Academy of Beasts I Read online

  “We’re only upset because we’re used to everything going according to plan,” someone said behind us. I turned to see Jasper with a strange cold look on his face. His serene face was marred by a flash of a wicked smirk, a secret inside joke that only he and the other boys knew. I fidgeted next to Theo. “Evening, everyone.”

  Dracus wasn’t one to be intimidated by the drama. He steamrolled ahead. “Good evening, Jasper. How was practice?”

  Jasper set down his violin case in the corner before taking the spot next to Enrique, who was smirking madly. “Repetitive as always.”

  “Ladies love a musician,” Enrique drawled. He caught my eye and winked. Desperate to concentrate on anyone else, I turned to look at Ren. He was looking right back at me with an icy glare. I wanted to run out of the room, but I couldn’t force myself to break away from his eyes. It was like looking at a blizzard.

  “Don’t be crude, Enrique,” Dracus said.

  Ren’s stare had completely frozen me. It didn’t seem like anyone, but he and I noticed. I couldn’t even swallow the fear in my throat.

  “I’m not being crude.” Enrique began to mimic drumming with his silverware onto the table. “I’m being honest. There’s a difference.”

  Ren was mouthing something at me.

  I don’t trust you.

  A distant sound rang out in my ears. A wolf crying into the night. I hissed as a sudden pain slammed into my head. I crumpled to the ground. Theo let out a cry as he flew to catch me. Strong arms encircled me.

  “What’s wrong?” Jasper said, perfectly composed.

  “She’s fainting. Probably looked at me too long.” Enrique, as pompous as he was handsome.

  “Ren, stop glaring and help me.” Theo, protective.

  “Don’t throw around insults. We are gentlemen.” Dracus, the prince.

  Someone moved closer to me, disrupting the warmth from Theo’s presence. Before I slipped from reality, I heard him lean in and whisper.

  “Don’t think that we’ll underestimate you, woman.”

  Ren, the distrustful loner.

  What kind of place had I been taken to?

  Adventures awaited me at Beast Academy.

  Chapter 5

  “Five minutes.”

  Someone brushed their cold hands against my forehead, and I sighed from the delightful feeling. A snicker arose next to me.

  A different voice: “Is she lucid now?”

  My eyes sprung open, and I saw Jasper seated next to me. He took back his hand. Behind him, Enrique leaned against the wall and watched.

  “She lives,” he announced with a slap on his knee. “Princess, you’re going to give us a heart attack.”

  “Don’t call me that,” I moaned as I tried to sit up. I was on a couch somewhere in a dimly lit room. “What was five minutes?”

  “If I call you princess then it pisses off Dracus. And I love that,” Enrique said and came to stoop beside Jasper. The fox-shifter grabbed a wet rag from a bowl on the table next to him. “Five minutes that you were unconscious.” Enrique glanced at Jasper. “Think she’s got brain damage?”

  I glared at him. “I’m right here.”

  “I don’t think so,” Jasper said with a half-smile. This guy.

  “Excellent.” Enrique clapped and stood up. “OK, I’ve got a date, folks. I’ll see you nerds later.” With that, he strode out of the room, leaving Jasper and me to stare after him.

  “I’m guessing that happens a lot?” I asked as Jasper handed me a wet washcloth. With a grateful look, I took it and placed it on my forehead.

  “His date attendance to class attendance ratio is wildly out of balance if that answers your question.” Jasper, who looked slightly less cold in this living room, stared at me. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m okay now,” I promised, feeling suddenly embarrassed. All I had done since I came to Beast Academy was sleep in beds like a half-haunted corpse. I blushed fiercely and tried to draw myself up straighter on the couch. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

  “You’re not a bother,” he replied and then his angelic face transformed as that dark smile came over his face. “You’re a threat. That’s why Ren is so hostile. He’s getting his ass handed to him by Dracus and Theo as we speak.” I gasped, and he shook his head with a laugh, adding, “Not literally. Dracus loves his lectures. If they do come to blows, he’ll let Theo duke it out with Ren since that big bear couldn’t hurt a fly if he tried.”

