Arcane Secrets: Magic Guardian Academy, #3

By Rebecca Goodwin

Third time is the charm, right?

 

Three times to get this magic thing working and my guys to not lose faith in me. Except, I'm hiding a secret from them, and if they find out, it could spell the end of us.

 

Add to that, the dark magic in my veins is growing wilder and more out of control by the day. So why the hell have the dark mages put out a hit on me for my power? There's something inside me I don't yet understand, and I have to uncover the truth before it's too late.

The lines between light and dark at the Academy grow blurrier, and apparently I'm not the only one holding onto a massive secret. Everyone in this place has skeletons in their closets, including the school.

 

So, my new mission is to survive before I end up six-feet underground.

 

Welcome to the Magic Guardian Academy, where supernatural creatures try to keep the world safe even on the days that suck.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Goodwin
• Release date: Mar 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215385326

Rebecca Goodwin

Rebecca Goodwin fell in love with fairytales and sword fighting. Now, she creates damsels-in-distress that rescue themselves and often the hero(es).  When not creating fantasy worlds and characters, Rebecca enjoys singing along to the radio and maintaining her fencing practice which she teaches to her son and daughter. Rebecca lives in Boston with her husband, two kids, three cats and three dogs. She loves hearing from readers. Signup to her VIP Newsletter today: http://eepurl.com/cWQ3gv UnderLand series: Underland - Book 1 Fairest - Book 2 Olympian Elemental Trails: Hidden Legacies - Book 1

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

SHADOW MAGIC

Atug on the magical binding between Megan and I jerked me out of my reverie. What the hell was Megan doing? When nothing else ripped through our bonding, I relaxed. This soul-tie was a dull throbbing pain in my gut and a constant pain in my ass. One I needed to remedy as soon as possible.

I brushed my dark hair out of my eyes and blinked down at the test on Magical History. My bright purple nail polish was chipped, and I needed a manicure. Damn, Zoey, focus on the test. I glanced back at the questions, but the words blurred.

The clock at the back of the classroom showed I only had ten minutes left. My gaze slid to the small window in the door and Jasper gave me a thumb’s up. My heart fluttered at seeing him.

Eyes on your own paper, Ms. Dane, Professor Meeds said, adjusting his wire-rim glasses. He looked more like he should be teaching a High School football or wrestling team than dates and numbers.

Chewing on my thumbnail, I quickly scribbled an answer as Egyptian being the oldest magical society and a few lines about why.

The bell rang and I jumped out of my chair, hoping my answer was right. I left my test paper in the growing stack along with the others and headed out into the hallway. My heart pounding to meet up with Jasper. Students milled past, but I veered through the crowd to Jasper.

Hey, beautiful. He kissed my cheek.

I suppressed the urge to pout that we couldn’t do more than hold hands when I wanted to keep kissing him. But school rules say no gratuitous shows of affection in school hallways or public places. Damn it.

Hey yourself. I beamed. Don’t you have class with Kento and Reed now. Conjuring?

He shrugged. Teach never said I had to do a lab in class and thought you could watch if you’re up for it?

Sure. I just wanted to spend time with him even though my insides tensed. I had no idea what he could be conjuring… either a pygmy demon or a cyclops. Both would be cool, but one might stomp on me and the other might want to bite chunks out of me. Still, I couldn’t resist the twinkle in his green eyes. What magical beasty is on the agenda?

It’s a surprise. He held out his hand and like the fool for him I was, I took it.

His fingers laced in mine and warmth traveled up my arm. When he led me out of the campus building onto the football field, I slowed. The black spot where the wraith had been summoned on my first day here still hadn’t grown back. I shuddered, wishing I’d been stronger then. Wishing I’d known what the hell I was doing so I could’ve saved those who had gotten hurt. Even now, the cold touch of the wraith when it pressed its finger to my chest still burned deep inside if I concentrated on the spot.

Relax, Jasper said, pulling me past the field and to the other side of the football goalposts. Even I’m not stupid enough to risk conjuring something so closed to that nightmare.

I’d never say you were stupid.

What adjectives would you call me then? He rubbed his chin, looking me over. Cause I’d call you ‘effen fine and smart.

I batted my eyelashes at him. Thank you for the compliment.

And me? he asks, his voice getting impatient.

Let’s see, I’d say. I tapped my finger to my lips as though thinking really hard, handsome, adventurous, courageous, and daring.

He beamed. Always.

I laughed and he chuckled along with me.

We walked into the woods, but turned west into an area I had never been to before.

Where are we going? I asked, hoping we weren’t going near a leyline. Those magical places fed on dark magic, the half of me I’d had to fight since coming to the academy.

