Wonderland Academy: Book 1

by Cheri Winters

  “All of us think so.”

  I stiffened. “All of us, who?”

  “Me, Eithanael, Zack, and Maize. We realize you're unique and have decided to sponsor you if you’ll have us.”

  “What does that mean exactly?” Because the way he was staring at me like he wanted to kiss me, was making my skin heat. “Or is this some secret Wonderland code?”

  “I’m saying we’ve chosen to champion you.” He brushed my hair aside, placing the flower over my ear. “Wonderland is tame here around the castle, because of political visitors, the queen has made it that way. Made it where anyone stopping by thinks this land is like yours. But the further away you are from here, the greater the danger. Past the barrier both animal and plants that will seek to kill you. Trust your instincts.”

  His fingers were warm against my skin and I resisted the urge to lean into his touch. His warning was like a distant buzzing that didn’t seem real. The only thing concrete was me and him. My gaze shifted to his mouth and how perfect it was.

  For a moment, I imagined what it might be like for him to kiss me. What his lips might feel like on my skin. My mouth dried just thinking about it. I wanted his arms to encircle me and feel his warm, soft mouth against my mouth. My skin tingled with the anticipation of his kiss, his touch. From his attention, I felt unbelievably beautiful. Yet I couldn't resist the lure of what it might mean to be his. I felt overwhelmed with desire and nervousness.

  I hadn’t realized I had been staring at him until I saw the blush touch his cheeks.

  When he looked abashed, I crossed my arms. Had I misread the attraction between us? A hesitant silence passed between us and I had to fill the growing, awkward silence.

  “Look, I need to study and you brought me out here to distract me,” I said, clearing my throat. It was probably best if I resorted to banter. Banter kept me safe. Banter kept me from saying things I might otherwise regret.

  “I’m a distraction?” His violet eyes brightened.

  A breeze suddenly tickled across my flesh, tugging up the edge of my shirt. This was not going where it was supposed to go.

  “Hey, cut that out.” I jerked the top back down even as my breaths quickened.

  When I glanced back up at Will, something daring swam behind his eyes and reminded me of all the stories I’d heard of fae leading people astray. Had he been telling the truth about them sharing? Not quite sure how I felt about that if I caught his meaning correctly, but I wasn’t against it. Four guys? A faint trickle of desire sparked inside me.

  I knew that wasn’t exactly the norm. I remember reading books and getting frustrated over the love triangles. How could someone claim to love two people? It didn’t make any sense to me.

  But now, I was starting to realize that anything was possible.

  Not that I loved any of the four, but I had feelings for them that were increasing the more time I spent with them.

  I bit my lip. His hands were tender as he picked up my backpack in one hand and took my elbow, directing me further down the path until we came to one of the huge trees. He let go of my elbow, raking a hand through his silver hair. I pressed my back to the tree’s trunk and he leaned over me. He smelled of pine and fresh-cut grass on a warm summer day.

  “Make it through tomorrow.” His breath fanned across my cheek bringing gooseflesh dancing all over me. “Do whatever you can, whatever you need to do.”

  Seeking one last thrill before my potential demise tomorrow morning. Living for the moment, I stared at his mouth. I couldn’t say that I wanted him to kiss me. To help me feel alive and forget my fears for one moment. Yes, it was stupid and dangerous, but I wanted this. He might be the last guy I would ever get the chance to kiss.

  And I wanted to feel love. To defy this place that took so much from me already. To have one glimmer of happiness and pleasure even if it couldn’t last. Even if it all was here and now.

  Will lowered his head, brushing his lips across my forehead and I nearly swoon and probably would have if I hadn’t been leaning against the tree.

  Could he read me so easily? Did he know that this was what I desperately wanted?

  He cupped my face, then his soft lips grazed across mine. I grasped his shoulders to keep from falling. His kiss was soft like velvet. Tingles of anticipation spread all through me. When his hands skimmed down my back to the curves of my ass, I moaned.

