Shape Shifter’s Demons in the Mist: Angel Academy

by Thomas, Kiesha

  Shape Shifter’s Demons in the Mist

  Angel Academy

  Kiesha Thomas

  Contents

  Prologue

  1. Cade Cohen

  2. Arianna Deeds

  3. Trevor

  4. Cade

  5. Trevor

  6. Cade

  7. Trevor

  8. Arianna

  9. Cade

  10. Arianna

  11. Trevor

  12. Cade

  13. Arianna

  14. Cade

  15. Arianna

  16. Cade

  17. Trevor

  18. Arianna

  19. Cade

  20. Trevor

  21. Ariannna

  22. Trevor

  23. Cade

  24. Arianna

  25. Cade

  26. Arianna

  27. Cade

  28. Arianna

  29. Cade

  30. Arianna

  31. Cade

  Epilogue

  Also by Kiesha Thomas

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  TREVOR DEMKAR

  Xundar is a magical place not for peace but for diversity. Everyone, whether you are an angel or a sorcerer, has power, but I secretly want more. This place has food, love, and lavishness, yet something is missing. I’m the most powerful being here except for Valcrum. We were created in Valcrum’s image and given the power he deemed fit for us. Why should our power be limited?

  Everywhere I look I see green. The lush foliage that covers the grounds and the vast trees that stretch across the realm bore me. The pink flowers of Henstar have a sweet coconut aroma, which tickles my nose. My heart raced as I heard heavy footsteps approaching. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dylan Johnson.

  “What is the matter Trevor?” asked Dylan, as he pulled a dark purple berry from a tree and popped it into his mouth.

  “Don’t you want to see more?” I said. “I’ve grown bored of the trees and grass.” The wind flowed over me and I closed my eyes allowing myself to drift southward. When I opened my eyes, I stood at the bank of enchantment. Its waters were blue and the currents stronger than the night before. I dove into the water plunging deeper beneath the surface. I swam until every cell in my body vibrated and fuzziness gathered in my mind. The further I swam away from the surface the darker the water became, and the temperature turned cold.

  Changing directions, I swam to the top. My head popped out of the water and my eyes burned in the sunlight.

  Dylan ran his fingers through his hair yanking at his tousled locks. “What are you doing?”

  “I am trying to swim to the bottom.” Dylan is smart but he always asks dumb questions. Water drops fell from my body while crawling out of the water.

  “Everyone knows that the bank of enchantment is bottomless. You will die trying to see the bottom.”

  “Maybe but maybe not. One day I will see the bottom for myself.” I’m tired of Valcrum’s laws. Why did he give us power then put limitations on it? I want to see the bottom of the bank for myself. I want to know what will happen if I see it; my powers should protect me from death.

  “Do you want to travel to Realm of Vertum,” asked Dylan?

  “I want to see what is beyond the Realm of Xundar. What else is below this spiritual realm? What kinds of creatures live there? You must be curious too, Dylan.”

  “Valcrum has forbidden us to leave Xundar. Xundar is home and all that we know; leaving it might kill us,” said Dylan.

  “I’m leaving Xundar. I’m going down there.” I pointed downward through the white fluffy clouds and jumped.

  My body soared through the clouds as I plummeted downward. I landed with a thud upon the hard ground. The brown soil that covered the ground didn’t look much different from the soil up in Xundar. Black crows feasted on the dead carcass of a four-legged animal with fur. It was much too small to be a Garmulet. The animal had one head when Garmulet’s have three. Getting to my feet, I walked toward the woods.

  Something smelled like decay. Looking down I noticed the brown stains on the bottom of my pants. I dabbed my finger in the glob and brought it to my nose. This place didn’t smell sweet like Xundar, and there was death and feces covering the land.

  Interesting.

  Closing my eyes, I envisioned my clothes clean and olive green in color. The material darkened and changed clinging to my muscular limbs. I’m glad some of my powers work in this place. Leaves on the trees shifted in the breeze that flowed from above. Something or someone was coming. My feet barely touched the ground as I rushed through the forest. Who knows what dangers lurk on this planet?

  Thick mist made it hard to travel putting two feet in front of me, so I took to the trees. Once I scaled the tree branches, I perched on the highest limb. A harmonious sound drifted to my ears. Jumping to the next tree, I waited to get a glimpse of who was making that sound. I saw a female human. She had long blonde wavy hair flowed about her as she skipped through the trees humming along with the birds. She was painfully beautiful. Her alabaster skin looked like porcelain.

  These humans looked like us but without power and immortality. I’ve always thought of humans like birds, something small and insignificant. Why would Valcrum keep us from this planet? I floated to the tree adjacent to the tree she stood underneath. She belongs to me. She and I will have a beautiful life in Xundar.

  Closing my eyes, I envisioned several wolves. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw three, mangy, wet, dark grey wolves heading toward her. Jumping down from the tree I approached her. She startled and turned toward me.

  “You scared me,” she said. Her yellow dress flowed about her.

  “I won’t hurt you.” I placed my hands in the air, so I appeared less threatening to a female in the woods alone.

  “What is your name?” She backed away from me her fingers clutching at the ends of her dress.

