Montrose Paranormal Academy, Book 1: The Nexis Secret: A Young Adult Urban Fantasy Academy Novel Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Packing Revelations

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  The Story Continues

  Prequel Sample

  Break-in

  Teaser

  Book 2 Sample Chapter

  Sample

  The Nexis Series

  About Author

  Acknowledgments

  Montrose

  Paranormal

  Academy

  Book 1

  The Nexis Secret

  Barbara Hartzler

  Copyright © 2020 Barbara Hartzler

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, 2020

  Editor: Rachelle Rae Cobb (2019), Rachel Garber

  Cover Design by Barbara Hartzler

  For my Granna, who is rejoicing with the angels now.

  Prologue

  Six Months Ago

  A world of white blinded my eyes, but I couldn’t blink. Too much effort. Vague outlines, then silhouettes of color emerged from the whiteness. The ivory outline of a man’s face, his hair glowing like sunshine, his pupils full of light. “You’re okay, Lucy. You’re going to be okay.”

  My eyelids sank shut. Too heavy.

  The smell of antiseptic singed my nostrils. Faint voices wafted through the background. Mom’s hushed whisper, “Should we even give it to her? I don’t want to upset her.”

  Dad’s low growl, “She needs to know her brother is safe. It’s her postcard. She has the right to read it.” His muted baritone faded into the darkness.

  A postcard? From James? My eyelids fluttered open.

  A hospital room—finally something tangible. So white, but not blinding any more. The same bright-eyed man stared down with golden cat’s eyes, a smile etched into his perfectly sculpted face.

  “Who are you?” I croaked through parched lips. “Where are my parents?”

  “I’m here to help, Lucy. You’ve been through a lot.” With every syllable, warmth twinkled in his clear eyes, soothing my aching forehead.

  “What happened?” I propped myself up on my elbows. Then the white world tilted on its axis. My head thudded onto the scratchy pillow.

  “Easy there. You don’t remember the accident?” His smile faded, but no frown lines creased his face. His hand hovered over my forehead. With a light touch, like the wings of a butterfly, his fingertip grazed my temple.

  It all came back to me. It wasn’t an accident.

  There they were, on the couch. My boyfriend with his arms wrapped around my best friend. His face smushed against hers, lips locked. I winced. How could they? Acid rose up my throat as tears clawed at my eyes. When I’d screamed at them for betraying me, my BFF had the nerve to tell me off! “Jake wants a girl who stands up for herself.” Becca had spat at me. So I’d done exactly that. I stood up for myself and slapped her across the face. Maybe not the best idea, considering the cat fight it had started. I remembered breaking a lamp or a vase or something. Then Becca shoved me into the fireplace. My head had smacked into the brick. Hard. That’s when the lights had gone out.

  That was all I remembered until I woke up in this strange hospital room.

  I reached for my forehead, brushing my fingers against the bandage over the laceration at my temple. “Ouch.” Back to reality.

  “Major ouch.” The man eased my hand down. “Better get some rest now. I’ll see you again soon.”

  “Good idea.” I tried to smile, but my lids drooped again. His golden light drifted away, but his warmth stayed with me—wrapping me in a peaceful cocoon.

  Swoosh. I jerked awake.

  A woman in scrubs drew back the curtain. “Doctor, she’s waking up.”

  The sunshine man was gone and the day had darkened.

  A light lasered into my eyes. A white-coated bald guy flicked a flashlight at me, then withdrew it. “Pupils normal. Hello there, Miss McAllen.”

  “Where am I? Where’s my family?” The words gurgled from my throat, as if I hadn’t spoken in days.

  “They went down to the cafeteria. I’m sure they’ll be right back.” His beady eyes peered at me behind frameless glasses. He pulled out a pen and scribbled on his clipboard. “Do you remember what happened?”

  “Sort of. There was some kind of accident.” I closed my eyes. The memory popped and crackled into focus like TV static. “I was in a fight. I hit my head on a fireplace right? How bad is it?”

  The doctor flipped through the pages of my file. Then a low whistle pierced my ears. “You were unconscious for several hours and you’ve been sleeping off and on for a few days. There’s a severe cut on your head. You lost some blood. Don’t worry, though. We fixed you right up.”

  “What do you mean?” I clutched the side of the bed and pulled myself up. A shockwave pounded through my forehead, then the room wobbled and I slumped back down. “Like brain surgery or something?”

  “Nothing like that.” He dropped the clipboard at my feet and pointed to the IV bag full of clear liquid. “Just fluids to rehydrate you. And stitches. You had a nasty gash on the head from your friend’s fireplace. Head wounds can bleed a lot, especially if left untreated for awhile.”

  I raked my fingers through my long hair. Whew, it was all still there. I rubbed the dark brown ends against my lips. Soft, but greasy. “I need a shower.”

  “Sorry, but you can’t get the wound wet. Your head injury required eleven stitches.” He handed the clipboard to the nurse and she disappeared down the hall. “You rest now. Nurse Sherry will check on you later.”

