Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy, #4)

by Caroline Peckham

“It was our Order,” Roxy said grimly. “Apparently our fire can burn right through bullshit.” A laugh spilled from my lips before I could stop it. My father had just fed her to the shadows, her Order had Emerged, and her body had been turned into a conduit for the dark power he’d stolen from the Shadow Realm and yet she was still biting at me.

“Lionel said they were Fire Harpies,” Lance said slowly, his gaze fixed on Gwendalina like she fascinated him. “But he was mistaken. He saw the flames and the wings and made an assumption. Their mother, the Queen, was a Harpy so that had always been a likely outcome for them. They were only in their Order forms for such a brief moment that it was an easy mistake to make.” “So what are they?” I demanded as the twins shared a look that let me know they already knew. “Phoenixes,” Lance breathed, the awe in his voice pulling a frown to my brow.

Fire doesn’t burn me, Darius, my Order is more powerful than a Dragon. I don’t have any reason to fear you anymore and I don’t have to do anything you say.”

Because I couldn’t keep trying with her and having it thrown back in my face. So if she wanted us to hate each other then I’d have to play my part in it. Because I couldn’t keep away from her, that much was becoming abundantly clear. So I’d just have to keep being her villain.

You barely tried with her. you always had secrets and agendas... Im with her on this.

“Not for what happened, but I blame him for being too much like his father. And for not trying hard enough to help us.”

My throat constricted at the memory of being in that pit with Orion’s hand locked around mine, his apologies falling over me like rain. I’d never seen him look so helpless. I’d never felt so helpless either. He and Darius had tried to save us but they’d just…failed.

“At least one good thing came out of this. We’ve got our Order forms,” Tory said with a half-hearted smile. I returned it, trying to draw on the positives, though it was hard after everything we’d witnessed. “Yeah and now we have to hide it.” I rolled my eyes and Tory snorted a laugh. “I know, right? When are we ever gonna get a break around here? I wanna go flying and knock Darius out of the clouds.” I broke a small laugh, my eyes aching from how tired I was. It felt like the world had flipped on its axis since midnight.

We still had to harness that power and maybe in the meantime, these shadows would pass out of our bodies, and we wouldn’t have to live with the oppressive weight of them I could feel growing in my chest. But I had the horrible feeling, it wouldn’t be that simple.

My mouth made it lower, and she twisted beneath me as she came to a little more. “Oh holy manoli, I’m sleeping in a fish bowl,” she gasped as she opened her eyes. Those exclamations got a whole lot filthier last night and I was looking forward to earning some more from her. I dipped my head between her thighs, running my tongue straight up the centre of her and groaning with desire as I prepared to devour her. “Sweet noodle balls, Max, don’t start all that hoo-ha again now,” she said, reaching down to grip my hair and pull me off of her. “What?” I asked with a frown. “I need to get to The Orb for breakfast before the buttery bagels are all snaffled up!” she shoved me aside like she had zero interest in what I’d just been about to do to her and I frowned as I reached out to read her emotions, not understanding what the fuck was happening.

“Wouldn’t you rather come back to bed?” Geraldine turned to look at me with a laugh falling from her lips. “Why ever would I want to roll in your haystack again, Max Rigel? I can add a notch to my bedpost when I get back to my own room and go right on back to the important things in life.” “Important things?” What the fuck is happening right now?

“I…are you worried I’d be embarrassed to tell people about us?” I asked as she drew her dress over her head and stole my last hope for morning sex. “Why in Solaria would you be embarrassed?” she asked, widening those big blue eyes at me, and capturing me in them. “I’m the one who’s got to play the shame game. Whatever would anyone think if they realised I’d bumped bottoms with an Heir?” She said the word like it was dirty. I stared at her as she actually fucking shuddered, trying to understand what she was saying.

didn’t even know which feelings were my own when it came to Darius anymore and I hated to think that some of the love and trust we had with each other might not even be real.