  Images of him taking me deeper into the woods and doing things to me that would make me cum over and over again almost made me beg him to fulfill my fantasies. His kiss turned deeper, hungrier and I fell into recklessness. I didn’t care who saw us.

  I entwined my hands in his hair. The strands were soft and silky against my fingertips. I pressed my body against him. Wanting more. Needing more.

  His kisses stoked a fire in me that I didn’t know was there. I wanted to kiss Will forever. The taste of his lips and tongue and the gentle sucking motion he was doing was driving me insane. Sure I’d kissed many guys before and none of them made me this desperate.

  He broke away from our kiss, placing his forehead to mine as we both panted, catching our breath.

  “Alexis,” he whispered, tracing my lower lip with his thumb. “You are so tempting.”

  My stomach quivered from the desperation in his voice and I wanted him too. I tried to tell him, but I could barely breathe, let alone speak. I just hoped he understood how much I felt the same way.

  “We have to get back,” he said, breaking the spell. “It’ll be dark soon.”

  The sun was dipping low in the clouds, but I couldn’t part from him. Not yet. I’d never had a connection this fast with a guy before. Not one that threatened to consume me. But I wasn’t afraid. In fact, I was the opposite. I wanted to hold onto this moment and never let it go.

  Emblazoned, I grasped his shirt, hauling him to me and kissed him again. He was like an addiction that I couldn’t stop. Didn’t want to stop.

  His hands clasped my hips, hauling me against him.

  “Your curfew was five minutes ago,” a nasal voice sounded and I jerked away from Will.

  A stern-looking woman stood there, staring at us in the darkness, a lantern in her hand. “Ten points will be taken away from you, Alexis.”

  “It wasn’t her fault.” Will clasped my hand. “It won’t happen again, Headmistress.”

  I tensed beside him. The Headmistress could take the news of us to the queen. Not that she cared much that two students were making out.

  “Go to your respective dorms and don’t let me catch you out here again after curfew.”

  “Thank you, Headmistress.” He bowed his head.

  I needed to get it together. I was with Will way before it was even close to sunset how was it nearly dark now? Why had I kissed him? I should be studying, not making out. I didn’t even know if I was going to make it past tomorrow. My gut knotted and I placed my arms over my stomach.

  “Will, I need you to come with me,” The Headmistress said, interrupting my thoughts. “I have a second-year girl who’s having problems controlling her powers. She keeps turning into an elephant and has turned my desk into shambles.”

  I choked back a laugh, schooling my features when she snapped her gaze on me.

  “Of course.” He gave me a wink. “Let me just escort Alexis to her dormitory first?”

  “Ms. Liddell can find it for herself.” She smirked.

  I don’t know why, but I didn’t trust her. Oh, it was more than her interrupting us making out. There was some vibe I was getting from her that warned me against her.

  “Of course.” I plastered a smile on my face, hoping that it didn’t look too fake, and grabbed my backpack. “It is getting late.”

  “Which is exactly why I should escort her.” Will waved a hand out toward the forest. “Jabberwocky and all.”

  I stiffened, fear parading through my chest. No one on the human side had ever seen one of the creatures, but they sounded horrible. Like monsters that ate children and relished in the kill.<
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  “Afterward, I’ll come straight to your office and see how I can help,” he said over his shoulder as he hooked my arm in his and led me down the path.

  The fact that he went out of his way to ensure I was save scored him twenty points.

  My whole body heated up just thinking about how I lost myself kissing him. Why? Had this place and all the danger made reckless?

  I shuddered.

  “You okay?” Will asked, pulling me closer to his side as we walked.

  “Yeah.” I couldn’t tell him that I was just imagining an orgy with him and the three other guys.

  “Don’t worry about your points.” He kissed the top of my head. “Each of us over a house can give five points randomly. I’ll talk to the others. You’ll have at least twenty points come morning.”

  “Thanks.” Something told me I would need more points than they could give me to survive the first day of tournaments.

