Of Storms and Triumphs (Thunderbird Academy Book 3)

by Valia Lind

  "You can't win," Headmaster Marković spits out, as I deliver another blow to his sword.

  "Maybe, maybe not," I grunt though the pain, "But I'm going to try."

  One more thrust and I catch his side. The feeling of my sword going into his body is a lot less strange than I though it would be. When I yank it out, blood begins to flow out of the wound. He drops to his back, and I send a blast of magic at him, knocking him out by cutting off his breathing with a few placed water puddles. When he's out, I finally move away.

  Turning I see Ben is near Aiden now, who has shifted but is not moving. I rush toward them, but then Liam is there.

  "Go!" He points toward the school, stopping me in my attempt to reach Aiden. "We'll protect him. Go."

  Anger rises up in me and I want to push Liam out of the way. But it's not him who's making me feel these emotions.

  "You stay safe too," I call, before I pivot and run for the greenhouse.

  26

  Rushing through the now broken doors of the greenhouse, I only have a second to take in the absolute destruction in front of me, before I am hit with a blast of magic. The impact sends me flying against a table, breaking it from the impact.

  Rolling to my side, I look up to see the Oracle standing at the inside entrance of the greenhouse. Gone is her college senior look. Her dress is bright purple, the color associated with royalty. Her hair is no longer short, but flows down her back in stylish curls.

  "Welcome to the party, little witch."

  Staggering, I push myself to my feet, using what's left of the table for leverage. It's not like I'm surprised to see her. I just thought she'd be somewhere that's not so front lines of the war she created.

  "Do I keep calling you the Oracle or do you have a name?" I spit some of the blood out, keeping my eyes on her. She smiles that unnerving smile of hers, as she sashays farther into the room.

  "I've been called many names through the ages," she begins, examining her nails as if she doesn't have a care in the world. "Some you haven't even heard of."

  "So give me one I have heard," it's difficult to breathe, but I'm managing somehow. With the amount of times I've been thrown around today, I'm a little surprised I'm still standing.

  "Hmm, I suppose Abonde will do."

  For a moment, I think I have her. The name is vaguely familiar, and I'm sure I've learned of it in history classes. Fae attribute a lot of power to ones true name. But then I realize it doesn't matter. She may have told me her name, but she is beyond the rules of fae.

  "You've heard of me, haven't you?"

  "Should I have?"

  That doesn't sit well with her. She sends another blast of magic at me, picking me right off my feet and then slamming me back to the ground.

  "I could do this all day."

  "You need a hobby."

  "I had a hobby!" She's suddenly in my face, her mask of indifference slipping long enough for me to see pure hate. "It was my favorite past time, moving house to house, to collect the offerings left for me. I am owned hundreds of sacrifices, and yet, this world barely remembers who I am."

  "I heard there was another one like you," I probably shouldn't be goading her, but I can't help it. "She was mad too and now she's just sleeping."

  The next wave of magic sends me straight into one of the glass displays, and when I drop to the floor, the shards dig into my skin. I scream, because I can't help it, and the witch smiles.

  "Do you know who my favorite pets were? Don't worry I'll tell you," she walks over to a table, before gently pulling herself to sit on top of it, legs crossed. She could be having a friendly conversation with someone, the way she looks so relaxed. "It used to be that the third born child was obligated to travel with me on nights I collected my bounty. Sometimes covens overlooked third born children, but not I. I knew the power they had brewing right under their skin. I feasted on their magic, just like I feasted on the offerings."

  And just like that, with a simple explanation, I understand why she's been playing this game with me. She may not even know just how powerful I am. To her, I'm a third born witch.

  My cuts are bleeding all over, as I get to my feet once again. She hasn't moved from her perch, watching me carefully. She's monologuing now, the need to hear her amazing plan out loud overpowering any logic.

  "You were so easy to manipulate," she says, flipping her hair over her left shoulder. "You knew nothing about us or what we are capable of. A few rumors here and there and your precious shifter came running to look for answers. And you followed, no questions asked. The bargain, that was too easy. I didn't even have to give anything away. You did all the work for me."

  "Why?" I dare ask, "Why go through all that trouble?"

  "I guess it doesn't really matter if I tell you," she says, hoping off the table and walking towards me. "Your school is a powerful conduit and with a bit of tweaking from your lovely headmaster, it's now collecting magic for me. The greatest offering of all. After I drain your blood magic, there will be enough in the conduit for me to absorb. With that kind of a power, I can stand up to any and all of the filth rising up from their slumber."

  "Not a fan of your family, are we?"

  "You have no idea," she says, flipping her hair once again. "But it doesn't matter now. I will be powerful enough to stand up to any and all of them. Then they'll see what I'm made of."

  "What?" My blood continues to drip down my arm, but all of my focus is on her. The pain is just a dull reminder that I'm still alive, that I still have a chance. "An Ancient in need of borrowing magic from a bunch of high schoolers?"

