Hemlock (Academy of the Dead Book 1) Read online

  Goddess, Moon, and Stars Above

  Let my life be blessed with Love

  I call upon the Fertile Earth

  Send to me a Heart of Worth

  I call upon the Sacred Water

  Grant this Wish unto thy Daughter

  I Call Upon the Swirling Air

  May I be held in tender Care

  I call upon the Steadfast Stone

  Never more to be Alone

  I call upon the Burning Fire

  Bind me true to my Desire

  Earth, Water, Air and Stone

  Fire, Blood, Flesh and Bone

  Goddess, Moon, and Stars Above

  Let my Life be Blessed with Love

  All the kids chanted as one. “So mote it be!”

  The girl set the crown back down on the altar.

  A boy stepped up. He placed his hand under it, gently lifting it, while whispering to himself.

  My eyes widened as the crown began to lift from his hands and spin. The reflection of the flames slid across the jewels, making them look like sparks of light.

  I watched it hover above us and then it began to sink, and finally, it rested on top of a girl’s head. There was clapping as she stepped into the circle of stones. She waited as the boy made his way up to her. He leaned in, and she closed her eyes, then their lips met.

  “Oh, no. Nope. I’m good.” I grumbled as I tried to move back, but Nadia grabbed my hand and kept me next to her. I thought that spin the bottle was some type of trivia game. I was ready to kick some butt!

  But no—not kissing. Hard pass.

  The kiss ended with cheering and the boy removed the crown and placed it back on the altar. He returned to the girl, took her hand, and they left the circle.

  My throat was closing up with terror.

  Then Cole stepped up to the altar and took a deep breath. He cracked his knuckles while the other students egged him on. He gently lifted the crown, began to whisper his incantation and it rose above him, just as it had for the last boy.

  It spun and moved in our direction. My shoulders slouched and my teeth grinded until it landed on Nadia’s head. I let out the biggest sigh of relief when she stepped into the circle of stones and Cole approached her. He reached up and cupped her cheek and the kiss followed, but not before he paused and removed his glasses. Some students laughed, I didn’t.

  Seeing Nadia happy was a good thing.

  She’s a great person, and the best ment someone like me could’ve hoped for.

  The kiss ended and Cole backed away and fist pumped the air to wild cheering and applause.

  Nadia removed the crown and it was returned to the altar. To be honest, I was relieved that it was over. Cole and Nadia left the circle hand and hand, and I had every intention to do the same and then I saw him.

  The other kids got quiet as the blue haired boy stepped up to the altar and hovered there for what seemed like forever.

  I took a breath, after realizing I had stopped.

  He reached in and took the crown, whispering his incantation and then let it go as it floated up above us. I could see that other girls were mesmerized with the crown, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of him and his beautiful lips, eyes, and nose. He reached up and moved his hair aside and I could see his eyes, swirling in color, from black, to red, to purple and back again.

  I placed my thumb in the center of my hand and kneaded it like bread.

  Then the strangest and most wonderful thing happened.

  He looked right at me.

  Through me—deep inside of me.

  Reaching in to all the places no one had ever seen before. Drawing out every little secret desire I had ever dreamt of, because he was the embodiment of all of them rolled up into one.

  My lips parted and then I felt it—the crown had landed on my head!

  My knees weakened, but I was stuck in place. Other kids waved me in, beckoning me to step over the colored pile of stones, but my body wouldn’t move.

  The boy headed toward me, and reached out, offering his hand. I lifted mine, but right before I could take it, I had to cover my mouth. I lurched forward and threw up on the ground. He caught the crown mid-air.

  “Crap.” I muttered.

  The lack of food, and excitement of the day, had finally taken its toll.

  I was mortified!

  DEAD—JUST DEAD!

  I turned and ran as fast as I could, leaving the boy with the blue hair, and the spinning crown behind.

  Chapter Nine

  I sat with my back pressed against the door, and knees pulled up to my chest. I ran all the way to the Academy, falling twice, so I skinned my knee. I picked at it and hissed. The ONLY thing preventing me from walking home sat behind the door.

  Bitter Bat had my belongings held hostage.

  I hit the back of my head against the hard wood, and groaned while rubbing it. She hissed, and tossed herself at the door with a deep thud.

  “So stupid.” I mumbled. “So—so—so—stupid.”

  “Hey.”

  I scrambled to my feet when a voice startled me half to death. I turned to face the figure emerging from the dark end of the hallway. My stomach flipped when the blue haired boy emerged like a phoenix from the flames.

  Why did he follow me back here? I just threw up at his feet.

  I cracked my door and a fully extended furry arm shot out, and almost got me. I slammed it shut when Bitter withdrew her talons.

  There was no escape.

  I tried not to make eye contact, but it’s not like he didn’t see me. So, I surrendered. “Hi.”

  He was still coming toward me. I folded and unfolded my arms a couple of times until he was no more than five feet away. Oh my Goddess, he’s even prettier up close and personal. I tried to cross my ankles, but immediately hissed when the jean material raked across my cuts.

  He took a knee and placed one hand behind my leg, drawing it forward. The touch sent strange waves of energy through my body. He leaned in and inspected the multiple abrasions.