  “My name is Trevor Demkar.”

  “My name is Lily Lawson. It’s nice to meet you.” She turned and started walking the other way.

  “I’d love to talk to you some more. Don’t rush off.” My nose twinkled, as I smelled the scent of wolf dander in the air.

  “I’d love to stay longer but I can’t. I must get back to my mother. She’s ill right now and I’m taking care of her.” She bent down and picked up a wooden basket full of blackberries.

  “Can you help me find my phone? It’s the only one I have.” I turned and looked at the ground and walked north toward the wolves. I pointed toward the direction I had met her and kept walking. Once I was a few feet ahead of her I disappeared up the tree.

  “Sure. Where were you last?” asked Lily. She stopped next to every tree looking for my phone.

  That dress was so beautiful I hated to ruin it. Her butt looked nice and firm in the material. I allowed my mind to slide inside the wolves making them famished and yearning for the next kill. Once they thirsted for blood, I drew them to her.

  The ground pounded as the wolves rushed toward her. She looked up and all three wolves appeared in the mist surrounding her.

  “Trevor!” She screamed my name then ran in the opposite direction but stopped short when the black alpha wolf took three steps toward her.

  I savored hearing her call my name. The frantic panic that made her voice edgy didn’t dull my excitement. This wouldn’t be the last time that she called my name. I promised that I wouldn’t hurt her and, after today, I won’t. Why should she want to stay here on earth taking care of her mother when she can be with me?

  What’s a little pain? She will never have to hurt or feel s
ickness again. Surely that is worth a little pain today. I’m sure she knows that she can’t outrun a wolf let alone a pack of wolves. Her death is imminent. I hope she allows it to be quick, but if she does not; I’ll get to see her feisty side.

  Lily backed up. She looked behind her and saw the three wolves. Jumping up she grabbed a tree branch. The grey wolf ran toward her. She swung and hit it in the face. Before she could lift the branch again the black wolf leaped in the air and bit her neck. Her screams echoed through the woods as she tried to fight the wolf. A few minutes later the black wolf had torn a huge bite from her neck and her legs shook as blood colored the dirt.

  The wind suddenly changed. Turning I grabbed Dylan by the neck.

  “What are you doing here?” Dropping my hands, I narrowed my eyes at him. His scent was very different. His aura was green. He had mated.

  “I like planet earth. What happened here?” asked Dylan.

  “These wolves were hungry.” I shrugged and turned toward her just as the wolf ripped off her right leg.

  “Too bad, you cannot use your power to save her. We had better get back to Xundar soon before someone notices we’re gone,” said Dylan.

  “I would have helped her if I could. You smell of mating. Whom did you mate with down here?” The stench was pungent and not at all enticing.

  “There was a beautiful creature running through the mountains. I followed it and we mated,” said Dylan.

  “Let’s get back.” Dylan always liked hairy creatures. It was something about them that excited him. Valcrum forbids us from mating with creatures because the offspring is not in his image. Dylan’s indiscretion could cause Valcrum’s wrath to rain down on us. I’ve gotten my Lily so there’s no reason to come back down here.

  “When are we coming back down here,” asked Dylan.

  The wolves had run off. There was not much left of Lily. I saw her spirit ascend to the sky.

  “We can never come back down here. You were right. There’s nothing for us here and we do not want Valcrum to find out.” I rushed through the forest. The sky had darkened, and time had passed without me noticing it. Valcrum could be waiting for us as we speak. The thought brought a shiver up my body.

  “If I come a few more times Valcrum might not find out,” said Dylan.

  “If you have fathered an offspring Valcrum will unleash your spirit in the realm of torture where you will be tortured for all of eternity. Do you want that?”

  “No. It is best that we never come back or speak of tonight ever again,” said Dylan.

  “Yes. That is the best. You have had all day Dylan.”

  Cade Cohen

  Dang. I’m screwed. When the headmaster summons you to his office, the Chamber of Wisdom, you know you’re done. I’m always doing something but usually I don’t get caught. Things have changed recently and I’m not sure why. After cutting the last leaf off my bonsai tree, I rush inside.

  The halls aren’t as populated with angels like it used to be. There was a time when the halls were packed like sardines in a can, and I had to elbow my way two feet in front of me, to get to my destination. It seemed like no matter how we prepared for the enemy, he evaded us. Passing through the kitchen I grabbed a cold peach.

  “Where are you running off to?” asked Bethanny. She twirled her hair around her finger as she stood inside the doorway.

  “Just grabbing a peach. Do you want one?” I held up the fruit as I closed the refrigerator.

  “Do you want to grab some lunch later?” She dropped her books and moved slowly to pick them up. Her low-cut blouse was hot pink, and more buttons were unbuttoned than buttoned.

  “Thanks, Uhm.?” I didn’t know her name. The way that she dressed or half-dressed herself, didn’t sit well with me. I’m not rude, but I don’t like easy girls. This world has enough issues without boys and girls convoluting it with mixed messages.

  “Bethanny Holland.” She extended her hand.

