Secrets: Netherworld Academy, #2

By Lisa Cardwell

Welcome back to Netherworld Academy.

Cali Bishop never thought she'd be happy to hear those words. But as she returns to the Academy for her second-year, she realizes it just may be the safest place for her.

At least until Brandon returns nursing his old vendetta and stirring up new dangers.

And then, when a mysterious invitation arrives, secrets and legacies begin to intertwine in this return to Netherworld that promises a second year that might be her last...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebel Heart Ink
• Release date: Nov 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781999218508

Book preview

Chapter one

I moved through the darkening forest, the thick clouds overhead obscuring the full moon, plunging the area deeper into the darkness. Hearing the footsteps behind me pick up the pace, gaining on me, I swallowed the fear that kept bubbling up and continued moving forward, trying not to stumble on the debris on the ground.

The well-worn path ahead of me slowly disappeared, getting covered in the quickly descending fog which was spreading out and rolling ominously toward me. Its smoky white tendrils reached out and covered all in its path, hiding everything it touched.

I kept moving ahead, the footsteps behind me almost thundering now, matching the pounding of my heartbeat. I didn’t dare glance behind, didn’t dare to fall and make being caught that much easier.

I pushed past the burning in my chest while stepping off the path and deeper into the fog. The cold clamminess burned against my skin…seeping quickly through the thin fabric of my clothes and making breathing almost impossible as the icy air crushed my ribcage.

Her laugh—her sick, cloying laugh—surrounded me.

Panic grew, washing over me in heavy waves. I couldn’t outrun her forever.

I glanced behind, seeing nothing more than a wall of fog and those thundering footsteps. I quickened my pace, the burning in my chest spreading down to my legs as my moves becoming as blind as my eyes in the thickening fog. And in a sudden motion, I was flying forward, my foot having caught a thick branch on the ground.

As I tumbled to the ground, falling through the dense fog, I screamed…the fear, the panic coming out in one horrifying sound.

I sat up in bed with panic still blinding me, then took a few quick and deep breaths, my chest heaving with exertion. It took me a moment to orient myself. I wasn’t on some forest floor somewhere; I wasn’t being chased.

I was in a hotel room, my parents on the other side of the suite.

I was safe.

I took a shaky breath and then one more before climbing tentatively out of bed. The sweat on my body made me suddenly cold, my nightshirt sticking to me, cloying, my hair matted against my head.

I stumbled forward on weak legs, my lips dry and throat burning, to push open the glass balcony doors and move out into the cool night air for a breather. The light and fresh scent of the overflowing flowerpots grounded me to the here and now, the faint strip of moonlight reflecting off the ocean in the distance the only glow around.

I sat down on the soft turquoise cushions of the lounge chair, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. One deep breath followed by another, in an effort to bring my heart rate down. Blazing hot tears burned my eyes and I squeezed them shut, feeling the heated trail they made as they rolled down my already overheated face.

I didn’t have the energy to brush them away anymore.

I was weeks away from being back at Netherworld Academy.

Weeks away…

And yet, Angelina still haunted me everywhere.

Bad enough I still carried the physical scars from our last encounter…but not knowing where she was… Add to it the nightmares that had constantly plagued me…

I was almost looking forward to being back at the Academy.

Maybe there, the nightmares would finally end. The feeling of being constantly chased would abate away. I’d be back with my friends, I could talk, I could distract myself with silly little mundane things like schoolwork. And I could stop pretending I wasn’t as haunted, as traumatized as I was. That the fear didn’t constantly overwhelm me, that I wasn’t terrified to let my eyes fall closed every night.

The summer had been an effort to distract me from the horrors I’d gone through: the traveling to different countries, never staying overly long and always staying busy. The beaches, the shopping, the private tours we’d taken. All had definitely been designed to put my mind, my thoughts, elsewhere, and while it worked at times, it never fully succeeded.

Angelina and Brandon were always there, lurking in the dark shadows of my psyche.

***

TWO WEEKS LATER:

I’m happy to be back at Netherworld.

Words I never thought I’d hear myself say. But here I was thinking them with the slightest hint of a smile on my face, my father driving up to the campus in our rented SUV.

I watched out the passenger window as we passed the familiar landmarks, the curve in the round and the turn off to the Academy.

The moment we passed through the opened dark iron gates, an almost familiar chill ran through my body. I hadn’t been here in months—we’d left fairly quickly after the moving up ceremony in April.

