Legacy Academy Year Four: Paranormal Academy Romance

by M Guida

  “Gregori,” the king said, but his gaze fell on me.

  Beads of sweat broke out on my brow and I held my breath, waiting for him to unleash his fury in me.

  His eyes softened. “I’ve come to offer you an apology.”

  I did a double take and I swear he just knocked me over with a feather.

  “I beg your pardon,” I managed to squeak out.

  “For some time I’ve blamed you for Bo’s death.”

  I could feel Lucien tense behind me and I grabbed his hand that had curled up into a fist.

  King Jackson put his hand on Zayne’s shoulder. “But my son has showed me the error of my ways.”

  A mischievous grin spread across Zayne’s face. “And Mom.”

  The king’s cheeks redden. “My mate can be very persuasive.”

  I wondered if that’s where Bo got his moxy.

  King Jackson continued. “Zayne told me of the Ubrunese Orb and how my son’s soul is trapped inside.”

  I frowned as I tried to piece the puzzle together. It wasn’t adding up. “But how did you know all of this?”

  “Mom’s been having dreams of Bo for weeks. She’s been trying to convince my dad, but he can be quite stubborn.”

  The king lowered his head. “My grief made me mad and the times…” He raised his head. “Let’s just say Cormac was effective in torturing me.”

  “I understand,” I said. “He’s been torturing me as well.”

  Gratitude flickered in his eyes and he took a deep breath. “If you’ll excuse me, I must confer with my men.” Zayne left with him.

  Lucien relaxed and dropped his arm. “What’s the plan?”

  King Gregori placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Our armies will attack the horde of Dark Demons and Unseelie, giving you all chance to penetrate the glamour hiding the prison.”

  Lucien didn’t answer right away, his Adam’s apple moved up and down, and then he hugged his dad hard. The two of them embraced for several long minutes––possibly for the last time.

  “It is time.” Anton’s firm voice broke their embrace.

  King Gregori and Lucien braced their arms and nodded. “Montae will not leave your side.”

  Lucien gave him a wiry smile. “I know.” He tilted his head. “And I won’t leave her.”

  His father nodded. “Understood.” He headed back toward the main gate where there was a host of men and women waiting to fight.

  Some of them were golden demons or wolves, others were vampires, and still others were dragons. All of them would follow me into battle. My heart tightened, knowing some of them would not return.

  Anton gestured with his arm. “We’re ready to assemble. King Jackson’s warriors will carry the wolves and the vampires and golden demons will follow close behind.” He looked at me. “You will lead the Defenders.”

  Mt. Elbert looked like it had dark clouds over its peak, but I knew it wasn’t clouds. The Unseelie and Dark Demons waited for us. I nodded grimly and ignored my shaking bones, threatening to turn into jelly. This wasn’t the time to turn tail and run.

  I quietly took off my clothes and handed them to Lucien who put them in the bag.

  I shifted and closed my eyes

  Please, help.

  My silver dragon shimmered. We are ready.

  I opened my eyes and looked at my compadres. Lucien stood next to me with his golden wings flung out wide. He held his sword in one hand.

  Xavier and Mina had already shifted. Obviously, she was the one who would carry Xavier into battle.

  Like Lucien, Montae’s wings were spread out wide. With his muscles bulked and the deathly scowl on his face, I was glad he had my back. He saluted me and then unleashed his sword. In a blink of an eye, he faded away.

  Dante, Katona, and Anton had shifted into bats, their red eyes hungry for blood.

  Lucien patted my side. “Let’s go, babe.”

  Drawing on every ounce of courage I possessed, I leaned back on my hind legs and lunged into the air, flapping my wings. The Defenders flew in a straight line. Rhys braced his legs against Mina’s back ,and she had Xavier in her clutches, and for once, he was calm.

  WHOOOP WHRRRR

  The sounds of the flapping wings were as loud as a tornado. The tops of the pines bent back and forth.

  The black clouds on Mt. Elbert changed direction and hurled toward us. My stomach revolted as having to inhale the dark magic, but that was my job.

