Dragon Fire Academy 1: First Term: an RH academy romance Read online

  “Well, I guess I should get going,” Toni announced with a weird smile, taking baby steps as she went her own way. She peered back several times, as if giving someone a chance to stop her. One of the guys, I guessed. Yet, none of them spoke, and Toni eventually joined her team, leaving me alone with mine.

  “You Noelle?” The deep voice made a breath hitch in my throat.

  I peered up, meeting one’s gaze with surprise.

  He knew my name?

  “Yeah, that’s me,” I answered, half distracted by the incredibly handsome face that stared back.

  He tilted his head, observing me. The sides of his hair were shaven low, but the length at the top had been gathered into a knot. My focus was locked on him as he wet his lips, and then swallowed. The motion drew attention to the strained tendons in his broad neck, making them even more pronounced beneath his tattoos.

  Was it freakin’ hot in here, or was it just them?

  “I’m Ori.” My attention shifted to the left when a different guy spoke this time. It was the feral one I suspected had first tried identifying me by my scent. However, I’d all but forgotten about that, because realizing I’d seen his name listed on my sheet as a mentor had nearly just knocked me flat on my face.

  I was certain I should have said words, but only stared, feeling like I’d just eaten a handful of sand.

  Stepping aside, Ori gestured toward the others. The first he pointed toward had hair that reached his midback. He stared and his dark, stormy eyes had me completely entranced.

  “This is Kai,” Ori announced.

  Another blow hit my gut when the full breadth of the situation sunk in. My smile felt too big, and too … lame.

  “Ano-luana,” I breathed, trying to get accustomed to the phrase.

  Kai offered a reserved nod, but said nothing.

  “And this is Rayen,” Ori said next, drawing my attention to the one with the curls and a pair of red lips tattooed on his collarbone. Seeing them made me smile a little, wondering if there was a story to go with the art.

  I was surprised when this one offered me his hand. It was the warmest greeting I’d gotten from the quad so far. His palm slipped over mine as he pulled away slowly, and I fought the urge to giggle.

  “And lastly, Paulo.” Ori’s statement brought the introductions back full circle, prompting me to glance toward the one with the top-knot who first asked my name. The corner of his mouth quirked behind the hint of dark stubble, and my chest did that weird thing again.

  “Nice meeting you guys,” I managed to say without butchering any words.

  They stared, but said nothing more. No friendly banter, no follow-up questions. Just blank, emotionless staring.

  Fun.

  Nervous, I glanced around, noticing how all the other groups had grown to sizes of at least forty students or more. Meanwhile, standing beside the huge “#7’ sign, it was just the five of us. Two figures darting in our direction made me think my prayers were finally being answered. A pair of girls were approaching quickly with bright smiles that seemed out of place. They were way too happy to be at this event, but at least there were finally others to take some of the pressure off me. Standing here was starting to get awkward.

  “See? I told you it was them!” the one on the left screeched, still grinning from ear to ear as she eyed Rayen, chewing her own lips as she stared at the ones inked on his neck. “I’m Nora, and this is my cousin Sienna. Ano-Luana,” she breathed with a smile.

  “Can we get selfies with you guys?” Sienna asked excitedly. She didn’t bother waiting for a response before reaching for her phone. “We’re here from Sikuya. It’s about fifty miles east of here,” she elaborated. Her conversation came across like nervous chatter, which made sense, seeing as how her hands were shaking like leaves as she tried to access her camera.

  Selfies? They’re acting like these guys are celebrities or something? This day just kept getting weirder and weirder.

  “We know where Sikuya is.” Ori stared, expressionless after grumbling the clipped answer.

  “…Oh. Well we, and a bunch of our friends, have followed everything you all have done for the island, and—”

  “And we’re so grateful,” Nora interjected, cutting her cousin’s statement short. “They’ll never believe we actually met you if we don’t come back with proof.”

  The pair flashed nervous smiles and their anxious energy was practically tangible.

  “We’re busy.” Ori’s tone was hard and unfeeling, just like his expression. Crushed by the swift rejection, his admirers’ smiles had practically melted off their faces.

