Zodiac Academy 3: The Reckoning

I WOKE UP LATE the next morning, reaching through the sheets in the hunt for warm muscles to pull me close but when I fully gained my senses, I remembered I was alone. My hand landed on my Atlas and the light wind-chime alarm jingled from it barely a heartbeat later.

I pulled my covers over my head and tucked my knees to my chest, brushing my fingers over the places Orion’s hands had been and committing every touch and kiss to memory. The wild emotions inside me made my heart feel like it was going to burst. I’d never felt like this about anyone before and I was kind of scared of this powerful storm inside me.

My Atlas persisted and I rolled onto my stomach, tapping the screen to read my horoscope with a yawn.

Good morning Gemini.

The stars have spoken about your day!

You will be set a fierce task today but that might not be the only challenge you have to face. The unpredictable and disruptive Uranus has moved into your chart, so you should expect the unexpected at all times.

Someone started hammering on my door and my heart lurched.

“Who is it?” I called but whoever it was just kept pounding their fist on the wood.

I jumped out of bed, unlocking the door and tugging it open in annoyance. I was nearly bowled over by Seth as he strode into my room, eyes roaming.

“What the hell are you doing?” I tried to shove him back out of the door, bringing air to my fingertips and throwing a gust at him. He blocked it with a simple flick of his hand, his eyes falling to me.

“Who are you fucking?” he demanded.

“What?” I blurted, my heart stumbling at his accusation. Ohmagod how the hell does he know?

“Don’t lie to me, babe,” he growled. “I had a Hell Week nightmare lined up last night and you weren’t in your bed when we dragged all the freshmen out.”

His eyes flipped over me then settled on my hair. He shot forward, gathering me into his chest and pressing his nose into it. “Mmm I could start up a whole bracelet store with all of this.”

“Get off my hair!” A vine shot from my hand and slammed him into the door, wrapping around his neck. He was still goddamn smiling even when it started choking him and I smiled at the power I’d conjured against him. He severed it with a sharp whip of air, that dark grin of his growing wider.

“Calm down, babe, your Alpha’s just checking in on you.” He stalked closer again. “I always like to know who my pack members are screwing. But it’s usually easier to keep tabs on that as they’re either screwing me or each other.”

“I’m not screwing anyone.” I folded my arms, giving him a firm stare and his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“Then where were you last night?”

“I was at Tory’s.”

“Liar liar panties on fire,” he purred. “Darius told Caleb that she was with him and Caleb came to me ready to combust.”

She was with Darius? Why?

“Yeah, she was,” I said coolly, trying to cover my ass. “When she went to meet Darius I fell asleep at her place. I got back here an hour ago.”

Seth ran his tongue across his teeth. “Alright, babe. Keep your secrets. If you want your needs met by a real man though, you know you can come to me. Caleb and Tory have a good thing going, we could have the same…” He stepped closer and I folded my arms.

“No thanks. I can meet my own needs.”

“Hm, I’d like to see that some time.” His eyes dragged down to my bare legs then back up to my eyes. “So my pack are still shunning me. Do you wanna come on a run with me again tonight?” He raised his brows, looking genuinely hopeful.

“No, Seth. You said you had to initiate me so you could kick me out. So get on with it.”

“I’m working on it, little Omega. Or maybe I should call you little O-Vega.” He chuckled and I gave him a blank stare. “Come on, I know you’re tempted. Riding me is fun, isn’t it?”

“Why don’t you go bother your girlfriend with your innuendos? You know Kylie actually cares about you, right?”

Seth nodded, hanging his head. “I get separation anxiety.” He started pacing. “Breakups are hard for wolves, especially for Alphas. I have to keep my options open until I find my mate. It’s our nature, the best way to spread the gene pool, you know?”

“Surely you’re not going to have kids with Kylie?” I said in disbelief.

“I know that, but my Alpha brain doesn’t know that.” He continued pacing, looking to me, whimpering as he went.

“Well it’s not my business, but I don’t think it’s fair for you to keep her on the hook all the time.”

“Are you jealous?” he asked hopefully and I snorted.

“No. Like really no.”

“Oh.” He sighed, resting back against the door. “So…do you wanna hang out for a bit?”

“No,” I breathed in confusion. “Of course I don’t.”

“Right yeah…” He frowned, hanging his head and a whine sounded deep in his throat. “How about a hug then?”

“What part of ‘I hate you’ do you not get? You cut off my hair, Seth. And you knew what it meant to me when you did it.” For a moment I was back there at Seth’s feet, my hair clamped in his hand and my heart crumbling apart.

He nodded, his jaw tightening as he lifted his head. His eyes were as sharp as knives as they landed on me. “You don’t know what it’s like being one of us. I mean you really have no idea. A handful of hair is nothing for the sake of my throne, Darcy. Losing it would be the end of me.”

“But you didn’t just take my hair, you made me believe you liked me.” I walked toward him, my shoulders quivering with rage as I closed the space between us. “You lied to my face, you tricked me into believing you were my friend. And maybe more than that.”

