Legacy Academy Year Four: Paranormal Academy Romance

by M Guida

  Julie turned into the parking lot. “Whatever that means.”

  I scanned the skies but didn’t see any dragons or bats following us. Last I knew, my dad couldn’t turn himself in invisible, but that didn’t mean his buddies couldn’t.

  I grabbed my beach bag. “To be sure, let’s head for the entrance and stay inside for a little bit.”

  “Okay,” she said as she got out of the car with her glittered pink bag. Julie liked to have her clothes and accessories match perfectly.

  We headed inside and got a coke at the bar and then sat at a table near the pool. By all appearances, it looked like we were here for a day of sunbathing.

  Julie glanced at her Apple Watch “It’s been fifteen minutes. Do you think we should leave?”

  Something pulled on my chest as if someone was pulling on a thread. It was a strange sensation. I’d never felt anything like it before. “Yeah. I think so.”

  We grabbed our bags and hurried to Julie’s car that was hard to miss. It stuck out like a sore thumb.

  Twenty minutes later we reached the Celestial Lightrail Express. It was strange being here when there wasn’t a single soul in sight. Usually, it was busy, but why would it be? Legacy Academy was closed.

  “We’re here.” Julie put up her hands. “Now what?”

  “Get out.” I shrugged and opened the car door. “What else?”

  That strange sensation in my chest quivered and grew stronger and stronger. I put my hand over my pounding heart. I thought I was having heartache.

  Julie ran over. “Raven, are you okay? You’ve turned pure white.”

  “I’m okay. I just felt––”

  “Oh, shit.” She laughed. “Look who’s here?”

  I followed her gaze. A figure stepped out from a cluster of pines. Tears crept out of the corner of my eyes and slid down my cheeks. My breath caught in my throat, and I covered my mouth. “Lucien.”

  As he headed toward us, his incredible bulk of muscle strained and flexed underneath his tight green T-shirt and Demin cargo shorts. He looked even more ruggedly handsome than I remembered, with a dark shadow of a beard. His shaggy hair had gotten a little longer and just made him look more mysterious.

  He grinned and took my hand. “You heard me.”

  “What?”

  He put his hand over my thudding heart. “That tugged you felt? It was me. I was calling to you.”

  “You were?”

  “You’re my mate. I needed you. Missed you.”

  I was too stunned to track what he was saying and could only think about kissing him. A tightness formed in my belly, then it turned into little fluttering spasms that flooded heat to my legs and to my arms, turning my bones to jelly.

  As if reading my mind, he tilted his dark head and brushed his lips over mine. The familiar streak of pure pleasure moved through me. My nipples budded and pushed against my cotton shirt. I slid my hands up his massive chest and locked them around his thick neck. I missed him so much, missed kissing him, missed touching him.

  Someone dramatically cleared their throat.

  Lucien broke off the kiss and I groaned.

  “Hello, I’m still here.”

  I laughed at Julie’s smirk. For one moment, I had forgotten she was even there.

  “Sorry,” I chuckled. I looked up at Lucien, the love of my life. “It’s just… been so long.”

  He ran his fingers down my back. “It nearly killed me when my parents betrayed me and forced me to leave you.”

  I frowned. “How did you escape?”

  “It wasn’t easy, but ever since I got a letter from Anton, I knew I needed to get the hell out of Dodge.”

  Julie and I glanced at each other.

  “What?” he asked. “You got one too, didn’t you?”

  I nodded. “Did yours mention the Path of the Burning Flame?”

  “Yeah. Anton said we needed to get the Defenders back, and that you needed me.”

  I clasped his rugged cheek. “I’ll always need you.”

  His eyes darkened, and he scanned the skies. “I don’t think we should stay here long.”

  Goosebumps broke out over my arms. “Why? Are dark demons coming?”

  He shook his head. “No. Montae.”

  Julie’s usual smile vanished and fear flared in her beautiful blue eyes. “Montae? Who’s Montae? Is he another dark demon?”

  He gritted his teeth. “No, he’s my keeper.”

  I cringed. “Your keeper? Is he a jailer?”

