Legacy Academy: Year One: Paranormal Academy Romance Read online

  I took the pills, desperate to kill the pain, and swallowed. Probably a mistake, but my options sucked.

  “I can’t stay here. I have to find my mom.”

  “If you go now, you’ll die. You’re not strong enough to face Ryker. Not yet, anyway.”

  “I don’t understand. Why did you bring me here?”

  “Because you’re a legacy.”

  I rubbed my temples. “I’m a what?”

  “A legacy. That’s what your mom wanted to talk to you about.”

  I glared. “How do you know?”

  “Because she called me and wanted me to enroll you in Legacy Academy.”

  “She did?” My eyes widened. “You rescued me, didn’t you?”

  He sighed. “Yes, I just wished I would have gotten there sooner.” His eyes softened. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but Faas burned down your home.”

  Tears pushed on the back of my eyelids, and a lump formed in the bottom of my throat. I groaned and lay down. That was the last thing I wanted to hear.

  Anger flared through me. Mom had worked so hard to make our house homey. She worked as a beautician and saved every penny she earned to have it remodeled with new granite countertops, new kitchen cabinets, hardwood floors, and repaint it.

  “Nothing survived?” I clenched the blanket with my fists.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “So, I have nowhere to go.” My voice choked up.

  “You do… if you choose to accept your destiny.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Like I said earlier, you’re a legacy. Both of your parents attended here, so you’re automatically eligible to attend this elite academy.”

  “Both my parents went here?”

  “Yes. Your mom’s a dragon shifter like you, and your dad——”

  “I know.” I sank back onto the soft bed. “He’s a dragon shifter.”

  He nodded.

  I crossed my arms. “If that’s true, why haven’t I ever shifted into a dragon?”

  “Your mother had used a spell to keep you from using any of your powers and to keep you safely hidden from the Dark Demons, but once you turned eighteen the incantation faded, releasing your sleeping dragon.”

  “Uh-huh…”

  “You were uncomfortably hot all day, weren’t you?”

  His uncanny ability to know what was happening to me ruffled my feathers. “Yeah, so?”

  “Your blood is boiling inside you, because your dragon has awaken and wants to shift.”

  “This is way too weird.” I frowned. “Are you saying the Dark Demons are after me?”

  “Yes. I’ve put a great deal of thought into this problem. Ryker suspects you must be a threat to his reign and must know there’s a prophesy to end his domain.”

  I put my hand over my tight chest. “Why? I didn’t even know this world existed.”

  “I don’t have all the answers yet. ”

  “Then tell me what you do know.”

  He tilted his head. “You’re not ready to know about the prophesy. Besides, you haven’t accepted my invitation to attend Legacy.”

  “If I accept, will you tell me more about this secret prophesy?”

  “When the time is right.”

  “How did you know my home?”

  “I was Headmaster when your parents attended the academy together.”

  My heart stilled. “Did you know both my parents?”

  “Yes.”

  More questions popped into my brain, but only one popped out of my mouth.

  “Do you know why my dad left?”

  He lowered his head and clutched my hand. “No, I’m sorry. I don’t.”

  For some reason, I didn’t pull away. Vampires were supposed to have cold hands, but Anton’s were surprisingly warm. I gave him a small smile.

  “Will Ryker kill my mom?” I finally got the dreaded question out.

  “No, I don’t think so. Ryker needs information from her. Your mom knows the score. She won’t tell him, because the minute she does, she’s dead.”

  I tilted up my chin. “I need to save her.”

  “And you will, but not yet. Only by learning to control your powers will you be able to save her.”

  I jerked my hand toward him. “Why can’t you or some other supernatural thing rescue her?”

  “That’s your destiny.”

  I gritted my teeth, not caring if he ripped my throat out. “Then you condemn her to die.”

  “You have a choice, Raven.” Anton stared at me. “Attend Legacy Academy and save your mom. Or return to your world and condemn her to die.”

