Cursed Academy (Year Three)

by Holly Hook

  Prometheus had set yet another trap.

  And now, after school, I'd be training with Celestus.

  I exchanged glances with Maria and Mikey. Mikey frowned at me and paled. "At least we have the herb."

  The herb. Taking it would only work for so long if Dominique was right.

  "As you all know, third years are allowed to carry their birthright weapons while on campus," Max said. "While it is not recommended that you do so during class time, it is allowed and we cannot stop you. However, carrying your weapons off campus is forbidden for third years, and you can be punished for this infraction. Gather your weapons off the rack. You will begin your third year by carrying them with you at all times during the first week. This is your first Combat Training assignment. Once you are used to carrying your weapons, you will be subjected to surprise attacks throughout the year, attacks that can take place at any time."

  To my shock, Wendy flinched. But she eyed Serena and then me. Would Max stage attacks between us and grade us? Well, nobody could get into my dorm, but Maria and Mikey didn't have that safety.

  Max didn't go into detail. He stood aside and motioned to the weapons rack, which still sported the fake Chaos Dagger. At least I wouldn't look like a moron. I still had the hope of getting out of this trap. Holding onto the thought, I grabbed the fake dagger and slid it into my belt.

  And even though it was fake, and the effect was probably just in my head, a faint low groan started between my ears. I rejoined the line as Max started to drill us again.

  "In your future career, the Lower Order could strike at any moment, especially if you work for the gods directly," he barked. "Or perhaps they have agents in very unexpected places. You must learn to be aware of your entire environment. The brain tends to perceive only what it focuses on, and tends to miss what it considers unimportant details in the background." Max paced. "This applies to all living creatures, including immortals. Now, while we are talking about situational awareness—"

  An arm wrapped around my neck from behind.

  I cried out, stumbling back as my captor pulled me towards the wall of the arena. Digging my feet into the packed dust, I elbowed whoever was behind me with one arm and fished out my dagger with another. Only a trace of purplish-black sparks formed around the tip and died. I blinked. Stars. Night. Could this be—

  Everyone whirled to face me. I elbowed whoever again, hitting cloth and muscle, as Max offered a rare smile and stepped closer, motioning for everyone to part. My captor released me and stepped back, allowing me to whirl and face him.

  Celestus. He straightened, brushing off his robe, and stared straight ahead. Ronin would have smiled, but Celestus maintained a totally professional face, dark and smooth, and simply nodded at me while I rubbed my neck. I hadn't even seen him slip into the arena. People muttered and then I knew that no one had.

  My face heated, but not because he was hot.

  The whole class was looking at me. Serena glowered and whispered something into Wendy's ear.

  I shook my head, but a bit of inner night remained.

  "Giselle has just provided an example of what will occur if you are not paying attention on and off campus," Max said, raising his voice with each word. He eyed me as he spoke, searching. But for what? My coming maturity? Then he let out a long breath of possible relief. "In the special forces, we are taught to always, always know an exit to any situation. That is another part of your assignment this week. Every time you enter a new area, make note of all exits. There will be times when retreat is your best, or only, option."

  Celestus nodded at me, almost imperceptibly. I wished he would stop even if he was just doing his job. Yeah, he was hot, but I didn't want to crush on him. I had Ronin. And besides, Celestus was Serena's brother. Judging from the way Serena was still whispering to Wendy, tension lived here.

  The low groan within me rose as the night disappeared. The chaos within was feeding on Celestus's power. This wasn't like the other times I had used the magic of others. Even taking Hades's magic hadn't done this.

  The thought made me backpedal into the wall.

  Maria shot me a look, asking if I was okay. No, I was not okay.

  Max motioned for our line to re-form, but Celestus remained standing behind us. "Celestus will be staying here at Cursed Academy this year. He has graciously offered his time. During the days, he will be helping various teachers instruct classes." Our instructor shot Celestus a brief stink eye before continuing. "Today, all of you will expand your senses. An attack can come at any time, and as you pay attention to me—"

  "Let go!" Serena shouted.

  Celestus yanked on the back of his sister's robe.

