But my dad left my mom and me.”

  “I know. But I can guarantee you he hasn’t been with another woman, and I’ll bet your mom has never been with another man.”

  There were too many parallels between me, Lucien, and Bo, and Mom, my dad, and Ryker. Now, I understand why Poppy insisted I spell out my feelings to Bo. But what if Bo went to the dark side like Ryker? I could never forgive myself for him turning into a monster.

  “Then why did Ryker think my mom was his mate?”

  “Sometimes supernaturals confuse lust with mates. Ryker might have really loved your mom, but she wasn’t his mate. If he had looked deeper within himself, he would have figured that out. I bet if he had tried, he wouldn’t have been able to claim her. The claiming process doesn’t work unless you’re destined mates. Once claimed, you have no desire to be with another.”

  I put down the chip I was about to eat. “I never thought about it, but you’re right. Mom didn’t even go out on dates, no matter how many times her friends or I urged her to go out with someone.”

  He took two big bites of his sandwich, and smugness filled his eyes.

  My curiosity wouldn’t let up. “So, do you say just say we’re mates and that’s it? Do I get a choice?”

  He put down his sandwich. “Of course you get a choice.” Confusion swam in his eyes and his face paled, which was unusual for him. “Why? Don’t you want me anymore?”

  “Seriously? Getting mad at you doesn’t mean I don’t want you, Lucien. You know I do.” I tapped my finger on the table. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

  “You mean about mating?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes. So, tell me.”

  Desire replaced hesitation in his eyes. “I have to claim you.”

  “Meaning?”

  He clasped my hand, and his thumb caressed my palm. “We have sex and thereafter you’ll always wear my mark.”

  Tingling chills ran over me and my mouth went dry, thinking about Lucien running his hands and lips all over my naked body. “What?”

  “Supernaturals leave a mark on their mate. We’ll both have one. Nothing will be able to separate us.”

  “So, my mom had one?”

  He nodded. “And your dad.”

  I had told Bo about my past, but not Lucien. Time to come clean.

  I bit my lip. “Lucien, you know I was raised human.”

  “Yeah. So, what?”

  I took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. “I’m not a virgin, so how can we be mates?”

  He laughed. “Raven, I don’t care about your past and I thought we covered this ground before.”

  “I just wanted to make sure.”

  “You’re mine.”

  “So, when do we do this?”

  “I’ll let you know.” He kissed the back of my palm. “It will be a surprise.”

  My heart pounded fiercely. I wasn’t sure, but did he just ask me to marry him? Too stunned to say another word, I just gave him a dopey smile.

  He went back to munching on his sandwich.

  I nibbled on my own sub, waiting for him to talk about his brother and still mulling over this whole mate question. I started thinking about my mom. She had a tattoo of a purple dragon on her right breast right, just below her nipple. I had always thought it was really cool. That couldn’t be it, could it?

  “What does the mark look like?”

  “It’s different for everyone. Why?”

  I touched my breast where my mom had hers. “My mom had a purple dragon right below her nipple.”

  He grinned. “Is that where you want yours?”

  My cheeks went up in a fire of heat. “Lucien.”

  “You’re so beautiful when you blush, but from how you described it, I assume that’s the color of your dad’s dragon, and he probably has the color of your mom’s dragon on him.”

  “What about Golden Demons?”

  “You’ll get a mark of my gold wings, and I’ll probably get your silver dragon on me.”

  “That’s so cool.”

  He leaned over and kissed me on the lips. “Yeah, it is.”

  I glanced up at the big tower clock. “We only have about ten minutes before we have to go to class.”

  “So, I guess it’s time to tell you about my little brother.”

  I held my breath, waiting.

  He clasped my hand tightly. “He was kidnapped, and it was all my fault.”

  My eyes widened. “What? Why do you say that?”

  “I was six years old––”

  “How can it be your fault if you were only six?” I asked softly.<
br />
  He frowned. “Will you listen?”

  “Sorry. Please go on.”

  “My twin brothers were asleep.”

  “Armond’s a twin?”

  His eyes got a faraway look in them, as if he were reliving a nightmare.

  “Yes. They’re twins, and both gifted with powers. Armond is a Healer and Darius is super-fast.”

  The lines around his mouth tightened. “Armond and Darius had fallen asleep in our playroom on a rug in front of a fireplace. I was playing with my cars when I heard a crackling noise. I thought it was a log flickering in the fireplace. Dumb. Just dumb.”

