The Reckoning (Zodiac Academy, #3)

by Caroline Peckham

Since I’d left Blue with Darius, the lasting imprint of her ashen cheeks and wide eyes were burned into my retinas. She’d fought at my side tonight with the fierceness of a warrior. And she’d saved my fucking life.

She kept my secrets and I kept hers. Our trust was implicit.

Be sensible, Lance. It was a one time thing. She’s not yours to be jealous over. Leave it alone.

Darcy's eyes locked with mine and my lungs compressed. Why was it so fucking difficult to cut her out of me? One look was enough to make me consider risking everything I’d ever worked for. So stop looking, asshole.

“Why does he have to be such an asshole?” I complained. “Well if he wasn’t, you probably wouldn’t like him at all,” she reasoned and I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “That is a tragically accurate assessment,” I agreed.

“I just wanted to say um.... well what you both did when the Nymphs showed up… it was really brave. And I'm not sure I would still be here if it wasn't for you two. That Gus Vulpecula guy is a filthy liar. My mum works for The Daily Solaria though, so I’ll make sure she gets the truth. The real truth.” He placed something down on my desk then on Tory's before hurrying back to his seat.

“We have a serious fucking problem. Corbin, tell me what it is.” He pointed at Tyler who remained dead silent, shrugging his shoulders. “Polaris?” Orion asked Diego who shook his head. His eyes skipped onto me. “Miss Vega?” “That our Cardinal Magic teacher is a psycho?” I offered, rage still simmering in me from him attacking my sister.

“Precisely. And some of you...” He swept through the class with his Vampire speed and everyone stiffened. His hand landed on Tory's shoulder as he leaned in close to her ear. “Actually enjoy it, don't you?” Tory blushed which was saying a lot for my sister. “That's not really your business, is it Professor?”

“Mr Indus has something to say,” Orion announced. Elijah cleared his throat. The class waited attentively and some people sniggered. “I'm pathetic.” “And?” Orion prompted. “And a coward.” Orion cocked his head, still waiting. Elijah sighed. “And I'd like to apologise to you all for being an embarrassment to the school. And to Solaria. And to the entire race of Fae.” “If you walk out again you're done,” Orion snarled and I sensed he really meant that. He stalked down the aisle to Elijah's chair and carried it to one side of the room.

“I g-g-got you diet!” she cried, barely able to force the words out between her laughter. “What?” I asked in confusion. “The mayo in your sandwich was half fat too!” Angelica added, clinging to Geraldine as she wiped tears from beneath her eyes. “Why?” I asked in confusion. “H- h -hell week!” Geraldine spluttered through her laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. My lips parted and I threw an extra dose of false outrage into my expression in response to the ridiculous prank, placing a hand over my heart. “How could you, Geraldine?” I gasped. “I thought we were friends!”

Caleb was saying something to the others with a smile playing around his lips. Max and Seth seemed mildly interested but Darius looked pretty damn pissed. As his heated gaze met with mine, my heart leapt a little at the anger I found there.

“Sorry, I’ve been running on empty since the fight with the Nymphs and I don’t wanna bite anyone else.”

“I’m an honest to god asshole. Do you want to keep playing with me, Tory?” “Maybe,” I breathed because in that moment I didn’t even know anymore.

“I’ll take maybe.” Caleb leaned forward to kiss me and I didn’t make any move to stop him.

“Come to Terra House tonight then,” he asked, his navy eyes sparkling with promises. “I won’t be going anywhere tonight, there’s a curfew, remember?” “Those rules don’t apply to me. Besides, I’ll keep you safe if you’re with me. You’ll just have to stay the whole night.” I rolled my eyes at him. “I can keep myself safe, thanks. But now I’m going to be late-” “If I run you to class will you come tonight?” he asked, his mouth slipping to my neck and sending shivers right through my spine. “If you get me there on time, I’ll consider it,” I replied.

“Well maybe it’s not worth playing his games if he’s just going to catch you anyway?” Darcy suggested as I started stripping out of my uniform. “It gives me a shot at escaping,” I replied. “Besides… it’s pretty hot.” “There it is,” Darcy said, rolling her eyes as Sofia laughed.

