The Mage’s Revenge (Crescent Moon Academy Book 2) Read online

  Turning her fiery gaze on me, she searches my face for a reaction. “Sorry, but your twisted girlfriend deserved it.”

  “She’s nothing to me,” I reply honestly.

  Instead of listening or believing my words, she glowers in my direction. Yep, she’s still mad at me. I’m lucky I’m not the next one to go flying into walls or maybe out the window. Turning on her heel, she leaves me and goes to sit next to Ryker, leaving behind a cold silence.

  Chapter 3

  Angelica

  “Enjoy yourself?” Blondie greets with a wide smile on his perfectly rugged face. Although the twins are completely identical, I can easily tell them apart now, and I know for a fact this is not Oliver. Maybe it’s from all the time we’ve spent together training or the tiny obsession I have with them that I’m doing my best to ignore right now, but they feel different to me, which makes it easy for me to identify one from the other. It must be their auras. Everyone’s aura is unique and especially tailored to the individual. For example, Blondie’s is an icy blue when his brother’s is a couple shades darker.

  “Yes, I did,” I reply, matching his smile. If he thinks I have any remorse over what I just did to Violet then he really needs to get to know me better. Actually, scratch that. Nothing good will come out of us getting closer. What I just did proves I’m not exactly stable, but even still, I regret nothing. “Where’s your brother? Shouldn’t he be the one in this class and not you?” I answer, changing the subject.

  His face falls, and suddenly, he grows serious. The teasing smile he just had has jumped ship into the turning sea of his emotions and immediately I grow alert, bypassing the thick cloud of hate I have for Violet and seeing her in class today.

  “We had a little mishap yesterday during a fight with another academy,” he answers vaguely.

  “What kind of mishap?” I growl. I get I’m going through my own shit right now, and yes, I may have told my grandfather to keep the heirs away from me, but I would have seen them if I knew they were in trouble. I would have helped. My feelings may be up in the air about Zion, but I’m still on good terms with the others.

  Ryker is rarely serious. It takes a lot to get him down, but when he is, you know to pay attention. “Let's not talk about this here. I promise you, Oli is alright.”

  “Fine,” I huff, not happy. “But after class, I want my answers.”

  “Alright,” he agrees, turning back to Hoffman’s lecture.

  Instead of listening to the lecture, I ignore Hoffman all together and practice control over my powers like Grandfather has been teaching me this week. Like Ryker once told me, our powers are like a working muscle. The more you use them, the more you strengthen them and get a better handle at controlling them. I’ve only been practicing with my grandfather for a short period of time, but already I’m starting to see improvement. When I first started seeing auras, they were fuzzy, the colors dull like I’m looking at them through children’s colored glasses. Now, they are bright like beams of sunlight. With focus, I can lighten their glow so that they only show when I want to read them. Constantly being hit with beams of light can be bothersome.

  But I do have to admit that reading auras is a useful power. You can tell you a lot about a mage just from the colors they reflect back. Ryker’s aura is a natural pale blue. Icy. His aura tells me he has control over the water element, but within the swirls of blue, there’s a dark wisp seeping through, outlining his turmoil. Despite his outward calm composure, he’s worried. Everything is not fine and dandy with his twin, but since he refuses to tell me anything, I have no choice but to wait until the end of class to find out for myself.

  Shifting my eyes, I turn to Zion. No matter how hard I scold myself and try to ignore him, he’ll always be my sun and the center of my attention. His aura is always a bright red and ever blazing because of the fire element he controls. Like the source, it’s always moving. Ready to lay destruction in its wake and burn itself on our hearts. Zion is truly magnificent, and I hate him. Hate these feelings I have for him. Today, his aura is darker. Probably from some misplaced rage. He’s as displeased with me as I am with him. Two raging bulls ready to charge once the cape lowers, but despite the thick red cloud of our anger surrounding us both, our gazes find each other from across the room and meet. We’re like magnets, always seeking each other out, stuck in an unexplainable magnetic pull.