He straightened as I got even closer, intending to try and make him leave even if I wasn’t as well trained as him.

Flames flickered in my palms and he kicked off of the door, gazing down his perfectly straight nose at me with a penetrating look. “And what if I meant it? What if that part wasn’t a game?”

My lips parted and I shook my head, refusing those words, but he caught my hand and tangled his fingers between mine.

“No.” I yanked my hand back, trembling as I pointed at the door. “Get out.”

He drew in a slow breath through his nose then turned and headed out of the door. A low howl filled the corridor which sent a ripple of discomfort through me.

Lying jerk.

Even if it was true I was minus five thousand percent interested. There was only one guy I wanted and he was of the bitey teacher variety.

I shot a text to Tory, checking in to make sure she was alright after her night with Darius. It wasn’t long before our Air Trial started and I hoped she was ready for it. A yawn fought its way out of my throat and I wondered if I was ready for it.

She finally replied and I relaxed as I read her text.

Tory:

I’m okay. Raced Darius on his bikes. I won.

Darcy:

Woo! Do you wanna get breakfast and tell me about it?

Tory:

It’s so early.

Darcy:

It’s nearly 9!

Tory:

Shhhhhhhhh.

I laughed, heading into the bathroom to get ready for the day, unsure what to wear. As we didn’t have lessons and I didn’t know what was required for the trial, I dressed in jeans, boots and a vest, tugging on a cream cardigan over the top. I stuffed my Atlas in my pocket, grabbed my coat and headed out of the door.

I hurried downstairs and into the cool air which was gusting around but the depths of the storm had moved on. Leaves tumbled around me, some of them still green, torn from their branches in the night.

I headed to The Orb, growing more nervous with every step I took. What if Orion’s there?

I wanted to see him, but I was also slightly terrified of pretending last night hadn’t happened. It meant so much to me that it made me kind of sad that I couldn’t talk to anyone about it. And that led me to worrying about what the future held. Because how could this go on? Surely at some point we’d have to stop…

I’m just not going to think about it.

I stepped through the door, making a path for the large table full of A.S.S members, my eyes whipping to where the faculty usually sat. Orion was rarely ever at breakfast, so I didn’t know why I expected him to be there today. My shoulders dropped a little when I didn’t spot him and I headed over to sit between Sofia and Diego at the table. I didn’t know if I was relieved or disappointed. Maybe a bit of both.

“Woah,” Sofia gasped as she looked at me.

“What?” I whipped a bagel from a mountain in front of Geraldine.

“Babbling blueberries!” Geraldine exclaimed and I laughed, realising what the fuss was about.

“Oh yeah, I dyed it.” I shook my head and my hair shimmered in my periphery.

“It’s amazing,” Sofia cooed.

“Fantastico,” Diego agreed.

Geraldine wound her hands into her brown locks, eyeing my hair with delight. “Do you think my hair would agree with such an astounding colour?”

“I prefer red.” Max appeared behind her, leaning forward and snatching a bagel from the mountain at the heart of the table.

Geraldine smacked his hand so hard, he dropped it back into the pile and he turned to glare at her.

My tongue grew heavier and magic tingled in my palms, but Geraldine was more than a match for Max Rigel. She was a force to be reckoned with on the Pitball pitch let alone what I imagined she could do when faced with a real fight.

She rose to her feet as Max stood back with a sneer, sizing her up.

Geraldine was eye to eye with him, almost the exact same height. “Your unroyal mits aren’t fit to touch my buttery bagels,” she hissed and it would have been funny if Max didn’t look like he was about to rip her to shreds.

“Everything in that buffet belongs to me if I want it, Grus,” he snarled. “Even your buttery bagels.”

“Well we’ll see about that.” She rolled up her sleeves and hoots and whistles sounded out as the rest of the students in The Orb realised a fight was about to break out.

“Are you sure about this, Geraldine?” Diego asked, looking anxious.

“Oh I’m as sure as a sugar loaf on a Tuesday morning, Diego,” Geraldine said, lifting her chin.

“I guess that’s sure,” Sofia whispered to him and I couldn’t fight a giggle.

“Take him out,” Angelica encouraged, clapping excitedly.

The other Heirs appeared, muscling their way to the front of the crowd that had formed around Geraldine and Max.

Darius cocked his head to one side, evidently not having expected to find his friend facing off against Geraldine Grus. My gut tugged at the memory of him coming to Orion’s house last night. What the hell had he wanted at two in the morning? I wondered if their bond with each other drew them together like that regularly, or if there had been another reason for him showing up there. It was extra annoying that I couldn’t discuss it with Tory.

Seth rested his hand on Caleb’s shoulder, bouncing on his heels and howling keenly.

“Show her who’s boss, bro,” Caleb said with a wide grin as Max and Geraldine squared up to each other.