  “Actually,” Kai chimed in, eyeing Ori before placing his hand on Nora’s arm, “we have a few seconds to spare, assuming you don’t mind that we’re not exactly camera-ready today.”

  He peered down and I detected the slightest hint of embarrassment when he looked himself over. The four were definitely in need of showers and a change of clothes. However, I found it kind of sweet that he was humble in that moment, despite being fawned over like a movie star.

  Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who found the look alluring, because the girls just about peed themselves as they stared, mouths agape.

  “Don’t be silly. You guys always look great,” Sienna replied, not so subtly.

  The excitement had returned to the admirers, as if they hadn’t been shot down a moment before. Three of my four mentors moved in willingly, but Ori was all but forced into the picture, not bothering with a smile when the camera flashed.

  “Thank you so much! Sorry to disturb you,” Sienna apologized, sneaking a hug from Paulo.

  Nora pulled her away with a tightly spoken, “Let’s go,” before lifting her gaze to the guys again. “Thank you, and may Spirit continue to guide you,” she offered as she dragged Sienna away. “Ano-Luana.”

  As it turned out, instead of making things less awkward, Nora and Sienna had managed to do the opposite.

  Sighing and passing a stoic glance toward the others, Ori lifted a clipboard I only now realized he held. He scanned it briefly, only mouthing the words he read to himself at first.

  “Okay,” he huffed. “Looks like I’m supposed to start by giving you a rundown of the island’s dos and don’ts.”

  They all looked beyond annoyed, and I guessed they had something else they’d rather be doing. Maybe whatever work they did for the island that the girls had mentioned. Even their attire screamed that they didn’t want to be here. For starters, the other mentors had arrived in uniform—white polo-style shirts and dark cargo pants—but this brood looked like they’d just participated in a triathlon.

  Rayen and Kai each wore t-shirts that, while damp, clung to the washboards disguising themselves as abs. The tight-fitting tank worn by Paulo showcased his huge biceps and tribal markings. Granted, I didn’t mind the view any of them were giving, but it was far from professional. Take Ori, for instance. The guy had removed his shirt completely at some point before I walked up, leaving it draped over his shoulder like we were waiting in line at a public pool.

  Not standing in the atrium of the most highly esteemed educational facility our realm had to offer.

  Next, my train of thought led me to glance down to observe the biggest, dirtiest pairs of gym shoes and boots I’d ever seen in my life.

  Did I mention these dudes were huge?

  “I’ll start with the most important point,” Ori continued, drawing my attention back to his face instead of his ginormous feet. “No wandering off alone. Ever,” he reiterated. “Everything you need is right here on campus, so stay put.”

  Why did everyone keep stressing that we shouldn’t wander off? I wasn’t sure if they knew this or not, but most of these students were probably more intrigued by being forbidden.

  “So, you mean even going for a walk is out of the question?” I didn’t intend to sound defiant, but seeing how Ori’s brow gathered into a crease—a clear sign of frustration—I wondered if he misunderstood.

  Or maybe he was just like this, intense and … kinda scary.

  “You wanna go for a walk?” he snapped. “Then keep it within the parameters of this campus. I was pretty sure I made myself clear on that the first time.”

  Caught off guard by his tone, my mouth hung open for a moment.

  “Okay, fine,” I replied. “I only wanted clarity.”

  His gaze lingered on me a bit before drifting back down to the clipboard he held. I didn’t like the way this felt, standing here with this bright, cheery bunch. My first impression was that they were incredibly hot and would maybe be fun to get to know. But now? Now, I just wanted to get as far away as possible. At the very least, I wanted the other students to show up, so I wouldn’t have to bear these four alone.

  “So … where’s everyone else?” I asked. “The rest of our group?”

  The guys glanced at one another, but it was Paulo who met my gaze this time.

  “Haven’t you heard? You are the group,” His tone was sort of clipped, matching the frustration in his expression, although I didn’t comprehend the reason for either.

  “I don’t … I don’t understand.”

