Half-Blood Academy 3: Magic Fury: an academy reverse harem fantasy romance Read online

  MAGIC FURY

  Half-Blood Academy # 3

  Meg Xuemei X

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Magic Fury

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  Author’s Note

  SNEAK PEEK: THE DRAGONIAN’S WITCH

  More Books by Meg Xuemei X

  About the Author

  Half-Blood Academy 3: Magic Fury © 2019 by Meg Xuemei X

  Copyright notice: All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

  The novel is a work of fiction. Any and all characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events or places is merely coincidence. Novel intended for adults only.

  Cover art by Jay R Villalobos

  Edited by Jax Garren

  Proofread by Jane Beyer

  Half-Blood Academy 3: Magic Fury

  I'm not what everyone thinks I am.

  If they discover what I am, both the gods and demons will hunt me to the ends of the universe.

  The revelation of my hidden origin would tilt the scales of the immortal war, but I don't carry this dark secret alone. The sea demigod, my sworn enemy, now carries it with me and leaves a trail of dead bodies behind to keep me—and my secret—safe.

  Amid the turmoil and chaos, the God of War returns to the Academy. Obsessed with my uniqueness, he steals me from his son's bed to make me warm his.

  So war breaks out between the war god and my demigods while Lucifer's army of demons besieges the Academy. If we all survive the brutal battle, my mates will soon learn the truth about me is dirtier than reality.

  CHAPTER 1

  __________________

  The Demigod of Sea killed Brittney cold-bloodedly.

  He’d done what I couldn’t have done for myself.

  I’d thought myself tough, but I was soft. I wasn’t a real killer like him, though I’d killed plenty of bad dudes in my hunter years.

  I tore my gaze from the first-year’s lifeless form to Paxton, whose violet eyes met mine. There wasn’t any warmth in them, just icy determination and a hint of regret.

  “Any threat to you must be eliminated,” the killer said matter-of-factly, glancing at the dark mages’ bodies littered across the ground.

  He’d slain all of them to protect my secret.

  But the demon prince, who claimed to be my cousin, had escaped to Hell.

  He’d come back for me soon, as he had promised.

  I couldn’t drive away the bone-chilling feeling in my gut. From now on I was living on borrowed time.

  “What about you?” I asked harshly, eyeing the demigod like he was a rattlesnake about to bite into my flesh and pump venom into my veins.

  “I’m the last person you should worry about hurting you, Buttercup,” he said, his tone cold, yet softening. “And you won’t whisper a thing about what happened here to anyone, not even to your beloved Héctor.”

  An ache slithered up my spine at the mention of Héctor.

  He wasn’t here. I was thankful he wasn’t the one to hear of my despicable heritage from a demon’s mouth. I couldn’t bear it if my Héctor looked at me with revulsion and enmity.

  My heart broke at the prospect that he would eventually learn what I truly was and I wouldn’t be his lamb anymore. He wouldn’t want me as his mate either. A cold, bleak feeling numbed me. I decided then what I had to do. I hated being a liar, but I’d have to keep this secret from him—from Zak and Axel as well.

  Livid shouts broke out everywhere. The alarm blared through the grounds of the Academy.

  “I’ll take care of you, Buttercup.” Paxton’s words brushed against my cold skin. “No matter whether you like it or not.”

  I had no time to ponder if that was a threat or a promise.

  The Dominion sentinels arrived, their swords tight in their hands, their Olympian power pulsing in the air, ready to attack.

  They must have learned that demons had breached the campus wards. It was a blow to all Dominions that the demons could enter the heart of the demigods’ territory—the Academy.

  Two-thirds of the soldiers spread out to find and contain further threats. Cameron, the lieutenant I’d once booted in the chest, led a small team to check the corpses on the ground. One of them pressed two fingers to Britney’s neck to check her pulse and shook his head to tell Cameron the girl was dead.

  Paxton and I kept our distance from each other, and I’d make sure that continued. His unreadable gaze kept returning to me as if he was worried I would fall apart at any second. I somehow knew he’d be there to pick me up and yank me straight.

  Hadn’t he tried to make a soldier out of me ever since I’d been dragged to the Academy?

  I practically sneered at his antics. When his pawn had beaten me to within an inch of my life, I’d still stood on my own feet. I’d still taken my fight to him. I wasn’t going to crack under this weight either.

  I was feeling lost and cold and unfortunate. Just when I’d thought that I could settle down with my demigods, Loki, the demon prince, had had to come to my world and claim that I was his relative and the ‘Lost Princess.’

  “Lamb!” Héctor’s roar reached me first.

  “Cookie!”

  “Rosebud!”

  As they teleported in, lightning, whirlwind, and deathly shadow crackled the air, and the entire region trembled at their rage and formidable power.

