Legacy of Shadows (Supernaturals of Castle Academy, #1)

by Tessa Hale

Sixteen. I didn’t know why, but it had always felt like it would be a monumental birthday. As if the years before this were just playing at being a teenager, but now, I really was one. Grief hit me hard and fast as I heard my father’s voice in my mind from when I was a little girl. “Sweet sixteen’s a big one. We’re gonna throw you one epic party when that day comes.” There would be no epic party. No balloons or presents or anything like that. But maybe, just maybe, Mom would be a little kinder to me today.

“I can’t.” The words were as soft as I could make them and still be audible. Heat hit my mom’s face. “What did you say?” “I can’t. Betsy from the diner is taking me out for ice cream.” Mom scoffed. “Why the hell would she waste her time doing that?”

My mom lunged, grabbing my arm and yanking me hard. My backpack went flying. “Where is it?” she screamed. She jerked my arm, frantically searching. “Stop! Where’s what?”

“You’re not special. You’re nothing!” The world spun around me, but I could just make out my mom reaching for the pot of boiling water. She dumped it on my exposed back.

It had been a while since I’d had one of these nightmares. Since the terror had gotten a hold of me in such an intense way. It made sense that it would come on now. Change shook loose the things you locked away.

I walked out onto a stone patio. The moon lit enough of my surroundings that I could take it all in. Elaborate gardens on either side of me, an artful stone patio, and an enormous pool. But it was the view beyond it that had me moving forward. Beyond the immaculate grass lay a rocky shore and past that, a sea of dark, swirling water. Something about that ocean called to me. It was as if it were so similar to the darkness that lived in me. It was comforting somehow.

A harsh voice cut through the silence, through my peace. “What the hell do you think you’re doing out here?”

Ronan surged forward, grabbing my arm to right me. The moment his skin touched mine, visions filled my mind. A younger version of Ronan covered in gashes and his eye swollen shut. Pain filled his expression as he shifted on a cot. Then an entirely different vision. He looked as he did now, but his face was different somehow. There was none of the pain and darkness that lived in his eyes currently. They were filled with peace, joy…love. And he was looking at me.

“I almost fell because you snuck up on me and scared me half to death.” There was no apology in Ronan’s expression. “You should be more aware of your surroundings.” I let out a huff. “Excuse me if I don’t have ninja training.” Ronan’s jaw clenched harder. “This is going to be a disaster,” he mumbled.

Ronan sighed. “I didn’t say I didn’t want you here.” “You don’t always need words to communicate things.” He looked out at the water. “I don’t think you’re prepared for life in this world. You don’t have what it’ll take to defend yourself. I think Colt wanted you here, but at the end of the day, that was a selfish move.” I shifted to follow his gaze, careful not to send myself flying again. “It’s not like my life in Louisiana was peachy. I know how to defend myself.” I was an expert at avoidance and evasion. Ronan shook his head. “It’s different.”

I saw it then. The worry deep in his eyes. “You’re worried about me.” He shrugged. “You don’t even know me.” The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Colt talks about you all the time. I think I’ve heard every story about your summers growing up together at least a dozen times. When you tried to keep the pet frog but it escaped, and your mom screamed her head off. How you made that epic fort in the woods that was your hideout from your parents. The time you fell in the creek and Colt had to jump in after you.” A vise tightened around my chest. There were a million of those memories. But the through line was the same. Colt always had my back.

“When did you move in with the Carringtons?” There were a million questions I had about Ronan. He was this living, breathing mystery standing just inches away. He stiffened. “Why?” I shrugged. “You know all these things about me, and I know nothing about you.” Ronan studied me for a moment and then nodded. “When I was thirteen.” “Why?” It was a simple question.

Ronan’s head jerked in the opposite direction, and he shifted in front of me in a flash. “Get back in the house.” I struggled to clamber up the rocks. “Why? What’s wrong?” “Now, Leighton,” he growled. “Should I get someone?” “No,” he barked. His gaze flicked back to me for a brief moment. “Don’t come out here alone. Not ever again.”

My red hair hung in long waves around my face. My green eyes stood out against my pale skin, and the dusting of freckles across my nose did, too. I didn’t have any makeup to disguise the dark circles under my eyes, so this would have to do.

Leighton—17yrs old, dad died when 9y/o, abusive mom, long wavy red hair, green eyes, freckles

I hurried to make my bed before we left. “You don’t have to do that. We have staff.” I shook my head. “They don’t need to clean up after me. I can take care of my space.” I always had. Colt’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t argue.

“I need to get a job first. Save up some money. Do you know of any restaurants in town that might be hiring?” Colt’s steps faltered. “I didn’t expect you to pay for this stuff.” I halted. “You can’t just buy me things.” “Why not? What good is money if you don’t spend it?”

Three sets of eyes came to me. I instantly surveyed Ronan, looking for any signs of injury. But he didn’t even look tired. I blinked a few times, suddenly wondering if I’d dreamt the events of last night.

