Secrets of Alkrose (Alkrose Academy, #2)

by K.M. Moronova

“Is he truly the Assassin of Fernestia?” Raine asks

“Yes, he is. And you’d be smart to remember it. Elias is Dr. Cein’s right-hand dog and the headmaster’s favorite weapon. He’s hardly even human anymore. I’d stay far from his bad side.” He gives me a pointed look as he says the latter. “Whatever kindness he’s shown you up until now will most likely stop. That man has no heart.”

Novas are the elite Shadows—gods of the gods. Should you be near one during a moment of uncontrolled hysteria or intentional malice to mark you, you will be blighted. Cursed.”

“Blighted individuals don’t live long. Their powers are enhanced briefly, leeched from their Nova counterpart, but blighting is a death sentence no one has survived.”

I turn as Arthur steps in, well-mannered and completely impassive. But I don’t miss the glint of adoration in his eyes for me, the look of a wanting man, though he hides it well. I find that I like his restraint, but I also wonder how far it will stretch.

“You are the sole source of my weariness. I can’t stop thinking about you. The way you bite your lower lip and suck in breaths when I’m too near. It drives me absolutely crazy.”

His lip kicks up in a savage smirk. “Are you going to be a good girl this time?” I give him an innocent smile and nod slowly beneath lust-drunk eyes.

My mood is foul this morning. I had every intention of sharing my bed with Terra last night, but of course, she picked her pet over me.

My skin prickles with the strength teeming beneath his. He houses the Destiny Shadow. I met it long ago. Why do I see so much of my old friend in Raine? The thought is too heavy, so I let it sink back into the depths of Velis’s grasp.

I secure my arms around her. Raine levels me a look, not angry or jealous, but curious. I just smirk back at him. She’ll always choose me when it comes down to it. “Let’s get you cleaned up, sweetheart,” I whisper to her softly and she nods into my chest.

I’m meant to be broken. I stare emptily at the fire as old friends greet me in my conscience. They never leave—not for long. Arthur keeps them fresh in my mind, as punishment, I think.

Midas. Camil. Acadi. Serina. “Hello, old friends.”

Only we can see the hearts. Emerai cannot hide anything from time. We see all the moments of a Shadow's past, what they’ve taken and tried to discard.

“I want you to remember me this way. As a nice guy, the one who wanted you to be safe and warm. Not the cold, cruel man you met in Barkovah. When you think of me I can only hope you’ll imagine the sky, the rush that I sent through your soul. That will be enough for me.”

“You’re more than the sky, Raine. You are the wind, the earth, the blood in my veins. I will never forget you.” I choke out the words. He responds with tears that wet my skin.

Our noses press together and I take a deep breath as death parades around us. “You’re attacking us,” I mutter because I’m not sure what else to say. “I see that.” Finn chuckles softly. “I didn’t know it was you.”

“His memories,” he says softly. “I will always have them. I’m the keeper of memories, after all. Anytime you find yourself losing pieces of him, I will show you. Again and again, if I need

“Terra, how did you⁠—” “Why would you go and do that, sweetheart?” Arthur and I flinch simultaneously and I turn to find Elias leaning against my doorframe, his arms crossed. The hallway is dark behind him. His eyes are impassive and a chill rolls down my neck at his demeanor. “It’s his heart, Elias. I wanted to return it to him.” I look back to Arthur. His eyes are filled with turmoil. What’s wrong? “Arthur?” I ask, leaning forward to touch his face. Elias mutters behind me ominously, “You’ve just set the devil himself free.” My stomach sinks and Arthur looks at me, letting those tears fall onto his heart as he whispers, “I hate this part.”