Legacy Academy: Year Three: Academy Romance

by M Guida

  Damn, Ryker. It was all his fault. I just couldn’t figure out how he had done it.

  I brought my legs up underneath me and rested my palms on my knees. I was about to call upon my dragon when there was a soft knock at the door.

  “Raven?” It was Anton.

  Shit, I looked like a harlot. “Just a minute.”

  I grabbed my fluffy white robe and wrapped tight around me. I peeked open the door, and it wasn’t just Anton. Lucien was with him.

  “May we come in? I know it’s late.”

  I looked at Lucien, and his face was hard to read.

  “Sure.”

  They both shuffled in, and I crossed my arms, hoping my robe would behave.

  “What’s going on?” I asked. “Did you question Vivian? Is she behind this?”

  Anton shook his head. “I did, but she denied it. She attended the dance but became ill and returned to Wyvern tower. She has witness to attest to this.”

  I glared. “And you believe her?”

  “I do. Vivian doesn’t possess the power to conjure a spell. Certainly not one that powerful.”

  Anton might have believed her, but I didn’t. I wasn’t done with Vivian, not by a long shot.

  He reached into his black robe. “I have something for you.” He pulled out the magic orb.

  I looked between them, totally confused.

  “I don’t understand,” I said slowly. “I thought you didn’t want me to use it. Is something wrong?” My eyes widened and my chest tightened. “Is Mina okay?”

  Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes.

  They glanced at each other, and Lucien clasped my hand, squeezing gently. Tears pushed on the back of my eyes, threatening to let loose a roaring river.

  “She’s still in a coma,” Anton said. “We’ve made a thorough search of the tables, tent and grounds, but we’ve been unable to find the bottle of Midnight Shadow or her glass, so we can’t analyze them. And unfortunately, Dr. Greenwood cannot determine what spell was used. We’d thought you’d be able to help us.”

  I stiffened. “I told you. Neither myself nor my dragon cast that spell. I would have felt it.”

  “You miss understand me,” Anton said. “I do not believe the spell was from the silver dragon spell book Mystificus.”

  “Then what?”

  “That’s why we’re both here. I had Lucien try to use his sword and touch the orb, but for some reason, it did not respond, which was unusual.”

  I gestured toward my crossbow. “You want me to use it?”

  Anton nodded. “Yes. I suspect some powerful magic is blocking Lucien’s sword. I need to know if the same holds true for you.”

  I released Lucien’s hand and grabbed my crossbow. “Why do you think it didn’t work?”

  “Golden Demons are not traditionally magical creatures,” Anton said. “They can practice magic, but it is not innate. Not like silver dragons. And you’re special amongst silver dragons. You are at the center of two angelic prophesies. No other supernatural possesses power like yours. You’re Mina’s only hope to find out the nature of this spell. I fear Ryker’s activated a cloaking spell that prevents us from identifying the spell and learning how he could penetrate my wards.”

  “So, you do think it was Ryker my mom warned us about?”

  “I do.”

  I glanced up at Lucien. “And she was right. We weren’t ready for him.”

  “Don’t give up, Raven,” Anton said. “Not yet. Hope may come when you least expect it.”

  Whatever that meant.

  Anton took a seat on the floor, and we sat next to him. He placed the magic orb in the middle of our little circle.

  “First,” Anton said. “I’d like you to get in touch with your dragon.”

  I cocked my eyebrow. “To make sure she didn’t have anything to do with it.” I tried to keep the defensiveness out of my voice, but by Anton’s firm gaze and Lucien rubbing my back, I wasn’t entirely successful.

  I didn’t wait for him to answer. I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths, clearing my mind.

  Please, I need to speak with you.

  Once again, my silver dragon appeared. The tension inside me unwound.

  She stared at me with her beautiful eyes. Her tail was wrapped around her.

  What is it that you need?

  I hated asking, but I did. Did you cast a spell, a paralyzing spell, on Mina?

  You know I didn’t. You would have felt it.

  I frowned. But I felt something evil at the dance.

