by River Ramsey
Dark Gods
Academy of the Gods #1
River Ramsey
Copyright © 2019 by River Ramsey
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
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1
The massive stone castle sat atop the highest peak of the not-so-sunken city of Atlantis, its jagged spires cutting into the twilight sky like seven spears ready to pierce the moon itself.
Olympus Academy.
The architecture was impressive, I'd give it that. Sure, I'd rather have been back in Manhattan with the Nymphs, sipping cosmos and mixing illicit tinctures, but the hidden city had a certain ambiance. Too bad it was only inhabited by gods and their immediate progeny.
Mortals were way more fun.
I glanced back at the shimmering red portal splitting the air behind me as it shrank closed and disappeared. Looked like I was either late to arrive or early. Probably late, since Mom had been reluctant to let me go even though it was her idea to ship me off to college in the literal middle of nowhere.
Time to face the hallowed halls that would be my home for the next four years.
I slung the black leather bag that housed all my worldly possessions over my shoulder and stepped forward to face my destiny.
Ivy wove all around the ancient stone surrounding the great iron gate, centered with the same omega crest on the left of my jacket. Olympus Academy's school colors were blue, white and silver, but the plaid bow all the girls had to wear around our necks was a bit “high school” for my liking.
First order of business, as soon as I found my room and figured out where to procure a halfway decent cup of coffee, was going to be making a few necessary alterations. I could already hear my mother's scolding voice, and the last conversation we'd had before I'd managed to pry myself out of her arms and enter the portal was still rattling around in my head like a loose marble.
“I expect you to be on your best behavior, young lady. I won't have you acting like some demi and making Cronus question his decision to have you wed his son.”
As far as I was concerned, the King of the Gods and his emo brat could kiss my ass, but the last time I'd made the mistake of saying as much out loud, Mom had grounded me for a week. I was eighteen now, but I'd simply traded her authority for the Council's and in four years’ time, I'd be expected to return to the Underworld with my unwanted fiance and play the part of a proper goddess of death.
If Hades hadn't come to the school two years prior, I might have actually looked forward to these four years of freedom.
The gate creaked and groaned as it fell shut behind me and I headed down the winding stone path that led to the Academy's front door. With massive Grecian pillars and a gray stone exterior, it was a strange yet appealing architectural amalgamation of the cultural deities that dwelled within. My attention naturally gravitated toward the greenery surrounding the building. The grass was such a rich, dark shade of green it almost seemed blue, and the pathway was lined with green plants whose flowers weren't yet in bloom.
That was easy enough to remedy. I stretched out my hand on the way past and petals every shade of yellow, pink and purple unfurled, making the journey a far less ominous one.
If the groundskeeper got pissed, they'd find a way to deal. If I was stuck here, I was determined to add a little color to the place one way or another.
As I reached the top of the steps, the doors flew open without me even having time to reach for the handle. Enchanted stone. Impressive.
I stepped into the great hall and my footsteps echoed up to the domed ceiling. There was a skylight adorned with white frosted glass in the shape of the omega symbol, letting in just enough light to make the marble floors shimmer. The circular lobby was adorned with pictures of the school's various founders and prestigious members, and my mother's portrait was among them. I'd inherited her light brown hair but not the flowing ringlets, and I'd dyed mine an "ungodly" shade of lilac, according to her. We had the same eyes, though, and I knew with the limitations the relatively conservative school uniform imposed rather than my usual neopunk duds, I was going to be easily recognizable as Demeter's daughter to any god who'd so much as met her.
Poor fools. They had no idea just how far an apple could roll from its tree.
I took my time studying the various portraits until I reached the one in the very center, hanging a few feet above the rest. The frame was silver, decorated with runes and a plaque that read Headmaster.
I'd never met Odin in the flesh, but he was easy enough to pick out. His snow white hair was slicked back from his proud forehead in a debonair fashion. His eyes were as gray and sharp as a steel blade, and it felt like he was watching me somehow. I leaned just to make sure it was an illusion that his eyes were following me, and I could swear the raven on his shoulder moved just the slightest hair.
While I was contemplating the likelihood that the portrait was some sort of magical security camera, someone touched my shoulder and I spun around, raising my hand as a vine crawled from my vein and poked through my skin, wrapping around my wrist and ready to strangle.
The wide blue eyes that met mine were full of alarm, but not even a hint of malice, and they belonged to the most beautiful boy I'd ever seen. I say “boy” because from the golden curls cascading down his shoulders to his full lips, he was too feminine and innocent-looking to be a man, even if he technically was one.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," he said, casting a curious glance at the vine around my wrist.
