Goody magic academy year.., p.10
Goody Magic Academy Year Two, page 10
His expression turned incredulous. “So, you guys all think I’m part dragon too?”
I shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know for sure. But it would explain why the High Priestess targets you like she does me.” My voice faltered as I remembered all my encounters with her dark magic.
“But she doesn’t know you’re a dragon,” Finn insisted, grasping onto any hope of denial.
“Maybe,” I conceded. “Maybe not.”
Finn stood taller and his eyes darkened again. “Because that asshole told her.”
“He says he didn’t.” My voice was barely a whisper and full of doubt.
He cocked his eyebrow. “And you believe him?”
“I don’t know who to believe,” I admitted, frustration and confusion swelled in my words.
He dragged his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know about this, Peyton. I got think about it. Why would my parents lie to me?”
“Because maybe they were trying to protect you like my mom was protecting me.”
He stepped closer but then the door opened to the courtyard. We couldn’t see who it was, but Midnight gave off a warning bark. She only did that when she didn’t like someone or was trying to warn me.
Finn scooped up Cinnamon and retreated into the shadows. “Go.”
My heart pounding, I grabbed Midnight’s leashed and didn’t look into the corner where Cinnamon and Finn were hiding. I tried to act like nothing was wrong and headed toward the door, but I still couldn’t see who it was and I couldn’t shake the terror that was gripping me.
As I walked back, the note burning a hole in my pocket, the weight of the impending meeting pressed heavily upon me. Each step was a reminder of the fine line I walked between seeking the truth and falling into the High Priestess’ traps.
15
As I neared the doorway, I saw Bianca’s silhouette in the faint light, her presence sending a wave of anxiety through me. She scanning the courtyard with a sense of purpose. Bianca had always believed Finn belonged to her, and her presence here, now, couldn't be a coincidence. She would like nothing better than stake a knife in my back.
No wonder Midnight didn’t like her.
I quickened my pace, avoiding eye contact, hoping she hadn’t seen Finn. If she had, there would be an ugly scene between us, and no matter what happened, the high priestess would take her side. It would give her an excuse to punish me.
Every step I took was measured, my senses on high alert. As I passed her, Bianca's gaze lingered on me, a mix of suspicion and disdain in her eyes.
“Out for a late-night stroll, Peyton?” she called out, her voice dripping with faux sweetness.
Just smile Just smile
I gave her a curt one and nodded without stopping, “Just taking Midnight for a walk,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
“You weren’t out here with Finn were you?” Her innocent voice was anything but innocent.
I stiffened and my breath stalled.
Shitshitshitshit
Was she a spy for the high priestess?
“No,” I said over my shoulder. “I told you Midnight had to go out.”
“Uh, uh.” But I could hear it in her voice. She didn’t believe on bit.
A shudder ran through me. Maybe my tattoo had signaled the high priestess and she had sent Bianca out to spy on me.
Once I was a safe distance away, I glanced back. Bianca was still standing there, watching me with an unreadable expression. One thing was clear—our secret meeting in the courtyard had just become even more dangerous.
I hurried back to my room. My lips were swollen from Finn kissing me and I hoped Bianca hadn’t noticed, but the girl noticed everything.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I walked through the dimly lit hallway. Every few seconds, I peered over my shoulder, half expecting to see a shadowy figure trailing behind me. The sound of my own rapid footsteps and Midnight’s paws echoed in the empty space, and my heart raced with fear. When I finally reached the safety of my room, I collapsed onto the bed, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily from the adrenaline rush.
Twyla was already in bed and turned on the light. “Are you okay?”
“Not really.” I quickly told her everything that happened including kissing Finn. Midnight hopped onto my bed and snuggled next to me.
“That was pretty gutsy kissing Finn,” she said. “You heard what the high priestess said.”
“I know. I know,” I said as I quickly got into my nightshirt. “And what’s worse, I think our friend Bianca is a spy for the high priestess.”