  Ryker was up front with Ari and Faas on either side of him. I didn’t know where Gunner and Kara were, which was strange. I thought they were Ryker’s prized weapons. Shadow demons spread out around them. I took a deep breath and inhaled.

  Rhys fired arrows repeatedly, hitting the first wave of shadow demons.

  The shadow demons shrieked and spun around as black smoke streamed from their bodies and slammed down my throat. My eyes watered at the bitterness, but I didn’t stop.

  Faas threw fireball after fireball. “Die, bitch.”

  I easily maneuvered away.

  Mina exhaled a fire stream that burned them up.

  Screams and howls hurt my hearts. White and black blurred my eyes, but I refused to falter.

  We had to get past them and get to the glamour wall. I dove lower and my team followed me. Ryker and his two lieutenants went to trail us.

  “Fight me, Ryker.” King Gregori lunged at Ryker with his sword.

  Ryker growled and blocked his sword.

  Clank Clank Clank

  The two spun around, sparks flying from their swords. I prayed Gregori would survive.

  A large red dragon chased Ari, exhaling a stream of fire. It had to be King Jackson.

  “Leave me alone, you blood suckers.” Faas was busy trying to get away from vampire bats.

  It was the diversion we needed. My team and I headed for Mt. Elbert. I spread out my wings and glided onto the rocky side. I couldn’t believe how many times I had been so close to finding mom.

  The glamour was right in front of us. I was one step away from rescuing my mom and dad.

  But the air around us shimmered like a wave, and then we were surrounded. The most beautiful man stared at me with fierce hatred in his dark blue eyes that were almost black. Long black hair flared over his broad shoulders and he held a glowing black sword in his hand, but what caught my attention was the gold ring with a glimmering green stone on his finger––King Cormac.

  A shimmer of fear rolled down my spine.

  He smiled cruelly. “You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you Raven?” He motioned with his sword. “My team has been waiting for the so called Defenders.” He flashed a cruel smile. “I believe you know your dear friends.”

  My stomach sank to my toes and dread crushed my heart. The line of Unseelie parted and Bo and Poppy walked in front of them. Bo and Poppy both held the same black swords in their hands.

  “Unseelie swords.” Awe and fear hung in Rhys’ voice.

  Anton shifted. “King Cormac, stand down.”

  King Cormac laughed. “Anton, you insolent fool. Why would I do such a thing?”

  “Now, Defenders.”

  KRAKK

  King Cormac flew backward on his ass as if an invisible force slammed into him. Blood burst from his broken nose and rolled down his white lacy shirt.

  Montae materialized and chuckled. “Been wanting to do that for a long, long time.”

  “You’ll pay for that, Montae.” King Cormac touched his nose, turning his finger red.

  Montae and Anton joined hands. Dante clutched Anton’s and Katona’s. Rhys grabbed Katona’s and put his palm on Xavier’s head. Mina’s wing brushed up against his furry side. She and I held tails and the last one to join was Lucien who put his hand on my side.

  Lucien narrowed his eyes. “Time’s up, mother-fucker.”

  King Cormac frowned but then shock filled his eyes that grew so wide they almost touched his long eyelashes. He stuck out his sword. “No!!!”

  But he was too late.r />
  “Puriforgio Virtueus.” My loud voice inside my head made my ears ring.

  A wave of tingling sensations rushed over me and zoomed through me like lightning. Our yellow, orange, red, and green auras burned bright but then it changed to silver.

  Cormac jumped to his feet just as a silver stream smashed into him, Bo, Poppy, and his army of Unseelie shoving them to the side as if they just got booted in the ass.

  The glamour loomed in front of us unprotected.

  I repeated, “Puriforgio Virtuenus.”

  Another stream hit the glamour but it bounced off and slammed into us, nearly shoving us back twenty feet.

  “What happened?” Lucien clamored to his feet.

  Anton helped Katona to stand. “I don’t know. Something went wrong. Terribly wrong.”

  Cormac held his sword over his head and rushed toward Anton. “Did you think your foolish spell would defeat my black magic? Prepare to die, blood sucker.”

  Anton unsheathed his sword and battled with him.

