by M Guida
Lucien threw up his hands. “And…?”
“There’s a reason Raven was so drained after using the sword.” His mysterious voice sent an uneasy twinge twisting in my gut.
I crossed my legs and sat taller. “Which is?”
Please don’t make me be a freak again.
Anton studied me. “You were channeling a second power through you. Tell me, did you feel anything strange down in the dungeon?”
Lucien moved from the headboard, and I could see where the mischief blanket had gone. It was hooked around his hips.
Barely.
I tried to keep focus on Anton and not on the stupid blanket. I cleared my throat. “When I took the sword from Bo, tingles went up my arm.”
“See?” Lucien flicked his arm. “Obviously, it was from my sword.”
“I’ve examined the sword. That’s wasn’t it. According to Dr. Greenwood, the magic didn’t come from the blade.”
Shitshitshitshitshit
“You mean, the dead man’s blood?”
Anton smiled. “No, that would have been dark magic. This magic was definitely pure and has nothing to do with the Dark Demons. This was something else.”
Lucien and I looked at each other.
I bunched my fists in the blanket. “Okay, then what?”
Anton scratched his chin. “I’m not exactly sure.”
Lucien glared. “That’s not helpful, Anton. How do we find out what it was?”
“Don’t take that tone with me, Lucien.” Anton got up and put his hands behind his back. “I believe it has to do with some of the missing prophesies.”
Lucien yawned. “I thought Raven’s parents discovered all that crystal ball stuff.”
“Some of them. Not all of them. I believe this hidden power Raven tapped into may have something to do with some of the missing writings.”
Lucien frowned. “So, you want us to do research?”
He gave Lucien a cool stare. “I think that’s how Raven’s parents discovered the last ones.”
Lucien folded his arms and lifted up his chin.
Chills slid down the back of my neck. A thought popped into my head. The angel lore! That’s why Anton was having me read them.
Lucien sighed. “Then, where do we look?”
“We’ve looked in my study before. I suggest you ask your father to send you books from his private collection. Perhaps there’s something we’ve missed.”
Lucien frowned. “Which ones? He’s got over a hundred.”
Anton headed toward the door. “Both he and I have gone over them. He’ll probably deduce which ones might be beneficial.”
He flashed out of the room.
Lucien shook his head. “I swear he’s like a wraith that drifts in and out of our lives unexpectedly.”
Dr. Greenwood entered and smiled. “You both are looking much better today. Lucien, I’m afraid you still need another day of treatment.”
“I feel fine.”
“Stubborn, as always.” I smiled. “But I can go?”
“Yes, I think you’re ready to return to your room today and classes tomorrow.”
Someone knocked on the door. “Can I come in?”
Dr. Greenwood smiled. “Good morning, Bo. I was just telling Raven she could be excused. I was going to walk her back to her dorm, but since you’re here, would you mind doing it?”
He grinned. “No, not at all.”
“Good. Raven, your change of clothes are in the bag on your bedpost.”
I hadn’t even noticed the netted bag. I reached over and pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
“Your roommate brought over your nightshirt while you slept and a change of clothes today. Your uniform is being cleaned.”
That explains mystery number one.
“Is there a restroom where I can change?”
Bo gave me a surprised look, but I didn’t care. I know he had seen me naked plenty of times, but I wasn’t going to strip if I wasn’t shifting.
“The restroom is to your right.” Dr. Greenwood pointed to a wooden door across the room. “Do you need assistance in walking?”
“I don’t think so.” I gingerly put my bare feet on the cold wooden floor and stood, but my left knee gave out.
I cried out.
Bo grabbed my elbow. “Gotcha.” He linked his arm through mine. “How about we do this together?”
I clung to his arm. “Sure.”
Lucien scooted back down on the bed, his face blank. I couldn’t tell if he was mad or didn’t care. I could never tell whether he was jealous of Bo or just wanted me to prove the rules wrong. A girl could get burned around him.
Bo carefully escorted me over to the restroom. My legs shook, and my stomach growled.
He laughed. “Are you hungry?”
“I guess so.” I opened the door. “I’ll be right out.”
Unlike the specific bathrooms at most doctor’s offices, this bathroom looked like a spa. Wood scented candles burned. A fountain bubbled in the corner, and Koi fish swam in a large tank. A large marble shower with a built-in seat tempted me, but Bo was waiting.
What I really wanted to do was get something to eat and then attack the angel lore. There had to be a clue to a prophesy in that book, or Anton wouldn’t have had me read it. What I didn’t understand was why Anton just discover the prophesy himself?
I threaded my fingers through my bedroom hair, so I looked halfway presentable. I changed quickly and put my nightshirt back into the netted bag.
I opened the door, and Bo leaned against the wall. He cast his gaze over me. “You look great. Ready for something to eat?”
“Blueberry pancakes sound great.”
“Don’t mind me,” Lucien quipped. “I’ll just have powdered eggs and rubber toast.”
Dr. Greenwood stiffened. “Our food happens to rival the cafeteria, young prince.”
Lucien winced. “Sorry. I just don’t want to stay another day here.”