  “Why am I threat?” I asked him.

  He snorted. “Because you’ve come along to shake things up. That’s all. Don’t overthink it.” He drew himself back into his chair, shifting back into his saintly airs. Ren had been scary, but Jasper was almost scarier, I realized. I’d never seen someone shift this quickly between an angel and a devil.

  A tiny smirk came upon his lips. “You think I’m two-faced, right?”

  I flushed. “No. I—”

  He lifted a hand. “Don’t. It’s the point. I’m sure Theo has told you that I’m a fox-shifter.” He tapped his chest with an elegant movement, playing out some kind of beat in a few short seconds. “We’re experts at playing both sides of our coins. It’s our specialty.”

  “Oh,” I muttered and sank back against the couch. It was hard to consider that being devious was a compliment. “No, it’s just interesting. You look like an angel, but it feels like a devil is waiting right beneath the surface.”

  He stared for a moment and then let out a loud laugh, disrupting his entire calm demeanor. “You’re a funny one. Maybe that’s why Ren is disturbed.”

  “It’s hard to imagine someone being disturbed by me.”

  “You’re a late-bloomer shifter suddenly brought into the most powerful group of students at Beast Academy,” he countered with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t underestimate yourself.”

  A chill ran through me. That’d been along the lines of what Ren had whispered to me when I fainted. A knock sounded at the door, breaking through my thoughts.

  Theo ducked inside with his signature smile. “How ya’ feeling?”

  “Better,” I promised. My stomach chose at this moment to let out a ferocious growl. “A bit hungry.”

  “Ren’s run off, so we’re safe to eat,” Theo said. “Still hungry, Jasp?”

  Jasper nodded and helped me up from the couch. His elegant hands helped guide me towards the door, but I found my footing once again. As much as I hated to admit it, him touching me was less than helpful. His hand felt like fire on my skin, the opposite of Ren’s presence.

  When we entered, I saw Dracus pinching the bridge of his nose. Four immaculate dinners had been placed on the table. The dragon-shifter looked up from his place at the end of the table.

  “Fiona, I hope you’ll excuse our lone wolf’s behavior.” His voice was firm. It wasn’t so much as asking for an apology as much as demanding my understanding. I simply nodded, desperate to be seated and scarfing down food. I moved carefully, hyper-aware that Dracus’ handsome eyes were watching me.

  He wasn’t the only one watching me. Theo and Jasper, too. I could feel their hesitance. If Enrique had been here, it might’ve been better since he would’ve been obvious about it. The dinner was roasted chicken with rice and vegetables. Theo opened a bottle of white wine for the table and poured us all a glass.

  I couldn’t mess this up. I had nobody else in the world. Tears were close to flooding my eyes as I glanced at the table, full of delicious food and my glass of wine. At Beast Academy, I could survive and thrive until I figured out a plan for the future.

  “Tomorrow, I’ll show you around to most of your classes,” Theo announced proudly as the dinner wrapped up. “Jasper and Enrique will help with a few. None of us have any classes with the old man, though.”

  Dracus let out a controlled exhale. “Twenty-five is practically an infant for dragons.”

  “How old are you guys?” I asked, glancing towards Theo and Jasper. Theo puffed up his chest.

  “A ripe twenty.” r />
  “Twenty-one,” Jasper supplied coolly. I nodded. A man in a cooking uniform came out from behind a swinging door and collected our plates silently. I thanked him when he left, earning me three strange looks.

  “My mother used to say to always thank people when they do something for you,” I explained to them with a shrug.

  Dracus stared. “The thanks is implied. Besides, it’s an honor to serve us.” I felt a strong urge to roll my eyes but kept myself from doing so. Theo chuckled.

  “Dracus thinks everyone was born to serve him.”

  “A prince acts like a prince,” Jasper said. The corner of his mouth upturned as he stood. “Goodnight, everyone.”

  Finally, I was left with just Dracus and Theo. A reasonably safe bet, I wagered. I cleared my throat and said, “I understand that my arrival wasn’t planned. I’m sorry if it’s been inconvenient.” My eyes were on Dracus. “Did they tell you about what happened before I came?”

