The Netherworld Academy: Bridges Burned

By Elijah E. James

“You know, you look very….” He licks his lips. “Enticing.” Luc slowly looked me up and down again. “You really are going to cause me so much trouble, aren’t you?” Luc shakes his head and chuckles to himself.
“Oh, enticing, huh?” I can tell I shouldn’t tease him, but it feels good to be complimented by him. “Why do you think I am going to be trouble?”
He chuckles louder “Because you look like demon bait. Do you know that?”
“How so?” I bat my eyes, curious about where this is going.
“Well, to start with…” He stepped closer to me, reaching his hand out. He ran a finger across my clavicle, sending a shiver through my body yet again. “Your skin is the color of cream, soft and pink. You smell of amber wood, pear, and hope. Your heart is broken, and a few words would have you begging for touch. You’re human, and that means you’re valuable to us, not to mention you are adorable when you get flustered like this.”
He ran his finger across my clavicle once again, and I felt my face heat up as I blushed deeper with every word that came out of his mouth. His fingers walk up to my neck slowly, and he runs then across my chin and rests his thumb on my lower lip, causing my lips to part ever so slightly. I can’t tear my eyes from his face as I watch his expressions change over and over again. One moment he is looking at me with a smoldering gaze. The next, it’s soft, then thoughtful, then alluring, and then back to sexy. I don’t think I can take this anymore. I squeeze my eyes tight and wait for what comes next. His thumb just rests there for a moment, then he brushes my lip ever so slightly, and a soft whimper escapes my lips before I realize what happened. My eyes shoot open, and I find his face just an inch or so from mine.
“See what I mean, Jasmine? You are enticing.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665545266

Elijah E. James

Books are my passion, growing up in a harsh world they became my escape. Despite the troubles of my youth I found adventure, love, and joy in the words written by others. I had always dreamed of writing a book but never thought I was worthy of such a feat. Then one day I read somewhere “Authors are just people who make the thoughts inside their head pay rent.” There was just something about that line that inspired me to follow my dreams. Thanks to my amazing spouse and two children, I found the love and encouragement needed to complete my first book, I hope all the people who pick up this book enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Stupid parents, stupid school, stupid exchange program, and most of all, stupid demons! All I wanted for my freshman year of college was to do what normal people do, go to school, change majors a few times, go to some parties, and be free from my parents. Why was I the one picked to study abroad? I know that probably sounds silly of me because most people would kill to be selected to leave their homes and see a new and exciting world, right? Well, the thing you need to know is I am not going to study somewhere amazing like Paris, or Greece… No, I have been picked to go to the Netherworld to study with Demons. How could my parents be okay with this? I don’t want this even in the slightest, but at last, I have no choice. So I am packing to go to Hell… Literally.

The first thing to know is that I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t volunteer to give up my life! I had everything planned out perfectly. I was to start college, visit my boyfriend, live in a dorm, make friends, enjoy my birthday, escape from my crazy mother, and just be normal. I was supposed to start living my life. Instead, I’m being forced to go to the Netherworld to strengthen the bridge that connects the two realms.

You see, everything changed about 20 years ago when Demons let their presence be known to humans. The world went crazy for the first couple of years but then people just kind of got over it, accepting this news, and things mellowed out. Until last year, when some lower demon brutally murdered a human in New York. The world went on the defense again, saying that we should stop all interaction between the races; people were scared again. There were a lot of political meetings trying to figure out what was best for the human race. After a few months of talking, a bunch of government officials came up with some stringent rules moving forward for both Demons and Humans alike. Only legal adults could interact with demons. There was to be no interworld travel unless authorized, and no items exchanged between worlds, no possession. These are just a few examples.

Along with these new rules, the government also made a specialized embassy called The Mortal, And Demon Embassy, better known as M.A.D.E. The embassy is located on the human side of the bridge, and they monitor everything closely. You have to get screened before you can take the train to the Netherworld. They are basically the T.S.A. between the worlds. Everyone relaxed once the embassy was founded, but now the government has agreed to allow a handful of college students to go and study in an effort to build a better working relationship between the two worlds. The hope that human demon relations will get better by sending a few humans to the Netherworld seems crazy to me. Still, the school counselors and government officials think it is the best course of action, so there isn’t anything else we can do about it, to be honest. There was a lot of concern when the announcement went out about the exchange program. After a few protests, M.A.D.E. did their best to reassure the masses, so no one seems to be worried about it anymore. Just like that, the world went back to normal or as normal as a demon human world can get, I suppose.