Dash pulled out a chair next to him. “Colt’s right. You’re not the first person he’s been this way with. When I joined the, uh, group, he thought I was going to ruin everything, too. You get used to his prickly ass.”

His gaze roamed over me. “You need to eat more.” I ducked my gaze. I knew what he saw. Someone who was just a little too skinny. But that was what happened when you worked yourself to the bone and didn’t have a whole lot of money for food.

Dash sent him a sidelong look. “Just make sure it’s somewhere the anchors don’t go,” he mumbled. Anchors? What the heck was that? Colt had assured me that he wasn’t in the mafia, but what if he was in a gang?

Dash peppered me with random questions about my favorite things. His easygoing demeanor was a balm compared to the intensity of the rest of the guys. Even Colt had that edge. It was just tempered by the fact that I knew him so well.

I grabbed my plate, wanting to take it to the kitchen, but Baldwin shook his head. “I’ll deal with that. You go have fun with Colton.” My lips twitched at the use of Colt’s full name. There was something so endearing about it. “I’m happy to clean up after myself.” Baldwin’s expression gentled. “I get immense pleasure in taking care of all my chicks. Don’t rob me of that.” “Well, thank you.”

My steps faltered as I took in the vehicle waiting for us. It looked like something out of a Batman or Bond movie. “What is that?” Colt chuckled, running his hand over the curved hood of the sleek sports car. “My baby.”

His words suddenly reminded me that it was a weekday. “Shouldn’t you be at school?” He shrugged. “Called out for a few days. The rest of the guys will go, though.”

“Baldwin’s my guardian, according to the state.” “And he’ll just let you take off whenever you want?” Colt grinned. “He trusts me not to take it too far.”

a lounge area with a reception desk. A woman sat behind it, and she brightened the moment she saw Colt and me. “Well, look what the cat dragged in.” He chuckled. “Hey, Carly. How are you?” “You know, same ole, same ole. What sort of trouble are we getting into today?” Jealousy pricked at me. It wasn’t that she was being particularly flirtatious, but there was a comfortable intimacy between her and Colt that told me they were friends. The kind of friendship I’d been robbed of all these years.

Carly

“Maybe I should go to public school,” I mumbled. I’d fit in way better there. Carly laughed. “I like you.” Colt gave my hand one last squeeze. “I promise we can stop at that cupcake place on the way out.” I brightened at that. “Then let’s get this over with.” Colt sent Carly a grin. “Baked goods bribery works every time.” “Those cupcakes are amazing. It’ll be worth it,” she said.

A wave of nausea rolled through me. This was too much. The last thing I wanted was to be a drain on Colt. Concern filled Carly’s face. “Are you okay?” “It’s too much,” I whispered. Her expression instantly gentled. “You weren’t raised in their world, were you?”

The smile slipped from Colt’s face as his head jerked up. Three guys were making their way toward us. They looked about our age. All three were eerily beautiful, with flawless, pale skin and impeccably styled hair. But their eyes were dark in a way that sent a shiver through me. Colt was on his feet in a flash, and I got to mine on instinct.

“Damien.” The guy’s grin only widened. “Protective, are we?” He made an exaggerated show of sniffing the air. As he did so, his eyes widened, and his nostrils flared. “Well, who do we have here? I heard rumors about a little lost one but didn’t imagine she’d smell quite this sweet.” Colt gave Damien a hard shove.

Carly bustled over, her arms loaded with clothing. She didn’t hesitate to get between Colt and Damien, a huge smile plastered on her face. “I’m so sorry, gentlemen, but this place is closed to the public. But I’d be happy to make you an appointment for a later time.” She blinked up at Damien with innocent doe eyes so convincing, you’d truly think she had no idea what she’d walked into. But even in the few minutes I’d known Carly, I knew there was no way she was so clueless. Damien snarled at her. “We don’t stoop to department stores.”

Colt was behind the wheel in a flash, turning the engine over. He slipped in a wireless earbud and hit something on his phone. Then he was tearing out of the space. Gone was his promise of keeping to a reasonable speed.

“Who are they?” I asked. My voice wasn’t loud, but it sounded like a cannon in the quiet space. A muscle along Colt’s jaw ticked. “People who shouldn’t be breathing your air.” “I’m going to need a little more information than that.” Colt’s knuckles bleached white as he gripped the wheel tighter. “Someone we’re at odds with. Damien’s family and mine have never gotten along. We got them into trouble not that long ago, and Damien holds a grudge. If you ever see him or his friends, you run in the opposite direction.” “Am I going to see him?” I squeaked.

“You’ll be safe on campus. Just don’t let him get you alone. But the guys will stick close. Don’t worry.” I stared at Colt. “You think he’ll hurt me.” It wasn’t a question, but it still begged for an answer. A hardness slipped into Colt’s eyes. “I know he will.”