She sighed and yawned. “Then you’d better be double carefully. That girl would like nothing better than nailing you to the cross.”
With that warning, she rolled over onto her side and soon her gentle snores filled the room. But I couldn't sleep—not after everything that had happened tonight. My mind raced as I waited anxiously for my meeting with Jaxon, unsure of what else this night had in store for me.
I fixed my gaze on the clock, its hands moving at a snail's pace. The red numbers taunted me as I tossed and turned in bed, my mind racing with thoughts of meeting Jaxon tonight at one o'clock. The soft glow of the moon through my window did nothing to lull me to sleep.
As the night deepened, every tick of the clock felt like an eternity. Lying in bed, I watched the red digits change slowly, the numbers seeming to mock my impatience. One o'clock—the time I was supposed to meet Jaxon at the old observatory—felt like a distant reality.
I tossed and turned, my sheets tangling around me as I struggled to find even a moment's rest. The moon cast a soft, silvery glow through my window, its light meant to be calming, but tonight it served only as a reminder of the clandestine meeting ahead.
My mind was a whirlwind of questions and possibilities. What did Jaxon want to tell me that was so important it couldn't wait? How did it tie into everything that had been happening? And most of all, could I trust him?
The observatory, a place of forgotten secrets and ancient magic, seemed an apt location for such a covert rendezvous. Its secluded location at the edge of the academy grounds, far from prying eyes, made it ideal for private conversations. Yet, the thought of sneaking out there in the dead of night sent a shiver down my spine.
Every so often, I glanced at the clock, watching the minutes crawl by. My heart raced with a mix of nervous anticipation and a strange sense of excitement. This meeting with Jaxon could change everything, and I knew I had to be prepared for whatever revelations lay ahead.
Finally, the clock showed 12:45 AM. It was time. I slipped out of bed, dressed quickly, and took a deep breath to steady my nerves. I grabbed a light jacket, knowing the night air by the observatory would be chilly, and quietly made my way out of the room.
As I tiptoed through the darkened hallways of the academy, the only sounds were my soft footsteps and my rapid heartbeat pounding between my ears. I kept looking over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me and praying that the high priestess was asleep so she wouldn’t see where I was going. The woman had to sleep sometime.
The observatory was next to the library but the stairwell leading up to it was rarely used. With every step, I stopped, straining to see if anyone was following me but all I heard was deafening silence.
Reaching the observatory’s door, my hand hesitated on the handle. This was it – the moment of truth. What lay beyond this door? Would Jaxon hold the answers to the questions that tormented me, or would this meeting only deepen the mystery?
I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering the fragments of my courage. My thoughts were a whirlwind of possibilities and fears, each as intangible as the shadows that danced at the edge of my vision.
With a final deep breath, I steeled myself against the uncertainty. I gently pushed the door open, its hinges protesting with a faint creak. The old observatory, bathed in moonlight, revealed itself to me, its once grand instruments now silent witnesses to our clandestine meeting.
Stepping over the threshold, I entered into the unknown, into a night that held more than just the secrets of the stars. The room was bathed in moonlight, and there, standing by the window, was Jaxon. His face was solemn, and it was clear that what he was about to reveal could change everything.
Stepping over the threshold, I entered into a realm where the unknown stretched out before me, its secrets veiled beneath the cloak of night. The observatory, once a haven for stargazers, now lay quiet, illuminated only by the ethereal glow of the moon. Its beams spilled through the large window, casting a silver sheen over everything, turning the room into a scene from a forgotten dream.
There, standing by the window with his gaze fixed on the night sky, was Jaxon. The moonlight accentuated his features, lending him an almost otherworldly handsomeness. His brownish blonde hair contrasted sharply with the pale light, and his brown eyes, reflective and deep, held an intensity that was both captivating and unsettling.
