Fallen Academy: Year Three (Fallen Academy #3)

by Leia Stone

My clothes were made of some thick, durable canvas cloth but amateurly sewn together. The only thing that seemed store-bought was a pack of cotton underwear Raksha had brought me. It had been in a plastic Walmart bag, which raised about a hundred questions for me, but I kept my mouth shut. Did Raksha go up to Earth and get them at Walmart? Was there possibly a Walmart in Hell? It seemed plausible.

Her gaze narrowed. “I know my place here. I know what’s at stake, and I obey orders. Do that, and you can have more than me. You are very, very special to him. Like a daughter.” Literal vomit rose in my throat at her words, which was impressive considering I hadn’t eaten in hours. The Dark Prince thinks of me as a daughter? Ew. He slit my throat two weeks ago! What kind of father figure did that?

Lol mine would if given the chance. Twisted bastard....

‘Oh God, Bri. What have you done?’ ‘He trusts me now,’ I replied, trying to explain away my actions, but truly, I was freaking out inside right now. ‘Oh great, the Devil trusts you. What an awesome consolation prize,’ she snapped back.

Each time I brought my light magic to the forefront, I felt that dark rage slowly shrink. I wished it would just die, because I wanted nothing to do with it anymore. It was my only link to him, the evil man before me.

Instead he seemed to have other issues. “Stealing is bad,” he declared. “Yes.” I agreed with him. “Which is why I find it very interesting my guardian angel is asking me to do that.” My gaze flew to Bernie. Bernie waved it off like it was no big deal. “You’ll have it returned, and you’re trying to help someone, so it cancels out the bad karma.” Hmm, that seemed questionable.

I didn’t understand the world, or why bad things happened. If we all had guardian angels, then why the hell couldn’t they just jump in and save us from that car accident, or bad relationship? But none of that mattered right then because in that moment, there was a perfect love filling my body, one I hadn’t felt in a long, long time. One that reminded me of my father, Shea, Lincoln, and every good thing I’d ever cared about in my life.

I took a deep breath. “So… I just wanted to inform you all that I’m very grateful to be back and all that, but…” Why was I so nervous? “But you’re going after Lincoln?” Raphael finished for me. Damn, I’d forgotten his mind-reading abilities. I sighed. “Yes, I am. I can’t just let him…” God, I couldn’t even say it. Michael frowned. “San Francisco is the Devil’s playground. You can’t go there unless you’re deep undercover. Anyone associated with Fallen Academy, or our army is killed on sight.” Oh God. That put a wrench in my plan, but I’d figure something out soon. I shrugged. “Then I’ll go undercover. I’ll dye my hair, take a death mark, do whatever it takes to get Lincoln back. I need him to know I’m still alive.” Tears lined my eyes. “I forgot how passionate human soul mates are. It’s very endearing,” Gabriel said casually. Raphael froze, and Gabriel seemed to understand that he’d said too much.

Raphael nearly went cross-eyed as he followed my explanation. “Human relationships are so complicated,” he sighed. Michael was grinning. He had a human wife and a daughter, so he knew exactly what I was talking about. “God help the person who tries to keep soul mates apart.” He was looking at Raphael.

“There is no one like you in all the universe, and you alone have the tools. You’ll figure it out.”

I pulled on that power inside of me, no longer trying to distinguish what was light and what was dark. Whatever it was, it was me. All of it.

I can pinpoint the exact moment that I knew Brielle was my perfect match. It was the second day we met. She was taking too long to get ready, so I started to leave without her.” The crowd chuckled. “She was having none of that,” Lincoln continued. “So she threw her hot cup of coffee at the back of my retreating car, then ripped the door wide open and chewed my head off.” I blushed with embarrassment. I liked to gloss over our early days whenever possible. “And I thought… wow. If this beautiful woman can get so angry so easily, I’d bet she loves just as fiercely.” He paused. “And she does.” Tears welled in my eyes.

“I’ve never met a more passionate and loyal soul than you, Brielle Atwater. The spark of fire within you that keeps your soul burning is what I love most. You would do anything for your family, and you have a heart of gold. But most of all, you make me see the world differently. I see it through your eyes. You don’t leave family behind, and you don’t take no for an answer, and that’s what I love most about you.” He stared into my eyes as tears streamed down my cheeks.