  Ori’s thick arms folded across his chest when he sighed. “Apparently, someone on your end put in a special request.”

  “Which officially makes us babysitters for hire,” Paulo chimed in again.

  My face felt hot, and I prayed it hadn’t turned red. If there had been a rock nearby, I would have hidden under it.

  “Know anything about that, Princess?” Paulo smirked with the question. Something about the way he said that one word, ‘princess’, gave the impression he meant it as an insult.

  I lowered my head, feeling mortified. This felt like high school all over again. “Wow, I’m … I’m sorry. My dad’s pretty o
verprotective,” I explained. “It’s possible he—”

  “Well, do me a favor,” Paulo interjected. “Next time you hear from Daddy, make sure you tell him there was a much simpler solution to keeping his little girl safe,” he offered. “For starters, he could’ve kept you home.”

  It seemed like a moot point to state that, technically, I’d come to the academy by invitation. However, bringing that up would’ve only fed into these four’s belief that I was spoiled and entitled, so I refrained.

  There was a sudden chill in the air, and of all the things I imagined going wrong, of all the people I anticipated trying to push me around, it wasn’t my mentors. The ones under whom I was expected to report to with problems.

  When the others didn’t interject, I guessed they all shared in Paulo’s opinion. And that was fine.

  “Listen,” I scoffed. “I said I was sorry you got stuck with me, but this wasn’t my call.”

  If they wanted me to beg and grovel because they’d been given this task, that wasn’t happening. I didn’t like this arrangement any more than they did. Also, if they had any idea what was good for them, they’d never suggest that I bring my dad into this. His rage was a sleeping giant no one wanted to awaken.

  A deep breath puffed from my mouth when none of them spoke, none accepted my apology.

  “Well, our chief has assigned us to look after you, so the damage is already done,” Ori practically growled.

  An incredulous laugh slipped from my mouth. “Are you freaking kidding me right now? There’s no way you’re this rude to strangers by default.”

  Although, it shouldn’t have been hard to believe, seeing the way he’d treated the girl who only asked for a picture. Never in a million years would I imagine someone behaving this way toward me. Not because of who my mother was, but just because it was unheard of to treat someone so terribly without cause.

  “We’ve got something to take care of,” Ori continued, ignoring my comment. “Think you can manage to stay out of trouble until we get back?”

  Ugh! Who the heck wants you to come back?

  “Just do like I said and keep your nose clean,” Ori reiterated, making it clear he wasn’t interested in rectifying the ugly first impression he’d just made.

  “I can take care of myself, and I don’t need you here,” I announced.

  “Good, because we’re not interested in bailing you out of trouble,” Ori said gruffly.

  This meeting had certainly taken a turn. Taking a few steps away from our area, I decided I didn’t have to respond to him, or put up with being treated this way. Not by anyone.

  He stared down his nose at me, like I was small. Like I was nothing. A flashback hit me, one that brought with it the negative emotions from the ostracism I’d experienced after my friendship with Blythe ended. I hadn’t been a victim in nearly two years, and I wouldn’t dare let these oafs take me there again. I’d been fooled by their pleasing exteriors, but they were totally ugly on the inside.

  My lips pulled back into a smile, and then a quiet laugh slipped out. One I was certain made me appear unstable.

  “When you get done jerking each other off, or whatever it is you’re so pressed to do when you leave here, why don’t you four just do the world a favor and go straight to hell.”

  My grin widened, mostly because it felt so freakin’ good to finally tell a bully how I felt. Maybe being here was going to be good for me.

  As I walked away, I turned to face the guys again, noting how each stood with his arms locked tightly across his chest. It was then, as I stared at their straight, unamused expressions that I decided to take a note from my brother’s book—lifting both my middle fingers into the air as a parting gift.

  With one encounter, these four had nearly turned a perfectly good day into one I’d rather forget. But I refused to let that happen. My stint at Dragon Fire Academy was the start of a new chapter in my life, and only I had the power to write it. They tried to kill my vibe, but it wasn’t theirs to kill.

  Ano-luana, dickheads.

