After releasing "The Alliance ~ I Declare War" I drifted into the background trying to figure out ways to make my writing better. I wanted to get back to what made me write; what drove me to write the first book. The questions I get a lot from friends and readers are 'What are you doing?' 'Why did you take Kevin off?' 'What about Origins and Forever?' Well, the short answer is I'm working on them, but they are starting to fall under the new arch that I've created with I Declare War. And that's no good because not everyone is going to read I Declare War.

I enjoyed writing the new version a lot and just recently asked myself, "Self...Why didn't you just write an entirely new series using the new plot twist with different character names? My inner voice just shrugged and said on to Jacob." Note it comes out with a girlish squeal of delight because I adore Jacob. Now in my mind, Jacob will always be my k-pop/k-drama heart throb Lee Joon. But let me stop before I start gushing about how versatile an actor he is.

(Here is where a ton of his images would have been if my little sister wouldn't have stopped me.)

I wanted to post a ton of his pictures, but if you're interested in what he looks like he's on the cover of "The Academy ~ Book Two".

Now I can stop pining away for my Lee Joon...at least to you. Below is an actual preview of what I've been up to so without further ado here it is:

Chapter One

Jigu - Tianlong Dorms

Three Weeks Later (Author's Note ~ There's a prologue before this chapter)

The chime on Ebony's handheld had her almost falling out of the small twin size bed in her attempt to answer. After all this time, she still wasn't accustomed to the narrow bed that came with the cubby hole they called a room; the mattress was comfortable, but there was a significant lack of it in the small space. The stupid thing fitted perfectly in the chamber with its stark white walls, floor, and ceiling. The only colors that broke the dullness were the forest green comforter she'd purchased on a shopping spree with Kayla and the row of vibrant red cosmetics she'd lined up on her desk/vanity.

Not wanting to open her eyes Ebony felt on the small clear surface until her fingers brushed against the device. Clumsily she rolled into a sitting position before opening her eyes. In the time she'd been on Jigu, communications from her friends and family had become scares; unless she counted Jarvis breaking up with her during her first week off-world. Pressing her thumb against the flashing silver screen her lips stretched into a smile when Felicity's heart-shaped face appeared.

"Felicity," exclaimed Ebony running her fingers through the tangled mass of thick dark bluish black curls she'd had stripped of dye.

"Ebony," screeched Felicity her vibrant purple eyes searching the screen. "You look so -," Felicity's voice trailed off as she gestured in Ebony's direction. Before Ebony could say anything her cousin continued with a huge smile, "You dyed your hair!"

Ebony's hand hesitantly touched a wayward curl, "About three weeks ago out of the blue I decided to have the dye removed."

"You should make sure you wrap it before bed," instructed her cousin eyeing the cloud of hair. "Damn, you look gorgeous," gushed her cousin. "You took those horrid contacts out, and I can tell just looking at your face you've put on weight?"

"A little," frowned Ebony taking a deep breath and realizing for the first time that the buttons on her gown were undone. "I may need to go up a size or two."

"Two is good," nodded Felicity eyeing her cousin. "I wish I could get breast like that without surgery!"

"Ah," frowned Ebony glancing down uncomfortably at the full breast she'd somehow not noticed.

"How's school," asked Felicity quickly changing the subject. "Do you like it?"

Ebony eyes rounded in surprise at the concern she heard in her cousin's voice, but she quickly regained her composure. "It's going great," she smiled tightly hoping her cousin wouldn't recognize her lie. "The classes are intense, but the people and food make up for it."

"So you've made friends," asked Felicity her eyes narrowing on Ebony's face.

Nodding anxiously Ebony cleared her throat, "I met the exchange student from Nah'Bye. She's in my art of diplomacy class."

"You met the Nah'Byian," gasped her cousin clapping her hands excitedly. "I thought it was going to be a guy! What is she like? I heard they were back watered savages that -."

