Immortal Academy- The Complete Series

by S. L. Morgan

  “Jenna, it’s normal. You’re going through a grieving process like the rest of us. No one is their best self right now. Everyone is struggling with trying to regain any semblance of normalcy they can find. Everyone is kind of out of it.”

  “Yeah,” I felt the irrational anger bubbling in my veins again, “Well, Dominic sure can get out here and put his own shit behind him, help these students move on, and help his cousin grieve at the same time. I swear to God, this makes me feel so self-centered.”

  “No,” Tanner arched an eyebrow at me, “acting the way you’re acting right now is making you that way. Why don’t we pull out of here and head up to the dining hall? Eating always solves the majority of your issues, and we both know that Vannah’s soul will haunt your butt if you don’t eat an entire pie while grieving her loss.”

  I smiled. “Yes, she would. You’re right. I think we’ve paid our respects long enough. You know I hate that damn fire.”

  “There’s no way you could remember the fires,” the all-too-familiar voice of Mark Rossi said.

  Oh, good. I was definitely in the mood to deal with the bastard who started all of this to begin with. I turned to face his somber and commanding frame.

  “What the hell would you know, besides the fact that my family was a threat to yours? I saw everything in a vision and the stuff you said to my dad when the ultimate fear came into play—your son and me, fated to be mates.”

  “I know because I was there when your parents begged for help the night we sieged and destroyed House Silvers.” He eyed me. “I helped your parents go into hiding, save you, and save themselves after I’d realized we made a grave mistake.”

  “How the hell did you grow a conscience, Mark Rossi?” I said in a flat tone. “Was that before or after innocent children were being slaughtered? Maybe the women? Maybe all of the above?”

  “Jenna,” he said with an exhale, “darkness was pouring throughout that house like it did when it attacked the students at Immortal Academy. The only way to stop it was to destroy it. We had no idea it was Darius who was orchestrating everything. He cast a spell over House Braeclaw and a strange one at that. It fell upon anyone who went to interrogate those of House Silvers. It made us see, feel, and even hear things that didn’t exist.

  “The evil seemed to have it all planned from the beginning. That coven of witches was its tool, and Darius Edgewater was its host, as well as using your mother’s spirit. We had no idea, but when I pulled you from your mother’s arms, she had the power to change my sight on everything that was happening. That’s when I knew we did wrong, and I have lived a life that has been riddled with guilt over my house and people destroying yours. We were—”

  “Tricked by a leprechaun,” I finished his sentence. “And so many innocents died because of the raid.”

  “I felt I was doing right by this world, my family, and you—the girl I was determined to work to keep away from my son—until the oracle knew the time was right for you and Dominic to see each other as mates. It seems the oracles were wrong. If you had merged, that darkness would’ve come for you both and possess you. I have no idea where any of us would be right now if you and Dominic would’ve merged those powers and they were taken by that darkness.” He pursed his lips together, “You have every right to hate me—every right—and so does Dominic, but please know that it’s been the evil, that you found a way to destroy, that has deceived so many for so many years. If Darius were alive, I’d kill him myself after learning the truths Ethan gained knowledge of after those warriors helped all of you.”

  “I’m done hating. I’m done being in this hateful, pissed-off state of mind. So, if you really did help my family, thank you. Thank you for at least trying, but it seems like it was my mom and me who needed to be taken out in that raid against House Silvers, not all of those innocent other people.”

  “I couldn’t allow your parents to die, Jenna,” Mark said. “Once I saw through this, I had to try to at least save your parents and you.”

  “You ever think the evil energy that wanted me and my mom opened your eyes to us being innocent when it had us where it wanted us? Alive and well?”

  “Yes,” Mark said in his constant voice of authority. “That’s why we worked to hide you. The oracles hid you well, but you were discovered soon after Nikolas and I had that fight in my home. Kate felt it in your mother that night too. They went home—to the place where they tried to prepare for everything—but they failed. They tried to give you a normal life, but they would never admit to anyone, much less themselves, that the sinister demons would find what they were looking for. That’s when all I could do was try to hide Dominic from finding you and ensure my son would never be fooled as I was.”

  “Crazy how it all turned out in the end,” I said. As angry as I was at the situation, I was also starting to understand that even Mark Rossi was fooled by this shit. “Your son was a badass alpha who never let himself get played like it played you.”

  “Don’t think for a second that I haven’t considered that since arriving here and learning the truth of it all. Dom told me all that you’ve both fought together. My son couldn’t have a better mate, and that is why I humbly beg for your forgiveness for everything I’ve done.”

  I stood there, staring at Mark’s expression. I had no idea how to answer it, but I knew that this was finally over. It was a war between evil that went back to mine and Dom’s parents’ days. I saw the sincerity in his expression, and then I felt a sudden relief wash over me when something deep inside told me to forgive the man and start moving forward in the life that my parents always wanted me to have—the life they both died for.

  I opened my mouth to forgive him, but nothing came out. I was stuck, fighting emotions, turmoil, and this sensation of goodness that was urging me on all at once.

  Damn it, why couldn’t I just say that I forgave him? It would be the end of everything. It would finalize everything.

