Ravens' Blood Academy 1: A Vampire Historia Paranormal Fantasy

by Scarlette D'Noire

  If those bitches stole them. I took a deep breath and tried to usher in positive thoughts.

  A nagging dread that I’d have to call Aunt Marea to bring me more caused me to squeeze my eyes shut tight and thrash my head from side it side. My fists curled into tights balls, and I slammed them on the bed and the corner of my aunties book. What am I going to tell her?

  Tears formed in my eyes as I twisted my body and sat on the floor resting the grimoire on my lap as I pressed my back into the bed frame for stability. I smoothed my hands over the embossed cover. Ugggh.

  The pills were the least of my problems. I’d had enough of this so-called school. Between the strange Daga brothers, the mystery man in the boots, and the three prissy witches, I wasn’t off to a great start. Although, I tried to put mystery man out of my mind, I couldn’t help but create all kinds of crazy scenarios—all of which ended up with dead bodies in a broken-down motel.

  I peered around the worn-out room. Peeled paint hung from the corners of the walls. I frowned and shook my head. Maybe I’ll just ask Aunt Marea to pick me up and take me home. I blew out a deep breath, vibrating my lips, and adjusted my ball cap. I can only imagine my punishment for taking the book.

  I cracked the book open and searched the spells. I had no idea what I was doing, but figured if I would get grounded all summer, I might as well make the most of it. I flipped through the various incantations, but none caught my eye. In defeat, I slumped downward and rested my head on the bed, closing my eyes. A gust of wind blew over me rustling the pages of the book sweeping them to the left, until the wind died down. I glanced at the spell on the top of the page.

  Personal Power.

  Hmmmm, I need some of that for sure. Chalking it up to fate, I studied the page the winds chose for me and recited the words out loud.

  My passion

  My energy

  My true nature, indeed

  Blazes through me

  like an unyielding weed

  Sowing the seeds

  of truth and fate

  While the dormant beasts rest

  A crimson sea demands to be tasted

  Unleashing the power that has been wasted

  Under a full moon the creature

  no longer waits

  To claim their destiny

  at the wrought iron gate

  My passion

  My energy

  My true nature, indeed

  I waited a few minutes…

  Nope

  Nada

  Nothing

  I didn’t feel different at all. So much for embracing the inner beast. I shook my head. I don’t know what you expected.

  At a light rapping on the door, I instinctively slid the book under the bed. Kala called my name as she poked her head into the room. “Whatcha doing down there?” She peered around the floor. “Need help?”

  “No, I’m good.” I hoisted myself up on my hands and noticed a grainy substance ground into the rug. Nearby, one lone pill caught my eye by the side of the bed frame. I snatched it up and realized part of the vitamin had been crushed. I popped it into my mouth. Great, half a pill. I hope this holds me over. I must’ve dropped it earlier or whoever fooled with them stepped on one.

  “Come on, let's go eat,” Kala said. “It’s pizza time!” She let out an obnoxious laugh and I couldn’t help but laugh a little too.

  At least she wasn’t part of the prissy witch club. A cold chill caused me to shudder. I hated to leave her here all alone to deal with Serena, Gabby and Lucinda, but I’d made up my mind. After dinner, I planned to quit RBA and go home. Unless mystery man caught up with me first.

  “No pizza!” Jacob whined.

  “Deb thought it best to follow through and teach the little princesses a lesson.” Arian leaned against the doorframe leading into the kitchen. He flicked his head toward the sink. “Mashed potatoes were my idea.” He winked then met my gaze full on tilting his head to study my reaction.

  Lucinda and Gabby peeled potatoes over the sink and complained as if they were sentenced to heavy labor on a chain gang.

  Satisfaction eased my hunger pains as I took great pleasure in their overly exaggerated discomfort. “Peel a few extras, I’m starving.” I nudged Arian with my elbow and held in a chuckle by pressing my lips tightly together.

  Serena waved her index finger back and forth, “Oh, don’t you worry, Adora. We’re even making gravy just for you.”

  Gabby and Lucinda exchanged glances and snickered. Ezzie formed hamburger into patties and placed them into a large skillet.

