Lyrical (Academy of Stardom, #2)

by Bea Paige

“I see the fear in your eyes, girl. This isn’t the place for that. Do what you need to survive.”

Dax might knock his opponents out with lethal punches and kicks. Zayn might slash his victims with the sharpened point of a knife. York might crucify his enemies with fists that break bones. Xeno might torture his adversaries with something far worse. And Jeb might ruin lives with threats to the ones I love. But tonight I’m fighting back.

I love them. I fucking hate them. I want them. I never ever want to see them again.

I don’t want to be afraid for my sister. I don’t want to be afraid for my life. I don’t want to be afraid of my feelings. I want to live. I want to be free.

Love is chaotic, agonizing, complex. It’s like DNA, no one really knows the depths of its power or can unravel its mysteries. Love is just there, it’s something that exists and we’re all just a bunch of people either looking for love, are in love, or are heartbroken without it, because of it.

Malik might be a dick, but he was right about one thing. You dance with passion, with fire. You fucking slay me. I’d willingly burn up in your flames, and suffocate in your ashes, if it meant I could hold you close again. If it meant you’d let me in. Zayn.

I’m here when you’re ready to talk. I won’t push you, but I’m not backing off either. The others can do what they want. You were mine first, so it’s only right you’re mine first again. Zayn.

“Dancing with you is a gift, Pen. Loving you an inevitability,” he whispers

There have only ever been two obsessions in my life. I’m dancing one of them and looking at the other.

Pen’s eyes meet mine and a million emotions are portrayed in them. She has opened up and has allowed me to see right into the complexities of her. She’s the defiant little girl beneath that oak tree, bruised and battered but never beaten. She’s the woman with secrets that weigh her down, but will not end her. She’s the dancer that inspires passion in others. She’s her. She’s Titch. And just like that, I’m a goner. Hook, line, and fucking sinker. She’s captured me like a fish on a goddamn rod and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m hers again. There’s no doubt in my mind. There’s no fear, no pain, no anger, no fucking question. I’m hers if she’ll have me.

“You lying here beside me like this… Spread open for me like this. Fuck, I feel like a king. I feel like the richest man in the world. You, my Kid, our Pen, our lucky penny.”

“I’m sorry I let you down, Pen. I’m so fucking sorry for it all. Your pain,” he says, holding his fisted hand against his chest, “It’s mine now. That motherfucker won’t hurt you ever again. I’ll make sure of it.” “Xeno, you’re scaring me! What are you talking about?” My question is cut short when the lights suddenly go out, bathing us all in darkness. “Fuck!” Xeno whisper-shouts. “What?” “There’s no time. Know that I love you, Tiny,” he says fiercely, then I feel the sharp stab of a needle sliding into my neck and the cold intrusion of something liquid entering my veins. My body goes limp as my mind fights to say conscious, but it’s no good, the darkness grabs hold of me with sharp claws, dragging me under.