Zodiac Academy 3: The Reckoning

I SAT IN CARDINAL Magic class between Tory and Diego, coming down from the high of riding across the grounds on Sofia’s back. The longer I sat there, the more the thrill in my veins gave way to anxiety. The thought of seeing Orion again in the cold light of day was making me feel all kinds of messed up emotions. None of which I wanted to concentrate on. Because if I boarded the over-analytical train to insanity town, I’d be stuck on it all day.

Tyler Corbin hurried in five minutes late, but it didn’t matter considering Orion still wasn’t here. The class was loud with chatter as they spoke about Lily Jessops who had sat in the back row of our class all term. I felt bad that I’d never spoken to her. She’d been quiet and I hadn’t known whether her allegiance had laid with us or the Heirs. It saddened me to know she’d been lost to the hands of the Nymphs.

Someone had cast a tribute of moss and glittering flowers all over her desk which continually closed up then bloomed all over again.

“It’s just so hard to lose such a dear friend,” Kylie was sobbing, her friends grouped around her as she dabbed her eyes. “Lily was such a sweet girl.”

I’d never once seen Kylie hanging out with her and I shot a glare over my shoulder at the attention-seeking act she was performing. Why did she think it was alright to use someone’s death to get herself a few pats on the back? It was disgusting.

My Atlas pinged along with everyone else’s in the classroom and I frowned as I took it out. 

Zodiac Academy has been mentioned in The Celestial Times.

I clicked on the article with a feeling of dread in my stomach and my gut lurched even more when I found what I’d suspected: it was written by Gus Vulpecula.

ATTACK ON ZODIAC!

Zodiac Academy remains on high alert while the Fae Investigation Bureau continue to shed light on the mass Nymph attack which occurred yesterday afternoon on the school’s grounds. 

At the end of the Pitball match between Zodiac and Starlight Academy, which kicked off the inter-school tournament, the stadium was over-run by nearly fifty Nymphs, many of which possessed Elemental magic stolen from Fae they’d killed in previous incidents. 

Twelve students (eight from Starlight and four from Zodiac) have been named amongst the dead and a vigil is expected to take place in a week’s time to commemorate their loss. 

In true Fae fashion, Principal Elaine Nova has informed all parents that there will be no hiccoughs in the education of their children and school hours will continue as usual. With the freshmen facing their official enrolment exams this week, it is predicted that a higher number of drop-outs will occur than usual. That being said, the potential of the Fae who do make it under such pressure will be celebrated for their strength in times of adversary.

Amongst those taking part in their exams and who were also present for the attack, were Tory (Roxanya) and Darcy (Gwendalina) Vega. Reports from eyewitnesses state they saw both Vegas casting a mysterious red and blue fire during the battle. One witness and student at Zodiac Academy, Miss Marguerite Helebor, gave this statement, “They seemed to think they were helping, but their magic was rogue and dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the deaths were caused by their attacks.”

Other witnesses have spoken of the Vegas’ ineptitude during the fight and many are calling for them to have a mental examination before being allowed to proceed with The Reckoning. Though it once seemed that the Vega Twins were nothing but a slightly unbalanced yet relatively harmless duo, it now seems we have more to fear from them than first understood. 

Bets are being made kingdom-wide over which Order the two of them will emerge as. But the rumours are rife about the possibility of two more Dragons rising to power. High Lord Lionel Acrux was unavailable for comment, but his son, Darius, had this to say.

“We are all greatly saddened about the event which occurred at our beloved Zodiac Academy. Alongside my fellow Heirs, I intend to take measures against the Nymphs for bringing such tragedy on our people. In regard to the Vega Twins, I have little to say except that in this time of great need it would be most appropriate if they publicly renounced their claim to ensure the future of Solaria falls into capable hands.”

The other Heirs have expressed similar wishes, but with rumours circling that the Vegas do indeed intend to make a bid to claim their throne, one must wonder why they haven’t yet come forward to state their own views on the coming war and how they would hope to handle it. Upon reaching out to them late last night for a statement, I was refused by both parties. 