The vine quickly retreated as I collected myself. So much for making a good first impression. "Sorry about that," I mumbled, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder. "Guess I'm a little jumpy. This place gives me the creeps."
"It is rather ominous," he agreed with a glimmer of amusement in those eyes. They were as clear as water and the light danced on them like it did on gentle waves. He glanced up at the painting I'd been studying a second ago. "Admiring our headmaster?"
"Admiring might not be the right word," I said carefully.
He laughed and it was a flippant, musical little sound that reminded me of the first tinges of spring. "Be careful who you say that around. The Odinsons are tight knit, for all their rivalry."
"I'll keep that in mind. Kore," I said, offering my hand. "But everyone calls me Kory."
"Kory," he said, mulling over his name. The quirk of his lips suggested he liked the way it tasted. "I'm Dionysus. A pleasure." When he took my hand, I was surprised at just how smooth it was. I felt a strange warmth run up my forearm and dow
n my spine. It had the aftertaste of magic and as I pulled my hand away, it lingered in my palms.
"Sorry about that," he said in a tone so rueful it made me doubt it was on purpose, whatever the hell it was.
"Is that your gift?"
"I'm afraid it's not entirely within my control," he said with a sigh of casual despair.
"It's fine, but what is it?"
He hesitated, worrying at his bottom lip. The look of trepidation on his face was kind of adorable. He reminded me of a curious little rabbit, ready to spring away if someone got too close. "Well, it's called Ecstasy..."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Not my idea," he assured me. "It's kind of a feeling of euphoria. It happens when I touch someone, and I can usually contain it enough to keep them from noticing, but you must be particularly sensitive."
"Euphoria, huh?" My interest was piqued and I couldn't help but show it. "Like an endorphin rush?"
He blinked. "Yes, actually. Do you have it, too?"
"No, uh, just interesting, that's all," I answered. Ever since Mom had found out about my Panacea slinging operation, her plan to send me away had been cemented. Not really sure why she thought that would stop me, considering the young gods who populated the Academy were a lot like my clients back home. Bored immortals looking for any way to pass the time and dull the sting of the endless abyss looming before them.
Ennui was a hell of an affliction, and a girl could score herself a whole lot of dough offering the remedy.
"What do you call yours?" he asked, tilting his head. "That plant thing you did."
I couldn't help but laugh, rubbing my wrist. It didn't hurt, but it always itched a little afterward.
That's what you get for turning a beautiful gift into a common arena trick.
"Doesn't really have a name," I admitted. "I can just control plants."
"That's wonderful," he said in a surprisingly sincere tone. "The flowers outside...was that you as well?"
"Figured the place could use a little sprucing up," I said, glancing around. "It's fifty shades of gray up in this bitch."
His pale cheeks grew pink. Something told me Dionysus was a bit sheltered. "You're an interesting person, Kory. I'd say you'll like it here, but I'm not entirely sure that's true."
"Probably not," I agreed. "What about you?"
He glanced away, a troubled look coming into his eyes. "I did last semester."
There was a lot left unsaid after those words, and the air felt a little heavier with the weight of them floating around.
Before I could ask what had changed between now and then, he posed a question of his own. "Can I ask why you transferred in the middle of the year?"
"Yeah, that's kind of a long story," I answered. One that involved getting busted for running a magical drug dealing operation, which would probably make Blue Eyes turn and run for dear life. "Let's just say I've been putting it off."
"Oh," he murmured. "Any reason in particular?"
"Yep. His name is Hades."
His eyes widened and he looked like he was about to melt into the floor. "Hades? Oh. Then you must be..."
"Yeah, that's me," I sighed. His reaction to my fiance's name was more proof I didn't need to avoid him. "I take it you know him."
"Everyone does," he answered in a reverent if fearful tone. "He's part of the Triad."
I frowned. "The Triad?"
"That's what they call themselves. They run the school," he mumbled. "There's Hades, Fenrir and Loki. You've already 'met' his father.” He glanced up at Odin's portrait.
"So the headmaster's brat and the crown Prince rule the school, just like their daddies run the Council of the Gods." I rolled my eyes. "What a shocker."
Dionysus glanced around nervously and when he took my arm to lead me toward one of the great staircases framing either side of the lobby, I decided to follow him. "You should be careful what you say around here. The walls have ears."
"And eyes, apparently."
"I'm serious. Even if you are Hades' fiancee, he's not to be trifled with," he said, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Those three are like the mafia of Olympus Academy, and they don't take disrespect lightly."
Geez. Whatever these guys were pulling to have the other young gods skittering around like nervous cats, someone needed to take them down a peg.
Not me, of course. I was already sworn to be on my best behavior.