  “Theo and myself know,” he replied coolly. Theo winced. “I haven’t discussed with the others yet. Do you want us to share all of the information?”

  I hummed. “What’s all of it exactly?” His face was perfectly calm.

  “That your parents were murdered in cold blood, and your house was set ablaze. You were rescued just in time to be taken to the Academy.”

  “Geeeeeeeez, Dracus,” Theo groaned and shook his head. I held up my hand with a half-hearted smile.

  “It’s okay. I don’t want him to sugarcoat it.” I sucked in a deep breath. “You can tell the others if you feel it’s necessary.” Fatigue rolled over me like a thundercloud. “Thank you for the dinner tonight. I’m off to bed.”

  “Do you want me to walk you to your room?” Theo asked, half-standing from the table.

  “No, I need to talk to you,” Dracus said in a firm voice. “Fiona is a capable young woman.” I laughed and smiled in return. It was nice to know that at least I came off as capable despite everything. I left them to descend into hushed whispers when the door shut.

  At night, the manor was scarier. Small lamps on the tops of the wall slowly began to light up as I moved my way through the hallway. I wondered if they were magic. This house felt like it was breathing. I shivered and wished I’d brought a cardigan to dinner. In the entryway, everything was deadly silent. I made my way up the stairs quickly and darted down my hall. There was a weight on my backs. Eyes I couldn’t see looking at me? I bit my lip and hurried to my room.

  The door turned easily in my hand.

  I had locked it before dinner.

  I flipped the lights on, but there was nobody in the room. A low whistle caught my ear. The window was slightly askew. I frowned. I could’ve sworn that I locked the window and the door before I left. As I moved towards it, I also could’ve sworn that someone was watching me. I latched it well and glared at the innocent window.

  Maybe I’d forgotten.

  Or…

  Maybe one of my new beastly colleagues had decided to snoop around to make sure I wasn’t dangerous. I clicked my tongue, thinking of Ren sleeping peacefully on the tree outside my room earlier. If anyone had broken in, it might’ve been him.

  “Well, you didn’t find anything,” I said proudly to the empty room.

  No answer. Not that I expected one.

  I changed and climbed into bed, hoping for a peaceful day tomorrow on my first day.

  Chapter 6

  Core Council.

  A generic title for a strange band of young men. Boys, really.

  One of them was currently shoving his face into my neck.

  “You’re wearing L’amour #4?” Enrique asked me at breakfast. Before I could answer, he leaned in towards me, his nose nearly brushing my skin. Theo is seated next to me, and Dracus is at the end of the table. I’ve learned that this is Dracus’ “spot,” a veritable serving place for a throne at the dining table.

  “Don’t start,” Theo chided from beside me. His cheeks were turning a shade of pink, the same shade as the peach that he was currently biting into. Enrique smirked at his comrade as he pulled away from me.

  “I stocked your bathroom,” he announced proudly. “My girlfriends have excellent taste. They recommended everything that you have.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “They were fine with a strange girl coming to live with you and even suggested beauty products?” I couldn’t hold back the snort that came from my nose.

  “Enrique’s ladies know that he shares everything,” Theo said with a biting grin. “Including himself.”

  Enrique leaned back in his chair and threw his hands behind his head. “What can I say? I’m not one to deny my great company among our fine women at Beast Academy.” He grabbed his orange juice.

  “I hear shifter syphilis is a terrible thing to catch,” Theo said in a sing-song voice.

  “Children, the whole lot of you,” Dracus muttered. He picked up his black coffee and took off from the table through the kitchen. Enrique had said that the kitchen had a shortcut to Dracus’ office. What other reason would a prince march through servants’ quarters? The pompous tones of the shifter boys were making my head hurt.

  I wished Dracus would’ve taken me with him as Enrique launched a sweet bread roll at Theo’s skull. As they descended into their banter, I slipped out of the room and nearly tripped right into Jasper’s solid chest.

  “Everything ok?” he asked.

  “A chaotic breakfast,” I explained. “Are you going inside?”