Pressing for more information, I discovered from a reliable witness who wished to remain anonymous that Tory Vega was engaged with multiple sexual partners throughout the night, whilst her sister circled the halls, anxiously looking for a raven she had apparently lost sight of during the battle.

The only possible conclusion I am able to draw from their behaviour is that the two Vegas Twins share the mad streak of their father, and will certainly bring another reign of savagery down upon Solaria if they were to lay their claim and win.

“Bullshit,” I hissed, tossing my Atlas onto my desk with a clatter. “This is complete lies.”

“That Gus guy has a date with my fists,” Tory snarled. 

Sniggers sounded from plenty of our classmates but not as many as I’d expected.

“It’s okay, chicas. No one believes anything written in The Celestial Times,” Diego said and Sofia nodded, her eyes glimmering.

“I’d like to be there on that date though, Tory,” Sofia said proudly. “I’d bring the fury of my hooves.”

“You sure did in the battle,” I said to her with a grin and a glow filled her eyes.

“Hey, er, Darcy… Tory?”

I whirled around, finding Tyler standing before us, looking slightly awkward as he raked a hand through his blonde-tipped hair.

“Yeah?” Tory asked with a look that said she was preparing to blast him into oblivion if he said something about that article.

“I just wanted to say um…. well what you both did when the Nymphs showed up… it was really brave. And I’m not sure I would still be here if it wasn’t for you two. That Gus Vulpecula guy is a filthy liar. My mum works for The Daily Solaria though, so I’ll make sure she gets the truth. The real truth.” He placed something down on my desk then on Tory’s before hurrying back to his seat.

I picked up the green leaf he’d given me which turned to a deep rust colour then gold before words spread across it. Shock took hold of me as I read them. 

Thank you.

I found Tory holding a matching one and she looked to me in complete surprise.

Orion strode into the room and slammed the door so hard, I nearly dropped the leaf as my gut knotted and I was suddenly too hot everywhere. He half glanced my way then looked firmly forward, marching up to the head of the room.

I frowned as I noticed he had a watermelon under his arm and as he arrived at his desk, he planted it down and took something out of his suit jacket pocket. I recognised Diego’s beanie hat as he slid it over the watermelon, picked up a pen and started drawing a face on it that looked like an angry little gremlin. 

He angled it toward Diego then pointed at him. “You want this back?”

“Yes, sir,” Diego said, rage making his temple pulse.

“Then I encourage you to try and get it back before the lesson ends.”

Diego gawped at him, making no move to get up as Orion swiped his electronic pen from the desk and turned to the board. It was Seth who’d taken that hat from Diego and it was hardly fair he had to work to get it back from Orion now. I sensed it wouldn’t be as simple as him walking up there and grabbing it either.

Orion stepped aside, revealing what he’d written on the board.

YOU ARE ALL BOTTOM-FEEDING LOSERS.

My mouth fell open as he glared at the class, looking like he was about to unleash the apocalypse on us.

“This is Hell Week,” he snapped and everyone flinched from his ferocious tone. “And you’re all fucking useless.”

“Oh my god, sir!” Kylie piped up. “Lily just died, how can you even-”

Orion lifted a hand and snapped his fingers together. She spluttered and choked, holding her throat and rising from her seat in a panic. Orion strode casually down the aisle and my heart thrashed against my chest as he paid her absolutely no attention.

“She’s suffocating!” Jillian wailed, patting Kylie on the back as she turned blue.

“Professor!” I gasped as he drew near me and he shot me a dark glare.

“Yes, Miss Vega?” he questioned, totally calm, that twisted smile pulling at his mouth.

“She’s choking,” I hissed and he shifted his gaze to Kylie as if he’d just noticed her.

“Five points from Aer for stating the obvious.” He strode past me and I swivelled in my seat, glaring at his back as he went.