“I guess most importantly for now, you should know that your magic regenerates via fire. You need to be close enough to feel the warmth of the flames and you will be able to draw magic from it. Which explains why you had a hard time figuring out exactly what it was that regenerated you as there are fires constantly burning all around the academy. Not to mention the fact that as fire Elementals you can self-replenish whenever you need.” “So what you’re saying is, our power is endless?” Tory asked, grinning in a way that was only going to piss Darius off. “As in, so long as I can cast fire, I’ll never run out of magic. Unlike big fat lizard shifters who have to pop off for a snooze on a heap of gold whenever they’re running low?” Darcy tried to hide her laugh as Darius growled and I shot him a look, begging him to keep the peace so that we could get through this meeting amicably.

“See?” I interrupted. “That wasn’t that hard, was it? You don’t want me long term, so why would I commit to you short term? We have fun Caleb but I’m not your girl. If you can’t handle the idea of me meeting other people, maybe even hooking up with them, then we can just call time on this thing between us. Because I’m not ever going to put my life on hold for a man. Especially one who doesn’t think I’m good enough to make the cut long term.”

“I’ve just been reading an article in the Celestial Times about Aurora Academy which is down in Alestria,” Sofia piped up. “They’re saying if any more students die there, they’re going to have to think about closing it. Perhaps you could find a nice, normal psycho there? We have a Pitball match against them coming up.”

“Because I know he can be an asshole, but he’s helped us too. And I know he wanted to save us from this happening.” A beat of silence passed between us as Tory considered that. When I glanced up, I found her looking at the sky while a group of Griffins flew overhead. “Wanting to save someone isn’t the same as doing it.” “He tried. They both tried,” I said,

He caught my hand, wrapping his around it so the crystal was contained within my fist. I glanced up at him and his eyes flickered with some fierce emotion. “In Solaria we have a tradition of giving rose quartz to someone we want to be exclusive with.”

So, this crystal is a promise from me that I’m yours. For now. Forever. Or till it all goes to shit, I don’t know which yet.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Roxy. You need to learn how to keep control of the shadows, or they’ll end up destroying you,” Darius snarled. “Well at least then I’d make you happy for once,” I threw back. His gaze darkened as he looked at me. “You can’t seriously think that?” I shrugged and looked away from him because I didn’t even know anymore. All I did know was that every time I let him get close to me, I got hurt, so it wouldn’t be happening again.

“It’s cute that you think you can just switch off your attitude problem,” Darius taunted. “But if you really can play nice then I can too.” Of course he didn’t apologise to me for any of the shit he’d put me through because why the hell would he? He was an arrogant, entitled, selfish prick and expecting him to take ownership of any of his bullshit was like expecting the moon not to rise because it had offended the sun. A thousand insults sprang to my lips, and I had to bite my tongue so hard I drew blood. But fuck him. I didn’t have an attitude problem; I had a Dragon problem. And if I couldn’t avoid it then there was one thing I sure as shit could do. I’d ignore it.

“I will,” I said quickly. Darcy frowned at me, but I held her gaze, not backing down. “If this is dangerous then I’m not risking you doing it first,” I said simply. “You’re the only thing I’ve got that matters to me in this world. If I lost you, I might as well be dead anyway so I’m not arguing.”

But somewhere between the pain and the darkness, I found something to hold onto. A pretty girl with bright eyes and skin that sparkled like rhinestones. And as the image of a Pegasus rode through my mind among a tumbling sea of clouds, I swore on everything that I was, that I’d join her in the sky one day. The shadows receded and I gasped, finding myself on my knees, panting and slick with sweat.

Diego frowned heavily. “My family use magia oscura – dark magic.” My lips parted and I nodded slowly, waiting for him to go on. “They’ve been using it ever since I can remember. My mother, my father, Uncle Alejandro. My father fights it, but the other two…” He shook his head. “They’re ruled by the darkness. They gave into its clutches a long time ago and who they were before just desapareció – disappeared.” “Diego…” I breathed as questions cascaded through my mind. “Do you use it too?” “Not now that I’m at the academy,” he said firmly. “I wanted to come here to make a new life. I wanted to escape my family…that house.” He shuddered. “Mi casa es donde vive el diablo. I don’t want to ever go back. But the shadows...”