  “Cade.” I quickly shook her hand and moved toward the door. A sense of guilt washed over me, at how quick I brushed her off. I turned around to see if she knew where the cafeteria was located.

  “Do you know where the cafeteria is located,” I asked.

  “Yes.” She bent lower, and her cleavage spilled out from her blouse.

  “I think you missed a button. You wouldn’t want Ms. Barnes to say something when you’re in the cafeteria. We have a dress code here at the academy.” Here at the academy guys were like wolves, and maybe that top was all she had to wear. I’m sure she’s knew and doesn’t how fragile a girls reputation can be here at the academy.

  I frowned then walked past her. Every year more or more girls came here to sharpen their claws and land a boyfriend, instead of sharpening their magical abilities. Don’t they know we are at war?

  “What about tomorrow? You’ve got to eat sometime.” She leaned against the door. Her lips curved as she shrugged her shoulders.

  “Oh. Excuse me. I didn’t know anyone was in here. I just need something to replenish my sugar,” said another girl as she came through the door. Her large glasses made her look like a librarian, and her red hair against her fair complexion was mesmerizing.

  “You’re interrupting. Go to the cafeteria like everyone else,” said Bethanny. She folded her arms and nodded toward the door.

  “Here. Take this peach. I picked it fresh from the enchanted garden. I’m Cade Cohen.” I handed her the peach.

  “I’m Melody Ackerman. Thanks so much. I’ll be out of your hair in a jiffy.” She took the peach and bit into it, closing her eyes as she chewed slowly.

  “Do you know where the cafeteria is located?” I held the door for Melody. I could feel the girl’s breath on my neck.

  “Nope, but you’ve been so nice, please stay here with your girlfriend. I can find it,” said Melody.

  “I don’t have a girlfriend, and I’m heading that way. I’ll show you.” I escorted Melody down the hall and around the corner. She blushed as she fidgeted with her short curly hair. In the stylish grey plaid book bag on her back, I saw a Shakespeare book.

  Glancing at the clock, my stomach clenched. I was already five minutes late, but at least I could tell Liam that I was helping the new recruits. He’s always on me to help more with their training and acclimation to their role as a spiritual warrior.

  “Thanks again for the peach. I’ve met some people so far but they aren’t as nice as the people in Denver where I come from.”

  “Welcome to the Angel Academy of Eastwick.” I smiled. I stood there much longer than needed watching her stand in line to eat. I’m famished but my time is up. A chill ran up my spine and I looked at the window. Heading back into the kitchen I grabbed myself a peach. I’m still dreading seeing Liam. I’m excited about lunch tomorrow if Liam Moretti doesn’t kill me first.

  Turning around, I saw Bethanny. She was frowning and biting her lips. She should’ve done her homework. I don’t like rude girls. I’m a choosy kind of guy and I want the kind of girl I could’ve taken home to mom.

  She’ll forget about me as soon as she sees all the other guys here. This place has more diversity than all fifty states combined. I guess I need to keep my head down and follow the rules. I’ve never dated a student at the academy, but Melody might make me break my own rule. Rules are meant to be broken.

  Liam’s office was dark. Frowning I closed the door behind me. Walking past his desk, which had papers thrown all over it, I summoned my inner chi. Something was wrong. Liam is many things, but he isn’t disorganized. Jumping up, I grabbed Liam’s secret sword that was attached to the wood ceiling beam.

  Stalking to the back, I paused at the green trail. What the heck? Liam might be in danger. We had protocols for reasons, and this was one of them. Pulling out my phone, I texted, the only person’s number in my phone, who I hate.

  Walking to his bookshelf I touched the secret book. Once the bookshelf opened, I raked my nail across my wrist allowing my green blood to spill into a vial. A second later the
door opened, and I flew down the steps.

  “What took you so long? I was summoning you for a reason. I’d be ash by the time you showed up,” said Liam. His clothes were drenched in blood. The weird spattered patterns of green blood were everywhere.

  “I was showing some students the cafeteria. What’s going on here?” I shifted from one foot to the next. It’s hard to give him excuses when I know that this place is littered with secret cameras everywhere. Even though he trusts me I don’t know where all of them are.

  “You were breaking hearts and flirting. That’s hardly an excuse to be late.” He tore off his shirt and tossed it into the fireplace that burned in the hearth.

  “You’ve redeemed yourself with my sword.” Liam smiled as the light from the fireplace cast a warm glow on the blade. Each of the precious rubies gleamed in the case.

  “What happened here? I saw your desk looking shabby and immediately knew that something wasn’t right.” I narrowed my eyes as I watched him clasp the cufflinks on a crisp white shirt.

  He held up his hands. “I’m fine. It’s Corey Adams. He’s sick.”

  “I can leave now. I’ll be in Alabama in an hour.” Corey was the proverbial screw up. If there was peace, he was the one who caused the trouble. Corey was hell on all of us.

  “He’s here. Come with me.”

  I followed Liam around the corner. He never allowed anyone in the basement. I stood at the door watching him walk down the steps. I’m not sure I want to see what’s going on. This isn’t good. When he disappeared around the corner, I flew down after sheathing the sword on my back. I’m not sure I want the sword far from me.