  Chapter Five

  Noelle

  “There’s nothing quite like the feel of cheap polyester against your skin in the morning.” Toni’s expression reminded me of the face my sister used to make when Mom told her she couldn’t leave the table until finishing her vegetables.

  Trying not to nerd out with excitement, I surveyed myself in the mirror, staring at Toni and I in matching uniforms. I’d dreamed of this day for so many months, long before being invited to tryouts. While most dreaded having to wear these green, plaid skirts, the black blazers with green insignia, I could hardly contain my excitement.

  “Ugh. These things are gonna be the death of me,” Toni grumbled, tugging her knee-high, white sock back into place. “I don’t get why we need uniforms anyway. I mean, it all feels a bit high school to me. We’re adults for Pete’s sake. Why hasn’t someone protested this?” she rambled.

  “Once the day gets going, you won’t even think about the outfit,” I told her with a nudge to her elbow.

  A death stare came my way and I couldn’t hold in my laugh.

  “Maybe if it wasn’t blazing hot outside,” she complained.

  “It’s not that bad.” Running a brush through my hair, I could feel her glaring again.

  “Please,” she countered. “I’ll be sweating harder than a killer on trial.”

  She cracked a smile when I laughed, slipping my headband on.

  “Well, at least you’re not a zombie this morning like me. I hardly slept last night,” I shared.

  “Why? Too excited?” Toni teased, rolling her eyes.

  “I am excited,” I assured her, “but that wasn’t it. This strange dream kept cycling on repeat. I was alone off campus, somewhere in the middle of the rainforest, and there was like … whispering. Everywhere. Only, every time I turned to see who was there, I was alone. It was just me.”

  Toni frowned. “That’s what happens when you eat junk food before bed.”

  Shrugging, I noted that she was probably right about that.

  “Well, there’s a bright side to all this,” she sighed. “Once things slow down and we get a break, we can head to one of the lagoons to hang out and cleanse our palettes—one of the benefits of attending school in paradise.” A satisfied grin filled her expression, but soon faded. “That is, assuming we can even find a lagoon that doesn’t require us to wander onto the mysterious ‘forbidden territory’ everyone’s so cryptic about. Wouldn’t want to break the rules,” she added with sarcasm.

  I grabbed my backpack and opened the door to our room so we could step out. “I’m sure someone can point us in the right direction. And if not,” I shrugged, “rules are meant to be broken, right?”

  “Wrong.”

  My stomach bottomed out at the sound of the deep voice that halted Toni and I both in our tracks. Standing just outside our door, four glaring dragons awaited us.

  It had been a full week since our first and only encounter. Still, I hadn’t forgotten the bad taste my appointed guardians—posing as mentors—had left in my mouth. Between then and now, I’d seen them lurking from a distance, but I’d been spared the frustration of being trapped in a conversation.

  Until this very moment, that is, as they made it all but unavoidable.

  Four intense stares locked on to me like the sights of heat-seeking missiles. They surveyed me in segments. Rayen tilted his head indiscreetly, zeroing in on the few inches of thigh visible beneath the hem of my skirt. Meanwhile, Kai ogled my C-cups beneath the white button-down I wore—making it apparent he was a boob man. He gawked so blatantly I had to tug the lapel of my blazer closed just to get the perv to blink. And then there was Ori and Paulo. They seemed less preoccupied seeing me in uniform and managed to only focus on my eyes.

  “What are you doing here?” I huffed, hiking the straps of my bag further up my shoulders while Toni locked our room.

  “Nah, I’ll ask the questions. I wanna hear more of what you were saying,” Paulo pressed with a smug grin, taking slow steps that consumed the distance between us. I had to clench my fist to keep from decking him. “You mentioned something about breaking rules?”

  He was close now. So close it made my breath quiver as we exchanged icy glares.

  “It’s an expression. Chill.” I didn’t mean to, but my gaze slipped upward, observing him as he dwarfed me in his shadow. I couldn’t help but to notice he was clean today, wearing khaki shorts and a fresh, white v-neck tee that rested over his pecs like icing on a cake.