  "Then hit me," Celestus said, dead serious.

  People laughed.

  Serena flailed with her whip, but her brother seized her weapon arm and squeezed. Serena dropped her weapon. She was outdone. Sarah gasped. Wendy just backed off. As we all watched in silence, he seized Serena's other arm as she blushed with humiliation. Sibling rivalry at its finest.

  Maria slapped her hand to her mouth. "He's awesome."

  I wished I could say that. The faint low groan remained and I wondered if Celestus had the ability to overcome the asphodel. Or if my days as a semi-regular girl were numbered.

  Chapter Five

  Help.

  That text was the only thing I had to send to Ronin after dinner before my phone blew up. The one word was his bat signal.

  I'm coming right over.

  I removed my green third year robe and hung it in my closet, leaving me in my jeans and tank top. Ronin needed to know what happened and I hoped Prometheus hadn't cursed him again this year. The last thing I needed was for his hair to catch on fire when he tried to come over to the Cursed campus.

  Ronin knocked on my dorm door less than five minutes later. I eyed the late afternoon light. I was due to start training with Celestus in less than an hour, out behind the Cursed campus and in the woods near Prometheus's little house. And I needed Ronin to stay close.

  When I opened the door, he puffed out his chest, dressed in his white toga uniform. Unlike the Cursed students, all four years of students in Olympian wore the same uniform with the golden trim. And at least his hair wasn't on fire. "What's the problem?" The smile dropped off Ronin's face as he must realize this was serious.

  "You know what part of the problem is."

  "Yeah. I can't do Combat Training anymore. I think we both knew this was coming." Ronin kept a mask of nonchalance, like he was trying to hide his disappointment, but it wasn't working. Anger flashed in his eyes.

  I seized his arm and pulled him into the room. Ronin's frown deepened. I breathed in, reaching for his electricity, wanting to pull as much of it into me as possible before I had to face Celestus. The faint call of Chaos died, to be replaced with living static and lightning bolts. Ronin freely gave.

  I let go before I gave his power back, leaving Ronin gasping for breath. I'd taken more than I meant. "Sorry."

  "Giselle, what did Prometheus do?"

  "He gave me a new tutor. Serena's older brother. I guess he's the closest thing to Chaos itself Prometheus could get. Since Nyx is close to Chaos itself. His power. When I take it, Chaos just feeds on it."

  "Shit." Ronin paced around my room, digging his feet into the purple carpet. "I knew Prometheus would can me because Max warned me about it, but a new tutor? It's going to be much harder for us to train. When do you start?"

  "Tonight. Six." My dinner turned in my gut. "When I train with him...wow, I don't want to train with him. We have to stop him from making me dark." I approached Ronin, who stopped pacing near my bed. My heart raced as I instinctively pressed my hand to his chest. The fabric of his uniform was thin enough for me to trace the outlines of his pecs. Where I touched him, my skin tingled and burst to life. The feeling spread through my body again as I breathed in. I knew what I needed and what could help hold back the darkness for the rest of the night. And I wouldn't have to drain Ronin to get it.
Quite the opposite. "I need you. Now."

  He licked his lips. "So you need a little boost from the Roninator." He curled his hands into my sides, pulling me close and stirring dark electricity within. "Giselle, I'm so glad you have a private, locked room." With a heave, he fell backwards, pulling me with him. We collapsed onto my bed as he worked his electrifying touch under my tank top.

  * * * * *

  "Now, I want to meet this guy and lay down the law."

  Ronin and I walked out from the back door of the girls' dorm and into the sunlight. Lingering electricity arced under my skin along with a warm afterglow. As I hoped, sex with Ronin had chased away that low groan, leaving faint tingles in its place. It was an even better remedy than the asphodel, and far more enjoyable, but the afterglow only lasted about an hour. And though Ronin was happy to help in this way, we couldn't do the act multiple times a day.

  Or in front of Celestus.

  "You're late." The black-robed young man stood on the gravel trail, between two vine-laden trees with his arms crossed. Yeah, he was serious.

  "Did something crawl up your ass?" Ronin asked.