Months since I’d last seen Anna in person or even heard from Cole.

After that text message we’d all received at the moving up ceremony, my phone had been quickly taken away, only to be replaced many weeks later by some brand I’d never heard of.

It couldn’t even sync to the cloud like my last one.

A shiver went down my spine as I remembered the message on the screen. My phone may have been taken, but I could still see the image of the screen so clearly in my mind.

I’m still watching

Words that had haunted me ever since.

My father glanced at me as he parked in front of the Academy like Sam had last year. I grabbed my new black leather backpack from the backseat before heading inside after him. The big door was open, but with a security guard in a dark suit standing there now. He nodded at me and my father as we stepped inside the dark interior, as if he’d been expecting us.

The foyer hadn’t changed at all, the massive stone fireplace the central feature with the dark leather couches and chairs set into neat little conversational areas. The strong fragrance of the freshly stoked fire, melting wax candles, and the place’s special incense filled the air.

I glanced toward the couches again—they were all empty. No surprise this time of the day. No full-blood vampire would willingly be up and about right now.

Just as I was about to say something, my dad’s phone vibrated. I sighed to myself.

I’ll check in… I offered, waving to the Reception desk across the vast space.

He nodded. I’ll meet you back here.

He barely had the words out before his gaze locked on his phone, his fingers poised, ready to type out a response.

I headed to the desk to check in, fumbling in my pocket for my phone. Thankfully, no one stood there in front of me, so no need to wait. Guess waiting ’til practically the last minute to get to the Academy had some pros , after all.

Cali Bishop.

I glanced up startled as the receptionist said my name before I even had the chance to open my mouth.

Welcome back.

She greeted me with a warm smile, and I instantly recognized her as the same receptionist as last year.

I nodded, murmuring thanks while pulling my new phone from my jeans pocket then set it on the shiny countertop. She opened the desk drawer beside her and thumbed through a stack of large envelopes before pulling one out with my name on the front, which she handed to me before passing me a clipboard. I signed my name hurriedly and took the thick envelope, glancing at the clipboard one more time. Only a few names scribbled down for the day, none that I recognized.

Guess most people had already arrived.

Including my friends, given the text messages I’d gotten the last few days. Anna had been texting me almost hourly with updates the moment she’d gotten my number.

Everything you need is in there. Class schedule, room assignment…Academy map, and of course, the handbook for the year.

Great.

I turned, sensing someone behind me, and found another student standing there, looking at the phone in their hand. I was guessing a third-year since I didn’t recognize them at all—they didn’t look young enough to be a first-year.

I sidestepped them and looked around—no one there but us. My father had apparently disappeared while I’d been busy.

I sighed to myself and scanned the area again. I’d wait.

My phone beeped with the text from my father, and I took a seat in one of the tall leather chairs in the foyer, setting the backpack by my feet and reading the message. ‘Quick meeting. Be out in five.’

I sighed softly and opened my backpack, pulling out a chocolate bar and ripping the corner open, breaking myself off a small piece. I popped the sweet morsel into my mouth and looked around. The receptionist was talking to what looked like another new student, the one who’d been behind me now long gone. I opened my envelope and looked at my new room assignment.

Roommate: Anna Morgan

I smiled at my best friend’s name and checked to see where we were. A whole other area of the Academy. They moved everyone year to year. And we were in the newly restored second-year wing, which apparently had the larger suites. Only a couple dozen students were in the newer suites.

I wondered how close we were to the guys’ suites. The second-years apparently took over an entire wing on the farthest side, and two of the towers on the far side of the Academy.

My father approached with his hands in his pockets. Let’s make sure everything arrived and then I’ll leave you be. I’m sure you’ve already got plans in the making.

I laughed softly while standing up, and we headed down the dark Academy halls, the lights still cued to their sleep time mode. I had a feeling the everything he was referring to was whatever locks and such he’d had added to our room. After Angelina’s disappearance…and Brandon’s… Who knew when or where they’d resurface? My father wanted me protected. To be honest, I wanted to be protected—I wanted to feel safe, something I hadn’t truly felt in a long time.

I didn’t like sleep anymore, day or night, and once I got back on Academy schedule it would be sleeping during the day.

I didn’t like the nighttime, and I most definitely did not like the idea of being alone.