  You have tasted evil, so that’s why you can sense it. But silver dragons do not practice evil magic. It goes against our nature.

  I bowed my head. Thank you.

  You’re welcome.

  I opened my eyes. I had no idea if Anton would believe me, but I thought I would try.

  “She said silver dragons don’t do dark magic.”

  Lucien frowned. “But that isn’t true, is it? Her dragon was obsessed with it at the beginning of the year.”

  “Her dragon was only guarding her hoard, which in this case happened to be magic,” Anton said. “Now, we need to try the next step.”

  I reached for my crossbow, and Lucien immediately grabbed my wrist.

  “She won’t be hurt, will she? She’s already gone through so much.”

  His words warmed my heart.

  Anton rubbed his beard. “I do not think so.”

  Lucien tightened his grip. “You don’t think so?” His voice shook with frustration.

  “It’s okay, Lucien,” I said. “The last time I did it, I was fine.”

  “But Ryker wasn’t expecting you last time.”

  I thought for a minute he was going to take the crossbow away from me. I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not going to let Mina die, Lucien.” The hardness in my voice got through to him, and he loosened his grip.

  “She’d better not get hurt, Anton,” Lucien grumbled.

  Without waiting for another argument, I picked up my crossbow. My heartbeat quickened as I wondered if I would see my mom again. Maybe she’d have more answers.

  Sparks flew when my crossbow and magic orb touched. My hand shook uncontrollably and what felt like stinging wasps ran up my arm. I gritted my teeth and clenched my weapon tightly.

  Lucien grasped my arm. “Raven, are you okay?”

  “Look,” Anton said. “The magic orb is responding.”

  The same as last time, dark clouds parted, but instead of a cell, this time the orb revealed a study complete with a wall-to-wall bookcase, an executive redwood writing desk, and a roaring fireplace. The room was ornate, reminding me of Anton’s quarters.

  On the desk was a picture of two teenagers. One was of a blond-haired boy with long hair who looked to be about fifteen. He reminded me of an angel, but his golden eyes looked sad to me. The other was of a blond girl, very beautiful. Her chin was raised high, and she had a smirk on her face. For some reason, the cockiness in her eyes reminded me of Vivian. She looked to be younger than the boy––maybe twelve or thirteen. Were those Ryker’s children?

  In front of the pictures, there was a black leather book open to a page with the words Repitus Persoum written in squiggly lettering. Goosebumps broke all over my arms, making me shiver.

  The orb flashed away from the desk, giving us a wide lens view of the room.

  I gasped. Mom was chained to a black leather Queen’s chair.

  “Mom.” My voice was barely a whisper.

  Her long dark hair hid her face, but then she lifted her head. She was pale and her cheeks were gaunt. Hadn’t the bastard been feeding her?

  Our eyes met.

  “Raven,” Mom whispered. “Ryker’s found a demon spell book. The Pestarmus.” Her eyes widened. “He’s coming. You must all be ready. Go to Mt. Elbert. Find the key.”

  A door creaked open and a long shadow fell across my mom’s ashen face. She shook her head and pulled on restraints. “No, no, stay away.”

  “Mom!”


  The clouds covered the orb, and she was gone.

  “Mom, answer me. Stay away from her, you bastard.” I banged the tip of my crossbow, but nothing happened, just like last time. It was as if all the juice was used up and it needed to time to recharge.

  Anton grabbed my crossbow. “Raven, stop. She’s gone.”

  The pit of my stomach twisted, and I had trouble catching my breath.

  Lucien wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and I leaned my head against his chest. Tears stung my eyes. Mom was in real trouble, and I couldn’t help her.

  “Anton, what do you think it meant? What’s the Repitus Persoum spell?” Lucien’s strong voice rumbling in his chest gave me comfort.

  Anton didn’t answer right away, but then he gave us both a stare that made my toes curl.

  “Your mom is right, Raven. The Defenders need to be ready. I fear a second battle is brewing up on Mt. Elbert. One that will be worse than the last. The Repitus Persoum spell is very dark. As you saw with Mina, it fossilizes its victim.”