  This time, the wave of magic picks me right off my feet and carries me a good ten feet before I slam into the ground. My head spins from the impact, my vision blurry. But as I struggle to my knees, I realize I did what I needed to do. I'm right over the area where the library sits. It's right under my feet.

  The Oracle, or Abonde, advances toward me, with complete hatred in her eyes. It's a tale as old as time. She wasn't good enough for her family, so she took the matters into her own hands. The anger around her is almost thick enough to touch. Abonde grabs my hair, yanking my head back.

  "You think your witty digs and sarcasm can save you? You're not as powerful as everyone thinks you are. You're just a teenage girl, who hasn't found her place in the world." She drops my hair, pushing my head forward, and I think she's about to stomp on me, but she doesn't. She paces away, all pretense of that calm and indifferent Oracle completely gone. These are her true colors and she's not that far off from being a confused teenager herself.

  "What I know," I say, keeping to my knees, but still calling on my magic slowly. "Is that you're the one without a place in this world."

  The scream of rage that rips out of her shatters my eardrums. Slapping my hands over my ears, I try to hold on to my magic as she advances on me.

  "Stupid, stupid witch. You know nothing." She screams right into my face. But I do know something. She's finally crossed right into the area I wanted her in. I grab her upper arms, completely surprising her, as I raise myself up to look at her.

  "There is a little girl,

  Longing for home.

  But all she does,

  Is ruin it all.

  Her magic is weak,

  Her temper is frayed.

  She's tired and lonely,

  Powerless and afraid."

  "No!" Abonde begins screaming and tries to yank her body away, but I have a magical grip on her and I'm not letting go. "Shut up!"

  Her magic tries to battle my own, but I'm not alone. The words flow from my lips, as natural as saying good morning to my family.

  "She had a plan,

  But her plan has failed.

  She had a reason,

  But that's all been derailed.

  She's never going to rise,

  She won't win this war.

  She's going to lose it all,

  And go to sleep for a thousand years more."

  The last two lines have to be y
elled over the growing magic cyclone around us. The wind blows, carrying with it fire, earth, and water. Abonde thrashes under my fingertips, blasting her magic at me every second. But I still don't let go. I push my own magic into her, taking over her being from inside out. I feel the power flowing through me. Every doubt I've ever had evaporating with the knowledge that this is who I am. I am a Hawthorne. I am in love. And I am a strong witch, with generations of magic on her side.

  Just as suddenly as the wind comes, it disappears and Abonde drops straight to the floor. Then, before I can move, the ground opens up, swallowing her whole, and just like that, she's gone. Dropping to all fours, I try to find my breath, but I can barely keep myself from passing out. The sound of the battle seizes, the quiet abrupt after so much noise. Honestly, I have no idea how much time has gone by since this all began, but it feels like years.

  Giving in to my exhaustion, I lay down on the floor, not caring about a possibility of another attack or the fact that I'm still bleeding all over. She's gone and with it, all of my strength. All I want is to be home again, surrounded by my family, walking the streets of Hawthorne. I want the school to find its rightful place once more, away from Faery.

  When I close my eyes, the final thought in my mind is that I hope I get to see cherry blossoms again.

  27

  The first thing I notice is a tight grip around my hand. Forcing my eyes to open, I'm momentarily blinded by the light. When I grunt my discomfort, something blocks the light momentarily, and when I look, I see that it's my sister Harper.

  "Holy moly, it's about time," she says, before she's on top of me, hugging me to her. I realize I'm in bed, bandages over my whole body. I'm sore all over, and thirsty. Very thirsty.

  "Here," Bri says, pushing Harper away and handing me a cup of water. With Harper's help, I sit up, and take the offered cup gratefully.

  "Where am I? And how long was I out?" I ask, between sips, before I realize that my sisters are here. "Wait, you're here! How is that possible?"

  "It's possible because you got everyone home." The voice comes from the doorway and then my dad steps in. He comes right over, sitting down carefully on the bed.

  "I don't understand. The last thing I remember was fighting Abonde."

  "That's who that was?" Bri exclaims, and I see a little excitement on her face. "Sorry, she's petty iconic. I've studies so many of her spells. I never thought she would be real."

  "Well, she is. And she's a very angsty teenager." I settle into my bed, and Harper rushes over to place a pillow or two at my back. I smile thanks and she returns it.

  "How long was I out?"

  "About two weeks."

  "What?"

  Dad pats my hand, before giving it a reassuring squeeze.

  "Your spells drained you. That was two too many for your to handle at once."

  "I only did the casting you instructed." Dad smiles at that, as I remember what he wrote on the paper. It was simple three part plan. Get her to the area over the library. Spill a little blood to activate the spell dad already had in place on his library. Then, say the spell straight from the heart. No preparation. Just a simple story spell casting done on the spot.

  "It worked, right?" I ask, because I have to make sure.

  "It did," Dad replies, giving me another one of his signature smiles. "The blood worked as connection between my library and yours. I was able to bind her to the spot until you worked your magic."

  "And then you got out."

  "I did."

  "Are you going to explain the library thing to me?"