I remember the day I got the letter… I was in my room with Kayla (my best friend), and we talked about how crazy our summer was going to be. Summer has always been Kayla’s favorite season, so we wanted our last summer together to be epic. Parties, boyfriends, road trips, etc. The whole shebang. We were lying on my bed looking at a road trip guide when my mother barged in unexpectedly. She walked straight up to us with a smile of pure evil on her face.

I have wonderful news for you, Jazz. She snickered like the evil witch she is.

What is the news, mother? I huff in return.

You have been chosen to study abroad in the Netherworld. You are to have your stuff packed for a full year and be ready to leave in the next week. Your new school starts in two weeks, and you are expected to arrive early. No summer fun for you. She started laughing.

What!?!? I got picked? I didn’t even apply to go. I mutter, and I stare at my mother in complete shock.

No way, Jazz, that is so cool. I hear there are some amazing parties in Hell. Kayla says as she pokes me.

Yes, well, random schools were picked, and then the schools picked from there, so it must have just been luck. She cackled again.

I don’t want to go to the Netherworld, MOM!

Well, too bad, Jazz, you are going, and you will deal with it. You have a couple of days to say goodbye to your friends, and then you will need to get to packing. So get to it. She snapped then left the room.

After she left, I just sat on my bed and tried to breathe. Why was everything changing so suddenly? What am I going to do? What about school? What about my boyfriend? Kayla was talking about something, but my brain was so busy I couldn’t even begin to care what she was going on about. I just wanted to go to college parties and have some fun, yet fate has decided I would be one of the lucky humans picked. Meaning all my plans have changed…. Will the bridge strengthen, or will it burn when two races meddle with each other. What will a year in the Netherworld hold? How will things change? I guess we will have to wait and see…

Chapter One

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W HAT DO YOU pack when you are going to spend a year in HellHell? I have no idea, so I am just going with it when I throw my bikini into my bag. Shorts, tank tops, sundress, sandals… ugh, it looks like I am packing to go on a vacation to Fiji, but in reality, I am packing to go to the Netherworld. Why did I have to be one of the people picked? Studying in the demon world was not what I had planned for my summer vacation, or my first year of college, for that matter. A whole year in Hell… ugh, what am I going to do?

Jazz, are you ready to go? You were supposed to be done packing last night! My Dad yells up the stairs.

Almost! Are you sure I can only have three bags for the whole year? I yelled back.

Yeah, the pamphlet said you would be provided with most of what you need, and they are giving you a monthly allowance to help with anything you might want. Do you really need more than three bags? He giggles back. That is my Dad for you, always so logical. He is my favorite person in the world, always so happy and kind.

You shouldn’t even need three bags, Jazz, just take a couple of outfits, a pair of shoes, and your toothbrush. You will be fine. My Mother says as she walks into my room, glaring at me.

Yeah, but I am going to be there for a full year, and I don’t know what I should take. Plus, what if there are events? Who knows what else to expect from the Demon world. So I think it is best to prepare for anything. I sigh. You know I don’t have to go, right, Mom?

Don’t take that tone with me, girl. She uses the angry voice causing me to bury my retort. You are going, and you will spend the year there whether you like it or not. There is nothing you can say to change my mind. So suck it up, or I won’t let you come home for Christmas break.

I roll my eyes and huff as I cross my arms.

Do you have something to say, girl?

No, Mom… She had quit using my name after we found out I would be leaving for the Netherworld.

Good because I will not have any lip out of you She brought her hand up as if to hit me, and I flinched out of instinct. Ah, you do remember your place.

Yeah… I mumble, hoping she will just walk away and let me be.

Now hurry it up so we can get rid of you already. She laughs as she leaves my room.

I feel my face flush with fear; how could she hate me so much? My Dad and Mom adopted me almost seventeen years ago, yet she still doesn’t seem to love me after all this time. I thought after graduating high school as the valedictorian would be enough to make her proud at least, but no, I am still the child that she didn’t want. She only agreed to adopt me to make my Dad happy, he wanted kids, and she didn’t, so to make him happy, she found someone who wanted to get rid of their kid, and boom, she found me. According to her, my birth mother was a drug dealer that couldn’t stand me; she would leave me in the backyard like a dog. So out of the goodness of my Mom’s heart, she saved me and took me home to my Dad. He was so happy to have a child though he didn’t care how I was brought into his home. He took me to the courthouse and did whatever it took to make it legal. So even though my Mother doesn’t love me, I have a father who does.

