Avalon Academy : A Paranormal Academy Romance, page 3
He wouldn’t trick me into a trap. Right?
“Where is Mom?” I asked, hating the way my voice quavered.
He ran his hand back through his hair. “I sent her to your Aunt Charlene’s. She was going stir crazy here.”
“I’m sure she didn’t much like the patrol,” I said.
“No, she did not,” he huffed a laugh. “Besides she’ll be safer there.”
I nodded again, because having conversations like this with my father was awkward as hell. I think we had already spoken more in those last five minutes then we had in the past five years.
“Gwen, why are you here?” he asked, sounding exhausted. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, but it’s dangerous. You shouldn’t be anywhere near here.”
“My friends,” my voice cracked. “Dad, they’re both in serious trouble.”
“Nothing is more important than your own life,” he said sternly.
“It’s Lance,” I whispered.
“And Tristan, I suppose,” he finished for me.
Sniffling, I confirm my father’s question. “I don’t know if there’s anything I can do for them.”
“What happened to Lance?” he asked. Lance had always been like a son to my father. I could tell my dad was scared for whatever was to come.
“He was poisoned.”
“Poisoned?” he asked, voice filled with dread. “By who?”
“The council,” I spat. “They ambushed us at Martha Croft’s asylum.”
He gasped. “T-that was you? You killed Martha?”
“I killed them all,” I said through gritted teeth. “And I’d do it again.”
He began to pace, raking his hands roughly through his hair, seemingly pulling it at the roots. “They won’t stop until they have you, Gwen. I don’t know if I can save you.”
“Let them come for me. If they don’t, I’ll be bringing a war to their doorstep soon.”
He stopped, spinning on me. “Don’t be reckless, Gwen. You’re not prepared for something like that. They’ve been training those kids for war and they’re far more advanced in their skills than you.”
“Did you hear the part where I said I single-handedly killed every council member that came to that asylum? I did it with my power. Without any training. I’m ready. They’ve awoken something within me that is begging to be unleashed.”
His hands kneaded at his temples. “How are you going to save Lance?” he asked changing the subject and completely skating past talk of my powers.
“Are we not going to talk about what I just admitted?” I pushed, wanting to have it out. “Are we just going to act like I’m not some walking weapon? I killed numerous people, by simply being pushed over the edge. They messed with my friends and I couldn’t control myself.”
He huffed out a deep breath. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but we have to, Gwen. That’s exactly why I did what I did for all of those years. The council is looking for soldiers and they would’ve made you theirs. They would’ve forced you to cut down anyone they deemed a threat. Including your friends and family if it came down to it,” he sighed. “I had to protect you from them. Even if it made you hate me.”
In that moment I saw the pain those words inflicted on him. I saw the hatred he had for the council and what he was forced to do. For the first time in my life, I knew my dad spoke the truth. What he had done was because he loved me, and it was the only way he knew to keep me safe. I wanted to run to him. Embrace him. Tell him I forgave him. But, all the years of animosity made it too hard. I can’t remember a time that I had hugged my own dad. To do so now would just feel…strange.
I knew he expected me to say something, but I couldn’t go down that path at that moment. I needed to get everything out that I came for. There would be time for forgiveness and reconciliation, but not now.
“Clara from the Dowager Coven says the plants that are needed to save Lance are in some enchanted forest. But it’s more myth than reality if you ask me. I don’t know how to save him.”
“The Dowager Coven?” he screeched at the top of his lungs. “Have you lost your mind? Do you not know how dangerous those witches are?” he said the words with such disdain. The hostility radiated off of him in waves and I couldn’t help but cringe. Even if my father had conspired at some length against the council, he clearly bought into some of their beliefs where the witches were concerned.
“They’re not bad people, Dad. In fact, I think after everything that’s happened, it’s become pretty damn obvious that the bad guys are the council.”
He moaned, slipping into his chair. “So that’s where you’ve been hiding out? With the witches?” This time his words were less harsh and more concerned.
“Yes, they’ve taken us in. They’ve fed us, sheltered us, and helped us when nobody else would.”
“You didn’t give me a chance to help,” he said defensively.
“It wouldn’t have been fair for me to bring the council’s wrath down on you and mom. Besides, one of the girls that escaped Avalon with me is Clara’s daughter. She was the one who took us to their hideout.”
“Holly,” he said, absently. “We’ve been watching her for some time. Her mother was said to have defected. Seems that was a well-covered up lie.”
“Thankfully,” I quipped. “Otherwise, I’m not sure I’d be alive,” I admitted, before dropping my head, willing myself to prepare for the next set of bad news. “Lance isn’t the only one dying, Dad. Tristan is too.”
He inhaled sharply. “Tristan’s dying? What the hell happened, Gwen?”
Growing up, my father was close to Tristan’s family. He treated both him and Lance like sons, but it was always obvious he had a special place in his heart for Lance. I think he always knew that things between Tristan and I were more. And even though my father and I had a strained relationship, he seemed to distance himself from Tristan when he realized that.
