by E Hall
“It’s for the good of humanity,” Lea says.
“Wait. You said back to campus.”
She nods.
If I was the one driving I would’ve stopped short. “Wait. Do you mean—?”
“Headmistress Jurik’s son is Emeric.”
I’m floored. “But if Jurik had him on campus all that time, couldn’t she have sent him to RIP or destroyed him them?”
“She was hoping RIP Jr would change him. I thought about this. He’s her son. She had hope. Then when she realized what he’d done to me, forced me to perform the acts of vandalism and was leading the X-Crew...she knew she had to take drastic measures but didn’t want to put her position at risk.”
“What’s in it for you?” I ask.
“A shortened sentence. I do this and I’m free.” Lea changes lanes. “You too.”
“You requested I be released too?”
Lea smiles slightly. “I’d do what she asked with that condition.”
“Are you sure you can trust her?” I ask.
“Jurik got a lead from some former students who left RIP Jr and joined the crew. She’s been watching carefully. There’s an X-Crew meeting tonight. I’m going to bring Emeric back.”
“Sounds dangerous. Lea, have you really thought this through?” Worry prickles every part of me.
“No, of course not. But I can’t pretend like everything’s fine. Emeric tried to hurt me twice. No way he’s going to try that again because if I’m sure of one thing, he’s going to come after me. Likely, that’s what the meeting tonight is about.”
“How was he getting on and off-campus?”
“The same way you’ll get back.” Lea fiddles with something on her wrist when we pause at a traffic light to go through the tunnel.
“I just left. No way am I going back,” I declare.
“We have to do this the right way. Official. Jurik will release you, clear your name. If you’re on the run, they’ll drag you back. Probably directly to RIP.”
Familiar, sprawling buildings and signs come into view as we enter the city. I lean back on the headrest, trying to convince myself she’ll be okay.
The robotic voice of the GPS says, “Recalculating,” indicating she strayed from the directions she imputed earlier. She pulls down a street, narrow from cars on either side and double parks.
“I take it this is my stop.”
“I’m sorry, Tyrren. Believe me, of all people, I’d like you to be with me, but it’s too risky.” She removes the iron bracelet from her wrist and passes it to me. “Jurik marked this with what she called a rune of passage. It was for me to use if I run into trouble and need a quick escape.”
“You keep it. There’s a reason she gave it to you.”
Lea shakes her head. “I’ll be fine. I can do this. In fact, I may have been born to do this.” She grips my hand and places the bracelet in it, forcing me to take it. A little thrill shoots through me, straight to the chest at her touch.
“Trace the symbol and it’ll bring you back to campus.” She reaches over and opens the door.
I reluctantly start to get out and then stretch over the center console and give Lea a tight hug. I don’t want to let her go, but Lea pulls away. Our eyes meet. Hers are dark, almost animal-like, ravenous, ready to kiss or kill.
Her gaze drops to my lips. I dip my head.
Energy sizzles between us. Electric, magnetic, kinetic energy.
Then she lets out a long breath, turning her head. “I should go.”
I lean in and plant my lips softly on her forehead. “Be safe.”
Then I get out of the SUV and remain on the sidewalk, watching as the brake lights glow when she stops at the traffic light, keeping her from vanishing completely. Then I take off at a run, tailing her.
Chapter 19
Leajka
If it were a month ago, I wouldn’t have thought much of Tyrren kissing my forehead. It would’ve been seen as a friendly gesture. Now, it’s like his lips left a permanent mark. A tattoo. I can’t stop thinking about it. About how his heart is stronger than the change to being a vampire. His intentions are true. The thought of how Emeric was manipulating me sets my teeth on edge.
Lost in thought, I absently make the turns the computerized voice dictates until it says, “You have arrived at your destination.”
After debating whether to track down Ivan and request back up, I realize there’s not enough time. I park in the shade of a warehouse as the weak sun, shrouded in clouds, rises over the city.