  I could barely get the words out, terrified of the answer. “Is Mina going to die?”

  “Now that we know the exact spell that was used, we can work on saving her. I suspect there is something up on Mt. Elbert that can counter the spell.”

  “Then we need to go there now,” I said. “I won’t let Mina die.”

  “First, I need to tell Dr. Greenwood the exact spell and see what he can do to counter it. You cannot go off half-cocked. That’s exactly what Ryker wants you to do. He plans for you to face off with Ryker’s children––Gunnar and Kara.”

  “Are they more powerful than Raven?” Lucien clasped my hand.

  Anton’s face turned grim. “Possibly.”

  I swallowed the sorrow in my throat. “Do you think my mom meant that it was Gunnar who was coming, and not Ryker?”

  “Maybe. I’m not sure. From what I’ve heard, Gunnar is very powerful, but his sister could be the death of us all.”

  Chills crept down my spine and I shuddered.

  “Are they more powerful than Ari and Faas?” I asked.

  “Yes, I’m afraid so,” Anton said. “We must prepare.”

  Lucien held me closer, and I bit my lip. Anton’s dire prediction sent a determination through me. If what Anton was saying about Gunnar and Kara was true, then the Defenders had to master the Puriforgio Virtueus spell.

  I had a feeling our lives would depend upon it.

  Chapter 23

  After the events at the Halloween party, my dragon trials were re-scheduled for right before Thanksgiving. I trained hard, not to just eager to do well at my trials, but desperate to make sure I was powerful enough to face Gunnar and Kara.

  Luckily, Dr. Greenwood had found an antidote for Mina called the Tonic of the Phoenix. Neither Dr. Greenwood nor Anton would divulge what was in it, and the problem was that there was only enough to heal Mina. If anyone else was fossilized, there would be no cure for them.

  The other problem was that the potion was slow to act. Mina’s mother came and insisted she return home with her as she healed. We weren’t sure if she’d allow Mina to come back to Legacy since she was an only child. I’ll never forget the pain in Mina’s mom’s eyes. I felt like she was reliving the pain of losing her husband all over again. I kept forgetting that more than a husband, he had been her fated mate.

  Lucien and I put off our own mating ceremony. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t do it, not with everything hanging in the balance right now. I wanted our mating to be special.

  The Defenders had work to do, and we had to meet in secret.

  We decided to convene at night in my classroom where Demi continued to teach me, even though Vivian had been asked to step down. Candles glittered eerily in the darkness.

  “Okay, we’re all here,” Bo said. “What’s this spell you’ve been talking about?”

  I looked at all their faces. “It’s called Puriforgio Virtueus.”

  “How does it work?” Poppy asked.

  My cheeks burned. “I’m not sure. I just had a glimpse of the spell, but it did say this was one of the most powerful.”

  Bo crossed his arms. “Then how are we supposed to do this?”

  Lucien shrugged. “How else? By trial and error.”

  “I’m game,” Rhys said. “I want to get back at whoever spiked Mina’s drink and hurt her.”

  “Me, too.” Poppy put down her empty pop can down on a small table. “She was our friend and didn’t deserve what happened to her.”

  “We’re both in,” Katona said. “Someone attacked one of us.” She clasped Dante’s hand.

  Dante’s eyes turned. “Whoever did that to Mina declared war on the Defenders. Any of us could be next. Like Raven’s mom said, we need to be prepared.”

  “Good. I’m not sure how to do this…,” I began falteringly.

  “We’ll start with something simple.” Lucien pointed. “Let’s see if we can move Poppy’s pop can.”

  We all agreed.

  “Concentrate on the can,” I said. “We’ve all practiced spell mixture in class. Now, let’s try to combine our powers with each other’s. I’ll say the spell and hopefully, we can knock the can over.”

  We all formed a semicircle around Poppy’s pop can and focused our eyes on it.

  I held up one finger at a time. “One, two, three. Puriforgio Virtueus.”

  Goosebumps rolled over my flesh, and the candles flickered. I held my breath, waiting for the can to topple over, but nothing happened.

