Royals of Villain Academy Series

A long-lost heir to dark magic royalty. A brutal power she never wanted. But these villains aren't giving her a choice. When mages slaughter my parents in front of me, I have no time to mourn. The murderers drag me into a society of dark magic where power is created by fear. It turns out I'm the long-lost heir to one of their royal families—guaranteed to possess a talent even more vicious than most. And I'm trapped here until I accept my role. But I don't want these wicked skills I have no idea how to tap into. I don't want the mansion or the fancy clothes or the massive bank account I inherited. I especially don't want the attention of my fellow heirs: four scorching-hot, arrogant men who rule this place and crush anyone who doesn't kowtow. All I really want is my family back... but I can't have that. So I'll take what I can get to avenge the people I loved. The moment I master the dark power inside me, I’m burning this place to the ground. *Cruel Magic is the first in a university-age paranormal academy series. Expect magical villainy, a tough heroine who bends to no one’s will, a dollop of steam, and a heart-wrenching enemies-to-lovers reverse harem romance.*

Do I want to spend my summer with my vicious classmates at Bloodstone University—better known as Villain Academy? No, thank you. But I've got to find a way to tackle my enemies before they try to destroy me again, and the trail to potential answers starts there. I've had it with taking the high road, though. Come at me, and you'd better believe I'll hit you back just as hard. Maybe that'll mean I have to tap into my dark magic instincts more than I'd ever have planned to, but I'm not letting one more person I care about get hurt. That also means I've got to steer clear of the one guy I completely trust, or I might ruin his life too. With two of the other scions vying for my attention and the last shifting his campaign against me in an unexpected way, I've got my hands full as it is. I can't say whether I'll survive everything this summer has in store. All I know for sure is it's going to be a hot one.

In a month, I've gone from magicless to one of the most powerful dark mages in the world. You'd think that would make my life easier. But all that power is only potential until I learn how to wield it, and my enemies have a huge head start. While I'm picking up every skill I can, adversaries both within Villain Academy and beyond it are working to knock me down. My fellow scions? I can count at least a couple of them among those enemies. The others... Let's just say the lines between light and dark have gotten a lot more blurred. Nothing's safe here—not my mind, my heart, my magic, or the few people who're proving themselves my allies. When the danger turns deadly, will I be able to save all of them and myself?

Every time I turn around, new opponents are looking to knock me down. No part of the magical community is safe. And now my enemies have left me with a horrible accusation hanging over my head, using so many tricks I can barely defend myself. If I want to clear my name and keep my freedom, I have to turn to the guys who once made my life hell. They've changed their tune and made amends, but how far can I really count on them? Especially if they discover that my greatest foes are within their families. I'm going to have to find out. The truth can't stay hidden forever. But no matter what the villains in the university and beyond it throw at me, I won't give in. I'm the last of the Bloodstones... and hanging onto that role may be the only way I can save everything that matters to me.

I was starting to think I knew what I was dealing with here at the university best known as Villain Academy. Not so much. But can I really trust a shocking revelation from someone who's proven to be my enemy? There's no way to answer that without diving in. If my mother is still out there alive, I have to uncover the truth. Even if it means putting myself back in the hands of the mages who've betrayed me before. The other scions have my back now, with all the trouble that's brought them. How much more will they have to sacrifice before we can find some kind of peace? I'm ready to fight for my newfound life, my family, and the guys I'm falling for... but this battle may bring more casualties than I can bear.

Having my birth mother back in my life? To say it's a big transition is an understatement. Especially when she's basically a stranger to me, and I'm not sure yet whether I can trust her to be any more maternal than the average fearmancer parent (which, spoiler, isn't much). Unfortunately, the other barons aren't giving me time to ease into the situation. They've turned their sights on my fellow scions and newfound lovers, putting them under fire from far too close to home. As if that wasn't enough, an unsettling plan is unfolding that threatens every student on campus. I'm starting to think there's more at stake here at Villain Academy than I ever suspected. While I'm facing uncomfortable revelations at every turn, can I find the strength to protect everyone I care about?

I've won one victory against my enemies, but it seems the barons are just getting started with their new, vicious schemes. They'll stop at nothing to expand their power. Any move I make to oppose them could have horrible consequences for both me and the guys I love. My only hope is playing along until the right opportunity comes my way. There's a chance I could sway my mother if I can earn her trust. She may be brutal when she feels she needs to be, but I've seen glimpses of a softer side underneath. Can I walk the line between obedience and resistance without losing so much more than I already have?

The battle lines have been drawn. My fellow scions and I stand on one side, and the power-hungry barons on the other. The scheme they've put in motion could shatter both our community and the nonmagical world. Neither I nor the guys I love are willing to let that happen, but with the barons throwing both laws and parental bonds aside, we're short on options. The fate of our world could come down to a literal battle for our lives, one I'm not sure we have any hope of winning. Will the strength we've found together and the allies we've managed to gather be enough to carry us through? How close to the barons' level will I have to sink to have a chance at victory? As our time runs out, the only thing we can count on is that blood will be spilled—and lots of it. *Vicious Arts is the final book in the Royals of Villain Academy series.*