A series of three blacked-out Range Rovers tore toward us. The moment Colt saw them, he slowed. One pulled a U-turn in front of us, the other two behind us. We were encircled like we were part of a presidential motorcade. “Your security?” I asked. Colt nodded, a little of the tension easing from his muscles. “Just a precaution.” Who the hell was Damien, really? Because this wasn’t the type of reaction for someone who was just a high school bully. My stomach twisted.

Colt glared at him. “Like I could leave her where she was? That place was a ticking time bomb, and she was completely unprotected.” “You should’ve put her up in a safe house far away from here,” Trace snapped. “But you’re too damn selfish. Always so used to getting everything you want.” Colt lunged for Trace.

An ache took root in my chest. I was the cause of this. My presence was tearing them apart. I slowly backed away toward the house. The door was already open. As soon as I was inside, I headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time. By the time I reached my room, the tears were falling. Tears because I had to face the truth. I was destined never to belong anywhere.

A soft knock sounded on my door. I didn’t want to answer. But it had been hours since I’d escaped up here. I hadn’t answered the first two knocks that had come, and I knew if I kept that up, someone would just barge in. “Come in.” I didn’t bother looking at who was there. It didn’t really matter. I wasn’t sure any of them really wanted me here.

None of this is your fault. Colt feels guilty as hell. Trace does, too, in his own way. All everyone wants is for you to be safe, but we just can’t agree on the best way to make that happen.” Dash sucked in a breath after finishing his diatribe. “Sorry you got hurt.”

“I want to go home,” I said honestly. Dash’s brows pulled together. “It didn’t sound like home was that awesome of a place.” “Not to Louisiana and Maryanne. I want Michigan and my dad.” Tears burned the backs of my eyes. “I want a time and a place that doesn’t even exist anymore, but I’m so homesick for it, I feel like my heart’s being torn in two.” Pain flashed across Dash’s face. “It’s the worst kind of homesickness there is.” Something about his expression told me he understood far better than I could’ve guessed.

Dash shook his head. “It’s okay. I just don’t talk about it a lot. My family was killed a couple of years ago. Colt’s dad took me in after that. I could’ve kept my family’s house, but it wasn’t a home anymore, so I let it go.” Pain streaked through my chest. He’d lost everyone in a single moment. “I’m so sorry.” I reached out, linking my fingers with his. The moment our hands connected, I was lost to a sea of visions. A younger version of Dash, tears streaking down his face as Colt pulled him into a hard hug. Then, a much older version of him with gray hair and a lined face. He wrapped his arms around a woman. “Love you even more today, Leighton.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask if he’d somehow seen it, too.

“Trace wants you here. He just doesn’t want to let himself admit it.” I found that hard to believe. Dash sighed and squeezed my hand. “Then hear me. I want you here. I love that you’re in our house, that we’ll get to spend every day with you. I can’t wait to get to know you better. The big things and the little ones. Like how you eat the crust off your toast first.”

Just promise me you’ll give it time before you decide to run off and leave us all in the dust.” I slumped back against the wall. “Am I that easy to read?” The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Maybe just a little.”

Dash squeezed my hand and then released it. “Good.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace. It looked like a locket of sorts. Gold metal with an etched design on the front. “This is for you.” “Dash…that looks expensive.” He shook his head. “It’s been in my family for generations. There are some herbs inside that help with protection. It’ll make me feel better if you wear it.” “Herbs for protection…” Dash shrugged. “I’ve got a thing for plants. My mom did, too. They have so many properties that go beyond beauty, healing of the mind and body and warding off things.”

He leaned back, our eyes locking as my breath hitched. It was as if some invisible energy was pulling us together. Dash’s eyes widened, and he hurried to stand. “I gotta go. But just promise me you’ll never take it off.” “Okay, I promise.”

I’d never worn a uniform in my life, but I’d expected scratchy fabric and boxy cuts. Not for Castle Preparatory Academy, what I’d learned was the official name of the school thanks to my blazer. The shirt was the softest cotton I’d ever felt. The kilt was lined with satin so that the wool didn’t touch my skin. And the blazer cocooned around me perfectly.

The same hair as my father. The same deep green eyes, too. I really had no similarities to my mother, and I was grateful for that.

As I stepped into the dining room, all conversation stopped, and four pairs of eyes locked on me. I swallowed hard as I took in each expression. They were all different. A muscle in Ronan’s cheek fluttered as his gaze bored into me. Colt’s expression was full of longing and maybe a bit pissed off. Dash wore a grin a mile wide as his blue eyes sparkled. The anger in Trace’s violet irises sparked and danced as his fingers tightened around his fork in a vise grip.

My gaze pulled to him as if he held some sort of magnetic force. There was a darkness swirling around him. It was more than just his hair and the tattoos covering his hands. That darkness was in him. More than that, a deep sadness. “What?” he snapped. I jumped. Anger quickly followed on the heels of his startling. I hated the idea of Trace knowing he affected me so deeply. “I was just wondering why you’re so sad.”