We stopped in the middle of the side hallway. It headed off in three different directions.

All right, I know the second-years usually get this wing, but where did they assign you?

I held out the sheet to him.

My father glanced at the paper then guided me to a different stairwell.

The area near the towers is nice, he said as we moved up the thick red carpeting that quieted the sound of our footsteps.

You stayed there?

Second year.

I looked at him moving ahead of me, wondering what all he wasn’t telling me. What had that meeting been about, for one. Dad?

He rounded another flight and kept going. I followed, folding the piece of paper and setting it in my pocket as I hurried to catch up, grabbing the key from my other pocket.

He was waiting down the hall, the phone in his hand. He tucked it away as I approached and smiled.

Anna’s here already? he asked with a small smile, no doubt happy to know he wasn’t about to leave me on my own.

Supposedly got in two days ago…she’s probably already out somewhere with Storm, I said, glancing at room numbers as we passed. Not far from the staircase.

I unlocked the door and reached for the light switch as we stepped in. The room smelled strongly of fresh-cut flowers, and as soon as the light came on, I could see why. A large floral arrangement of bright colorful blooms sat over on the kitchen counter.

The room was a lot larger than last year’s, almost double, but had a familiar layout with the two couches in the main room and a coffee table in between. A large desk against the window, the familiar black-out curtains covering it. The main room still looked overall decidedly bare. We’d probably put up some posters or something to make it feel a little more ours.

My father closed the door, and I caught him checking the locks. I shook my head and turned away.

I headed to the mini-kitchen with its own counter and fridge, a microwave, a couple of cupboards, and two stools at the counter where I found the folded note: ‘Out with Storm. Can’t wait to see you! Text me when you’re here.’

She’d ended the note with Anna and a heart beside it.

I looked up to see my father walking out of one of the bedrooms. This one’s yours.

I laughed. Thanks for pointing that out.

I was sure my four-poster bed was the telltale sign. Anna had her customized casket. I wondered if she’d gotten a new one for this year.

He smiled. Everything’s there. Luggage, supplies, and a few extra things your mom ordered.

And likely a state-of-the-art lock on my bedroom door.

Can’t wait to see.

He stopped on the other side of the table. You need anything, you call. Anytime.

I nodded. I will.

His dark gaze scrutinized me. For a moment, I wondered if he was going to change his mind and decide I was better off somewhere else, away from the Academy and all the craziness that had ensued last year.

You’re safe here…

I pressed my lips together, wondering if his telepathy was kicking in. Right.

You are. Believe me. I’ve had discussions with Hawkins and the King. The entire security team has multiplied in size. There’s state-of-the-art security everywhere…cameras, manpower, and more… He scanned the room again before focusing his attention back on me. And I am one phone call or text away.

Okay.

He motioned me over, and I moved around the counter, giving him a hug.

Now, I know you want me out of the way so you can go find Anna and Cole and enjoy your one last day of relative freedom before the school year kicks off tomorrow. I’ll head back to the village and meet up with your mom. We’re around here for a few more days—

Then back on the road. I know. Mom showed me the itinerary on her phone.

He ruffled my hair for a moment. Text your mom some photos. She’ll want to see the place.

Promise.

I locked up behind my father, knowing full well he was standing on the other side of the door until he heard each and every lock slide into place. I kept my hand over the last dead bolt, the uncertainty filling me all over again.

I’m safe, I kept telling myself on a deep breath then turned, heading for my bedroom. Nightmares were just that, nightmares. It didn’t matter that they’d been haunting me for months. When I woke up, I was safe, always safe. And here, I’d be with Anna just a short distance away across the suite. I wasn’t alone, and she was my best friend; I could confide absolutely anything in her that I needed to.

I pushed my heavy bedroom door open and smiled. Dad had left the desk light on, highlighting the glossy glass desk waiting for me and the black and white leather gaming chair in front of it. A row of empty shelves off to the side awaited my tablet and chargers to take up the space. My favorite armchair sat there already facing my oversized arched bedroom window. The curtains had been pushed back, no doubt for Dad to check the view. My bed was all set up and made, the red velvet curtains tied back on each pole, just waiting for me to climb in and pull them shut. My luggage sat in the closet, my few boxes of belongings all labeled and stacked in the corner. Everything was there, ready and waiting.

