Darkblood Academy: Book Four: Prophecies

by G. K. DeRosa

  “Good luck, Luna.” Garrix squeezed my shoulder as I stared down into the pit. Then he leaned closer, whispering in my ear, “Don’t make it look too easy.”

  Was he joking right now?

  I summoned three daggers, strapping one to each of my legs and held onto the third. They wouldn’t actually let me die down there, would they? With one last glance up at the four pairs of intense eyes watching me, I jumped in.

  Chapter 14

  I landed in the fighting pit in a defensive crouch, my feet sinking into the soft mud. The demon growled, circling me, the snakes writhing around his head. Unlike Luxora’s neon green serpent, these guys were smaller and a dusky brown. If they didn’t squirm around so much, they’d look like dreadlocks.

  “Look, I don’t want to hurt you, buddy. I just need to show these guys what I can do. So what do you say we play nice?”

  “I don’t play with half-bloods,” he snarled. “And I was offered my freedom in exchange for besting you.”

  I suppressed a gasp and refocused. Was I really that surprised anyway? “Your loss.” I flicked a dagger at him, guiding it with my magic and it sliced off one of the snake’s heads. One down, about seven more to go.

  The beast howled as a trickle of blood dripped down his leathery face. “You’re going to regret that, human.” The massive demon lunged at me, his bearlike claws extended.

  I splayed my hand out and sparks of fire danced along my fingertips. “Incendia!” The flames burst out in a dozen fiery projectiles. The gargose shrieked as the fire scorched up and down his hairy arms and chest.

  He charged, flames licking up his skin. I staggered back as the snakes spat out a sticky black liquid and summoned my shield just in time. The viscous substance collected on the outside of my protective bubble, dripping down the surface.

  The demon let out a frustrated howl as he circled me, wisps of smoke coming off his skin.

  The only problem with my bubble was that it blocked magic in both directions. So I couldn’t attack him while it was up. And I wanted this fight over already. Before dropping my shield, I summoned a swirling energy ball in each of my palms.

  Muttering the words to break the spell, I threw the shimmering orbs the moment it was down. Both were direct hits to the creature’s chest.

  He roared as the force of the impact sent him soaring against the far mud wall. His massive body slid down and crumpled to the ground in a heap of singed fur and leathery skin.

  I glanced up at the hovering dais and met the inescapable eyes of the council. “Have you seen enough?” I shouted. I had no desire to kill this demon. He hadn’t done anything to me and serving as the coven’s executioner was not my style.

  “Finish him off,” Malaki ordered.

  Serafine’s head twisted to face him, but I couldn’t catch their exchange.

  “Is that really necessary?” asked Draven. “She’s proven her power against the gargose. Now his trial will determine his fate.”

  “He murdered an entire coven in the outer villages of Maginaria,” hissed Malaki. “His trial is but a formality. He is sure to burn for his sins.” He glared down at me, his onyx eyes blazing. “Finish him.”

  I glanced up at my father, whose anxious eyes bounced back and forth between me and the slowly stirring demon. “Do it,” he mouthed.

  Guilt squeezed my chest as I watched the creature’s lids flutter. He killed an entire coven. He killed an entire coven. I repeated the mantra until the remorse began to dissipate. Power fizzled to the surface until it hemorrhaged through my veins. A fiery bubble expanded in my chest as I drew on the cords wrapped around my heart. The words of the incineration spell danced across my mind, poised on my lips.

  Garrix cleared his throat so loudly I looked up at him. He slowly shook his head, the move so slight it was barely perceptible. His eyes fixed on my leg to the spot where I’d strapped the dagger.

  No major shows of power.

  I released the energy uncoiling below the surface, drawing in a deep breath. Instead, I bent down and loosed both daggers. I hurtled them through the air, whispering an incantation as they went.

  Both blades sunk into the middle of the creature’s chest with a sickening crunch. Blood spurted from the wounds and the gargose slumped forward, his body stilling.

  “Have you seen enough now?” Garrix asked.