Okay, Jazz, it is time to get loaded up and get you to the train station where you are to meet your demon guide to the Netherworld. You are to be taking a train to the MADE checkpoint at the bridge. Oh, you have to take a picture of the place for me! My Dad says as he grabs a couple of my bags.

Okay, Dad, I will be down in just a second. I just want to take a moment to say goodbye to my room.

Okay, sweetheart, but don’t take too long okay, your mom is taking you to the station, and you know how she is about being on time. He smiles as he walks away.

In my room alone for the last time, I take a second to breathe deep. I hope the place I will stay at will be nice, but nothing will be like my room. I walk over to the vanity and take one last look at myself. I am five foot five inches, long dark hair that cascades down my back, hazel eyes, and long lashes, full lips with a deep cupid bow is what I see when I look at the mirror for a long moment. I am nothing more than an average woman who needs to wear more makeup and do a few more sit-ups but overall, I would say I am pretty enough. I at least had a boyfriend, so I couldn’t be that bad, right? My eyes are kind of teary as I stare deep into my eyes and think about what is to come once I walk out my door. What will I do this year? Will I be able to find someone to be friends with? Do Demons hate humans? Will I be safe? Am I going to be able to have fun?

Honk

The sound of the car horn honking shaking me from my thoughts, and I shake my head as if to clear it. Now is not the time to worry about all that might happen. I take one final look around my childhood room and give a small wave, then head down the stairs toward the car. Once outside, I see a few friendly faces; Kayla is standing on my lawn with a big sign that says, Have fun in HELL. We will miss you. There are big hearts all over and smiles. My boyfriend Jack is playing on his phone, probably just to pass the time. A couple of our neighbors had come to see me off as well. I can’t help but smile since so many people had shown up to say goodbye. I can feel the sting of tears as my heart fills with joy.

You guys are amazing! I manage to choke out.

Kayla organized it all for you so you would get a real send-off. Isn’t that amazing? My Dad clapped a hand on my shoulder.

Kayla!!! I run straight to her and throw my arms around her. You really are the best!

Girl, I had to do something since your mom wouldn’t let me throw you a bon voyage party. Kayla laughed and hugged me back.

Wells, this is perfect.

Jazz, you have 20 minutes before I leave this driveway. My Mother mumbles at me.

Yes, mother. I proceed to say farewell to everyone, giving out hugs and being pat on the back. Some people said they hoped I had a good time, while others told me to stay safe and try to make it back in one piece. I decided to take the last ten minutes to talk to Jack alone. Sorry, everyone but the last few moments of my time is going to be spent with Jack. I grabbed him by the hand and walked up my driveway as everyone waved, leaving me to have my moment.

Look, Jazz, I am glad you pulled me aside to say goodbye because I need to talk to you about some stuff… Jack took a deep breath.

Sure, what’s up? I felt a strange foreboding in his tone.

Well, you know how we thought we were going to have the whole summer together?

Yeah? My heart pounded with excitement? Was he going to propose? We have been together since Freshman year, and we love each other, right?

Well, I had planned on doing this at the end of the summer, but since we won’t be together, I figured now was the best time. He took a deep breath. Jazz… I think we should…

Yes! I jump into his arms before he can even finish his sentence.

Break up.. He finishes as he catches me. Wait, yes, what?

Oh… you want to break up? I stammer as I pull myself out of his arms.

Well yeah, I figured since you were going off to college and we weren’t going to be together anymore, it would be best to have a clean break.

Wait, so you were going to spend the whole summer with me but break up with me anyway?

Well yeah… I mean, I didn’t want to be alone for the summer. I figured you wouldn’t want to be alone either. He crossed his arms and leaned back against my house.

Jack, what do you mean? I just kind of stood there feeling shocked and sick to my stomach.

"I mean, this is a high school relationship; you knew this wouldn’t last, right?’

What? I felt my heart start pounding.

Come on; we were just kids when we started dating. Did you really think we were going to stay together for the rest of our lives? He threw his hands out as if to make his point,

Well yeah, that is what we talked about. We talked about how we were going to go to college, start our careers, get married, and then start a family…. I tried to breathe. That is what we talked about?

Yeah, but I didn’t mean any of it! Jack started to raise his voice.

Then why would you say them? I can feel the sting of tears behind my eyes.