I lean back against the headrest and replay the plan Jurik and I discussed. My accelerator foot twitches with the urge to take a few laps around this deserted part of the city or simply speed away. The maze of graffiti reminds me of Brooklyn and what’s at stake. It’s time to kick butt and take names.
Feeling the pulse of magic in my veins now that I’m beyond the walls and restrictions of RIP Jr, I slip from the Range Rover. I keep close to the long wall of the warehouse until it links up with a brick building. After the loud chugging of a train fades away in the nearby rail yard, a heavy bass and drum rhythm takes its place. I follow the music.
I reach the kind of alley any city girl knows not to go down, but it’s game on. I disappear into the relative darkness. Turning a corner, an industrial light, yellowed with dead moths and dust, guide me toward the correct door. Sprayed into the rusty metal, I make out a broad letter X with a snake slithering up the center.
I knock three times as Jurik’s informant instructed. The door slides open to reveal a burly guy dressed in black. Smoky plumes, like ghosts, escape into the alley. The music gets louder.
“I’m here to see Emeric,” I say.
He steps aside, allowing me entry and then slams the door, locking me inside the dim and cavernous building.
“No one comes here and demands to see Emeric.”
“I’m not just anyone,” I mutter, but over the sound of music and machinery, I don’t think he hears me.
The thug leads me down a metal set of stairs. They shift loosely, threatening to come unbolted. It only occurs to me now that I likely have wings. The fae we learned about at reform school could fly. Can I or was I born without them? Then again, I saw plenty of fae in the dorm and they didn’t have wings. Obviously, the prohibitions on magic prevented that at RIP Jr. I scan my body, searching for the sense that they’re there somewhere.
My back tightens and I adjust my shoulders. I’m not sure how it’ll work, but if I have to fly away, I hope it’s possible. Always good to have a getaway plan. Too bad I sent my getaway driver back to RIP Jr.
Below, people clad in black huddle over large vats of roiling liquid. A burnt smell stings my nose. In the air, I taste the liquid Jurik called stijl during the Fae Court ball. A craving comes on. Even after that single sip, I want more. Strange.
We stop in a room with a large window stained with soot.
“Wait here,” the thug tells me.
Despite my vulnerability, I exhale with annoyance. They’re making me wait?
The door closes. There isn’t much snooping to do. The walls are bare except for spray-painted messages screaming about anarchy. In one corner, the skeletons of disused office furniture collect dust. Once I’ve explored the perimeter, the desk under the window draws my attention. I flip through a disarrayed pile of papers, maps, and a list of names that mean nothing to me. That is until I get to a file with Tyrren’s photo and bio. Beneath it are several others, including mine. Could this be a duplicate of what he found in Jurik’s office?
The door at the back of the room scrapes open.
I force myself not to startle and turn as though I’ve been casually waiting.
The silhouette of a familiar figure appears out of the shadows. Emeric walks toward me. When he’s a few yards away, he claps his hands together.
I grit my teeth. I won’t show fear.
Behind him, are several more thugs. The smell of demons reeks—no surprise he has demons working for him. I should’ve
asked Jurik for a weapon. Then again, I have plenty of ice-fire power at my fingertips...if I can bring myself to use it. Staring into Emeric’s jackal-like eyes, I’m determined to see to it that the job is finished—to get retribution for what he tried to do to me sophomore year and then everything at RIP Jr.
“Emeric,” I coo. I bend my hatred in order to stay in character, to remain convincing enough not to expose my intentions.
“What a surprise,” he says smugly as though he knew I’d come crawling back.
I fight the urge to punch him and instead win back his graces.
“Today is already starting to look promising. First, we brought down three casinos, emptying them of their cash and their guests. Then burned down a building that covered an entire block. I love letting my crew play with fire.” He laughs. “And now the girl I’ve been waiting for all my life returns to me, unbidden.” He circles me as though the secret is hidden behind my back.
“I couldn’t stand being away from you a moment longer. I got rid of Tyrren. Sent him to a place from which he can never return...I’m sorry if I hurt you, but I know how strong you are. It was all I could do to get him off my back. He was going to my uncle and I didn’t want anything to come between us.” Good thing I’m not full-fae. They can’t lie.