  Serafine nodded and extended her hand. Invisible arms wrapped around my middle and pulled me from the deep crater until I was dropped off beside my father. The two halves of the floor rejoined, the wooden planks kneading together and the fighting pit disappeared as if it had never existed at all.

  The floating platform descended back into its place at the far end of the council room.

  “Are we quite finished here?” Garrix asked.

  “Give us a moment to deliberate,” said Malaki, raising a hand.

  The sweet, smoky scent of magic filled the air as a bubble surrounded the council as they formed their huddle.

  I folded my arms across my chest, anxiety coating my insides. I just wanted this to be over. Garrix placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it an awkward squeeze. I almost giggled from the nervous energy swimming inside me. My father was not the touchy-feely type and him showing any sort of affection was a first.

  What felt like hours later, the Coven Council finally disbanded, the protective bubble bursting with a gold shimmer. Serafine sat forward, peering down at me over her glasses. “I’m afraid we’re at an impasse.”

  My heart leapt to my throat.

  “What’s the problem?” Garrix hissed.

  “Malaki brought up the solution of binding her powers until more can be determined—”

  “What?” I screeched.

  The dark sorcerer narrowed his eyes at me. “Come now, Luna. I felt that surge of energy right before you decided to slay the demon with your daggers. We all felt it. It’s obvious you held back, which makes me fear what else you’re keeping from us.”

  “This is nothing but conjecture,” Garrix snarled. “She did no such thing.”

  “Be that as it may,” continued Serafine, “Gwinith agrees with Malaki, while Draven and I do not find binding the girl’s powers necessary. We are aware of the task she performs on the team at the academy and believe it is important work. Binding her powers would only undermine all the good that’s being done.”

  “Which is exactly why he’s doing this!” I pointed at Malaki as anger coursed through my system. “He’s obviously working with Luxora. That’s why he wants my powers bound.”

  “Luna!” Garrix snapped.

  “No. I won’t be silenced. Luxora’s oracle saw what I was. She admitted it when we were in the Underworld. My father knew nothing about it. If anyone lied, it was me. It’s the only reason why Malaki knew I was a warlock—because the dark lord told him.”

  Serafine’s lips twisted. She cleared her throat as she readjusted herself on the seat. “Those are mighty accusations you’re throwing out, young lady. Do you have any proof to back those claims?”

  Garrix shot me an I-told-you-so look.

  “No,” I muttered.

  “Then we remain at an impasse.”

  “Not if I’m allowed the deciding vote,” Garrix interjected.

  “Absolutely not.” Malaki leapt to his feet, a snarl contorting his thin lips.

  “Then we go to the Etrian Assembly.” My father shrugged. “It’s only a matter of time before they discover Luna’s true nature, and they’re the next in line to adjudicate an impasse. And if I’m not mistaken, I believe it’s the Fae king’s turn to arbitrate.”

  My heart soared. King Elrian had to vote in my favor, right? Judging by the smirk on my father’s face, he certainly thought so.

  “Very well, it’s settled then,” said Draven, rising, his billowing purple robes floating behind him. “We will present the matter to King Elrian, and his decision will be the final vote needed.”

  “What do I do until then?” I asked.

  “She’ll rem
ain in my custody as previously decided upon,” my father interjected before anyone could object.

  “Fine.” Serafine stood and raised her hands. “You are dismissed.”

  Malaki sneered down at me, his onyx eyes shooting daggers. A chill skirted up my spine inciting a wave of goose bumps over my flesh. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself.

  “Come, Luna.” Garrix placed his hand on the small of my back and steered me out of the council’s chamber.

  The moment the door closed behind us, my shoulders sagged forward in relief.

  “You did well in there.”

  “Thanks,” I muttered. “They still felt my power though.”

  “Power like yours cannot easily be hidden, Luna. Especially not to other shrewd supernaturals.”

  I thought about the dark magic that coiled around my father, following him like a mystical shadow. I’d sensed it the first time I met him, and that was before I’d even come into my powers. “So then why did you insist we keep it a secret?”