Because it’s what you wanted to hear. I was kind of hoping you would break up with me. After all the last year, I have been kind of an ass, but you always forgave me no matter what I did. I even made out with that one girl during the after-prom party, and you still stayed with me. Jazz, you are too nice, and you forgive way too easily. Jack shrugged his shoulders.

So you did make out with another girl at the prom after-party? I could feel the rage bubbling up inside me.

Yeah, she was hot!

You are such a bastard! I spit the words at him.

Well, you wouldn’t break up with me, so I tried everything I could think of… Well, except to sleep with another woman anyway. He kind of giggled. I would hate to have caught something from whoring around.

I can’t believe you are laughing about this!

Well, if you would have just broken up with me sooner, this wouldn’t have been a problem, would it? He huffed.

You don’t get to blame this on me! If you wanted to break up with me, you should have; you don’t get to act like it’s my fault! My voice is rising with my anger.

I never spent time with you; I only ever came around when I wanted to have sex with you. I mean, how could you not see I didn’t want to stay together.

WELL, YOU SAID YOU HAD TO WORK! SO I THOUGHT YOU WERE BUSY! I can feel my hands starting to shake.

Hey, stop yelling. Do you want everyone to know that you just got dumped?

You lossy piece of shit! I hate you so much right now!

Hey, this was never going to be more than a high school romance, and you know it. He took a deep breath. Besides, you are leaving for a year, and it’s not like it would matter if we were together or not.

Are you for real? I am the one being sent to another world. I am the one losing everything, my friends, my family, and now my boyfriend. I thought you brought me back here to, I don’t know, maybe kiss me, maybe promise that we were going to be together forever, but I didn’t think you were going to break up with me. Unlike you, I didn’t know this was only supposed to last for high school. I felt the tears start to sting my eyes again, and my voice kept breaking.

We both did know this was only for high school; the thought that people find their true love in high school is a fairy tale.: He looked at me the way you might look at a stranded puppy, and it is almost enough to break me completely. We were meant to be each other’s first love, not each other’s last.

No… I try to breathe so the tears don’t fall. We didn’t know that, but apparently you did, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself once again. Please leave.

Jazz, just know I don’t hate you. We have just grown apart, and I want to experience the world and everything it has to offer. I want something better than this. You, on the other hand, are going to the Netherworld and will get over me anyways. I am sure you will find some demon to fuck… My hand hit his face hard as I put all my feelings behind it. Ouch, that hurt! You bitch!

Just leave Jack. I watch as he walks away, and I feel the hurt start to grow as pain fills my chest. My hands shake, and I hate myself for it, but I somehow manage to keep the tears from falling. How did this happen? Why didn’t I see this coming?

Honk Honk

The sound of the car horn jerked me back to the present. I couldn’t go back to the others looking like my heart just got ripped from my chest. So I take a few deep breaths and put on a smile, and walk back to the front of my house. I try to keep my face natural as I get in the passenger seat; no one can know that Jack just broke up with me. My Mother would just find some way to make it my fault, and my Dad would feel bad for me and try to make it better. We don’t have the time.

Sorry for making you wait, Mother. That is all I can muster as I close the door to the car.

You wasted an extra ten minutes. You better hope there isn’t any traffic, or you will miss the train, and we don’t want that, do we? She throws the car into gear aggressively, and I just shake my head.

I look out the window at my Dad standing there waving, and I smile my biggest and wave back, so he knows I am okay. I will miss him so much; what is this year without him going to be like? Who will I talk to about everything? Who will let me cry and pet my hair?

Why are your eyes red? My Mother asks as she starts our drive to the station.

I am just sad to be leaving.. It isn’t a lie but not the whole truth either.

You have to be stronger than that, you are going to be fine, and if you’re not, you will have to figure it out after that. Her words are harsh, but I know she thinks it’s true.

Mom? My voice is barely more than a whisper.

What?

I am sorry I wasted your time. I don’t want our last moments to be unhappy. I knew if I didn’t apologize, my Mother would just remain bitter, so I decided to be the bigger person. I know I have been acting like a child; I just have been so upset about leaving everyone and going to an unknown place. Mom… I am so sorry.