  Just as he said, the dark and shadow demons returned. My army of wolves, dragons, vampires, and Fae fanned out behind me. It was as if we were in a fantasy movie. The odds were against us, but courage was on our side.

  The kings joined our front line. Their clothes were bloody, but they weren’t defeated.

  Aaaaaooo

  Xavier’s howl brought on the next wave of battle. I sucked in the shadow demons’ magic, burning my lips and scalding my throat, but I refused to give up.

  KATRANG

  The others charged , bumping into bodies, and slashing and cutting through the ranks. The wolves ripped and tore apart the snarling shadow demons.

  Dragons shrieked and fire burned the hillside. Black and white smoke darkened the battle field.

  The Fae clashed with the Unseelie. Metal against metal screeched and sparks flew. Men screamed and cried out. Blood darkened the mountain from both sides.

  An Unseelie lifted a black ax to cut off Xavier’s head. But a green flash bolted between them.

  Mina!

  The ax cut into her wing deeply. She shrieked in agony. Blood streamed down her wing that hung oddly.

  I lumbered toward the sea of clashing swords and crashing bodies, but there were too many Unseelie and dark demons for me to get to her.

  The Unseelie laughed and raised to finish the job but Xavier lunged and ripped out the bastard’s throat. He stayed close to Mina, protecting her from an attack. His father came to rescue and they fought savagely, tearing off limbs, and gutting intestines, protecting the unconscious green dragon.

  King Jackson rushed toward Anton and Cormac. He flung Cormac into the air and he rolled down the mountain.

  Anton ran over to me. “Raven. You must shift.” He panted. “The…sacrifice. Remember, the Path of the Burning Flame? This is it. I thought you might be spared… You have to let them take you…It’s the only way to get past the glamour. You have to let them capture you.”

  Terror exploded inside my chest. Cormac wanted to suck my blood, and I was already weary from the shadow demons’ dark magic rolling around in my gut, but Anton’s strong voice gave me little choice. I couldn’t let Cormac drain my parents or keep Bo and Poppy prisoners forever.

  Lucien fought by his father’s side, taking down Unseelie. Blood darkened his shirt.

  I’m sorry. Please forgive me.

  I shifted and was on my hands and knees, letting the burning liquid gush up my throat. My hair hid my face.

  “Don’t worry. Montae will be with you.” Anton whispered in my ear. With that last promise, he disappeared into the fight.

  Someone grabbed my hair and yanked my head. I stared into King Cormac’s furious black eyes. “Now, I have you bitch.” He leaned close. “You’re the one I wanted. Silver dragon blood is powerful and I’m going to bleed you dry.”

  “Nooooo!” Lucien’s voice boomed over Cormac’s.

  Whoosh

  An arrow hit Cormac in the shoulder and he hissed. He ripped it out and tossed it on the ground.

  Lucien was at my side. “Raven.”

  I looked up at him. “Go, Lucien.”

  He held me close. “Never.”

  Cormac tilted his head back and laughed. “Seize him. I sense a different bloodline running through him, too. Wolf shifter, I believe.” His revelation sent my head reeling and I couldn’t believe what I had just heard.

  Two Unseelie grabbed Lucien and dragged him off me, kicking and screaming. King Cormac flung me over his shoulder and the other two Unseelie guards twisted Lucien’s arm behind him, forcing him to move in front of them.

  Just like that, we were inside alone.

  Chapter 24

  King Cormac carried me past a twisted tree that had haunted me forever. It was the one that grew in front of Mom’s barred prison window. The tree’s branches were more like spindly fingers. His fingernails bit into my naked flesh and I bit back a cry, refusing to give him the satisfaction that he hurt me.

  This wasn’t the side of a mountain, but a forest. Everything the Magic Orb had revealed to me was here. The rocky path covered with aspen leaves wound up to the tree and then to the double doors that led into the three story prison. It was just as daunting as I remembered it.

  Cormac kicked open a steel door that led down a dark metal hallway where my mom had been held.

  Creakk

  He opened a bar door and tossed me inside like a bag of garbage. I landed onto a cold hard stone floor, knocking the air out of me.

  He was on top of me and something cold slice into my wrist. Blood ran down my arm.

