Avalon Academy : A Paranormal Academy Romance Read online

  The thought made me instantaneously sick. I couldn’t do life without my best friend.

  He’d been by my side through most everything and not having him with me wasn’t an option. I’d do whatever it took to keep him with us.

  “G-Gwen?” his broken voice whispered.

  “I’m here, Lance,” I said, placing my hand on top of his.

  The icy chill that crawled up my arm told of the dark magic weaving its way through his body. Infecting. Poisoning. I wanted to pull my hand back but didn’t. I wouldn’t abandon Lance, no matter how unnerving his touch was. If he was cold, I’d be cold too.

  “I-I’m d-d-dying, Gwennie.”

  “Shhh. Don’t say such things. You aren’t dying. I’d never let that happen,” I vowed, sounding stronger than I felt.

  “You know I’d never h-hold you to that,” he said, beginning a coughing fit.

  “Here, drink this,” I said, grabbing a glass of water from the side table and holding it to his mouth. He took a few sips, but started sputtering. Helping him to a sitting position, I saw for the first time just how pale and clammy his skin was. He was hardly recognizable and it was killing me to see him like that.

  When he’d finally managed to take several gulps of water without breaking into a coughing fit, I placed the glass back down and smiled feebly at my friend.

  “Don’t look at me like that, Gwennie,” his frail voice chastised.

  “I’m not looking at you like anything,” I lied.

  The truth was, I was scared even more now. His spindly form looked like something straight out of a horror movie. There was even a decaying stench permeating the room. It was as if death had already called and claimed its victim. My stomach rolled and I had to turn my head as a dry heave crawled up my throat.

  “I’m d-disgusting,” he said, making me feel like the world’s biggest asshole.

  “No,” I said sternly, turning to face him. “You’re the furthest thing from disgusting, Lance. I-I just hate seeing you like this.”

  He smiled sadly. “You’re a terrible liar, Gwennie.”

  He managed to get the words out without stuttering and I couldn’t help but smile. “I’d never.”

  He took a deep breath before looking me square in the eyes. “I’m not scared to die.”

  I gasped, hands coming to my mouth to suppress the sobs threating to tear through me.

  Moments ago, we’d been almost playful. How had it taken such a tragic turn? I didn’t want to discuss him dying. Not then and not ever.

  “Don’t say such things, Lance. You’re not going to die. I won’t let you,” I vowed, stray tears streaming down my cheeks.

  “I’d n-never hold you… to that,” he said, inhaling deeply to catch his breath. “I’m just sorry… I can’t help you.”

  My brows furrowed. “Help me?”

  “Save Tristan,” he explained. “You deserve to be happy.”

  Those words broke my heart for so many reasons. They hurt because it was his way of admitting that things between us would never work. They hurt because he was more concerned about my happiness than his surviving. It hurt because it felt like goodbye.

  “You make me happy, Lance.”

  He shook his head and whispered, “not like he does, Gwennie. It’s time I accept that.”

  My eyes closed, teeth grinding together. I couldn’t look at him or I’d break even more. His hand touched my cheek, wiping away the falling tears.

  “I’ll always l-love you, but I know it-it’s him for you.”

  “Please,” I begged. “Don’t say any more. I can’t bare it, Lance.”

  He squeezed my hand weakly. “Save him, Gwen. For me,” he said softly. “He’s my friend too.”

  An overwhelming sadness crept over me at the finality of our never realized relationship. He was right, my feelings for Tristan would always be something so much more than I could ever promise him, but it didn’t change the fact I had wanted to try at one point. I never wanted to hurt Lance or mislead him and, in this moment, it was hard to close that chapter on us. Even if I knew without a doubt, it was the way it was supposed to be. Did that make me a bad person?

  “I will. I promise,” I said, as I squeezed his hand back. That was a promise I intended to keep.

  With that oath, I hugged my friend and left him to sleep, all the while, making a promise to myself that I’d find a way to save them both.

  As I closed the door shut behind me, Holly rounded the corner.

  “How’s he doing?” she asked.

  “He’s weak, but he was able to talk.”

  She nodded. “I’m glad to hear he sounds the same. As long as he’s not getting worse.”

  “I’d let him sleep. He was dozing off just now,” I suggested.

  I wished I could say it was fully for his own good and not for the small part of me that was territorial beyond reason. He wasn’t mine. He never had been. I had no right to stop him from a chance at his own happily-ever-after. Holly deserved it too.

  “Okay. I’ll let him sleep. He needs it,” she agreed, making me feel a bit better. “I just came from Tristan’s. I’m assuming you’re headed there next?” she asked.

  “Yes. I’m not leaving without seeing him.”

  Holly chewed on her bottom lip nervously. She clearly had something to say and I didn’t have the time to decipher her issues.

  “Spit it out,” I demanded.

  “It’s…it’s just that I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  I huffed, not interested in her suggestion. I went to move around her, but she stopped me, as she grabbed my elbow.

  “Gwen, he’s in worse shape than Lance is currently, and based on how you looked when you left that room, it shook you. I don’t think it’s in your best interest to see Tristan the way he is. There isn’t anything you can do about it and it will only hurt you more.”

