Shade Academy

Chapter 19

After eating my breakfast I went back onto the balcony to enjoy the cool morning breeze. I didn't try and invade any of my mates mind this time, I learned my lesson and I learned it fast. Invading their mind made me feel like I went on a three day drinking binge. Just thinking about the side effects of doing that made me shutter. I had no intention of feeling that again anytime soon. But then again, I will never know what I am capable of until I try. Mind jumping was obviously too much for me right now, but what could I do at my current stage?

Closing my eyes once again I concentrated, not only on Alex but Axel and Samuel as well. "There is no way she'll know." I heard Samuel say. I furrowed my brow, know what? I concentrated harder, eager to hear whatever conversation they were having. "We can't just keep her in her room all day. She will go ballistic." Axel said. He was right, keeping me confined was not a good thing. I'd get angry being up here all day without being able to go any where. Not that they could stop me if I wanted to leave, but that is beside the point. Remembering that now that Axel and I have fully mated I could mind link him I did. "Axel, What the hell is going on? And why am I confined to my room?" I fumed. 

I heard Axel's sharp intake of breath through our link. "Anna? How are you speaking to me?" I laughed, I mean a full belly laugh that had me rolling on the floor. "You really don't know anything about shifters and mates do you?" I mused. Axel growled. "No. I told you dragons don't usually have mates so they don't even bother teaching us." My humor vanished at his words. Great, now I felt bad. "Sorry Axel. I can speak to you because we are mates and we have fully mated, cementing the bond that is between us. Usually mates are between two shifters. But with me being a powerful witch I am assuming that Is why I have three powerful mates." I tried to explain. 

"So you're telling me, we can communicate through our minds because we had s*x?" I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled through my lips. "Yes, that is what I'm saying. You will also be able to feel any strong emotion I feel. You will feel when I am scared, anxious, in danger anything and you will know." I felt a surge of determination and duty as my words sank in. "I will not fail you Anna." 

I smiled, knowing that he would do anything and everything in his power to keep me safe, to stay by my side. But we were getting way off topic. "Now that, that is explained. Tell me why I am confined to my room? And tell me why you think you can keep me here?" Uncertainty filled out bond as he mulled over what to tell me. "Please Anna, just stay there until we come get you." I sighed. "I can't do that Axel. Where are you and I will go to the opposite side of the mansion. Will that work?" I could feel Axel thinking about it, I could also feel that for a moment he was able to block the mate bond. "We are on the back lawn. Please stay in the front." He pleaded. "Fine." I huffed. "But don't any of you think that you can boss me around just because I am listening this time." Axel laughed "Wouldn't dream of it love." He said. I shook my head. I so wanted to know what was going on, but I didn't have the heart to disrupt what I knew thay wanted to surprise me with. 

I decided instead of going to the front gardens I would go back to the library. My lineage was more important than the garden. Going back to the small room in the back of the library I searched through the old books and tombs. I found photo albums, of which I looked through thoroughly. All my family, all of the Whitemore family, people I would never meet. Sadness took root in my heart. So many people, innocent people, murdered because someone wanted the power they held and now, I could never meet my family, none of them. 

Anger suddenly replaced my sadness as the reality sunk in. The air swirled around me, reacting to my mood. My hair whipped around me in the whirlwind that I created. Any books or items around me lifted into the air and whipped around the room. I stood from my seat closing my eyes. Not to calm the storm around me but to take a deep breath only to let out a broken and heart stopping scream. 

The walls trembled at my scream, dust and debris flitted down around me as cracks formed in the walls. The door burst open all three of my mates stood in the door frame stunned and shocked at what they found. My magic filled the room, suffocating those who dare enter. I could hear the muffled shouts of my mates but no words registered in my mind. I felt my body start to rise, when strong arms suddenly wrapped around my waist, pulling me down into an embraced.

My body trembled in their hold. I didn't struggle, didn't try and get free, I just let him hold me, hoping his touch could calm me. When I started to feel the others reach for me, my body reacted. I calmed instantaniously as I slumped into who I could only guess was Axel's arms. Then sobs wracked my body. I all out bawled into him as he just sat there holding me. "They're gone." I choked out. "All of them. I have no family left." 

Axel pulled me from him and cupped my face in his hands. I closed my eyes but Axel wiped my tears away. "Look at me love." He pleaded. I opened my eyes and looked at him through the blur of my tears. "Look around you." He said. I did as he asked and looked into the worried eyes of Samuel and Alex. "Us, the three of us. We are a family now." Axel told me softly. I could feel the truth of his words and it calmed the aching in my heart. "Thank you. All of you." I said as I wiped the remaining tears with the ball of my hand. 

"We will always be here for you." Samuel assured me as he pulled me to my feet. I quickly embraced him. burring my face into his chest, his scent of musk and rain helping calm me more. "We have a surprise for you." Alex said with a grin. "I think it will help you feel better." I smiled as I walked over to him and took his hand. "How did you manage the sun?" I asked curiously. "On the Ashford lands vampires are protected. We can freely walk in the sun as long as we stay estate." I couldn't help the wide grin that spread across my face. "In that case, lead the way day walker." I teased. 

Alex smiled as he led me away from the library and out to the back lawn. "Close your eyes." Alex whispered in my ear. I did as he asked smiling as he helped me walk the remainder of the way. "Open your eyes." When I did I was stunned. Time once again got away from me in the library and the sun was setting. Lights were wrapped around every tree and twinkled in the last rays of sunlight. Tables were sprawled across the lawn. Some held food, others desserts, and the rest gifts of all sizes. "What is this?" I breathed. "Happy birthday." Samuel said as his arms slithered around my waist. Wait what? After a brief second I realized they were right, how could I have forgotten my own birthday?

I whirled around, tears again filled my eyes. "How did you know?" I asked. Samuel shot me a cocky smile. "I'm a professor remember." He said. I rolled my eyes and turned back around. Of course he looked at my file. 

We spent the next few hours enjoying the party. Other covens came to welcome the lost Ashford daughter, overjoyed that I had somehow survived the m******e. I was bubbling over with joy as my people accepted me. People I have never met, never had any contact with accepted me with open arms. But there was something, I don't know what it was, but I had the strangest feeling that not everyone here was my friend, and whoever it was had ill intent.