Ebony gave her cousin an exasperated stare before cutting her off, "She's the sweetest person I've ever met." Ebony attempted to get comfortable on her bed while focusing on the wall across from her before continuing, "Her name is Makayla Aubree Ward, and she's kickass! She beat every guy in our art of diplomacy class and with her help our team won the first Trial of Despair. And," enthused Ebony excitedly, "because of her, I've met the first and second chair's heirs."

"Are you serious," gasped her cousin in astonishment pulling the screen closer to her face and whispering. "How can you be certain it's them and not just two men claiming to be them?"

"Well," frowned Ebony tapping her chin as she considered her cousin's question. "It's common knowledge that they both were sent to an academy by their parents -."

"That's true," nodded Felicity chewing on her bottom lip. "But I'd heard they were at the Ollyum campus."

Ebony's nose scrunched up and she shook her head, "they wouldn't go there. This is the number one campus plus there's former Ambassador Anthony Icarus Lawson. He's here as an advisor and teacher, and before the Trials, he introduced himself as not being related but when we were paired up with the second year mentors -."

"Oh, goddess on high you were teamed up with them," whisper screamed her cousin her eyes shining with excitement.

"When I was with Kayla -," at her cousin's confused stare she sighed, "Makayla told me to call her Kayla," she offered trying to keep the annoyance from her voice. "But when we were together I heard Anthony talking to Jacob about his mom the grand duchess Acadia."

"You are the luckiest woman in the universe to have met them," screeched her cousin her elation palpable. "What are they like," asked her cousin keeping her voice down.

"Um," considered Ebony shaking her head as she searched for the right words, "they pretend to be nice but they aren't."

Felicity snorted before continuing quietly, "I heard after their visit to Dayum a few months back several high ranking people went missing. Everyone knows they killed them, I doubt that's something nice people do."

"Scary," whispered Ebony hesitantly. "They are both people I wouldn't ever want to cross."

"The newsfeeds have shown them but," frowned her cousin scratching her chin while squinting at the screen, "it's like they use some type of enchantment so people remember what they said but can't really remember what they looked like."

Nodding in agreement Ebony understood exactly what Felicity was talking about. The high council and their families were always covered, but those in the Alliance wouldn't be able to point them out if they stood next to them in a crowd. Considering that now she could walk up to Lucas, Jacob and Anthony without fail and recognize them had her eyebrows knitting together. It wasn't until Felicity cleared her throat with an expression showing she was waiting impatiently for more details that Ebony spoke again. "The heirs are very," pausing Ebony met her cousin's eyes as she tried to make sure her meaning get across, "intense. Everyone is vying for their attention but they both seem to like being around Kayla which means they are around me."

"Oh," breathed Felicity her mouth rounding into a perfect circle of surprise.

Nodding Ebony realized her cousin was finally able to understand, "I've tried to detach myself from her but she always seeks me out, and she's a wonderful person so I can't tell her that I don't want to be her friend."

Felicity arched an eyebrow at Ebony's apparent reluctance to end the friendship. "But if they scare you -."

"I'm not scared," bluffed Ebony raising her chin. "They flock around her, and I just happen to be there."

"I see," acknowledged Felicity even as a naughty smile curved her lips. "Ebony," she sang her fingers lightly touching her device's screen, "I heard they like to sow their wild oats. Are you and the Nah'Byian the recipients of their salacious appetites?"

Sucking in air through her teeth Ebony nodded her head, "Yeah they both have that reputation, but I guess they are trying to be more discreet -."

"You've had sex with one of them," exclaimed her cousin pointing at Ebony's face. "Don't deny it! You're nodding even as you're about to deny it."

Ebony rolled her eyes this time shaking her head, "You're mistaken. You know I don't do stuff like that."

"Goddess on high," scowled Felicity, "it's been weeks since Jarvis -."

Ebony jaw began to hurt as she grounded her teeth at the unnecessary mention of her ex-lover's name. "Felicity I'm not the type that could attract either of their attention. Do you know how many beautiful women are on this campus?"

