The Nocturnal and Fae Prison Academy Boxset [A Complete Paranormal and Fantasy Series Boxset]

by Margo Ryerkerk

  I balled my fists. The tables to the right side held fancy silverware and expensive centerpieces—luxurious blooms adorned with crystals. The tables to the left sported simple silverware positioned on white tablecloths. Nocturnal Academy was making a statement. The vamps would of course sit to the right while we second-class citizens got to sit on the left.

  Instead of telling us to take our seats, Sullivan divided us into two groups, parting us with his hands. We stood inside the room, right by the entrance. My nails dug into the soft flesh of my palms. He was lining us up as if we were the waitstaff. “When the vampire students enter,” Sullivan ordered smugly, “it is proper etiquette to curtsy or bow to them. Two of you, demonstrate.” He waved forward Peony and a male fae from summer prep. They did as they were told while Sullivan held the stick up, ready to correct any mistakes.

  Smiles dropped off faces. Shoulders slumped. Gazes sunk to the floor, and cheeks flushed as reality sunk into the minds of the other fae students. And for the first time, I wondered if I had made the right choice by fighting back against Preston. Maybe letting him have his way would’ve been better.

  Virgie grabbed my arm and I reeled back, not having realized that she was standing next to me.

  “What’s wrong with you?” she hissed. “Pull yourself together. It’s just a welcome ceremony. It will be fine.”

  I nodded, unable to tell her the real reason for the panic surging through me. The vamps would notice Preston’s disappearance soon if they hadn’t yet. To distract myself, I started counting the tables.

  “It really won’t be that bad if we play our cards right,” Virgie hissed. I glanced past her at the other line where Peony stood at the front, which explained why Virgie was paying any attention to me at all. Virgie by herself didn’t seem too bad. Maybe she only morphed into a bitch when Peony was around.

  “I guess we’ll see,” I said noncommittally.

  The doors slowly opened, and two vamp guards strode in, both wearing black. My gaze fastened on the one on the left, the one closer to me. Thorsten. The insane part of me begged him to look at me, but he didn’t acknowledge my presence. That was for the best. No one could suspect that we had spoken or that he had helped me.

  “Fae students, welcome your classmates,” Thorsten boomed, standing tall, his face neutral.

  Every girl around me dropped into a low curtsy while every guy bowed lowly. Heat rushing into my face, I forced myself to curtsy even though no one had entered yet.

  “Welcome Kayden and Kassius Orizo!” Lord Sullivan announced.

  A moment later, the first two vampires entered the room. Tan with slicked-back, black hair and dangerous eyes, Kayden and Kassius swaggered past us. I recognized them from Summer Prep. They were dangerous. Predatory.

  Kassius and Kayden took the table in the corner of the fancy part of the room.

  I tried to straighten, but Virgie pinched me hard.

  “Ouch.” I shot her an annoyed look.

  “Shut up,” she said through clenched teeth. “And stay down.”

  I craned my neck to stare at her. “Are we supposed to stay like this the whole time?”

  She nodded, and everything inside of me tightened. Great. The last thing I needed was a thigh workout, but I saw no choice as Sullivan stood next to us, rhythmically slamming his wooden stick against his palm. I would not slip up and give him the satisfaction of punishing me in front of everyone.

  The vamps got worse as they strode in. The first few vamps shot us curious glances, but the last ones either didn’t acknowledge us at all or looked at us with disgust and hatred. Some allowed the red of bloodlust to creep into their eyes. Others flashed their fangs. Unlike our uniforms that made us appear like good little secretaries or sluts, their red blazers and black skirts and pants gave them an air of authority. They were executives while we existed to fetch their coffee.

  Since becoming a vampire required one to find a willing sire, all the newly made vampires looked perfect. Their hair was shiny, their skin without a single blemish. Their chins were pronounced, and everyone looked like they had stepped out of a teen fashion catalogue. Being immortal sure had its perks if one was willing to give up sunshine and start guzzling blood.

  Finally, just as my legs were ready to collapse from this impromptu workout, Lord Sullivan announced, “Headmistress Cardinal!”