  The air turned to soup. Ronin kept his arm around me and I didn't want him to let go. But I hated feeling weak in this situation. Training with him had rubbed off on me, whether Ronin admitted it or not.

  But Celestus kept up his unfazed appearance. "It's five after six. You of all people should know that lateness is not appreciated. Let go of Giselle. Don't you have some wild party to go off to?" He asked as if he were talking about going to class.

  "Look, I know going to Olympian makes me stuck up by default," Ronin said, curling his fingers into my forearm. His electricity shot into me and I gasped. Ronin wasn't usually angry when he held me like this. "But I care about Giselle and she's not comfortable with this in the slightest. That's why I'm staying here. And grow up. You're what? Twenty?"

  Celestus bit his lip. Ronin had scored a point. "I'm mature enough to know that this is simply training and nothing more."

  Ronin flinched.

  This would escalate if I didn't speak.

  "I'd prefer that Ronin stay here," I said. Yeah, it made me feel like the five foot two girl I was, but right now, I'd have to swallow my pride.

  Celestus stayed expressionless. "Prometheus won't like that. He wants only Giselle and I in the circle. Anyone else who crosses into it will catch fire."

  My throat dried. "Circle?" Ronin couldn't go in with me.

  Ronin let go of me. "I don't trust guys like you." His eyes hardened.

  "This is a strictly professional matter," Celestus said, advancing on Ronin. "And I find it quite ironic that a son of Zeus will distrust men. Though I suppose that makes sense, given the example you have."

  I looked to Ronin, trying to think of a comeback for him. What was Celestus talking about?

  "I need to stay just outside the circle, then." Ronin's hand shook.

  "Let him stay," I demanded.

  "If Prometheus will allow it," Celestus said with a curt nod. "Follow me."

  This descendant of Nyx knew how to press all of Ronin's buttons. As we walked, following Celestus off the gravel trail and into the trees, I searched the area for Prometheus. Max's words came back to me. But I didn't see the titan anywhere or sense his presence. He trusted Celestus, then.

  That didn't bode well for me.

  Branches slapped and vines tried to slow us down. We walked past the dark reflection pond and beyond. The world turned into dark greens and browns. Bugs chirped. Mosquitoes buzzed around my head.

  "Pleasant," Ronin said.

  "The circle is here," my new tutor announced, stopping.

  We had come to a part of the woods, not too far behind the school, where a sphere of burned ground spread out, about fifty feet by fifty feet. It looked as if someone had summoned a meteor that had incinerated trees down charred, jagged stumps. I breathed in, and an awful, burned scent entered my nostrils. This makeshift arena itself was a warning. Prometheus had terrifying power. And he wanted Ronin to know.

  "Looks beautiful," Ronin said.

  "Combat is rarely beautiful," Celestus said, very matter of fact. "Giselle. Enter. You won't burn and neither will I." He stepped over the threshold, robes flapping.

  Ronin didn't let me go. "If you make her mature, I'm going to kill you. Hear me?"

  "I hear you." No emotion crept into his voice as he stopped in the center and whirled on one foot to face us. "Tell your father and he'll hold this entire situation against you."

  Ronin tensed so much the muscles bulged around his ribs. "I never said anything about telling Zeus."

  Celestus was right. Zeus would grill Ronin for this, even if it wasn't his fault.

  "Just let me go," I said.

  Ronin nodded. "I'm staying right here."

  I stepped onto the charred blackness, passing through an invisible wall of heat. But I didn't catch fire. Looking back at Ronin, I saw a deep frown and barely contained rage shaking the lines of his face. But he remained.

  "It'll be fine," I said, hoping that I wasn't lying. There was nothing inside the arena. No weapons. No anything. I wondered why Celestus hadn't brought my fake Chaos Dagger. "Okay, so what are we going to do?"

  Celestus walked to the other side of the arena and stood opposite me while Ronin hung at the periphery. He said nothing. We just stared.

  "What are we doing here? This is basically Combat Training," I said. "Isn't this Max's job?"

