Zodiac Academy 3: The Reckoning

GOOD MORNING GEMINI.

The stars have spoken about your –

You have a new private message, Darcy!

You have a new private message, Darcy!

You have a new private message, Darcy!

“Is this broken?” I muttered to myself, sitting upright with a yawn and pushing my bed covers down as I blinked hazily at the screen. It was earlier than I’d usually get up, but I’d kept dreaming about Tory on the beach, blood everywhere, waking in a burning sweat. I tapped on the private messages and my lips pursed as I found they were all from Orion.

Lance:

Come meet me in my office before breakfast.

Lance:

And if we’re lucky, through breakfast.

Lance:

And I’m always late anyway so after breakfast too 😉

I scowled, shaking my head. Was he serious right now?

I tapped out an answer to shut him down, my gut writhing and squirming as hurt niggled at me. He didn’t even realise I was pissed at him. How could he think we were on good terms? That I’d actually go and screw him?

I let out an actual growl, hitting send on my message.

Darcy:

Obviously not

I didn’t even give him a full stop, let alone an x. I really didn’t want to think the other night had been a mistake but Orion had held me back whilst his goddamn Dragon friend had threatened to choke my sister to death. But not before he smacked her around like a lion toying with its prey.

I was fuming. I wanted to tear out both Orion and Darius’s eyeballs for it. I wasn’t usually the outwardly feisty twin, but today I was on a warpath.

I lifted my Atlas to read my horoscope like I’d intended, trying to slow my breathing.

Good morning Gemini.

The stars have spoken about your day!

Mars is firmly backing you today so if you feel like going in to battle, that may be because of its presence. Now is a good time to face your issues head on. So long as you have faith in the red planet’s guidance, you will win any argument you strike up. But be careful, you will collide with a Libra today who also has Mars in their chart. If you clash too hard, the results could be disastrous.

“Good, I fancy a disaster,” I murmured just as another message flashed up from Orion.

Lance:

Is this about your sister?

I rolled my eyes, turning the Atlas off so I couldn’t even be tempted to reply. I dragged my butt into the bathroom and had a shower that lasted nearly half an hour, trying to drain away some of this furious energy. But it clearly wasn’t going anywhere. So by the time I pulled on my ripped skinny jeans, a fitted black sweater and painted my face for the day, twisting my hair up into a Viking braid that said war, I was ready to take on the whole damn school.

I grabbed my satchel on the way out of the door, tossing it over my shoulder. I headed into the stairwell and spotted Seth trotting toward me in my periphery. I quickened my pace but he circled around me, stopping me and several other students in the process.

“Move,” I demanded, trying to file after the other students as he let them by.

His brows jumped up. “Shit, babe, which stars spat in your cereal this morning?”

“All of them,” I huffed. “Now move.”

“Is that a challenge?” His eyes sparkled and I pursed my lips.

I cast air from my palm which crashed into his shoulder and shoved him aside. But he didn’t miss a beat, turning sharply and sliding his arm around my waist. I didn’t even care to throw him off, I just continued along at my own fast pace and hoped he’d fall behind.

“I think I like this angry side of you, do you want to take it out on me?” Seth murmured in my ear as we stepped out of the door onto the pathway.

My gut did a skydive as I found Orion standing outside, docking House Points from students for various offenses. I tried to walk away, but his eyes landed on me like lightning, shifting between me and Seth.

“Hey Professor,” Seth called. “What brings you out of bed before midday?”

Orion came at him so fast, I nearly fell over as he dragged Seth off of me. He threw him back through the door, bellowing, “Ten points from Aer!”

My heart somersaulted as I made my escape, marching into the crowd and trying to meld in. Damn my beautiful hair.

Orion was in front of me in a blur, moving so fast I walked straight into his chest.

“What the hell?” I demanded. “Get out of my way, asshole.”

Horrified inhales sounded around me and for some unknown reason Orion’s mouth curved up into a triumphant smile. “My office. Now, Miss Vega.”

“No!” I gasped, realising what he’d managed to do. Give himself a damn excuse to haul me away like a misbehaving student.

I tried to duck past him, but he caught my arm. The students around us had scattered and I gazed up at him, venom pouring from my eyes. 

“Let me go,” I said icily.

“Make me,” he spat, dragging me along the path at a ferocious speed. I knew he would just toss me over his shoulder and carry me there if I made any further protest and I wasn’t going to deal with the humiliation of that.

He marched me up to Jupiter Hall like I was a prisoner of war about to be thrown into a firing line. My heart ricocheted off the walls of my chest as we arrived at his office and he unlocked the door, pushing me inside.

I took a deep breath as he stepped in after me and slammed it behind him. I fought the wince I knew he expected, clenching my jaw and glaring at him.

He raised his hand, casting a silencing bubble and I lunged forward, grabbing his wrist to try and stop him. It was already too late, which meant we were having this conversation now, whether I liked it or not.

“Screw you,” I hissed. “You had no right-”

“I have every right,” he snarled, stalking closer and sending a shudder rolling down my spine. “I’m your teacher.”