"You're beautiful," snapped Felicity sounding aggravated. "You are exactly what would attract one of their attentions," she continued her voice rising from a whisper, "stop downing yourself. Your mother was the first chair's favorite paramour for the love of all the gods in the sky!"

Ebony fingers clenched around her device as she released an irritated sigh. "I do talk a lot to Jacob," she admitted not mentioning that he did most of the talking while she stared down at her fingers praying he'd leave her be so she could find her bearings.

"That's the one with the die for light brown eyes and dark hair," asked Felicity eagerly, "the grand duchess' son!"

"Uh huh," nodded Ebony worrying her bottom lip. "But I don't want anyone there to know I've met them. Lucas and Jacob aren't really my friends, and I would prefer if people don't try to use you or me," emphasized Ebony, "in an attempt to get close to either of them."

"I understand," agreed Felicity her expression sobering and turning to one of sincerity. "I won't tell anyone." Felicity turned to look behind her before moving the screen in front of her lips and whispered, "Especially not our moms. Mine's a little too power hungry and yours would be worried sick that one of them wants to sweep you away as their paramour."

A snort of laughter escaped Ebony before she could stop herself. "I doubt either of them has that in mind for me at least." Shaking her head Ebony's shoulders fell in relief, "and thanks."

"You're welcome," beamed Felicity smiling brilliantly while tapping a black fingernail against the screen. "But now I have to go get fitted for my ceremonial robes."

Ebony's brow scrunched as she contemplated her cousin's words. "When's the big day and why haven't I received an invite?"

Felicity's face twisted into one of disgust before all expression vanished. "My mother is pushing for us to be married in the next three months."

"I'll be there," rushed Ebony realizing their brief conversation was coming to an end. "I hope to talk to you again sooner than later," she smiled watching as her cousin waved goodbye. "I love you!"

"I love you, too," smiled Felicity before the screen went black.

Happiness like no other had Ebony humming under her breath as she stood up and yawn. Linking her fingers together she stretched on her tiptoes attempting to loosen the muscles in her back. The day was new and according to her device she had forty-five minutes until the cafeteria opened. Grabbing a ribbon from her desk she decided she had time to tame the curls she'd forgot to wrap by putting her hair in a ponytail, take a shower and get dressed.

"Come lay down," came a sweet sounding voice from behind her along with the sound of a hand patting the mattress.

Ebony recognized the drawl immediately, and her eyes darted toward the closed and locked door. How did he get in here, she thought. Her bed hadn't even dipped under his weight while she sat on the edge. With a feeling she didn't recognize she turned around until she was facing Jacob.

"Come here," he repeated as he reclined with his back against the wall patting the bed.

Ebony's device fell forgotten to the floor. "W-where'd you come from," she asked her eyes meeting his before quickly dropping to the area he patted on the bed.

"Why is your room, so small," inquired Jacob ignoring her question. "Kayla's room is at least eight times bigger," he mumbled rubbing his chin.

"I assume this is what a standard size room for a scholarship recipient looks like," whispered Ebony inching toward the door. "Plus I'm sure the other students' rooms are about this size."

"Ah," nodded Jacob staring around the small 9x8 cube before pinning her with an amused stare. "Are you trying to leave?"

"No," wheezed Ebony her head bobbing up and down. Her feet felt like they were weighed to the floor, but she was still able to take another tentative step toward the door as Jacob lounged in her bed.

"Ebony," smirked Jacob moving toward the edge of the bed, "you're not going to like what happens if you try to run away from me."

The muscles in Ebony's throat worked to swallow the feelings that were creeping up ready to choke her as she watched him ease off her bed coming to stand only a few feet away from her. His presence made the air in the room feel thick and cumbersome while leaving a warmth in the pit of her stomach.

"Are you coming," inquired Jacob holding his hand up for her to take; his smile daring her not to accept it. "Don't be afraid," he whispered disappearing only to reappear within the blink of an eye standing a hair's breadth away from her, "you won't remember a thing."