Anxiety bubbled inside me as Max threw out his hands and water shot into the air in a stream, twisting up and around Geraldine to attack her from behind. She blocked it with a fierce slab of earth conjured from nothing then slammed her palm into the air, casting a splash of mud at his face. He whipped out a hand, blocking it with a shield of air and throwing the dirt back at her. She darted sideways and it slapped into the face of Milton Hubert amongst the crowd. He sighed heavily, wiping it from his cheeks with a disheartened expression.

I snorted a laugh as everyone started backing up and casting shields to protect themselves from rogue magic. Geraldine twisted through the air with grace, landing confidently and casting water beneath Max’s feet. He ran through the puddle, looking like he was about to tackle her to the ground, but she froze it in an instant and he slipped and skidded, slamming to his knees with a curse.

“Vega Ass-licker!” he barked, using air to propel himself back to his feet.

“Griffin turd bather!” she shouted back and laughter rang out through The Orb which I was definitely joining in with.

Max threw a forceful vortex at her and she was caught up in it, spinning wildly around in circles. She cast water into the surrounding wind so it shot out from the tornado in a ferocious stream.

I gasped as water sprayed over everyone within range, wiping the splashes from my cheeks. Max increased the pressure of the wind, dumping her hard on the floor. She growled, whipping his legs out from under him with a shot of water.

He slammed down onto his back and she sprang forward with a battle cry, straddling him and pressing her weight down on his chest like they were in a Pitball match. He gazed up at her in shock as someone started counting down. “Five, four, three-!”

Max clutched her bare forearms and Geraldine drew in a sharp breath as his Siren gifts fell over her.

“Get off her!” Diego shouted, but didn’t move to intervene.

My stomach writhed as Geraldine’s eyes softened and her hands lifted from Max’s chest, moving to caress his cheek instead.

“Slippery melons,” she breathed. “You are a bad, bad beast, aren’t you?”

Max shoved her off of him and rose to his feet, gazing down at her with a triumphant grin. Geraldine gazed up at him in confusion as the lust wore off. I frowned, annoyed on her behalf as Max kicked the puddle at his feet so it splashed over her. He leaned down as her features rearranged into a grimace.

“Yeah I’m real bad, peaches. Better not piss me off again, huh?” He stood upright, moving to the table and snatching a few bagels before moving off to join the Heirs at their couch.

Tory appeared, pushing through the dispersing crowd and dropping down beside me. “Shit did you just fight Max, Geraldine?” she asked and Geraldine nodded, her pride clearly wounded as she snatched up a bagel and took a ferocious bite out of it.

“Ooh that boy is six feet of rancid crustacean juice on a hot summer’s day. What I’d give to see him fall from grace.” Geraldine shot a glare over at the couch of Heirs, her eyes pinned on Max.

“Maybe we can do something,” I said and Tory perked up as she sipped on a cup of coffee an Ass member had handed her.

“Like what?” she asked excitedly and Geraldine leaned in closer.

I bit my lip, gazing across the table to see what we had to work with, an idea coming together. I grabbed an empty bowl and lowered my voice. “Everyone pass me your scraps.”

Geraldine scraped the last of her oatmeal into the bowl with a wide smile. “What are we making?”

“Griffin poo,” I breathed and Tory giggled, splashing some of her coffee into the mix. Sofia sprinkled the remains of her pastry into the bowl and Diego added the last of his eggs with a low chuckle.

 The rest of the A.S.S started surreptitiously passing down the remains of their breakfasts and I stirred in pieces of pancakes, croissants and various cereals. Finally, I grabbed the chocolate sauce and Tory grabbed the maple syrup from the centre of the table and we squeezed in a load before mixing it into a thick, brown gloop that I could barely extract the spoon from.

“How are we going to dump it on him?” Tory whispered with a grin, glancing over at the Heirs who were surrounded by a group of girls who giggled at everything they said.

“Umm…” I tried to think of a way and Geraldine slapped her hand on the table.

“If you are willing, Your Highnesses, then I would simply love the opportunity to volunteer. I can use my water magic to ensure this wonderful concoction finds its way to his head.”

“Of course,” I said, bobbing in my seat.

“Do it,” Tory encouraged.

“I’ll make everyone look away,” Sofia whispered, concentrating as she cast the spell to draw everyone’s attention off of us.

Geraldine poured the gloopy mixture onto the table, holding her hand over it and water slid into the liquid from her palm. She wiggled her fingers and the sludge moved like a slug under her will, crawling forward across the table.

“Oh my god gross,” I giggled.

“If I could use a little of your air magic to elevate it to the ceiling, Your Highnesses?” Geraldine asked with glee in her eyes.

I took Tory’s hand, knowing we could cast more accurately with our combined power and we focused on pushing air beneath the mixture. It peeled off the table with a schhhuuck sound then we propelled it toward the domed ceiling where it immediately got stuck. A laugh bubbled from my throat as we dispelled our air magic and the gloop remained stuck there.

“Get rid of the distraction spell, Sofia. We can’t risk them sensing it,” Geraldine encouraged. “Everyone act naturally.”

