Chosen: A Paranormal Romance Academy Series (Black Water Academy Book 2)

by Sloane Murphy

  Chosen

  Black Water Academy #2

  Copyright © 2019 by Sloane Murphy

  Published by Bright Lights Publishing Ltd

  www.authorsloanemurphy.com

  Cover Design by Pink Elephant Designs | Edited by Andrea Long | Formatted by Sloane Murphy

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it wasn’t purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All rights reserved.

  Except as permitted under S.I No 337/2011 European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and Users Rights) Regulations 2011, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via other means without the permission of a publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referred to in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Chosen/Sloane Murphy

  Table of Contents

  Also by Sloane Murphy

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Also by Sloane Murphy

  The Immortal Chronicles

  Descent

  Crash

  Soar

  Rapture

  Black Water Academy

  Marked

  Chosen

  Hunted (Coming Soon)

  Of Fire & Frost

  A Princess’s Duty (Coming Soon)

  A Kings Oath (Coming Soon)

  Dedication

  To my team & my readers,

  Because without you, this one wouldn’t have happened.

  And to my husband, who sacrificed more than most for this one.

  Chapter One

  Creed

  “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Both of you! And now look what’s happened.” I pace the room, trying to control my rage as I shout at Kane and Ethan while Cam sits there looking as stunned as I felt when Eden confessed what she’d done to me. “You had to know I would find out.”

  “Gus, you need to calm down. We kept this from you for your own good. We know about your secret; we knew you before the Uprising remember? We didn’t want you to be burdened with any more.” Kane tries to reason with me. “I’ve been working with her, trying to help her with it, but she’s more gifted than I ever expected. We need to speak to my father; he will know what to do.”

  “No!” I roar. “It’s obvious that she is an original. No other Vampires have power like she does, and with what she told me about her change on her birthday, Ethan saw it inside of her then and said nothing.”

  “Is it a surprise? After everything? Your father is the head of The Council, he was a leader in the Uprising.” He spits at me. “For all I know, despite who you are, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

  “I would never endanger her!” I lunge at him, but Cam intervenes.

  “You wouldn’t endanger her now.” Cam counters. “At the beginning, before you knew her, before any of us cared for her the way we do, who knows what we would have done to save ourselves.” I stalk away from him and begin to pace again. This is utter insanity. I always knew who I was, and that the prophecy was never about me. My circumstances never fit, not like Aurora’s. Its why father did what he did during the Uprising. To protect us while holding onto hope that the prophecy could still come to pass. But now…

  “Do you think it could be her?” Kane asks. “The prophecy speaks of an original with powers greater than anyone has ever known. If she did what she says she did, and I’m inclined to believe her because I fucking saw it, then we need to speak to my father. You know as well as I do, he is the only one with enough power to really keep her safe.”

  “Just because he pulls my father’s strings, doesn’t mean he can keep her safe. Our fathers have been playing a dangerous game for a long time. Pretending they sided with the Uprising, rather than the beliefs of old. Stringing along The Council to ensure they knew what was happening with each race. My father bowing to yours because of the Fae Elders in hiding. This is all way too complicated and way too fucked up. I don’t know who to trust.”

  “Well, before we worry about the Elders and the prophecy, we need to make sure Eden isn’t punished for saving Aurora,” Ethan interjects. “And to do that, we’re going to need Lucius.”

  “My father is going to lose his fucking shit.” I pull on my hair as I sit on the sofa in Kane’s room.

  “Look, we don’t know anything for sure, but the reality is that Eden killed someone. Regardless of whether she was protecting your sister or not. What we need to do is split our focus. We need to find out who those guys were and why they were trying to hurt Aurora, and if they have anything to do with the other deaths that have happened on campus. We also need to find a way to prove that Eden isn’t a danger to the students at this school. On top of that, we need to think of a way to keep her safe if she is who we think she is. And if she is who we think she is, we don’t just have to keep her safe, we need to train her harder, because the trials of the Elders are no fucking joke.” Kane says, before running his hand down his face. He looks directly at me, and I know he’s right, but I hate the feeling that I’m going to lose everything if we keep heading down this road. “As much as you hate it, we can’t do any of this without speaking to my father. He’ll know what we need to do. He is who he is for a reason.”

  “Maybe that’s exactly why I don’t trust him with this. Your father is the head of the Elders, but no-one knows if the Elders even really have any power anymore. He appointed my father so that he would have someone who he had dirt on and could play puppeteer with to ensure the council still dance to the song of the Elders. He didn’t agree with the Uprising, but he did nothing to stop it. How do you even know which side he is on anymore?”