“Miss Minor.” he pointed at Jillian. “Name three constellations in their Latin names that aren’t star signs.”

Jillian opened and closed her mouth, shaking her head.

“Do so or your friend here is going to pass out. I’ll give you a clue: both your and her surnames are part of several constellation names.” He folded his arms, waiting and Jillian’s eyes widened to saucers.

“U-ursa Minor, Ursa M-major and, and-”

“And?” he inquired.

“Monoceros!” she blurted and Orion waved his hand.

Kylie collapsed down into her seat, coughing heavily as she drew in deep lungfuls of air.

“It seems your friend is not a complete waste of oxygen, Miss Major. So be sure to prove to me that you’re also not wasting precious air in my classroom.”

Kylie nodded, panting as she held her throat, staring back at him angrily. I was kind of impressed at how unaffected she seemed after nearly choking to death.

“So perhaps we aren’t all entirely useless. Maybe you just need the right motivation to work harder.” He turned back up the aisle, his hand landing on Sofia’s shoulder. His other palm shot out toward Tory and he stole the air from her lungs.

Tory sat bolt upright, her hand flying to her chest.

“Miss Cygnus, name the seven Cardinal Magics that all Fae are capable of before Miss Vega turns blue,” Orion commanded and Sofia squeaked in alarm.

My heart thumped madly but Sofia was the smartest Fae in the class and she gave his answer immediately. “Healing, Coercion, Levitation, Summoning, Illusion, Divination and Atmospheric Manipulation.”

Orion released Tory from his power and she gasped for air, managing to choke out, “Ass-hole,” as he marched back to the front of the room.

I gave her a sympathetic look and she pursed her lips.

Orion leaned back against his desk, folding his arms. “We have a serious fucking problem. Corbin, tell me what it is.” He pointed at Tyler who remained dead silent, shrugging his shoulders.

“Polaris?” Orion asked Diego who shook his head.

His eyes skipped onto me. “Miss Vega?”

“That our Cardinal Magic teacher is a psycho?” I offered, rage still simmering in me from him attacking my sister.

His jaw ticked in a deadly way and my heart thumped out of rhythm. “I prefer the term unbalanced and frankly it’s the least of your problems.” His mouth twitched with amusement as he looked away.

Unbalanced was right. Plus totally unpredictable. And I didn’t think it was the least of my problems at all, it was right up there with Nymphs declaring war on Solaria and some crazy ass fire living in my veins.

“If I don’t get an answer in the next ten seconds, someone’s head is going to be introduced to the ceiling,” Orion said coolly.

Everyone started calling out answers as he held up two hands, counting down fingers one at a time.

“The Nymphs?!” someone cried.

“The Reckoning?” someone else tried.

“Hell Week is going to kill us?” Jillian wailed.

“We suck?” Diego blurted and Orion paused one second from finishing his countdown and used that finger to point at him.

“What specifically do you suck at?” he demanded.

“Um, everything?” Diego tried and I couldn’t help the snort of laughter that escaped me.

“No,” Orion sighed, lifting his finger again, ready to count it down.

“Practical magic!” Sofia supplied just before he curled his finger.

“Yes,” he cheered with a bright smile. “Ten points to Ignis.” He stared around at all of us with gleaming eyes.

“Tell me, Corbin, how many Vampires drank from you last week?” Orion shifted closer to him as Tyler frowned.

“Um… four maybe?” he said with a shrug.

“And did you try to fight them off?” Orion asked.

“Well… it’s easier to just, ya know, let them get on with it,” Tyler said awkwardly.

“Precisely. And some of you…” He swept through the class with his Vampire speed and everyone stiffened. His hand landed on Tory’s shoulder as he leaned in close to her ear. “Actually enjoy it, don’t you?”

Tory blushed which was saying a lot for my sister. “That’s not really your business, is it Professor?”