  Héctor, Axel, and Zak touched down a few paces from me, and I snapped back from my stupor. I cut the distance between us with quick strides and threw myself at them.

  Héctor and Axel got to me first, wrapping me around them. Their body heat seeped into me, warming my cold limbs. I snaked my arms around their waists.

  Zak sent me a longing look, but there was no space for him while I entangled with the other two demigods. He turned to stare hard at Paxton, his face harsh and unforgiving.

  “What the hell happened, Paxton?” the sky demigod demanded.

  “I was almost taken.” I let out a sob, feeling shaky all over again, when just a moment ago I had been steel in front of Loki and hard ice before Paxton.

  Paxton gave me a warning look. He didn’t want me to talk. He wanted to be the smooth narrator of the event so he could keep my secret. br />
  Rage hovered on the demigods’ faces.

  “We’re here, Cookie. We won’t let you be taken.” Axel tried to pat my back, but only hit Héctor’s large hand that spread across the small of my back.

  Both demigods glared at each other before fixing their softened gazes on me.

  “Are you hurt, lamb?” Héctor asked, his trembling thumb brushing across my cheek before he started to inspect me. He’d feared so much for me.

  “Paxton will be dead if you have a scratch.” Axel gritted his teeth.

  He was checking my legs and feet while Héctor examined my top, starting from my head.

  “He defended me,” I said. “I think he was wounded fighting the demon and the dark mages. He might need medical attention.”

  I felt Paxton’s gaze on me, but I wouldn’t look at him again.

  I resented that he now held my fate in his hands—so much so that I was afraid I might seek a chance to kill him again. I’d missed my window this time, but I might be a cold-hearted, treacherous bitch next time.

  So I refused to think further. My bending mind couldn’t think straight anyway.

  Zak strode toward me.

  “You’re safe with us now, Rosebud,” he said softly but with determination.

  I had a feeling the demigods had mentally exchanged information while I clung to Axel and Héctor. I hugged them tighter, letting their mixed scents of the forest, wind, and burning stars cast a safety net around me.

  I needed that, but I also knew I would never be safe, not even from them.

  Once they knew what I was....

  I shivered inside.

  I’d probably be safer if I’d gone with Loki.

  But I didn’t have it in me to leave the demigods. I desired to have a life with them and possibly build a new home together. Deep inside, I was just like any other girl who wanted love and a family. It might be too much to ask in this age.

  The wind blew, bringing with it the stench of blood, death, and residual bits of sulfur.

  I shuddered involuntarily.

  Both Héctor and Axel immediately pulled me further into their arms to shield me and, in doing so, bumped each other’s heads. Héctor growled and Axel bared his teeth at his cousin, but neither of them asked the other to back off.

  And Zak managed to plant a kiss on the crown of my head.

  “Stop fighting while Rosebud is scared,” the sky demigod chided. “And we need to get Paxton to the healing chamber.”

  I nodded like a robot.

  “I don’t want to stay here,” I murmured, aware of the activities bristling around us.

  The Dominion soldiers bagged the bodies and loaded them into utility carts.

  “I’m taking my lamb to the house,” Héctor said, his voice still tight with rage. “Axel, make sure no demons break in again. Zak, bring Paxton to the healing chamber. Now, hands off, cub.”

  Axel looked very much like he wanted to leave with me, but he pecked a kiss on the tip of my nose and let go of me. I didn’t like the empty space he’d left, but Héctor immediately filled it with his body heat.

  “Fix the wards first,” Héctor told Axel, holding me tight, ready to teleport us away.

  “I know my shit,” Axel hissed. “Tuck in Cookie—I hope you know how to do that—and guard her well.”

  “I know how to properly tuck in my woman,” Héctor said.

  Axel waved a hand at him dismissively. “I’ll come over to the house as soon as I’m done here. The fucking demons ruined my party for her.”

  And I’d been looking forward to partying with my friends, but at least they’d had a good time and I hadn’t ruined it for them.

  I swept my gaze over Paxton before leaving with Héctor.

  The sea demigod’s white shirt and dark pants were tainted with his own and his enemies’ blood. He was still bleeding, yet he stood tall and regal as if to set an example for the Dominions about the importance of posture and dignity.

  He needed to get his stupid, proud ass to the healing chamber!

  Following my glare, Zak said quietly “He won’t leave until he sees Héctor take you to safety.”

  I averted my gaze, pretending I didn’t hear Zak’s whisper. I didn’t want anyone to think that I actually cared about Paxton’s wellbeing. I’d thought of murdering him before the other demigods had arrived.

  “I lost my stilettos,” I said. “Héctor bought them for me.”

  “I’ll buy you dozens tomorrow,” Zak and Héctor said at nearly the same time.

  “I found them, sirs,” Cameron said, jogging toward us with my stilettos in his hand. “They look fine.”