  “I can’t leave without seeing him, Holly. What… what if something happens while I’m gone?”

  “You know that’s not how it works. Souveign told you that he has until the full moon. Nothing is going to happen to him, but with such a big task ahead, it won’t be good for you. You need to have your head on straight, and Tristan is your weakness.”

  I cringed at her words. The insinuation that seeing Tristan sick would affect me more than seeing Lance made me feel guilty. It shouldn’t as Lance himself gave me permission to embrace my love for Tristan. But old habits die hard, and it’s not easy to admit that my feelings for Tristan are… more.

  Holly had been caring for both of them and for her to say Tristan is worse after I just saw Lance said something. She was correct, it would affect me greatly to see Tristan in such shape. If I were going to save him, I had to be focused. I couldn’t be distracted by images of him dying.

  “You’re right. I can’t see him like that.”

  “He wouldn’t even know you were there, Gwen. It’s better this way.”

  I nod. “Thanks, Holly.”

  She smiled at me, placing her hand on my shoulder and squeezing in reassurance.

  “You’ve got this, Gwen. I believe in you. Please know that my mom and I won’t stop until we save Lance, too.”

  I placed my hand on her shoulder and returned the squeeze in a moment of solidarity. We could do this. I had to believe.

  “If he wakes, will you please tell him I love him?”

  “Of course,” she promised. “Be safe, Gwen.”

  “You too.”

  I left her standing in the hall outside of Lance’s room, where she just stared. She wasn’t

  just falling for him. She was hardcore head-over-heels. It was obvious, and I waited for some overwhelming possessiveness, but nothing came. No pang of jealousy crept in. How things could change in a matter of minutes beats me, but it had. I genuinely wanted them both to be happy and I believed together, they could be.

  Quickly stuffing a few changes of clothing into a bag, along with my toiletry items, I was ready to go. There was no doubt I h
ad to approach my family home carefully. The council was sure to expect that I could show up there.

  On the hour and a half ride home, I went over my plan in my head. For the first time in days, I felt better. If anyone knew how to get into the council headquarters without being caught, it was my dad.

  I only hoped that he’d be willing to help me.

  Chapter Three

  Sometimes, I hated being right.

  Just as I had suspected, the council had anticipated my homecoming. There were council guards standing watch at the door. I was in one of Clara’s cars and it was dark, so I wasn’t concerned that they had noticed me, but that didn’t change the fact plan B was now in place.

  I drove around to the back of the house, parking in an alley that was mostly hidden.

  Chances were good the council didn’t even know of its existence because the entrance was two streets over and the exit that backed up to our back yard was covered by overgrown brush. Nobody ever used it.

  Once I parked, I snuck quietly to the base of my tree house. The wooden stairs were

  rotted, but they were still in good enough shape for me to scale. From this vantage point, I could see if anyone entered the backyard and I could also use the marbles stashed up there to throw at my dad’s office window.

  As a child, I had spent many days and nights up in that treehouse with both Lance and Tristan. Typically, it was the three of us together just hanging out, laughing, and having a great time. Only just before Tristan left, did him and I start spending more alone time together.

  “What’s your biggest wish for the future?” Tristan asked, as we laid on the makeshift bed we’d created in our favorite treehouse. I was leaned back onto his arm, head resting on his shoulder. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.

  I looked up into his blue eyes. “For things to stay just as they are,” I admitted, blushing under his intense stare. The way he looked at me, made me feel like we were the only two people in the world. Like I was the moon and he needed me to survive.

  “Gwen,” the way he said my name sent butterflies into flight. It was melodic and masculine. It was husky and wanting. I was a goner. “I want to kiss you.”

  Those five words sealed everything for me. He could have whatever he wanted. I was his. And although I didn’t speak those words aloud, he clearly saw my thoughts as if I had. He bent toward me, sealing his mouth over mine. Tentative at first, until I opened slightly to signal, I wanted more. Needed more.

  This kiss was one for the ages. A kiss that was timeless. From that day forward, there would never be another for me. I chose Tristan Locke, and if the way he kissed me was any indication, he chose me back.

  I snapped out of my memory, feeling flushed. I still remembered exactly the way his mouth tasted. The entire event was branded into me. I could’ve sat there thinking about that first kiss all night, but the light in my father’s office was on, signaling now was the time. Later, I could recall all the amazing moments spent in our treehouse, but for now, I needed to get my father’s attention.

  I picked up a marble and chucked it at the window, like I had numerous times before.

  As soon as it pinged off the glass, I ducked out of sight. I wasn’t sure if the noise would draw attention to the goons in the front. After a few minutes, when it was clear the guards hadn’t heard, I tried again. This time, I threw the marble a little harder and my father came to the window.

  Not wanting to miss that opportunity, I chucked another hoping to draw his attention to the treehouse. He seemed to not know what had hit the window or where it had come from. As he raised the window to look out, I threw another and was happy to see his attention drawn toward wherever it had landed.

  My fingers were crossed that it hadn’t rolled somewhere out of sight. I could only play this game for so long before I’d be forced to make noise, and potentially give myself away to the guards. If he found the marble, he’d know it was me. Or Lance or Tristan.

