Lesson Three: Fighting Bravely: Monster Academy, #3

By Jaliza A. Burwell

Lesson Three: Fight bravely for what you believe in.

 

With Halloween just around the corner, I have my hands full. Kids want to have fun, I want to have fun, and something in the woods wants to have fun too. My kiddies start going missing, sending us into chaos and pissing me off. I'm more than happy to go hunting and destroying whoever decided to put their bloody hands on my students.

 

If that was all I had to deal with, everything would be peachy, but then I got a wild familiar who keeps stalking me. I think it's taking lessons from the guys because they're just as stalkery too. And of course, the Purity Party refuses to be side-lined. If anything else falls into my plate, I'm going to scream until the world shatters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jaliza A. Burwell
• Release date: Feb 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201022020

Book preview

Fighting Bravely

Monster Academy Lesson Three

––––––––

Jaliza A. Burwell

Fighting Bravely

Copyright © 2022 by Jaliza A. Burwell

All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Proofread by Bookends Editing

Book Cover Design by Jaliza A. Burwell

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Author’s Note

Next in the Series

From the Author

Stalker Links

Chapter One

Jori Oline and Ribner Tredarious continued to glare at each other, like they had been for the last ten minutes. My two precious trouble-making students had been at each other’s throats literally all school year. It was about time that changed.

I sat on the fence with my heels kicking against the sturdy wood with a satisfying thud. A cold wind blew by and I shivered, pulling my jacket closer to me. We were well through October now, with Halloween just around the corner.

The students were getting psyched about the holiday, considering it was more than just trick-or-treating or parties full of drunks. No, each Natural faction had their own thing going on, plus the huge party at the Academy that I made a requirement to attend. So while the world around the three of us prepared for the upcoming festivities just over a week away, I made these two frenemies who didn’t know they were frenemies yet chase around a familiar.

I crunched on a Twix as I glanced at the timer on my phone. The pocket in my jacket was currently filled with wrappings and my stomach was about to protest if I kept up this amount of consumption.

Still didn’t care as I shoved the rest of the candy bar into my mouth.

You know, this would go faster if you stopped glaring at each other, I called out, hoping to end this game. It had been fun at first as they bickered at each other and threatened to rip the other one to shreds. Unfortunately, that grew old quickly and I was ready to move on with my day. But I was going to prove to goddess Athena that I did have patience. So my butt stayed parked on this fence as I watched the two kiddies fight.

Neither of them looked at me and I sighed as the cute little familiar ran by. The bugger was absolutely adorable but he made it known that he didn’t like people trying to get cuddles from him. The amount of students who had to be treated by Alto and his staff proved that. At least Alto’s students were getting in a lot of practice with injuries made by familiars. Those took a special kind of touch.

The cutie pie was long and sleek, a deep blue color, with long floppy ears and whiskers. It was almost a cross between a bunny and a cat. Two fluffy tails whipped around behind it. The thing ran around with swag, cocky in having control. Poor thing had no idea that it was already trapped and I was only letting him frolic around as a team-building exercise for the two kids.

The two students didn’t care how close their target was to them. All they cared about was proving who hated who the most. That had been their life, and part of mine since Neutral Academy opened. If the reporters or even the Purists knew about this rivalry that could quickly become deadly, then they’d be all over that. Especially the Purists. They’d been a pain in my side since I announced that there was even going to be an academy.

I sighed and sent out a trickle of magic, making sure to give both of them a little zap in the bums. They both jumped and glared at me, but then they remembered who I was and it dropped away into wariness. The only time Jori and Ribner were on the same page was when it came to their opinion of me.

Yeah, that’s what I thought, I said. Now. Since you guys still can’t be nice after over a month of being forced to play together, I’m taking matters into my own hands. Work together, and capture that little bugger. I need to make sure he doesn’t have rabies.

Said little bugger turned and hissed at me. I hissed back, making it stiffen at the challenge. I could see his anger. He wanted to come at me, but knew I was the dom in our relationship. If he dared, I’d take him down. So he hissed again and ran off.

But he couldn’t get far. The little guy smashed into the ward and rolled backward.

I smirked, thanking Dany for her little trap. No one, not even me, was getting out of this ward until he was captured and tucked away where he wasn’t going to hurt my students any longer. And where I could more easily pet him. I really wanted to touch his floppy ears.