  SHOOLP SHOOLP SHOOLP

  His cruel mouth was on my wrist sucking hard. I pushed on his forehead, but I couldn’t break his hold.

  “My Lord,” someone said. “The battle.”

  He finally stopped, licking his lips. Blood ran down his chin and his face swam in front of me. “You are powerful and I can feel my magic growing stronger. Ryker was such a fool not knowing the priceless jewels half breeds are.” He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Another stupid mistake he made.” He got up and slammed the door shut. “As soon as we defeat and kill your friends, I’ll be back. You have that much time to stay alive. After I drain you, I’ll be powerful once again and no one will be able to defeat me. By the way, these walls are warded and you can’t shift.” He laughed and his cruel laughter sent fear swallowing me up like quicksand.

  Agony pumped through my veins as if his saliva held some dark magic that ripped through my organs. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that I thought for sure it would bust my ribs. Blood drizzled down from the slash on my wrist and the cuts on the back of my calves. I forced myself to stand on my wobbly legs.

  Shit, the bastard wanted more of my blood. If he came back, I knew I wouldn’t survive. Had he drained my parents already?

  Maybe he’d been lying about the wards. The Unseelie King and Ryker weren’t known for telling the truth. I closed my eyes.

  Please, help.

  Heavy weight squeezed me tight as if a big fist prevented my bones and muscles from shifting. To make things worse, my sweet little dragon never materialized. I listened closely and I thought I heard her cries as if she were trying to reach me, but she was muffled.

  Damn it!

  I opened my eyes. My cell was little more than a big closet and bone chilling cold. I wrapped my arms around my naked body. I put my shaking hand on one of the smooth walls.

  Zap

  I fell back on my ass. The rough floor scraped my skin like sandpaper. Unfortunately, the bastard had been right. The message on my bathroom mirror had come true. I was the sacrifice, but I hadn’t wanted Lucien to be one, too. How come no one knew he had a different bloodline racing through him? Damn his father for not telling him.

  Now, Lucien was trapped here, too. Why wouldn’t he listen? My shoulders sagged and I crossed my legs. I couldn’t lose him like Bo. What if Cormac stole his soul too and stuffed him in the Ubrunese Orb? No matter how weak I wa
s I had to close down the portal and free my parents and my friends. Sitting on my ass wasn’t going to solve anything.

  My barred prison was just one of the many cells down this hallway, but the ones across from me had solid doors like the one I saw Mom imprisoned in the Magic Orb. Was she close by and where was my dad and Lucien?

  Strangely, there were no guards, but probably everyone was in the battle outside.

  “Lucien?” My voice was a loud whisper.

  Fingers gripped a cell next to me. “I’m here.” His husky voice sounded strange as if he were talking through his nose.

  I couldn’t see his face and a shiver started at the base of my spine and slid down my back one vertebrate at a time.

  I braced myself for anything. “Why are you talking like that?”

  “It’s hard to talk when someone breaks your nose.”

  I covered my mouth. “Oh, no. Lucien. Did you know you had a different bloodline?”

  He gritted his teeth. “No. Your family isn’t the only one with secrets. I’m not going to let them drain our blood. Damn, Anton, and his stupid sacrifices.”

  “He did say you weren’t going alone.”

  I wanted to jump for glee at the sarcastic voice.

  Montae materialized, and he had a key in his hand. He unlocked my cell and then Lucien’s. Lucien tore off his shirt and ripped off a strip and wrapped it around my wrist. “We’ve got to get you to Dr. Greenwood.”

  “Later.” I panted. “We’ve got to close the portal and find my parents.”

  He opened his bag that was still latched to his back. “They took your crossbow and your boots, but not your clothes. ”

  I quickly threw on my T-shirt and jeans. “At least I won’t freeze to death. We have to find my parents.”

  “Your parents are in the dungeon below.” A miserable low voice answered.

  We edged closer and I gasped. Gunnar dangled from a chain hooked to the ceiling. He looked up through his streaks of red-stained matted blonde hair. His swollen and bloody face looked like a stampede ran over him.

  Pity swelled in me. My father may have abandoned me and not always been there for me, but he never ever hurt me. “What happened to you?”