by E Hall
He turns my words over.
“Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?” I ask.
He sneers with narrowed eyes. “This is also about you, Tyrren.”
I conceal surprise. “Fine. What would it take to leave Lea and everyone at RIP Jr out of this?”
“RIP is this,” he says. “You’re no hero. Don’t try to be one.”
I snort. “How am I part of this?”
“You’re the perfect fall guy.”
I balk. “How so?”
“Turn you into a vampire. Send you to RIP Jr. Make it look like you’re the one behind all the crimes against fae on campus, including letting the demons in.”
“Why?”
“To build the Shadow Army. Starting with me. Stupid, forgetful Aaron was picked first.”
“And that’s something to be proud of?”
He doesn’t answer.
“Emeric changed me so he’s behind this. Who’s he working for?” I ask.
“The king of the Southlands.”
“And what do you want from me?”
“Go to Jurik. Confess that you let the demons in. You allowed all the fae at Riker’s Reform School to succumb to the rending of their shadows, including Lea’s.”
I wrinkle my eyebrows together. “Emeric wants her shadow too?”
“By now, he already has it.”
Ah. That was the plan. It’s an understatement to say that I’m glad it failed. “Okay, I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
“Go to the headmistress first thing in the morning. Confess. Take the blame. If you don’t, this knife will have your name on it.”
I’m afraid it already does.
Chapter 17
Leajka
I mentally hurl every gut-wrenching, conflicted, and twisted thought at Emeric’s image in my mind. He flashes there like a photobomb. I want to scream at him, destroy him.
He made me think I was special.
He led me falsely.
He used me.
Tyrren doesn’t return from his dorm room. My heart stutters. Maybe I should be mad at him too. Or worried. However, he’s a vampire now. Clearly, he can handle himself.
I slouch back to my dorm because even without the files and the flimsy evidence they prove, I have to warn Amelia and the others. Emeric concealed the fact that he’s a vampire and conducted the secret meetings with the fae to gain our trust only to betray us.
The weight of what’s happened today gets heavier with every step. Half of me wants to cry and curse this so-called life. The other part of me rejoices in knowing the truth. I want to lash out with rage against everything that’s happened, including the things I’ve done, but also hide behind the same hand. I’m ashamed. I was tricked.
Tyrren’s presence and unwavering care for me softened something inside of me, yet at the same time, I’ve become grittier, grimmer. I thought I was wild and free with Emeric. It turns out, it isn’t fast cars that are my greatest temptation, but the attention of a guy who told me I’m important, special, powerful. I don’t want to be that girl. I want to be me.
For weeks now, I thought it was my own rebellious spirit urging me to skip classes when really it was Emeric’s poisonous tongue in my ear.
Nina and I reach the door to the girls’ dorm at the same time.
“What are you doing here?” She raises her eyebrows.
“Unfortunately, I live here.”
She surveys me carefully.
“I thought you were with Emeric tonight,” she blurts.
It’s then I realize she’s probably in cahoots with him. Likely, Jasmin and all of the vampires too. And there I thought he was one of us. He’d pitted me against his kind. I’m embarrassed but try to hide it.
“He wanted me to grab something before—” I pause, clearing my throat as though I realized I better not say that we’re leaving campus—likely his intent, considering the car was waiting.
“You better hurry then,” she says and sashays inside.
I worry she’s going to try to find him.
I rush toward the stairs and my room, hoping Amelia is there. I have to warn her. The room is empty. I sit on the bed, wondering if maybe she went to the bathroom.
The longer I wait, the closer I inch toward mischief addling my thoughts. Whether I had Emeric encouraging me to break rules or not, I tend toward being unseelie. That much is indisputable. But as Amelia said, I get to choose what I act on.
While I wait for her, I pull drawers out, searching for the necklace with the snowflake charm that Ivan gave me—the one I took off when he didn’t bail me out. When I find it, I hold it up and the charm spins in the dim light. I put it back on as if claiming myself. I can be as cold and unforgiving as snow and ice, but also as beautiful.
My breath comes up short as something Emeric said in the woods rushes back to me. I was still under his enchantment, but he reminded me of the night I was attacked sophomore year. He confessed. Why’d he attack me? He said he wants me to lead...what?
I plumb the depths of my shadows. The unforgiving, wrathful side of me wins as I get to my feet. I will have revenge on him.
Suddenly, the door opens. It’s not Amelia. Worst-case scenarios fill my mind. Two CAs stand in the hall, reminding me of when I was arrested.
One says, “You’re to report to the headmistress’s office.”
“It’s the middle of the night?” I say.
The other says, “Strike three. You’re out.”
Confusion doesn’t adequately describe how I feel. For once, I didn’t do anything. Unless Emeric reported that I was behind all the recent vandalism. He wouldn’t be lying, but I doubt that he’d confess that he compelled me to do so. That’s something I don’t understand. Vampires can make you fall in love with them, but not do things. He can’t be vampire and fae—I know that much about beings like us.
I have to find Amelia and Tyrren. The CAs march me to the whitewashed administration building. Buckets of paint lay discarded, their contents splashed on walls. Glass glitters like ice on the grass. Paper litters the ground. The single statue I pass lost an arm.