  "It's not that complicated. It's a place bound just to us, to your family. I found it when I cast a spell looking for answers. You found it because your magic called upon it. It'll be there again when you need it."

  That makes sense. I guess. My mind is still muddled on the details, but I'm missing a very important part of this whole thing.

  "What did you say about casting more than one spell?"

  "I think you subconsciously story spell casted the academy back to it's original place," Dad replies, shocking me into silence. I honestly have no idea what to say to that. "When it came back, it was restored to it's original glory as well. No holes in the walls."

  "What about Aiden?" I ask, sitting up a little too fast, as memories start rushing back. My sister exchange a look and I can't tell if it's a good one or a bad one. "Dad?"

  "He's okay," he gives my sisters a quick reprimanding grunt, "If you hadn't ordered him to shift, he may not have been."

  "Ordered?"

  "That was your first spell of the day. Apparently, you used your alpha voice and he had no choice but to shift."

  Nothing is making sense anymore. I'm not the alpha, he is. I didn't cast any spells. I don't think I can handle any more information. I just need one last thing.

  "Are my friends okay?"

  "They were beat up pretty bad, but they're healing nicely."

  "Okay, that's good." I say, and then I'm closing my eyes once more, the feeling of calmness coming over me. The door opens and I think I see Krista walk in, before I'm lost to my dreamless sleep.

  The next time I wake up, there's only one other person in the room.

  "Mama," I whisper and then she's taking my hand, squeezing it in both of hers.

  "Hello, my sweet girl," she says, and just her voice soothes whatever worries I had left over in my mind. "I am so proud of you."

  "I've missed you, Mama."

  "I've missed you too."

  Then, my eyes close and I'm drifting again.

  When I open my eyes, it's dark outside and everything seems quiet. I glance to my right and find Aiden sleeping in a chair. Just the sight of him raises my spirits and I turn over and go back to sleep.

  Whispers reach me through the slumber, and I force my eyes to open. Aiden is there, shutting the door behind someone I can't see.

  "Duchess," he's at my bedside instantly, as if he felt me wake up. "How are you?"

  "Better knowing you're here."

  "Where else would I be?" He picks up my hand, kissing my knuckles gently. I tug on my hand, before scooting over in bed and he seems to read my mind. Climbing in, he takes me in his arms, holding me close to his chest.

  "Did we really win?" I ask, settling myself against him, as if this is where I'm made to be.

  "We did. Ben and Liam got the worst of it, trying to fight off the packs of creatures away from me and the greenhouse, but they're fully recovered." He hurries on to add, and my heartbeat slows once more.

  "Why am I not healing as fast?"

  "The healers think the spells drained your magic, making you nearly as human as anyone out there, in the world. You have to heal more like them, as it replenishes."

  It's the guess I would've made if my mind was working a little better.

  "I don't remember any spells, beside the sleeping one. They said I alpha commanded you?"

  Aiden chuckles, holding me a little closer to his body.

  "You did. It's something true mates can do. Even if you're not a shifter."

  "Interesting. It could come in handy." I trace random patterns against his chest as he chuckles again, before sobering up.

  "I thought I lost you, duchess," he whispers against my hair and I feel the shudder that goes over his body. "For a moment there, I couldn't feel you anymore and I didn't know if I'd survive."

  "Hey," I sit up, leaning on my elbow so I can look into his face. My fingertips trace over his strong profile, a small smile blossoming on my face. "I'm not going anywhere."

  "Is that a promise?"

  "It most certainly is."

  28

  “Are you coming or what?” Jade calls out, as she grabs her jacket and does a little spin in front of the mirror by the door. I tear my gaze away from the vanity that I've been staring into for way too long and nod. A quick glance at the table, and I smile at the cherry blossom branch magically blooming near my bed. Aiden gives the best gifts. It helps that he knows a certain fae with a
ffinity to Spring. "You look amazing. Let's go!"

  She pulls me out of our room and down the hall, entwining her arm through the crook of my elbow. Ever since we returned to school, she's been staying a little closer than before, but I don't mind. I think we both realize how precious every moment is now. There's nothing the compares to a good girl friend and I will never again take for granted mine. I was finally able to contact Kate. She's staying safe with her parents and I'm happy for her. But I'm also happy that Jade was here through all of this.

  We race down the stairs and toward the back of the school, passing a bunch of students still mulling around the halls. A few call out a greeting and I wave in return. Although the evil headmaster dropped my name in the announcements and made everyone mad at me for a while, everything else that transpired has seemed to sway the student body back into my favor. Especially after Headmaster Marković made a public announcement and an apology. He blames himself for taking the elixir without consideration, but I know sick people do crazy things. Whether they're magical or not. So I don't hold it against him. And I no longer hold things against myself as well.

  When we reach the back field, bleachers have been set up along both side of it, for spectators. I see Vera sitting with her hawk shifters and give her a little wave, that she returns. We haven't been as close since everything happened. I don't think we ever will be. A part of me wonders if she will always associate our friend group with Christie and her betrayal. But maybe it's good Vera finally feels better being around her own kind. After all, I finally found my people too.