Monster's Heart (Blackthorn Academy for Supernaturals Book 13)

Chapter 1

Amrin

Oh gods,my mother was going to kill me.

I sighed as I looked down at the grade I’d received in Astronomy. There was no question now whether I would fail at the end of the semester. A big fat F circled at the top of my exam sort of gave it away.

Damn. Damn. DAMN.

“That’s it, everyone. Class is dismissed,” Professor McEwan said.

I remained in my seat a moment longer, wondering how I was going to break the news. I stood up without checking and wound up falling right back into my seat. Apparently, walls moved in that class. Well, not really. But the giant, blue-skinned male glowering at me sure felt like one when I bumped into him.

“Sorry,” I muttered, but he turned and left, ignoring me like the pathetic little Witch I was.

Screw him, I thought in a rare show of spunk.

He had horns and a long tail, like some sort of cyan-tinted Devil or Hobgoblin, and I wondered what kind of supe he was. It wasn’t polite to ask, but I was almost curious enough to. Not that I would get the chance. After all, he’d already bolted outdoors. Some of the Monsters at Blackthorn were like that. No, it was not nice to call them Monsters. After all, most of the women in attendance were Witches, and that wasn’t necessarily nice to say either.

Intention was everything though, and I was not rude. Merely shy, clumsy, chubby, and curious. Also abhorrently bad at most things involving magic, which for me, was so far non-existent.

I was such a disappointment to the Cordoza Coven, and my family in general, that our crest, a flame circled heart, practically withered in on itself at the very thought of my existence.

Fuck.

Professor McEwan was leaving, and I really needed a word. I shuffled my backpack around, stuffing the hated test inside, and got out of my seat without tripping over my robe, which was, by all means, an improvement.

“Professor! Professor!” I shouted, running after him down the hall.

“What? Oh, yes, Miss Cordoza, what can I do for you?” he asked, leaning back so that his potbelly was almost touching me.

Eek!

I stepped back and offered a hesitant smile. Students milled about around us, and I hated that I had an audience, even if they weren’t paying attention. He looked at his watch and I could tell he was growing impatient with mer.

Now or never, Amrin. Hop to it.

“Professor, I heard a rumor you offer extra credit for this class?” I hedged.

“Indeed, I do. Are you interested in hearing it?”

“Yes, Professor. Anything to not have to retake the course, er, not that it isn’t wonderful, you see. But I, well, that is,” I said, clearing my throat as I tried to talk my foot out of my mouth.

“Yes, yes, I see, Miss Cordoza. You know, you are not like your sisters,” he began, and I nodded in total agreement.

What else could I do?

No. I was nothing like my tall, thin, perfect sisters. I was short, chubby, and my spells were mediocre at best. I was hopeless at Astronomy, but I took the class because I was interested in the subject. I just didn’t see it the way the professor did. More fool me, I guess.

“Nonetheless, all my students are able to make up for failed tests by completing a project and lucky you, you are just in time. Here,” he said, ruffling through his briefcase. He pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to me.

My brows furrowed as I read it quickly. He had to be kidding.

“Is this a joke?” I blurted, before I could stop myself.

The sound of someone chuckling off to the side caught my attention, but when I looked, no one was there.

Odd.

But whatever.

“No joke, Miss Cordoza,” Professor McEwan said, looking down his long nose at me. “I look forward to seeing your project.” Then he was off to his next class, or more likely, to snag something from the caf.

Not that I was in any shape to comment on someone else’s eating habits, but my gods, he needed to slow down on inhaling those extra orders of pancakes. I’d seen him on Thursday mornings, and he was so not there for the yogurt parfaits or excellent selection of teas and coffees.

I sighed and read the paper he’d handed me again. This could not be happening to me.

I mean, really?

A love quest?

How was that even ethical at a school?

My lips moved as I made sure to read every word as written, instead of filling in the blanks, which was something I did on the regular and could account for half my failures. Following directions was not my forte. Nothing was, really.

Hello Blackthorn Academy student!

In danger of failing my course?

Never fear, your friendly Astronomy teacher is here to help. Here is your Astronomy Extra Credit assignment. Now, I only offer this twice a year, so the due date will be the Solstice, Summer or Winter, or the Spring/Fall Equinox celebrations, depending on which semester we are in.

Now that we have established that, here are the rules. You must chart a course across the stars, using the fundamentals you learned in class (or didn’t learn, which is why you are seeking extra credit—just check my blog) and Morganna’s Guide to Astrology in order to chart a course to your true love, or the closest thing to them, by the next Solstice/Equinox festival. I expect all data to be in printed form.

You must hand it in by midnight on the night of the festival, and if you succeed in finding your match, bring them along! I would love to meet them.

-Professor McEwan

P.S.

Failure to find your true love will not impede your ability to pass this course. It is a failure to try that will ultimately be the reason you do not succeed. Please note and track any occultations you come across during your mission. Good luck.!