  “Okay, doctor.” As he padded to the door, a chill crept through the empty room. I called out after the white coat. “What about that nice guy who was in here earlier? Is he a nurse?”

  “I don’t think you’ve had any male nurses in the three days you’ve been at Cedar Creek. Maybe a tech or something.” He waved and dashed down the hallway.

  Whoever the golden stranger was, his smile made me feel better. Somehow, he was the only one who did.

  The sun slanted a golden beam across my hospital bed. In a flash, I remembered. Didn’t my parents say something about a postcard from my brother? I hoped they bro
ught it here. My heart pounded against my ribcage, setting off a flurry of beeps and squawks from the machine. Feeling around the side of my bed, I pressed the button to raise myself up. There it was, on the bedside table. A postcard of an ancient church in Europe. Reaching for it, I flipped it over to read the back.

  The postcard read Wish you were here, lil sis. I found an impressive church here. I hope you find one, too. I’m not sure what you’d love more, the stained glass windows or the libraries full of old books. Books hold so many secrets, just waiting for you to notice them. Don’t worry about me. You take care of yourself until I see you again. Love, James.

  A tear slid down my cheek even as I curled my fingers into a fist on the scratchy hospital blanket. My brother had been missing in Europe for three years without a word, and now this cryptic message? All this time I’d been so worried he was dead. My lungs burned as I sucked in a sharp breath. The realization sank deep into my bones and I lowered myself down. He was still alive.

  If it wasn’t for the Three Societies, my brother wouldn’t have run off to Europe and never come back. Just because he was the Chosen One, the next in line to be the Seer, they thought they could dictate his entire life? Well, they were wrong. I had nothing to lose now, no normal life here in Indiana to hide behind anymore. Just because I was only the second born in the Seer’s line, didn’t mean I couldn’t use my “lesser gifts,” as Dad always called them, to find James.

  My brother was finally reaching out to me—asking me for help. Turning the postcard over, I gripped it tight and pressed it to my chest. I understood what I had to do.

  Fire coiled in my gut as the anger simmered deep within. I’d go to Montrose Paranormal Academy, where everything got so twisted, and figure out what they did to him. Then I’d find him … and bring him home.

  Present Day

  I took one last look at my childhood bedroom. My heart somersaulted at each knick-knack I’d collected over the years. My elmentary-school soccer trophies were nestled next to art fair ribbons and pictures of me and my friends in crazy Halloween costumes. Can you be excited and scared all at the same time? I guess if you’re like me, sixteen years old and leaving home for the first time, a little nostalgia is acceptable.

  Twirling my long, dark hair into a knot behind my head, I shoved more clothes into my beloved suitcase. Hard to believe my dad bought me the pink contraption three years ago to attend my brother’s graduation from Montrose Paranormal Academy in New York City. Sure, my high-powered parents had intended for me to start MPA the following fall semester as a freshman. But when James disappeared right after his graduation, no one blamed me for refusing to sign up for the same fate.

  Instead, I’d stayed here in Indiana for two years—hoping to fly under the radar during my freshman and sophomore years. But after an awful breakup and a strange postcard from my brother, I’d finally decided to attend the dreaded Montrose Paranormal Academy for my junior year of high school. James was reaching out to me. After fearing the worst for three years, how could I deny him now?

  Plus, my parents were loaded, so it wasn’t like they couldn’t afford the hefty tuition bills. Dad was the best stockbroker in the city and Mom was in the “million-dollar club” at her real estate firm. I was lucky they hadn’t turned me into a debutante or something equally horrible.

  Over the years, Mom and I had our feuds over me joining in on her silly society events. She could never get it through her head that I didn’t want to pretend to be perfect. Dad always understood me better and let me be me. And we had a great relationship because of it.

  The door to my room burst open, and Dad tiptoed through. The way he gingerly closed my door behind his six-two frame and padded across the carpet almost had me laughing.

  “Lucy girl, before you go, we need to have a talk.” His voice came out hushed, but firm. Nothing to laugh at here.

  A bubble of a giggle died in my throat. “Sure, Dad. Is everything okay?”

  Dad cleared away a pile of clothes and patted an empty spot on the bed. “I’ve been hoping to spare you from this information, but since you insist on attending Montrose, there are a few things you need to understand.”

  I sat down beside him and braced for impact. “Okay, lay it on me.”

  The corners of his mouth twitched for a second, but the stern stare returned. “We’ve told you a little about the Three Societies growing up. What do you remember?”

  “Seriously, Dad?” I exhaled a exasperated sigh as the words tumbled from my lips. “Here’s the truth. Even though you never said it out loud, I figured out that you and Mom have opposite views on them. On the outside, they look like elite organizations that get their members into Ivy League schools. And after graduation, cushy, high-profile jobs in politics, government, and so on. But on the inside, the secret societies keep the world safe from ancient prophecies and legends that date all the way back to the book of Genesis in the Bible.”