  The fancy walls seemed to move toward me, and I squirmed. I thought of the evil in Faas’s eyes, the speeding fireball, and the vampire who had rescued me. I was out of my league and had no idea where to search for Mom and now, I had no home.

  The weight of the world pressed down on my shoulders, and I lay back onto the pillow.

  “Raven?”

  I pulled up the covers and curled up into a ball. “I don’t have a choice. I accept.”

  “Good. Rest here tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll be assigned to your room. You’ll start Legacy Academy the following day. Goodnight.”

  He left me alone. I thought about running away, but where would I go?

  The last thing I wanted to do was sleep, but a deep heaviness fell over me, and I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

  Sleeping pills… The bastard must have given me sleeping pills.

  Chapter 3

  Flames flickered around me. Heat flared, and smoke snaked over me––burned over me, and I couldn’t breathe.

  “Raven?” Mom’s weak voice sent a terror bomb exploding in my still heart.

  I whirled around, moving my arms and hands, trying to see through the thick fog. I coughed, and my foot banged into something hard. “Mom, Mom. Where?” My voice came out hoarse.

  The silhouette of the tall, brutish man formed. Hate flashed in his golden eyes.

  I wanted to run, but I stayed where I was.

  “Where’s my mom?”

  He laughed. “Someplace you’ll never find her.”

  “Raven, stay away. Stay safe. Remember, I love you.” Her voice drifted away.

  “Mom, Mom.”

  “Mom, mom,” the man mimicked me.

  “Shut up. Shut up.”

  Anger squashed my panic. I charged with my fist raised and swung.

  He caught my wrist, clenched it tight, and lifted me off the ground. “Good. Your anger controls you. Easier to capture you.”

  I woke up, thrashing and kicking. My legs and arms were tangled in thick blankets and silky sheets.

  Velvet drapes. Gothic furniture. Big luxurious bed.

  I stopped struggling and panted. Not home. Mom was still gone.

  My wrist throbbed. I looked and froze. Long red finger blotches marked my wrist.

  “Shit,” I murmured.

  Anton drifted into the room and threw upon the drapes. “Good morning, Raven.”

  Bright sunlight smacked me in the face, and I winced, shielding my eyes.

  “It’s time for you to get your schedule, be assigned your room, and meet your new roommate.”

  “Anton, I had a nightmare.” I held up my wrist. “Look.”

  He gently examined my arm. “What happened?”

  I quickly told him about it.

  He sat in his straight up chair. “Unfortunately, Ryker’s dark magic is growing, but his message isn’t something you should ignore.”

  I sighed and dropped my arm. “You mean my anger?”

  “Yes. Ryker and his minions are masters at getting humans and supernaturals to lose their control, so they can get the upper hand. Your job is to remain in control of your emotions, or you’ll lose your mom forever.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “They have my mom. She’s all I have left.”

  “You have much to learn, young one.”

  Did he think was Yoda? Give me a break.

  He reached into a drawer and pu
lled out a silver bracelet with a dragon. “You need to wear this at all times.” He clasped it around my wrist.

  “Why?”

  “Silver dragons have powerful healing abilities, and their magic is embedded in the charm. This will prevent Ryker from contacting you in your dreams.”

  “Dragons have different colors?”

  “And powers. You will find out more in your dragonlore class.”

  The bracelets dangled on my wrist. “Will I always have to wear this?” Jewelry wasn’t really a big thing for me.

  “No. As you go through Legacy Academy, your skills will grow and hopefully be able to ward him over.”

  “Cool, calm, and collective isn’t my bag.”

  He gave me a frosty gaze that sent my attitude recoiling. “I suggest you make it your bag.”

  I nodded.

  “You will also have to get your uniform.”

  I cocked my eyebrow. “Seriously?”

  “You will wear the colors of Wyvern Tower.”

  I put the back of my hand on my forehead. “I’m sorry, you lost me.”