Spray paint bears scrawling messages about the end of RIP and the rise of chaos. Stencils of X’s with slithering red snakes figure prominently on the walls. The door closes with a heavy thud at my back. I wonder how Emeric got away with being a student, playing both sides as a vamp and a member of the X-Crew.
The CA knocks.
“Come in,” Headmistress Jurik calls.
We enter.
She finishes writing something, looks up, and removes her glasses. “Hello, Lea. Thank you for joining me at this unorthodox hour.”
I nod, not sure what she expects me to say. A quiet whisper urges me to make a run for it, but the CA thrusts me toward the chair.
“Have a seat.” She gestures and then dismisses the correctional assistants. She looks me over carefully as though assessing whether or not I’m a threat and should call them back. Her gaze floats to the bracelet around my wrist. “Is it imprinted with runes?”
I shake my head. “No, it was a gift from a friend.”
“And the necklace. Where’d you get that?”
I’m about to say Ivan when a memory from the recesses of my mind drifts by. I have the choice of whether or not to reach out and grab it, to see the fullness of it. My stomach rolls over. I do the brave thing.
“The necklace came from my mother.”
“Ah, a Frost Fae charm?”
I nod when really I want to shrug because I’m not sure of that. Jurik, despite her status as the headmistress, could be someone who could provide answers. Again, I’m met with a choice to make. Do I trust her? She’s tough and shrewd, but then again, she’s in charge of reforming actual criminals. It’s no small thing. Whether or not I’m here wrongfully, she’s been doing what she thinks is right.
I swallow. “Yeah. She gave it to me when I was little. Before she died.”
“Are there others?” she asks.
&
nbsp; This time I do shrug because I have no idea. No? I certainly don’t have another one.
She offers a conciliatory smile. “I’m sorry. I lost my mother when I was young too.”
I’m covered in mud and blood from the Rjoklund Games and scuffle with Emeric. I also stand accused of all the vandalism on campus. If anything, she shouldn’t trust me. But I’d like to get whatever information I can from her.
Jurik sighs and shifts in her seat. “You and I are the same you know, but different.”
“What do you mean?” I say reflexively.
“Because I see myself in your wild ferocity and fear. You must dissolve the latter to be who you’re meant to be.” She studies how each of her reasons affects me.
“And who is that?”
“The fae who’ll lead us in the defeat against our enemies.”
My eyebrows dip.
“Of course, you don’t understand. It’s okay. You will in time. As you know, there’s a sharp division between vampires and fae. It’s been this way since Bortimal’s time and probably before that too. Since then, it’s been the same in Borea as it is here—with hatred and fighting between the two. Eighteen years ago, there was a prophecy.”
I remember what Amelia said about her father telling her something similar.
“I believe you’re part of that prophecy,” Jurik says.
“How? What does it have to do with me?”
“You’re meant to lead the army. That’s what we’re doing here at RIP Jr—preparing you to fight.”
“Like in a war? Bootcamp?”
She nods. “You’ll be a key figure in leading us. First, I need your help.”
I shift in my chair. “What do you mean you need my help?”
“A long time ago, I made a mistake,” Jurik says.
For a moment, her eyes mist then her stony, headmistress’s mask returns.
“Yeah, I understand that.” I’ve certainly made plenty.
“I need you to find my son and bring him back here. Only you can do this.”
“Is this part of the prophecy?”
She shakes her head.
“Then how am I suitable for this job? Who’s your son?”
“His name is Emeric.”
Chapter 18
Tyrren
Felix and Cole hang out in the lounge. I linger out of sight, listening and waiting for the right moment.
“The administration hasn’t done anything,” Felix says with an air of disbelief.
“Not so far at least,” Cole replies in a self-satisfied tone.
I come into view and clear my throat. “Actually, they took Lea into custody a little while ago. Good thing too. She’s trouble.” The lie stings as I play to their side. I went to her room after I was through with Aaron. Amelia said a couple of CAs had just carted her off.
Cole scoffs. “Why the change of heart, lover boy?”
“It’s clear she wants to be with Emeric. I saw them leave together for the woods after the games.”
Felix wolf-whistles.
“He can have her. Things are different than they were before. I’m different.” I keep my posture stiff, indifferent.
“You prefer your own kind,” Felix says with a grin.
“There I was, thinking she was right for me. Meanwhile, I missed all the fun.” I snort.
Nina settles next to Felix on the couch. “I saw Lea a little while ago. She said she was meeting Emeric.” She smirks.
“Now she’s with Jurik,” I say.
“You must be heartbroken,” Nina singsongs. “Oh, wait, vampires don’t have hearts.”
“Exactly. I’ve picked teams.” I attempt to make the statement bold, convincing.
“Have you now?” Cole asks with a lilt of suspicion in his voice. “In that case, we have to initiate you.”
“Fair enough.”
“Jasmin is going to love this,” Nina says.
“I’ll do whatever you want, but I want to know who was really behind the vandalism and the demons on campus.”
“We’ll tell you our secrets if you tell us yours.” Cole flicks a piece of dust from his sleeve.
