Nightshade Academy: The Complete Series by Kestra Pingree

Author:Kestra Pingree [Pingree, Kestra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary fantasy, paranormal, Vampires, Young Adult, new adult, monsters, Academies, Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Kestra Pingree
Published: 2020-04-30T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

“I’m here,” I say as I enter Madeline’s office.

“So you are,” the Crow replies.

I look around, eyes catching on the black-dragon mural extending across the walls. Then I look out the huge exposed window that takes up an entire wall. The gardens are quiet as ever, the sky dark, except for the line of green on the horizon. “Where’s Madeline?”

“She should be here any minute.” The Crow’s turquoise takes on a deeper shade of blue. “I’ll admit it isn’t like her to be even a second late. She’s extremely punctual.”

“Were you waiting for her? Did you have something you were supposed to do before I got here? I can come back later.”

The Crow stands next to Madeline’s sturdy gothic desk and runs his fingers along the top of it. The clicking sound produced is more like claws on wood. His feathers rustle and peek out from the loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt he’s wearing.

“I get the feeling you want to leave,” the Crow says.

“I’m trying to be polite.”

“Sure, sure. It can’t be that bad.”

“The counseling wasn’t. But now she wants to prepare me for Helena.”

“You make it sound like she’s fattening you up for the slaughter.”

“It kind of feels that way. I don’t want to be in this stupid talent-scouting program.” I glance out the window, anticipating the arrival of the sun. Should I close the curtains? Hide under the desk?

The Crow closes the curtains then, as if he read my mind.

“Also, I’m tired,” I say, because that is true. I’m usually curled up in bed at this time. Madeline’s schedule is all over the place.

“Madeline is trying to help you,” the Crow says with his back to me. He stands at the thick royal-purple curtains as if he can see through them and beyond. “She’s an aura reader like you. That doesn’t help at all? You don’t find it comforting to know you aren’t alone and that you have a mentor you can turn to?”

I shrug and don’t say anything.

“As for Helena, I wouldn’t worry, Nova. She’s never picked anyone to apprentice under her before. I don’t see why she would now.”

I’m about to tell him that Helena has apparently taken a special interest in me, but he adds, “Between you and me, I think that’s for the best.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

The heavy black door closing off the office from the hall bursts open. I flinch at the sound and at the spike in the Crow’s Color.

“Maddie?” he says. And he moves. “What happened?”

Madeline has Archer half-slumped against her. The Crow picks up the slack, hefting Archer up into his arms instead of dragging her along the floor. Madeline may be plenty strong, but her height is its own obstacle.

“Put me down,” Archer mumbles.

“Don’t put her down. She’ll melt onto the floor,” Madeline retorts. “She’s weak.”

“I can see that,” the Crow says. “Why?”

“I don’t know. I caught her looking lethargic on my way up for Nova’s session. I had her drink some blood, and she was fine for a moment, but then her energy drained as if she couldn’t retain any of it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.