  “Your skirt is a purple plaid. All the other towers have their own colors as well. Your roommate will explain it to you.”

  “Okay. I’ll bite. Who is my roommate?”

  “Wilhelmina Dankin. She’s a first year as yourself.” He clapped his hands. “Let’s go. You can’t lie around all day in bed, especially in my tower.”

  “I take it you don’t have many guests.”

  “Not students. I’ll be back in ten minutes. Be ready.”

  I climbed out of the bed slowly. My ragged jean shorts and lacy pink midriff were folded neatly on a chair. Not a smidge of dirt on either one, but I felt like a dirt bag.

  I thought about jumping into Anton’s shower, which I’m sure would be amazing, but ten minutes wouldn’t be long enough.

  Ten minutes later, Anton escorted me out of the tower to a bunch of peering eyes. Talk about being the new weird kid.

  People stopped talking. Others whispered, and some even gestured toward us.

  But what struck me the most were the five hottest guys I’ve ever seen on some boulders near a pine. I swear they looked like models, but what was even more nauseating were the girls fluttering their eyes at them. I swear they were holding court.

  I clenched the edge of my frayed shorts and hung my head, allowing my hair to cover my eyes. This is why I hated high school. I was always the old ball.

  At least Julie and I had been a team. Now, I was a loner.

  We walked toward one tower, where a bunch of pretty girls openly cast their hostile gaze over me.

  A tall girl with perfect make-up and hair sneered. “Can you believe it? She was raised human.”

  I braced my shoulders and held my chin up high.

  Not even looking at her, Anton said, “Vivian, unless you want detention, I suggest you hold back your sting.”

  Vivian’s cheeks ballooned red.

  Strike one against me. The girls wouldn’t forget this little setback.

  Anton opened the door. “This is Wyvern Tower.”

  I brushed past him, and my mouth dropped open. Frescoes painting of blue, purple, black, red, green, and silver dragons were on the round vaulted ceiling.

  I twirled around with my neck cranked back. “I’ve never seen anything so magnificent.”

  He followed my gaze. “Yes, they are beautiful.” He motioned with his arm. “The office is through those double doors.”

  Gold dragons were engraved on the two large oak doors. He pushed it open to a young woman sitting at a desk. “Good morning, Headmaster. Charlene, this is Raven Erickson. She’s just been enrolled in Legacy Academy.”

  Charlene gave me a dubious look. “Is she a legacy?”

  “Her parents were Vincent and Joanne Erickson.”

  Charlene’s eyes widened. “Really? Joanne’s daughter? I never would have thought…”

  “I sent over her file today. Didn’t you and Baron Germaine get it?”

  Barons?

  “Oh, he didn’t mention it to me.”

  A tall man with short black hair opened another door. “That’s because I just received it on my computer.” He handed Charlene the file. “Everything is in order here. Charlene, would you retrieve a uniform for Raven?”

  I looked down on beach outfit and shifted back and forth.

  “Of course.”

  “You’re in good hands here, Raven,” Anton said. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do.”

  “Bye.”

  He shut the door and loneliness crept up my arm, leaving a rash of goosebumps. At least with Anton, he had saved my life and seemed to want me here.

  “Will you please come inside my office, dear?”

  He wasn’t that much older than me, but then Anton looked like he was in his thirties, but that meant nothing. He was a vampire and could have been alive during the plague.

  His office had the same dragon fresco on the ceiling. He motioned to a stuffed red chair next to his huge desk.

  “Knowing Headmaster Anton, I suspect he left you with many questions unanswered.”

  “You could say that. Are you really a Baron?”

  “Yes. I come from the Dragon Kingdom, and a member of my family has always served at Wyvern Tower. Barons also serve at the other towers. One of our main functions is to watch over the Royals.”

  “The Royals?”

  He chuckled. “He did keep you in the dark. The Royals are the princes from the five other kingdoms.”