  “I get it,” I finally croaked out. “A lot of innocents died that night because you were tricked, spelled, or whatever it was. Thank you for trying.”

  “Jenna, we are all at the mercy of House Silvers now.”

  “House Silvers no longer exists,” I said in confusion.

  “I’m looking at House Silvers right now.” He half-smiled. “There will be quite a future if you and House Braeclaw’s alpha take over. I believe it would be wise for House Braeclaw to dissolve, and if you accept those who are under this house, we will serve House Silvers better than we have served our own. We’re at your service, Jenna Silvers, yours and Dominic’s.”

  Chapter Forty-Five

  I should have been able to keep track of the days and months until graduation, but it was failing me. I just wanted out of this hell hole, out of these supernatural schools, and past the grief that I felt the school itself would never move on from.

  It didn’t matter how cute Bug was—especially with the new silver armor I managed to get for him—or how beautiful the IA structures and grounds had become because of the fairies, working together from inside and outside of the school to bring some light in, I was just ready for today—graduation day. Then, of course, to get tomorrow out of the way with the graduation panels. They saved that one for last, which was lame because if we didn’t pass that, then we didn’t get our certificates to go into the Supernatural Elite Forces.

  It was all whatever to me either way. If the school was going to do things back-ass-wards, then so be it. We had numerous substitute teachers filling in, including a new shifter for IA President, and a witch as our new dean. The witch, Dean Bennet, was elected by the Woodson coven, and Mark Rossi elected President Jonathan Marks to take over the entire watch of IA, and the Elite Council approved. All of our previous professors who’d died—including Constance—in the battle of good and immortal evil were replaced with those who seemed to be great professors to match Immortal Academy’s facelift in moving forward for new students here.

  I didn’t care, I was ready to leave. I’d
declined Mark Rossi’s invitation to absorb House Braeclaw and renew House Silvers and requested that a memorial be placed to honor the innocent men, women, and children who fell to the dark force instead. It served as a reminder to all of us about how easily one could fall victim to mind manipulation, and why the Elite Council was necessary for not only our school but also for all the other colleges that sent supes out into the world.

  I would have preferred House Silvers to remain a memory of what my father and mother had helped to build instead of being something that was rebuilt from another shifter house—it just seemed right. Regardless of my decision, however, Mark Rossi wouldn’t budge, and the Elite Council backed him, so when Dom and I were to be officially united under supernatural law as husband and wife, the houses would merge, and House Silvers would remain the dominant house, as it was before it was torn down.

  Through numerous witches and fae—and I’m sure the Guardians were involved—Mark was interrogated and was found innocent, having been manipulated by a dark force that was beyond his control.

  My final opinion about it all was…what-the-hell-ever. I wanted out of this cloak-like robe that was made of thick, burgundy velvet, and this ridiculous beret we were forced to wear while I watched students as they walked a little too slowly across the stage to receive their diplomas of completion.

  It seemed like an all-day ceremony, but it finally was over. Ethan, thank God, was recouping well after grieving the loss of the one person he believed he’d found love with. With Lusa, Dom, Tanner, and my help, Ethan broke free of the chains of his first love and let her go into her supernatural peace, where we all knew she was better off than we were.

  “So, you and Dom must have big plans for tonight, eh?”

  They say only the good die young, and I guess this is why, I thought as the new and improved, yet still her snarky self, Kat, said as she walked with her friends.

  “Dom and I are ready to get the hell out of here,” I answered with a forced smile.

  “I bet you are,” she snickered as she sauntered past where I waited to catch up with Dom. It had been a long damn day, but only one more day, and we were out of here.

  The next morning, Dom was in my dorm room, waking up me and Lusa—my renewed roommate—before the sun painted any color on the black sky.

  “Hey,” he whispered. “Jen.”

  “I’m up. What’s going on?” I asked, sensing the urgency in his voice.

  “Dom, really? Can’t it wait until after you both pass the panel, or are you just going to break the rules to give your future kids some highlights of your days in college?”

  “It can’t wait,” he said. “Listen,” he took my hands in his, sitting next to me on my bed, “I heard the Guardians won’t be on that panel today.”

  “Harrison acted like that would be his last and best part of intervening with IA. I’m shocked to hear that.”

  “Apparently, the Guardians are occupied, which means you and I are getting out of here.”

  I looked over at Lusa only to see her smiling.

  “Ethan’s busting you and me out,” Dom smirked. “The kid is about to teleport us to a private location so we can enjoy time alone after everything we’ve been through.”

  “We already talked the break out over with our parents,” Lusa whispered. “Since Levi and Harrison and their men won’t be on the panel, it looks like you two are free to go. My father confirmed it, and Ethan wanted to do something special for you two.”

  “Special?” I finally snapped to and hugged Dom. I knew what this was about and what was about to go down, and I couldn’t wait. “Is it safe, though? If you and I—” I stopped, not really knowing how to tell Dom I was ready to jump his bones right here and now and not even wait to get out of here.

  Dom smiled his knowing grin, another reason why I was ready to merge the wolves, even if it was only to allow me to read his mind like he’d been doing with me since we accepted each other as mates.