  Héctor snatched them from the lieutenant’s hand without thanking him, as if Cameron offended him just by holding my shoes.

  “We have to go,” Héctor said, pressing me tightly against him, ready to teleport us out of here.

  “Halt, Demigod Héctor!” Esme Von Rouche, the headmistress, sprang toward us in her high-heeled shoes and impeccable white dress suit. “It’s important.”

  Héctor frowned at Esme with displeasure as she zoomed in and reached our side.

  “I need to ask Marigold a few questions,” Esme said.

  “Ask her tomorrow,” Héctor said. “My lamb is tired and afraid.”

  I opened my mouth to protest. I didn’t like people spilling out my fears, which wasn’t good for my public image, but then I was more than a little tired and afraid. So I clamped my mouth shut.

  I didn’t have the energy to argue my case anyway. All I wanted right now was to curl up against my demigods, bask myself in their comforting heat, and call it a night.

  Hopefully, when I woke up, everything would right itself and life would go on as normal—or as normal as the last two weeks had been. But I knew it wouldn’t. From now on, I’d have to walk on tiptoes and look over my shoulder all the time.

  “I’m still the headmistress,” Esme said, her jaw clenched. “When my Academy is breached and my students attacked, I need to know what’s going on. The demon and its mages also knocked out two patrol teams, killed two sentinels, and wounded Marigold’s personal guard.”

  “Marie?” I asked, my throat tightening. I hadn’t realized that she’d followed me when I chased the fake Axel. Paxton could shrug off the archdemon’s attack, but Marie wasn’t anywhere near his power caliber.

  “Is she all right?” I stepped toward Esme.

  The soldier had grown on me, and she was wounded because of me.

  “She was sent to the medical tower,” Esme said. “She’ll live.”

  I’d visit her soon. I would borrow money from Héctor and buy Marie a pair of badass boots to cheer her up.

  “Any questions you have, ask me, Headmistress Von Rouche,” Paxton cut in, exhaustion and irritation lacing his voice. “I’ve been with Marigold the entire time. I know everything she knows and more.”

  Esme’s eyes flashed darkly. “You’re wounded, Demigod Paxton,” she said. “A badly impaired demigod is more dangerous than anything, and you know that. You should get to the healing center before you hurt yourself and others.”

  Would an injured demigod act like a wounded, cornered beast?

  I didn’t want to be concerned about Paxton, yet my stomach churned with anxiety.

  “You don’t need to worry about me, Esme,” Paxton said. “I can hold on long enough to answer all of your questions. It’ll take less than two minutes for me to tell you what transpired here.”

  Héctor picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, eager to go wherever he was going to take me.

  Anywhere but here.

  The wind rose.

  I pressed my cheek against Héctor’s jaw, guilt and gratitude reeling through me.

  “Worry no more, lamb,” he said, dipping his head and slanting his mouth over mine, as a swirl of light and shadows spun around us.

  Just then, a force gripped us, peeling away the shifting shield over us.

  Héctor jerked his head up and removed his lip
s from me.

  “What the fuck?” he thundered.

  We plunged to earth instead of ascending in the wind.

  “The girl stays,” a musical, masculine voice announced, vibrating with formidable power.

  Héctor and I suddenly alighted where we had stood before. I loosened my legs from around his waist, deciding it best not to cling to him like a vine under the circumstances. I stood beside him, his hand holding mine.

  All around us, everyone knelt before a giant male in war armor—everyone except Esme, Zak, Axel, Héctor, me, and Paxton, who leaned on Zak.

  The God of War had just plucked us from the teleporting slipstream.

  CHAPTER 2

  __________________

  The war god’s power was graded ten.

  Every fiber of the air sang with his divine yet violent magic.

  Ares was the infamous conqueror, the incarnation of bloodlust and carnage.

  Lucifer had brought Hell to half of Earth and started the era of the Great Merge. The God of War ruled the other half of the planet. The four demigods also reigned over the region and they each had a throne, but they were still under his command.

  His arrival was anything but good news. I could tell that by noticing how tense all of the demigods suddenly became.

  They’d wanted to keep me as far away from him as possible. They’d worked with Esme, allowing her to run things at the Academy while they were in the territory, to keep me under his radar. Despite all their efforts, the God of War had popped out and stopped me from leaving.

  Alarm clanged in my head, louder than when I’d sensed Loki’s presence. It could only mean that the god was an even bigger threat than the demon prince.

  There was a reason that he’d showed up just now; I didn’t believe in coincidence.

  My heartbeat ratcheted up and I commanded myself not to panic.

  “Father?” Axel called. “Why are you here? You shouldn’t be here!”

  He didn’t step toward his father but toward me, positioning himself between us to shield me from the god’s view.

  But Ares was over seven-feet-tall and towered over everyone. He could see me just fine.