  He snorted. “Hardly. He’s the Captain of my dad’s guard, and he was assigned to keep me at Havenwood.”

  “Havenwood?” Julie asked.

  “It’s the name of the castle in our kingdom.” He looked at me. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

  His low tone made me uneasy. “Why the urgency?”

  “Montae has the ability to make himself invisible. He could be with us right now and we’d never know.”

  I shoved both my hands through my hair. “Great. That’s the last thing we need.”

  “He’s good in a fight. Believe me. And ruthless as a jailer. He’s going to be pissed when he discovers I slipped him a sleeping potion.”

  “You did?” I chuckled. Only Lucien would be so bold.

  He kissed me briefly on my lips. “How else was I going to get rid of him? No matter what I did, he was like gum on my shoe.”

  Julie folded her arms, and her face had paled. She didn’t look as brave as she had at her house. “What do we do now?”

  Lucien flicked his gaze over her. “I think you should go home.”

  She stuck out her chin. “I am not afraid.”

  He cocked his eyebrow. “You’re ready to face shadow demons who can possess you or rip you apart?”

  Julie glared, but her eyes softened. “No.” She dropped her arms in defeat. “You’ll protect Raven.”

  He kissed my hand. “Always.” His lips sent shivers up my arm.

  I elbowed him in the ribs. “And I’ll protect you.”

  Julie clasped my shoulders. “You need to be careful. You haven’t been yourself.”

  Lucien squeezed my hand gently. “Meaning?”

  I looked at Julie, wishing she would have kept my secret, but I knew her. Secrets weren’t her thing, especially if she thought someone was in trouble.

  “Ever since she lost you…” Julie lowered her gaze. “And Bo. She’s been curled up in a ball on a bed.”

  “You were?” Lucien clasped my chin.

  I met his concerned gaze. “What can I say, I was heartbroken.”

  He ran the tips of his fingers down my arm, igniting a small flame of desire. “What made you get out of bed?”

  “You. Anton’s letter. I needed my family back.”

  He grinned. “The Defenders?”

  “They’re the only family I have right now.”

  “Hey,” Julie pouted.

  I laughed. “And you.” My laughter died away. “We found out something about the Path of The Burning Flame.”

  “How?”

  “We went to a psychic,” Julie said. “And she said the Archangel Azrael is the one who designed the path and a sacrifice will need to be made, but we don’t know what.”

  “Damn it.” His brows bunched up and his mouth tightened. “More Anton games.”

  “But the witch said that the sacrifice doesn’t necessarily mean death,” I said hopefully.

  Lucien’s cheek twitched. “Or it could. Witches are gifted psychics. This isn’t good.”

  “I didn’t even know they existed,” I said.

  His eyes widened. “Really? I thought all humans knew about witches.”

  I gave him a sarcastic smile. “Not that they’re real or that magic really does exist.”

  He shook his head. “That’s the problem with humans. They refuse to acknowledge what’s right in front of their eyes.” He looked up at the sky again. “I don’t know what Anton’s game is, but I think we need to get to Legacy. Now.”

  I
frowned. “Why?”

  He pointed. “Montae’s here, and he’s got company.”

  I followed his gaze and gasped. Five big powerful looking men with golden wings flew toward us and the deep scowl on their faces curdled my blood.

  Chapter 4

  The five burly men descended onto the ground and fanned out around us as if trying to cut us off. They were even taller and meaner looking than they had been in the sky. Their shadows crept toward us, sending a cold chill down my spine. Their steely gaze meant business, and if we weren’t careful, Lucien would be captured and Julie and I would lose our heads.

  Lucien unleashed his sword and unfurled his wings.

  Julie backed up against her Mustang with pure terror shimmering in her eyes. “Raven, I think you’d better shift into a dragon now.”

  I quickly ripped off my clothes. “Lucien, grab my two black bags that are in the back seat.”

  Julie’s cheeks turned bright red, and she avoided both my and Lucien’s gaze. She’d seen me naked before but had never seen me strip in front of strangers.

  “I’ve got them.” He yanked open the door and grabbed my bags.