  The headmistress strode in last. Her ashy blonde hair was streaked with gray, her sharp nose and thin lips weren’t beautiful, but intimidating. Whoever had made her hadn’t chosen her for her youth or beauty, but for her iron will.

  “Welcome to Nocturnal Academy, students. We are honored that you have chosen our academy for your higher education. Let the festivities begin.” Headmistress Cardinal gave a tight-lipped smile once she reached the center of the room, whirling to face everyone.

  Mr. Chad clapped his hands and ushered us to the left side of the room. “Take your seats.” The fae scattered, and his hand brushed against the ass of the girl next to me, whose eyes widened as she bit her lip. My fist itched to meet his nose, but Thorsten stepped between me and Mr. Chad, glowering in my direction. I glowered right back and grabbed the fae who was frozen, dragging her toward a table in the corner. To my dismay, Peony and Virgie were ushered by Mr. Chad to sit next to us. Peony shot me a poisonous glare as if it had been my fault that she had been assigned to this table.

  As soon as we sat down, the fae I had rescued regained her voice. “Thanks. What is wrong with that teacher?” she whispered. “I’m Lily. I just got here.”

  I nodded. Given how clueless she had behaved, I had expected something like that. “Onyx.”

  She gave me a hesitant smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Onyx.”

  I didn’t reply, not wanting to give her the wrong impression. It was one thing to stand up for someone who needed help, but I didn’t have the luxury to make friends. I was on my own at Nocturnal Academy. And if anyone became friends with a killer, they were in danger.

  Clueless to my dark thoughts, Lily scooted closer to me. She pushed her mouse-brown hair behind her ears and folded her small hands in her lap. “So, this is the famous Nocturnal Academy. It looks pretty.”

  I rolled my eyes. “It’s a fancy prison.”

  “Oh.” She glanced across the empty space to where the vamps sat. The doors into the ballroom sprung open again, and in streamed half a dozen fae, all adults, carrying platters of food. Unlike us, they wore corporate blue uniforms and aprons. I bit my tongue to stop myself from screaming. Did the vamps really have to get in fae servers for the welcoming ceremony? They were practically shoving down our throats what our future looked like. If we were lucky.

  The fae servers lined up, placing platters of elegant food and goblets of thick blood before the vamp students. The vamps needed the blood, of course, but they still enjoyed fine dining. Especially if it was meant to humiliate us.

  “What are you majoring in?” Lily asked when it became clear that we wouldn’t get fed until every vamp table was piled full of delicious breakfast delicacies that included red and black caviar as well as champagne. Clearly, the academy wasn’t concerned about underage drinking.

  Lily tilted her head, gave me an expectant glance, and I realized I hadn’t answered her question.

  “I’m not majoring in anything,” I said since I didn’t have plant magic or any other benign magic that would make me entertaining to the vamps.

  “Denial. She’s majoring in Denial,” Virgie piped up. I had been so focused on the vamps, I had forgotten about her. She gave Lily a wide smile. “I’m Virgie, and one day, I’ll run the best brothel house.”

  “Oh.” Lily’s eyes grew to the size of saucers.

  “I’m guessing you’re going for the servant route?” Virgie asked nonchalantly, brushing her hand through her incredulously smooth black strands.

  “Yes.” Lily nodded eagerly. “I’m very organized and detail-oriented.”

  I had to end this potential friendship now. “Great. I’m sure th
e vamps will love that in someone who cleans their toilets.”

  Lily shrunk under my comment, and for a split second, I felt bad before reminding myself that if the girl wanted to survive around the vamps, she’d have to grow a thick skin.

  “Don’t listen to Onyx.” Virgie leaned across the table. “She’s a rebel.”

  “I’m a realist.”

  Lily opened, then closed her mouth before asking me, “Do you have magic?”

  I shook my head. “Nope, not a drop. I’m a magicless half fae.”

  Peony narrowed her eyes from down the table, but mercifully said nothing. Not wanting her to dwell on my lie, I quickly redirected the conversation to her favorite topic, namely, herself. “But Peony does. She’s a master at indoor gardening.”