The whole table fell into casual chatter around us and I leaned my elbow on the arm of my chair, fiddling with a spoon as Sofia’s magic lifted away from us.

“Oh my god you are so funny,” a blonde girl said to Max and he grinned from his seat beside Seth. “How’d you get so funny?”

“I practice in my bedroom,” Max smirked. “You should come watch sometime.”

I couldn’t fight a glance up at the ceiling and a laugh battled to get free from my lungs as I saw the sludge slithering across the ceiling as Geraldine pressed her power into it. It wormed its way closer and closer to the Heirs’ couch and I could barely contain my excitement as it drew to a halt above Max’s head.

Geraldine’s fingers curled into a fist as she stopped casting magic and anticipation rippled across the table as everyone waited for it to unstick itself from the ceiling.

Max leaned back in his seat, reaching a hand behind his head as he grinned cockily at the girl before him. “Maybe we should head to my room right now in fact.”

“Right now?” she breathed, twirling a lock of hair between her fingers.

A spot of the sludge dripped down onto his face and he flinched, wiping it from his cheek with a frown. “What the-“

SPLAT.

Syrupy chocolate gloop exploded all over him, splashing Seth too and making him yelp as he lurched away. The girl he’d been talking to screamed and ran away with her friends.

“AH!” Max shouted, jumping to his feet followed by the rest of the Heirs who looked ready to take on everyone in The Orb. Brown muck slid down his face and Seth pawed at him to try and wipe it away. 

“Who the fuck did this?!” Max bellowed, dislodging bits of food and sending them flying around him.

Laughter roared through the room and I lost control, leaning against Tory as tears swam in my eyes.

“Oh my god it’s Griffin shit!” someone shouted and Max whipped around, trying to locate them amongst the crowd.

“It’s not!” he roared, lifting a hand to cast water to wash it off but there was so much syrup in it, he had trouble getting it off. “It’s not Griffin shit!”

Seth wiped some off of his shirt, lifting it to his mouth and licking it. “It’s chocolate.”

“Oh my god, Seth Capella is eating shit!” Tyler shouted and Seth looked up with a bark of anger as people started taking pictures and echoing what Tyler had said.

“For fuck’s sake, let’s go,” Caleb snapped, taking hold of Seth’s arm and Darius moved forward, pushing Max along. They hurried out of The Orb while Max threatened to kill anyone who took a picture of him and Tory and I fell apart.

***

I headed down to Air Cove with Diego and Tory, nerves rushing through me as we arrived at the beach with the other air Elemental freshmen. The fun we’d had in The Orb had given way to anxiety now we were faced with our first trial.

A set of bleachers had been set up further along the sand and the freshmen ran to meet their parents who had come to watch. As more and more students were wrapped up in the arms of their mothers and fathers, my heart filled with a long-forgotten ache. Tory and I were soon left with Diego, waiting awkwardly for the hugging to stop.

Diego shuffled in the sand, glancing hopefully toward the seats and a minute later a tall man appeared with short dark curls and a thin moustache. His suit was a murky brown colour and he wore a thick red woolen scarf against the chill. He had a frown on his face and the lines around his mouth said it was a life-long expression as he jerked his head to beckon Diego over.

“That’s my uncle Alejandro,” Diego said to us with a nervous smile then hurried away to greet him.

“Looks friendly,” Tory muttered.

Alejandro patted Diego awkwardly on the shoulder then folded his arms and remained silent as Diego spoke to him.

“What’s with that family and fugly knitwear?” Tory said under her breath and I started laughing.

“Don’t let Diego hear you say that, I think he’d sacrifice a goat for his hat,” I teased and she grinned like I’d just dared her to do it.

I dug my feet into the sand as we stood there waiting and turned my gaze to the sea to try and figure out what this trial might involve. Clouds had drawn in and the water was choppy and grey beneath it. I could just make out a wide wooden platform bobbing on the surface far out to sea.

A table was set up in front of the bleachers where Professor Perseus and Principal Nova were sitting. The wind didn’t seem to tug at their clothes or hair and I assumed a shield was cast around them as they chatted lightly, unaffected by the cold weather.

“Daddy!” Kylie shrieked as she appeared on the beach, bounding past us before being drawn into the arms of a handsome man with dark blonde hair and deep green eyes. I looked for her mother but didn’t see anyone nearby who fit the bill and Kylie didn’t look for anyone else when she detached herself from her father’s arms.

“Don’t drown today, little Vegas,” Max’s voice hit my ears and I turned in alarm, spotting the four Heirs moving toward us with their fan club in tow. He was entirely clean and I realised all of them had changed their clothes as if in solidarity. Nothing about Max’s expression hinted at what had happened to him, but rage seeped from him in waves. “We’ll be watching.”

“Yeah don’t go dropping out of the Academy and doing us all a favour or anything,” Darius taunted, but his tone was kind of hollow as his eyes slid to the crowd. He nudged Seth beside him. “Great. They’re all gonna want autographs.”

Caleb’s gaze pinned on Tory and she bit her lip, looking uncomfortable as he walked towards her.

