Descendants Academy: Young Adult Urban Fantasy Belle Malory (highly recommended books .txt) 📖

I choked back a laugh. Zeus descendants were born leaders and notably authoritative. If she ditched the goth look, Jett would fit right in.

A while later, we found Van, or “Vanisher,” as others called him, in the back of the clearing, sitting under an oak tree in a cloud of smoke, a long, strange pipe in his hands. Jett hadn’t been exaggerating when she said he usually crashed early—he was half asleep, and just about to leave.

Heavyset, stone face, with dark hair pulled into a manbun, Van was all seriousness. He spoke slow but got straight to the point, making the meeting quick and easy. He asked for three lixers, which I gladly handed over. Grandpa gave me a pile of Mythonian money when we first went shopping, and I hadn’t even spent half of it. After I paid up, he told us to meet him at dawn the next morning, just past the south docks.

“In broad daylight?” I assumed we’d be traveling under the cover of night.

“My invisibility charms act like reflectors; they only work in sunlight. I’ll drop the three of you off first thing in the morning, then get you home before nightfall.”

Holy crap. We were actually doing this.

As we walked away, Jett grinned. “Folly Promenade, here we come.” She linked her arm through mine and headed toward the drink tables. “Let’s celebrate.”

“Oh, I don’t think I’m staying.” I was the kind of girl who made straight As and stayed up late reading, not the kind of girl who partied in the woods.

“Why not?”

“Um…” A guy floated several feet up into the air as he danced. He did backflips and aerial tricks, under some sort of magical spell.

“We have to be up at dawn,” Hazel pointed out.

I shook myself out of my daze. This entire clearing had a strange, mesmerizing effect. Even the air sparkled, glittering around everyone, and I couldn’t stop staring.

“So? Just stay for a few drinks.”

Jett grabbed a goblet for herself and filled it.

“You don’t even know what’s in that,” Hazel screeched. “It’s probably enchanted.”

“Let’s hope so.” Jett snorted.

Right away, they began to argue.

“What if it turns you into a bloody toad, eh? What then?”

“Geez, smell for yourself.” Jett handed her the cup. “I doubt everyone would be drinking it if it were contaminated.”

While their backs were turned, a hand snaked around my arm. Before I knew what was happening, I was hauled behind the nearest tree.

“What the—”

“What were you doing with Vanisher?”

Xander.

I looked up at him, gritting my teeth. This was becoming too much of thing. Stable stalls, empty hallways, and now, we were meeting behind trees. And of all the times he could’ve found me, too.

“That’s none of your business.”

I tried to ignore the way his magic was already playing havoc with my senses. The sight of him alone, his dark hair combed back, his leather armor, and his biceps expanding against those metal armbands, was enough to knock me off balance. He looked too good to be so infuriating.

“You’re going to Twilight Island, aren’t you?” he guessed, shaking his head. “To see that fool Curse Breaker on Folly Promenade—after your grandfather strictly forbade it.”

I yanked out of his grip, crossing my arms over my chest. “Are you planning to tell him?”

He didn’t bother answering, diving straight back to yelling at me instead. “That island is full of bad decisions waiting to happen—we both told you it’s a bad idea.”

“Good thing neither of you are cursed,” I said, reminding him that this was about me.

Xander’s jaw ticked. “When do you leave?”

I snorted. “Why would I tell you that? So you can try and stop me?” I shook my head. “This doesn’t involve you, Xander. Leave me alone.”

He cocked a brow. “Do you remember anything I said under the ollodipher? I swore I would look out for you. Everything you do at this school involves me.”

I gestured to our hidden surroundings. “But only in secret, right?”

Xander sighed. “It’s for your own good, Sher.”

Even out here, in the heart of student rebellion, he refused to risk being seen with me. That stung more than I cared to admit. I felt bad for what he’d gone through, but I’d be damned before allowing an obligatory bodyguard follow me around and give me orders.

“Look, do yourself a favor and forget the oath,” I said. “I officially free you from it—”

“You can’t do that. It doesn’t work that way.”

“It will if you stop watching my every move. I can take care of myself.”

He looked at me like I was crazy. “The chimera? Ione’s net? Either of those situations ring a bell?”

“Small hiccups.” I waved both of those examples aside. “I’ll eventually fall into place.”

It was overkill, and we both knew it. The truth was, I hadn’t done a great job of taking care of myself so far. That didn’t mean I couldn’t though. I was still learning the ropes.

“Don’t do this, Sher.” His tone turned coaxing. “We’ll find a way to break the curse.”

His eyes searched mine, hypnotizing me with those long black lashes and pools of blue.

“You don’t know that,” I said softly, noticing the way his face inched toward mine. Until he was only a breath away. I swayed, feeling lightheaded. What was happening? I hadn’t even had any alcohol.

Xander’s gaze fell to my throat as I swallowed. “Please, damsel…”

It was hard to breathe. My body leaned into his, all on its own. The moonlight hit his face in just the right way, glowing against the blue of his eyes. That scent of his drew me in, and—

Oh, hell no.

I had to get out of here, away from him, where there was plenty of space and oxygen.

“My friends are probably looking for me. Bye, Xander.” I dashed around the tree before he could stop me.

Jett and Hazel were still next to the drink table, arguing. Neither one of them even realized I was gone.

“Oh, for Apollo’s sake. Look.” Jett