We aren’t going anywhere until he’s in that little animal prison by my feet. I pointed to the animal carrier meant for cats.

Do we really need to do this? Jori asked. His wolf rolled around in his dark eyes, giving it the sheen of a predator. Sixteen years old and he thought he was the boss of the world. I’d been reassured that that was how all teenagers thought and it was perfectly normal.

Yes, we really do. I smiled.

His mortal enemy grumbled before saying, This is stupid.

Not as stupid as the two of you destroying half my cafeteria with one of your fights. Thankfully, your parents graciously paid for the damage, but you still need to be punished. So until I say so, the two of you are my slaves. Now, get him. I pointed at the familiar.

They tossed another glare at each other before finally trying to chase the thing around the field. It was entertaining to watch. And sad. But the kind of sad that made me giggle as it brightened my day.

Ribner was a son of a harpy with control of wind and yet his little tricks didn’t help. Familiars had immunity to many things, like little energy or magic-based tricks. They would need to do more than try to make the guy float in the air to capture him.

It looked like Jori’s shifter speed wasn’t giving him the advantage he should have had. I was beginning to respect the familiar.

What are you doing, mistress? Rorke Archon’s low gravelly voice made me jump slightly. I turned to see him standing just outside the ward behind me, with a small amused smile. His hands were stuffed into his jeans.

Ah, my favorite gargoyle, I said. Aren’t you supposed to be bringing misery to the trainees?

He chuckled, making my smile widen. I’m letting someone else take control for today. It’ll be good for him. I thought I’d take a walk before going back to see how he’s handling it. Didn’t expect to see you here. He glanced around. Where is your bodyguard?

Rophan is playing with his baby sister. I tried not to pout, but it still came out in my voice.

And let me guess, he didn’t let you join?

He wanted family bonding time without me corrupting her.

You know, I’m surprised you haven’t met her yet.

I smirked. Don’t worry. I will. Soon. Very soon. He can’t keep her away from me for much longer.

Archon looked at the two students running and held in a chuckle as one of them tripped over his own feet trying to grab the familiar that danced around. The darn thing was messing with them.

So? What exactly is going on? He reached out and touched the ward, tapping it gently, causing a green ripple to flow outward from where he hit it.

I motioned to the two students. Plan Besties, first phase, I said.

Plan Besties? He sounded like he was holding in his laughter.

After letting out a small chuckle, I said, Yes. I’m determined to make them play nice by the end of the school year. This is just the first part of it all.

And if they kill each other before their friendship has time to blossom?

That would be unfortunate. I pursed my lips. I’ll be keeping a close eye on them and put a stop to it before it gets to that point.

Hmm.

So, what’s up? I asked. Why are you here?

Thought you’d like to take a walk with me.

That’s it? A stroll?

He smirked. For now.

That does sound wonderful. I tapped the ward, liking the way it shimmered green. The warmth of Dany’s magic was comforting, as it always was. I loved it when she used her magic. Unfortunately, I’m stuck in here too until these two get that little dude.

We watched the show. They had to be embarrassed doing this. I was almost embarrassed watching them, but I was more amused than anything else.

I don’t think that’s happening any time soon. Archon sounded disappointed.

Yeah. I sighed, feeling the same. A walk with Archon would have been nice. Being in his company always excited me. Something about the gargoyle fascinated me, and it wasn’t just the way he called me mistress, though that did play a big part of it.

I was slowly learning all the ways to get the stubborn man to react to me, like how his green-hued skin darkened when he blushed, or how his black eyes constricted when he was feeling strong emotions. And still, I had not seen his human form. I didn’t think anyone had. He was one of the ones that as soon as the Unveiling happened, he went into his natural state and never changed back. It was a mystery I wanted to solve, but I couldn’t do that until those kids finished their mission.

Archon watched with me as they failed epically to do such a simple task. I was growing annoyed now that Archon had given me a better alternative to how I could be spending my time.

The two of them growled at each other and were ready for another round of grumbles and glares.

Okay, I’m done with this. Time to end it. I hopped down from the fence and walked over. The two boys froze and stared at me, taking a moment to share wary glances. Well, that was a start.

The familiar hissed at me, his hairs standing up.