His presence had always stirred a complex whirl of emotions within me. There was an undeniable attraction, a gravitational pull that I found both intriguing and dangerous. His handsome features, usually so full of charm and confidence, now wore an expression of solemn gravity. It was a reminder of the serious nature of our meeting, of the weighty secrets that hung between us.
His cheek was a patchwork of blues, purples, and yellows, and his lower lip appeared twice its size. Yet, despite the injuries, he exuded a dark and alluring aura that only added to his mystique.
Yet, as I stood there, taking in his solemn appearance, my mind couldn’t help but drift back to Finn. The memory of our kiss in the courtyard, under the cover of shadows and secrecy, sent a conflicting surge of guilt and longing through me. Finn, with his easy smile and genuine warmth, contrasted sharply with Jaxon's more enigmatic allure.
The turmoil of my feelings for Finn and the unresolved tension with Jaxon left me in an emotional limbo. Here, in the silent observatory, the lines between loyalty, attraction, and duty seemed to blur.
Jaxon's head snapped up as my footsteps echoed down the deserted hallway. His expression shifted from surprise to a mix of longing and fear as his eyes locked with mine. “Peyton.” The sound of my name on his lips sent shivers down my spine, and I felt myself being pulled towards him as if by a magnetic force.
“I was afraid you wouldn't come,” he said, his husky voice drawing me in even closer. He reached out to touch one of my braids, twirling it between his fingers. “Especially after I saw you with Finn in the courtyard.” His voice turned sad and disappointed, making my heart ache.
I furrowed my eyebrows. “You were spying on me?” My stomach dropped at the thought that Jaxon was working for the High Priestess, our enemy.
He pressed me gently against the cold brick wall. “Not for the High Priestess, if that's what you mean. I always know where you are.” His words were like a confession, leaving me both intrigued and scared.
I lifted my chin to meet his gaze. “Why?”
“Because I want you,” he whispered, his dark eyes searching mine with an intensity that made me weak in the knees. “I've wanted you ever since you stepped through that door into the Great Hall with Professor Eastey.”
He stepped closer, his proximity igniting a rush of conflicting emotions within me. The memory of Finn's kiss still lingered, yet Jaxon's presence stirred something different, something more dangerous.
Words escaped me as Jaxon leaned in. His lips met mine in a kiss that was both intense and revealing. It was a moment of surrender, a plunge into the depths of an attraction I had tried to deny. His touch sparked a fire within me, challenging my understanding of my own desires.
It stirred a fire within me, igniting forbidden thoughts. His hands roamed my body, exploring every curve and releasing a primal desire I never knew existed. Everyone had warned me about him - that he was a dangerous man - but in this moment, I couldn't deny the fact that maybe, just maybe, I was a bad girl at heart for wanting him.
16
As Jaxon's lips left mine, I could see the intensity in his eyes. He took a step back, but his hands remained on my arms, holding me close. The air crackled with an electric mix of desire and unspoken questions.
Pulling away, I was left breathless and conflicted. The complexity of my feelings for both Finn and Jaxon was overwhelming. In the silent observatory, under the watchful gaze of the stars, I realized that my journey was not just about unraveling the High Priestess’ schemes but also about navigating the tumultuous waters of my own heart."
“Peyton,” he said, his voice dropping low and serious. “This goes beyond just physical attraction. There's more at play here.”
Confusion creased my brow. “What do you mean by ‘dangerous’?”
He pressed his forehead against mine, his breath warming my skin. “There are things about me that you don't know,” he whispered. “Things that could make you turn away from me.”
“What kind of things?” I asked.
His eyes darkened. “It doesn't matter.”
My emotions were swirling like a hurricane, but I managed to find my voice. “Then what is this all about, Jaxon?”
His eyes darted back and forth as if he were afraid we weren’t alone. “I’ve discovered something about the high priestess and her diabolical plans.”
