Page 17 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

Rose gently touched my shoulders, drawing my focus away from Jaxon. “Peyton’s the one I told you about, Headmaster. The one that the high priestess has been torturing.”

Headmaster Tarus’ expression softened, his brow furrowing with concern. “Ah. So you’re the black dragon and the witch.”

I swallowed hard, willing my voice not to shake. “That’s right.”

“I deeply regret that Abigail chose to go down this road.” A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he rubbed his forehead. “During the war, she held similar beliefs to Ryker’s, but once it ended, she swore she had changed.” He lifted his head, his eyes hardening. “She swore that students with mixed bloodlines would be allowed into Goody Magic, just like all the other academies.”

Rose’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “But you didn’t believe her, did you?”

“Call me suspicious, but no. I didn’t.” He leaned back against his desk, crossing his arms. “However, my colleagues did.”

“Do you know who the members of the Bloodborne Brotherhood are?” Rose asked, her voice tight with urgency.

“They could be anyone who believes purebloods are superior to those with mixed blood.” A slow smile broke across his face, mischief glinting in his eyes. “However, I think Raven Acosta would have something to say about that.”

I frowned. “Who is Raven Acosta?”

His smile widened, a note of pride in his voice. “She’s a silver dragon, a Golden Demon, and a vampire. Her mixed blood makes her extremely powerful.”

“Does that mean the high priestess is after her too?”

He shook his head, his expression turning grave. “Not herself personally. I suspect she wants to use all of you to defeat Raven instead. Abigail has never liked Raven, likely due to her outdated belief that mixed bloods are inferior.” He paused, his eyes narrowing. “Not that I can prove any of this, mind you…but why else would she want the Dragon Nexus?”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up. I glanced nervously at Finn and Kamaron, seeing my own shock and fear reflected in their eyes. We were all newly shifted dragons, barely in control of our powers. Was the high priestess hoping to use the Nexus to control us, and defeat Raven in the process?

The room suddenly felt too small, terror stirring my gut. I struggled to catch my breath, my mind racing with the implications. We weren’t just pawns in the high priestess’ game of discrimination—we were weapons she intended to use against someone even more powerful than us.

Chapter

Nine

Jaxon interlaced his fingers with mine, his grip tightening. Goosebumps prickled all along my arms as his eyes darted to the headmaster. “Do you know who has the Dragon Nexus right now?”

The headmaster’s handsome face creased with concern. He leaned forward, his elbows on his desk. “Not exactly. I made some inquiries and looked into the matter when Rose first contacted me on it.” He paused, his voice dropping away almost to nothing. “Unfortunately, I’m afraid you’re looking at the dark underworld.”

I frowned in confusion. “Dark underworld?” My voice cracked. “What does that mean?”

The headmaster strode toward the door purposefully. “I suggest we go to the dining room so I can tell you what we’re facing.”

My throat constricted, a knot of dread forming in my gut. The dining room had always been Mom’s go-to location for delivering bad news, too. My palms grew clammy. This wasn’t going to be good.

Rose and Valentin glided out first, followed by the rest of us. I couldn’t help but notice that the headmaster moved with the same preternatural ease as they did.

When we entered the dining room, the opulence hit me like a wave. An ornate wooden table dominated the space, its polished surface reflecting the warm glow of the huge crystal chandelier above. Ethan stood at attention, his posture rigid.

“Sir.” Ethan’s voice cut through the tense silence. “Shall I serve some refreshments?”

The headmaster’s piercing gaze swept over us. “Yes, thank you Ethan. Chosen Blood for Rose, Valentin, and myself. Wine for the others. Perhaps a charcuterie board.” His lips curled into a smile that I still couldn’t quite read. “I’m sure they’re hungry from their long journey.”

Boy, was that an understatement. My stomach growled traitorously even as every muscle in my body screamed for rest. The thought of a nap made my eyelids heavy despite my hunger, and I stifled a yawn.

A scraping sound startled me. Jaxon had pulled out a chair for me, gesturing for me to sit down. As I lowered myself onto the plush seat, I caught a whiff of his manly scent—spicy and comforting. Was this gentlemanly act really for my benefit, or just to impress the headmaster?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Finn roll his eyes dramatically, his lips curling into a smirk. He swiftly claimed the seat on my other side, next to the headmaster—the very spot I suspect Jaxon had been eyeing. Jaxon’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, and he took the chair across from me instead.

The tension in the room was drawn as tight as a bass drum. Ethan returned with our drinks, the deep crimson liquid in the headmaster’s glass catching the light. I watched transfixed as the headmaster lifted the glass to his lips, his movements elegant, graceful and controlled. Despite his youthful appearance, therewas something ancient in his eyes that had my nerves on high alert.

I wrapped my fingers around my wine glass and braced myself for whatever revelations were to come. The headmaster’s presence, both alluring and unnerving, dominated the room. What secrets was this enigmatic man about to reveal?

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