Pulling on the intention I had, I pushed it into my words, irritated with the little critter. I suggest you march your furry tush into that carrier. If not, I will collar you and lock you in a cage. I made sure the truth of my words came out. You’ll only be let out after I determine you aren’t a threat to my students. And trust me, that can be a long, long time if you don’t voluntarily go with those two silly boys.

The fluffball stared at me, and I thought he was going to fight it out with me. That was fine with me, I was itching for a good smackdown. I made sure my expression said that. He blinked, made a small mewling noise, and then finally sulked into the carrier. As soon as it clanged shut, the ward went down.

There. Freedom! I handed the carrier over to Ribner. The two of you get to escort this little hellfire to Miss Blodwynn. Dany will know what to do with it. You have five minutes so I suggest you don’t spend it fighting if you don’t want to spend another week drawing football field lines again.

They’re already drawn, Jori dared to say.

Oh? Well, they need refreshing. Four minutes. Better go.

They took off. The creature mewled pathetically, no doubt hating the way he was being treated. Even I would suffer from motion sickness with the way Ribner was swaying that carrier.

Shall we? Archon held his hand out.

I grinned and looped my arm through his, letting him act like a gentleman.

The walk was peaceful. Students were wandering around, but instead of all the human forms I was used to seeing when the school had first opened, it was different now. Students were slowly shedding their human identities and relaxing.

It had all started when some junior high students decided they only wanted to be in their valkyrie forms, wings and all. That had caused a ripple of anxiety and excitement until suddenly all the students were leaving their dorm rooms in their natural states.

I loved it.

A jaguar shifter stalked by on all fours. She was beautiful. Long and lean, her spots glimmering in the sun. She saw we had her attention and even paused long enough to stretch out her body, her front dipping down as she stuck her butt up high in the air. I was always jealous of felines when they stretched like that.

She made a small snorting noise before shaking herself, eating up the attention we gave her, before moving on with her walk.

Was this what you imagined? Archon asked.

It’s only a glimmer of what I dream of this place becoming, I said. But this is definitely a start.

A cool breeze drifted through the field, rustling my white hair back. I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath, and letting nature’s elements relax me. It was its own kind of magic as the fresh air brushed against me, my lungs filling with it. My taste buds came alive as the autumn day danced on it.

Archon’s hand flexed, tightening briefly before relaxing. I glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. His smile was relaxed. Handsome. Eyes twinkling.

You’re happy.

My smile felt bitter on my face. Not yet, if our days stay like this, I’ll get there. And the festivities are going to start soon. How can I not be excited about that?

Right, Halloween.

Samhain, I corrected. The witches are probably the most excited. I shook my head. No, that’s a lie. The spirit masters are. Alto has been going on about it.

Why?

It’s the closest our realm gets to the dead. The necromancers and whisperers are going to be practically dancing with them. I rubbed at my jaw briefly and snickered. Zen has been working his men into the ground to prepare in case someone accidentally lets something through. We can’t prevent them from messing around, they’ll just do it in secret. So we are trying to make sure they do it in the most controlled environment possible. And those who do wish to do something crazy, we need to be ready to find them and stop them before they can. The security has been working to set up a grid-like system that will alert us when magic is being used when it shouldn’t be and where. It’s exhausting work.

Thinking of keeping that grid up after?

No. It isn’t sustainable. It’ll only work now because it’s only for a day. Any longer and it becomes dangerous.

Archon didn’t ask for more details as we kept walking around. He made for a good companion, keeping conversation going. We talked about nothing and everything, and I loved it. He had me laughing as we ran into Zen and some of his men.

Adeelah, Zen said with a smile.

No, I do not know where Dany is, I said automatically.

I didn’t ask.

I still stand by my response.

He sighed, shoulders slumping. The two of them had a fight the other day. I was not getting into the middle of it. I already told Dany the same thing. It was between the two of them. Besides, by next week, they’d be back to boinking each other.

Is the world falling apart? I asked. Give it to me straight.

Zen chuckled. Nothing wrong, everything’s quiet.

The kind of quiet that’s too quiet?

No, Adeelah. Normal. Everything is as it should be.

Oh. All right.

Careful, Archon said. Otherwise, I would think you want something to happen.

There’s a difference between wanting something to happen, and being aware that something may happen at any moment. I poked Archon hard in his chest. He rubbed the spot, pretending it hurt. With Archon being a gargoyle, I was at higher risk of breaking my finger