by M Guida
I bristled. Another dig in my direction.
Bo squeezed my hand, sending me reassurance. I had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to talk his way through my trials this time. Professor Tuamma was on a mission, and I was her target.
She went over to a chalkboard. “This year, the three abilities you must master are: cloaking, deflection of magic, and transfer power through your weapon.”
Vivian raised her hand.
“Yes, Vivian.”
“What do you mean, transfer power through your weapon?”
“It means, my dear, you must take one of your powers such as fire, changing in size, or the new ones we will learn and channel it through your weapon.”
Oh, gee. Not hard at all. Plus, I needed to learn how to blow fire rather than ice.
“We will do a review first. I want to make sure everyone has retained their abilities.”
I bristled. I had a feeling this was for my benefit.
“We will start with Bo.”
He smiled. “Don’t worry. You’ll do fine.”
Famous last words.
Bo got up and took off all of his clothes. I tried to control the desire pumping through my veins. He was definitely an Olympian God. He shifted into a magnificent red dragon. He exhaled onto the three pyres of wood––one smoldered, the second crackled into dancing flames, and the third burst into a roaring inferno. We all clapped. He changed to a tiny dragon that was so cute I wanted to hug him, but when he grew into an enormous dragon, we all gasped and a bit of fear ran down my spine.
He shifted into his human form and quickly got dressed.
Professor Tuamma clapped her hands. “Once again, you did a perfect job, Bo.”
“Thank you, Professor,” he said as he sat next me.
“Raven, your turn.” She snapped her fingers as if I were a trained dog.
“You’ll do fine,” Bo whispered again.
I wasn’t so sure. My hands shook as I stripped naked in front of everyone and palmed the dragon stone. My locket glistened, and I tried to picture my mom. Bo hadn’t blushed once, but I swear my whole body was on fire.
“Raven, please shift into your dragon.” She couldn’t hide the disgust for my dragon. This was something new. She wasn’t like that last year. Now, she treated me as if I had cooties.
I took a deep breath and shifted. My bones and muscles had gotten used to twisting and changing so fast, but I liked I wasn’t naked with everyone’s eyes on me.
Her assistant brought out three pyres of wood, and my gut tightened. I had tried desperately over the summer, but I could only blow ice.
She clapped her hands. “Please change in size.”
Bo had taught me to always ask my dragon.
Please help me change in size.
Like last time, a beautiful shimmering silver dragon materialized in my mind. She had a pair of straight, smooth horns on her head, and kite-size plates ran from the tip of her tail up to the base of her neck. Her wings were folded against her side. She looked at me with an intense gentleness.
Your wish is granted.
I grew until my head touched the auditorium’s ceiling and shrank down to ant-size, hoping Professor Tuamma didn’t squash me with the heel of her boot.
“Now, the pyres. And this time, I want flames, not ice.”
Her assistant replenished the wood on the pyres, and I hung my head. The bitch knew I couldn’t do this.
“Proceed, Raven.”
I wished the dragon stone worked on helping me exhale fire, but it only worked on size. I took a deep breath, expecting a stream of ice to burst out of my mouth, but no.
Something worse happened.
A strange sensation rippled over my lungs, and my throat tickled. Suddenly, white gas spewed from my mouth like a fog. It brushed over Professor Tuamma.
She opened her mouth to say something and fell silent. Her skin iced over, and her eyes stared lifelessly at me.
“You killed her!”
Vivian’s accusing voice sent panic floating through me. My heart thundered, and my lungs froze.
She’s not dead, my dragon said. She’s paralyzed, but it’s not permanent. She’ll be able to move in an hour or two.
An hour or two? Shit, I was so screwed.
A door slammed. I turned my head, and I had no doubt someone was running to get Anton. Crap, Hollows, here I come.
Do not panic, my dragon said. Non-lethal paralyzing gas is part of us. You weren’t able to do it last year, because you were still working on your flame.
Easy for you to say.
I shifted quickly and got dressed.
“She’s dangerous.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Stay away from her. Look at what she did to Professor Tuamma.”
I couldn’t look at them, and tears threatened to stream down my cheeks. I wrapped my arms around my waist, wishing I had remained an ant and hid under the floorboards.
“Please stay calm.” Anton entered the auditorium. “Stay where you are. There’s no reason to panic.”
Bo pushed my hair out of my eyes. “Are you okay?”
“No,” I croaked. “I’m so going to the Hollows for this.”
“I won’t let that happen,” he said.
I tried to smile through my bleary tears, I couldn’t even give him a tiny grin. His strong voice failed to calm the uneasiness. He wasn’t Lucien. I thought about running out of the door to find him, but I stayed where I was. Lucien was out of my league. I had to trust Bo.
Anton put his hands behind his back and walked around Professor Tuamma. “She’s not dead. Only paralyzed. Interesting. I had rumors of dragons possessing such a gas, but thought it was just a fairy tale.” He looked at me. “Apparently, I was wrong.”
He dropped his arms. “Raven, I need you to come with me.”
I hung my head.
This was it. I wasn’t even here one day, and I was already being shipped off to the Hollows.