  I hate myself for having these feelings for him. Out of all five heirs, he’s the most complicated. The most unattainable. Even though I've only been sexual with two out of the five, the others haven’t made it a secret how they feel about me. All but Zion. He’s so hot and cold, I have no idea if he wants to fuck me or kill me. What I do know is that he loves to toy with me. He’s the most wicked of us all and deserves to be ranked number one in this school of killers.

  He also comes with a shit load of baggage. Example one, the slut lying unconscious on the floor. The last I heard, she’s supposed to marry him. He may be denying the claim now, but from what grandpa explained to me, we have no say once our fathers choose a mate for us, and Violet Bishop is Hawthorne’s choice for his son.

  Breaking eye contact, I switch back to Mr. Hoffman up front. His aura is a brownish-yellow. I’m still learning, but I believe he has control over animals and limited earth powers. I never liked him, and the feeling is mutual. I’m sure he was hoping the rumors were true, and I was dead. Me being his boss’ granddaughter has not endured me to the stick in the mud. Ugg, Mr. Grouchy Puss. Like I care. As long as he doesn’t unfairly fail me, we can co-exist until I graduate.

  When Violet lets out another moan, his beady eyes shift to her and his aura changes. Eww, the old geezer is aroused. I bet her lying there out in the open like prey makes him hard. I should have known he was a pervert as well as a stuck-up trout. I’m probably the only one who notices his familiar slither over to her unconscious body and disappears under her skirt. I doubt it’s checking to see if she’s alright. When the red of his aura completely takes over the pink, I shiver and shift my gaze somewhere else and that’s when I see him… Quinn.

  Leaning against the open door with his arms and legs crossed like he doesn’t have a care in the world is my brother. Well my brother’s body, that is, because deep inside of him is the spirit of Oberon, the faery king I let loose in a desperate attempt to save my brother. Quinn’s beautiful bright blue eyes are gone now, and when the green orbs of the Erlking’s meet mine, I jump from my seat.

  “Miss Morganstein, sit back down. How hard is it for you to refrain from causing distractions during class?” an annoyed Hoffman spews before pinching the bride of his long hooked nose.

  “How hard is it for you to teach and not use your familiar to get cheap feels from unsuspecting victims?” I argue back, shifting my gaze to Violet’s unconscious body.

  His cheeks blush a bright red as he sputters some unintelligible response around the lines of snitching on me to my grandfather, but I couldn’t care less. Already, I’m heading out the door without a backward glance to confront a king. When I hear the sound of two chairs scrape behind me, I don’t have to look back to know it’s Zion and Blondie.

  “If he tries to harm you, I won’t hesitate to kill him,” Archer whispers in my head.

  “No, you won’t. That is my brother’s body you’re talking about. It will be intact when I return his soul to him and not damaged in any way by my headstrong Champion. Don’t make me use a command spell to keep you back,” I threaten. I know I’m being a bitch. Archer’s job is to protect me and I’m ordering him to do the opposite, but I can’t risk Quinn getting harmed.

  “As you wish,” he growls unhappily.

  “I’m sorry. I know I must be the worst Master you ever had.”

  “You are the only Master who’s call I ever answered.”

  “What? I thought you fought in a past Mage War. Seriously, how did I not know this?”

  “Are you done talking to your toy warrior, or do you want to know why I’m here?” Quinn/Oberon
says clearly annoyed. The fact that he sounds like my brother still creeps me out.

  “Why are you here?” Blondie rumbles behind me, crossing his tree trunks for arms across his chest. Not only are the twins delicious to look at, they are both built like linebackers and make my clit cheer for a touchdown.

  “This is a private conversation. I don’t remember inviting you two,” Oberon says in a lazy drawl as he blows on his nails. If he’s the least bit afraid, he’s sure not showing it. His cockiness has no bounds and is the thing of legends. I can actually see why his mate killed him, but I would too if he tricked me into falling in love with a cursed Fae with the face of a donkey and answers to the name Bottom.

  We’re well outside the building now. Ignoring the alpha males bickering, I walk toward the forest edge to get out of the sun. Sunburn isn’t the only thing I’m avoiding. It’s just stupid to stand out in the open. I’m not the only mage in this war with an Archer who can shoot with perfect aim from record breaking distances.