I went to the luggage and opened the top one, pulling out a change of clothes. I slipped my long-sleeved shirt over my head and tossed it to the side, slipping the fresh T-shirt on, the soft fabric cool against my skin. I reached for a hoodie, ignoring the light marks that still graced my arms, and zipped it up halfway. I pulled my hair elastic off my wrist and tied my hair back up, then reached for my phone and scanned the messages. Nothing new had come in yet.

I had Cole’s new number on a scribbled sheet of paper my father had given me that morning and keyed it in.

‘Guess who’s here?’ I sent. I pocketed my phone and headed back to the kitchen, grabbing an orange juice from the stocked fridge, then pulled my schedule out of my envelope and looked down the list.

More History, more defense classes, and as always…my favorite…the hunt.

My phone buzzed as I flipped the page over.

I took it from my pocket, smiling at the message.

Wanna meet up?

I couldn’t text back fast enough. Give me five. Where?

Meet you at the usual spot.

I picked up my backpack, double-checking I still had a few things inside I’d picked up during the summer for my friends, and hurried out of the room, making sure to lock up tightly behind me.

Part of me was so excited to see Cole, and the other half...was greatly apprehensive, especially about his silence all summer. Sure, none of us had had a phone, but I’d written him, given him the addresses to write me back…and nothing.

Not a single word. No postcard. Not even a return to sender.

Had he just thrown all my postcards in the trash? Maybe after being apart for a few weeks and having the chance to think back over the last few months, he’d decided I was more trouble than I was worth.

Heck, I’d probably run the other direction from me, too, if I were him.

But still, part of me held a little hope. Mail got lost all the time. Maybe some of them never made it to him at all.

I guess I’d find out when I saw him.

I moved quickly down the wide stone staircase and hurried toward the familiar exit that would put me right on the path to our bench.

I pushed the door open, pausing for a half-second to make sure an alarm didn’t sound somewhere. Silence. I smiled to myself and hurried out into the fresh air. I hurried down the well-worn path and could see dull low lights turning on in various rooms in the Academy beside me. There were a few voices faintly off somewhere in the distance, likely maintenance staff finishing off the yard work for the day. I took the turn in the path and saw Cole in the distance at the bench.

I couldn’t help the grin that crossed my face at the sight of him as I sped up my pace and hurried toward him. Five months had been way too long.

There he was, gorgeous as ever, his dark hair a little longer than last time I saw him, his familiar black T-shirt and jeans. He stood by the bench, a pizza box and a six-pack of sodas on the bench in front of him. He kept glancing at his phone in his hand then scanning the area then back to his phone.

He turned at the sound of my hurried footsteps and smiled, the dimple on his right cheek deepening, his eyes crinkling. He looked great. His shoulders seemed even broader in the brand-new Academy T-shirt he had on and the faded blue jeans.

I couldn’t help myself—I dropped my backpack on the bench and hugged him tight, happy to see him. He hugged me tighter, lifting me up slightly on tiptoe.

With one final squeeze, he lowered me back down.

You’re alive, I said as my feet touched the ground again.

Why wouldn’t I be? He looked confused.

You didn’t write. I wrote you everywhere I was. Budapest. Romania. Italy. Greece. London.

And I wrote you back, every postcard, except I stayed here, in one place. He laughed as our eyes met. They’ll catch up to you eventually. His tone was reassuring.

You think so? There hadn’t been a single postcard back, let alone a letter. Wouldn’t something have made it through?

I frowned. There hadn’t been a single postcard back, let alone a letter. Really?

I’d been thinking maybe he wasn’t interested anymore after there’d been no reply at all. Mom kept trying to tell me he was likely busy getting ready to move into the Academy and everything. She never threw that out there as an option. Even though we spent a few weeks at each spot.

They’ll forward it on. I’m sure your dad left addresses behind for contacting him.

Hopefully.

He motioned for us to sit down, and I did, taking a seat on the familiar bench, glad I’d brought my hoodie to keep out the early evening chill. I rubbed my hands together waiting for the pizza.

Cole angled the box between us and took two of the cans from the six pack, putting one in front of me. What kind of boyfriend would I be if we didn’t celebrate our first day back together?

I love that you did this… I said, taking a napkin from the stack he pulled out of his backpack.

I had a little help. Your dad texted me when you got to the school. We had the order on standby…

So that likely explained Dad’s phone vibrating. Maybe even the meeting he’d had to run off to. Sneaky.

