Fallen Academy: Year One

I crouched, placing my dagger between us, but instead of using her weapon as I’d expected, she kicked me in the chin. Hard.

I fell to one knee wincing and she pivoted to the side, grabbing Luke’s suit by the collar. If she made it out of the circle, I lost.

I am not a loser.

I burst up from my position, and instinctively grabbed her arm. I knew I couldn’t really cut her, not like I wanted to, but Sera sent me a mental picture of me pressing the flat part of my blade to her arm. I did just that, and it flared red-hot.

With a shriek, Tiffany released Luke and stumbled back, ripping out of my grasp.

“Okay, that’s enough. Well done, both of you. A strong start to learning from your weapons,” the teacher called out.

There was an angry red welt on the side of Tiffany’s arm and she was glaring at me, imagining removing my head with her big-ass sword no doubt.

“Allow me to help,” Noah cooed, sending Tiffany from red-hot murderer, to mushy flirt in a nanosecond.

The professor paired up the next group, as Luke slipped in beside me. “You’re my woman crush Wednesday. I’ll never in a thousand years forget the sound of her shriek. It was like a thousand dying cats.”

I chuckled. “Thanks.” But honestly, all the credit went to Sera.

‘Thanks for that. You’re kind of a badass,’ I told her. Having a dagger send you a mental picture was cool. And also slightly terrifying.

‘I am an extension of you, child. That makes you a badass too,’ she replied.

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so I just stayed quiet and watched the next fight.

For a small moment there, I felt proud of myself, and got a glimpse of what it might be like to join the Fallen Army and protect the innocent. But that would never happen, and that thought made all of my hopes come crashing down.

I was staring at my lunch, sick to my stomach about going back to Demon City. Lincoln had told me to pack my personal belongings, and for what? He wasn’t even there! I’d kind of hoped he’d had Raphael talk to Burdock and they’d work out something, like maybe Raphael would buy my contract instead, and outbid the Abrus demon, or something. It was a stupid, hopeless thought, and now I was staring at a yummy turkey sandwich I didn’t have the appetite for anymore.

“Hey. Brielle, right?”

A petite redhead slid in beside me. I’d seen her in a few of my classes, a Nightblood. She wore a cloak over her hair, only one chunk of red popping out. Her hands were gloved as well, even though the windows in the cafeteria were “UV-coated to the extreme”—Luke’s wording—so she and other Nightbloods could join us.

“Hey, yeah,” I replied awkwardly. Making new friends was my least favorite thing.

She grinned, showcasing her fanged teeth. “I’m Chloe. We all thought what you did to Tiffany in weapons’ class was badass.” She nodded to her friends, who stood behind her. They nodded back with encouraging smiles.

“Oh… thanks.” It wasn’t really me, just my weapon, but if it made me more friends, I would take the compliment.

“Anyway.” She slid a purple flyer across the table. “My dad owns the Third Eye Moon. It’s this underground nightclub. He’s letting me rent it out for my nineteenth birthday, and I want you to come. Bring any of your friends if you want.” She smiled at Luke and Angela.

Wow. I’d never really been invited to a big club party before. My heart sank as I scanned the flyer. It was that Friday night. At ten.

I scratched my neck nervously. “I… uh… don’t live here.” I pointed to my forehead to drive it home.

She shrugged. “So what? You could get past the border guards by showing your school ID. Say you have night class or something.”

I could hide Shea in the back seat. I wanted to go so bad. “All right, I’ll try my best,” I told her with a smile.

She nodded. “Cool. See you later.” Then she left, taking her Nightblood friends with her.

Luke watched her leave and gave me an impressed look. “Chloe Brisbane is like Nightblood royalty. Her entire family are Nightbloods. Rumor has it that two demons crashed into their living room the night of The Falling, so they all got the same magic. Her dad is like the mafia leader of them all or something.”

Sounded like a big fat rumor. “But she’s cool, right?” I didn’t want to get in with the wrong crowd. The bullies and assholes could keep to themselves.

He nodded. “Totally. Her older brother is a senior officer in the Fallen Army. He’s so frickin’ hot I can’t even breathe around him. He’s in Lincoln’s brigade.”

Lincoln.

I’d almost forgotten about him and the key to his trailer, which was burning a hole in my pocket. I needed to drop my weapon there and then get back to work.

“Cool. I gotta get going. See you tomorrow?” I told Luke, standing up. I wouldn’t tell him I was on borrowed time until the last day.