The pressure of Darius’s power increased against mine and he tugged me a step closer to him. “Let me in, Roxy,” he breathed and for a moment it seemed like he was talking about more than our magic.

There wasn’t a moment of resistance as my magic tumbled into him but as I held his eye, I watched his pupils dilate with the rush of taking in my power. I bit my lip as his grip on my hands tightened and he tugged me closer again, our chests almost brushing as I looked up at him.

“Stop power fucking her and start working on what Pyro wants,” Caleb called and I flinched, yanking my magic back again as I looked around at him and Darcy. “Are you afraid I’m going to steal her attention from you, Cal?” Darius asked Caleb with the hint of a smile playing around his lips. “Not likely,” Caleb replied dismissively but his eyes narrowed.

Darius smirked at me as he gave in and came to a stop. It was either that or release my hand which he didn’t seem to have any intention of doing.

“I know plenty about them,” he assured me. “Like how to ride them faster than anyone else I know.” “Those are very big words for someone who doesn’t know a gasket from a gas tank.” I shrugged. “Well how about, if you manage to make one with your fire magic, I’ll let you back up your talk with a race?” he suggested.

“You’re not right but getting you to admit that is probably an impossible task so what do you want instead?” Darius pushed his tongue into his cheek as he considered it, his gaze trailing over me in a way that made me shift my weight onto the other foot. “I’ll think of something,” he assured me.

“Congratulations, Roxy. Looks like we’ve got a date Wednesday night then.” I ignored the flutter in my chest as he called it a date because it absolutely didn’t take place. “Maybe I’ve already got plans Wednesday,” I said. “Yeah, you do. With me.”

“La- sir?” I corrected half way. Where did that come from? I almost said his first name! “I don't speak French, Miss Vega.” Hilarious.

Orion gave me a taut frown. “Miss Vega-” I rolled my eyes and he stopped short, a low noise leaving his throat. “What?” I huffed. “It's really stupid that you keep talking to me like we didn't-” “Don't,” he growled and I sighed, my eyes falling to the book on the desk.

“Did that wake it up?” Orion asked casually. I looked up at him with a scowl and he started laughing his head off. A feral noise escaped me and I launched myself at him. I shoved him in the chest before I could even think about the consequences and his eyes lit up with the challenge as he stumbled back a step. “Oh you wanna fight? Come on then, no more physical contact though, Miss Vega.” He brushed his shirt down like where I’d touched him had left a mark. “So you keep reminding me,” I said tauntingly.

I cursed as he launched himself at me, trying to scramble away but I wasn’t fast enough. I didn’t even really try to fight him off as he threw his weight down, pinning me to the ground with his entire body. “You're supposed to use magic,” I said breathlessly, his throat bobbing as his mouth hovered an inch from mine. The scent of cinnamon rolled over me and fire reached deep into my belly, making me consider leaning in for a kiss.

“I can't think straight around you,” he said heavily, his hand clawing into the earth beside my head. “I could have lost you in that battle, or I could have died without ever knowing how this might have played out…”

My Atlas pinged and I took it out of my bag, my gut fraying as I found a private message waiting for me from Orion. Lance: What if I don't want it to stop?

But I was hardwired to protect my own. And now I'd claimed her for my pack, the longer I put off initiating her, the more I’d be driven to insanity. I cut off her hair. I broke her fucking heart. I can't bear it.

So after this treatment, I hoped things could go back to normal. Because being alone at night was starting to break me.

She stalked out of the changing room and I was left alone, my shoulders trembling as the space seemed to grow too wide. Too empty.

But the challenge had to come from her; I couldn't control that part. And a quiet, resilient piece of my heart didn’t want her to either. I liked the idea of being her Alpha a little too much.

Thank the stars for my brothers. If it wasn't for them, I really would be alone.

Darius said with a frown, sitting upright so the firelight danced over the broad muscles of his shoulders. He looked like a demi-god, his skin so inked and- I bit down on my tongue. Man I needed to get laid.