“Handy that,” I laughed dryly. “You didn’t act like one the other night, sir.” He cornered me against his desk, placing his palms down either side of me so I was enveloped in his scent and the taste of coffee on his breath.

“This is about your sister,” he echoed his message from earlier. “Isn’t it?” His fangs were on full display and I tried not to pay them attention but it was difficult with him so close.

“Of course it is,” I snarled, collecting my thoughts and preparing for the argument which I was clearly going to be forced into having on his terms. “You held me back while that bastard hurt her. Do you have any idea what that feels like? How would you feel if someone hurt your sister right in front of you?”

He jerked away as if I’d scolded him, turning his back on me and raking a hand down his neck.

My heart thumped out of tune and my mind wheeled as I wondered if that actually had happened to him once. 

“So you do know how it feels,” I said darkly, moving away from the desk with my heart in my throat.

He grunted in affirmation, still not looking at me. “But you can’t intervene in a fight between two Fae,” he said in explanation. “You should know that by now.”

“She’s my family,” I said in disbelief. “I don’t care what I’m supposed to do, Lance. I’ll always look out for her no matter what the cost.”

Orion nodded, scraping a hand over his face then moving to sit behind his desk. He opened the lowest drawer and took out the predictable bottle of bourbon. Tears suddenly pinched my eyes. Tears of rage, but mostly of sadness that he needed that stuff. That he thought it would help whatever it was he was trying not to feel.

I stormed forward, snatching it from the desk before he could pour a glass. “Deal with your emotions.” I pointed the bottle at him. “Drowning them doesn’t make them go away.”

He stared at me as if no one had ever pointed out his drinking habit before (especially with the actual bottle). And as if no one had ever told him to stop. Well I was telling him now and he was going to goddamn listen.

I stormed to the window, wrenching it open and holding the bottle out by the neck, staring at him with a threat in my eyes. He was up from his seat, his expression contorted in a mixture of confusion, anger and disbelief.

“Blue,” he whispered, but I didn’t know what he was asking of me. To drop the bottle or to not drop it.

I gasped as he ran at me, my heart sinking, knowing that this alcohol meant so much to him. He grabbed hold of my hand and prised the bottle from my fingers, dropping it himself. The smash hit my ears, but I didn’t see it because he dragged me against him, his mouth crashing into mine with the heat of a volcano.

I was still angry, so damn angry, but I couldn’t stop kissing him. I clawed at his arms then wrapped my hand around his tie and pulled hard enough to choke him. He dragged me away from the window, shoving me up against the door instead, every part of us colliding. Our bodies, our teeth, our souls. It was sloppy and desperate and everything.

I groaned, still trying to hurt him as I dug my nails into his forearms and he bit down on my lip in response. He suddenly caught my chin, wrenching my head sideways and sinking his teeth into my neck. My magic immobilised, but I didn’t need it. I wanted to claw at him until I shredded right through to his heart and made him feel how I had when I’d seen my sister hurt by Darius.

His arousal ground against my leg but there wasn’t a chance in hell we were going there right now. I was still furious and wanted a proper apology. 

When his hand took a turn south, I slammed a palm to his chest and he extracted his fangs from my throat, releasing a frustrated sigh. His pupils were dilated and I could see the excitement burning beneath them as he dipped his head for another kiss.

I pressed my hand to his mouth, shaking my head as anger grew deeper roots inside me. “No.”

His brows drew together and he gently removed my hand, kissing the back of it. “Was I too rough?”

“No.” I fought a blush but it scorched right through me.

“Not rough enough?” he teased and I battled a grin, refusing to meet those hungry eyes of his.

“I’m still mad at you,” I said, folding my arms and willing away the burning need between my thighs. But I wasn’t going to ignore all of my principals and let him have me. I’d imagined it so many times in this office, but not like this. Not with a pit of rage in my chest which just kept widening and widening.

“You’ll get over it.” He brushed his thumb across my neck to heal the bite mark and I glowered at him.

“That’s all you have to say? I’ll get over it?” I hissed.

“Well…yeah.” He shrugged, seeming kind of out of his depth for a second.

I pushed my way past him, ignoring the craving in my soul that begged me to stay as I strode toward the door. He beat me to it, barring my way with an anxious look in his eyes.

“Wait,” he commanded and I lifted a brow. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Are you serious?” I balked, completely baffled by him.

“Blue, please. It’s important,” he pressed, his brows raising hopefully.

I tsked at him, reaching for the door handle, but he caught my hand and drew me into his arms instead. His palm pressed flat to my back and he nuzzled against my head in a way that was almost like Seth. “I’ll make this up to you. But nothing I say right now is going to make it right.”

Sorry would go a long way. But hell if I’m going to spoon feed you.

“What do you want?” I demanded and he held me tighter, his mouth falling to my ear.

“I need you to talk to Diego Polaris. I believe his Uncle Alejandro is up to something criminal that involves Darius’s father.”

“Like what?” I breathed in alarm, leaning back to search his eyes.