“And somehow you found your way to me?” Of course, he’s suspicious.
I close the space between us and gaze into his obsidian eyes like I’ve done so many times. “If we’re meant to be together nothing can keep us apart.” Gag.
His lips pull too tightly for his expression to be an actual smile. “Frost Fae are all the same. Beautiful, clever.” He picks up a lock of my long dark hair between his first two fingers and inhales.
“You told me I’m the girl you’ve been waiting for all your life,” I say, playing into his hands like the helpless fae he tried to make me.
“I didn’t expect you to be so difficult. The protection of a thousand vampires. A will of fire and iron. But that makes you all the more worthwhile now that you’re here. We can be together forever.”
I hang my head and it kills me. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t think I have forever. Since you were posing as a fae you should know that we’re not immortal.”
“You aren’t only fae, Lea.”
I raise my eyebrows.
“You’re cunning, can lie easily...” He chuckles. “You’re part vampire.”
I step back, awash with confusion. How can that be? Is Ivan actually my father and not my uncle? Either way, how could he possibly send me to jail, reform school, whatever. Then again, I’m not sure I believe Emeric.
“More importantly, when I rend your shadow, nothing can destroy you. Don’t be afraid. You and I are going to take over.” His finger slides along my shoulders as he continues to circle me.
“Take over? What do you take?” I ask, fighting a shiver.
“People, places, things, pick your favorite noun. It’s mine. I take ideas, money, and time. But I also give. The X-Crew, they have freedom now. They can do whatever they want. Following the rules of society isn’t important to them once they see that slipping over the line from being good little boys and girls to breaking the law, causing chaos, and getting exactly what they want isn’t hard at all. They can do whatever they want...and so can you.” His cruel laughs winds through the room. “I asked you before. Tell me, what do you want?”
I’d never tell him my heart’s true desire—I’ve hardly admitted it to myself. “You,” I whisper. It’s not a lie exactly, but it’s not for the reasons he thinks.
“Then we’re of like mind.” Emeric leans forward and returns the whisper. “You really are my kind of girl, Leajka.”
I shift uncomfortably, feeling that familiar drift, the pull away from my own mind and toward his will. I summon the light within, drawing on my magic, keeping it close to the surface so I don’t forget myself.
“You are all mine.”
Emeric runs a finger down my cheek and then aggressively cups my chin. I want to kick, run, and tell him how much he disgusts me but hold steady. I have to focus on not succumbing to his vampire abilities to entrance me or whatever it is he’s been doing.
“I’ll offer you protection.”
My magic rears under my skin. I don’t need anything from him.
“I’ll make sure nothing ever happens to you.”
Except he’ll be sure I lose myself.
“You’ll be my queen.” His breath breezes across my neck as he speaks.
My hands form fists. I’m ready to bolt, but then I’d have no way to lure him to his mother.
“We’ll make a great team. You’re a poster child for devastation, destruction. It doesn’t get much better than that. What I want from you is simple.” He dismisses the thugs. “Keep me alive. Don’t let me die. I want you to repel death.”
I mask my surprise at his request. “You’re a vampire. I think you and eternity are already companions.”
“Fire, cold steel to the chest, there are ways to destroy a vampire...and there’s a prophecy that involves you doing just that.”
“Me? Destroying you?” I scoff. “I wouldn’t. What do you mean?” My surprise is real.
“You’re meant to destroy the one who created me and by doing so, I’ll no longer exist.”
This wasn’t what I was expecting to hear. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, prophecy or not, I have no intention of destroying any vampires, well, maybe except him now that I know the truth of his identity. But his mother requested to do the dirty work. In fact, per Tyrren’s suggestion, I’ve been thinking I should really learn how to bake pies. Seems like a wholesome and delicious endeavor.