  We tried again and again, getting closer to the can, touching the can, stretching out our hands, but were met with frustration upon frustration.

  My chest fluttered and even though I could sense the power of emanating from everyone in the group, but we couldn’t combine it.

  “Raven, it’s getting late.” Poppy yawned. “We have to get up early. I think we need to call it a night.”

  “If only I could get my hands on that book,” I grumbled.

  “Do you think Anton would give it to you?” Rhys asked.

  I shook my head. “Nope. He still thinks I can’t control my dragon. I have to prove it and my first trial is a month away.”

  “I got an idea,” Katona said. “Even if we can’t get the spell book from Anton, maybe we can do research.”

  I ran my fingers through my hair. “God, I wish we had the internet here.”

  “Well, we don’t.” Bo squeezed my shoulder. “But I think we have the date with the library tomorrow.”

  For the next two weeks, we met in the library. But unlike Harry Potter, none of us had an invisibility cloak, and we couldn’t sneak into the restricted section. No way could we get past Professor Hobbs. She was extremely loyal to Anton.

  On Sunday night, we’d been there for about an hour when Bo shoved a book away. “From what I can see, there’s nothing in any of these history books on spells that talk about combining powers. Are you sure that’s what you saw?”

  I tilted my chin. “Yes, I am.”

  “Oh, shit,” Lucien said. “I just realized something.”

  Bo frowned and folded his arms across his chest. “What?”

  He gazed at each of us in turn. “We’ve been looking in spell history books. Raven was looking in a silver dragon book. We need to be researching silver dragons and angels, specifically the Archangels Chamuel and Azrael.”

  “I hate to ask this,” Bo said. “But did your dragon happen to mention how to do this?”

  I clenched my fists. Did he really think I was that stupid? “Of course, I asked her. She doesn’t know. I think she’s telling the truth. Don’t forget, she’s new to spell casting too.”

  “Tomorrow, we’ll hit the angel and dragon books,” Lucien said. “But I say we call it a night.”

  When I got back to my room that felt so empty these days without Mina, I pored over the angel books to see if I’d missed anything. Previously, I had been hunting for prophesies. I had never read up on angels combining their powers. Was tha
t even a thing?

  Anton had given me a book on angel lore. I skimmed through the pages and my heart skipped a beat. I slapped my forehead. How could I be so stupid?

  It was right there. According to this book, if angels combined their swords, they become more powerful, just like Professor Elfiel said.

  I was so excited I had a hard time sleeping and tossed and turned all night.

  The next morning, I was the first one at breakfast and I could hardly wait to share my discovery with the Defenders, but just my luck, I ran into Vivian when I was yawning and grabbing a cup of coffee.

  “Oh, my Raven,” she purred. “Did you forget to wear any makeup? You look dreadful.”

  I had indeed forgotten, because I was so excited about what I had learned. She, on the other hand, looked perfect.

  I had never confronted her about Mina, because I was up to my eyeballs practicing spells and training for my trials.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Did you poison Mina?”

  She blinked and gave me a look that said butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. “What? Seriously?” She put her hand on her chest. “You’re trying to accuse me of poisoning the little traitor?”

  Bo came up behind her with a deep scowl. “You’d better not have, Vivian, or you’ll regret it.”

  Her smirk left her face, and she whirled around. “I swear I didn’t, Bo. I swear.”

  He didn’t answer her.

  She left the coffee station and sat with her friends. I didn’t know who they all were, but one of them was Demi. They talked in hushed whispers and looked over our way.

  “Do you think she did it?” I asked. “I just have a nagging feeling she has something to do with this.”

  Bo grabbed a cup of coffee. “I don’t know, but if she did, she’ll have to pay for it.”

  “I figured something out last night.”

  “What, beautiful?”

  That made me smile, especially after Vivian’s curt remarks. “Remember how Professor Elfiel said if magical weapons touched each other, they become more powerful?”

  “Oh, crap,” he said. “I can’t believe we didn’t think of that instead of doing all that worthless research.” He snagged a breakfast sausage burrito, hash browns, and three pieces of bacon.