“Uncle Alejandro works for Lionel Acrux,” he whispered. “He asked me to get close to you and your sister. He wants information, but I’ve never given him anything of any importance. I didn’t expect to like you both and I…I never thought of you as anything more than a friend. Alejandro was pressuring me to get information and I thought kissing you was a good way to get near you, but-” “You’re spying on us,” I gasped in alarm, my eyes whipping to the bathroom door and back to him. Orion made no appearance, not that I really expected him to, but this news must have been driving him into a frenzy. “Not anymore,” he promised, truth shining from his eyes.

“You’ve got a class with Gabriel now?” Caleb asked in surprise. “What for?” “Order Enhancement,” I replied. “He’s a Harpy so he said he’d give us private lessons for a bit to help us adjust more quickly. How come you call him Gabriel?” “Oh, he’s family,” Caleb explained with a shrug. “And he’s also half transformed into his Order form at practically every opportunity, so you’ll be in good hands with him teaching you.”

“Can you guys just call me Gabriel?” he asked with the hint of a smile. “I’ve already seen enough of our relationships in my visions to know we’re Nebula Allies and if we’re going to be friends for life, I’d rather just cut the shit.”

“I don’t really think it would be acceptable for us to go clubbing with a teacher,” Darcy added. “Oh, come on, Darcy, people do inappropriate things with teachers all the time,” he teased. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Darcy gasped, blinking way too many times as if he’d just propositioned her or something and I snorted a laugh. Gabriel carried on as if he hadn’t even noticed her reaction. “Besides, I’ve found my Elysian Mate, so you’re safe with me. My eyes never stray from my love, and they certainly wouldn’t settle on either of you.”

“What’s it like?” I asked curiously. “Finding your one true love?” Gabriel’s gaze softened as he thought about the woman who owned his heart, and he smiled as he answered. “Like, getting hit with a truck and having it back over you several times while you lay bleeding in the dirt.” “What?” Darcy laughed. “Yeah. It takes you by surprise, eats you up, spits you out and keeps you begging for more every single day. And once the bond was sealed between us…I feel like my whole fucking world begins and ends with her. I’ll never get enough, the ache in me will never be satisfied. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

I’d fallen back on my old role of tormentor, and I couldn’t fucking stop myself from keeping it up. I didn’t even know why half the time. Only that the only thing worse than her hating me was her ignoring me. Because then I knew she didn’t care about me at all.

Hell, I couldn’t even remember the last night out I’d had that hadn’t been tainted by something bad. I was probably in need of this as much as Lance was. So I was determined to make this birthday the best fucking birthday he’d ever had. It was going to be epic. Just the two of us without a care in the fucking world for one single night.

The two of them acted so fucking weird together, like they were both these cheery, jokey little buddies who giggled all the damn time but when they weren’t together, neither of them acted like that at all. Gabriel hardly even spoke unless he had to and certainly not to me. And Lance’s reputation as an asshole was well earned. But together they were like Bert and fucking Ernie. Nebula Allies my ass.

“Hilarious. Even if they were see-through, do you really think I’d have anything to worry about? Tell ‘em, Grus.” He glanced at her knowingly and she planted her hand on her hip. “I don’t keep a fil-o-fax of floppy fiddlesticks I’ve cadoodled with.” Geraldine rolled her eyes.

Geraldine waved a hand like she couldn’t care less, and Tory and I fell into silent laughter. “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.”

“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.

“Come on, Darcy, my pack won’t come back to me until I get rid of you. Please do this. I can’t be alone anymore. You don’t want to be with me, so let me be with them. I can’t stand it anymore.” He shifted from foot to foot, pushing a hand into his long brown locks, a look of desperation flashing through his gaze.

I backed up in alarm, looking for that pitiful expression that had been there just seconds ago, but it was gone. Replaced by a cruel, demonic smile.