  “If you and I have sex?” Dom made sure to finish my sentence.

  “Good God,” Lusa rolled her eyes, “I really don’t need the details as to why you both are abandoning the panel, not working on the Elite Forces, and wanting our cousin to ensure nothing comes for you in your private and peaceful little month of love,” she dragged the last word out with a smile and a hint of annoyance.

  “Then stop listening,” Dom looked over at her. “E will be in the remote location with us, and not to worry, he’ll be fine on his own where we’re going. He won’t be interrupting us while we’re there.”

  “Won’t that get a little boring?”

  Dom chuckled, “I certainly hope not. I plan on making sure every square inch—”

  “For Ethan,” I laughed, “Not us, sheesh, your poor sister.”

  “I’ve already started tuning you two out. Yes, it’s safe, or it wouldn’t be approved by an oracle or my father.”

  “When do we get the hell out of here, and where are we going?”

  “We leave now. Ethan’s in our room, and he’ll teleport us out of here. We’re heading to Bali.”

  “With Humans?” I asked, seemingly more excited to interact with them than to finally merge our wolves and be with Dom on a whole new and intimate level.

  “With humans,” Dom repeated with a laugh. “Though, you might not care so much about them if I have my way.”

  I stood up and wrapped my arms tightly around the man I loved. “Let’s get the hell out of here, then. With our luck, if we waste any more time, we’re going to run into Harrison, who suddenly isn’t preoccupied with his duties anymore.”

  “Sounds like a deal.”

  “You two have fun. Don’t forget about the rest of us who are going through the motions so you two can reward yourselves early.”

  “I feel bad,” I said.

  Dom sighed. “Don’t. Trust me, she’s probably already scheduling her next two months off, wedding planning.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Thanks to Ethan mastering the art of teleporting, I didn’t have the urge to barf by the time our scenery had changed from his and Dom’s dorm room to bright blue, cloudless skies. The soothing, salty breeze blew in from the golden shorelines where the aquamarine waves glided over the sand.

  “Oh, my God,” I said, shielding my eyes as I took in the scenery. “This is gorgeous,” I said.

  With the flap of his wings and a gust of wind, Ethan’s owl disappeared into a thick patch of trees behind the beach where Dom and I stood.

  “Let’s get out of these stupid school uniforms we left the school in,” Dom said, peeling his shirt off. “I’m done with that place for good, and if I never see IA’s logo again, it’ll be too soon.”

  I wasn’t captivated by his brawny chest—which, of course, I examined and appreciated first—but it was his bronze eyes that had captivated me and made me grateful that they’d returned to their normal color after we fought the darkness.

  I watched in utter happiness and relief as his eyes glimmered with the same freedom I was feeling. I was swept up into his arms after I saw his daring smile, and my lips were captured by his for a brief second.

  “I asked Ethan to bring us here after having my dad secure our own private villa on this island,” he said, walking toward steps that led up to a beautiful structure that overlooked the beach. “Time for dad to pay up after everything he did.” Dom kissed my forehead.

  “I believed it wasn’t his fault even before the interrogations and Ethan confirming it.”

  “I didn’t,” he said somberly. “It took all of that to confirm my dad wasn’t a lying asshole after all this time, but I forgave, and now it’s time to forget.”

  I ran my hand across the stubble on his cheek, “Forget, eh? That’s why you’re punishing him by making him pay for us to stay here? I’m not familiar with the human world, but it seems like this place—” I eyed the sparkling pool that looked like it spilled into the ocean from this vantage point, and then into the enormous house that had gla
ss windows facing the sea. “This has got to cost a lot to stay here unless he owns the place.”

  Dom chuckled. “The whole point was for you and me to disappear,” he said, letting my feet touch the ground. “My dad’s private island has been used by so many supernatural snobs that there’s no telling who’d come knocking on the front door.”

  “Private island?” I said in shock. “Dom, I was kidding, but seriously, how wealthy is that man?”

  Dom rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. “It’s nothing to brag about. I mean, it was nice, enjoying places and luxuries growing up. Hell, it’s probably the reason I was a spoiled ass growing up, but now?” he wrapped his arms around me and brought me close into his chest, “None of it matters. I’ve seen enough shit to realize that all I want is you and me—left alone—and that’s it.” He tilted my chin, eyes staring intently into mine, “I love you with all my heart and soul, Jen. I can’t believe we finally reached the end of all that bullshit, and we can do whatever we want now.”

  I arched a brow at his smoldering eyes. “Really? Whatever we want? That wouldn’t have anything to do with us being left alone to merge these wolves, would it?”

  Dom smirked, “I’m down for making sure you know that every part of your sexy body is my new personal obsession, and you know I worship it.”

  “Funny,” I eyed the ocean surf, then Dom’s body that begged to be worshipped, “I feel the same way.”

  Dom laughed. “I know. I heard it in your mind.”

  “I’m also down for merging the damn wolves because it sort of sucks to have you in my thoughts all the time.”

  “Ah,” he took my hand, leading me up a marble staircase, “so she uses me just to get into my head.”