Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy, #4)

by Caroline Peckham

“Blue.” I smiled dreamily, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She is so…everything. Does she know how everything she is?

By the sun, this girl.

“It’s just…this is Orion’s belt,” she started laughing harder and I grinned. Her blue hair tickled my chest, and I reached up to bunch my hand in it, tugging backwards to make her look at me. “It is. And Orion wants you to take it off right fucking now,”

How I was ever gonna teach in this room again without getting hard was tomorrow’s star damned problem.

“Happy birthday, Lance,” she whispered and for the first time in fucking years, it really was a happy one.

“Ooh naughty, naughty, what are you thinking about I wonder, hm?”

“Been practising your mental shields, have you?” he asked, obviously disappointed. “Yeah,” I said brightly, loving my newfound Phoenix powers. “Guess you can’t affect my moods anymore, sir.”

“I don’t keep a fil-o-fax of floppy fiddlesticks I’ve cadoodled with.” Geraldine rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t floppy,” Max huffed.

“Besides, Lady Petunia has danced with many courtiers this week. How on the moon would I even remember what your floppy spatula looked like?” “It wasn’t floppy!” Max snapped. “And hang on a second, are you saying you’ve fucked a bunch of dudes since me? It’s only been a week!” “I’m not going to stand here discussing how many breadsticks I’ve dipped in my honeypot since yours, Max Rigel. It’s none of your business.”

“I have a date with a fine gentlefae tonight. I expect he’ll see to Lady Petunia’s needs just fine.” “Which Fae?” Max demanded. “And why would I tell you that?” “Because I’m gonna break his legs,” Max growled.

This is too funny i love her so much

Darius’s eyes flipped to us, clinging to Tory for several long seconds. Did he realise how obviously he was checking her out? His eyes were practically stuck to her cleavage. Tory whipped her middle finger up between her boobs and Darius glowered and walked away again without a word.

“You like him,” I teased, poking her in the arm. She tutted. “I despise him.” “You think he’s hot though,” I said airily. “Well, who doesn’t?” she said then cursed herself for saying it. “I wonder if we’ll ever get taught how to transplant personalities, then you’d be all set,” I said as I cast another wave across the pool. “Yeah,” she said half-heartedly like she didn’t really want that, and I frowned at her. My sister was too stubborn for her own good sometimes. She probably liked Darius just the way he was. Asshole personality and all. If he’d just apologise for all the shit he’d done to her and started trying to make up for it…maybe there was something salvageable between them. Or maybe I was just too optimistic for my own good sometimes.

“I’m coming for you, Grus.” He pointed at her. “Ooh, I’m shaking right down to my leopard print pantyhose,” she said with an eye roll. “You will be.” He stalked away and Geraldine waved goodbye to him just with her little finger. “Is that supposed to be a reference to my dick?” he snapped. “I didn’t make any kind of reference,” she said innocently. “Though maybe you think it looks like your floppy frankfurter as you mentioned it?” “It was not floppy!” Max shouted so the whole class could hear.

It looked like Geraldine had him well and truly wrapped around the little finger she was still wiggling at him. And I really hoped he kept trying it on with her, because this was freaking hilarious.

Dear Miss Vega, Your presence is required in my office immediately. Failure to attend will result in a severe docking of House Points. Yours, Principal Nova

Shit no it better not be about orion

Please don’t let it be about Orion. Please, please, please.

Yeah girl im praying for you

I jogged up the brightly lit stairs, running my fingers along the golden railing while trying to convince myself this wasn’t about Orion. I reached the top floor, rounding into the corridor and I stopped walking. Stopped breathing. Because Orion was standing there, anxiously scraping a hand through his hair. The second he spotted me, his face paled and he shook his head slightly in some signal. But hell only knew what it was. I moved toward him slowly, barely able to draw in breath as he rapped his knuckles against Nova’s door. Please no. He’ll lose his job. Be power shamed. This will fuck up his whole life.

“Apologies to call you both here so late, but I’m afraid I have to follow protocol on a matter which has recently been brought to light.”

You better not be fucking with me right now

She returned to her seat and every hair on my body stood to attention as she placed a photograph in front of us.

AHHH OMG I WANT TO STOP READING I CANT DEAL WITH THIS

It was from last night. Orion was leaning in close to speak to me, and there was a stupidly bright smile on my face as I gazed up at him under my lashes. Worst of all, my hand was resting lightly on his arm and before us was a line of empty glasses. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

“I’m afraid the photographs of Mr Acrux have been released to the press already. The one of you and Miss Vega has only made it onto FaeBook so far as I’m aware, but you should do all you can to have them taken down as soon as possible. You know how rumours can escalate.” “Of course,” Orion agreed. “So, Miss Vega,” Nova said sternly, shifting her gaze to me. “You followed your professor to a club? That’s very inappropriate, you understand?” “Yes,” I said, keeping my head bowed low and feigning my shame.

“So why is a student taking such an interest in you, Professor?” Nova questioned him. “Perhaps you should ask her that,” Orion said lightly. “Miss Vega?” Nova pressed. “Would you like to explain?” I took in a breath, ready to act as best as I could as a blush burned into my cheeks, helping my case. “I have a crush on him.” I cleared my throat, looking anywhere but at Orion. Nova sighed, turning to him. “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time, would it? Whatever will we do about that face of yours.” She tittered. “I’ll try growing a thicker beard,” Orion taunted, and I chewed the inside my cheek as I felt Nova’s eyes scraping over me. “Perhaps a wife would be a better option?” Nova teased. “I think Professor Prestos is still single, maybe you should ask her out? You’d make a lovely pair.”

