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

by Caroline Peckham

A Dragon Shifter with the Element of fire was always going to be one of the most powerful creatures on campus. And anywhere else after that too.

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.

When she was finished with me, she moved away again. Smalltalk wasn’t her thing. Neither was long talk or meaningful anything really.

She was kind of like a ghost who just floated around the house in designer clothes and a push up bra. I hadn’t even seen her in her Dragon form for years. The transformation didn’t tend to mesh well with carefully planned hairstyles and she’d decided that if she had to sacrifice one of the two things it’d be the Dragon. Who needed to turn into the most powerful creature in existence and fly through the clouds when you could enjoy the feeling of a tightly coiled quaff of hair on the back of your head anyway? Safe to say, aside from my dark hair and eyes, I hadn’t inherited much from my mother.

Dragons tended to be a lot more reserved with our affections, but something about Seth’s wolfy ways always seemed weirdly liberating to me. The tight press of Mother’s lips

His family were all Vampires and to replenish their magic, they had to feed on the blood and power of other Fae.

Max joined us last, his dark skin covered with navy blue scales which marked him as a Siren.

“Don’t say a word,” he muttered, a trace of embarrassment colouring his deep voice. He still hadn’t quite gained control of his transformations and whenever he experienced heightened emotions, he got overwhelmed and his scales appeared. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” I replied,

“Congratulations, Max and Darius,” Professor Zenith said encouragingly. “You both hold the power of water.”

My family didn’t do affection. Overtly or privately. We were strong, solid, immovable. A Dragon had no need of others. We could look after ourselves.

“You must be starved after the match.” “Ravenous,” I agreed, grabbing her arm and slicing my fangs into her wrist without a moment's hesitation.

“All of this Pitball stuff is just dreams, Lance.”

“Look, I just came to tell you that there’s a job waiting for you when you graduate. Try out for the League but if you fail...” “I won't fail,” I snarled, my muscles tightening at the doubt in her voice. How could she say that? She'd always supported me. To even suggest I wouldn't make it onto the team this close to my try out caused a painful lump to rise in my throat. “We're not like her,” I pressed, trying my best not to shout. I didn't want a yelling match with my sister. And the look on her face told me she felt guilty as hell about it all anyway.

“Embrace who you are, Lance. It feels better than you can ever imagine.”

My own path was set in stone, dipped in steel and chained to the core of the earth. Unmovable. Unchangeable. Undeniable. But for the Orions there was the faintest chance that that wouldn’t have to be so.

his head into his hands. “I know,” he spat. “But for a moment there I’d let myself believe we might be able to have something... else. Something of our own for once.” “You still can,” I pointed out.

“Giddy-up pony,” Lance teased as I hesitated. You’ll regret that.

We were designed to clamber, tear, rip, claw and fight our way to the top of the food chain. Even the least resourceful of our kind held that deep-seated desire in their hearts.

Dark magic could get someone hooked on power. I feared she’d become an addict and he was now offering her one of the most tantalising sources of magic in Solaria. But for what in return?

Her steady rock. And I wasn't going to let her fall prey to the false kindness of Uncle Lionel's generosity. Darius's father wasn't being philanthropic by donating blood to a Vampire.

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.

need to find out what my sister is up to, Darius.” I folded my arms, my jaw tight and my shoulders set. “I'll do anything to protect her. Even this.”

“Do you often take fourteen year old boys to secluded places?” Darius joked and I snorted a laugh. “Only the hot ones.” “Lucky me,” he jibed.

He already had a stupid amount of control over a power he'd only just Awakened. But that was the Celestial families all over. Powerful and smart. A deadly combination.

But what would I get from this union? A pig ugly wife and gremlin children.

“I'll go along with his bullshit engagement for now, but I'm not marrying her.” “You won't,” I agreed. “But just in case you do, I'm not available as a godfather to your goblin kids.”

“Lance Orion, you will guard my son at the detriment of your own life. Nothing will ever be more important to you than that,” he announced and my hopes and dreams wavered before my eyes. “Wait,” I gasped, but found no ounce of mercy in his gaze. “Father no,” Darius barked at him which served him a forceful shove.

looked to me and my upper lip peeled back. “Your life is pledged to his. Where he goes, you go. End of story.”

That the Shadow Realm was home to the elusive Fifth Element: the Element of shadows.

My heart free fell in my chest as the horrifying reality set in. My mother screamed. People were shouting, cursing. My heart was unravelling at the seams and all I could think was, she's gone. She's gone, she's gone, she's gone.

Clara is dead. My sister is gone.