“I don’t have any secrets.”
“Word is you were part of the Nefral Weapons Trade. How would a fae-lover be involved in that?” Cole asks.
“Blacksmith’s apprentice. I made sharp, pointy objects.”
“Nefral weapons aren’t sharp or pointy.” Cole lifts an eyebrow.
Felix laughs.
“I forged a sword. I assume that’s why they brought me in. But if a Nefral weapon isn’t sharp or pointy, what is it?” I ask.
“The question is who is it.” Cole smirks.
“All the fae at this school. All the fae in Terra,” Felix says.
Cole shoots him a sharp look of warning as though he’s said too much.
I piece this together. The fae are weapons? Why? How?
“You wanted to know who is behind the vandalism. Us.” Cole slides his tongue over his teeth.
“Hey, I helped,” Nina says.
“Mostly, it was Lea,” Cole says.
I hang my head as though disappointed. “I thought so.”
“But it’s all part of the bigger picture, Tyrren,” Cole says. “The scene was set to place blame. The new vampire on campus working with the demons to rend fae shadows.”
“Me?”
“Don’t worry. We have your back. The new fae on campus caused havoc to demonstrate that they’re not at all good. In fact, the fae are the X-Crew. Not vampires. You brought in the demons to put an end to the fae.” Cole punctuates the air. “Brilliant, right?”
That doesn’t add up. Then I realize it’s a ploy. Emeric played the vampires against the fae and vice versa. These three don’t even realize they’ve been duped too. He’s behind it all. “In other words, you’re the X-Crew and want to make it look like the fae are behind all the problems?”
“Exactly. The nats will have zero sympathy for them. Makes it easier to get rid of the fae.”
I smirk. “Good plan.” Bad plan. Very bad plan. I hide my concern and my fears along with the complete and utter shock at this new information.
“Now that you know the truth, it’s time for your initiation.” Cole leads me outside.
I scramble to think of a way out of what’s sure to be them making me take blood from a human.
A black SUV hurtles down the slim road on campus toward us. It doesn’t slow down like earlier when Lea was going to plow into Emeric and me. Is he back to get revenge?
At the last moment, we all dart out of the way. The vehicle stops abruptly and backs up before slamming on the brakes.
There’s only one person I know who drives like that.
I grab the door handle and get in. I worry I made a terrible choice because the woman behind the wheel has a severe gray bob and wears a blazer. Headmistress Jurik?
When she turns to face me, the smirk is unmistakable. Lea sits behind the wheel, wearing a disguise.
I chuckle. “Fancy meeting you here, Headmistress,” I say. “Where are we going?”
“I’ll explain later. First, did you find out anything?”
I start at the beginning, telling her about Aaron and the impending war then Felix and Cole, telling me about how we’ve been framed. “I didn’t have a chance to ask them about Emeric because you nearly ran me over again. The question remains, where is he? I have a feeling he’s not too pleased right now.”
“Tyrren, he was the one who turned you.” Her voice is grave.
I nod. I know that.
“He was also the one who attacked me sophomore year.” Her voice streaks with a deep level of vengeance, seemingly replacing the anxiety that had previously consumed her any time she’d talk about the incident.
I have the urge to reach out to her, to comfort her, but her expression is steely.
“I take it we’re on a revenge mission.”
She nods. “Yep. We’re on our way to meet Emeric.”
We’re
near the campus gates, guarded by officers.
“Hide in the back,” Lea orders.
Disguised as Jurik, she waves and doesn’t even have to stop. I’m guessing getting out is easier than getting in.
I climb into the front. Lea speeds along the two-lane blacktop as we cross the bridge leading away from the island.
The landscape between us appears to have shifted since we were last free. Whereas before, I only saw occasional glimpses of the true Lea, now I see past her spunk and fire, to the eternal core of who she is. I want to slash and burn it away so it’s visible to her too if it isn’t already. She’s the fiercest and bravest person I know.
What does she see when she looks at me? Her goofy, nerdy friend, obsessed with dusty old books and metalwork? Or a vampire who’s out to suck her dry?
Lea exhales loudly, I’m guessing with relief now that she’s put distance between us and RIP.
“Okay, I can’t take it anymore,” I say, my patience left somewhere a mile or two behind us.
“Oh, right. Sorry. This is a pretty rad set of wheels.”
I look at her sideways.
“What’s going on?”
“The head of school wanted to see me a little while ago. Of course, I thought I was in trouble. I’ve broken just about every school rule and a law or two. She said we’re a lot alike.”
“So you weren’t in trouble?”
“Oh, I’m in it big.”
I raise my eyebrows.
“Headmistress Jurik had a kid. His father died tragically. He was never the same after that.”
“Understandable.”
“He requested to be turned.”
It takes me a minute to figure out what she means. “He requested to be turned into a vampire?”
“You got it.”
“No one does that.”
Lea’s shoulder lifts slightly as though it had crossed her mind. “Jurik wants me to bring him to her...to destroy him.”
“Harsh.”
“I have to find him and get him back to the campus.”
“So you’re just aiding and abetting a crime.”