  “Because he’s my father, and I trust him. I know more about him and his decisions than you might think, Gus. Did you ever consider that? I know The Council has eyes of their own in here, so my father keeps me up to date, and I sit in on the Elder meetings to make sure that we can stay one step ahead of the newer factions of power.” He glares at Ethan and then rounds it to me, and I can’t hide the shock on my face.
<
br />   “You sit with the Elders? Dude that’s huge.” Cam says from his perch on the kitchen island across the room.

  “Wait, what do you mean the council has their own eyes here?” I question, my gaze bouncing between him and Ethan who shifts uncomfortably.

  “How did you know?” Ethan grinds out, setting his uncomfortable glare on Kane.

  “How could you think we wouldn’t find out? Does Eden know?” Kane bites back. I’ve never seen him quite this riled up, and I realize I might not be the only one who cares as deeply as I do for Eden.

  “Of course she doesn’t. It’s not exactly something I wanted to do, but you know better than most what The Council holds over me. I’ve barely given them anything, nothing they couldn’t get by randomly questioning her teachers or other students. I haven’t told them any of my suspicions.” He keeps his head held high, not giving an inch to Kane.

  “You were spying on her?” Cam asks quietly, the devastation in this voice evident and his disappointment written all over his face. “I trusted you like you were a brother; part of my pack, and you lie to me about this? I can’t even look at you right now.”

  Ethan roars as if he’s in pain. “I didn’t want any of this, not one bit. I am done. Done with you guys, with her, with The Council. I’m out.” He stands up and storms out of the room, slamming the door so hard on his way out the jamb splinters.

  “Well, that went well.” Kane mutters, leaning back in his chair. “Regardless, we need to make a decision, there’s only so much we can do to help Eden.”

  “I’m going to work on my father and check on my sister. Maybe if she wakes up, she can sort this mess out, so we don’t have to. I mean, there’s still one of the guys who attacked her locked up in the dungeons, even if he is a raving mad mess since Eden did what she did to him.” I sigh and stand.

  “I’m going to call my father too, but I think we should keep that between us for now,” he says pointedly.

  “Fine, I won’t let my dad know what’s going on in the bigger picture. I’ll just try to sort out the immediate mess. What are we going to do if it is her?”

  “Well, from what I understand, everyone thought Aurora was the one the prophecy spoke of. If she survives, they might both be made to run the trials, and you know what that means.” He says with a grimace.

  Don’t I just.

  Chapter Two

  Eden

  Waiting in this goddamn room is driving me insane! I swear it feels like it’s been days since Kane brought me up here and asked me to wait in here. I’ve already missed so much being stuck in that cage, and then with everything that happened in with The Council. There’s so much that’s happening to me, and no-one has explained a fucking thing. My confusion is just making me angrier.

  Despite knowing I need to calm the hell down, I can’t stop baiting myself. Why was I punished for saving Aurora? Who is killing the students here at the Academy? What are Creed and Kane hiding from me? And how the hell does Laney know Dannika?

  So little makes sense that it’s giving me a headache. I lay down on the sofa in Kane’s room, thankful for the comfort considering the last few weeks. Fucking hell, I sound like a whiny bitch. Get a grip, Eden.

  I hear the footsteps coming down the hall, just before the door swings open, despite Kane locking it, and Creed rushes towards me and wraps me in his arms. I cringe a little at the state of myself, but sink into his arms regardless. It’s been so long, I can’t help but lean into him.

  “Are you okay?” he steps back and runs his eyes over me.

  “I’m fine,” I sigh. “Confused as fuck, but I’m physically fine. What exactly just happened?” I look around the room to where Laney, Kane, and his father stand, watching me closely.

  “Politics.” Creed says simply, as if that’s all there is to everything that’s happened.

  “Seriously? I save Aurora’s life and get thrown in a freaking cell for it for TWO WEEKS; get put on trial, which ends almost as soon as it starts; and all you can give me is fucking ‘politics’?” I watch as Kane and Creed wince slightly at my outburst, but Laney just sighs and sits down opposite me.

  “I’m leaving this one to you, Lucius.” She signals to him as if to start, but he scowls.

  “I think before we get into everything, that Eden might like to clean up, eat something, and get some real sleep. Then we can reconvene tomorrow to discuss.” He claps his hands, nods, and then strolls out of the room as if his word is law and that is that.

  “You have got to be kidding me.” I screech.

