Pain, p.1
Pain, page 1
part #9 of Destine Academy Series
Destine Academy: Pain
Book 9 of the Destine Academy Series
by Sara Snow
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 Sara Snow– All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of the trademarks is not authorized, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Other Books By Sara Snow
Destine Academy Series (Available on Amazon)
Destine Academy (Book 1)
Destine Academy: The Return (Book 2)
Destine Academy: Secrets (Book 3)
Destine Academy: Prophecy (Book 4)
Destine Academy: Changes (Book 5)
Destine Academy Boxed Set (Books 1-5)
Destine Academy: Bound (Book 6)
Destine Academy: Charm (Book 7)
Destine Academy: Shatter (Book 8)
Destine Academy: Pain (Book 9)
Destine Academy: (Book 10) Coming soon
Guide to the Destine Academy Factions
Magique
Abilities: Magical students. Alchemists, occultists, herbalists—there’s many branches of magic they can—and do—specialize in.
Symbol: A green line running diagonally from left to right and a green orb in the center of it, labeled with the word Magiques.
Head Girl: Zara Del la Croix
Head Boy: Vale Abreo
Metamorphe
Abilities: Shifters with the ability to shift into anyone.
Symbol: A yellow orb with four lines diagonally surrounding, but not touching it. Labeled with the word Metamorphe.
Head Girl: Honore Joubert
Head Boy: Orson Favre
Surnatural
Abilities: Preternaturals—students possessing superhuman powers such as strength, speed, and many other talents.
Symbol: A red line running horizontally from left to right with a red orb in the center of it, labeled with the word Surnatural.
Head Girl: Katriane Houde
Head Boy: Javier Badeaux
Voyante
Abilities: Oracles—seers, if you will. They can see your thoughts.
Symbol: A blue line running vertically from top to bottom and a blue orb in the center of it, labeled with the word Voyante.
Head Girl: Simone Gerard
Head Boy: Baron Cadieux
Chapter One
Caroline lay face down on her bed, sobbing into her pillow as she cradled the framed photograph of her mother and brother to her chest. She felt as though her heart was breaking, and the pain was unbearable. Caroline wasn’t sure how long it had been since her father and friends had given up knocking at her door, but it had been quite a while. Perhaps they’d gone to bed—she had no concept of whether it was day or night. Not that she cared anymore.
Rolling onto her back, Caroline stared up at the canopy of her bed as the tears dried on her face. There was nothing left, and now her eyes felt raw, every blink was like scrapping them against sandpaper. Caroline welcomed the pain; she felt deserving of it. Besides, the physical pain was something she could control—not like the growing pain in her chest that threatened to drag her under.
She forced the images of her mother and brother from her mind, needing the reprieve from the heartache. Instead, she thought back to her aunt’s office, at seeing how distraught her father had been, and how ice-cold her aunt was. There was only one person she despised more than her aunt, and that was Tempeste. At the mere thought of her name, Caroline felt her grief shift aside as a red-hot rage welled in its place. Her eyes narrowed as she thought of the woman who’d been the cause of everything that had happened to her, starting with her father faking his death. In that moment, Caroline was consumed with her need for revenge, to come face to face with Tempeste and take her down once and for all.
So caught up in her anger, Caroline hadn’t noticed the way objects in her room had started to levitate of their own accord, or the way the lights began to flicker. Yet she could feel she was starting to lose control of herself, much like she had in her aunt’s office when she’d effortlessly silenced her. It was then that she noticed the activity in her room, and it terrified her. Launching herself off the bed, the photograph momentarily forgotten, Caroline ran from her room. She thought she heard Aldrick call out to her, but she didn’t stop. She ran through the corridors, lights flickering after her. Paintings swung on their hooks. Doors opened and closed. Caroline could feel her anger growing and her powers surging along with it. Only now she felt panicked, scared of what would happen if she didn’t get away from everyone.
As she burst through the glass doors at the rear of the academy, Caroline felt relief as the cool air swept over her face. It was short-lived as she felt herself start trembling. Grateful for her Surnatural speed and strength, she distanced herself from the academy in mere seconds and stopped in the middle of the athletics field. The anger fueled her powers, and the powers ignited her rage. Opening her mouth, Caroline let out an inhuman scream that sounded more like a roar, sending flocks of birds fleeing from their trees. Caroline fell to her knees, her fist to the ground as her powers surged. A low rumbling came from all around her, but she was so consumed by the energy flowing from her that she was unable to look for its cause. Then, the ground split before her, starting from where her hand touched the earth, and splintering across the athletics field, splitting the boundary in two before the damage continued into the forest.