He never did anything unless he wanted to do it. I suddenly realized he must really be feeling poorly, or Dr. Greenwood would have had a devil of time keeping Lucien. He’d have to tie him to the bed.
I squeezed Lucien’s hand. “We’ll come back to see you.”
Bo stuck out his thumb. “Yeah, I’m sure the other guys are sleeping. Don’t worry your entourage will be here soon.”
“I’m sure,” Lucien yawned.
“Get some rest while you can.”
Bo and I left Lucien, who was always already snoring softly.
Bo glanced over his shoulder as we left the room. “I’ve never seen him so drained.”
“It’s freaking scary.”
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and hugged me to his chest. “How are you holding up?”
I fit perfectly next to him. “Okay. Still a little tired and super hungry.”
“Yeah, I got that. Blueberry pancakes, right?”
“Yup, one of my favorites.”
He slipped his hand around my neck and kissed me. “Then let’s get you fed. You’ll take it easy today.”
I nodded, breathless. “I promise.”
After a big breakfast of blueberry pancakes, maple syrup, bacon, and a host of questions, I returned to my room. I took a quick shower and washed my hair.
Schoolwork was never my big thing, but I could hardly wait to attack the angel lore. I re-read the first chapter and kept coming back to the Archangel Chamuel. There was something about him that I couldn’t put my finger on. I went back to the index to look up more about him and found a passage in a glossary that he made to his followers called Three Become One:
Moon, sun, and stars
F the c ns
Ble
Wielding divine power
I groaned; some of the letters and words were missing. It was a puzzle, and I wasn’t sure what it meant.
There had to be a reason Anton had me read this book, and every instinct inside me told that this faded passage might have something to do with the missing prophesy
.
Chapter 18
The next day I got up and got dressed. I wanted to read more of the angel lore, but I didn’t have time… or did I? Obviously, Lucien wouldn’t be doing any training. I stuffed the thick angel lore book into my backpack.
“Ready?” Mina had her backpack thrown over her shoulder. “I’m starving.”
“Yup.”
We headed toward the cafeteria. She bumped me with her elbow. “So tell me, are you ready to teach the Royals today?”
I stopped in my tracks. “What?”
“Before you guys shut the magical gateways, didn’t Anton say you had to teach the Royals on how to feel evil or whatever it was he wanted you to do?”
I clasped my forehead. “Shit. I have no idea what I’m going to do.”
“Raven, just tell them what you do.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t know what I’m doing. It just happens.”
“You’ll think of something.”
I rolled my eyes. Maybe Anton had forgotten this after the dungeon.
We reached the cafeteria. “It’s weird not seeing Lucien at the Royal table.”
“Yeah,” Mina said. “He must really be sick.”
I nodded and hoped he was feeling better. I missed him.
I had planned on a big breakfast, but after Mina reminded me of what I’d be doing last period, my appetite ran away.
Bo sat next to me with his plate loaded with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash browns. He frowned. “That’s all your eating?”
I shrugged at my blueberry bagel. “I’m not that hungry.” I took a big bite and chewed slowly. I almost wanted to stall going to Anton’s, but if I didn’t show up, he’d come looking for me. I didn’t want to end up like my dad, scrubbing the dungeon with a toothbrush.
Especially now.
Like always, Bo escorted me to Anton, who waited patiently with me on his steps.
He smiled. “Good morning, Bo.” He studied me. “Good morning, Raven. Are you feeling better today?”
“Much better. Thank you.”
Bo kissed me on the cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”
“This way, Raven. Since Lucien is still indisposed, we’ll sit here for today.” He gestured toward the living room.
I sat on the couch, and he sat on his high-backed red chair that made him look goth with his long dark hair and black robe.
“Have you been reading more of the angel lore?”
I sat in the chair in front of his desk. “Yeah. I have found this passage in the glossary that the Archangel Chamuel made.” I frowned. “But I’m not sure this means anything.”
“Let me see.”
I pulled the thick book out and showed him the strange passage. “What do you think?”
“Interesting… Three Become One. The Archangels sometimes would hide their messages in prose. I’ll have to look further into this, because I have not heard of this reference before. Too many words and letters are missing to make it out what it means. The glossary is full of passages regarding the other angels. However, sometimes another person’s perspective can bring meaning to words.”
I perked up. “So, do you think this is it?”
“I think you’re jumping to conclusions. You need to keep reading.”
I opened the book. “I keep coming back to this passage.”
“It could mean your silver dragon is drawn to the Archangel Chamuel. You need to keep reading and not by skipping to the glossary. By doing so, you could miss vital clues to solve this riddle.”
I remembered what Bo had taught me and promised myself to ask my dragon later.
“Until Lucien recovers, I would like you to read the angel lore book.” He stood. “I have also contacted Lucien’s father, and he will be sending over some books he believes might prove to be useful. If you’ll excuse me, I have some matters to take care of.”
“Sure.”
He quietly left his quarters, leaving me alone. I squirmed on the couch and kept glancing over at the bookcase behind his desk.
Tick Tock Tick Tock
The grandfather clock matched my beating heart.