He shrugged. “I don’t know yet. But Diego would never trust me or Darius. I need someone close to him to ask about his uncle. Where he lives, what he does for a living, whether he’s involved in anything suspicious. Anything you can learn at all that could help.”

I chewed on my lip, unsure what to say. “Diego’s my friend, I don’t want to lie to him.”

“Then don’t lie.” He traced his thumb across my cheekbone. “Just ask.”

I glanced at the door, uncertain if I should agree. I didn’t want to offer anything to Orion right now, but this sounded like something bigger than us.

“Please, Blue. I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate. Lionel is a danger to us all.” His eyes bored into mine and I knew I couldn’t refuse this request. Darius’s father terrified me so if he was up to something shady, I had to do what I could to stop him.

“Alright, but what is it you think him and Lionel are even up to?”

“Bad fucking shit, that’s all. I have to protect Darius and I need to know what Lionel’s planning.”

“How do you know he’s planning anything?” I tried to pull away but he held on tight.

“I overheard him at the party.”

“Saying what?”

“Darcy…”

“You can’t expect me to help you if you’re not honest with me,” I said firmly.

He sighed, leaning back against the door. “He’s planning something bad around the time of the Lunar Eclipse. That’s all I know.”

I thought of Astrum’s warning in the card I’d found at the Acrux manor and my gut knotted. 

Do not underestimate the beast who shadows you.

He is the ultimate power, ruling over your lives and the lives of many others.

Had those words been referring to Lionel?

The school bell rang out shrilly and we moved instinctively apart as reality came crashing down on us. His hand circled around the doorknob as he surveyed me.

“Good luck with your Water Trial,” he said earnestly.

“Thank you.” I moved forward but he didn’t open the door.

“Are you still angry with me?”

“Yes,” I replied, but a part of me wished I didn’t have to be. I wanted to rewind two nights and fall into his arms all over again. But everything was messed up between us and I couldn’t forgive him for holding me back from helping Tory. 

“Let me go,” I whispered when I could see he wasn’t planning on moving.

His eyes hardened as he tugged the door open and the sound of chatter and movement of students filled the halls. I stepped past him and glanced back over my shoulder but he was already shutting the door. I swallowed hard and walked away, wondering if we were done before we’d even started.

I headed out of Jupiter Hall onto the path and spotted Seth lingering beside the door. “Hey is he hassling you?” He strode toward me, his brows drawn low.

“I can handle Orion.” I started walking, meaning to head past him but he caught my arm. I raised my brows, giving him a hard look that told him to let go.

“I’m starting to see that, Omega,” he said with a sideways smile. His hand lingered on my arm, sliding higher and inching toward my hair. “But I’m still your superior.”

I stepped away, narrowing my eyes. “You might be better at magic, Seth, but you’re not superior to anyone.”

“You really haven’t grasped how Fae work yet, have you babe?”

“I’ve grasped it,” I said in a low voice. “But more power doesn’t equal better.”

He frowned as if he was struggling to understand that.

A loud growl made my heart lurch and I turned, spotting Seth’s pack walking down the pathway toward us, brushing their hands over each other and nuzzling as they moved. 

A girl with dark hair and bright eyes headed the line. “Still betraying us, Seth? We’ll have to hold fights for a new Alpha soon.” Her tone was void of warmth and her eyes as hard as steel as they fell on me.

Seth moved closer to me, a deep growl rumbling in his throat. “You’re the one betraying me, Alice. All of you are.” His eyes swept across the group and a few of them dipped their heads.

“Maybe we’ll deal with the problem ourselves.” Alice stepped toward me and I raised my hands, fire bursting to life in my palms. If she wanted a fight, she’d caught me in a bad enough mood to get one. Besides, Mars was backing me today so hopefully I had the upper hand.

Some of the pack started howling in anger and my blood chilled, but I refused to back down. Seth moved in front of me, squaring up to Alice. “Accept her or get out of my sight,” he snarled.

“I don’t even want to be in your pack,” I said, frustrated but it was clearly the wrong thing to say as Alice snarled at me.

“Are you going to let her speak like that?” Alice snapped.

“Don’t you dare question me.” Seth drew himself up to his fullest height, glaring down at her with his teeth bared. She held his eye for a long moment before bowing her head with a growl of annoyance. She jerked her head to beckon the pack, leading them away from us and Seth released a low whine as they went.

Pain emanated from him, but I tried not to feel bad. He deserved to suffer like this after what he’d done to me. But I still didn’t want to be his Omega and maybe I was starting to feel one-percent shitty about his situation.

“Just cut me from the pack, Seth, then this will stop.”

He turned to me with a desperate look in his eyes that cut right into me. “It’s not that simple.”

“Well make it simple,” I said with a shrug. Before I could react, he wrapped me in his arms, nuzzling into my hair with a groan.

“Maybe I don’t want to let you go.” His mouth grazed my temple, then he drew away and headed off down the path, my heart beating frantically as I watched him leave. 

I didn’t like to admit it but I was starting to accept that Seth had feelings for me. And for some reason that terrified me far more than him hating me ever could.