  "I agree with Giselle," Ronin said. He took a step forward, then stepped back, seething as if he'd just touched a hot oven.

  "Prometheus says this is career training," Celestus said. He folded his arms again. "Giselle will not have a normal career, whatever it is."

  I eyed the charred, destroyed ground and shuddered. Ronin's afterglow remained, but it faded by the minute. The titan's words came back to me from yesterday. Celestus had to know what I'd become if I stayed on this path.

  "I have no weapon," I said, hoping he would give in and let me go back to my dorm. Preferably with Ronin.

  "You don't need one," he said, expressionless.

  And then the ground exploded.

  Chapter Six

  I backpedaled to the edge of the burned circle and bumped into a tree. The low groan returned to my head, filling the space.

  There was no way for my mind to register what I was seeing at first: a line of black, snapping, fanged mouths, rising from the ground as thick vapor. As one sank, another rose, biting, a bit closer to me.

  They were night spirits, just like the one Serena had used to possess Natalia.

  "What are you going to do?" Celestus asked, patiently standing with his arms folded.

  I had seconds. The alligator jaws closed the final few feet between us. I'd reached the edge of the arena. Stepped out of it. "I have no weapon!"

  "You don't need one."

  "Giselle! Climb!" Ronin shouted, leaning forward.

  But I was already scrambling up a tree. Instinct took over.

  "Do not interfere!" Celestus shouted, squaring off with my boyfriend.

  I felt stupid climbing the pine tree, but at least it was easy, and even as the needles assaulted my face, I glimpsed a black mouth—more like a bear trap made of solid darkness—rise from ash and snap, missing by inches. Cold air rose. The spirit merged back with the ground.

  And rose, snapped, and receded again. I was treed with nowhere to go. Could this thing cut me?

  "Stay there!" Ronin shouted. I could no longer see him through the green.

  I knew what I had to do.

  A lightning bolt splintered the bark below me. The air reeked of ozone. Somewhere far away, Celestus yelled at Ronin. The low groan filled me again. Celestus's power could make the Chaos in me stronger, but the shadow spirits themselves had never done that. This wasn't my first.

  I leapt down from the tree and back onto the black ground.

  The trick wasn't to destroy this spirit.

  The mouth rose again, t
his time around my legs, and opened wide, revealing shark-like teeth studded with stars. This monster could bite me in half. Now I could see the difference. It looked more solid than Serena's spirit. More condensed.

  The low groan fled as Ronin screamed my name again.

  I crouched and spread my arms.

  The spirit bit.

  Solid darkness collided with my palms, cutting in. I blinked, seeing stars behind my eyelids. This was different. Celestus had put his full power into this thing. This was no vapor. I'd make a mistake.

  The creature bit harder—iron filled the air as pain seared into my flesh.

  No going back now. I curled both sets of fingers around the teeth. The pain peaked. My ears rang. Instinct took over. I pulled both teeth towards me, focusing on absorbing them. I breathed in. Galaxies and stars exploded behind my vision. I was the night sky, the deep darkness of space. Incredible cold filled me and a crumbling sound, followed by a whisper, flooded my body. My palms throbbed. And then I realized.

  My fingers curled around nothing.

  I'd absorbed the dark spirit and all the magic Celestus had put into it.

  “Giselle.” Ronin spoke my name as a sigh of relief.

  I opened my eyes, though the night sky remained within. My palms were wet at first, and when I curled them, they were crusty and healing instead. The sun still peeked through the trees and I took a second to remember where I was.

  Ronin stood just a few feet away, outside the barrier.

  “Do not cross into the arena,” Celestus said to Ronin, walking towards me. My new tutor nodded to me. “Giselle. I'm not sure what you did, but I've never seen anything like it. Prometheus said he was hoping for you to destroy whatever I threw at you, but he didn't say it would happen like this.” His professional mask fell away for a second, leaving confusion as he extended his hand towards me.

  “I'm bleeding.” I held up my right hand, wanting any excuse not to take his hand. Already the low groan fed on the night. No. This was not supposed to happen. It hadn't before. But Celestus was far more powerful than his sister.