Legacy Academy: Year Two: Paranormal Academy Romance

by M Guida

  Legacy Academy Year Two

  M Guida

  Buffalo Mountain Press

  Volume Two

  Copyright © 2020 by M Guida

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Volume Two

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Dear Reader

  About the Author

  Also by M Guida

  Chapter 1

  My second year is starting, and I’m no closer to finding my mom. With my new dragon powers, I thought I’d be able to find her, but I feel like I’m back to square one. The only good thing was I didn’t have any bad dreams, thanks to my tattoo. Only the Royals had a silver sword piercing a skull, a red rose drifting out of one of the eye sockets.

  Before I left, the kings of the different kingdoms decided I should have one. I rubbed my right arm, thinking of Mom. I couldn’t find anything about the twisted tree on the internet. Anton’s paperweight just kept showing Mom locked in her prison cell. It seemed to be caught in a loop.

  After my last fiasco with fighting the dark demons, I was more determined this year to develop my powers and get outside the walls to find Mom. Being locked up in Legacy Academy wasn’t going to do her or me any good.

  My best friend Julie drove me to the Celestial Lightrail Express in her red Mustang. I had stayed with her over the summer, and Anton––a vampire and the Headmaster of Legacy––had warded Julie’s parents’ home, so the dark demons couldn’t track me there. He made me swear I wouldn’t use any powers outside the academy, because that would have been a beacon for the dark demons to find me.

  I kept my promise except for looking into the magic ball. I couldn’t resist checking on my mom, and each time, she seemed sadder and sadder.

  I hoped I hadn’t put Julie’s family in danger, and luckily there were no signs of Ryker or his demons.

  Maybe the tattoo had helped.

  Anton had told me to keep our world secret, but of course, I had told her everything about what happened to me except for where Legacy Academy was located.

  Even I wasn’t that stupid. I didn’t want her snooping around and getting nabbed by either Faas or Ari.

  She shoved her blonde hair out of her frowning face. “I don’t know about that place. Are you nervous about going back? I’d be scared shitless.”

  “No,” I lied. My stomach twisted into a double knot. “I’m just going to miss you.”

  There was no cell service or internet at the Academy, so I couldn’t contact her.

  “You’re not fooling me, Raven. I’ve known you since preschool. I can see it in your face.”

  I shrugged. “Okay. Okay. I’m nervous about seeing Bo and Lucien again. Ever since the battle before Christmas break, the tension widened between those two all because of me. Plus, I haven’t heard from either one of them.”

  “Maybe Anton used some kind of spell, so they couldn’t reach you.”

  “Maybe,” I mumbled. I looked down at my purple plaid skirt. But the truth was I hadn’t heard from any of my friends… not Poppy, Katona, Margo, or even my roommate Willie. Willie and I had been so close last year, and now, it seemed like an eternity since I’d heard from her.

  Julie turned down a dirt road and stopped. “Are you sure this is Celestial Train Station?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Because it’s a condemned mine shaft. The rickety building next to it looks like it’s going to collapse any minute.”

  I groaned. “Obviously, the station’s warded, because that’s not what I see..”

  “Then what’s here?”

  “A two-story glass train station.” I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks for letting me stay with you.”

  She released me. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay? You can always come with me to CSU.”

  Julie had just finished her freshmen year and had decided to be a social worker.

  “No, I can’t. Going to college isn’t my bag, and besides, it won’t help me find Mom.”

  “This is ridiculous, Raven. How am I going to know you’re safe? I can’t even contact you.”

  “I promise you I’ll be fine.”

  “Only if you stay behind the Legacy Academy walls.”

  “I will.”

  Julie rolled her blue eyes. “Don’t give me that, Raven. I know you remember? Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

  I squeezed her hand. “I promise I won’t.” I grabbed my backpack from behind my seat and opened the door. “I’ll be fine. I swear.”

  “There’s really a train station there?”

  “Yeah, there really is.”

  She sighed and started the car. “Please be safe.”

  I nodded. “I will. Cross my heart.”

  She slowly drove off, and an overwhelming emptiness lodged in my throat. I almost ran off to chase the car dust, but I couldn’t betray Mom. I clapped the heart pendant around my neck. Bo’s father had given it to me for saving Bo’s life. It had a picture of my parents, and it was the only picture I had them ever since Faas had burned down my house and destroyed everything Mom and I owned. I missed her so much. I had to find her, and according to Anton, I was the only one who could rescue her.

  I headed toward the glass double doors and was surprised I hadn’t seen anyone yet, but when the doors slid open, the supernatural world was here.

  Students stood in line at a coffee shop while others sat on benches talking. I scanned the busy station but didn’t recognize anyone. No one seemed to pay attention to me.

  But I was wrong.

  “Well, well, if it isn’t the human,” a cool feminine voice said.

  I bristled and turned around.