  “That’s correct.” With a gruff nod, Dad ruffled my hair. A serious expression clouded his face. “This may sound weird, but when you get to Montrose, I want you to pledge all three societies.”

  I reared backward, squinting at him. “Why would I do that? James was the Nexis president when he disappeared. Shouldn’t I start there?”

  Dad pursed his lips together and shook his head. “There are some strange circumstances about Nexis and your brother’s disappearance that I’ll get to in a minute. But Montrose Paranormal Academy is a school based on a neutral alliance between the Three Societies. You need to maintain your own neutrality, or at least keep the pretense of not choosing sides, to survive there. Do you understand?”

  Judging by his serious scowl, I could tell he meant every word. “Okay, you win. If it means that much to you, I’ll pledge all three societies.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart.” He ruffled my hair again and the worried look washed away. “Your definition of the three societies is accurate. But there are more sinister undercurrents, nuances, and politics that your Mom and I have kept from you until your were mature enough.”

  “Do you think I’m old enough now?” My heart fluttered at the thought.

  He cracked a smile, grabbing both of my hands. “I think you’re ready to learn this truth. The Nexis Society isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

  I furrowed my forehead at him in the way Mom hated. “But you and Mom are both members. I don’t get it.”

  He squeezed my fingers. “The Nexis Society is all about power. They covet power and they’ll do anything to get it. Do you understand why?”

  With a gulp, I nodded. “Because we’re part of the Firstborn Bloodline. Out of our family will come the next Seer.”

  “That’s right. It’s the reason I’m giving you my grandmother’s ring. For protection.” From his pocket he pulled out a worn burgundy velvet jewelry box. The hinges creaked as he opened it to reveal an amethyst ring set in a silvery white gold. “Once a century a firstborn from our bloodline emerges as the Seer. Your great-grandmother was the Seer of the twentieth century. And someone from our family line will be the Seer of the twenty-first century.”

  “Since I’m the second born, it’ll be James or one of his children, right? Is that why he disappeared to Europe?” Examining the beautiful purple stones, I placed the band on my left ring finger. A surge of static electricity zinged up my arm.

  Dad bit his lip. “Not exactly. Your brother was actually—”

  Mom burst into the room, beaming at me. “My eldest daughter is going to Montrose Academy. I couldn’t be more proud.”

  I tried to smile at Mom as she grabbed my right hand. Dad stuffed the ring box back into his pocket.

  “Don’t furrow your forehead like that, dear. You look like a worried bulldog.” Mom’s fingers slid over my brow.

  In an instant I rose to my feet, my gaze darting between my two parents. “What’s going on here?”

  Mom’s eyes glistened as she squeezed my hand. “I’m so happy you’re attending Montrose like your fa
ther. Once you join Nexis and graduate, you’ll be a shoo-in for Yale. That’s where your father and I met.”

  “Yes, I remember.” I mumbled to my flip-flops, wriggling free from her grip. “It’s where you wanted James to go, before he disappeared to Europe.”

  She gave me a thin smile. “I only want the best for my children. Of course, I want you to join Nexis and attend Yale. You’ll be set for life. What mother wouldn’t want that for her child?”

  I cringed and resumed packing. My mother’s expectations had always weighed heavy on my shoulders. She came from a high-society family, just like my father. The only difference was that she expected perfection all the time, or at least the appearance of it. Dad’s clan was much more down-to-earth. Definitely more my speed.

  My dad seemed to cringe right along with me, but I couldn’t help but wonder why. He was on the verge of telling me something important about James. Something he didn’t want Mom to hear. And he’d just totally bashed Nexis. Could he secretly be a member of one of the other societies—the Guardians or the Watchers? If so, why would my parents be on different sides?

  Footsteps pounded on the carpet as my little sister, Paige, ran into the room. “What’d I miss?”

  “Just more packing. I’m in desperate need of advice from the house fashionista.” I couldn’t help but grin at my sister. Even though she was only thirteen, she had better fashion sense than I’d ever posses.

  “Don’t worry, Paige to the rescue.” She dove into my closet and brought out armfuls of clothes to pack. “But you’ll need a few more suitcases.”

  “You think?” I smiled and ruffled her hair, just like Dad. It was strange how protective I’d become toward my sister these past three years. Somehow, it felt like my job to preserve a little innocence in this house.

  My brother’s disappearance had changed my entire family. Everyone expected James to go off to Yale and on to a prominent life. He’d done everything Mom had asked at Montrose Paranormal Academy. He’d even been elected Nexis president his senior year. But something strange happened on the night of his graduation. My parents had told me James had witnessed his girlfriend’s death, and that was what spooked him all the way to Europe. But it didn’t add up. James would never leave without telling me. Mom and Dad were hiding something—probably a secret Nexis wouldn’t let them tell anyone. What role had Nexis played in my brother’s disappearance?