“Headmaster,” Bo said. “She didn’t mean to use the gas. She was trying to light the different pyres.”
“I can see that, Bo. You need to finish teaching the class.”
“No, I—”
“You’re a prince, Bo. From what I can discern, Professor Tuamma was doing a review. I want you to do this with the class.”
“But you can’t send her to the Hollows.”
Anton cocked his eyebrow. “I didn’t say I was.”
Bo looked between Anton and me. I didn’t want him to get into trouble.
“I’ll be okay.”
I think.
My voice didn’t falter, but I thought I was one step away from turning into a blubbering mess.
Anton and I left the auditorium. I couldn’t believe my dragon betrayed me. I clutched the dragon stone in my pocket and wished I could disappear. Why couldn’t I have that ability?
I couldn’t believe what was happening. I thought my first day last year was bad.
But this was much, much worse.
Chapter 6
When we reached Anton’s quarters, my mouth dropped. Lucien was already there. It took everything I had not to rush into his arms.
He glanced between Anton and me. “I came as you requested, Anton. Is something wrong?”
My lower lip quivered, but somehow I managed to keep myself together.
Anton opened the door. “I’d like to discuss the reason inside.”
Lucien and I walked in, and he clasped my shaking hand. Reassurance gushed all over me, and I was able to take a shaky breath.
We sat in front of Anton’s desk, and he quickly told Lucien what happened in dragon magick class.
Lucien didn’t even blink. He was like a beautiful marble Greek statue. “What do you plan to do?”
“Do?”
“You’re not going to send Raven to The Hollows?”
Anton cocked an eyebrow. “If I wanted to send Raven to The Hollows, you wouldn’t be able to stop me.”
“So you say.”<
br />
His confidence always amazed me. Even against all odds, Lucien wasn’t afraid to pick up a sword to fight.
“I didn’t bring you here to argue.”
“Then why did you did bring me here?”
Anton picked up a dusty old book. “I have just recently discovered this book. It’s more of a diary from an ancient dragon. A silver one.”
My beating heart stilled.
“And?” Lucien asked softly.
“It’s a prophesy. A roaring river strikes a boulder. Splashes turn to streams. One will rise. Unleash a fire. Discover another. Don’t despair. Hope is near.”
I finally found my voice. “Are you saying the prophesy is about me?”
“I believe so,” Anton said.
Lucien frowned. “What do you think it means?”
“I have a theory that I would like to test out.”
Lucien and I glanced nervously at each other. I didn’t like thinking I was going to be his favorite lab rat.
I squirmed in my seat. “And what is this theory?”
“For now, I don’t want to share it.”
Lucien glared. “Why not?”
“Because it’s too early to see if I’m right. I need to do more research and see what happens with Raven.”
“What are you going to do? Lock her in a cage?”
“Of course not.” He pointed to the prophesy. “But it will take your cooperation and your discretion.”
Lucien crossed his arms. “You want me to keep your little experiment quiet? Why?”
“Because certain people may get the wrong idea.”
The blood drained from my face and pooled in my throat.
Lucien rolled his eyes. “You mean like Professor Tuamma?”
“And others,” Anton said. “I want you to work with Raven on developing Golden Demon powers.”
Lucien rubbed his forehead and glanced over at me. “Excuse me?”
Anton smiled. “You heard me.”
This was too weird. Two of the Royals were going to give me private lessons. “Why?”
“I told you, I have a theory. If I’m right, this will help you pass your dragon trials.”
Lucien and I glanced at each other.
“Seriously?” I asked.
“Yes, I am. There’s also one more thing I want you to do––”
Before he could answer, the door whipped open, and Professor Tuamma marched inside. “Anton, where is she?” Her sharp voice made my skin prickled.
Anton leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. “Yes, Nora.”
I blinked. I never knew her name was Nora.
“There you are, you little bitch.”
I cringed and hung my head.
Lucien stood in front of me. “Stand down, Professor.”
“Don’t use that tone with me, Lucien. Anton, I demand that she be punished.”
Anton folded his hands and put them on his desk. “For what?”
She huffed and puffed. “Are you kidding? She froze me in front of my class.”
“I’m quite aware of what she did, Professor Tuamma.”
“And?”
“And what?”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not going to do anything, are you?”
He looked at me. “Raven?”
I sighed and tucked my hands under my thighs, afraid that any minute, I’d be shackled. “Yeah?”
“Did you mean to freeze Professor Tuamma?”
“No! Of course not. I didn’t know what I was doing.” Like always, I might add.
“There, you see, Professor Tuamma. She had no control of her powers.”
“I suggest she learn how to master them.”
“Aren’t you the teacher?” Lucien smirked.
“Lucien,” Anton warned.
He shrugged and winked at me.
I couldn’t believe how much he was willing to push the limits. He had absolutely no fear. Me, on the other hand… I was shaking in my boots.
“I refuse to have Raven in my class until she can prove she can manage her powers without hurting anyone.”
“You mean you,” Lucien mumbled.
Professor Tuamma flicked her hair behind her shoulders. Her cheeks were redder than her hair. “I mean anyone, young man.”
