Origins of an Academy Bully (Zodiac Academy, #0.5)

by Caroline Peckham

My father’s eyes had shone with more pride than I think I’d ever realised he was capable of as he’d looked upon my transformed state.

A Dragon had no need of others. We could look after ourselves.

There wasn't a person in the world who I confided in but Clara. And since she'd been gone, I'd realised how much I relied on her.

When I'd fed from all of them (because why the hell not?)

I'd sworn off alcohol for the sake of keeping in shape. My dream was more important than a few nights I couldn't remember.

“Have you ever ridden a Dragon?” I asked, raising my eyebrows in a dare.

“And try not to touch my wings when you’re climbing on,” I added. “Are they fragile?” he asked in surprise. “No. They're ticklish,”

“Giddy-up pony,”

The world was not black and white. It wasn't even a patchwork of greys. It was rainbows layered upon rainbows. The nicest Fae in the world could turn around and stab you in the back. The cruellest would occasionally offer a helping hand to a stranger.

To me, chaos was more beautiful than calm.

“Mildred’s lineage is undisputed,” Father said loudly, his tone warning against further outbursts. “Her parents are-” “Your cousins. Her father is your cousin. She’s my goddamn cousin,” I spluttered. “Second cousin,”

“You will do what is expected of you and-” “Not that!”

I was checking on my friend who'd just been forced into an arranged marriage with his goddamn cousin. Who may or may not have looked like the wrong end of a rhino.

“But just in case you do, I'm not available as a godfather to your goblin kids.”

“You are to be bound forever,”

“Lance Orion, you will guard my son at the detriment of your own life. Nothing will ever be more important to you than that,”

Please no. Not this. Don't take away everything I've worked for.

Sweat poured down my spine as the heat blazed on and on, never letting me out of its scorching grip. I hissed through my teeth, blinded by the agony as it raced under my skin, reaching into every cell in my body.

“I'm not just a pretty face,” I played into his joke. “I got straight As across the board in my finals.” “Oh yeah I forgot you're a secret geek.”