He grinned. Worked, didn’t it?

Completely. I couldn’t help grinning at him.

He lifted the lid on our pizza, and I sighed happily as the first waft of steam went up into the air. I breathed deeply, my favorite mix of cheese and pepperoni and mushrooms with a hint of peppers.

I was in love.

Cole grinned and pulled the first slice out, setting it on my napkin. Ladies first.

He went back and grabbed a large slice for himself.

So, catch me up… I asked, taking a big bite of pizza. So good. The one positive thing about the Academy? Totally within driving distance of an amazing pizza place.

He took another bite then set his down, reaching for another napkin to wipe his hands off. Was going to ask you that.

Why? You’re the one who’s brand-new to Academy life.

He nodded. True, but your dad brought you himself…

I shrugged. I think he wanted to double-check security.

So no sign of Angelina.

I glanced up to see him watching me intently, his pizza still sitting on the napkin. Not that I’ve heard.

He frowned. I was just hoping he’d have caught her by now.

I stopped, pizza halfway to my mouth, then set it back down. What do you mean?

After the moving up ceremony and we got that text, there was a short meeting while there were drinks after the reception. All of our parents, including the King and Hawkins were there. Your dad said he was going hunting.

How do you know?

My dad told me when he took the phone away. He said I’d get a new one when your dad had new ones for all of us. Which I took to mean they’d be special in some way. Monitored, maybe? I don’t know. Mine showed up a week ago, with no numbers in it, which I thought meant I was cut out until Storm showed me his, and it was identical. No numbers at all. So he barely had contact with Anna, and aside from your postcards, you and I had none either.

I looked down at the pizza, my appetite suddenly nonexistent. I was completely deflated. I hadn’t put it together. I’d thought the vacation was…just a vacation. Different places than usual, sure—Romania. Prague. Italy. Greece. Spain— but still a closer flight back to Netherworld…

So I was on vacation, but he was working.

Had we tracked her all along? Did he ever have a lead on her? I had too many questions and no answers. If my father had kept me in the dark this long, there must be a reason for it.

I glanced back at the Academy nervously. If he’d been working, and he hadn’t mentioned her, then there’d been no sign of her, nothing.

Which meant we were all still in danger.

No wonder he’d been so dead-set on me returning to the Academy for a second-year. And his comments about being safer here than anywhere else. I’d be watched here. Anywhere else, even back home with Mom, unless he was around…I was unprotected. With me here, he could go look for her, full stop. And not really have to worry.

I had no clue, I said finally.

I’m sorry, Cali. I shouldn’t have said anything. Ignore me.

I shook my head hurriedly. No, it’s fine. I just…I’ve been in a daze most of the summer. I finished my slice and reached for another, motioning for him to do the same. I didn’t want to ruin our first ‘date’ in months. Change of subject, tell me about the Academy. Are you all moved in?

He leaned back, stretching his long denim-clad legs out in front of him. I just moved in a few days ago.

And?

And it’s different…living in there. He laughed. It’s gonna take a while to get used to…everything.

Is it something you can get used to?

I was a little apprehensive that maybe it wouldn’t be. I’d had a hard enough time on my own, and I had been with Anna.

He was with Storm. Who knew how well that would work out?

He nodded.

Absolutely.

So, any sign of Brandon? I asked uneasily. If Cole had been in the Academy for a few days already, he likely had seen some of the students in passing. And he’d be able to recognize him easily enough.

Not yet.

The yet was worrying. I’d have to ask Anna if Storm had said anything when I saw her.

Cole squeezed my hand. It’ll be okay. Promise.

Going to hold you to that. I squeezed his hand tighter.

You made it through your first year. Now you just gotta help me get through mine.

Absolutely.

We sat there for a few minutes, finishing off the pizza. He closed the box and set it down by his feet while I moved closer to him. It was comforting just to be back together again, my body relaxing in a way it hadn’t in months with his simple touch. I reached for his hand, entwining our fingers together as I leaned against his shoulder, looking at the Academy. The moon was rising in the sky, peeking through the few clear spots overhead. In the time since I’d gotten there, the night had clouded over quickly, and the scent of fresh rain was strong in the distance.

It’ll be okay, I said to myself, glancing toward the forest.

It’ll all be okay.