“Isn’t it? I beg to differ.” he stood upright then shot back to the front of the class. “What is the point of you all being here if you’re content with sitting at the bottom of the food chain? I’m not going to waste my time training Fae who don’t want to climb the ranks.” His sharp eyes scored over us all, cutting us down to the quick. “Raise your hand if you’ve been drained by a Siren recently.”

Everyone raised their hands, even the Sirens in the class.

“And keep your hand up if you fought back.”

Nearly everyone’s hands dropped except Tory’s and I threw her a grin.

“Oh yeah! Tory Vega totally throat punched Max Rigel,” Tyler said excitedly.

“Did she now?” Orion asked with a hint of a smile.

“Well yeah.” Tory shrugged innocently, but her eyes lit up with the memory.

“And I suppose you’ve attempted that with Caleb Altair too, have you?” Orion deadpanned and the smile fell from her face. “I thought not.”

“Sir – we’re not trained to fight off other Fae yet,” Kylie called out. “Most of us aren’t from the gutter with street fighting skills.”

“Maybe you’d better go spend some time in the gutter then, Miss Major, because you won’t be trained to fight off other Fae magically until after The Reckoning,” Orion said and Tory and I started grinning. “The fact is, I don’t care if you get knocked on your ass every time a Fae takes advantage of you. If you don’t even try to fight back, you don’t deserve your place in this school. Do I make myself clear?”

A murmur of yes sir filled the room.

“Good. Your first assignment this week is to embrace your inner Fae. Don’t take any shit lying down. No one’s judging you if you lose, but if you don’t even try to win, you’re not one of us. And if you can’t hack it, get out of my class.” He gestured to the door and one boy actually gathered up his things and hurried out. The door slowly swung closed behind him and my lips parted in surprise.

“This is called Hell Week for a reason,” Orion growled. “We’re going to try and break you. You might even get broken. But so long as you persevere and make it through The Reckoning you will be accepted as true Fae. Your place at Zodiac Academy will become official. Even if you don’t make it through the rest of the year, no one will be able to take that away from you. So suck it up. And face the heat with everything you’ve got. Remember to look out for yourself, because not everyone in this classroom is going to be here next week.”

Ho-ly shit. Am I ready for this?

Orion tapped the board and the screen changed to the lesson title.

The Reckoning: How to Prepare for the Worst Week of Your Life.

“The Elemental Trials will be held this week leading up to The Reckoning.” He tapped the screen and the schedule flashed up.

Thursday: Air Trial

Friday: Water Trial

Saturday: Fire Trial

Sunday: Earth Trial

Monday: The Reckoning

“You will attend the trials of whatever Elements you hold.” He looked to Tory and I with a terse expression. “That means you will attend every trial of every Element you hold.”

“Great,” Tory muttered and my gut clenched.

“That’s crazy, chicas.” Diego shook his head, pushing a hand through his curly black locks.

“The trials are top secret so I won’t be giving you any pointers. However, what I can say is that it will test the abilities you have learned in your Elemental classes, but most importantly it will test your mettle. The older students have been instructed to make your lives as difficult as possible during this week, so when you face your trials, you will be exhausted, you will be angry and you will be ready to go home. So you’ll have to call on the strongest part of your nature if you’re going to survive it.”

“I changed my mind.” The guy who’d left the room poked his white-blonde head back through the door and everyone turned to look at him.

“I’ve already forgotten your name,” Orion snarled at him but the boy opened the door, edging back in with his Atlas clutched to his chest.

“It’s Elijah Indus,” he said firmly, lifting his chin.

“Talk to me in the hall,” Orion ordered, a malicious look on his face as he hounded forward and Elijah backed out of the door. Orion stepped after him and as the door closed, several people darted out of their seats, clustering against it to listen.

It was totally unnecessary as Orion’s booming voice made the whole classroom shake.

“DO YOU THINK IT’S APPROPRIATE TO INTERRUPT MY LESSON WITH YOUR INDECISIVENESS!?”

Diego shot out of his seat, running up to the desk and swiping the beanie hat from the watermelon. A noise somewhere between an amused laugh and a gasp of terror escaped me as he pocketed it and returned to his seat.