Every little noise I heard, I swore it was the bookcase moving and something would attack me. I tried to concentrate, but I didn’t like being here alone. I’d rather be reading in my room or at the library.
I crossed my legs and put my hands on my knees. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply until the haunting lifted. I opened my eyes. Anton still wasn’t back yet.
I curled up on the couch and read the book, learning about the different types of angels: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations, principalities, powers, virtues, and just plain old angels. I never knew there were so many different kinds, but so far, nothing I’d read mentioned anything about the Three Become One prophesy. But nothing filled in the clues to the Archangel Chaumel’s passage.
“Knock, knock.”
I jumped and slammed the book. “Oh, God. Bo, you scared ten years off my life.”
“Sorry.” Bo walked toward me. “I knocked on the front door, but no one answered.”
The bookcase behind Anton’s desk hadn’t moved.
He followed my gaze and jutted out his thumb. “Afraid of old ghosts?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
He clasped my chin and brushed his lips over mine. “Don’t worry. I’m here. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Just came to pick you up for class.” He looked around. “Where’s Anton?”
I put my hand on my beating heart. “I don’t know. He said he had something to do.”
“Always mysterious. Ready for class?”
I packed up my bag. “I guess so.”
He grinned. “Heath’s out of the infirmary. I told him to go easy on you.”
“Why? Was he going to give me a hard time?”
He motioned toward my backpack. “Did you get a lot done in your independent study?”
“Are you avoiding my question?”
He looked down at his feet.
“Bo?”
“Let’s just say Heath isn’t your biggest fan.”
“Why?”
“His mother and my mom are really good friends with Professor Tuamma, and he sort of…”
“Sort of what?”
“Thinks you’re responsible for her disappearance and for his attack.”
I gritted my teeth. “Great. Another miserable time in dragon magick.”
“Don’t worry. He just needs to get to know you, then everything will be fine.” His voice was less than convincing.
When we walked into the auditorium, Bo led me over to his cousin. He was just as I remembered the doppelgänger. He was taller and muscular than Bo, but he had the same green eyes and thick red hair.
My stomach clenched. The memory of him trying to kill me was so vivid in my mind. I slowly realized something. When I had seen him in the cafeteria, I had chills and had been scared.
But this is totally different. This was dread.
“Heath, this is Raven.”
Heath flashed his gaze over me and curled up his lip. He looked like he wanted to squash me with the heel of his tall black boots. “I know who she is.”
I grimaced at his sour tone.
Bo shoved his cousin’s chest. “Heath, don’t be like that.”
Heath grabbed Bo’s wrist. “Don’t do that again.” He tilted his head. “Bo, need to take your seats with the red dragons.”
“What about me?”
He towered over me. “You need to sit with the silver dragons.”
I glared. “There are no other silver dragons.”
“There’s a reason for that.” His low voice made my gut hurt.
“Professor Tuamma––” Bo started.
I clasped Bo’s arm. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
Heath snorted.
I wanted to take my angel lore book and smack him over the head.
Heath pointed to a gray metal folding chair in a far corner. “You sit over there.”
> I tilted my head up high and headed over to my timeout chair like I was the Queen of England. I refused to cower to the big bully.
A bunch of giggles made my gut hurt. I’m sure it was Vivian and her friends. I sat calmly in the chair and crossed my legs.
Heath put his hands on his hips. “With all the excitement around here…” He flashed me a cold stare, and it took everything in me not to flip him the finger. He was the exact opposite of Bo––conceited, arrogant, and terrifying.
He scanned the class. “You haven’t had time to work some of your new skills. We’re going to work on cloaking. First you need to draw on your power to cloak your human form, because it’s smaller than your dragon. But I must first warn you, there are limitations with cloaking. You might be able to hide yourself, but your enemies, or even your friends, could still hear you, smell you, or even touch you. And cloaking doesn’t last long. Newbies like yourselves will maybe be able to cloak for yourself for fifteen minutes or less. It takes years of practice to cloak yourself for an hour.”
He folded his arms over his massive chest. “Does anyone know how to access this power?”
Everyone sat on the bleachers like a bump on a log, but did he call on any of them…?
“Raven?”
I gripped the edge of my chair. Butterflies spun out of control in my gut. But I put on my hard face. “You need to ask your dragon?” It was more of a question than a statement.
He gave me a sour smile. “You’re more perceptive than I gave you credit for. I’ll give you a demonstration on how this works.” He closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
In a flash, he disappeared and reappeared.
People gasped and blurted all at once.
“How can he do that?”
“I can’t do that.”
“That’s so impossible.”
Heath laughed. “Calm down. It will take you time, but you will be able to accomplish this task. Now, everyone get with a partner.”
Bo headed toward me, but Heath grabbed his arm.
“No.”
Bo broke free of his grasp. “Let go of me, Heath.”
“You need to work with the others. I won’t take the chance of Raven hurting anyone, even if it was an accident.” He pointed his thumb to his chest. “I’m going to be her partner from now on.”
Bo stood taller. “I’m not afraid of her.”