  “Eden, I know this must all be extremely confusing and frustrating for you, but it is not usually the way of the Elders to explain themselves. It’s just the way things have always been in our society. It’s one of the reasons people got so frustrated at the original families, but as you can see, it’s not something that’s really changed. I know we need to talk, about more than just this, but for now, I suggest you do as he says. No answers will be coming to you from him before tomorrow. I’m sorry.” Laney sighs, and puts her head in her hands. I hadn’t noticed the stress lines on her face before now, but she looks tired. My guilt is enough to push pause on the temper tantrum I can feel rising. I swallow down my frustrations and give her a small smile.

  “This is complete bullshit, but fine. There’s dick all I can do to make any of you tell me the truth.” I sigh and turn toward the door with Creed close behind me. We make our way back to my dorm in silence. The school seems almost eerie this quiet. I enter my room, the familiar place bringing me some comfort.

  “I’m going to shower, and then get some sleep.” I tell Creed, who seems to be withdrawn, conflict written all over his face.

  “Maybe I should stay here, just in case. Those murders still haven’t been solved, and you still don’t have complete control of your abilities.”

  “Creed, I have been locked up for two weeks, before being confined to my room as another prison cell, and yet no-one is telling me anything about what just happened. Everyone is keeping secrets, and I have no idea why I’m not being told things since I’m obviously involved. If you stay, are you going to be honest with me?”

  “Eden, I…” he scratches the back of his neck and I just know that he’s going to make another excuse for why I don’t need to know. I’m too tired for this.

  “Just go, Creed. Please.” His shoulders drop and he gives in, easier than I expected, but I really do just need to get clean and sleep, then maybe try to figure out exactly what the hell is going on at this academy and where I fit in all the mess. I used to think my biggest problem would be keeping who I am a secret. Now… now, I’m not so sure.

  I cross my arms and keep my face clear of emotion as he leaves the room. Once he’s gone, I murmur the charm to ensure no-one can enter without me opening the door, before the tears that threaten to overwhelm me spill over.

  ***

  I wake up to the sunlight streaming through the windows, and for just a second I forget the weight of my reality and enjoy the beauty of the scene outside before the truth smacks me back to earth. I stretch out, stiff from sleeping for longer than I should have. I hear a knock at my door, and glad that the charm is still in place, I contemplate ignoring whoever is out there. God knows I deserve a few days to myself, to get myself together, but that knock could result in the answers I’ve been waiting for.

  “I’m coming,” I yell out to whoever is out there, and climb out of bed. I grab my robe from the floor and wrap it around me before moving to the kitchen, flicking on the coffee pot, and grabbing a bottle of blood from the refrigerator. Small benefits of having been locked in here means I have way more stuff in here than I could possibly need. I chug down the blood before opening the door, coming face to face with Cam, Creed, and Kane.

  “Morning, boys,” I say with a yawn and wave them in. “Make yourselves at home, I need to shower and dress. There’s coffee in the pot, but if you don’t leave me some, I will cut you.” I smile at their confused faces and leave the main room, clo
sing the door to my bedroom behind me. I lean against it for a minute to gather my thoughts. They’re obviously here about everything, and I need to think about what I’m going to ask to make sure I find out what the hell is going on.

  I go into the bathroom and turn on the shower. Discarding my robe, I jump under the scalding water, enjoying the sting which brings me a moment of peace. I clean myself quickly and shut off the water, feeling more ready to face the guys than I did having just woken up. I wrap the fluffy towel around me, and another around my hair before strolling to my closet and pulling out underwear, some workout pants, a sports bra, and a tank. Then I dress quickly, and put my wet hair up in a high, messy bun to keep it out of the way. I grab a hoodie and slip on some socks before padding back out into the room where I’m met with sudden silence.

  “Oh, did I interrupt? By all means, keep talking, guys. Maybe then I’ll actually hear some truth.” I roll my eyes and head toward the kitchen when Kane holds out a steaming cup of coffee for me.

  “Cream and sugar, sweet, like you like it.” He smiles softly, and I crumble a little inside, but I don’t let it show.

  “Thank you. So… why are you all here?” I look between them as I sip my coffee and try not to groan at the caffeinated goodness. These last few weeks have made my coffee addiction a real thing.

  “We wanted to make sure you were okay, little one. It’s been a rough few weeks.” Cam says, looking guilty.

  “Right, all this to make sure I’m okay. Not to make sure that no one slips up and tells me something you don’t want me to know yet? No. You guys wouldn’t be hiding stuff from me, right?” I roll my eyes and take another sip of the scalding hot coffee.

  “Eden, it’s not that we don’t want to tell you…” Creed starts, but Kane interrupts him.