“He’ll search you for it,” I said, my heart thumping harder.

“You’re so dead,” Tory laughed.

“You’re right.” Diego frowned deeply.

“Here, give it to me.” I held out my hand and Diego’s eyes rounded.

He shook his head firmly “No, it’ll get you in trouble.”

“He won’t know I have it,” I said as Orion’s voice split the air apart again.

“I DON’T CARE IF YOUR PARENTS SOLD ORGANS TO GET YOU INTO THIS ACADEMY, THAT’S ENTIRELY IRRELEVANT TO WHETHER YOU MAKE THE CUT!”

I wiggled my fingers at Diego and he hesitantly took the hat out and placed it in my hand. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Good luck with that,” Tory jibed while Sofia stared at the hat like it was about to explode.

I stuffed it into the back of my skirt where Orion wouldn’t dare go, arranging my blazer so it concealed the lump. I sat up straighter as the door flew open and the students scattered, fleeing back to their seats.

Orion shoved Elijah into the room, pressing his hands to his shoulders as he guided him to the head of the class. Elijah was pale faced, but had a determined expression in place as Orion prepared to dole out his punishment. He prodded Elijah so he was front and centre then stepped back so we were all staring at him.

“Mr Indus has something to say,” Orion announced.

Elijah cleared his throat. The class waited attentively and some people sniggered. “I’m pathetic.”

“And?” Orion prompted.

“And a coward.”

Orion cocked his head, still waiting.

Elijah sighed. “And I’d like to apologise to you all for being an embarrassment to the school. And to Solaria. And to the entire race of Fae.”

“If you walk out again you’re done,” Orion snarled and I sensed he really meant that. He stalked down the aisle to Elijah’s chair and carried it to one side of the room. “Twenty points from House Aqua. And you can stand up in every one of my classes until you earn your seat back.”

Elijah nodded quickly, hurrying back to his desk and standing awkwardly where his chair had been.

“Right.” Orion returned to the board then his eyes floated down to the hatless watermelon. A dark chuckle rolled from his throat and he turned smoothly toward Diego with a challenging grin. “Stand up, Mr Polaris.”

Diego did as he was told, shaking a little as Orion moved to stand in front of him. The hat seemed to burn against my flesh as he studied Diego like he was deciding specifically how he was going to destroy him.

“Hand it back.” Orion held out his hand and Diego shook his head in response. He leaned in closer, his eyes calculating as he looked Diego up and down. “Hmm… you don’t have it, do you?” His eyes whipped to me and my heart nearly combusted.

I quickly schooled my expression and felt Tory leaning closer like she was gonna grab it if he got too close to his prize.

Orion cast his gaze across me, Tory and Sofia, then back to me, curling a finger to make me stand up. A little thrill danced through me as I stood. He couldn’t shove his hand down my skirt. He was a teacher. A fact he had reminded me about quite clearly at Lionel Acrux’s house.

He held out his hand and I shrugged.

“I don’t have anything, sir,” I said innocently.

“Are we really going to play this game?” He leaned into my face and my throat closed up as the all-too-familiar cinnamon scent of him washed over me, reminding me viscerally of the kiss we’d shared. Danger tingled my senses as I read the double meaning to his words. A smile caught the corner of my mouth and I nodded.

He gave me a devil’s grin that made my confidence plummet. He thought he’d won. But had he?

He stepped back, still smiling. “Everyone will lose five House Points for every minute Miss Vega keeps hold of that hat.”

I gasped, immediately feeling hands on me from the students behind. I lurched away, snatching the hat out from my waistband and throwing it at Orion, releasing a noise of frustration. He caught it out of the air, strolled back to the watermelon and redressed it.

“How the hell am I supposed to get it back if you threaten everyone in class?” Diego huffed.

Orion leaned back in his chair, resting his feet up on the corner of the desk. “That, Mr Polaris, is exactly what you have to figure out.”