Darkblood Academy: Book Four: Prophecies Page 3

  Ryder signaled, and Drake’s hand clasped over mine. Together we mumbled the words to the cloaking spell. Once the shimmer of magic fell over the eight of us, we moved forward.

  Ryder peered around the corner, every muscle in his back straining against his fitted shirt. I got on my tiptoes and poked my head around his shoulder. About half a dozen dark figures huddled at the end of the alley. It was too far for me to make out any details. Apparently, not so for my demon instructor. The hairs on the back of his neck bristled as he spun around to face us.

  “It’s Luxora. Two gorabora demons and four vampires. From the sounds of it, she’s trying to broker a deal of some sort.”

  Scarlett moved beside Ryder, her keen eyesight training on the shadowy forms. Her eyes widened, her crimson lips forming a capital O. “It can’t be.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “I know those other vampires. They’re Carmen Rosa’s top guys, her inner circle. The only one missing is Lucíano.”

  Ryder’s hand clamped around Scarlett’s bicep. “You know the queen better than anyone. Do you think she could be working with Luxora? Could she have set us up?”

  My roommate’s head whipped back and forth. “Absolutely not. She’d never do that. She’s loyal to the Assembly and even to… Lucifer. If Luxora is ultimately trying to dethrone him, there’s no way Carmen Rosa would help her.”

  Ryder’s jaw clenched. “Then she has traitors in her midst.”

  The crimson ring pulsated around Scarlett’s pitch irises. “I’ll handle them. You guys deal with Luxora and the demons.”

  “Shouldn’t we wait for the SIA?” Raf asked.

  Ryder tugged his phone from his pocket and scanned the screen. “Nothing from them or Logan.” He shot off a quick text message as we all waited expectantly. A minute passed and then two. “They must be in transit.”

  Scarlett’s head spun toward the forms at the end of the passageway, her sharp hearing catching something. “We have to go now,” she hissed. “They’re about to leave.”

  Ryder turned his fierce gaze to the team. “Are you up for this?”

  A muffled chorus of yeses filled our mystical bubble, and we continued our trek down the alley.

  “Hold the cloaking spell until the very last minute,” instructed Ryder.

  “Okay,” Drake and I answered in unison.

  “Stay behind me, Luna,” the prince whispered as we inched closer. “I don’t want Luxora anywhere near you.”

  “I’ll be fine, Drake. She’s not even in her home territory. She’s on the run, and all of Nocturnis will be crawling with SIA agents in minutes.” I hoped saying it out loud would make me believe it.

  Once we were within a few yards of the dark huddle, their whispered conversation drifted to my ears.

  “Agreed,” said one of the vampires. “It’s time for us to take a stand. The Etrian Assembly is weak and bows down to every whim of the American president. The humans can come and go as they please in Azar, and we are forced to succumb to their severe scrutiny to set foot within their realm. Once the Coven Council has agreed, we will finally put an end to this injustice.”

  “Patience, Damon,” Luxora crooned. “Before we can move forward with the plan, there is one minor inconvenience that needs to be resolved.”

  “The half-blood your oracle foresaw…”

  My breath hitched. I strained to catch each muttered word.

  “Yes. With her out of the way, the future is clear for us to finally take over. Once my father is dethroned, I will rule the Underworld. The demons, the largest group of supernaturals, who have been overlooked in Azarian politics since the beginning of time will finally get what they deserve. Free reign in both realms.”

  Ryder’s worried gaze spun around to meet me. His eyes locked on mine, and fury ignited below the pitch surface. His dark cord tightened, squeezing so tight my heart staggered.

  “Now!” he shouted.

  The bubble burst, and the scene before us flashed at full speed. The vampire, Damon, lunged at Ryder, but before his fangs pierced his flesh, Scarlett’s arm shot out. “Ferme!”

  The vamp’s blazing crimson irises glazed over as he halted in his tracks, his jaw gaping. Another one of the vamps surged forward, but Scarlett trapped him with her necromancy. The dark tendrils of her power skimmed over my skin as they wrapped around the remaining vampires.