“Is your Atlas broken, sweetheart?” he asked, a slight frown pulling at his handsome features.

“Nope,” she replied casually though I could tell she was putting it on. “Why?”

“I sent you a few messages and you don’t seem to have replied. And then I find out you’re off chasing around after one of my friends all night. So what am I supposed to make of that?”

Darius was smirking behind Caleb’s back and Max shifted uncomfortably, folding his arms as Seth whimpered.

Tory’s gaze hardened as all of them looked at her and I almost winced in preparation of her response. If Caleb expected her to apologise he was about to be severely disappointed because my sister never let guys back her into a corner and I could see her temper flaring as he tried.

“Honestly?” Tory asked, cocking an eyebrow at him. “I don’t tend to date guys who are so needy they send me fifteen messages without a response. So if you’re hoping for me to message you back you might wanna tone back the desperate vibe I’m getting. And secondly, I’m not your girlfriend so I don’t have to check with you about where I spend my evenings or who I spend them with.”

Caleb scowled at her, his fangs snapping out as he lurched towards her, clearly intending to bite. Tory stepped back but he jerked to a halt as Darius caught his arm, a low growl sounding from him as he did.

“If you bite her right before her trial then people will say you were trying to sabotage her by draining her magic,” Darius hissed. “It’ll make it look like we’re worried about them passing The Reckoning.”

Caleb opened his mouth to respond but Max got there first. “He’s right, Cal, just leave it.”

“Why don’t we go and watch from down there?” Seth pointed to the other end of the beach, throwing a glance at Kylie and her dad. “Let’s avoid all the bullshit.”

“Yeah I’m sure you’ve had enough shit for one day,” I said airily and Seth glared at me in fury.

“Sethy!” Kylie suddenly spotted him. “Come say hi!”

“Hi Kylie!” he waved enthusiastically.

“Come on over!” she beckoned him.

“What? Can’t hear you! Good luck!” Seth headed in the opposite direction, tossing an arm around Caleb to make sure he followed and the others walked after him, shoulder to shoulder. Their friends trailed behind them and I spotted more and more of their groupies pouring onto the beach including Marguerite dressed in full cheerleader uniform with the squad behind her.

“I didn’t realise other students could come and watch,” I muttered to Tory. “We could have asked Sofia along.”

“Well she’s probably better off not being stuck on a beach with that bunch of dickwads,” Tory reasoned.

“Tory, Darcy, would you like to come and meet my uncle?” Diego called and I was glad of the distraction as we headed over.

He stood awkwardly beside the man in question who looked like he was attending a funeral rather than his nephew’s school assessment.

“Good day, my name is Alejandro Calabozo,” he said in a faint spanish accent, his pebble grey eyes moving between us curiously. 

“Nice scarf,” Tory said overenthusiastically and it took everything I had not to start laughing.

Alejandro stroked it proudly. “Mi madre knitted it for me.”

“Oh, Diego’s abuela?” I guessed and Diego’s eyes narrowed on us.

“Si, rest her soul.” Alejandro kissed his fingers and pointed them to the sky. “She’s with the stars now. But at least she isn’t around today to be disappointed by her grandson.” His lips tightened.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t be disappointed,” I said, but Alejandro didn’t acknowledge that comment.

“So my nephew says you’re friends. How much did he pay you to say that? I’ll be sure to reimburse you.”

“Uncle,” Diego grumbled.

“Of course he didn’t pay us,” I laughed, but apparently Alejandro hadn’t been joking as he fished out his wallet and starting to count out auras.

“No really, dude,” Tory refused. “He’s our friend.”

Alejandro’s expression barely changed apart from the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. “Well, what wonderful news,” he said hollowly. “Diego has finally done something worthwhile with his miserable existence.”

“Being friends with us isn’t really an achievement,” I said, trying to fight Diego’s corner, but I realised how it sounded a second too late.

“No, you’re right. It isn’t,” Alejandro sighed then clapped Diego around the back of the head. “Are you going to disappoint your parents today? You know I’m only here to pass on the message of whether you pass or fail. I really didn’t want to waste an afternoon, but your mother insisted so here we are.”

Diego hung his head. “Is she mad?”

“Seething,” he enunciated every letter.

“Why? He hasn’t even done the trial yet,” Tory said in disbelief.

“She’s mad because I’ve been having trouble casting my magic,” Diego said quickly. “I write to her every week to update her.”

I glanced at Tory, feeling a little unsure of what to say. 

“She wanted me to tell you that you don’t have a room to come home to if you fail today,” Alejandro said and my jaw fell slack. “Have you grasped any basic spells yet or are my expectations rightfully low?”

“I have. And I won’t fail,” Diego growled, his shoulders stiffening and his eyes filling with determination.

“That’s right, you won’t,” I said firmly and he gave me a small smile.

“Air students – please make your way into the tents to change!” Nova commanded, pointing beyond the bleachers where two tents were set up for guys and girls.