Omg I have no words

“I’m seeing Francesca Sky,” Orion said lightly, and my jaw clenched even though I knew it was a lie.

“I know it’s normal to get urges at your age. And your hormones must be going haywire.” “I’m eighteen. I’m way past puberty,” I said firmly, disliking her patronising tone. “Of course, but your Order has recently emerged, that can be just as unsettling, my dear. Have you dated anyone since you arrived at the academy?” Is she seriously asking me this right now? “No. But I don’t see how that-” Nova cut over me. “Perhaps you should join one of the Order Mixers. If you find a regular mate, that can help to assuage some of these raging hormones.”

What the hell is going on

Maybe she believed the rumours the newspapers were circulating about me talking to invisible ravens.

Oh yes, Principal Nova, I should tell you that I am actually fucking the professor currently sitting beside me, he’s also been giving me secret lessons to harness the shadows that my sister and I were given in a crazy-ass ritual run by one of the High Councillors. Oh, and I’ve been hiding my Order form which could be the most powerful to emerge in a thousand years. Nothing to lose sleep over though, right?

“Oh, and Miss Vega?” Nova called and I glanced back over my shoulder with my fingers perching on the door handle. “If I get word of you hassling Professor Orion again, the consequences will be most severe.” “Yes, ma’am,” I said, my throat tight as I slipped out of the door.

I couldn’t help but be rattled. How was I supposed to keep seeing Orion after this? If we got caught, it would be game over. K.O. Freaking Armageddon.

The idea of stopping things with Orion caused my heart to splinter and threaten to shatter into a thousand pieces. But what choice did we have? This was a warning. A turn back now sign, with flashing lights ringing it and a blaring alarm which had been well and truly triggered.

“What the hell are you doing?” I hissed as he cast a silencing bubble and gave me a heated look. “I can hear anyone coming a mile off, trust me,” he growled, his brows pinching together tightly. I shook my head. “This is stupid, let me out.” “No,” he snarled, gripping my shoulders to keep me in place. “You’re thinking about calling time on this.” “What choice do we have?” I whispered despite the fact that there was a bubble in place. But Nova was just upstairs – this was the definition of crazy! “We’ll be more careful,” he said. “We shouldn’t have gone out together last night.”

“Lance,” I sighed, an ache building in my chest. “I can’t bear what would happen to you if we got caught. It would kill me to be responsible for that.” “I’m responsible for my own actions,” he said in a powerful tone that sent a rush of electricity down my spine. “It’s not worth it,” I said as tears burned the backs of my eyes. Was I really calling things off between us? It didn’t feel doable. Like the bond between us was made of solid iron. “Yes, it is,” he said, dropping his head to try and steal a kiss, but I turned my head so he couldn’t. “This is crazy,” I half laughed, half choked. But I looped my arms around his neck, the need to be closer to him driving me insane. “If we get caught-” “We won’t,” he growled. “I can hear everything around us. We’ll always be a step ahead.”

“I can’t stop, Blue. I know it’s fucking insane. But I’ve stopped caring about the consequences. This thing between us gets stronger every day and I can’t fight it…can you?”

The answer was obvious. It would be almost impossible to let go. It was as if the stars themselves were pressing me into his arms, holding me there and refusing to release me.

“Come on, Lance. Do you really think we can get away with this forever?”

“You know…that’s the first time you’ve admitted you want this to have a future.”

What about me i want u guys to have a future

Orion had made so many strong gestures toward me, but I’d been afraid of doing the same. Because deep down, I’d been terrified of facing the possibility of us ending. Every day was a gamble. And how long could we really carry on like this without being found out?

“I’m just so afraid that the second I tell you I’m all in on this, the sky will come ...

“I’m all in.”

Omg my heart

“Hm, nope the sky is still intact.”

Seth’s chiselled features came into view under the light of the flames in my hands and a smirk hooked up his lips. “Hey, babe.”

My face literally dropped when i saw his name. Fuck off seth she doesnt like you

“You know it’s not normal to lurk in a forest after dark, right?” I said and he released a low chuckle. “It is for me.” “Some people would call that creepy,”

“You clearly don’t want to be a member of my pack. I guess a part of me hoped you’d come around to the idea, but…” He shrugged one shoulder, and I drew back a step.

Serioulsy this shit again?

“Well thank fuck for that,” he growled, and my hackles rose.

“I’m rising to your challenge…it’s probably gonna hurt, babe.”

I couldn’t run. I couldn’t hide. I had to fight.

“No,” I choked as another sharp crack sounded from my ribs.

Fury bled under my skin as his claws ripped into my flesh and I poured fire into my hands, letting it tumble from my veins in an explosive wave.

Fear crashed into my heart as he locked his jaws around my throat.

He leaned over me, sliding his hands under my top while I tried to push him back, but I was in so much pain it felt like I was about to pass out. Warmth spread over my wounds, and I took a long breath as the agony slowly subsided. Seth leaned closer, his hair falling around me in a curtain as the last of my injuries healed over. “You just had to submit. It didn’t need to be this way.” “You didn’t tell me,” I spat, venom building up in my gut. “You had to figure it out for yourself,” he sighed with a genuine look of remorse which confused the hell out of me, then he knocked his knuckles against my cheek before getting to his feet.

We glared at each other for a long moment, the nature of our Orders pushing us into rivalry as the two strongest Vampires in the academy. Before either of us crossed the line into any kind of actual challenge, he turned away and continued with his lesson like nothing had happened.

Thats so awkies