Scholomance 9 by Logan Jacobs (inspirational books to read txt) 📗

obstacles to look out for. Not everything is what it seems. Now that I’ve shown you a glimmer of what you’re about to face, it’s time to wake up, Cole. You must reach the gates of the elder heavens, and the sooner you carry on with your quest, the better.

Before I could reply, my body jerked upward, and my eyes were wide with attention and determination. My breathing was rapid, and sweat dripped from my brow. The inside of the tent spun, and my entire body felt like it was being pricked and prodded with searing-hot needles. My head was going to split in two, but I pushed the feeling aside and quickly roused the other women awake.

“Hey,” I said in a raised voice. “Wake up. That’s an order.”

The women groaned in retaliation but couldn’t disobey a direct order, so they quickly sat up and fiercely rubbed the exhaustion from their eyes. Then they looked around the tent and smiled at the crumpled-up clothes on the grass. It was warm, and the smell of sex still lingered in the air.

“What’s going on, master?” Faye purred before she stretched out her lean arms.

“The woman from my dreams spoke to me,” I responded as I gently shook my head. “We just need to get a head start for the day and follow the compass. She said we’re nearing the elder heaven’s gates, but we must be careful. Samara could have countless traps waiting for us.”

“Agreed,” Akira yawned before she tossed off the covers and began to dress. “The sooner we can face Samara head-on, the better. I’m so ready to see her submit herself to us. I want that bitch… err, I mean… troublesome woman down on her knees and begging for our master’s cock. Once we slaughter her elder angels, of course. Satan, I really can’t wait!”

“I can tell,” Marina chuckled with glimmering eyes. “You’re always ready for a hardcore showdown, aren’t you, Akira?”

“Fuck, yeah, I am,” Akira giggled without hesitation. “Blades, wands, fists… I don’t discriminate when it comes down to a good, dirty fight.”

“That’s what I love to hear.” I grinned before I brushed Akira’s black, knotted hair out of her face and kissed her warm cheek. Then, while the others fumbled with their clothes, I finished dressing and pushed back my dark hair. “Well, I’m ready. I’ll see you all outside. I imagine Vanessa and Isobel are already up.”

“Yes, master,” the others said as they continued to get dressed.

When I stepped outside, none of the familiars were standing guard, but I did see the professor seated in front of her tent with her back turned to me. Her dark hair was pulled into a long fishtail braid, and loose, thick strands of hair swayed each time a strong gust of wind blew across the field. I couldn’t see her face, but I knew her features were set in stone.

“Good morning, Cole,” she said without turning around. “How did you sleep?”

“Fairly well for the most part,” I answered, “but the woman from my dreams warned me we’d see the golden gates of the elder heaven soon.”

“I imagine she said it wouldn’t be easy,” Vanessa mumbled. She still hadn’t turned around to look at me, and neither did Isobel.

“Where are the familiars?” I asked as I stared at the back of her dark wolf, who looked like a marble statue facing the sunrise.

“I let them roam for food,” the professor replied as she continued to stare at the rising sun. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s been a long while since we’ve had a proper meal.”

“No, you’re right,” I chuckled before I pressed a hand on my stomach and then glanced at the other tent. It’d been days since we had a proper meal, and I was starved. “Are the others awake yet?”

“They are,” the professor responded, and this time, she turned her head so her ice-blue orbs were fixated entirely on me. “You seem… well-rested.”

“I am.” I smirked lightly. “I know we still have plenty to worry about, but I know we’ll figure it all out, little by little.”

“Yes.” Vanessa nodded in agreement. “We’ve been doing quite well if I do say so myself.”

“Agreed.” I smiled before I sat down next to her and marveled at the bright, tangerine sun. It was nice having a civil conversation with Vanessa, and I’d realized lately we’d been getting along more and more. When I looked at her profile, she still wouldn’t look at me, but it didn’t matter. I knew she was listening to my every word. “How long do you think it will be until we reach the golden gates of the elder heaven? We both know that’s where the last artifact is, and we both know that’s where we’ll finally have to face Samara and her unwavering holy magic.”

“I have no idea how much longer it will take or what else we’ll have to face,” Vanessa replied as her gaze continued to fixate on the burning sunrise. “As you said, the woman from your dreams said it would be soon. She’s always vague, isn’t she? In the meantime, all we’ll be able to do is pray to Satan to help us keep our strength.”

“That’s very true,” I said before I stared at her perfect profile and took a moment to appreciate her natural but intense beauty. “As I said, I have faith in us and the coven.”

“So do I,” she replied without an ounce of resentment in her voice. “I just tend to prepare for the worst at times. Life, no matter how strong one’s faith is, can also be unexpected. There are twists and turns we are sometimes not prepared to face or counter, and it can be a shock when such a challenge is staring you dead in the eyes. It truly makes us realize just how strong and powerful we