  The gorabora demons struck next as the clip-clop of heels smacked across the cement.

  “Luxora’s getting away!” I screamed as the warlord zipped down the dark passageway. I lunged after her, but Drake’s icy grip clamped around my wrist.

  “Stay here. I’ll go.”

  I seared him with my steeliest glare. “No way. Let go of me,” I hissed as I tried to break free of his grasp.

  “Stay!” He whipped his hand out, and a violet orb enclosed around me.

  I smacked into the impenetrable translucent wall as I tried to race behind him. “Drake!” I shouted, banging my fists on the mystical cell.

  Behind me a sharp howl pierced the air. Spinning around, I saw one gorabora demon fall, then the next as Zephyr and Triston tore into them with their sharp claws.

  Ryder, Raf, and Raine zipped past me, trailing after Drake and Luxora. “Wait, let me out!” I cried.

  Only Raine stopped. Of course.

  She popped her hands on her hips, a snarky smile curling her perfect pink lips. “Aw, what happened, human? Drakey put you in time out?”

  I barreled against the flickering cell with my shoulder and only managed to hurt myself. “Raine, please. Get me out of here. I need to help.”

  She shook her head, laughing. “I guess things are going well with you and Drake. He was never this protective over me.”

  I resisted the urge to snarl at the little witch. “This is my fight. If anything happens to them because I’m stuck here…”

  “Nothing’s going to happen to them. Luxora’s long gone. And if anyone can get out of Drake’s spell, it should be you, little she-warlock.”

  Her words coupled with the vampire’s earlier conversation with Luxora sent a chill down my spine. What if the dark lord spilled about my warlock-ness? If she were working with a traitor from the Coven Council too, it wouldn’t be long before my secret was out. And then maybe even my father’s.

  If Luxora figured out the truth about the president, the fragile alliance between the supes and the humans would be over.

  The smack of approaching footfalls tore me from my dismal inner musings. Ryder reached us first and an almost identical smile to Raine’s lit up his face when he took in my bubble prison.

  “I’ll give it to Drake, I never actually considered a mystical cell to keep you put.”

  A second later, he and Raf reached us.

  “Get me out of here now, Drake!”

  He quirked his brow, a smug smile playing on his lips. “I don’t know. I kind of like the idea of you right where I can keep an eye on you.” He raised his hand palm up and the bubble rose a few feet off the ground. I hung suspended in the air, my blood boiling as the rest of the team chuckled.

  “This is so not funny, guys.”

  “It’s a little funny,” said Scarlett, appearing from the opposite side with the four vampires in tow. Their eyes were glazed over, and vacant expressions lined their faces.

  I’d had about enough of this for one day. Focusing on my power, I found the little spark in my core. I let it grow and expand until it filled my insides, desperate to break free. Splaying my hands out, sparks of energy exploded from my fingertips as I shouted, “Romperem!”

  The mystical cell burst, and I tumbled to the ground as violet droplets of Drake’s magic disappeared into the ether.

  The prince’s brows nearly reached his hairline. “Just like that, huh?” He bent down and extended his hand to help me off the ground.

  I glared at it and pushed myself up with a snarl that put Ryder’s to shame.

  “It looks like the pupil has surpassed the teacher,”
Ryder said with a wry grin.

  I sauntered over and seared my instructor with my best glare. “You better watch out because you’re next.”

  Laughter exploded from the guys as I sashayed away. Before reaching the corner, I turned over my shoulder. “Laugh it up now, boys, but how are you all getting home?” With a flick of my wrist, a portal churned to life. Without looking back again, I jumped in.

  Chapter 4

  Zeus stamped his hoof, and the clang of his shoe against the stone floor reverberated across the quiet stable. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But if you insist on going traipsing through the Fae forest on your own, I have to remove the brambles from your mane.”

  I tugged another prickly bugger from his silky onyx hair. Somehow, he and Apollo had gotten free the night before and spent the evening gallivanting through the woods. They’d been found in a briar patch not far from academy grounds. My punishment for deserting the team in Nocturnis a few nights ago was plucking the spikey bastards from Zeus’s luxurious mane. My wily unipeg had already tried to gore me with his horn twice in the past half hour.

