Black Sun Academy: The Next Generation (book 1)
Chapter 34

Nox

Having shared the story of my life with Blaise has lifted a weight from off my shoulders I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying. Shortly after she whispered her love for me, we made our way out of the library and over to the cafeteria where we found Braeden and Carden milling about. Lunch was just about over so we quickly grabbed some snack items and then claimed seats on the opposite side of the table from where the twins were sitting.

“Hey. Where have you two been?” Carden asks as we sit down.

Simultaneously Blaise and I say, “library,” and the mischievous look Carden gives his brother doesn’t go unnoticed by either me or Blaise. Rolling her emerald, green eyes, Blaise reaches across the table and swats Carden on the arm. “Wipe that look off your face,” she says indignantly. “We were there doing some research on a project for the class we share together, jackass.” Carden snickers while Braeden rolls his eyes at his brother.

I do my best to hide my own laughter but can’t quite manage it. Blaise gives me a glare before muttering, “men are insufferable,” as a blush tints her checks a beautiful shade of red.

Glancing at my phone I see that it’s just about time for my next class to start so I bid the group farewell before leaving the lunchroom.

As I’m walking across the campus grounds to make my way over to the academia building, I feel as though someone is following me. No matter where I looked though, nothing seemed amiss. But as much as I tried to shake the feeling, I felt eyes on me until I made my way back to my dorm room.

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Saturday dawns overcast and dreary out. Rolling away from the window I throw the covers over my head trying to block out the depressing mood that wants to descend upon me. Unfortunately, I don’t get the chance to hide the day away as the bathroom door is flung open and Clover comes bounding out squealing and clapping her hands together in excitement.

“Ugh,” I groan. “Can you keep your cheeriness down?” Peaking over the edge of my comforter to see Clover hovering over me, not deterred in the slightest by my grouchy mood.

“Nope. Nope. Get your lazy butt up!” She sings as she begins to tug the blankets away from me.

“I don’t wanna go,” I grumble while trying to keep hold of the blankets that Clover is still trying to yank them off of me.

“Nonsense, you promised you’d go with me to get our hair done for tonight. Don’t make me hog tie you and drag you to the salon, because I will,” she adds, wiggling her fingers at me as a sly smile spreads across her lips.

Not that I will ever admit it to Clover but I’m glad she convinced me to go to the ball with her. The harvest ball is nothing less than magical! A gasp falls from my lips as I enter the ballroom and my mouth falls open in awe. The room itself is adorned in gold molding and massive windows allowing the light of the full moon to filter into the dimly lit interior. But that’s not what’s got me staring in amazement. The entire room has been transformed to look like an autumn forest! Trees with gold, orange, and crimson leaves align a majority of the walls. The black marble flooring has the same-colored leaves scattered across it with strategically placed bales of hay, dried cornstalks, pumpkins, and scarecrows set about for an ambient effect.

Glancing down at my pale-yellow gown, I’ve never felt more thankful that Clover had convinced me to purchase the dress. It shimmers as the moonlight hits the sequences and rhinestones just right. Smiling, I spot Clover seated at one of the many tables throughout the room and make my way over to her. Sitting next to her is her date, the Italian, Jaxson. For just a second, I wonder what their status is; are they boyfriend and girlfriend, just friends... but then my attention is pulled to the left of where I’m standing as some of the hottest guy’s strut and stroll into the room! Braeden and Carden enter first both in matching black and white tuxedos causing me to drool slightly as they come closer and closer to our table. My eyes shift as I notice a shadow following directly behind the twins. Nox’s tuxedo is solid black, and I sigh appreciatively at how well the suit fits him.

All three guys have a stupid, dorky grin gracing their lips as they come to stand in front of me. The music that has been trickling through the sound system from the DJ stationed near a sprawling staircase is shut off as the sound of someone clearing their throat comes through the speakers. Braeden, Carden, and Nox take their seats and I find myself settled in between Clover and Nox. Both Carden and Braeden suck in a breath of surprise as we all hear, “good evening, everyone.” I look over at the twins, surprised myself, at seeing their father Chris standing on the second to last step of the previously mentioned staircase. “The S.C.D. would like to thank Black Sun Academy for allowing us to host this year’s Harvest Ball. The harvest meal will begin momentarily until then please take pleasure in the music provided by the D.J., again thank you and enjoy your night.”

Nox stands as the music gradually gets louder and sticks a hand in front of my face, “would you like to dance, Blaise?” Grinning, I nod yes as I place my hand in his allowing him to pull me to my feet. Hand in hand we make our way to the dance floor where Nox then spins me out and then pulls me in to cradle me against his chest. Leaning next to my ear I hear him whisper, “you look absolutely stunning.” Shifting my head so I can gaze into his eyes I smile before placing my lips against his in a gentle kiss. Together we twirl around the room a couple of times and just as the song is coming to an end, I spot Gavin amongst other professors milling about. He’s wearing a tux similar to the twins causing my heart to flutter at the sight of him. I don’t even realize I’ve started towards him until I feel a tugging on my hand as Nox pulls me in the opposite direction. Glancing over my shoulder I see Gavin clench his jaw and shake his head subtly no; telling me not to come over to him. With a slight nod of my head, I continue to follow Nox as he leads us back over to the table.

Just as we take our seats, servers bring food to our table. Plates are sat in front of each person and when every person has a plate in front of them at our table, we begin to eat. The chatter is pleasant as we all dine but then suddenly the lights go out. Everyone is stunned silent for a moment but as the power doesn’t immediately come back on, people begin to question what is going on. The doors to the ballroom seem to implode causing shrieks and screams to sound about the room. “What’s going on?” I shout as I feel someone take hold of my hand. It’s hard to see in the pitch-black of the place but I recognize the strength of Braeden’s fingers interlock with mine. A scuffle sounds near where Nox had been sitting. However, before I can get to him to make sure he’s okay, pain shoots through my neck. My hand flies to the area that stings but I’m unable to speak and then I lose all control of my body and feel myself collapse to the floor.

“Ugh,” I groan as I come to. I notice the lights are back on and brighter than before they went out causing me to wince at the brightness. Slowly I get to my feet and then look around, taking in the chaos of my surroundings. “Wh-what happened?” I ask as I let my gaze bounce over my friends. They are all coming too slowly as well.

“What the hell?” Braeden growls out as Carden groans and Clover whines an ouch. All of them are rubbing at the sides of their necks as well. I make my way to Clover’s side. Looking at her neck I see she has a small red irritated circle about two inches above her collar bone. Turning to Carden, I turn him so I can see the side of his neck which of course has the exact same mark on it.

I turn and tell Braeden to look at my neck. “Is there a small red circle?” I shift so I can see his face and watch as he nods yes. “Um, we’ve all got the exact same marks on our necks! What the heck happened?” Others in the room are rousing now and I can see the confusion flickering in their eyes as well. This is when I realize a very important fact! “Uh, where’s Nox?” Panic is surging through me, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that he’s gone. But who took him and why...

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