The fifty or so air freshmen headed down the sandy beach toward the tents and I walked away from Diego’s cold uncle with Tory, hearing Alejandro laying into him in Spanish before he could follow.

“I’m starting to think having no parents is a good thing in Solaria,” Tory said, though as my eyes trailed over the many proud faces in the stands, I wondered if that was entirely true.

For a delusional moment, I pictured our mother and father up there, conjuring an image of them with our dark hair and deeply bronzed skin, calling our names as we headed into the trial. A bitter kind of sigh left me then I pushed the vision away and headed into the female tent with my sister. Sometimes it was better not to indulge in impossible dreams. And at least we had each other.

A pile of wetsuits were laid out in different sizes on a wooden bench and Tory scooped up two smalls for us before we moved into a corner to change. I folded my clothes as I stripped down and tugged on the wetsuit. Tory pulled up the long zip at the back for me and I gazed down at the tight-fitting suit with a frown. “I thought this was an air challenge.”

“Looks like we’re going in the sea though,” Tory said with a visible shiver. “I’m already cold and I freaking hate the water.”

“Will you be alright?” I asked with concern and she nodded firmly as I did up the back of her suit too.

“Max Rigel taught me that air bubble thing. I’ll be fine.”

I nodded, hoping that was true. “I wish I could do that hot air thing.” I lifted my hand, drawing air to my fingers and trying to warm it but the magic only switched sharply to a roaring flame instead.

“Bit late to practice now,” Tory laughed. “You’ll set your suit on fire first.”

“Yep, guess we’re gonna get cold and wet then,” I conceded, moving to follow the other girls as we headed back onto the beach barefoot.

The boys were already waiting in front of the judges’ table and the girls grouped around them as we looked to the teachers for direction.

“Right,” Nova said brightly. “We’re just waiting for our final judge and we’ll get started,” She glanced up to the end of the beach with a frustrated look and I suddenly had a pretty good idea who we were waiting for.

My heart did something weird as I continually glanced at the path leading down the cliff, expecting to see Orion at any moment.

Nova checked her watch, shaking her head in annoyance before tapping something on her Atlas which I suspected was a message to hurry him up.

“You alright? You look kind of pale,” Tory asked.

“Just nerves,” I said. Which was true, but now my nerves had escalated to fidgeting hands and major dry mouth. The breeze pressed in around us as we waited and everyone grew impatient.

“Here he is, Professor Gives No Shits himself,” Tory announced and I bit into my lip as Orion strode across the sand at a pace that suggested he wasn’t late, maybe even early.

He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt looking decidedly casual, but the second he drew near he tugged his shirt over his head and my eyes arrowed in on his chest. My throat closed up as I took in all of those hard muscles which had been firmly pressed against my naked body not that long ago. What the hell is he doing?

“Get up then Perseus, wouldn’t wanna start late, would we?” he shot at the Air Elemental Professor with a smirk.

Professor Perseus got to his feet, looking a little flustered as he hurried over to join him. Orion kicked off his shoes and proceeded to unbuckle his pants, giving the whole audience a show.

What the crap is happening?

I glanced around and found most of the girls and several of the boys outright staring at him, waking a feral creature in my chest that growled mine.

I shook off the strange feeling with a frown. I was so not a possessive person but something purely animal awoke in me when I was around Orion. And I was kind of afraid of the certainty with which she wanted him. I’d struggled with my trust issues for a long time, but he’d slipped through my defenses like they didn’t even exist. We’d power shared in the battle without a moment’s hesitation and I’d only realised how impossible that was to do with anyone other than my sister after trying to do it with Caleb in Fire Elemental class. 

Perseus pulled his own shirt off followed by his trousers, giving a show of his body which was surprisingly toned. I only had eyes for Orion though as he stepped out of his pants and socks, then walked straight into the sea like a goddamn backwards bond moment.

“Fuck me…that body,” Tory whispered, watching him and a small laugh escaped me.

Dammit, I wish I could tell her about last night.

Perseus headed out after Orion until the two of them were up to their waists in the sea about twenty feet apart.

Nova rose from her chair, looking stern. “Right, you will all have one hour to make it to that platform out there.” She pointed far out to sea. “It’s a three hundred foot stretch over very deep water. You must only use air magic to get there, but you can do so in any form you please, and you must not get wet once you pass the starting line.” She lifted her hand and a glowing green line appeared in the sea just ahead of Orion and Perseus.

“Will we fail if we do?” Kylie balked like that seemed impossible and I had to agree with her.

“Of course not.” Nova clucked her tongue. “If you touch the water on your way out there, Professor Orion or Professor Perseus will bring you back to the starting line where you will try again. If you cannot make it to the platform before the time is up, you will fail the exam. You may work together or alone, it’s entirely up to you. And if you do make it to the platform, you will be graded by both myself and the other professors based on your skill, how many failures you had and how long it took for you to make it there. Any questions?”

“What happens if we use magic that isn’t air?” Kylie asked as pink petals danced in her hand.

“You will be disqualified,” Nova said firmly and Kylie quickly dropped the petals to the ground.