Caroline got shakily to her feet and stared at the crevice that now tore up the land before her. She couldn’t move—she felt both awed and terrified by what she’d done but also relieved that she’d made it outside and away from the other students. Closing her eyes, she dreaded having to turn around, telling herself that there was a good chance no one saw what happened. Yet as she turned around and saw the crowd gathered, she felt the dread weigh heavily in her stomach. Wanting nothing more than to escape the bewildered and fearful gazes of her peers, Caroline used her Surnatural abilities to surge up the hill and through the crowd, not caring that she bumped into people as she made her way through. The fearful looks on their faces just made her want to run and hide.
Caroline felt hot tears sting her sore eyes, and she wiped away at them angrily, slowing her pace as she maneuvered through the crowds of students gathering in the corridors, wanting to know what was going on.
“Caroline?”
She turned at the welcome sound of her friend’s voice as Nadine wove her way towards her.
“I’m so relieved to see you.” Caroline’s voice came out only slightly more audible than a shaky whisperer.
“What happened? What’s going on? Are you okay?” Nadine asked, embracing her friend as she continued to ramble. “That’s a stupid question, of course, you’re not okay. I just meant…”
“It’s okay. I know what you meant,” Caroline confirmed, releasing her friend. “I need a favor, though.”
“Of course, anything.”
“Can you find the others and meet me back at my room?” Caroline asked, her voice tense.
“Sure. Might take me a while to track everyone down, but we’ll meet you there,” Nadine agreed and gave Caroline another quick squeeze before heading back the way she came.
Caroline hurried away from the crowd, just the thought of seeing her friends together was enough to calm her even if only a little. But it was short-lived as Felicity fell into step beside her. Caroline groaned inwardly. It was hard to believe that Felicity was her oldest friend—here she was like an entirely different person, and Caroline had to remind herself that the Felicity she had known for all those years wasn’t real.
“What do you want, Felicity?”
“Oh, not much. I’ve been meaning to catch up with you, but life is just so much busier here at the academy, isn’t it?” Felicity replied with a slight smugness in her voice that Caroline found annoying. The last thing she felt like doing was playing a role in one of Felicity’s games. She could feel her powers start to spark within her again, and she quickened her pace.
“I couldn’t help but notice you’ve become quite friendly with Aldrick…”
Caroline scowled but kept walking.
“…and since we’re such old friends I thought I’d do the right thing and let you know he isn’t interested. He and I have…well, a thing…but now that I’m back at the academy full time, I expect that it’s only a matter of days before we’re an official couple.”
Caroline could feel Felicity’s sideways glances, but she was determined not to take the bait.
“He’s told you about his recent findings on the prophecy, hasn’t he?” Felicity asked in a feigned whispered.
“How do you know about that?” Caroline shot.
Felicity rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows about the prophecy, silly. It’s common knowledge, an urban legend here at the academy. Not that anyone believes it, of course. Though Aldrick has taken a slightly obsessive interest in it, who knows why, anyway, I
“Anyway, there was this whole section he’d circled, which immediately caught my attention because I’m sure you know how protective Aldrick is of his books.”
“Is there a point to any of this?” Caroline snapped through her tightly clenched jaw.
“I don’t recall you being impatient,” Felicity retorted. Still, as Caroline quickened her pace, Felicity struggled to keep up, talking rapidly as though fearful she was about to lose her audience. “As I was saying, there was a circled section about the prophecy that talks about soul mates or something. I don’t remember exactly what it said, but it was along the lines of there being two potential loves for the chosen one, and who she selected would directly impact the direction her magic took. So basically, chose the right guy, and all is well with the world, chose the wrong guy, and you’re like, Tempeste-level evil.”
Caroline could feel Felicity staring at her, trying to gauge her reaction, but she refused to give her one.
“Don’t believe me. I don’t really care. Just so long as you know that Aldrick and I are, well, you know.” Felicity finished smugly, and Caroline didn’t need to look at the girl to know there was a smirk plastered across her face.
Caroline felt her powers intensifying again at the thought of Aldrick and Felicity. It seemed like a betrayal that he even had time for her, even though she knew Aldrick didn’t yet know of her past with Felicity. It wasn’t logical, but it hurt all the same.
As Felicity continued her mindless drivel about her relationship with Aldrick, her voice started to feel like pins pricking Caroline’s eardrums, and she pressed her hands to her ears in an attempt to make it stop.
“Oh, that’s real mature.” Felicity laughed. Caroline snapped. Flinging her arm to the side, she sent Felicity hurtling against the wall, looking down at her with wide eyes.
“Just shut up!” Caroline screamed, oblivious to the stunned students stopping in their tracks and turning to stare.
“Calm down,” Felicity whispered; her voice strained as she struggled against the invisible force pinning her against the wall.
