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

by Tessa Hale

The owner of the voice was unlike anyone I’d ever seen before. While he was young, probably about my age, he was massive. Even sitting down, I knew he’d tower over me. The T-shirt he wore skated over defined muscles. Muscles that told me he wasn’t someone you wanted to tangle with. Dark hair was buzzed close to his head, and a scar bisected his right eyebrow. But it was his eyes that held me captive. Those eyes were otherworldly in their beauty. A golden amber so hypnotizing it stole your breath. But there was a coldness there that made me shiver, so opposed to the golden warmth of their color.

His eyes were fixed on my side, as if he could still see the marks. The gold in his irises glowed like fire. “Who. Hurt. You?”

“I promise, no one is going to hurt you again.”

It was a club no one wanted to be a member of, but it helped when you had someone who had walked the path before you.

He was probably the most beautiful human being I’d ever seen. Black hair was shorn close to his head on the sides and longer up top. My hand itched to feel the buzzed sides prickle against my palm. His face was all angular perfection, with a sharp jaw and cheekbones. But it was the eyes that did me in. Violet orbs that seemed to swirl in deepening shades as he took me in. But that gaze was filled with nothing but judgment and cold disinterest.

His sandy brown hair lay in an artful disarray that had me wanting to tame it with my fingers. Deep blue eyes were framed by black glasses that gave him a sexy professor sort of look. As he moved, his tee pulled tight across a muscled chest.

“I’ll be fine,” I assured them. “I’m good at fading into the background.” Ronan stared at me. “The last thing that you are is invisible.”

I looked up at Ronan. “Thanks for helping me.” Those amber eyes sparked with gold flecks. “Pretty sure I’d do anything for you.”

Firecracker.”

Ronan came up behind me and squeezed my shoulder. “See, Firecracker? Nothing to worry about.” He paused, pinning Colt with his stare. “Some dog owners just need to be a hell of a lot more responsible.”

“But those sounds you’re making could kill a man,” Ronan said, voice a little gruffer than normal. My cheeks flamed. Oops. “Sorry.” Ronan grinned. “Definitely don’t have to apologize. It’d be a good way to go.”

They didn’t want to let me in? Fine. But I didn’t have to stand by like a doormat while they did it.

“You’re the one starting shit. I’m just finishing it.”

Little Bird.

I shoved off his lap, needing space. “I don’t get it. If I don’t have any abilities, why did you bring me here?” It was only risking exposure for them when they didn’t need to. The guys all shared a look, but it was Ronan who finally spoke. “Because you’re our mate.”

Dash brushed his lips against mine. “I am fully me, the best version of myself, when I’m in union with you. I’m not willing to lose that, to lose a chance at a life with you, for the guarantee of power and a long life. I’d rather a day with you than a lifetime without you.”

“Without you, I could become a monster. With you, I’m just who I was meant to be.”

mon coeur.

My Heart…

“Science is man’s best friend.”

“Not yet, mon coeur. I’m not done playing.”

“That’s a good girl.”

“What? Cat got your tongue, trash?” Chloe called. I shrugged. “Don’t like to waste my time with people who clearly don’t have two brain cells to rub together.”

“You didn’t see her.” Trace’s voice was low, but it carried so much emotion. “She was shaking like a damn leaf while those bitches taunted her. No one goes after my mate like that.”

“Firecracker, that was a thing of beauty.” The shock of the moment faded, and I cursed as pain radiated up my arm. I shook out my hand. “Shit! That hurts. Why don’t they tell you punching someone hurts?”

Trace took my hand. His fingers were so gentle it made my heart ache. “Little Bird. Why?” The pain eased at the contact with Trace. “No one gets to spew lies about you when I’m around.” Those violet eyes blazed as his chest heaved. “I was wrong. I think it’s you who’s going to ruin me.”