At that moment, it was clear he still cared about him just as much as he had. I could see how the news affected him. He was suddenly alert, ready for more details. Scared even. As much as I wanted to tell him it was a long story and that I’d tell him another day because I’m on a freaking time crunch, I knew as I looked at him that he needed some answers.
“He was cursed by the ghosts living in the asylum. I really don’t know any more than that about what’s going on with him.”
He scoffed. “Those aren’t just ghosts. They’re demons. God only knows what they did to him.”
“Whatever it was, there is cure of sorts, and that’s the reason I’m here,” I said, getting us back to the crux of my visit. “I need your help. I have to get into the council headquarters,” I explained, ripping off the Band-aid.
He barked a maniacal laugh. “You’re out of your mind. It’s impossible, Gwen,” he shouted. “Even without their powers, the council is a compound, guarded heavily. Even with my knowledge of the place, it would be impossible to get you in and out safely.”
“They don’t have powers. I do,” I bit out, not wanting to fight with him. I wanted his support, but the bottom line was, I was going in with or without his help.
“That’s beyond the point. The council might be powerless, but they have guns. And you know they’ve recruited many of your classmates to stand guard. And they do have powers, Gwen. I’m not disputing the fact that you’re extremely powerful, but it’s us against thirty plus others. It would be a massacre.”
“If they don’t see me coming, I can slip in and out.”
He shook his head in what looked like bewilderment. “The council has been training them in all things. Sight, levitation, you name it. They’re more powerful than you remember.”
“They’re not,” I said resolutely. “You have no idea what I’m capable of. To save my friends, I’ll do anything. Neither a gun nor taking down an old classmate will stop me.” I stood tall and looked my father straight in the eyes. “I’m going into that compound, whether you help me or not. But I hope you’ll give me pointers so I have the best chance of making it out with what I’m looking for.”
He sighed heavily, clearly seeing that there was no changing my mind. “What is it that you want from that place?”
“A chalice that belongs to the Souveign Coven.”
His eyes widened fractionally. “The Serpentine Goblet,” he whispered.
“Whatever it’s called, I’ve been promised that if I return it to them, they’ll allow me to use it to save Tristan’s life.”
He blew out a breath. “You’re in over your head, Gwennie. These people have been at war with our kind for years. They may be helping you now, but once their agenda is done, they’ll turn on you. The Souveign Coven does what’s best for them. Always.”
“I’m not working with Souveign. I’m working with Dowager. Souveign is just means to save Tristan. There is no alliance where they’re concerned. Not even the Dowager Coven trusts them.”
“You’re willing to put your life on the line to retrieve the goblet, knowing full well they might go back on their promise?”
I shrugged my shoulder. “It’s the only chance he has, Dad,” I sniffled. “I’d do anything for him.”
“You love him.”
“I do,” I admitted, tears streaming down my cheeks.
He sighed. “Then we better get you ready.”
Relief flooded me, as I ran to my father, enveloping him in a tight hug. It was the first sign of affection either of us had displayed. I might be far from escaping the council in one piece, but the fact that my dad was willing to help meant so much to me. After everything we’d been through, I felt like we’d turned a corner. I was nowhere near ready to forgive him entirely for all the harsh years, but I saw a future in sight, where we could possibly have a relationship, and that filled me with hope.
“Thanks, Dad.”
He nodded as he stepped out of my grasp, turning away from me just before a stray tear threatened to fall from his own eyes. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who was emotional.
Chapter Five
“Absolutely not,” I bellowed. “You are not going to drive headfirst into danger. This is my battle, not yours.”
“There isn’t another way,” my father explained, sounding annoyed at my outburst.
“There has to be. Drop me off down the road. Put me in a box and have me delivered, I don’t care but find another way.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be dramatic, Gwen. Me showing up at the council headquarters is not out of the ordinary. I’m a council member.”
“You typically make unannounced council calls at night?” I quizzed, skeptically.
“Only when I have something important to share. Something as big as me knowing your whereabouts would be cause for a visit.”
“Have you never heard of a phone?”
He chuckled. “I’ll call first and tell them I have news, but that it’s not safe via phone. I’ll tell them you’re working with the Dowager Coven and they’ve tapped the headquarter phones.”
“They know I’m working with the coven,” I challenged.
“They don’t know that you’re conspiring to take over Avalon.”
My brows rose in question. “Am I now?”
He nodded. “Definitely.”
“I’ll tell them I’m coming to headquarters to help relieve some of the necessary guards they’ll have to send to Avalon.”
“You’re going to try to send them on a wild goose chase?”
“It’s the best chance we have at getting some of the gifted sorcerers out of there.”
“So, the plan is to divert some of their resources to Avalon so that we won’t have to take on everyone.”
“Have a better idea?” he questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“Nope. That makes sense to me. I’m all for sparing some of my former classmates’ lives.”
He grunted. “Let’s not be cavalier. We’ll be lucky if they dispatch some of those that are gifted to the school. It’s a gamble. Although a good one.”
“And why exactly would I be taking over Avalon?”
“You’ve discovered the Avalon vault is filled with all the council’s gold. You need it so you can escape with your friends.”
“Ah, gold. Good to know.”