Emeric steeples his fingers. “I’ve learned the ways of mages and alchemists. I’ve studied every curse and tonic. I’ve done all I can to glean how you can keep me alive. There’s a ceremony, involving a shadow sacrifice—just a fraction of yours.”
“What do we need to do?” What I really mean is I need to get him back to RIP Jr immediately.
“We’ll go to the Borea realm, Leajka. Oeten’s hill and magic fire. It’s the only place where the ceremony will work.” His eyes flash as he looks me over, top to bottom, as the source of the sacrifice he thinks I’ll make.
Yet, I nod in agreement. “Borea?” I say vaguely then force myself toward my inner sunshine, pushing through as if from underwater. “Sounds enchanting. First, I’d like to finish what we started at RIP Jr.” I smirk. “You know, cause a little more destruction and make sure they’ll remember my name. One last hurrah before we leave.” I wink, hoping he takes the bait. After all, he thinks he created the monster in me.
Chapter 20
Tyrren
The Range Rover is parked by a nondescript building. I didn’t see Lea go inside, but she’s not in the car either. I explore the area for doors and access points, but there’s no clear entrance. I wasn’t expecting a gaudy thatched mat with the word welcome on it, but I’m not about to get lost in the bowels of the building or miss her exit.
I try the door to the Range Rover and am relieved when it opens. The tinted windows are nearly as dark as it is outside. I know Lea can handle herself, but fear over what could happen to her in there prickles me. With nothing to do, I recap everything that’s transpired in the last twenty-four hours, from Lea to Emeric to breaking out of juvie jail but having to go back. I consider finding Ivan but the tangled web connecting vampires and fae, mothers and sons, uncles and nieces doesn’t make sense. There’s also the part about how I’m involved.
I forged a sword. Does that mean anything? Does it figure into this mess somehow? Maybe I really was just an easy target, someone to take the fall. Or is there more to it? Jurik sent Lea to retrieve Emeric because they had a connection, but can we trust her?
Headlights beam through the windshield, arresting my attention. An SUV passes on the uneven road. I duck my head, suddenly feeling exposed in the Range Rover—would Emeric recognize it as his mother’s? I wonder if Lea’s coming. I d
on’t want to startle her or have a thug or a cop come through with a flashlight and spot me. Nearby, doors slam. There’s the low rumble of voices.
I catch the unmistakable scent of citrus and spice in the air. Lea is on the move. The dark night glows with the red of brake lights, reminding me of when she pulled away, leaving me on the sidewalk. Like before, I don’t heed their instruction to stop or stay still.
I feel around for keys and find them tucked in the visor above the driver’s seat. I should follow the SUV. I also have the rune of passage wrapped tightly around my wrist, but something about this situation has me on edge, apart from Lea trying to coax the leader of the notorious X-Crew back to campus with her. Something doesn’t add up.
The SUV disappears at the far end of the long road. There’s no other sign of Lea. I take this as my cue to go. I follow in the direction of the SUV. I only hope I didn’t take Lea’s getaway car.
The vehicle stops at a traffic light. I pull to the curb and get out, making a silent approach as I climb onto the rear bumper. Hopefully, they stick to slow, city streets.
The SUV goes three more blocks before stopping in front of a row of shops, closed for the night. Rolling, corrugated metal doors conceal their merchandise.
Two thugs get out of the SUV. I dive underneath. Lea and Emeric break into one of the stores. Glass smashes. An alarm wails. Emeric laughs, low and menacing. Lea is silent.
“I thought we were going right to the school?” Thug Number One asks.
“Heck if I know. The Boss needed supplies. He does what he wants.” Thug Number Two snaps his fingers.
“Including robbing a mom-n-pop shop. I grew up with the kid whose uncle owns this place. Not cool, if you ask me,” Thug Number One mutters.
“No one asked you,” Thug Number Two says.
They continue to rib each other.
I take this pitstop to mean they’re going to cause havoc.
Everyone gets back in the vehicle and pulls away. I jog behind until I can no longer keep up. They speed toward the bridge that leads to Riker’s Island.