  Vivian, a dragon shifter and my nemesis from last year, gave me a cool look. She and Bo had been an item until he focused his attention on me. I didn’t do anything to encourage it but try telling Vivian that.

  Her sharp green eyes shot daggers at me. Her long blonde hair fell in waves around her shoulders, and her white shirt fit snuggly. She would have been beautiful if it wasn’t for her scowl.

  I met her evil gaze and tilted my chin. “Vivian.”

  “Just to let you know, Bo and I got back together over the summer. He told me his biggest mistake was falling for you. Don’t plan on ever stealing him from me or ever sitting at the Royals table again.”

  My heart wilted at her barb, but I refused to cower. Was that why I hadn’t heard from anyone? Had the Royals turned against me and forbidden anyone from contacting me?

  Eden, enemy number two, joined Vivian. “Why are you talking to her?” She was Fae, and last I knew, she and Rhys were an item. She hated me because of Vivian. Or maybe she thought Rhys paid
way too much attention to me, too.

  Don’t worry. I learned my lesson last year with Lucien. Mixed races were forbidden. Dragons were to only mate with dragons. Got it.

  “Ladies…later.” I left them before their third buddy, Demi, reached them. I had a whole year for them to tell me what a worm I was, but it didn’t have to start right this very minute.

  A coffee latte would soothe my ruffled feathers. I searched in my backpack for some money and got in line.

  “Hey, Raven. How was your summer?”

  I looked up and smiled. For once, a friendly face.

  Xavier, a wolf shifter, and a Royal gave me a big hug.

  “Summer was fun. I enjoyed hanging out with my best friend again.”

  Just thinking of Julie made me homesick.

  He winked. “So, you forgot all about us, huh?”

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “We all tried to contact you, but we couldn’t locate you. It was like you disappeared.”

  “You did? How?”

  “Uh, texting. How else?”

  “I never received it. Anton said he put a ward on my friend’s house so the Dark Demons couldn’t find me, but I don’t think that had anything to do with it.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t be so sure. I bet he also warded your phone, so no supernatural could contact you and you couldn’t contact us.”

  “Great. He could have at least told me and you guys what he’d done.”

  He shrugged. “He’s Anton. Mr. Secrets. It’s what he does.”

  His eyes smoldered with desire, and I followed his gaze. His girlfriend Poppy held a plastic cup in her hand with a dollop of whip cream and rainbow sprinkles.

  Xavier grabbed her and kissed her.

  He licked his lips. “I love the sprinkles.”

  “You would.” She smiled and elbowed me. “Hey girlfriend. We missed you over the summer.”

  “Anton warded her phone, so no one could call her,” Xavier said.

  Poppy sipped her drink. “Figures.”

  Xavier kissed Poppy on the cheek. “Hey, I’ll be right back. Lucien just arrived.”

  A flutter rippled in my gut.

  Lucien had his pack of followers huddled around him and just as I remembered him, he looked like a God from Olympus who just came to visit his followers. His dark hair flared over his broad shoulders and power reflected in his brown eyes.

  He’s off limits.

  I repeated that over and over in my mind, but I couldn’t forget how his kissed knocked me out of this world.

  Poppy leaned close. “Bo’s here, too.”

  I broke out in a hot sweat. He looked just as yummy as I remembered with his thick red hair and his magnificent, muscular body. I still dreamed about his naked body. Between Lucien and Bo, I was doomed.

  “Vivian said she and Bo got back together over the summer,” I mumbled.

  Poppy snorted. “She wishes.”

  I paid for my coffee latte, and then Poppy and I headed toward the train station. I tried to avoid looking at Lucien, but our eyes locked and a flush rushed over me. He gave me a knowing smile, and I almost grabbed Poppy’s drink to douse the fire burning inside me.

  “Raven, hey!” My roommate Willie slid through the crowd, waiting for the bus. Instead of white streaks in her black hair, she had dark green, the same color as her dragon.

  “Hi Willie.” She wasn’t Julie, but definitely a close second.

  Willie twirled around. “Like my new hair?” She raised her arms and clenched her fists. “I had transformation over the summer. I changed my hair and beefed up on my body,” she said. “I’m not going to let anyone intimidate me anymore.” She tilted her chin. “And as soon as I graduate, I’m going to find my dad and prove that he wasn’t a traitor. I even have a new nickname––Mina. Willie is a little girl’s name.”

  Willie, I mean Mina, had been marked as a traitor, because her dad was accused of stealing a sacred dragon amulet and giving it to Ryker, but thanks to Lucien, the shunning stopped.

  As if on cue, a husky voice said, “You’re looking good, Raven.”

  I froze.

  Lucien was right behind me. I cleared my throat. “Hey, Lucien.” I was hoping my voice sounded strong, but there was definitely a tremor.

  “Didn’t contact any of us, huh?”

  “Don’t get in a huff, Lucien,” Poppy said. “Anton warded her phone.”