“Millions of dollars-worth. The fortune of the council lay beneath those very halls you walked. They won’t want the Dowagers to get ahold of their gold. The council is greedy. Why else would they have had the hounds there?”
“I thought that was to guard the Sacred Library.”
“Nah. Those were expendable. They only had stolen property in there for trophy purposes. It was more of a mockery to the covens for losing them to begin with. A proverbial middle finger.”
“Classy bastards.”
He chuckled.
“So, let’s go over this one more time. I’m to hide in the back of your hatchback, while you drive straight through the gates, seemingly unsuspected, because you’re calling ahead?”
“Yep. That sounds about right,” he said.
“Okkaayyy… not sure that I am as calm about this plan as you seem to be.”
He shrugged. “I’m a well-respected member of the council. I’ve given them absolutely no reason to suspect me of anything. As far as they’re concerned, I’ve been a loyal soldier, who’d be willing to give up his daughter whenever necessary.”
I huffed, “that does sound like you.”
“I’ve treated you deplorably for years. I have scorned you because you’ve been a let-down to me. Being virtually powerless, you were a disappointment. They think you mean less than dirt to me, which is exactly what I’ve always needed them to believe, Gwen.” He looked me straight in the eyes. “I know I can’t take back all the things that’ve happened in the past, but I hope this moment right here helps you realize why I did what I did. I might actually be able to help you save Tristan, simply because they believe I don’t care about you. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Taking a deep breath, I willed my hands to stop shaking. Everything about the moment had me on edge. I wasn’t used to flowery words or apologies from him and today had been full of them. My eyes closed as one tear trickled down my cheek. My emotions were on overload between my best friend dying, the man I love dying, and my father confessing to have treated me like shit my whole life only to protect me. It was too much. But I appreciated my father’s words and felt like I owed him something for every explanation he gave me.
“It’s going to take me some time to truly believe that, but what you’re doing now is a step in the right direction,” I smiled, hoping to lighten the heaviness of the moment.
He walked toward me, enveloping me into his large embrace once again. “I understand. Just know I’m here for you and things will never be like that again. I promise you. From now on, we work together.”
I squeezed him back, signaling I was on board with that plan. “Once we get into the compound, where do I need to go?”
“The vault. It will be the most guarded room in the place, but we have a long drive to discuss that,” he said pulling away and walking toward a large cabinet. Pulling a key from his pocket, he unlocked the door and pulled a large wooden box from inside. “You’ll get much more use out of this than I will,” he said, turning so I could see the elaborately carved wand he held.
“Wow. Is that yours?” I asked in awe.
“It was my mother’s. I was to pass it down to you. I’ve been holding it for the right time. Now seems better than any.”
He passed the wand to me and I held the delicate wood in both palms, taking in the intricate details carved into the sides. Vines and what looked to be snakes, weaved their way up to the tip, woven in and out were large petaled flowers in various stages of bloom. It was beautiful.
“I-I’m not sure what to do with this?” I admitted, feeling foolish. I was a sorcerer after all. Surely, I should be a natural with a wand. Hell, I’ve used one in the past. So, why did it feel so foreign to me?
“Your power is within, Gwen. The wand simply helps expel your power faster and with more force. Not every wand is the same. It chooses you as much as you choose it. Give it time.”
I scoffed. “Time is something I don’t have.”
“I know that wand will serve you in your greatest need. Have faith in that and you won’t be let down.”
That was something I struggled with. I’d had faith in many things over the years and that faith had always led me astray. Faith in the council, faith in the love I shared with my family and with Tristan. All had crashed around me at some point. But, all of those things did work out in the end. My father and Tristan both came back to me in time and with plausible explanations as to why they left. My faith in their love wasn’t wrong, and according to them, it never stopped. The council was something else entirely.
“Are you ready? We need to get on the road,” my father called as he walked out of the door of his office.
Was I ready? No. But, he was right, it was time.
As we drove for what felt like hours, I stared at the moon, watching it creep closer to full. My father went over the ins and outs of the council headquarters and where I’d find the goblet. I wasn’t feeling the most secure in our plan, but I didn’t have any other choice. It had to be now, or I’d lose Tristan. That was not an option.
“Will there be hounds?” I inquired, remembering Tristan’s and my break into the Avalon Sacred Library.
“No, Chancellor Robbins is highly allergic. They have other safeguards in place.”
“Such as?” I pressed, not loving his tone. It signaled that whatever is guarding the place, I wouldn’t like it.
“Chupacabra.”
My head jerked back. “Chupacabra…as in the mythical creatures?” I said, skeptically.
His brow quirked and a smirk lifted the right side of his cheek. “Gwen, you are a sorcerer… with magical powers. That is considered a myth to ninety-eight percent of the world’s population. Surely, you can’t think that anything is beyond the scope of possibility.”
I considered his words and slowly, they took root. For the first time in a long time, my father’s words gave me hope and lifted a huge weight. What he said made since and with that line of thinking, the idea that the enchanted forest could really be true, made me smile. Clara and Holly actually had a snowballs chance in Hell to find the herbs and save Lance. All was not lost with my father’s words.