  “You’re their babysitters?”

  His smile faded. “No, our job is merely to ensure nothing befalls the future kings.” His eyes darkened. “Especially after the unpleasantries.”

  I waved my hand.

  “Oh, of course. I keep forgetting your mother chose to raise you as human. But the Dark Demon attacks… Ryker and his minions are becoming even bolder, more devious.”

  My gut tightened into granny knots. I looked at the bracelet and marks on my wrist, but didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to know what other creepy things Ryker’s thugs had committed.

  He punched some keys on his computer, then pulled a piece of paper off the printer. “Here’s your schedule.”

  I looked at it––Demonology 101, Dragon Magick, Defense and Battle Techniques, Potions, and History of Supernaturals.

  “What’s Dragon Magick? I didn’t know dragons could do magic.”

  “All supernaturals can do magic, but they differ. Some magic is stronger than others.”

  “Which one is strongest?”

  “Fae. But don’t let that fool you. In History of Supernaturals, you’ll learn about the different types of magic.”

  “But I have never done any magic.”

  “Once you shift, your gifts will start to develop. You’ll just learn how to use them.”

  Great, what if I can’t? Then what?

  Someone knocked on the door.

  “Yes?”

  Charlene peeked her head inside. “Baron, I have Raven’s uniform.”

  “Bring it in. Charlene is an expert in determining people’s sizes.”

  Charlene came in with purple plaid shirts and three different types of white blouses––one had puff sleeves, another cuffed ones, and the last bell.

  “Are these all we can wear?”

  “During the week, you wear your uniforms, but on the weekends, you can wear your own clothes.”

  A lump formed in my throat as I thought of my home and everything I had burned up in smoke. I looked down at the only clothes I owned and heat burned my cheeks.

  As if reading my mind, the Baron smiled. “Raven, you have an account with the school, so you’ll be able to purchase new attire.”

  “Do you have stores here?”

  “I’m sure the Headmaster told you we were still in Colorado. Our students shop at the Factory Outlet Stores in Frisco.”

  “Really?”

  “Your roommate Wilhemina Dankin will show you h
ow. Also, all of your books and your backpack are waiting for you in your room. Do you have any other questions?”

  My stomach let out a loud rumble, and I squirmed in my chair.

  He crossed his hands and rested them on his neat desk. “Wilhemina will also show you to the dining room. Charlene will take you to your room. And, Raven, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your mom. She was a legend around her.”

  I couldn’t wrap my brain around Mom being some kind of superhero. With me, she was just a mom who did ordinary mom things.

  And I miss those things. Tears pushed on the back of my eyelids, and I swallowed the pain swelling in my throat.

  “Okay. Thank you.” My voice turned tiny.

  Charlene gestured. “Are you ready?”

  I shrugged. Uneasiness steamed over me. What if Wilhemina was one of the girls smirking at me? My life would be totally screwed.

  Chapter 4

  I carried my uniforms over my arm and followed Charlene down the corridor to my room. Girls in the common area and talking in the hallway studied me as if searching for weaknesses.

  This was so high school all over again, and I hated high school. I was low man on the pecking order, and by the looks of it––I was right back into no-man’s-land.

  Charlene stopped at the last door and knocked.

  “Coming.”

  I held my breath, waiting for one of the blondies to make my life miserable.

  A girl opened the door and exhaled a sigh of relief. She had white and black streaked hair and olive skin.

  “Wilhemina, this is Raven. Your new roommate.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Hi. It’s Willie. Wilhemina is a mouthful.”

  “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” Charlene said.

  Willie held the door wide open. “Well, come on in. Your books are already here.”

  The room was more spacious than I thought. No dragon frescoes were on the ceilings, but there was a dragon chandelier.

  Double beds were neatly made. One was near the window, and the other was by the door.

  “Um, which bed do you want me to have?”

  “I like the window.” Willie sat on the bed and crossed her arms.