“You don’t have to worry about her being in her class, Professor Tuamma. I have found another teacher for her.”
“Who? Bo? He’s just a student.”
“The name of the teacher is not important.”
“There is no one at this academy who has more experience of teaching dragon magick than me, Headmaster.”
“I never said the teacher had more experience than you, Professor. Their experience is in another area, which I think is imperative on teaching Raven how to manage her powers.”
“Games with you, Anton.” She shook her head. “It’s always games.”
“Professor Tuamma, I realize this is very unorthodox, but my decision is final. I suggest you leave to prepare for your next class.”
“Whoever this professor or instruction, Anton, they better be able to help Raven pass her next trials. This time, there will be no loopholes.” She left and slammed the door.
“I take it I’m the instructor.” Lucien plopped into the chair next to mine.
“Yes.” He tilted his head toward the door. “So, I think you can appreciate why this needs to be kept secret. No one would understand why I’m having a golden demon teach a dragon dragon magick.”
“I’m not sure I understand it.”
“You will in time,” Anton said.
“When am I going to teach her?”
“Lucien, I have excused you from your golden demon magic class. All you need to tell the curious is that you are working on a special project for me.”
“Won’t they suspect it’s with Raven?”
“No, because you’ll be coming to see me directly. Both of you. That way Professor Tuamma or other inquisitive person will think I’m the instructor and leave it at that.”
Not even Professor Tuamma would challenge Anton. He was not only an ancient vampire, but he possessed old magic.
I looked around his quarters that was neat as a pin, and his antiques must be worth a fortune. I heard he had them imported from Italy and Spain. “Where are we going to practice?”
He smiled. “In the dungeon.”
“What?” we both blurted at the same time.
“The dungeon hasn’t been used for hundreds of years, and since no one goes down there, it’s the perfect place for you two to practice.”
Yeah, right. That’s the classroom I wanted on my schedule––dungeon. So, if something went wrong, they wouldn’t have to travel far to lock me up. Professor Tuamma would be so pleased.
Bam Bam Bam
Someone pounded on the door.
Anton stood. “Remember, you two are sworn to secrecy.”
Lucien saluted him, and I nodded meekly. It wasn’t like we had much choice.
Bo burst inside. “Raven, are you––” He skidded to a stop. “Lucien, what are you doing here?”
Lucien didn’t even bat an eye. “I heard about it and rushed over here.”
Bo frowned. “How could you? Class just got over.”
Lucien shrugged. “What can I say? Bad news travels fast.”
Uneasiness bloomed in my gut. Bo wasn’t buying it one bit, and I had no idea how I was going to keep my mouth shut around him or the others. I wasn’t as gifted as Lucien at being convincing.
Bo gestured toward me. “Headmaster, what’s happening with Raven? Professor Tuamma just told me Raven’s not allowed back in Dragon Magick class.”
“Yes, that is true.”
“How can she pass her trials?”
“She still has you to teach her, Bo.”
He frowned. “Me?”
“Yes, you will instruct her on what you learn in class after defense class.”
I tightened my fingers around the chair’s armrests. How could Anton t
ell him such a bold-face lie? Or was it a lie? I was so confused. How could Lucien teaching me golden demon magic help me with my dragon magick?
Another one of Anton’s top secrets that he refused to share with the class.
This year had just gotten ten times more complicated.
“Your next class starts in a few minutes, so you best all be going.”
Just like that, we were dismissed. We all had Advanced Potions next, and I wished I was in the other one with the girls, but no, I was stuck with the Royals and a million questions.
Bo clasped my arm. “He didn’t threaten to send you to The Hollows, did he?”
“No.” Just practicing in the dungeon.
“Relax, Bo,” Lucien said. “Anton was on her side.”
“I know this isn’t going to come out right,” Bo said. “But why? Raven did freeze Professor Tuamma. Last time I checked, attacking a teacher was against the rules at Legacy.”
I stiffened. “I didn’t attack her. I don’t know what happened. I’ve never done anything like that before. I don’t even know if I could do it again.”
“The bigger question is, can you control it,” Bo said.
I rubbed my sweating forehead. “I don’t know. I can barely control the powers I have now.”
Bo’s face turned grim. “True. That’s what I’m afraid of. Another reason why Ryker wants to get his hands on you.”
I stopped. “You think Ryker knows I possess this power?”
“Yeah, I do.”
Lucien nodded. “That might be another reason why he attacked the train station. He’s getting desperate, and I’m sure he’s got evil plans for your powers.”
“Or he plans to destroy her,” Bo blurted.
When Lucien didn’t argue, beads of sweat broke out all over me, and my heart froze. I could barely breathe.
Relax Relax Relax
But my motto didn’t pierce the panic flooding through my veins and wrecking with my internal system. How come Lucien could be as calm as a cucumber and I was as calm as Chicken Little?
Chapter 7
Mina saw me and ran across the courtyard. “Raven, are you okay? You look you’re about to pass out.”
“She’s fine,” Lucien said.
I glared. “Don’t speak for me. I’m far from being fine.”