  At my dorm, Will waited until I pushed through the doors before he turned and left. Giddiness filled me as I spun around, watching him walk away. This place would be perfect if I didn’t have to worry about the fact this place killed my dad. And might to the same to me if I didn’t pass this week—hell, or tomorrow.

  Fuck! I’d forgotten I was supposed to meet Vivian and Tula. Even though all I wanted was to crawl into bed, I raced up the stairs.

  “Where have you been?” Vivian shrieked, throwing her arms out. It looked like she had been pacing up and down her room because tendrils of her hair were sticking out of her ponytail. She looked frazzled. “We thought something happened to you and were going to see your head impaled on a spike first thing in the morning.”

  “Sorry.” Guilt slammed into my gut, and I shrugged off all thoughts of kissing Will so I could focus on the task at hand. “Let’s get started.”

  Chapter Nine

  Two hours later, I was exhausted. Alone in my room, I took the fastest shower ever, threw on pajamas, and crashed into bed.

  Thunder rumbled in the distance. I swept my gaze over my cellphone, ignoring messages that could wait until tomorrow so I could focus on more pressing ones. My mom had texted me back, and I clicked on it.

  Let me know how tomorrow goes. I’m cheering for you.

  No response about the photo I sent of Dad?

  I clenched my teeth. Frustration vaulted through me. My body buzzed with energy. I started to type a reply, my fingers all but slamming each letter, as though I wanted to take my frustration out on the phone.

  Not that it helped.

  I reread the message and felt my anger start to diminish. Because of this place, she’d lost a husband. And I would do anything to keep her from losing me too. I slowly deleted the message, shaking my head at myself. I needed to be more sensitive. The pain of losing Dad was a hole in my heart. How much more was it for my mom to have lost her husband? Maybe her ignoring my message and photo I found was her coping mechanism not to face the truth. It was getting late. I’d call her tomorrow when I had the time and talk with her.

  Though, finding out about the photo on my dad before I tried to speak with her about this was the better option. Why stir her up if it was a coincidence and I’d been mistaken? Better I determined the truth before I quizzed her.

  Lightning flashed outside my window and I groaned. I’d never be able to sleep with that going on no matter how tired I was.

  I crawled out of bed, pulling the curtains shut when a dark figure darted across the grass outside.

  I flinched. I narrowed my eyes trying to make out what it was, hoping another flash of lightning would illuminate the area and reveal what it was. Without warning, it stopped. I leaned closer. Lighting flashed again. I nearly fell back. I had never seen anything like it before. Whatever it was, it looked like Freddy Kruger on steroids. Its hands ended in claws. Its skin warped. Then it twisted its head almost all the way around and stared right back at me. I tripped backward, falling on my ass. A scream stuck in my throat.

  I scrambled up and dashed to my door, throwing it wide open. It banged against the wall. I charged down the hall and around the corner ran smack into Zack.

  “Ouch,” he said, grabbing onto me to keep me from falling.

  “Sorry, so sorry.” I apologized profusely, trying to get my bearings. It was hard to do so with the image of the monster seared in my brain, especially every time I closed my eyes. My whole body trembled and I felt dizzy, nauseous even.

  “Hey,” he said, one hand on my shoulder, trying to steady me. His touch was warm and surprisingly soothing. “You shouldn’t be out here. Tomorrow’s too important to be out so late.”

  “Th-There’s something on the grounds,” I panted, “outside my window.”

  He grimaced, his face pale. I couldn’t be sure, but it almost sounded as though he knew what I was referring to. “Show me,” he instructed.

  We hustled back to my room and I pointed at the window, staying toward the back of my room in case the creature could climb up walls. Not that I wanted to sacrifice Zach, but maybe whatever the thing was knew him since Zach had been here for a while. Maybe I was just seeing things. I couldn’t be sure. I just wanted that thing away from me, away from this school.

  Zack pulled back the curtains, staring into the night. There was a tense moment of silence before Zach said, “There’s nothing there.”

  I blinked. “What?” I moved past him to see for myself. I searched the darkness, for any hint of the monster I know I had seen.