  His eyes darkened. “And he didn’t tell any of us?”

  “He’s Anton,” she said. “What do you expect?”

  Bo headed over, and panic gripped me. I didn’t want to see another brawl between him and Lucien over me.

  But Bo ignored Lucien and wrapped me in a bear hug. “Where you’ve been hiding, girlie? I missed you.”

  His arms were so strong and felt so right. “I’ve been working as a waitress and living with my best friend.”

  He released me. “A waitress? Really?” His surprised voice made me bristle. My family wasn’t royalty, and Mom had worked really hard to buy our house.

  “Hey, I’m a really good waitress. Faas burned down our house, remember?” I shrugged. “Got to make some money somehow. Mom needs a home when I rescue her.”

  Bo cocked his eyebrow. “Rescue her by yourself?”

  Heat swelled over my face. “When my powers are stronger…”

  “You mean when our powers are stronger.” Bo tucked my hair behind my ear. “We’re a team, remember?”

  Chills rolled down my back, and the same desirable feeling fell over me. “Yeah, I know.”

  But behind him, daggers shot out of Vivian and Eden’s eyes. Yup, another year with a target on my back.

  Luckily, the train rattled into the station, and the doors opened––another year at Legacy with hot guys, mean girls, and Mom still missing.

  When I stepped onto the train, an icy chill ran down my back, and I shivered.

  Chapter 2

  I sat between Poppy and the window. Ever since I got onto the train, an uneasy feeling gripped me, and I couldn’t shake it.

  Poppy patted my thigh. “Raven, are you okay? You’ve been really quiet ever since we got on the train.”

  The hair on the back of my neck stood straight up. “Something doesn’t feel right. I don’t know why.”

  “Maybe you’re just nervous about the school year.” She leaned close. “And Lucien and Bo.”

  “Maybe.” But I didn’t think that was it.

  Something was here.

  Something evil.

  I clutched the strap of my backpack so tight my knuckles turned white.

  Poppy laughed at something Xavier said, but I didn’t hear it. I just stared at the trees and mountains whizzing by, wishing the ride was over.

  But Legacy Academy was at least an hour away… an hour too long.

  The lights flickered on the train and I sat straighter. A pit of fear grew in my gut.

  “Did you think I had forgotten about you? I’ll be seeing you soon,” a male voice whispered in my ear.

  I stiffened.

  Shit, Ari.

  Something tapped on the window.

  Don’t be him. Don’t be him. Don’t be him.

  I slowly turned my head and gasped.

  Ari floated in midair and flashed me a sinister grin.

  He pressed his face against the glass, and I jumped, bumping into Poppy.

  “Raven, what’s wrong?”

  I pointed. “Look.”

  Just as fast, Ari disappeared.

  “What? I don’t see anything.”

  I settled in my seat, but my heart wouldn’t stop racing, and beads of sweat broke out on my forehead.

  Poppy clasped my hand. “Raven, are you okay? You’re shaking like a leaf.”

  I swiped my palms across my face. “No, I’m not.”

  A shadow fell over me.

  “I saw him, too.”

  I jerked my head up.

  Lucien leaned over my seat. “He’s out there.”

>   Xavier frowned. “Who’s out there?”

  “Ari,” Lucien said. “He’s taunting us.”

  Poppy’s face paled, and she grabbed Xavier’s hand.

  I put my hand over my thumping heart. “Can he get in here?”

  Lucien shook his head. “No. Anton’s wards are too strong. He’s just trying to scare us.”

  “Well, it’s working,” I mumbled.

  Spending time with Julie and her family over the summer had washed away the nightmares of Ari, Ryker, and the rest of the Dark Demons. She’d even help me research old and abandon prisons, trying to find out where Mom was held, but we didn’t have any luck.

  Bo turned around in the chair in front of me. “What’s going on?”

  “Did you see him?” I asked.

  He frowned. “See who?”

  “Ari,” Lucien said. “He’s flying next to the train. Or at least he was.”

  Bo peered out the window. “I don’t see him.”

  “I think he’s gone,” Lucien said. “We’re getting closer to Legacy, and Anton’s wards are getting stronger.”

  I faced Lucien. “Did he talk to you?”

  “No. He just laughed. Did he say something to you?”

  “Yes. He said he’d see me soon.”

  Xavier glared. “Not alone.”

  Bo and Lucien both nodded in agreement.

  I smiled nervously, but I wasn’t so sure. What if the Dark Demons had found a way to get past Anton’s spells? I had barely survived the last battle.

  Poppy squeezed my hand. “We’re a team, remember?”

  “Yeah, I remember. I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for all of you.”

  “Your powers are growing, Raven,” Bo said. “That’s why Ryker’s determined to capture you. When we get to Legacy, we’ll tell Anton what happened. Do you want to sit up by me? I have an empty seat.”