  The clip clop of hooves drew my attention away from the comb and mess of hair. Peering over the top of Zeus’s stall, massive dapple-gray haunches marched past. A platinum head bobbed a few feet in front of the steed.

  “Hey!” I shouted at Drake when he passed right by me.

  He spun around, his eyes widening. “Oh, good morning. I didn’t know anyone else was in here.”

  I stepped out of the stall and trailed behind him. “Out practicing without me?”

  He hooked Apollo onto the crossties and pressed his fingers into his temples. “No. I just needed a ride to clear my head.”

  “Is something wrong?” I didn’t think supes even got headaches. And judging by the deep creases in Drake’s forehead something was weighing heavily on his mind.

  “Nothing I can’t handle.” His icy mask slid into place, and he rounded Apollo to pull off his saddle.

  Drake had been acting a little distant for the past few days, but I’d assumed he was still mad I’d shown him up in front of the team in Nocturnis. To be honest, I was still pissed he’d trapped me in that bubble prison. “Okay…” I muttered and headed back to Zeus’s stall.

  As I ran the comb through the unipeg’s unruly mane, I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder every few minutes to check on Drake’s progress. He was removing Apollo’s gear slower than humanly possible. Was he purposely avoiding me?

  Finally, the sound of approaching footsteps had me untangling my fingers from Zeus’s mane as I waited for Drake to stop in or at the very least say goodbye. Only he didn’t. He walked right past the stall and out the door.

  Flippin’ faeries! I darted after him, almost forgetting to lock Zeus’s stall behind me. “Drake!” By the time I got outside, he was already a few yards ahead of me. I trudged through the ankle-deep snow to catch up with him. Grabbing his arm, I spun him around. “What’s going on with you?”

  Deep lavender sparks flashed across his brilliant irises as his teeth ground together. “I’ve been summoned back to Wintersbee Palace.”

  All the fire trickled right out of me. “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing good.”

  I huffed. Was I going to have to pry the words out of his mouth? “Please, explain.”

  “I don’t know exactly. Elrian informed me yesterday that my presence was required. He said he couldn’t go into details over the phone but would fill me in once I arrived.” He raked his hand through his short hair, driving the spikes up. “I lied and said I had urgent supe squad missions that I needed to attend to until the end of the week. He gave me until Friday.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he began trudging toward the dorms.

  I hurried to keep up with his angry pace. “What do you think it could be? And how long will you be gone for?”

  “Inane Fae politics no doubt, and I have no idea.”

  I interlaced my arm through his, and the waves of tension radiating from his taut muscles nearly barreled me over. “Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?”

  “I don’t know, Luna,” he snapped. “I’m not quite used to sharing my every feeling with someone else.”

  I jerked my arm away from his and picked up the pace so I wouldn’t be forced to walk beside him.

  “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “That came out harsher than I’d intended.”

  I twirled around, my own anger bubbling up. He had no right to lash out at me like that. “I’m sorry if my pesky human emotions are such a bother to you, ice prince.”

  His shoulders slumped and he closed the distance between us, taking my hands. “I’m sorry, Luna. I’m not very good at this relationship stuff. I thought I made that clear from the beginning.”

  “Relationship?” I squeaked.

  “Isn’t that what we’re doing?”

  “I don’t know. I thought we were taking it slow…”

  His hand lifted to my face, and he cupped my cheek. “For once, human, I’ll let you take the lead on this one. This is uncharted territory for me.”

  “Dating a human?”

  “No, dating someone I care for.”

  All the air vacated my lungs, and I was sure I looked like an idiot gaping at him with my mouth wide open. Panic froze my vocal chords, and instead of saying something stupid, I rose to my tiptoes and brushed my frozen lips against his. His hands hitched onto my hips as he tugged me closer so I was swallowed up in his embrace.