  “Julie, go now.” I clasped her shoulder. “I promise I’ll be safe.”

  She hesitated, but she jumped into her car and revved up the engine.

  I winked and then shifted. I hadn’t done it for a while, but my body reacted as if it was like an old hat. Muscles bulked and twisted, and bones stretched and thickened until I was a silver dragon.

  The Red Mustang peeled out of the parking lot, tires squealing and leaving a cloud of dust.

  Some of the muscle men bent their knees as if they were going to lunge into the air and fly after Julie. Not happening.

  I shrieked and exhaled a stream of white smoke. The tips of their wings iced over, forcing them to remain on the ground, giving Julie time to escape.

  They cursed under their breath, death glaring in their eyes.

  One of them, a muscular man with long black hair, raised his palm, and the others lowered their swords. He obviously must be the leader. He headed toward us. “Seriously, Lucien? You gave me a Mickey?”

  Lucien squared his shoulders. “Only way to get away from you––warden.”

  “Havenwood is not a prison. The shadow demons could have captured you or worse killed you.”

  Lucien stuck out his chin. “I’m not an idiot, Montae. I went through the secret passage.”

  “You were lucky, but you can’t always rely on your luck to protect you.”

  What was Lucien thinking? He could have been killed.

  Lucien narrowed his eyes. “It wasn’t luck.”

  Montae flickered his gaze over him, his pale eyes shining with appreciation. “I know you’re an excellent fighter. But what if Ryker had captured you? He could have used you as leverage to force your dad to join him. Is that what you wanted?”

  “No,” Lucien said quietly. “But I will not remain a prisoner at Havenwood.” He tilted his head toward me. “I belong with my mate.”

  Montae scowled. “You’re playing with fire, Lucien. Ryker’s desperate to force the other kings to renounce your dad and make him the leader of all the realms. Any foolish mistakes could give Ryker the advantage.”

  Lucien drew a deep breath and exhaled, releasing an expletive. “Like that’s an option.”

  His jailer’s face darkened, and a vein in his temple quivered.

  “Montae.” Lucien patted my side. “I don’t think you have met Raven.”

  Montae folded his arms across his broad chest. “You are going to hide behind a dragon?”

  Lucien shrugged. “She’s not just any dragon and you know it. I suggest you all stay back.”

  One of the other men pointed his sword at Lucien and tilted his head. “We have orders to bring you back to Havenwood.”

  I let out a loud hiss and stepped forward, unsure what power they possessed. I didn’t want to hurt them, but we couldn’t stay here any longer.

  I took a deep breath and then blew a white stream of snow all over Lucien’s pursuers.

  “Stop.” Montae put up his arm to hide his face. His dark hair billowed behind him, freezing into stiff strands. Frost covered his shirt, jeans, and boots, and then turned his skin blue.

  Three of them swore and bent their heads, transforming into blue, angry men. The man with a sword stepped toward me, but his weapon ripped out of his hand and lodged behind him. He went to pick it up, but then froze in place.

  Lucien’s eyes widened, and he lowered his sword. “Shit. You just turned them into pissed off blue ice sculptures.”

  I bowed my head. This wasn’t the impression I wanted to make with King Gregori and Queen Abrianna, but I was already on their hit list and the king’s orders didn’t leave me any choice. Losing Lucien again wasn’t an option.

  Lucien winked and sheathed his sword. “Remind me not to make you mad.”

  He hoisted the straps of my bags over each shoulder. “We’d better get out of here before they melt.”

  He lunged into the air, and I was right behind him. He reminded me of a sultry angel with his dark hair flying behind him and his flapping golden wings. Legacy was about sixty miles away from the train station and usually would take an hour to get there by car, but we’d get there in half the time. Wind whizzed over me, and the sun’s rays warmed my scales, meaning my blue ice sculptures wouldn’t last long. Lucien’s jailers would be hot on our trail and ready to tear me a new one.

  I kept looking behind me to see if Montae and his gang were tracking us, but so far, so good. Only clouds and the bright sun cluttered the blue sky.