  Peony smiled proudly. “I made almost all of the centerpieces.” She practically patted herself on the head as she looked at the vamp’s tables. I tried not to gag, certain that if one of the vamps would tell her to come over and lick his toes, she would gladly fly across the room for the chance to be on their side.

  When the tables on the vamp side were almost breaking under the weight of the food, the fae waitresses attended to us in silence. We got a bowl of scrambled eggs that looked like it had come out of a container and slimy oatmeal. Even the bacon was gross, way too thick and undercooked. Once again, the mood on our side of the room soured. I barely managed a few bites and prayed that going forward we’d once again eat in the cafeteria, which had decent food and where we weren’t treated like beggars.

  The vamps stuffed their faces, then strolled over to us, assessing us as they walked past, sipping on their champagne flutes. Some exchanged whispers. I wanted to get up and leave, but Sullivan’s hawkish expression kept me rooted in my chair. This, too, was part of our humiliation.

  “Maid. Skank,” a nasty girl called out while pointing at us, deciding our fate like we were zoo animals.

  I put my hands underneath my thighs to stop myself from doing something stupid. Iciness grew in my veins, but I shoved it down. I couldn’t show any signs of my magic.

  Kassius and Kayden approached with three other vamps. Kayden poked Kassius in the ribs. “I bet Onyx will be the best lay. She’s feisty.” Kassius reached across the table and ran his finger down the side of my face.

  The temperature in the room dropped, and I wanted to scream, but somehow, I managed not to while keeping a tight lid on my power.

  Kassius’ new friends smirked. “Maybe I’ll have my sire purchase her. He likes a good challenge. It’s not fun to break the weak ones. By the way, did you ever find your blood crystal?”

  My heart leapt. Blood crystals amplified a vamp’s ability to use mind control. A handy skill, especially because while pureblood fae couldn’t lie, they could sneak around the truth. However, a blood crystal was also a liability since anyone could use it.

  Preston had me steal it for him, so he could use it on me, and I’d taken it back from him before I’d done my deed. If anyone discovered that I was the thief, there would be hell to pay. I’d seen what happened to those who broke the rules.

  “Nope.” Kayden clasped his hands behind his back. If he had suspicions as to how it had gone missing, he wasn’t showing them.

  They walked away, and I gulped down air.

  “Are you all right?” Lily’s voice trembled, and tears filled her eyes.

  I nodded, not trusting my voice. No matter what, I had to keep it together and hide my magic. I swallowed hard, realizing that in order to stay alive, I’d have to become the very thing I loathed—somebody’s mistress.

  3

  After what felt like an eternity, the vamp students became bored of us and streamed out of the ballroom, probably to get settled into their fancy suites while we fae got to look forward to another night of sleeping on creaky bunk beds in chilly rooms.

  Lady Cardinal swept to the center of the ballroom and tapped her stick against her palm. Was she and Lord Sullivan related or something?

  “Students,” she purred. “I know we are all having fun mingling with one another, but it is time for everyone to return to their rooms and rest up for the start of classes tomorrow. You will receive your schedules at breakfast.”

  For once, I didn’t mind them treating us like cattle, herding us from one place to another. I wanted nothing more than to get away from everyone and spend some time alone. Without so much as another look at Lily, I rose and walked as fast as I could, without running out of the room, down the corridor, and up the stairs to the first floor of the fae tower. I went into the bathroom on our floor and splashed water on my face, as if that could erase the humiliation. Darkness lingered in my chest, thunderous and cold, begging me to lash out. I was an animal trapped in a cage.

  Skank. The mean blond vampire’s single word bore under my skin as I stared at myself in the mirror. The best lay. I wasn’t even a person anymore.

  Not wanting to cry, I tried to focus on something else, but all I noticed was that my purple hair was growing out again. Great. I’d have to redo my dark roots soon. At least Mom had thought to pack my purple hair dye in the one bag of personal items I was allowed after she’d sold me to my prison school. I sighed. I had already used one of the two boxes. I’d have to ration the second one even more carefully, unless I wanted to look like a weirdo and give the vamps another reason to make fun of me.