“You're not judging me then? Because every time I mention her name in front of Darius he looks like he's about to burst into flames.”

“Seth,” Caleb warned as I moved my mouth to his ear. “Remember that time in The Shimmering Springs last year?” I burrowed my hands into his hair and he released a deep growl in his throat. “That was one time. And there was a girl there too,” he pointed out. “Not the whole time,” I said with a smirk, brushing my mouth across the line of his jaw. He still didn't push me away so I planted a hand on his chest and ran it down the hardened lines of his abs. “Are you tempted?”

But now...the only girl I craved was Darcy Vega.

“And to think I almost got desperate enough to try and kiss you,” I muttered as we walked up to the door. “Only in your dreams,” Caleb whispered. “And memories.” I cocked a brow and he pursed his lips. “I have no recollection of that,” he lied. “Keep telling yourself that.” I punched him on the shoulder as we headed into the den.

Max leaned his shoulder against mine and I felt him drawing some of my grief over Ashanti away. I gave him a look of thanks and he nodded, a silent understanding passing between us.

“Well look at the bright side,” I said. “You could marry one of them and avoid marrying your buck-toothed cousin?” Darius's eyes whipped to me, his anger seeming to dissolve for a second. “That's not a terrible idea. Tory Vega has dry humped me on more than one occasion so I could probably win her round.” “I do hope you're fucking joking right now,” Caleb said in a deadly low voice and I turned to him with a smirk. “Someone's jealous,” I taunted, shoving his thigh with mine and he pressed his lips together into a tight line. A smirk pulled at Darius's features as he played up to Caleb's reaction. “That would be one way to keep her in line, huh Caleb? Surely you don't mind if I claim your play-thing. You're only passing time with her anyway, right?” “Right,” Caleb ground out, his shoulders becoming rigid and I glanced at him, knowing that wasn't true. Caleb didn't do exclusive very often, but it seemed like he was trying to do it with Tory. Which meant he actually gave a shit about her. And with my emotions all knotted up over Darcy, I sensed we were both about to cause a real issue when it came to keeping them both under heel. “That was the least convincing act I've ever seen,” Max jibed. “And I can feel your jealousy from here, mate, so you're not fooling anyone.” “She's my Source, it's natural for me to be possessive. That doesn't mean I care about her,” Caleb insisted, glaring at Max to try and make him back down.

I shared a brief look with Caleb, our secrets radiating between us. How am I going to put Darcy in her place when my body is telling me to protect her? And how is Caleb going to beat down Tory when he's clearly catching feelings for her?

“If he believes they’re about to emerge as Dragons, I don't think he'll take that lying down. In fact, I think he'd rather kill them before that ever happens.”

“And I think you know full well how big I am after straddling me during the Nymph fight.” “When I saved your life you mean? I was wondering when you were going to thank me for that.” “Well I saved your life in that fight too so we can call it even I think,” he replied.

uhhuh

“Maybe it only works when there’s Nymphs around?” she suggested halfheartedly. “Or maybe you’re not Dragons at all,” Darius said and I wasn’t really sure if he sounded happy about that or not.

“Do you expect me to kiss you again?” “Not necessary this time. But we can if you want to.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively and I rolled my eyes.

“Do you wanna screw Darius?” he asked quickly, catching me off guard. “What?” I snapped, snatching my hand back. “Of course I don’t.” “There was a lot of hate there, little Vega,” Max said. “But there was lust too. Maybe you should just do it to work through your frustration with him.”

“Why did you say that? Diego and her…” “Diego and her what? He’s had plenty of time to define the relationship.” “I guess that’s true…maybe letting him know he’s got competition will make him ask her out officially.” Tory nodded. “Exactly. It’s win-win for Sofia. She can take her pick.”

“If you keep singing at us I’ll throat punch you like I did to Max.” Caleb shot to her side in a blur of motion, slinging his arm around her shoulders. “Ohh what beautiful poetry you weave for me, sweetheart. Gets me so hard.”