"Chill. I'm not gonna cause trouble," I told him, since he seemed anxious enough. "Where is everyone, anyway?"
"Classes don't start tomorrow, and people usually come in at the last possible moment," he explained. "I could show you to the dorms, if you like?"
"Sounds good," I answered, following him down the equally ornate west wing upstairs. At least there were no creepy portraits in these halls. The windows were huge, overlooking a garden far more expansive than the lackluster landscaping out front. Looked like I'd already found my favorite spot.
"The dorms are all on this floor. Girls in the east wing, boys in the west,” he said, letting his arm slip from mine. I realized this time, his touch hadn't sparked Ecstasy. Not that it was really something to mind, but I had a rule back home: no indulgence.
It seemed like that was going to be an equally important rule of thumb to follow here, if the other guys were half as hot as Dionysus. Then again, something gave me the impression I wasn't really his cup of tea.
"Do you know which room is yours?" he asked once we came to an open area I assumed was the girls' lounge, given the corner library and the billiard table in the center of the room.
I pulled the small scroll that had come with my admissions letter out of my jacket pocket and a number materialized on the page. "333."
"Lucky," he said with a grin, coming to a stop in front of a big stone door with silver filigree all along the frame.
"Fancy," I snorted, touching the handle. As soon as I did, magic flared beneath my fingertips and the door popped open.
"Security," Dionysus explained, standing by.
I took his sleeve and pulled him in with me. My eyes widened as I took in the lavish space. My room back home in the Manhattan loft I shared with my mother was nice, but nothing compared to this. "Holy shit."
Dionysus gave me a look, folding his arms as he leaned against the wall separating the ensuite bathroom from the rest of my room. "You're going to get a demerit before your first day is over."
"Wouldn't be the first time," I told him dropping my bag on the bed. It was easily king-sized, surrounded by three massive marble pillars and dressed in white covers so luxurious I wanted to jump in and curl up, but exploration called. "This is sweet."
"This is Olympus Academy," he reminded me in a coy tone. "Only the best for the future elite."
I rolled my eyes, sliding open the glass door that led out onto a small balcony. I had a gorgeous view of the gardens below and even though it was hard to resist the urge to prune and tweak anything green and budded to perfection, it was hard to find anything to criticize.
Maybe this place wasn't going to be so bad after all.
"I have this whole place to myself?" I asked doubtfully.
"There are more gods than goddesses in attendance, so most of the girls have singles," he explained. I could tell he was less than thrilled about it, too.
"Shitty roommate, huh?"
"Atlas," he mumbled. "He's a complete jock, which I don't mind aesthetically, but I could do without the collection of running shoes as vast as it is odoriferous."
I laughed. So my assumption about him being into guys wasn't totally off. "Sounds torturous."
"I shouldn't have said that," he sighed. "I'm not exactly out, but you seem less stuffy than most, so..."
"Your secret's safe with me, and if it has to be a secret, that's bullshit," I said, starting to pull my clothes out of my bag. "Something tells me I'm gonna hate this place as much as I thought."
"It's not so bad," he assured me. "There are cliques and unspoken rules, like any other colle
ge. Once you learn to navigate them, you'll be fine."
"I'm more of a shortest point from A to B person," I admitted.
"Well, you're Hades' fiancee, so no one will pick on you."
I grimaced. I couldn't see why that would be a plus to him, but the idea that my reputation here was already decided by being Hades' future property didn’t sit well with me. If anyone was going to ruin my reputation, it was me.
"Sorry. I know arranged marriages can be a bit of a sensitive topic," he said apologetically.
"Don't be. It's whatever." I said, shaking off the gloom that seemed to settle in easily in this glorified mausoleum. "I've got four years to enjoy myself, so until then, it's 'Hades, who?'"
He gave me a doubtful look. "Whatever you say. But you'd probably be the only girl in school who isn't dreaming about becoming Queen of the Underworld. He's kind of a big deal."
"I'm sure he thinks he is," I snorted, hanging up my favorite leather jacket. It was dyed purple, a shade darker than my hair, and originally, I'd bought it because Mom hated it, but it had grown on me in its own right. The disapproving grimaces every time I headed out the door wearing it were just a bonus.
"That's a lot of clothes for such a small bag," Dionysus said, blinking at my mostly empty satchel.
"You like?" I picked it up, dangling it by the strap. "It's enchanted. I could fit a baby elephant in there if I wanted."
"Where did you come by a thing like that?" he asked, studying it curiously when I tossed it to him.
"My Aunt Athena makes them," I answered, laughing at the starstruck look on his face.
"The Athena?"
"I'll have you know I'm the black sheep of a very prestigious family," I told him, flopping down on the edge of my bed.