Chapter two

Cole and I spent a couple of hours together on our bench, catching up on everything. All my uncertainty over the lack of response of the summer faded away quickly. I knew at some point, like he said, his cards would catch up with me and I’d get to decipher his handwriting sooner than later. We fell back easily into that level of comfort we always had together.

Did you miss this place? he asked with a grin as he gathered everything up.

We tossed the boxes into a trash bin hidden off to the side near the fork in the paths and headed back toward the Academy.

A small group of people, yes. The Academy itself…not so much, I said honestly. Anna, Cole…even Storm. A few of my favorite staff. It would be nice to see them, too.

You like your room?

I barely saw it, I admitted with a smile. I dumped the welcome papers in my room, checked to see everything was there. Saw the note Anna left me and texted you.

We walked in silence for a while and slipped into the castle through the same door I’d used, heading toward the staircase. I wondered how far away Cole’s suite was. Given he roomed with Storm, he was likely up in one of the rarer tower suites.

What does the first week normally look like? he asked as we sat on the bottom steps of the stairwell up to my floor.

The place was still quiet, not that many people moving around. I’d seen a couple of staff as we’d walked through the hallways, but no one I knew.

I leaned back on my elbows. First day is orientation right away; Hawkins gives his welcome speech in the Great Hall along with announcements. Eventually, we go to our first class for attendance, then the hunt. I don’t know if it varies this year or not from there. I thought I saw second-year classes are longer when I thumbed through the guidebook.

Yay.

I laughed. It can’t be that bad.

One hopes. He grinned as his phone beeped. He made a face. That’s my alarm. I have a couple of things to do before bed… He looked sheepish. Sorry. I didn’t mean to cut this short.

I squeezed his arm. It’s fine. I’m glad we had some time on our own.

And I’ll see you tomorrow.

And you’ll see me tomorrow.

Cole kissed my cheek and headed off to his room in the second-year tower to get ready for orientation the next day. I hurried up the stairs behind a few other students and down the hallway to the suite, happy to have spent some time with Cole before all the craziness of the year began in full. There was still orientation the next day to quote-unquote look forward to. My anxiety was kicking up with the idea of the whole thing.

I let myself in, finding Anna in the main room, scrolling through her phone as she stood by the couch, her jacket flung over the back. She lifted her head at the sound of the door closing behind me.

You’re here! She grinned and hurried toward me, pulling me into a big hug.

I hugged her back, definitely happy to be reunited with my best friend.

Dad dropped me off, I said as she pulled back.

And?

And he apparently had a meeting with Hawkins.

She sighed. I could see she had a hundred questions ready to ask…all of which I had no answer to.

Your hair’s different, I noted, wanting to desperately change the subject.

Just highlights in front, rest is lowlights. Went a little darker. She smiled. Needed a change.

Looks great. I slipped my backpack off my shoulder and headed to the couch, setting it there and opening one of the side pockets, taking out a small package. I pulled out the make-up case I’d picked up for her in Italy. Found this, and it reminded me of you.

She smiled, unzipping it and laughing when she saw the mini-palette inside. And it's not empty.

I grinned. Paying you back for the one you got me last year. I thought maybe it’d be good luck for the new year.

Thank you. She looked at it again with a big smile, then glanced up at me. Are you settled in yet? Do you need help unpacking?

Probably could use a hand. I just dumped my check-in stuff and took off. I picked up my bag again.

Give me a minute to change.

I went into my room, grabbing a pair of lounge shorts from my suitcase and a fresh T-shirt, before heading to the bathroom to wash up and change. Once out, I set my phone on the charger.

Anna came in, carrying a large plain cardboard box of her own in her arms. It went from her waist to her shoulder. So, gift from my mom.

What? I had no idea what it could be.

She said to wait ’til we were together to open it. She shrugged and set it down on my bed with a sigh. It’s not super, super heavy, so I’m clueless.

I looked at the plain brown box. Then Anna cut into it with the pair of scissors she’d brought in with her. I folded back the top and we looked in, both of us smiling as soon as we read the contents on the box.

Our own coffee maker.

And not just a standard one, like I’d been thinking of ordering where we’d put our mug underneath and it would do a mug whenever we wanted. This one looked…darn near top of the line.

Anna grinned. Now we just need to get some coffee beans to go with it.

We carried it back to the kitchen and cleared a spot on the counter for it. Two tumbler mugs with the Academy logo on them already waited for us there.

"I’ll check through my care packages. Maybe