  “That looks like it hurts.” He said. His voice was soothing. I gawked at his hair. It was perfectly imperfect. He had just the right amount of bedhead going on. I thumbed at my bottom lip. He lifted his chin and locked his gaze on me. Those eyes—changing colors like a mood ring. They shifted from purple to red. I was transfixed and shouldn’t be. Finally, I blinked when he stood back up and decided to lean against the wall while shoving his hands deep inside his pockets.

  “I would be happy to help you.” He offered.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Why not?” he retorted.

  It was a fair argument, but didn’t really answer any of my questions.

  I swallowed hard, hoping that my stomach wouldn’t betray me again, but it was completely empty now, and I was more worried about this mysterious boy with the blue hair than I was about food.

  He thumbed behind him. “We have meds that would help your knee.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I tried to take a step and hissed loudly. He rushed in and placed his hands on my waist then decided to pick me up. I hovered there with my arms around his neck.

  “I feel responsible.”

  “You shouldn’t.” I said while looking everywhere but at his face.

  My stomach growled.

  He smirked, “I also have food.”

  My eyes lit up. “Like food food?” I asked.

  “The fake food.”

  My lips curled.

  He’s perspicacious and I love that—not him—I don’t love him—no! I love sarcasm.

  I need to stop.

  He carried me down the hallway with little to no effort at all. His body felt firm and cool. His arms are so strong.

  Does he work out? He must work out. I don’t weigh that much, but
still it takes effort!

  I shouldn’t be thinking about his body or his lips or his voice, which is better than I imagined. They’re hard to ignore—his lips, I mean. All plump and kissable. Right there, pretty darn close. I bet he knows how to kiss. Maybe he’s one of the best kissers.

  I wonder what his kiss would’ve felt like? Would he have kissed me, removed the crown then taken my hand like Cole did with Nadia?

  Oh, Nadia! She wasn’t back, yet. I waited, I did—so this is totally acceptable. Yep. He’s helping me. I’m injured and starving!

  I noticed that his white shirt was unbuttoned at the top, exposing a small patch of skin. I stared at it while he moved along like we were walking on air. I could hear a throbbing heartbeat in my ears. He glanced down at me like he knew. I slowed my breathing. The last thing I wanted to do was give him the wrong impression, but who am I kidding? I have wrong impression written all over my face—I’m sure of it! I’m thinking about his lips, and skin—and kissing!

  I’m awful!

  He turned and opened a door with his shoulder, then gently sat me down on top of a large wooden table. The lights automatically came on when we entered the room, filling the space with a dull hue that was surely kinder on my complexion than florescent lighting would be.

  I took in the scene. This was obviously a kitchen. It had four stainless steel refrigerators, three sinks, connected with long counter tops. One wall was dedicated to hundreds of white plates, cradled in wooden slots to air dry. My Mom had chosen the same type of cabinets for our cottage when she re-did the kitchen at home.

  “I’m G.” he said as his hands rested on my sides.

  I studied his lips. “I don’t know what that is.”

  He grinned, exposing his whiter than white teeth, but they were not straight. It looks like his canines are slightly larger, and his front tooth has a tiny twist to it. Most people wouldn’t notice, but I like teeth. Mostly ones that are not arrow-straight. Perfection is manufactured. Flaws show character—a story. I prefer the latter.

  He pointed at himself. “G is my name.”

  My eyebrow cocked and my lips parted. He’s standing so close.

  “Rook?”

  I blinked. He knows my name?!

  “Yes—I’m Rook.”

  “Are you lightheaded?” he asked. His hand lifted, my eyes followed, and he moved my hair behind my ear. His fingers brushed the side of my face, and I felt a tremor in my legs. My knee jerked, and he removed his hand.

  “No—I’m just hungry, and my knee—well, I fell when I was coming back through the Forest of Emma Green.”

  He paused and tilted his head.

  “What?” I asked while brushing at my nose. “Do I have something on me?”

  “No—it’s just no one calls it that.”

  I cleared my throat and glanced down at his hand. It was still resting on my side. I can’t think straight while he’s touching me. He backed away. My gaze followed. I can’t believe how beautiful he is. Like a dream.

  “Emma Green?” I asked.

  His eyes lowered.

  “I know it’s a sad story, but I think it’s romantic.” I added while fidgeting with my hands and noticing his scent. He smelled like a blend of amber and sage. It enticed me—made me nervous. Everything about this boy sets me off.

  “I mean, she loved him, and he loved her, and all they wanted was to be together forever.”

  He looked up at me through lush lashes and a gleam of deviltry. “It’s just another tragic love story that ended with two dead kids and a curse.”

  My eyes dilated. “A curse?” I asked.

  I had read about the two star-crossed lovers dying together in the forest, but nothing about a curse. Not one word.

  “Yes, a curse. They say their souls are tied to that spot forever.”

  “Do you know where it happened?”

  I was held hostage by his stare. I wasn’t sure how anyone couldn’t be.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “Why would I want to know?”

  “You play the game with the crown.”