“Is there a water Elemental here who’s going to warm up the sea?” Diego asked, looking genuinely hopeful of that and Nova threw back her head on a laugh.

“Okay. Question time is over.” She raised her hands and a huge timer burst from her palms, travelling up high above the water and showing sixty minutes on the clock. It glowed red just like the Pitball timer and I marvelled at the magic for a moment before setting my eye on the horizon.

“Line up at the sea’s edge!” Nova commanded and the parents behind us started cheering excitedly. I was sharply reminded that no one here was cheering for us and dug deep to summon my courage. 

We’ll cheer for our damn selves.

Tory and I hurried along the shore to the furthest end of the line. “We’re doing this with each other, right?” she asked.

“Of course,” I said then frowned as she eyed the water. “Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?”

She nodded firmly. “We’ll get through this together.”

“Together,” I echoed, pulling her into a quick hug before facing the sea again.

“Any ideas how though?” she breathed, but a whistle blared in my ears and the clock started running down.

Students poured into the sea and we ran forward too. The second the waves splashed up my legs, I winced as the cold water sank into my wet suit, chilling me instantly. We hurried out toward the starting line and I shot a glance at other students as they drew to a halt in front of it too. Goosebumps spread out across my flesh and I clenched my teeth as I tried to focus.

“Let’s just try to fly over there,” Tory suggested, raising her hands above the sloshing waves.

A shriek caught my attention and I spotted Kylie casting herself haphazardly into the air. She lost control and immediately sank under the waves on the other side of the line. Perseus lifted a hand, ripping her backwards through the sea and depositing her at the starting line again. She spluttered, pushing her golden hair out of her face with a grimace.

Several more students made their attempts and I turned to Tory, focusing on our own plan.

“Okay let’s do it,” I said.

We both cast air from our hands, pushing ourselves out of the water to hover above the sea. I angled my palms to try and float forward and grinned as I managed it, moving slowly over the start line. Tory went up way higher than me and I glanced up at her as water streamed from her feet all over my head.

“Go on Tor!” I cried, pushing more air beneath me. 

I spotted Diego being yanked out of the water by a whip of wind and thrown back beyond the starting line at high speed, his arms and legs cartwheeling as he hit the waves and sank under.

Several other students were trying out our tactic, but others were casting small pockets of air, hopping from one to another as they progressed toward the platform.

I pushed the wind from my hands and too much energy rushed from me at once. I cried out as I shot sideways. The second I panicked, I was done for. I lost control and sucked in a breath at the last moment as I crashed into the water beneath me.

Icy salt water assaulted my senses and I kicked hard to breach the surface. A tight coil wrapped around my middle and I jerked backwards violently as I was yanked out of the water by the whip of air.

I flew backwards above the sea and my stomach swooped violently as I was dropped unceremoniously back over the starting line. Someone’s arm curled around my waist, dragging me upright and I found myself face to chest with Orion. My hand was pressed to his bicep and I immediately withdrew, cursing my racing heart.

I gave him the hint of a smile then turned and ran back to the starting line just in time to see Tory being dumped into the water beside me. She came up spluttering, shaking her head violently and a stream of curses left her lips as she blinked the salt water from her eyes.

Screams filled the air as students were dragged out of the water left right and centre, but a few had made it almost half way to the platform and determination filled me as Tory and I moved closer to the glowing green belt of magic.

Adrenaline started to keep the cold at bay and I set my eyes on the platform with my jaw clenched. The crowd was cheering behind me and someone got overly excited as a girl far out to sea almost reached the platform. She started running across the air she’d cast beneath her, but suddenly stumbled, her arms wheeling, her scream carrying back to us. She plummeted into the ocean and Perseus tore her from the water, dragging her all the way back to the starting line at a ferocious speed. A huge splash crashed over us as she was dropped beside us then came up for air with a huge breath. My eyes widened as I realised it was Jillian.

She huffed, moving back to the line to start again and Tory grabbed my hand, her power flowing into mine.

“We’re stronger together,” she said and I nodded, my heart dancing at the feeling of our magic merging.

“Cast air beneath us and run like hell?” I suggested and she grinned.

“Worth a shot.”

With our free hands, we pushed ourselves out of the water with a blast of air, hovering a foot above the surface. I clutched her hand tighter and she squeezed my fingers in reassurance.

“Ready?” she asked.

Before I could answer, a howl hit my ears followed by a chant from the Heirs. “The Vega Twins are out of luck, it’s time for you to give it up!”

“Shitbags,” Tory growled as the crowd of their friends took up the chant so it echoed off of the cliff walls. Even some of the parents joined in.

“Let’s show them what we can do,” I hissed and Tory nodded.

We glided forward across the starting line then Tory counted, “Three, two, one-”

We continued to cast air beneath our feet and started running, sprinting for the platform out to sea. We moved faster and faster, the shield beneath us growing almost solid as we raced along it in perfect time with one another.