  Roar popped a raw carrot in his mouth, sniffing the air around the frying pan. “Make mine rare, please,” he requested.

  “Obviously,” the prissy witches said in harmony. They dropped the potatoes in boiling water and opened up a few cans of green beans.

  Arian tapped his chin. “I’m guessing you want yours rare, too?”

  “How’d you know?”

  He stared at me blankly, then twisted his head as if he didn’t understand. “You’re serious? Captain Obvious.”

  “What? Is it that obvious I’m hungry? At this point, I’d eat it raw.”

  Arian shook his head and laughed. “You’re a flighty little creature, aren't you?”

  “Hey!” I punched his arm lightly. “Sometimes stuff goes over my head, but I wouldn’t say I’m flighty.”

  “Who are you hiding from in that get up?” He pointed to my ball cap.

  My gaze darted around nervously. “No one.” I kept my voice steady. “What’s with the twenty questions anyway?” I glared at him in a playful manner. “Now, it’s my turn.” I placed my hands on my hips and puffed my chest out in a playful challenge.

  Arian’s gaze trailed over my body. “Ask away. I’m at your mercy.” He lifted his gaze and peered at me intently.

  “What’s up with the Daga brothers? They acted so weird today in class.” I twisted my lips. “And tonight, I think I upset them,” I admitted.

  His eyes sparkled. “They are strange birds, indeed.” He laughed at his own joke. “Literally.”

  “Come on, I’m being serious. Do you think they’ll give me trouble?” I hesitated. “If I stay.”

  Arian’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What do you mean, if you stay?”

  Fritz shuffled up and patted me on the back. “How are you getting along?”

  Arian mouthed ‘this isn’t over,’ placed both hands over his heart, and shook his head as if I’d mortally wounded him.

  I didn’t want to lie to the old man. “Missing home. Not sure this is cut out for me.” I admitted.

  Fritz adjusted his glasses. “You’ll do fine, child. Give it some time.” His reassuring smile put me at ease.

  “There are so many personalities. I’m a loner.” Sadness welled up inside me at my inability to truly fit in. Sure, I’d made a few friends today, but it seemed I’d made a lot more enemies. The thought of dealing with them exhausted me. “I’m just tired.” I mumbled, unsure what else to say.

  Fritz tugged at my arm for me to come closer. “They’re going home in the morning,” he whispered, waving his index fingers toward my tormentors. “You won’t have to deal with them for another week. By then, you’ll have adjusted to your new way of life. Don’t worry, we’ll help you.” He squeezed my forearm. “Besides, I know a few tricks I can teach you to put them in their place.” Mischief danced in his eyes as if he wanted to see the prissy witches taken down a peg or two.

  I smiled wearily. “Thank you,” I said in a small voice and gave him a tight hug. I felt the lumps of his faux fairy wings under his sweater and let out a chuckle. He definitely was a strange character, but a kind one indeed.

  Deb, Kayla, Jacob, and Kiki sat on the floor in a circle and waved me over. A board game sat in the center of them. “Squeeze in and join us,” Deb offered.

  I didn’t much feel like participating but welcomed the chance to get off my feet and rest. “I’ll watch, you guys play.” I nestled in-between Kiki and Jac
ob. The room swayed, and I blinked my eyes a few times.

  “You feeling okay?” Deb asked

  Sharp cramps pierced my stomach as if someone were stabbing me. I took a few controlled breaths. “Yeah.” I smiled, “I just need food.

  Deb pursed her lips and scanned my face. “You look a little pale.”

  Kiki darted over and grabbed Deb’s jacket. “Here, put this under your head and lie down.” She balled the coat up, and I readily obeyed, patting her hand.

  “Thank you, sweetie,” I managed to say before I drifted off into a light nap.

  Dishes clanking and people chattering roused me awake.

  “Welcome back,” Roar said, hovering over me. His blue eyes narrowed as if concerned. “Are you feeling any better?”

  Since I had the sudden urge to kiss his lips, I figured the nap had revitalized me. “Much better,” I said in a low voice as I gazed into his eyes, although this time I resisted the urge to bat my eyelashes like an idiot.

  “Fantastic.” He smiled yet didn’t lean in closer to kiss me.