  “I knew it would inevitably come out, but I hoped to delay it for as long as possible. And it worked. You’re strong now, and you can handle your magic. Everything is unfolding as I’d envisioned.”

  I opened my mouth to ask if he’d actually envisioned it or he was using it as a figure of speech. Then I decided I didn’t want to know. I was tired of hazy prophecies and their monumental effects on my life.

  Chapter 15

  Ryder’s intense gaze bored into me from across the couch as I typed my message to Drake. The moment I’d gotten back to Garrix’s house, I’d texted the ice prince. We’d been going back and forth while he spoke to his brother, the king.

  According to Drake, Elrian had no qualms about voting against the Coven Council’s recommendation to bind my powers. He, like most of the Etrian Assembly, was in favor of the supe slayer squad, and squashing my burgeoning abilities would only harm our cause.

  I glanced up, a smile splitting my lips. This was going to work. I’d finally be free from the council’s scrutiny and be able to return to Darkhen.

  “Good news from the prince?” Ryder asked.

  “Yup. Elrian’s on our side. He’ll vote against Malaki and Gwinith, and I should be good to go.”

  His brow arched. “Great. It’s nice to have friends in high places.”

  “Very true.” King Elrian had gotten us out of a couple tight jams this year. Cillian would no longer be headmaster at Darkhen Academy, and Ryder would still be rotting away at the SIA detention center if it hadn’t been for the king. And my sister’s intervention on their behalf.

  “So you and Drake…” Ryder’s words cut off as I met his uncertain gaze.

  Heat coated my cheeks and I swept my hair forward, hoping to hide behind the blonde curtain. I sucked in my lower lip, worrying it between my teeth.

  “Were you… are you guys still together?” He spat out the ending in a rushed breath.

  I shook my head. “We’re not… anymore.”

  “Oh.” He exhaled sharply. “Because of his impending betrothal?”

  “Mostly.” I glanced up at him, finally meeting his eyes. An intense emotion I’d never seen before flashed across his dark eyes, and the binding cord between us constricted. Doubt? Insecurity? Regret? I couldn’t quite decipher it. “But that wasn’t the only reason.” Why did I just say that?

  He moved closer, pivoting his body toward mine. “It wasn’t?”

  My heartbeats accelerated at the flash of hope that streaked across his eyes. I shook my head. “Nope.”

  He squirmed in his seat, repositioning his long legs. “So are you going to tell me what it was or are you going to make me ask?”

  “Do you really want to know?”

  He propped his elbow on the back of the couch and raked his hand through his hair, tugging on the ends. “I know I have no right to ask, but…”

  “Drake didn’t think I was over you.”

  His chest strained against his tight t-shirt, and a tendon in his jaw went haywire. I inhaled a long breath, and he clasped his hands together in his lap. “Was he right?” His voice was so low I could barely make out the words.

  “Do you really want to know?” I repeated, my heart hammering against my ribs.

  He nodded and inched closer.

  My body hummed at his proximity, his musky, sandalwood scent consuming the air. “I tried to keep my end of the deal. I did. I cared about Drake a lot, but he just wasn’t you. But don’t worry, I’m still working on it. I have to get over you eventually.”

  A broad smile lit up his face, revealing that dimple that drove me crazy. “Luna, for once, I’m glad you didn’t listen to me.”

  My eyes widened as his hand closed over mine. “Wh—what are you saying?”

  “All this talk about binding your powers gave me an idea.”

  His fingers tightened around mine, and my pulse skyrocketed.

  “What if I bind my demon?”

  “Is that even possible?”

  “That’s what I hear. It’s not without risks, but if anyone could do it, I’d bet you and Garrix could.”

  My mind whirled with the possibilities. Did that mean we could finally be together? Did I even want to be with him after everything he’d put me through? Then I considered the other dark side of the bright and shiny coin. “But you’d lose your powers; you’d be cutting off a part of yourself.”

  His eyes locked on mine, their intensity stealing my breath. “But I’d gain so much more.” He licked his lips, pausing. My heart felt like a battering ram against my ribs. “If you’ll still have me, of course. Luna, I never stopped l—”

  The pounding intensified, cutting off Ryder’s words. The thundering noise wasn’t coming from my insides.