  “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be busy getting your revenge? You should take advantage and make the best of the time you have. I’ve already told you, that body is just a loaner, and I’m not extending your time limit,” I tell him once I feel like it’s safe to talk.

  “Now, lovely, is that any way to speak to me? You should be happy I’m here walking about, showing off your brother’s handsome face. It helps with the lie. I take it from the lack of shocked expressions of seeing me alive, no one has been informed of Quinn Boudreaux’s demise at your hand.”

  “What do you want?” I ask, grinding my teeth. I’ve done my homework on Oberon. I know he’s the king of trickery. He’s like a pultant child that will say and do anything to get their way. Together with his general and right-hand man, Goodfellow, he’s a formidable opponent, but I really need to check my anger and watch my words when speaking with him. The Fae are notorious for making deals and twisting your words around until you end up owing them a whole lot more than you bargained for.

  “I’m bored. Killing that traitorous bitch Titania was far too easy. She wasn’t even entertaining in bed like she used to be, so I may have finished my business sooner than I expected. Leveling the kingdom to the ground was just an added bonus.”

  I don’t want to think about how many fae he fucked with my brother’s body or killed. I’m not foolish to think it was just his now late wife. His wandering eye and bastard children are the thing of legends. He may even have Zeus beat.

  “What does you being bored have to do with me? Why are you even here? The last time I checked, I didn’t ask for your help. You can just go now,” I say, making a shooing motion with my fingers. “You’re not wanted here.”

  With a wicked smile, he practically beams at me, he takes a step forward, not at all bothered with my outburst or Zion’s growls to, “Step back,” which of course the king ignores. Instead, he steps even closer. What the hell is going on with this dude, and why is Zion acting protective all of a sudden?

  “I can handle myself,” I tell the asshole in question with flashing eyes. He’s not my fucking knight. He’s only here now because the controlling, nosy bastard thinks he has a right to know everything.

  “As I was saying,” Oberon interrupts our heated stare down. “I bargained to let go of my claim over this body once you get your brother’s soul back, but I did not say when I did, I’d go back to the spirit world. You know, lovely, you really should watch how you word things when you make bargains, especially to a faery.”

  “You son of a bitch,” I screech. “What does that mean? You have no choice. You have to go back. Without a body, you have nowhere else to go. The spirit world will snach your soul back once it’s released.” But as soon as the words leave my mouth I slap my forehead knowing exactly what he’s thinking.

  “Glad to see that not only are you nice to look at but smart as well. No wonder why your brother is in love with you. Funny fact. I can still feel an echo of his emotions? The ones he holds for you are the most intriguing.”

  “Where exactly do you plan on finding another body once I get Quinn’s soul back? It has to be fresh for you to take over,” I ask, not rising to his bait. I rather not reflect on how clueless I was about Quinn’s true feelings for me until the end when it was too late to do anything about them. Not that I know what I would have done if I did know earlier. Hell, I’m still confused. Finding out we are of no blood relation is still raging havoc on my mind, and my own emotions.

  “That’s why I’m here, lovely. Bodies seem to drop like flies around you. I figured if I stick by your side, I’d have my pick of the buffet so to say. Besides, don’t act like me being here is not beneficial for you also. No one will have reason to look into your brother with me walking around. Wouldn’t want anyone finding out what you did. I’m a little rusty with mage laws, but I’m pretty sure, you pulling a soul from the outerworld and implanting it into a dead body is a big no-no. Just think of what the mage Council will do if they were to ever find out. I’m sure it’s not pleasant. And then there’s your father. You can’t possibly believe you’ll be able to take him down by yourself.”

  “She’s not alone,” Zion injects, and I look at him like he’s sprouting branches from his head.

  Zion enjoys making things far more complicated for me. Like when he threw a fit after the summoning when Archer chose me as his Master and he ratted my identity out to another academy. It doesn’t matter if it was a ploy to get me to join them, the cocky bastard could have gotten me killed.

  “What you say has merit, but I don’t trust you. Don’t think I’m not smart enough to know that you’ll use every trick in the book looking for a leg up in your predicament. Possibly even kill me yourself.“

  “You wound me, lovely,” he says, placing his hands over his heart just like Quinn does. Apparently, he has his mannerisms as well. The familiarity is like a spike through the heart.