  I put my hand on top of his and waited.

  He hung his head, and his hair fell in front of his face. “It wasn’t a log. It was Ryker.”

  “What?”

  He jerked his head up. “Ryker had Armond still asleep in his arms.”

  “What about Darius?”

  “He was still asleep in the crib unharmed. Ryker didn’t want him. He knew which twin to take, which twin would be a fatal blow to the Golden Demons.”

  “Is Darius okay now?”

  “Yeah, he’s fine, but he always says that he feels like part of himself is missing.”

  “Lucien, that’s not your fault.”

  “Yeah, it is. My family’s a mess because of me.”

  “What did you do after Ryker took Armond?”

  “That’s just it. Nothing. I was scared shitless. I didn’t scream. I didn’t call for my mom who was in the next room. I didn’t call for Montae, the Captain of the Golden Demon guard. I just sat there frozen like a dumb ass.”

  “Lucien, you were six.”

  He ignored me. “Because of me, my people are dying.” his voice choked.

  I rubbed his back. “Lucien, I don’t understand.”

  “There’s a reason Ryker wanted Armond. He’s the healer of our people. Without him, we can’t recover from the Dark Demon attacks and our numbers are decreasing as a result.” Tears slid down his cheeks. “Don’t you see? It’s all my fault.”

  I hugged him. “No, it’s not. It’s Ryker’s. Damn him.”

  He murmured in my ear, “Before he left, Ryker told me that my people would all die, and he had a son even more powerful than Armond, powerful enough to wipe out the entire Golden Demon race.”

  I stroked his hair. “We won’t let that happen.”

  He took a deep breath and pulled away. “But it is happening. Every day our numbers get smaller and smaller. The only thing that has kept us alive is the Golden Phoenix and the Freedom Fighters.”

  “Who is this son of Ryker?”

  “Gunnar––the Dark Demon’s healer. The bastard’s stronger than Armond. He can heal his people. He can also kill. My brother was only a healer.” He blinked and his tears vanished. His face turned hard and he was Lucien again, but he wasn’t fooling me. He had a wound that was eating away at him.

  “Does Ryker have any other children?”

  He nodded. “Yes, Karah, and from what I’ve heard, she’s even more powerful than her older brother.”

  “That’s why it’s important for you to touch the tip of your sword to the orb. Maybe if we ask Anton, he’ll give it back.”

  “Don’t bother. I already did and got a big fat no. He says we’re not ready yet.”

  “What do we have to do to prove to him we’re ready?”

  “That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?” He slammed his fist on the table. “If I can find Armond, maybe––just maybe––my people will have a chance.”

  I frowned. “Isn’t he at Abaddon Rock?”

  He shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. My dad has attacked there several times, and never found him. My mom’s a psychic and she can’t feel him there, either.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Ryker’s a crafty bastard. My dad made one daring invasion and we obtained secret reports. My brother was never at Abaddon Rock. Ryker changed his name and that’s the only thing we know. Armond’s real name is Devlin.”

  “Why did Ryker change his name?”

  “To make it harder for us to find him and it worked. We’ve hunted and hunted for Armond, but every lead is a dead end.” He gritted his teeth. “We don’t know where he is or if he’s even alive.”

  “I promise you, Lucien, we’ll find him.”

  “How? My family and my people have tried a million times and have come up empty-handed.”

  I kissed him softly, erasing the tight lines around his mouth. “You didn’t have a silver dragon and her magic spell book on your side before.”

  Waoooooooo

  The howl made us both jump. Xavier and Poppy headed over toward us. He had a big ol’ dumb grin on his face. He stuck out his thumb. “Time for class, love birds.”

  “Spoiled sport,” Lucien grumbled as he grabbed up our mess and headed for a nearby trash can.

  I picked up his backpack and mine and followed him.

  I couldn’t believe what Ryker had done. He truly was evil. How could he steal a child? I couldn’t imagine how scared that poor little boy had been, and all the broken hearts Ryker had left behind.

  I was more determined than ever not only to find my mom, but Armond. I just hoped Ryker hadn’t murdered the poor boy.

  Lucien and I held hands as we headed toward class. He walked me to Magic Intuition.