The chant grew deafeningly loud, following us over the water so we couldn’t possibly escape it. “THE VEGA TWINS ARE OUT OF LUCK, IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO GIVE IT UP!”

I tried to focus on the magic at my fingertips, forcing it beneath our bare feet as we pushed ourselves even faster. The platform was in sight and no other students were even close. Cheers and boos tangled in the air as we got nearer and nearer to finishing this trial before anyone else.

“No one wants you to win, losers!” Max’s voice rose above the crowd followed by another of Seth’s piercing howls.

“I guess losing is in your blood, Roxy!” Darius called and I felt her concentration falter a little.

“Don’t listen,” I panted, trying to block them out and Tory nodded.

“Whoever you were screwing last night is having hashtag regrets right about now, Darcy!” Seth bellowed.

My blood turned to ice. Tory glanced at me and the air gave way beneath us the moment we lost concentration. We plunged into the ocean just ten feet from the platform and the icy water enveloped us once more. I was barely under for a second before magic snared my waist and I was ripped backwards through the waves. A scream got stuck in my throat as I ascended from the sea, flying through the air and crashing into the water in front of the starting line. I coughed heavily as I tried to force the briny water from my throat, staggering as I found my bearings. My hand pressed to firm, warm skin and I looked up, finding Orion right next to me.

His jaw was tight and I gave him a look that I hoped communicated the fact Seth was just baiting me and didn’t really know anything.

“Focus,” he growled, pushing me back toward the starting line.

I stumbled toward Tory as she slogged away from Perseus with a scowl.

Diego suddenly crashed into the water between us, rising to his feet with a desperate look on his face. “I’m not gonna get through this,” he panted, pushing his sopping wet hair out of his eyes.

“You will,” I said firmly, looking to Tory. She shook her head as she realised what I was about to offer, then stopped the second Diego glanced over his shoulder at her.

“We’ll do it together,” I said and Tory gave him a tight smile.

“Yeah, Diego,” she said, prodding him toward the starting line. “Together.” She threw me a concerned look and I couldn’t help but return it as I hoped Diego wouldn’t hinder us. We couldn’t hesitate any longer though; the timer was already halfway down. At least no one else had made it to the platform yet so we weren’t the only ones struggling.

“The Vega girls are super lame, go ahead, renounce your claim!”

I turned, spotting Marguerite heading a line of cheerleaders in navy and silver, waving their pom poms at us. They all flipped backwards in the sand, bending over one at a time to reveal the phrase ‘Vega Whores’  spelled out across their asses on their white underwear.

“Screw them.” I turned to face the sea, gathering air between my fingertips.

“How about a shield?” I suggested and Tory nodded.

“Yeah, maybe we can use it like an inflatable ball,” she mused.

“I missed the class on shields, chicas,” Diego said sadly, hanging his head.

“We’ll help,” I said immediately and Tory nodded. Her gaze drifted back to our enemies on the beach then she moved closer and rested her hand on Diego’s arm.

“Just stay close,” she said firmly.

“Okay, if you’re sure?” he asked and we nodded. We couldn’t just leave him here to fail. He was our friend.

Tory and I caught hold of his hands and we cast air at the same time. Diego helped but our combined magic was obviously doing the heavy lifting as we rose above the water once more. A tumult of cheers fell over us and I gazed out to the platform where several students were stepping onto it. Jealousy hit me as I took in the line up. I was fairly sure Kylie Major and her friend Jillian were amongst them.

“Come on, let’s finish this,” Tory growled, casting a firm shield around us.

“Vega whores are such a bore!” Marguerite led the next chant, but this one only fuelled my determination. “The boys they screw don’t come for more!”

I pushed my magic out to join my sister’s and the wind halted as we created a solid sphere around us. The noise around us dimmed so we could barely hear the chanting over the intensity of our shield.

“Three,” I breathed excitedly.

“Two,” Diego said.

“One!” Tory cried and we charged forward, making the shield spin around us like we were in a solid ball. I whooped as we all fell into a rhythm, moving in perfect synchronization as we raced for the finish line.

“Keep going!” I encouraged and we picked up speed, moving across the sea with complete ease.

We made it over the water so fast that I was shocked when we suddenly rolled onto the platform. We dissolved the magic and dove on each other in a three-way hug, bouncing up and down in excitement.

The timer still had twenty minutes left on it and I beamed as pride swelled in my chest. We’d made it through the first trial.

“We did it!” Tory cheered and Diego looked between us guiltily, but I didn’t acknowledge it. So what if he’d gotten a free ride? He deserved to be in this academy as much as we did.

We waited for the trial to end and soon thirty eight others joined us on the platform. When the timer went off, a horrible feeling scraped through my stomach. A girl just two feet from the finish line wailed in horror as she realised she hadn’t made it in time. She’d have a low score when it came to The Reckoning. My heart juddered as I looked to Tory, seeing the same feeling reflected in her eyes.

“We can’t fail any of these trials and risk not making the cut,” she said and I nodded seriously.

“We won’t, Tor. Zodiac is where we belong.”