  The heat of his kisses quickly coursed through my veins, and the chill setting through my bones vanished. Drake’s tongue caressed mine with a fiery passion so unlike the ice prince I found myself clutching onto his coat to remain upright. After a few dizzying moments, his lips released mine and an uncharacteristic smile crossed his face.

  “What’s that face?” I asked, still holding onto his lapel.

  “Nothing.” He grinned even bigger. “I suppose I’m just happy.”

  A broad smile stretched across my lips as I took his hand. “Well, let’s take this party inside because I’m freezing.”

  “It didn’t seem to bother you a second ago.”

  I rolled my eyes as I dragged him back toward the dorms. “Don’t be so smug, ice prince. It’s unbecoming.” We walked the rest of the way in a comfortable silence, our fingers interlaced. Drake didn’t release my hand as he opened the door into the building and led me up the stairs.

  At least a dozen eyeballs in unearthly shapes and colors bored into our clasped hands as we ascended the spiral staircase. Heat flushed my cheeks as their weighty stares pressed on me. I guessed that was it. Drake and I were now officially dating.

  I glanced at the prince from the corner of my eye and that smile still lingered. How long would it last? If he was worried about Elrian’s summons back to the Winter Court, it couldn’t be good.

  I pushed back the dismal thoughts and focused on the moment. Drake wasn’t the only one that was happy. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I was too.

  “You’re not just going to sit around the dorm moping the entire time Drake’s gone, are you?” Cinder plopped down on the bed beside me after handing me a latte. I’d skipped breakfast, but I couldn’t live without some caffeine in the morning.

  “No, I’m not,” I grumbled. “I wanted to, but I’ve been summoned by Garrix to meet him in Maginaria.” I blew on the steaming latte and the rich scent of roasted coffee beans wafted to my nose.

  “For what?”

  “More magic practice. With Drake gone for who knows who long, he’s decided to step in.”

  Her brows knitted as she took a sip of coffee. “How did he even know he was gone?”

  “My nosy team leader, of course. Apparently, Ryder and Daddy had a little chat right before Drake left yesterday.”

  “Ah, I see.” Her lips curved into a knowing smile.

  I waggled my finger at her. “Don’t you dare, Cin. Don’t make this out to be more than what it is. Ryder’s only trying to be a
good instructor.”

  “Umhmm.” She buried her nose in her hot beverage.

  “You seem to forget that he was the one that told me not to wait around for him to get his demon under control. He made it perfectly clear there would never be an ‘us’ again. That being with me and loving me made him too happy, and it made his demon run rampant on a three-month killing spree. Does any of that ring a bell?”

  She huffed and dragged her fingers through her silky hair. “I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have insinuated anything. I know you’re happy with Drake, and I’m thrilled for you guys. It’s just sometimes… I see the way Ryder looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching. He may have said those things, but I’m certain he didn’t mean them.”

  “Well, it really doesn’t matter anymore.” I placed my latte on the bedside table and stood up, stretching. “I moved on like he made me promise to do.” Grabbing my friend’s hand, I tugged her off the bed. “Now help me pick out an outfit for my day of training with Daddy dearest.”

  * * *

  An hour later, I was standing in front of a sprawling, modern white house on the outer edges of Maginaria. “This is where you live?” I stared up at the mostly glass two story home that looked like it had been plucked off the shores of Malibu instead of this quaint magical realm.

  Garrix shrugged, the streak of white that parted his golden hair practically glowing beneath the vibrant sun. “What can I say? I prefer the contemporary modern style to the dreary medieval structures that litter most of Azar.”

  “So you magically conjured this up?”

  “No. I portalled in a renowned architect from Los Angeles to design it for me. Even my magic has limits.” Something freakishly familiar to a smile settled across his lips.

  Though my father and I were far from close, we’d come a long way in the past year and a half. I’d tried to get more information about my mother out of him on numerous occasions, but every time I mentioned her, an icy mask slid over his face and he refused to utter a single word about the woman who gave birth to me. They had to have cared about each other at least a little—otherwise, how would I be here right now? Unless I was the result of a one-night stand which he was too uncomfortable to admit.