Patience, cupcake.

God, don’t say that. I missed breakfast this morning and I’m starving. All because I had gotten sick of the dust piling in my room and had done some early spring cleaning. Apparently, when I had picked up my clock to clean it, I’d accidentally pushed the alarm off. Who puts buttons tucked away on the back of a clock anyway?

Here. Jasper pulled a peanut butter candy bar out of his jacket pocket and handed it to me. Oh, wait, you’re not allergic are you?

Considering he inhales these things like air, and I’ve kissed him a lot, I’d think he’d have asked me that question weeks ago.

Nope. I tore off the wrapper and took a huge bite, but I offered him the other half.

He kissed my fingers. You can have the rest. I ate two before having breakfast.

Don’t have to tell me twice. I finished the candy and stuffed the empty wrapper into the tiny pocket of my blazer. Really wished school uniforms would come with better pockets. My skirt had zero as did the white buttoned-down shirt I wore. I couldn’t complain too much though. I had Jasper and Kento who dug me and I them. Then there was Reed. Regret pricked the back of my eyes. He and I had instant chemistry when we first met, but lately, he’d been pulling away from me and I didn’t know why. I shouldn’t complain since I had two amazing guys who were into me and I adored them. I had more than I deserved with two boyfriends.

But part of me wondered if it was because Reed had found out my real mom had played with leylines and dark magic to gain more power when she was pregnant with me. And now I had light and dark magic swirling inside me, each craving dominance. Yet, the latter was a helluva lot more seductive.

Jasper stopped in front of a huge lake. 

I spun to him. Don’t tell me we’re going to conjure Nessie.

Who? He quirked an eyebrow.

You know...Nessie… the Loch Ness Monster.

Oh right. Not this time, though I might do that one for finals. He rubbed his hands together. Always wanted to visit Scotland. You okay with me wearing a kilt?

Was it getting hot out here or was that just me. You know I’m great with that. I was addicted to Highland Romance novels in High School. My human school. That life felt like forever ago even though I’d only been here a few months.

Then I’ll definitely invest in a kilt. Might even wear it for Halloween. Be like a Highlander ghost. 

Before I started drooling over the images of Jasper in a kilt, I said, All right, then what are you conjuring?

So impatient, he teased. Bet you open all your Christmas gifts at dawn.

Doesn’t everyone? But my gut clenched because my aunt and I would never celebrate Christmas or any other holiday ever again. The dark mages had killed her to get to me. Before I had come to Magical Guardian Academy, I had thought she was my mom. She’d raised me like I was her daughter. But she’d been my mom’s twin and had shunned magic in our house after my Da—Uncle had died. Now I’m at this school to learn to control my magic and be the warden against creatures and users who use their power for evil. Yet, I can’t help thinking that maybe I’m the one they need to be monitoring. My guys helped me from turning into a monster. But what about next time? Would I have the control to rein in my power before I hurt someone?

Don’t get too close to the water’s edge. Jasper tugged on my elbow, drawing me back.

The water looked like an inky black pit, and I shuddered, backing up another step. Hadn’t even realized I’d drifted closer.

Can you film this? he asked and handed me his cell.

Is that the only reason you asked me to come with you? I teased.

Not at all. He drew me to him and kissed my lips.

I melted against him, tasting the hint of bacon and coffee, and I couldn’t wait to see him in a kilt.

Pulling away, he leaned his forehead against mine. Both of our breathing was hard and fast. Damn, Zoey. You make me forget everything.

And that’s a bad thing? I teased.

It is when we’ve got less than thirty minutes, or I flunk conjuring. He winced, but lightly brushed a kiss across my lips. You are too tempting.

All right, let’s get this done. I stepped back and rubbed my arms, feeling suddenly chilly out of his embrace. So, what is it you’re trying to conjure?

Get the camera ready on my phone, please. He wiped his hands on his blue trousers. A kappa.

I raised an eyebrow. Isn’t that a fraternity?

Nope. He pulls out a shiny, white rock and places it next to the water’s edge. It’s a Japanese water sprite.

You're going to have a Japanese water sprite all the way out here? Why?

So, I can ace my test. Anybody can conjure a native sprite from the local area. Besides, I've always had a thing for anime and love Japanese stuff. Jasper pulled out another rock, this one black and shiny, placing it in the water. Get ready. Make sure you got the camera aimed so you can catch the sprite when it comes.

Definitely. I opened his cell phone app for the camera and tapped record, showing Jasper's face as he waved at me and the still quiet lake. Couldn’t believe we were going to