  My gut tightened the closer we got to Legacy. The memory of the terrible battle on Mt. Elbert weighed heavy on my soul. Clouds rolled over the rugged and dangerous peak where I had lost two of my friends. A cold and dark shiver rolled down my spine and to my tail and stole my breath. I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the hot tears. I could still remember Bo standing in front of me, taking in Ryker’s dark magic, and Poppy sacrificing herself to save Xavier.

  I opened my eyes and blinked away the film blurring my vision. The tips of Legacy’s towers peeked over the tree line. We were almost there, but it would be so different. Students should be in the courtyard, talking, studying, or guys throwing around a football. The smells of the cafeteria should be tempting my stomach, and my friends should be waiting for us at the Royal table.

  None of this would happen.

  My home was closed, and my friends were gone.

  All except for Lucien, who had found a way to escape from his father’s noose. Besides Bo, he was always there when I needed him, standing by my side. I couldn’t lose him like I did Bo. He was my life, and I’d do anything to protect him.

  Even if he didn’t want it.

  I sniffed and smelled barbecued meat. Smoke rose from inside the courtyard of Legacy as if there was a cookout.

  Lucien descended as if to land in the courtyard and bounced back. He hovered and put his hand up. “There’s some kind of force field and I can’t see what’s going on in the courtyard. I can only see the smoke and I swear I smell barbecued pork.”

  Not even my dragon eyes could pierce the veil, hiding the courtyard. Only smoke and the smell of barbecued pork penetrated my scenes. That was strange, because dragon eyes were superior to any other supernatural vision. What was going on?

  He flew down toward the main entrance and I landed next to him.

  He pounded on the gate. “Anton, are you there? Let us in.”

  I scanned the forest behind us and the sky, not sure whether I should shift yet. The constricting of my gut told me to stay a dragon. Something wasn’t right.

  I could feel something or someone watching us. I put my back to Lucien, preparing to do battle. Movement between the woods caught my attention. Red eyes stared at me. A menacing dark mist floated up from behind a pine-–a shadow demon.

  Crapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrap

  If there was one, then there were twenty
more.

  Lucien yelled over his shoulder, “Anton, let us in.”

  I drew on my dragon power.

  Another flash in the sky made my heart sink to my toes. Lucien’s jailers had found us. This wasn’t good.

  Lucien came up alongside me. “Shadow demons.”

  I nodded. We wouldn’t have any choice but to fight. I just hoped Ryker, Ari, or Faas wasn’t with them. Hopefully, the shadow demons were just spies, but when did I ever have good luck when it pertains to dark demons?

  Montae and his guards landed in front of us. He glared. “That’s wasn’t very nice, Raven.” He pointed his sword at Lucien. “You’re coming with us now. No more games.”

  Lucien tilted his head. “There are shadow demons behind you.”

  Out of the woods, shadow demons approached. Hate filled their red eyes and their dark shapeless bodies glided over the ground. They had the power to drain our power and our life force or even possess us.

  Montae glanced over his shoulder. “Protect the Prince.”

  The guards fanned out in front of us, their weapons drawn. If I wasn’t a dragon, I wouldn’t have been able to see over the wall of muscle.

  I didn’t want to do this, but I had little choice. My body trembling, I opened my mouth to suck in the shadow demons’ powers. Last time I did this, their foul magic almost killed me.

  The shadow demons stopped and stared as if they were waiting for something. Something that wouldn’t be good.

  Out here, we were all sitting ducks. I know I was to blame for Legacy being closed, but how could Anton leave us out to die? He could at least let Lucien, Montae, and the others inside.

  Creaaak

  The portcullis slowly rose.

  “Lucien, get inside.” Montae gripped his sword and stepped back, still facing the shadow demons who hadn’t moved.

  “I suggest you all get inside as quickly as possible before the demons attack.” A familiar husky voice brought joy to my heart.

  Anton stood in the middle of the gateway, wearing his dark robe, and gesturing with his arm.

  Lucien, Montae, and the guards rushed inside. I slowly backed up, never taking my eyes off the shadow demons. All of a sudden they charged.