Third Time's A Crime: Grimalkin Academy, #3

By Laura Greenwood

Messing with black magic has serious consequences.

 

Betrayal is a strong word, and now I'm being accused of it. 

 

At least I'm not the one in custody for a crime I didn't commit, though that's caused its own problems. If I'm going to follow my heart, I need to prove one of my warlocks is innocent. The problem is, I don't know how to do that without condemning myself. 

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Third Time's A Crime is book three of Grimalkin Academy, an urban fantasy academy series featuring two best friends, lots of kittens, and a low-heat poly romantic subplot.

 

If you enjoy paranormal academy, cute familiars, light-hearted romance, witches, and friendship, you should start the Grimalkin Academy series today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drowlgon Press
• Release date: Oct 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393214533

Laura Greenwood

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, with healthy relationships and consent positive moments regardless of if she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-heavy urban fantasy, or anything in between. You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in The Paranormal Council Facebook Group. Happy Reading!

Book preview

Chapter One

I pace back and forth, trying my best not to tear my hair out.

What are we going to do? I demand of no one in particular. There are only the twins here with me anyway, and they've been through every possibility imaginable.

There's nothing we can do, Daphne tells me for the sixth time. We don't even know what they arrested him for.

I growl. We do know. We did black magic and now we're suffering the consequences. Caspian's just the one in the most trouble, the rest of us are stuck waiting to hear what the verdicts going to be. We all know there won't be a fair trial, not if word gets out. The death penalty is still in place for black magic, that's how rare it is.

And how much danger Caspian is in while he's under the enforcers’ control. It's not something I want to think about too much.

A tiny meow comes from under the bed, and I lean down to pick Isla up. At least I can take some comfort in my kittens.

We'll figure this out, Ryan promises, getting up from where he's sitting and pulling me into his arms.

Without meaning to, I relax. He smells good, and the worries slip away.

I promise, it's going to be fine. We just need to find out what they know, and go from there, he whispers into my hair.

How are we going to do that? My voice is laced with the threat of sobs, but I hold myself steady. I can't let go now.

Let's start with how they know we've done black magic. It doesn't seem likely there's something obvious, or they'd have arrested all five of us. He looks over at Daphne, clearly expecting her to know something about it.

I'll need to ask some questions. Maybe Cade can help? He's been taking magical law, right?

Ryan nods.

No wonder his best friend hasn't been around much. I've heard the caseload for magical law is insanely high.

Daphne can take the legal angle, and we can take a more practical approach.

His twin chuffs. By that, you mean illegal, right?

We can't break any more laws, I insist. Not unless it's absolutely necessary.

I'm not risking any more of them. Not unless this turns into an actual life or death situation for Caspian. At the moment, the issues are mostly hypothetical. I don't want that to change.

Okay. I'l go find Cade now. She leaves before either of us can say anything.

When did she stop avoiding him? I ask Ryan.

He shakes his head. I thought they were still in denial about the fact they want to date, he admits. I'd prefer them not to.

Because...

He's not the only guy she's dating, he admits sheepishly.

I chuckle despite the stress of the situation. We're best friends, I point out. We tell each other everything.

Horror crosses his face.

Don't worry, she draws the line at talking about you. I kiss his cheek, enjoying having one up on him for once.

But she can't have a relationship like that.

And yet, you're fine with me having one? I raise an eyebrow. Double standards aren't attractive, Ryan, I tease.

He's saved from answering by my bedroom door swinging open and an irate Thomas stepping into the room.

I uncurl from Ryan's arms. Not because I'm embarrassed of being seen there. Only that I think it's a little rude for me to be so close to one person and not the other.

Are you alright? I ask.

He's flustered, and I don't like it. But I also don't know what I can do about it.

They have him locked up in Gevang Prison.

I gulp. That's not good. I've heard rumours about that one. We all have. It's supposed to be the most secure facility in the world for keeping witches and warlocks locked up. If Caspian's there, then it must mean that they think he's a serious threat.

Which doesn't make any sense. Black magic is illegal, but we didn't get far enough to hurt anyone. Not even ourselves.

So how do we get him out? I ask, hoping Thomas has a better solution than I do.

If I'm unkind, then I can blame him for what's happened. The black magic was his idea to begin with, and he's the one in a position of power above the rest of us. But I know he's not to blame. That rests firmly on my shoulders.

I don't know about getting him out, but I think I can get you in as a visitor.

You do? I perk up.

Someone owes me a favour, I can cash it in.

I nod eagerly.

How long do you think that will take? Ryan asks, trailing a hand over my lower back.

Hard to say. But I'll push him hard and get it moving as quickly as possible, he promises.

Thank you. I just hope he's right. I need to get to Caspian as soon as possible, then we can get him out and back to the safety of the academy.

Maybe then, I'll be able to relax. Having Caspian stuck in that place isn't good for my health. Or for anything else. This may end up destroying my nerves.

You're welcome, Thomas responds. He flashes me a look that suggests he wants to reach out for me, but decides against it. I'm not sure why he doesn't. Maybe it's something to do with Ryan. Or, more likely, it's something to do with the fact he's still my teaching assistant. I'm still not completely sure how I got myself into this situation.

My emotions start to settle, though I can tell I'm on edge, but it's a little bit less pressure than before. At least I have people I can rely on to help me through this.

To help Caspian through this. My magic may still be broken, but I have friends and that's the main thing.

Chapter Two

The potion bubbles in front of me, the perfect pink colour of it filling me with satisfaction. Even so, it's kind of empty. Trying to focus on academy work when Caspian is locked up in who knows what kind of cell.

Why am I here when I could be out saving him?

No. I can't let myself go down that road. Thomas promised he'll help me get in to see Caspian, I have to believe him when he says that, or else our quasi-relationship will fall apart at the seams. That's what whoever did this really wants. If none of us trust one another, and all decide to turn away from our friends, then we'll end up without any chance of uncovering the truth. Then we'll be stuck with Caspian in jail and the rest of us feeling guilty for the rest of our lives.

Not what I can call fun.

Mona, Daphne warns, pointing at my cauldron.

Damn. I push it away quickly, the sharp sting and sizzle from my fingers letting me know I've been too hasty. I pull my fingers back and stick them in my mouth, sucking on the burn and hoping the sting will fade.

It doesn't work. Instead, all I get is the acrid taste of iron from the cauldron itself.

My eyes water, and my non-burned hand strays to my wand. Regardless of the consequences, I need to fix myself.

A hand reaches out