  “No, I skip breakfast.” His violin case was by his side. “Do you want to walk to the castle together? I usually go earlier than the rest.”

  “Theo was supposed to show me my first class,” I said, “but an all-out bread war sounded like it was taking place behind the closed doors. He can catch up later.”

  “That was my eye!” came a muffled cry from behind the doors. I laughed as we made our way out of the manor. Even on the second day, the majesty of our manicured garden struck me. Jasper caught my look and smirked.

  “Dracus demands the best for the Core Council. You’ll find him doing walks throughout the gardens when he needs to think about something.”

  “I’ve seen Ren sleeping in the garden,” I informed him. He opened the green gate, and we were on the cobblestone path from yesterday that connected us to the castle.

  “Ren is a funny one,” he said.

  “Funny isn’t the word I would use.”

  “You may have more in common with him than you think.” He shrugged. “But that’s not my place.”

  I scowled, feeling a sudden irritation scratching at my chest. “Everyone speaks in riddles at this school.” He let out a barking laugh. No matter how much I look at him, laughs still sound strangely un-serene coming from him.

  “That may be true, but I won’t say anything more.” Something devious settled in his eyes. “Isn’t life a bit more fun with some mystery?”

  Secrets could be dangerous too.

  I almost opened my mouth to remind him that I was here under extremely morbid circumstances and still reeling from the tragedy, but I thought better of it. I wasn’t sure if Dracus had a chance to talk to the guys yet. Part of me figured that the boys would’ve been much kinder today if Dracus had told them, but another part of me was grateful that they weren’t treating me differently. Maybe life could regain some semblance of normalness.

  “What’s your first class?” I asked him. He lifted the violin.

  “Private practice. We’ll have Shifter History together later on. Did they give you a schedule?”

  I held up the small slip of paper, and he plucked it elegantly from my grasp. He glanced it over. I shifted my backpack onto both of my shoulders as we made the trek up to school. At least I would get a mild workout from walking to all my classes every day.

  “Fairly basic, but it makes sense. They don’t know what kind of shifter you are yet,” he muttered. His sharp gaze settled on me. “You really don’t know what kind of shifter you are?” If he’d had a fox tail,
I’m sure it would’ve been swinging mischievously from side to side. He was digging for information.

  My cheeks heated and I shook my head emphatically. “Not at all.” The mischievous look came back over his handsome face once more. My stomach flipped wildly in my stomach.

  “Time will tell,” he promised with a vague air. Part of me wished I could’ve been a fox-shifter. I liked Jasper’s guarded mystery. If I could act more like him, then maybe I could survive in a place like Beast Academy. Gone were the nervous butterflies from admiring his handsome face as we made our way to the outer gardens of the castle. Only a few students were mingling about, but I felt their stares like arrows into my skin. I wish I’d thought to take my calming agents with me to class today.

  Dressed in my new school uniform with only the Academy symbol to my name, I wondered if I looked every bit a fraud as I felt. I swallowed the painful thought and charged forward by Jasper’s side. He didn’t seem to notice the looks, or if he did, he didn’t care. I wondered if this was usual for Core Council members.

  They lived in a separate dorm and acted like they were the kings of campus.

  He showed me to my first classroom for a course called Shifter Mechanics. It was a small auditorium-style class with stone benches and wooden tables. The room was empty save for a pretty proper girl in a sweater vest at the front of the class. She looked over her shoulder, and her eyes flashed with interest behind her glasses. At Jasper or me, I wasn’t sure.

  “Good luck, new kid.” He was gone with nothing but that secretive half-smile left to haunt me. I turned around to see the young woman from the front of the class had made her way to the middle of the classroom where I’d settled.

  “Hello,” she said brightly and stuck out her hand. “My name is Priscilla.” She used her other hand to tap a manicured nail onto her emblem: a dragon wrapped around a sword. “Pleasure to meet you, Fiona.” A dragon-shifter.

  She knew my name. I shook her hand and was delighted to find that there wasn’t the same distrust from the other students on her face. Instead, it was an odd sort of curiosity. She clapped her hands together.