“Don’t tell me to calm down! My brother is dead! My mother is dead!” Caroline’s voice reverberated off the walls, causing the windows to vibrate. There was a flicker of sadness in Felicity’s expression at the mention of their deaths, and Caroline pulled back slightly. Yet she realized her old friend didn’t look surprised at the news, and she pushed her further up the wall. Before she could do anything more, she felt a strong hand on her arm, pulling her away.
“Caroline, stop. This won’t help anyone.”
She looked up and saw her father beside her, his face weighted with pain. It was enough to make Caroline’s eyes well once again with tears, but as she looked past him, she saw her aunt standing in the middle of the corridor. There was a smirk on her face that made Caroline’s blood run cold, and a shiver shoot up her spine. With her anger shaken, her powers slipped, and Felicity slid down to the floor before jumping up and running into the concerned arms of Katriane and her clique.
“Come,” Gaspar instructed, leading her away from the other students. Her aunt turned and walked towards her office, knowing they would follow. Caroline stormed after her aunt, glaring at her from behind. Her father’s hand was still on her arm, but it felt more reassuring now rather than restrictive. As they reached the top of the spiral staircase, her father released her.
“Wait here,” he instructed, “I want to speak to your aunt.” He strode after his sister into the office and closed the door behind them. Intrigued, Caroline carefully walked over to the door and pressed her ear against it as she tried to listen.
“This changes nothing,” Gaspar stated firmly.
“Don’t be naïve, brother. Of course, it does. Two displays of her power like that in a matter of minutes, and you want to let her out into the public? It’s completely out of the question,” Marguerite replied.
“It’s the funeral. She needs to say goodbye. Not getting this closure will be far worse for her—and her powers, since that appears to be your priority,” Gaspar argued, and Caroline could hear an angry edge creep into his voice.
“You cannot be serious, Gaspar. Your daughter is a liability, and you want to take her out around mortals?”
“What are you more afraid of, Marguerite? That she will hurt somebody, or that you’ll somehow lose your control over her?” Gaspar’s voice grew louder with each syllable, and Caroline felt a swell of pride to hear her father defending her. There was silence for a moment, and she imagined the siblings in a stand-off, angrily glaring at each other. Finally, her aunt spoke, her voice so low and icy that Caroline had to strain her ears as much as she could to be able to hear her.
“You forget, dear brother, while you might be Caroline’s father, I am her legal guardian. You have no say over what happens—you’re dead, remember? And now, so is your wife…”
Caroline fled back to her room; grateful, the corridors were now clear of students as they attended classes. As she turned into the corridor leading to her room, she was relieved to find her friends waiting for her, including Corbin with one arm in a sling and his good arm supporting his weight on a crutch to help counterbalance with his leg cast.
“After seeing you head off with your aunt and your dad, I wasn’t sure if we should wait or go to class,” Nadine whispered, not wanting to draw any attention to their gathering should anyone be lurking around.
“Thanks. I’m glad you did,” Caroline replied as she opened the door and let them all in her room. She was surprised to see Vale and Zara had joined them. She hovered by the door, watching them all settle around the room while flicking glances back into the corridor.
“I couldn’t find her anywhere,” Nadine said. “But, I found a note.”
“Who’s gone? What note?” Laurent asked.
“Eloise,” Caroline confirmed, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. “What did the note say?”
“Not a lot, just that she was trying to help and not to worry and she’d contact us when she could,” Nadine recited.
“Is that a good idea?” Zara asked. “I mean, she wasn’t exactly in the best shape after everything that happened to her.”
Caroline sighed, “I’m concerned about her, but I know how it feels to be judged because you’ve developed new powers that you can’t control, so if she thinks she’s up to helping out, I’m not going to tell her no. Which also brings me to why I asked you all here.” She paused, looking from one friend to the next, trying to read their expressions, but too nervous to do so.“I just wanted to explain—or try to explain—what happened before. Both outside and with Felicity,” she started, finding it hard to know where to focus her attention. She could feel both Corbin and Aldrick staring at her, and what was worse, she could feel the heat of a violent blush sweeping up her neck and into her face.
“You don’t have to explain,” Nadine started, “We heard about your family, and we’re so sorry.”
Before Caroline could reply, Zara cut in. “Hold on. I think we need some kind of explanation. I don’t want to sound cold—it’s truly awful what you’re going through, and just like everyone else in this room, I’m here for you. But you guys saw what she did outside, right? And to Felicity? I think we need to know if we’re in any danger being around you.”
Silence filled the room, heavy and suffocating. Once Caroline realized no one was going to step in and argue the point, she took a deep breath. “Honestly, I don’t know. What you saw earlier—that’s never happened before, you all know that. The incident outside, I had warning. I could feel myself becoming overwhelmed, like it was surging through me, trying to erupt. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to control it.”
“Well, that’s a good thing, right? You had enough of a warning that you needed to get away from people,” Corbin suggested, and Caroline gave him a quick smile.
