Alicia Fabel [Fabel - Hall of Psychics

Alicia Fabel

Hall of Psychics

Legend Academy Series

P lummeting three-stories took a lot longer than Annessa would have imagined. She had time to spare after thinking, Im going to die. Everything seemed to slow except her thoughts. It was funny. After all those years, her mom was right. Standing on that windowsill to watch the waves crashing onto the shore would not end well. If impaling herself on the for-sale sign below could be considered not well. Annessas earbuds popped free. The feather duster flew from her hand while she clawed at the air. As if that would make any difference. Her job had just officially hit a whole new level of sucktastic.

The realtor, whod startled Annessa and sent her free falling, peered down from the window. Her mouth stretched into a horrified O. And then the woman backed out of view. Annessa couldnt blame her. Seeing someone splatter across a concrete patio wasnt on her to-do list either. Only she still hadnt hit cement. It was as if the world had actually slowed. Even the seagulls appeared stuck in mid-air. Annessa tipped her head. One of the flying rats had swooped into the water. Its back legs stuck out as if it had dive-bombed into a sea of gelatin.

Annessa blinked. Elion was suddenly there, looking up at her. Not the real Elion. Just some pre-death hallucination. Besides the fact Elion was gone for good, this rendition looked maybe fourteen years old. The real Elion didnt have those soft cheeks anymore. Which meant she was out of her mind. Or she was already dead.

Elions brow pinched over eyes so dark, looking into them was like peering into an abyss. He always made that face when he was worried. Even in the shadow of his hoody, Annessa could tell that the blood had drained from his usual warm complexion.

Dang it, she was dead.

Like a rubber band snapping, everything flung back into motion. The roar of waves resumed, along with Annessas fall. But Hallucination-Elion was there to catch her. Man, his arms were disconcertingly solid. Samaras face popped into view behind Elion. Messy black waves of hair fell haphazardly over one haunted green eye. Annessa hadnt seen Sam since she and Elion had driven away. Together. That could only mean one thing: Annessa was in hell.

Nessa? Sam squeezed Annessas arm while Elion set her down. She seemed to release a pent-up breath.

Elion stepped backward to let Sam take his place. He tugged his hood up to shade his face when he caught Annessa staring.

Sam twirled a lock of her ebony hair with one finger. Hi, she said lamely with a strained half-smile.

This isnt real, Annessa murmured. Except it was real. It just made zero sense.

Sam inspected Annessas face. Did you hit your head? She poked at an old bruise on Annessas cheek.

Annessa pulled back. Oww.

Basketball? Sam guessed. I hope you called a foul.

Annessa peered at Elion. How?

Sam followed Annessas gaze. Her mouth opened and then shut. If the girl kept it up with her hair, she was going to have a bald patch soon. Actually, Annessa wouldnt mind seeing that.

Elion cleared his throat. How what?

Wonderful, he was playing dumb already. But Annessa wouldnt pretend she didnt notice how he stood eye level with her. Not when hed been half a head taller than her for the past five years. How are you doing a Benjamin Button impersonation, Elion?

He managed the perfect impression of a confused guy, shoulders hitching in a careless shrug. I dont know what youre talking about.

Sam winced. That girl couldnt lie worth jack. Which was funny since her boyfriend was the king of lies.

Before Annessa could unload her colorful opinion of Elion, one of his school buddies broke away from the shadows. Of course. The Academy crowd always traveled in packs. Every spring, the Marks familyElions Familydescended on the beach house with a crew of people. Until this year, when theyd put the place up for sale instead. But Annessa should have known that if Elion was there, Axton was too. She just hadnt seen him. The cool tones of Axtons dark skin blended with the shadowsa fact he seemed to enjoy taking advantage of. But if Annessa was honest, she always thought there was more to it than that. No one who was built like Axton should be capable of hiding so well. It was as if the shadows actually gathered more thickly around him sometimes. And yes, she was aware that sounded insane, but hanging around the Academy crowd had a way of making a person question the supposed laws of reality.

Axton shouted suddenly, and the world went tipsy again. Annessas shadow jerked and then stretched, reaching for the shade of the beach house.

Ax, catch it, Elion called.

Working on it. Axtons shadow detached and flew across the ground toward Annessa.

The two patches of darkness collided, coiling around each other. Annessa tried to jump away, but her shadow went with her. As it should. Axtons fell away.

Dont move, Nessa, Sam called. Itll get away.

Get away? Annessa inched back even though it just stuck with her. Its my shadow.

Its not yours, corrected Axton, running a hand over his dark short-cropped hair. Its a wisp.

If it escapes, well all be in trouble, Elion added.

Annessa stilled, which was no easy thing. She had no idea what a wisp was, but it was apparently attached to her like a leech. What the heck is a wisp? And can you get it off of me?

Its a shadow that belongs to someone like me, Axton explained, except it didnt explain anything as far as Annessa was concerned. And yes, I can. He swung his backpack around and started digging for something. It mustve been with you for a while, or it wouldve let go already.

Thats comforting, she said dryly. What does that mean?

That means its trapped with you unless it can find another shadow to grab onto.

You said you could get it off of me. Annessas voice rose with alarm.

I can. Axton rooted deeper into his bag.

Annessa eyed the wide-open beach over her shoulder. No shadows. Maybe she should head that direction.

As if reading her mind, Elion said, Every little dune and divot has a shadow. Just stay right where you are.

Okay. Still, no one moved to take care of her shadow leech. You know, eventually its going to get dark, and there will be a butt-load of shadows for this thing to grab onto.

The corners of Axtons full lips tilted up, his deep brown eyes sparkling with humor. Define a butt-load.

Annessa was not amused. I swear, Axton, I am two seconds from losing it here.

Found it. Axton waved a small glass cube in the air, pinched between two fingers.

The shadow leech shot out tendrils in every direction. Um, guys?