"I won't remember," parroted Ebony weakly allowing him to take her limp hand and pull her toward the bed. "Are we going to have sex," she asked curious to know what she had agreed to.

Jacob's nose scrunched up and distaste made his lips press together. "No," he admitted, "there's something else I would like from you."

My blood, was on the tip of Ebony's tongue, but she caught herself remembering that she wasn't supposed to remember that part of her night with him and Gloria. Her remembering would probably have her and her family shipped off to the Outlands with Gloria or worse dead. Meeting Jacob's light brown gaze, Ebony sat on the edge of the bed and somehow managed not to flinch as he leaned over her.

Instinctively she tilted her neck toward him as her eyes closed. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck as he inhaled as if he could already taste her. A whimper escaped her as she felt his mouth opened and she prepared herself for the unsettling sound and feeling of his teeth piercing her skin.

"Relax," whispered Jacob huskily rubbing his nose against the apex where her shoulder and neck met. "I'm not going to make it hurt."

Before she could vocalize any doubts or ask any questions his lips brushed over the sensitive skin of her neck and she felt his teeth pierce her skin. Ebony couldn't keep her eyes from flying open or the moan that escaped her as pleasure she didn't expect started from the pit of her stomach and spread through her limbs. She thought she'd pretend he was doing nothing more than leaving love bites but the sensations were too intense. In her previous relationship, her boyfriend would kiss and sucked on her neck but the ecstasy she was feeling made her experience with him pale in comparison. Releasing a shaky sigh she closed her eyes hoping it would be over soon and before she could take another deep breath Jacob's lips were gone. Slowly she opened her eyes as she felt his tongue flick over the wound closing it and felt as if she would fall into Jacob's smoldering gaze.

Jacob's lips were inches from hers; she could smell something strangely sweet under the mint of his breath. "I want you to forget," whispered Jacob his voice sensual and hypnotic. Gradually the light brown began to swirl and the honeyed depths darkened into intense molten pools of gold. Ebony would feel his will being pushed onto her as he paused biting his bottom lip that was stained red with her blood.

Ebony felt his hands rubbing up and down her arms leaving a blazing fire of want in their wake. Not allowing herself to blink she let her eyes glaze over hoping he would believe her slack-jawed expression and the vague look in her violet eyes were confirmation that his push had worked.

"Ebony," drawled Jacob his gaze intense as he massaged her shoulders gently, "I want you to forget this." He paused for several seconds before he asked, "do you remember?"

Ebony eyes began to water, and the thought of him finding out she remembered had her feeling nauseous. As if guided by an unseen hand she felt her head slowly move side to side.

"Good," whispered Jacob releasing her. "I'll see you later," he added with a note of promise before vanishing.

Releasing an unsteady breath, Ebony's body began to shake as she raised a hand to wipe the tears that ran down her cheeks. "What in the world was that," she heard herself murmuring while standing and walking toward the closet to grab her uniform. Opening the door she caught sight of her reflection, her skin glowed with vitality while her eyes shined with arousal. Tilting her neck, she gazed at the bruise, the only indication of what Jacob had done. "I cannot want him," she told herself. "I need to go back to Mizu," she sniffled wiping away a tear of frustration as she grabbed a clean uniform. "I need to go home before I do something really stupid," mumbled Ebony as she moved toward the sliding door before exiting out her room toward the bathroom she shared with three others.

Here's where I'd insert the book's cover, but it's not been created. All I have is the name

"The Alliance ~ Swear Your Allegiance"

And just like the first book several of the chapters will be available on Wattpad and Book Two of the Academy will forever remain on the site. And "Origins" is coming back, along with "Forever"!

For the #WattpadBlockParty, I'm giving away one free e-book of "The Alliance~ I Declare War"! This giveaway is open internationally since it's an e-book. Make sure to click at the bottom of this post to enter!

Thanks for checking out my post! All votes and comments are appreciated! 

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