Seth sneered. “You can’t leave until you’ve fought me. So fight me, Omega.” A chorus of howls rang out behind me, and a shudder rolled down my spine. I couldn’t run. I couldn’t hide. I had to fight.

I’d fight him as Fae. If he was in his Order form, at least he couldn’t use magic. But if he was going to kick me out, didn’t I have to lose this fight anyway?

“No,” I choked as another sharp crack sounded from my ribs. I reached up to his face, clutching his furry cheeks between my hands and his snarling expression softened. His pupils dilated and a soft whine escaped him. 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.

Panic took hold of me, and time seemed to slow. I drew in a breath of horror as he half lifted me off of the ground, his teeth nearly piercing flesh. “Stop – it’s over!” I shouted. “You win!”

“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.

For some strange reason, I didn’t feel that angry at Seth. Maybe it was the remorse in his eyes after it was over. Or maybe it was that I knew on some base level, that this was the way of Fae. And I was starting to realise there would always be fights like this, especially when it came to the needs of our Orders. It was our nature. But I just hoped the next time I was faced with an opponent, I’d come out on top.

I still don't like Seth. He has tricked her at every turn into stead of being honest. one. single. time.

We all started laughing just as a flash of movement caught the corner of my eye. A pineapple hit Seth square in the face and knocked him flying off of his seat with a curse. Darius got up and offered him a hand as laughter rang out around the room. “Detention, Capella!” Orion barked. “You were warned.” “What the thuck! You bwoke my nothe you thucking thycopaff!” Seth shouted as he got to his feet, blood running freely down his face.

was that secretly for how Seth did Darcy the night before? I hope so.

“And Grus wants me,” Max said adamantly, pushing to his feet. “She just doesn’t want an Heir. I’ll make her realise she’s wrong about that. Then I’ll get the girl and the Vegas will lose their fucking cheerleaders in one fell swoop. You assholes should be thanking me.”

“A thousand auras says she ends up kicking his ass to make him leave her alone,” I said. “A thousand says she’ll change her mind and be dropping her panties within the week,” Seth said, shaking his head. “She won’t resist him for long.” “Pfft,” Darius shook his head. “A thousand says she’ll break his heart without even trying.” “Harsh, man,” I said, tossing him a cynical look as Max continued to watch Geraldine.

I dispersed the silencing bubble and we headed for the door without another word. If something was wrong with Darius, we’d help him fix it. That was what we did. We looked out for each other. No matter what.

“Maybe I like having every ounce of his attention on me,” I replied, though I couldn’t deny the prickle of apprehension which ran through me at his words. I’d noticed the way Caleb got sometimes when the game didn’t go his way or even when it did. He could be a bit rough with me, but never more than I’d been happy with. He’d never crossed the line.

“Yeah, so when you were my age, I was ten,” I pointed out. “So you’re like half my age again. Hence, old.” Orion frowned like he didn’t really like me pointing that out, but why would he give a shit? “What? Were you hoping we might become besties and start braiding each other’s hair?” I teased. “I already have a bestie,” he mocked back. “Yeah. You have bad taste in friends.”

“Sounds good. But I’m a borderline alcoholic so I seriously doubt you could drink me under the table,” he joked. “Well, I’ve been drinking myself into a coma every night since Lionel forced the shadows on me just so that I can sleep without nightmares so…” Orion’s gaze narrowed on me, and I realised I’d let my mouth run away with me there. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll catch you later.” I turned and walked away from him, but before I could get three paces, he shot around me and was in my face. “The shadows shouldn’t be that loud if you’ve been subduing them like we’ve practiced,” he said, frowning at me. “Are you subduing them, Tory?”

“But I guess you wouldn’t know what it was like to go two days without food, watch your sister shiver herself to sleep under a threadbare blanket and have to go out and get some money in any way you could just to make sure you didn’t starve.” Darius frowned in response to that. “I didn’t mean…sorry. You’re right, I haven’t got a clue what it’s like to have to do something like that. Or to have to live like that. I shouldn’t judge you for what you did to survive.”