Anxiety coursed through my veins, causing my heart to race and my hands to tremble as I stood before him. With each passing moment, I could feel the tension mounting, waiting for him to unravel the layers of lies woven by the high priestess. The air was thick with anticipation, heavy like a storm cloud ready to burst.
He hesitated, as if weighing each word before speaking it. “Peyton, the truth is that the high priestess knows you’re a dragon.”
Jaxon’s revelation that the High Priestess knew my true identity as a dragon sent shockwaves through me. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and anger swirling within. I felt betrayed, exposed, and vulnerable. As Jaxon held my gaze, I saw a flicker of genuine concern in his eyes, but it did little to quell the storm brewing inside me.
“Peyton,” Jaxon’s voice was low, laced with urgency, “you must understand, this changes everything. You’re not safe.”
I took a step back, feeling the cold observatory wall against my back. The reality of his words hit me hard. The air around us felt charged, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths and newfound dangers.
I pushed him away with all the strength I could muster. “You promised me! You promised you wouldn’t tell her!” I yelled, hot tears streaming down my face.
He grabbed my wrists tightly, his eyes pleading with me. “Listen to me…I didn’t tell her. But she knew.”
I wanted to believe him but how could I? My friends’ warnings that he was a bad guy echoed in my brain.
Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb
He tightened his grip on my wrists. “Peyton, I’m telling you the truth. You’re not the only dragon at this academy.”
My suspicion was correct after all. “You mean Finn?”
“And Karamon Glasscock.”
My brows furrowed and my eyes narrowed as I struggled to make sense of his words. But when it finally clicked, my mouth fell open in shock. “He’s a dragon too?"
He nodded, his expression serious. “And not just any dragon. A red dragon. They both are.”
My scowl deepened. "How do you know this?"
“I’m the evil queen’s assistant remember?” Bitterness dripped from his words like acid.
Jaxon relaxed his grip on my wrists and then he reached out, cupping my cheek gently with his rugged hand, ensuring he had my full attention. “Listen to me carefully, Peyton. The High Priestess’s alliance with the Bloodborne Brotherhood is just the beginning. She’s after the Dragon Nexus, an ancient source of power intimately linked to your dragon bloodlines. Gaining control of it would make her unimaginably powerful.”
The gravity of his words weighed heavily on me, painting a picture of a threat much larger than I had ever imagined.
Jaxon's gaze intensified, his eyes locking onto mine. “But there’s more to it,” he continued, his voice a soft whisper now. “You, Finn, and Kamaron are central to her plans. She knows about your lineage, about the power you all possess.”
“What power? I don’t even know what power I possess and Finn and Kamaron haven’t even shifted yet.”
"You are a Black Dragon, rare and powerful. And Finn and Kamaron, they are Red Dragons. Until now, their true natures were dormant. But your presence, your awakening, has acted as a catalyst, accelerating their transformation. They’ll shift soon.”
I thought of Finn’s eyes and knew he was right. Fear gripped me and I trembled. “I can’t believe that I’ve triggered their awakening.”
“It’s part of being a black dragon.”
I stared at him. “You know more about me than I do.”
“I’m her damn assistant, remember? You must learn to master your power before she finds a way to fully control your dragon form,” Jaxon emphasized, his tone grave. “The first step in her plan was that tracking spell on you. It's not just to monitor your whereabouts—it’s more insidious than that. She intends to use it to summon you at her will.”
The weight of his words settled heavily on me. It wasn’t just a matter of being watched; the High Priestess had laid the groundwork for something far more controlling, something that directly threatened my newfound identity.
“She wants to control me like a puppet,” I whispered, the realization sending a chill down my spine.
“Exactly,” Jaxon nodded, his expression hardening. “And that’s why it’s crucial for you to gain control over your dragon abilities. If you can master them, it will be much harder for her or anyone else to manipulate or summon you against your will.”
Anger rushed through me, turning blood hot. “She plans to do the same thing with Finn and Kamaron too, doesn’t she?”
“As far as I can tell, unfortunately, yes.”
