Page 22 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

The tense silence was suddenly broken by Jaxon’s voice, low and intense. “You know I would never really sell you, Peyton,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine across the polished expanse of the dining table.

Could I believe him? Jaxon had been the one to put the binding bracelets on me—on the orders of the high priestess—and now he was going to sell me into slavery.

He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the edge of the table. An elaborate centerpiece partially obscured his face, but I could still see the determination etched in his features, highlighted by the soft glow of the chandelier above.

“Life is so much more interesting with you in it,” he continued, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, softening his usually guarded expression. His fingers drummed a quiet, nervous rhythm on the table’s surface, and his gaze never wavered from mine, making the crowded dining room fade away until it felt like we were the only two people there. “I promise,” he said, his voice dropping lower, “no matter what happens, I won’t let anyone hurt you in that place. No one.”

Finn rolled his eyes, the gesture exaggerated and dramatic. “And how are you going to do that?” he asked disdainfully. “You’re not going to be at the auction.”

Jaxon’s response was cool and measured, but I noticed a slight tightening around his eyes. “Let’s just say I have someone who owes me a favor.”

As he spoke, I realized Jaxon wasn’t looking at me anymore. His gaze was now fixed on Valentin, intensity radiating from him like heat from a furnace to the point that the air between them crackled. Terrific. The last thing we needed was for these two to come to blows in the headmaster’s dining room.

Valentin narrowed his eyes, suspicion darkening his handsome features. His voice was low, almost a growl. “Are you talking about Dimitri?”

Amusement flickered in Jaxon’s eyes. “He’s Angelo’s chauffeur, isn’t he? He should be able to get me in.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Jaxon,” the headmaster said softly. His eyes, ancient and wise, swept over all of us. “Dimitri is on shaky ground with Angelo over mating with Angelo’s sister. I don’t think he’ll appreciate you asking him a favor.”

The room suddenly felt colder, the shadows in the corners deeper and more menacing, as if the vampire mafia king himself was secretly watching us.

Jaxon shrugged—casually, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. “Dimitri owes me. He’ll find a way.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Valentin said. His fingers curled around his glass tensely. “My brother won’t do anything that will result in pain. And if Angelo guesses that he’s being played, Dimitri will end up in Angelo’s secret room at his gambling house, Crimson Stakes. No one ever comes out of that room alive.”

I could feel the blood draining from my face, my heart pounding so hard I was sure all of Red Rose Academy could hear it.

Finn, his voice cutting through my rising panic, blurted out, “If what you say is true, Jaxon, he’s not the only one that could end up there. If you’re not careful, you’ll have a ticket to that room too, just like Dimitri.”

A secret torture room? The very thought made my stomach churn. God, did all the villains in this world have these torture rooms? Did Angelo keep prisoners in dungeons, same as the high priestess? What if he was one of the Bloodborne Brotherhood?

My mind spun as I thought about the robed man. Was that Angelo? Had he been at Goody? Or had he sent one of his men? I felt like I was stuck playing one of those hunting game videos, but the hunters were vampires—and I was the bait.

Chapter

Twelve

Headmaster Tarus had kindly told us that we could stay at Red Rose Academy tonight, but sleep was the last thing on my mind. I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, shadows dancing across its surface as moonlight filtered through the thin curtains. Finn’s and Jaxon’s faces swirled around in my brain, appearing every time I closed my eyes.

My chest tightened as I considered my conflicting emotions. If only I could be attracted to sweet, dependable Finn. He was loyal, trustworthy, and he clearly adored me, his warm brown eyes always filled with affection. But my feelings for him were only ones of friendship. No, I had to go and fall for the bad boy with the attitude, the one who made me feel like I was constantly teetering on the edge of a cliff, both terrified and exhilarated. Finn just didn’t make my breath quicken or my heart race the way Jaxon did.

Jaxon. Just thinking of him sent a shiver down my spine, my pulse quickening despite my attempts to stay calm. I tossed and turned in bed, the springs creaking with each movement. Twyla’s soft snores filled the room, a rhythmic counterpoint to my racing thoughts.

I ran a hand through my hair distractedly, wincing as my fingers caught in a few tangled strands. My pajama shirt clung to my slick skin, the fabric rough and uncomfortable. The blankets twisted around my legs like constricting vines, trapping me in a net of restlessness.

With a frustrated sigh, I sat up. The walls of the room seemed to be pressing in on me, the air thick and stifling. I couldn’t bear it any longer.

As quietly as I could, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. The floorboards were cold against my bare feet as I tiptoed across the room. I paused at the door, glancing back at Twyla’s sleeping form, her chest rising and falling peacefully.

I crept out of the room, wincing at the soft click of the door closing behind me. The hallway was dimly lit, shadows lurking in every corner. I took a deep breath, the cool air a relief after the relative stuffiness of the bedroom.

Some fresh air was what I needed. Maybe a walk around the campus would clear my head. Anxiety and anticipation coursed through my veins but the night air beckoned, promising solace from my tumultuous thoughts.

As I made my way toward the exit, the floorboards creaked softly beneath my feet, each sound making my pulse quicken. The musty scent of old wood and dust tickled my nose, threatening to make me sneeze.

Just as I opened the front door, a hand pushed it closed again.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

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