  A flash of yellow streaked across his eyes, and he leapt up from the couch, a snarl curling his lips. “The wards. Someone’s trying to break through them.” He cursed as he slid the curtain aside to peer out into the yard. I rushed over and stood beside him. His arm whipped across my chest, shielding me behind his broad back. Darkness settled across the horizon, bathing the yard in an inky purple. “Send a message to Cillian now. Garrix needs to know what’s happening.”

  I nodded and raced across the room to my phone. I shot off a quick text message and ran back to join Ryder by the window. “Do you think they’ll be able to get through?” I whispered.

  “Not according to your father.”

  The thundering booms intensified. It sounded like someone was taking a sledgehammer to the sides of the house.

  The cords around my heart tightened, a swirl of fear echoing within the binds. The team knew I was in trouble. “Do you feel that?” I asked Ryder, massaging circles over my chest.

  He nodded, but his gaze never deviated from the window.

  A burst of heat ignited in my middle, the portal-opening spell on the tip of my tongue. “Should I bring them here?”

  “Tell Drake to be ready. Let’s wait a minute to see if the wards hold.”

  I concentrated on the lilac tether, a mix of fear and anger pulsing through the bond. My fingers flew over the dial pad as I updated him on what was going on.

  Drake: Bring us over now, Luna

  Me: Just wait. I’ll let you know when

  Drake: I don’t like this

  I pocketed my cell and glanced outside again. The deafening pounding slightly abated.

  “I think it’s holding,” Ryder murmured.

  “Do you think it’s Luxora?”

  “No, if it were her or Nicodemus they would’ve broken through by now. My guess is some higher-level demons she sent. If Malaki really is consorting with the warlord, he could’ve warned her of the Coven Council’s decision. Maybe this was her last ditch effort to stop you before you were released from their custody.”

  It made sense. Once King Elrian shot down their proposal, I’d be back at the academy and harder to get to. “It has to be Malaki. If that doesn’t prove he’s working with her then I don’t know what does.”<
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  A burst of brilliant light drew my attention out the window. Crapsicles. Ryder tensed beside me, his muscles straining beneath his shirt. “Stay behind me,” he muttered.

  A familiar form coalesced in the center of the portal, and I released the breath I’d been holding. My father darted across the yard, the shock of white hair across the blonde nearly glowing beneath the new moon.

  Ryder opened the door, and Garrix zipped inside. Once the door slammed shut, he waved his hands over the entryway and a shimmery violet light sealed the door. “The nerve of that woman,” he hissed. “There’s a horde of demons on the other side of the warded gate. Trust me, they won’t be getting through any time soon.”

  “Are you sure?” Ryder’s anxious gaze bounced from me to the door and back.

  “Yes. Both of you stay put. I just summoned an emergency meeting of the Etrian Assembly, and we’ll have you out of here in no time.”

  “You expect us to stay here while a horde of demons are literally trying to batter down the door?” I squealed.

  “I assure you, you’re perfectly safe.”

  Ryder’s arm came around my shoulders, and he pulled me into his side. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Fine. Now that that’s settled, I’ll work on getting you both out of here permanently.” He flicked his wrist, and a purple haze enveloped him until his lithe form vanished into the ether.

  “This is freakin’ nuts,” I muttered into Ryder’s shoulder. “She’s never going to stop, is she?”

  “I wish I could say yes, but Luxora… she’s relentless. Once she’s set her sights on something, she’s like a rabid animal.”

  My lips twisted into a frown as Ryder’s earlier words tumbled through my mind. “You can’t bind your demon, Ryder. How would we defeat her without your help?”

  He brushed his lips against my forehead, his minty breath tingeing the air. “We’d find a way. You’re stronger than any of us.”

  “I don’t want you doing something you’ll regret later.”

  He wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me into his chest. The feel of my body flush against his sent a million butterflies aflutter in my belly. “I’d never regret attempting everything in my power to give us a chance.”