  When I couldn’t find it, I turned back to Zach.

  “It was there.” I lifted my chin, daring him to disagree with me. “I saw it. Some kind of humanoid monstrosity. And it could turn its head almost all the way around.” I shuddered, reaching up to cup my neck, almost as though to ensure my head was still attached to it.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t believe you,” he said. There was an edge to his voice, like he knew more than what he was saying. “But it’s gone now.”

  I relaxed my shoulders slightly and swallowed. “So you do believe me?”

  “Yes.” He ran a hand through his hair, his expression guarded.

  “Then you’ve seen it?” I pushed. “What is that thing?”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down in his throat before he spoke. “A jabberwocky.”

  My mouth dropped open. “What?” I had never heard of that before being here, but it definitely didn’t sound fun. However, I did remember stories my father used to tell me and it jogged a memory of him specifically talking about these creatures. I had no idea they were real. “Why is it so close to the school? Shouldn’t the queen’s guards hunt it down or at least put up some type of protective barrier against it so it can’t get close to the students?” Wonderland was full of monsters and I shivered. From what I remembered, jabberwockies feasted on human flesh. During the war, the queen allowed hordes of them to rush out and attack human soldiers. Guns didn’t stop them. They wiped out thousands until the queen sent her guards to bring them back with magic or something so humans couldn’t get their hands on them. The fear being that humans would be able to run their DNA and create their own monster. The threat of them alone was what had our government agreeing to the truce.

  “Easy, everything’s okay.” Will gave me a pinched look. “It can’t come into the school and the wards keep it away during the day. Which is why we have the curfew in place.”

  And I’d been out there with him. Had he lured me out there to sacrifice me to the jabberwocky or something? I shivered. No, he seemed caught up in the moment and our kiss as I had been. I highly doubted Will was as cruel and as ruthless as that. At least, I hoped he was. He was one of the few people I actually liked here.

  His clean scent of soap, musk and vanilla wafted as he moved closer to me. “Don’t worry,” he said, turning to me. He offered me a warm smile and I felt myself calm down slightly in his presence. “The creature only comes out about an hour after sundown, which is why we have the curfew beforehand. Then the Headmistress takes along some
of the others do a sweep of the grounds to ensure no one is left outside.”

  My knees threatened to give way despite his words. I couldn’t imagine sleeping now though. The jabberwocky could return at any moment. The threat was still out there, waiting to be singled out. “I don’t understand how it is that thing can’t get into the buildings if it can roam around outside,” I said. I wasn’t trying to be difficult, but I genuinely didn’t understand.

  “Eithanael could explain it better than me.” He shrugged, not bothered by this in the least. “The wards during the day because of the sun, are stronger and can branch out across the entire grounds and half the woods. As darkness gathers, they weaken. It takes more effort and magic to keep them that far out, so they are withdrawn into the buildings. The jabberwocky wouldn’t be able to touch the brick or window or even come within half a foot of any academy building.”

  “How can you be sure?” I breathed out and turned from him, away from the window. I didn’t want to spot the jabberwocky again, but I didn’t want to be unaware of it either. I was caught between two conflicting emotions and I wasn’t sure how to deal with either. “What if the magic fails or something?”

  “The school has been here and protected for over two thousand years,” he said. “I think it’s pretty safe to say it will continue to be so.”

  I sniffed, pushing back. I needed to get sleep even if I didn’t feel like it. “Thanks,” I murmured. My eyelids were drooping, but I was trying so hard to fight it, to try and stay away.

  “Hey,” he tucked his fingers under my chin and lifted my head to face him, “are you okay?” Concern pooled into his eyes and I blinked, surprised.

  “Sure,” I said. I wasn’t expecting him to be so blatant with his concern. It made me feel uneasy, but it also made me feel warm.

  He cocked a brown eyebrow as though he didn’t quite believe me.

  I sighed. Maybe it was the fact that I was just exhausted, maybe it was because I didn’t want to have to keep lying, but I decided to stop fighting it and just be honest.