  “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you...” I paused unsure how to phrase my question. “Um, did you happen to see where I put my vitamins for my low blood sugar?” I studied his face, “I can’t seem to find them.”

  He furrowed his brows. “Well, that’s not good. You put them back in your bag, I think.” He scratched his head. “Yes. Yes, I’m sure I saw you drop them back in your bag.”

  I sighed. “Okay.”

  “I’ll help you look for them after we eat, but if you can’t wait, we can go now,” he offered.

  “No, after we eat is fine.” I clasped his hand. “Thanks.”

  The line for dinner spilled into the dining room as each person took their turn getting their plate from the prissy witches. Roar and I settled into the back of the line. The food smelled great, and I was surprised they’d managed to pull off a decent dinner. Not without Ezzie’s assistance, though. She didn’t have to help them but chose to anyway. She’d proved herself to be a kind and considerate leader for the students—good traits for the head of the student council to have. I wondered if I should forget about going home and give RBA a shot after all.

  As the last of the bunch took their plates and sat in the dining room, I waited patiently for my turn.

  Serena shifted her gaze between Gabby and Lucinda, before turning her full attention on Roar. “Have an extra serving of mashed potatoes,” she offered, smiling wide.

  To my dismay, he responded by flirting back.

  “Come on, move it, buddy. I’m starving,” I prodded.

  Serena twirled her long blonde hair around her finger and licked her lips. Roar lapped it up like a dog under a spell.

  “Stop playing with your hair over the food. That’s gross,” I said.

  “You’re just jealous.” Serena glared at me and slammed a plate in front of me.

  “Jealous of what?” I demanded. “Fake blonde hair, fake fingernails, and a fake personality?” I fumed. “I don’t think so.”

  “Of pedigree.” She let the word roll off her tongue slow and steady, over-enunciating every syllable.

  “That’s enough,” Roar said, grasping Serena’s wrist.

  Gabby dished the green beans and mashed potatoes onto my plate with a careless thump. Lucinda tossed my burger on the plate and glared at me. I shook my head but said nothing as the more I argued with them, the weaker I felt.

  “Come on, forget about them.” Roar said, heading toward the dining room.

  “You forgot your gravy,” Gabby said and dipped a ladle into a large bowl she’d kept under the counter.

  I raised my plate to meet her hand. Lucinda and Serena stared at me without blinking as if they expected me to fight more with them, but I didn’t give them the satisfaction of getting another rise out of me.

  Gabby poured a red substance all over the mash potatoes, then quickly dumped the bowl over my plate. The warm liquid splashed on my arms and oozed over my hands, encasing my bracelet, before dripping on my shoes.

  Stunned, my reaction strangled in my throat. Waves of nausea roiled through my stomach as I stood frozen in place unable to wrap my mind around what had happened.

  I thrust the plate away from me and out of my hands. “What the fuck are you doing?” I screamed as the plate crashed and shattered on the tiled floor. Shards of porcelain bounced upward and danced on the floor, as if in slow motion, splashing the red liquid and food over my shoes and legs.

  Gabby flung the last of the contents in the ladle toward me, splattering it in my hair and on my face. A strange sensation coiled through my core, as if I wanted to run, yet embrace the sticky substance all at once. Lucinda blew a red powder in my direction. A strong scent of metal hit my nostrils. Blood? Blood!

  My mouth gaped open as I sucked in a deep breath to scream, inhaling the mixture in my mouth and nose. Every pore on my body opened as a scorching pain invaded my body. Each cell felt raw and exposed. I clutched at my head and screamed out in agony. Roar doubled back to us and yelled at Serena, but his words rang distorted in my ears.

  I clawed at my face to remove the substance burning my skin, yet the uncontrollable urge to taste the assaulting concoctions consumed me. A tangy substance engulfed my palette, as I sucked on my fingers. An unyielding need to satisfy my hunger raged through every fiber of my being. Metal and salt flooded my senses, permeating my nose and throat. A low savage moan erupted from my lips.

  “What have you done?” Roar screamed at the girls, shoving Lucinda, knocking her to the floor.