  I gripped the sink for a long time until my heart calmed down, then peeled myself off the cold ceramic and headed to my dorm. Thankfully, no vamps were skulking in the hallways. While all windows were shuttered, allowing the vamps to move around during the day, I guessed they were resting and catching up on sleep. The day classes weren’t to benefit us, but the vamps, allowing them to leave campus at night to mingle with the crème de la crème as well as hunt. Unlike fae, vamps weren’t prisoners at Nocturnal Academy and were free to come and go as they pleased.

  The fae too were missing from the hallway, probably hiding in their rooms. I was grateful. Laying under the covers for the rest of the day and not talking to anyone seemed perfect.

  However, when I opened my dorm, I found a pair of legs in stockings dangling from the top bunk.

  I swayed and grabbed the door frame to steady myself. My shock gave way to fury, which dropped the temperature in the already-drafty, tiny dorm. I hoped the invader would blame the small window for letting in the mountain air.

  “Hi!” Lily waved at me. She pulled a strand of mousy hair behind her pointed ear and flashed me a smile. “I’m your roommate.”

  No! Absolutely not. I was in no mental state to deal with this. Not that it was her fault—Lily had been assigned to this dorm for sure—but anger curled in my chest all the same. Breathe, Onyx.

  “Thanks for earlier.” Lily climbed down the ladder. “I hope I won’t have that perv teacher. I know he did that on purpose.”

  “Mr. Chad teaches PE, which is five days a week.” I hadn’t listened much during breakfast while Lady Cardinal had been yammering on about the structure of our fall term, but I’d heard enough. Apparently, Lily had paid even less attention than I had.

  “Oh.” Her face fell.

  Not having the energy to comfort her, I turned my back to her and pretended to rummage through the top drawer of the shared dresser.

  “What about the other teachers? Are they nice?”

  I huffed in response. She was clueless. I shuffled through my clothes, which did nothing to calm me down. “No. All the vamps are the same. You’re nothing but a toy here. Entertainment. Get used to it.”

  Even with my back to Lily, I sensed her unease. “Onyx?” Her voice was so small, so breakable. She wouldn’t survive a term here.

  “What?” I whirled around to find Lily’s mouth open wide in horror. “Sugar coating it isn’t going to help.”

  “I was just asking a question!” She backed into the bedpost, cheeks reddening in shame. I knew the feeling, and I hated seeing it on her.

  “Well, don’t bother. Vamps don’t like questio
ns. You’ll be lucky if you get out of here alive and scrub toilets for the rest of your life.” I stormed past her, shoved the door open, and darted down the hall. I waited for her to call me a bitch, but Lily remained silent, and that only made me want to get out of there even more. It was better this way. With friends like me, one didn’t need enemies.

  I found myself climbing the steps to the second floor of the fae tower, and then the third. I’d never come up this way before, mainly because Virgie and Peony inhabited the top floor, but I couldn’t put off the inevitable any longer. Holding back tears, I took a breath and squared my shoulders. The truth was, Lily was probably luckier than me, and if she was organized like she claimed, she could find a position manning the phones for some rich vamp rather than warming his bed. Me, on the other hand…

  Virgie wasn’t my friend. She wouldn’t make me break down by being nice. She was all business. With her, I could talk about what I would face and how best to prepare.

  I didn’t know which dorm belonged to Virgie. The top floor of the fae tower had twin hallways and wooden doors, and while they weren’t polished like the vamps’, they were thicker than the doors downstairs, and the floors were carpeted red like the stairs. The vamps, it seemed, liked to pit the fae against each other. Divide and conquer. I breathed out, casting away the ice, and knocked on the first door.

  A tired fae answered, and after trying the fifth door, someone pointed me to the next hallway and instructed me to find Virgie behind the last door on the right.

  I knocked on Virgie’s door, wondering if this was such a good idea. Seconds dragged out. Just as I was about to turn away, the door opened. Virgie’s eyes narrowed, and I guessed from her nasty look that Peony, who was her roommate, was home. Tilting my head sideways, I saw her stretched over the top bunk, one leg hanging off. The rooms at the top of the tower held more heat than ours and the window sported curtains. Though the room was still made of stone, it was twice the size of mine, with two dressers. Not as lavish as the vamps’ dorms, but definitely an upgrade.