He nodded and then eyed the flyer. “Yeah, see you tomorrow. Hey, what are you doing Friday night?” He gave me big puppy dog eyes.

I laughed, pulled out my phone and snapped a picture of the flyer so I’d have the address. “You and Angela are totally coming with. I’ll bring my best friend Shea, so you can meet her. She’s a Mage.”

They brightened and gave me enthusiastic nods.

Racing out of the cafeteria, I pulled out my car keys. I was kind of dying to see what Lincoln’s house looked like. It probably smelled like sweaty boy and was a mess. He’d said not to snoop, but I was totally going to be tempted.

I was just passing the double doors to Raphael’s office when they opened and I smashed into someone’s chest.

“Ommph!” The breath came out of me, as strong arms wrapped gently around my biceps to steady me. I looked up to see Lincoln’s dark hair messed over his forehead, stormy blue eyes assessed me with great care.

As the door was closing, I peeked inside. All four archangels were standing there, looking at me with unreadable blank gazes.

“Lincoln, I….” I didn’t know what to say. I was still smashed against his rock-hard body, which was a teensy bit distracting.

He looked down at me. “Go put your seraph blade away in my house, and I’ll meet you at your car, okay?”

I frowned. “What’s going on?” He’d previously said all four archangels only got together for special occasions, so why where they all back?

“I’ll tell you on the ride to your work,” he said, and my mouth popped open.

“You’re coming to work with me?” Maybe Raphael was going to buy my contract.

He simply nodded.

Why does he look nervous? And why is he looking at me so… differently?

“But—”

“Please, for once in your life, do as I say. This is important.”

“Okay.” I frowned.

Walking to his trailer, I looked behind me, but he was nowhere to be seen. When I got to the silver Airstream, I eyed the motorcycle next to it. With a bit of nervousness, I put the key in the lock, and popped the door open. A waft of fresh linen, and something spicy and manlike hit me. Two small steps led up to an open kitchen and eating area, everything was clean and modern, with a red-and-black theme. My eyes went to the dining table, an acoustic guitar and a small bowl of picks lay on top.

He plays guitar. He drives a motorcycle.

I never would’ve guessed that… though I guess I didn’t know what to expect from him. An Asshole of the Year award gracing his dining table, maybe. It smelled good in there too, dammit. Again, not what I’d expected.

Bending down to peek out the window, I made sure he wasn’t watching me, then walked back to the open bedroom at the very end of the trailer. There was a large bed with a messy dark blue blanket, a book of classic poetry atop it. I grinned, knowing I was so going to use that against him one day.

Quick strides brought me back to the dining room table and I started to unhook my leg sheath.

‘Take me with you. I have a bad feeling about this,’ Sera said, spooking me.

‘Bad feeling about what? I’m not allowed to take you into Demon City,’ I told her.

‘Why is he coming with you?’ she asked.

With a shrug, I placed her on the table. ‘Maybe to buy my demon contract.’

‘That could be done over the phone, and with a wire transfer. Take. Me. With. You.’

I frowned. Why exactly was Lincoln going with me to my work? He’d said it pained him to even be in Demon City, after all.

‘You need to trust me. I have a feeling. Take me with you,’ Sera added, in a voice of finality.

A growl escaped me. If I got caught or she was stolen, Lincoln would have my ass. Sighing, I laid the empty sheath on the table, then slipped Sera into my boot. I’d never forgive myself if something happened and I hadn’t heeded her advice.

I left the trailer, locking it behind me, and jogged to my car.

Lincoln was standing next to the passenger side with a large duffel bag. “Can you drive?” he asked.

I scoffed. “As if I would let you drive my brand-new car.”

His lips curled into a momentary smile, though it quickly faded and his face took on a serious tone. Unlocking my door, I slipped in and he sat next to me.

“Now, can you tell me what’s going on?” I asked, heading off campus, and onto the freeway.

Lincoln pulled his shirt off in one swift move, and my eyes widened. “Okay… I mean, we just met a few days ago, but I wouldn’t mind a little show,” I joked.

He pulled out a thin chain mail top and started working it over his head.

My brow furrowed. “What…? Why are you putting on chain mail? Lincoln, talk to me! I’m getting scared.” My gut clenched in fear. I hated the unknown.

He sighed, and pulled out a metal breastplate, clipping it over the chain mail. He’s putting on full freaking battle armor. What the hell!

“Every demon slave contract has wiggle room. I’m going to find yours,” he stated.