  He grinned and shrugged a shoulder. “I like games, don’t you? I’d think you’d like chess, with a name like Rook.”

  “I didn’t pick it out.”

  “But it belongs to you.” He shot back.

  I fidgeted with my hair and ignored his prodding. “But the girl mentioned finding true love when she removed the crown from the box.”

  He let out a muffled laugh with the shake of his head.

  I looked him over. “You don’t believe in love?”

  There was something so intriguing about him. He appeared young in age, but his eyes—well, they told a different story. Like an old soul searching for answers.

  “Do you?” he asked.

  I placed my hands on the edge of the table and adjusted myself. His question made me uncomfortable.

  “I have to.”

  “Is it a rule?” he added.

  I crossed my ankles, forgetting all about the cuts to my knee, and winced. He rushed to the sink and rolled up his sleeves. Cuffing them right below the elbow. My heart fluttered. It made him cuter—but everything does. I studied his dark jeans, without a tear on them, and his industrial black boots with thick soles. The shoes ended at his ankle and his jeans lay folded right above them. He was tidy for a boy. I don’t know why I expected them to be messy, but I did.

  “So, tell me, Rook. What makes you happy?”

  His questions challenged me—stimulated me—intrigued me. I was slightly irritated, and yet I never wanted it to end. It was like a puzzle box.

  He was the best puzzle I had ever encountered.

  I cleared my throat. “I like books.” I immediately rolled my eyes.

  That’s all you could come up with, Rook! GAH!

  “I do, too.” He responded without delay, which made me feel better.

  “And scents. I use them to meditate. And you smell really good.” I blurted it out. I immediately grimaced.

  He glanced over his shoulder with a grin. “Thanks, so do you.”

  My face felt flush. I fanned myself. The dull light was useful, it could hide my reaction to him and gave me a false sense of security.

  “I love amber and sage. You smell like that. Like both of them, actually.”

  He turned, slightly tilting his head with intrigue. He now had a small white towel, which I had missed while I studied his outfit and the way his body moved under the material of his shirt. My back stiffened when he returned. “You have a sharp pallet.”

  “I love scents, most of them anyway, I meditate with incense—or did at home. I just got here, but you know that already, because school starts on Monday, and you go here too, so telling you that is sort of redundant.”

  “Everything will be okay—okay?” he asked, clearly concerned about my mental state. If I was listening to some strange girl who had puked at his feet, ramble on like I am now, I guess I’d be trying to calm her down, too.

  He placed his hand on my leg. I shifted. His touch was electric. I didn’t know why or how, but it just was—and admitting something is the first step in recovery, right?

  “This is going to sting a little bit. Are you ready?”

  Was I ready for someone like him? What a loaded question.

  My eyes locked onto his. Time slipped away from me.

  “Rook?”

  “Yeah—no, I mean sure. I like pain, I mean—no—no—that isn’t true. I don’t have any idea why I said that. I think I meant I can handle pain.”

  He straightened up and his expression softened. “Do you want to do it?”

  I shook my head. “Do what?”

  He glanced at my knee and I chortled. “Oh! No—I don’t want to touch it.”

  “Well, can I touch it, Rook? I don’t want it to get infected
.”

  I swallowed hard. “I guess we have to, right?”

  His mouth sat crooked. “I guess so.” His hand moved closer to my knee.

  “Just.” I held my hand up and he froze. “Go slow, okay?”

  “I plan on it.”

  I nodded to him and then looked away as he gently cleaned the wound. I flinched, but he finished as quickly as he could. I looked down and all the blood was gone and now the small towel had stains on it. I noticed a slight tremor in his hand. Maybe he wasn’t as strong as he pretended to be. I spoke and he snapped out of his trance.

  “That’s better—a lot better, so thank you, G.”

  He rushed to the sink and shoved the towel under the faucet, dousing it with a steady stream. He scrubbed it clean, like his life depended on it, finally wringing it out. He returned with it in his hand and placed it next to me, neatly folded and stain free.

  “Listen—that game in the forest—” he paused, “It means nothing.”

  My heart sank.

  I hopped down, refusing to allow him to help me, and landed on my good foot. I let my injured leg bend at the knee. He held his hands out, but I ignored it.

  “I know it’s just a silly game.” I pushed my hair behind my ear after it fell forward. His eyes lingered on my lips. I don’t know why. Clearly, he didn’t like me that way.

  “Well, I didn’t say it was silly, Rook—I just didn’t want you to think that I—”

  I couldn’t stand the thought of him letting me down easy so I did it for him.

  “I don’t and didn’t. I never would. I don’t know you at all. And I may have a boyfriend already, you don’t know.”

  His eyes travelled over me with unnerving thoroughness. “You may, or you do?” he asked.

  “May or do what?”

  “Have a boyfriend.” He clarified.

  I let out an exasperated sigh. “Maybe.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “That doesn’t sound serious.”

  The door opened and laughter rolled into the room. Nadia and Cole froze in place when they spotted both of us.

  “There you are!” Nadia shouted with relief as she made her way over toward me, and then noticed my knee. I felt terrible. She had let me borrow her clothes, and I had ruined them while running away from the party.