  He grasped my arm sending shock waves of desire and rage through my veins. I shook loose his hold and sank to the floor rubbing my hands through the blood and mash potatoes. Tiny cuts opened on my fingers as the jagged porcelain tore at my skin. The sight of my own blood fascinated me, as I rubbed the blood cover food over my fingertips mixing it with my own bleeding wounds. My vision sharpened as I zoomed in on the blood sucking it from my fingers in a frenzy.

  A strong force grabbed me under my arms propelling my upward. lifting me onto my feet and pushed me out the kitchen door.

  “I’ll kill you for this,” Roar yelled back toward the kitchen.

  Loud echoing laughter vibrated through me as if a church bell had been hit inside my brain. I shoved my hands over my ears to stop the assault, but it rang through me in unforgiving waves.

  “What's happening to me?” I said through labored breath. “They poisoned me!” I cried.

  We stumbled into the woods away from the clamorous sounds of their laughter.

  To my relief, the throbbing in my head lessoned as I zoomed in on the sounds of the forest. Small nocturnal creatures scurried through the woods away from us until only the sound of Roar’s heavy breathing and our heartbeats remained. I spun around taking in the night. Tiny eyes stared at me from every tree as if watching my next move. If I dared to take a step in their direction, they flew off or ran away as if in fear of my presence.

  “You’ll be okay, Adora. This will wear off soon,” Roar said, rousing my attention.

  I turned slowly toward him and cocked my head. I felt as if I’d known him my entire life yet didn’t recognize him at all. The vein in his neck throbbed, and I zeroed in on the racing heartbeat thudding heavily in his chest as if a drum ceremony called out to me to join with him as one.

  Mechanically, I inched closer to him, never taking my gaze off his. Fear splashed across his face unleashing a strange satisfaction within me. His gaze darted nervously around the forest. A cool breeze blew across my skin, flittering the scent of blood and pine needles into my lungs.

  “Take some deep breaths and will yourself to calm down,” he instructed.

  His T-shirt hugged the angles of his muscles, clinging tightly to his chest. Heat coiled between my legs urging me to embrace him and drink in the scent of his sweat and pheromones. I arched my body and moaned, yet I remained in place, observing his actions.

  His chest heaved up and down. “Breathe. Like this
,” he instructed.

  The heavy beat of his heart overwhelmed my senses. I narrowed my eyes and listened to the thudding in his chest. Each thump sounded as if it spoke to me in a language only we could understand.

  Calling me.

  To join with him.

  To consume his essence.

  “Roar,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, yet the trees rustled with the anticipation of the night creatures. “Help me.” I lifted my gaze and bored through his with my will in full force.

  Come to me.

  A sly thought curled my lips into a smile.

  He readily obeyed my silent command and scooped me into his arms. The security of his presence dulled my urge to dominate him, and I submitted to his protective embrace. Feeling more myself, I nuzzled my cheek into his neck and relaxed my tense muscles.

  “It’ll be okay,” he reassured me and swayed our bodies.

  Nestled in his embrace, I allowed the rhythm of his breath to weave a cocoon of safety around me. Arching slightly away from him, I studied his face. The fullness of his lips fascinated me, and I eased mine closer to his. We lingered so close to each other before Roar pressed his mouth into mine. Sadness filled my heart, as I never thought my first kiss would happen covered in the crusty remains of a cruel trick. But I’d won anyway. Serena could torment me all she liked, but Roar chose to kiss my lips and not hers.

  My fingertips grazed over Roars ears and down the length of his jawline. The pounding of his heart called to me and I listened to the message of yearning it tapped out. In return, my heart pounded viciously in my chest, aching for him to satisfy my raw desire. My base needs took hold of my mind and my body acted as if it were on auto pilot. I pressed my breasts against his chest and snaked my arms around his neck. He stiffened as if he were unwilling to go further, yet I inched my hips closer to his demanding he respond in kind to my body.

  The boldness of my actions caught me off guard, but I willed away any thoughts of innocence and uncertainty. A newfound surety ran through my veins and I wouldn't stop until I achieved everything I wanted. Roar’s biceps flexed as he changed positions in an attempt to put some distance between us, but my desire wouldn’t let him relent. I pressed my face into his chest as I cradled the back of his head firmly.