I know you don’t want to go, but you are. Your Dad didn’t want you to go at first either, but I told him it would be good for you. It is for the best, you will either grow, or you will die. If you die, it means you are weak, and you will be better off. If you grow, you will be stronger and better off. Either way, it is for the best, plus it will look great when you try to get into a better school after you get done with your core classes. She sighs heavily, and I bite my lip. I forgive you for wasting the extra time because I know it will be the last mistake you get the chance to make as a child. You are finally an adult, and you will be on your own. Look in the glove box.

I do as she says and found a package, opening it, I found money. Mom, what is this?

It is some money your Father and I have decided to give you just in case you have needs or wants this year. We are not allowed to send you stuff, and communication between the two worlds is complicated. Your Father just wanted to make sure you had money in case you ever need it. Besides, I am sure there are dances and events for the school, and you might need a dress or something. She sounded so gentle that it kind of scared me; she has never been this kind to me before. I hope one day you can understand why you have been a burden on me your whole life. She sounded almost sad.

I hope I can understand as well. Thanks, Mom… Then silence filled the car as we made our way to the station where I would meet my escort—no noise, that is, except the few sniffles that escaped from my silent crying. We made our way to the station, and the closer we got, the harder my heart started to pound. I could feel the fear creeping in; at least, it helped stop the tears that had been slipping out for the last few minutes. My mind started to race as the station drew nearer. What is this year going to be like? What is the Demon who is supposed to be my escort didn’t show? Or worse, what if the Demon is really a monster? Would I be attacked in this new world? What is the Netherworld going to be like? What if I am not smart enough for this Academy? Why did Jack break up with me like he did? Why didn’t he tell me how he felt sooner? Was he telling the truth about everything, or was this just his way of handling me going away for the year? So many questions swirled in my head; I feared I would faint. Would anyone answer any of them?

Fear starts to consume me as we pull into the station, I have to breathe, or I w no ill lose it.

Mom… please don’t make me go… I beg you… please? My voice shook with fear, and I hated how pathetic I sounded.

Girl… Mother sounded sad for some reason.

Mom, please, Jack broke up with me, and I don’t want to be alone in this new world. I will be extra good, I swear. I will work twice as hard to make everything better. I will do anything you want! I can hear the desperation in my voice.

Get your stuff out of the trunk and get going now. She didn’t even look at me.

Please… Tears started to fall.

Girl, I will make you a deal. If you can make it the whole year in the Netherworld, I will back off, I will do more to accept you, I will be the Mother you want, and I will tell you everything. She looked at me, and I could see the tears in her eyes for the first time in my whole life. Does she care for me? Do you think that will make it worth going to the Netherworld for a year?

I stare at her for what felt like forever. Was she for real? Are you serious, Mom?

Yes, girl, I am serious. She looked me in the eyes and held her ground.

Then okay, Mom, it’s a deal. I whisper.

Now hurry, you only have 30 minutes till you are to meet your escort. She waved her hand to show she was done with me.

Right, thank you, Mom. I opened the door with a new outlook on the year. I could finally have my Mother’s love; can this be real? I head to the trunk and gather my bags as my Mother gets a cart for me, so I let my mind wonder what it would be like to have a Mother who loved me. Is my Mother truly capable of love?

Here you go, now you are to meet with a man who will be holding a sign for you by the main stairs; you shouldn’t be late. Mother pushes the cart in front of me, and I load my bags.

Okay, Mother, thank you for the ride to the station… I guess this is goodbye. I give her a small smile.

Yes, this is goodbye; remember to try not to die. Mother smiled back at me, and I felt my heart lift a little.

Of course! I say, starting to turn to walk away.

Jazz, one more thing… I just want to give you a small piece of advice. Remember not to make a deal you can’t keep. This is my only advice to help you survive the year. She spoke gently, and then with a curt wave, she drove away.

I don’t know what to make of that; oh well, time to head inside and make my way to the stairs. I ran to the doors, but I can feel the fear growing yet again with every step. I need to just keep breathing and keep moving forward. I finally reach the doors and shake my head, reminding myself I can do this. I just need to figure out where I need to go. So with a deep breath, I grab the handles and head inside. I take in the station and the people around me, see a sign for the bathroom, and figure I should make sure my makeup and face look okay after all the emotions today. I can’t let myself give into them just yet. My hurt, fear, and anger will just have to wait till I am alone for more than a few moments. Once inside the restroom, I head straight to the mirror; seeing my reflection only made me feel worse.

My makeup is a mess, my eyes are puffed, and my face red and blotchy. Anyone who even glanced at me for half a second would be able to see the tears I have been shedding. So I set to work fixing my makeup the best I can;