  When we were kids, we used to get in trouble for throwing marbles at his office. Back then, it was just to bother him, and it had. We’d always gotten a stern lecture about how important his work time was and how dangerous it would be if the glass broke. I only hoped that he remembered that as well as I did. It was my only chance of gaining his help. I needed him.

  The minutes ticked by, and every second I felt more hopeless. Why the hell had I gotten my hopes up where my father was concerned? He had let me down so many times over the years, it seemed insane I would’ve put so much faith in him with something as important as Tristan’s life. I exhaled heavily, feeling the weight of crushing disappointment blanket me.

  Without his help, I was as good as fucked. I might as well have walked up to the council front door and begged and pleaded with my own life as collateral, because there was no way I was going to make it in and out of there on my own unseen. I didn’t know the first thing about the layout of the place, or where I’d possibly find a goblet.

  But movement at the window had me peeking up. He was there. He had raised his arm above his eyes, looking out into the dark yard. And that’s when I saw it. The little marble was in between his two fingers, and he was smiling wide.

  He knows I’m here. Elation filled me as hope finally dared to reenter. He pointed below and my eyes followed his movement. Directly underneath him, was the back door. Was he telling me it was okay to come in that way? I didn’t have time to ponder. He knew I was there and he’d help me get in.

  I started lowering myself down the ladder of the treehouse, careful not to miss a rung. One of the steps was wet and my foot slipped.

  “Shit,” I barked out, caught off guard from the near fall.

  I was in the process of correcting my footing when I heard the crunching of leaves and breaking sticks underneath the heavy boot coming around the corner. The two guards who were out front are in a heated conversation, but both of their heads snapped up, catching me mid-step. Confusion quickly turned to recognition are they both pieced out what was going on in front of them.

  “It’s her,” the larger one of the two screams, as the other darts towards me.

  Without a second thought, I leapt from the third to last step, and sprinted as fast as I could, back towards the alley where my car was. I pumped my arms, trying to go faster, but I could hear them gaining on me. They were tall men, who, before long, would have me in their grasps if I had to place bets. There was absolutely no way I could out run them.

  Sweat trickled down my forehead as my heart pounded in my chest. I finally made it to my car, but I could barely breathe. Hunched over, I tried to catch my breath, as my hands fumbled with the door handle. I was taking too long. They had to be at my back. But they weren’t. Somehow, I was no longer being pursued.

  What the hell?

  My eyes searched the area, frantic to locate the two men. Where were they? They wouldn’t be hiding. Would they? What purpose would that solve? They’re stronger than me. You have powers. They don’t.

  The thought hit me hard. Oh God, they could be anywhere. I walked in a circle, searching my surroundings, waiting for an attack, but one never came.

  “I took care of them,” my dad said, drawing my eyes toward my backyard.

  I looked up to see him standing there, tall and polished. Looking every bit the council member he’d always been. So refined and regale. For a short second, I forgot I needed him and scowled in his direction. Old habits die hard and right now, anyone affiliated with the council was enemy numero uno.

  “What did you do to them?” I asked, barely caring, but needed to fill the silence until I could turn down my building rage where the council was concerned. It wouldn’t help me to be confrontational when I asked him for help.

  “They’re in a heap back there,” he said as he gestured with his head.

  “How did you manage that? You don’t have powers.” The words came out much harsher then I intended. I obviously hadn’t tempered my rage well enough.

  He shrugged. “I do
have tasers.”

  I couldn’t help the smirk that took over my face. Who knew my father had it in him. As much as I wanted to continue talking about the two goons currently incapacitated and where he got the tasers, I knew I was on borrowed time. It didn’t matter anyway; it had made him my ally and that’s what mattered. I stood up tall, looked my father straight in the eye, and got down to business.

  “Daddy, I need your help.”

  Chapter Four

  “Daddy?” he said, with a raised brow. “I can say with certainty you’ve never called me that before,” he chuckled, earning himself a scowl. He knew damn well why he’d never been called daddy. He hadn’t earned that endearment.

  “Well, you haven’t exactly been the poster man for dads worldwide, now have you?” I bristled, suddenly feeling foolish.

  “I did it to—”

  I raised my hand to stop him. “Protect me. Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m not here about that and I have limited time. So, let’s just get to it, shall we?”

  He looked like he wanted to argue with me, but then, his face fell, and he nodded in acceptance. I almost felt bad, but then I realized this was the same man who treated me like shit most of my life. Maybe it was all a ruse to save me from the council, but living like that isn’t something I can forgive and forget so easily. It would take time. And, it would take his alliance.

  “We better take it indoors,” he said motioning for me to follow him. “They stationed those two morons here in case you tried to come back home. I’m assuming since you’re here, it’s important and God only knows who else they have nearby.”

  I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. He turned his head back toward me, seeing I was still there, before continuing onward. I followed him in silence through the back door and up the staircase to his office. The place was eerily quiet, which put me on alert. It was never like this when mom was home. She was a tornado of activity. And even when she was sitting down to relax, there was always a radio or TV playing.