  “I’ll see you after class.” He turned and headed down the hall to his leadership class. Opening his heart to me showed he was just as vulnerable as the rest of us. He just had a knack for hiding it better than everyone else.

  I’d practice night and day to learn those four spells and turn the tables on Ryker. He’d regret ever doing that to the man I love.

  Oh, shit. Did I just admit that?

  My silver dragon flashed in my mind.

  He’s our mate. Of course you love him. Why wouldn’t you?

  Mina came up next to me. “What’s wrong? You’ve got a weird look on your face.”

  “Nothing,” I said sheepishly.

  “Okay, come on. Let’s grab our seats.”

  I followed her numbly into class, ready to work my damnedest to master those spells and then get Anton to give us back the orb.

  Chapter 20

  I took my seat next to Mina, trying not to think about Lucien, or his brother, or Ryker and his maliciousness.

  Professor Soto clapped her hands to get everyone to stop talking.

  “Today, we will practice our first skills. Everyone, grab a partner.” She motioned with her hand. “I will demonstrate this with Raven.”

  I groaned inwardly, but forced myself to go up to the front of the class.

  “Now, I want you to sense what I’m going to do, Raven. Try not to absorb my power. Only sense it.”

  I nodded and hoped I wouldn’t do anything stupid. I looked into her eyes that for a minute changed into dragon eyes.

  Please

  My dragon appeared, but she had her wings over her nose.

  Something made my stomach uneasy.

  I wrinkled my nose. “Are you… are you about to exhale a stinky breath?”

  Professor Soto smiled. “Very good.”

  The class burst into laughter.

  “You might think that stinky breath is funny, but it can be very deadly. This breath can paralyze your enemy’s senses and even cause death. This is one of the Dark Demon magics, and you must be prepared for it.”

  Now, tell the class, how you did it?”

  This was so easy. I shrugged. “I asked my dragon.”

  “Is there anything special you do?”

  “My dragon likes me to say please.”

  Students murmured as if they thought I was crazy.

  Professor Soto clapped her hands. “That is the key. To accomplish this, you must talk to your dragon.” She turned to me. “Now, I want you to demonstrate the advanced skill of magical absorption.”

  I wasn’t looking forward to this, but I nodded.

  Dragon, I need help,
please.

  My beautiful dragon nodded. You must inhale.

  Professor Soto’s face changed, and she blew out a black cloud from her mouth and her nostrils that smelled like rotting flesh.

  I remember that stench. I’d run into it before at Mt. Elbert.

  I immediately inhaled just as fast, sucking in the terrible stench that burned my lips, throat, and nose. My legs wobbled, and I collapsed on one knee, panting.

  Professor Soto rushed over. “Raven, are you all right?”

  I shook my head, just like on top of Mt. Elbert. “No, I think I’m… going to be sick.”

  Professor waved her hand. “Mina, take Raven to the restroom, please.”

  Mina held my arm as we entered the bathroom. I barely made it inside when the ham and cheese sub sandwich did a reverse. At least this time it didn’t burn like it did during the battle. Mina rubbed my back as I finished emptying my gut.

  “I can’t believe Professor Soto did that to you. That was awful.”

  I slumped onto the cold bathroom tile floor and put my hand on my sleek forehead. “You… don’t understand. This is… nothing. Nothing… like… last time.” I took a faltering breath and stood on my wobbly legs. Mina grabbed my arm. “When I was up on Mt. Elbert fighting the Dark Demons… with Lucien, it was ten times worse. I almost died.”

  “Do you want to go back to class or should I take you to the infirmary?”

  “Definitely not the infirmary. I’ll be all right. Just take me over to the sink.” I rinsed out my mouth and threw water on my face. I tilted my head. “Let’s go.”

  We slowly walked back to the class. Students were practicing blocking spells. Professor Soto rushed over to me.

  “Raven, are you feeling better?”

  “I’ll survive.”

  “Here, eat this.”

  It looked like a candy cane. “What is it?”

  “Peppermint.”

  I blinked. “Seriously? You mean just candy?”

  “Yes. Humans never realize how powerful peppermint really is. Not only will it help you with your uneasy stomach and bad breath, it will give you renewed strength.” She smiled. “Trust me, Mina. You may join another group to practice in a little bit.” Professor Soto put her arm around my shoulder and escorted me to my seat. “Just sit here for now, dear.”