  “You’re not only the king of the Seelie Court, but you’re also the king of trickery, but I can’t stop you from hanging around here. If acting like a student at Crescent Moon gets your rocks off, then have at it, but know, I have you pegged and won’t be falling for any of your shit, nor am I stupid enough to make any more bargains with you. I was desperate the first time. Not so much now. If you tell anyone you’re not the real Quinn and what I did, the mage Council will hunt you down right along with me, so think about that before you get to blabbing your mouth.”

  “Unnecessary warning. I wouldn’t dream of turning you in. You amuse me, and you’re far too beautiful to die.” Suddenly, he lowers his voice, moving closer, right into my personal space and whispers in my ear, “You know, if you’re ever curious about what Quinn is like in bed, I’m always available.” With a nip of his teeth on the sensitive shell of my ear, he teleports away before either I or the guys can react.

  “Fucking faery,” Zion growls.

  “Where’s your Champion?” I ask Blondie. I’m curious he didn’t come out ready to kill me like he did when I first set the faery king free from the spirit world. This was his chance to take out the fae in question.

  “He’s out scouting Crimson Blood Academy with Milo and Kirito.”

  “So there really is just one academy left?” I reply.

  “Why are you asking now? If you were around to help with the last fight, Oliver would not have gotten hurt. When exactly are you planning on doing your part in this war, or do you expect us to do all the work for you so you can keep your precious Archer safe?” Now this is the Zion I’m used to. The nice one who acts like they care and spits sweet words like poetry was unsettling.

  “Zion,” Blondie hiss. “Oli getting injured wasn’t her fault.” I hold my hand up, stopping him. It’s sweet he feels like he has to defend me, but I can take care of myself.

  I knew something bad happened to Oli, and I hate to think I played a part in him getting hurt. But that's no excuse for Zion being a douche and pointing fingers at me like it’s all my fault. I got enough s
hit going on as it is.

  “Don’t just blame me. I’m sure if you wanted, you could have turned back time and changed his fate,” I seethe. Yes, I’m being unfair. Gramps already explained why Zion couldn’t give into my selfish demand when I begged him to save Quinn. I’m still hurting and harboring misplaced blame for my own actions. I killed Quinn, not him, but my crazy ass, warped mind doesn’t want to acknowledge that reality.

  He narrows his eyes, but not before letting a flash of flames slip through his heated gaze. “You know what, manipulator? Fuck you and the high horse you’re riding.” He turns to storm off, but I’m clearly walking a fine line of insanity today when I grab him by his sleeve, stopping him. I’m pushing it and probably deserve everything I have coming to me, but Zion knows how to rile me up past the point where I first lost my marbles.

  “We're not through here yet. You want my help, well, here I am,” I shout, letting go and throwing my hands in the air. “You’ve been throwing a hissy fit since you first found out Archer chose me as his Master and trying to force my hand in this war. If you truly want my help, then it won’t come free. I want something in return.”

  “And what is that, princess?” he asks in his condescending tone he’s so good at. The one that makes you want to bitch slap him just to see him change his tone.

  “If we win, I want to use the wish to destroy Morganstein.”

  Out of all the reactions, I did not expect him to laugh in my face. In fact, I think the only expression I’ve seen him express toward me is anger, disdain and maybe lust, but to full belly, bend over, laugh at me. Yeah, this is new.

  “You’re fucking crazier than I first pegged you for. You know, princess. You should really work on your delivery because it’s as twisted as your head. Besides, fighting against a couple of weak ass Clawhaven mages, you have done jack-shit to help us in this war. My brothers and I are the ones doing all the hard work and taking all the risks. Planning, scouting the schools, surveillance. It’s us who’ve been battling it out and putting our lives on the line time and time again. Kirito almost died because of your brother. Oliver was seriously injured yesterday. Do you really think you’re going to waltz in at the end and take over the reward we, not you, shed blood to earn? To the others, your pussy may be made of gold, but even that isn’t enough to make me give you something you did not earn. You know,” he says after a beat. “You’re not the only one who wishes for their loved ones to be returned, but unlike you, I do not have the power to invoke some long gone spirit and make everything right.”