Bitter Magic

by Raven Steele

  “I do believe Vykens were in the school and kidnapped Tessa, but I searched Cyrus’s office and found no proof that he was involved, or proof of any kind of a plot involving our vitamins or selling our blood. I mean, really, Llona, the whole thing is just very fantastical.”

  I reared back. “But what about the secret room and the fact that Cyrus and Jameson disappeared into the very same place we found Tessa?”

  Sophie kept her voice even. “They could’ve come out and slipped by you into the hallway. You said yourself that you were hiding under a desk.”

  I closed my eyes tightly. This woman was crazy, but . . . “If you don’t believe me, then why are you sending girls away?”

  “Because I believe Vykens have breached our walls and it terrifies me. Auras’ safety is my top priority. As soon as I can, I will be meeting with Cyrus, Guardians, teachers … anyone who might know how this could’ve happened.”

  “Please be careful and don’t see Cyrus alone.” The thought of her meeting with him made me nervous. Would he dare hurt her and expose his true identity?

  Sophie patted me on the arm. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see. In one week, this school will be secure again and you’ll learn Cyrus isn’t who you think he is. Your past makes you look at everyone like they are bad guys. I understand.”

  My eyes bugged out. So many things I wanted to say to that comment, but I held back. For now. At least she was sending students away from school. This would give me time to prove how wrong she was.

  Sophie returned to the teachers, who bombarded her with questions. I was about to return to May and Kiera when a cold hand gripped my arm. My legs weakened, and I would’ve fallen if it weren’t for the tight grip holding me up.

  I turned and came face to face with Cyrus.

  Chapter 34

  Cyrus stared at me with a puzzled expression, like he was trying to figure out why I was having a difficult time standing.

  I tried to gather my legs beneath me, but when I didn’t say anything, he said, “We still haven’t found your Lizen friend, but we will. She can’t be far.”

  I wondered if this was the first time he’d ever told the truth. Him and the other Vykens were probably mystified as to where Tessa went.

  “That’s good,” I stuttered. With him touching me, it was harder to appear as if nothing was wrong. I felt my eyes roll into the back of my head. Pull it together!

  He studied me again, then his eyelids drew down thin. “How have you been feeling, Llona?”

  “Fine, sir. I’m fine.” The words sounded strange past my tight lips.

  His pupils dilated then retracted and his nails bit into my arm. “Have you been taking your vitamins?”

  He knew.

  Gathering strength within me, I took hold of his arm and shoved it away. “You mean your drug?”

  The space between us allowed me to suck in a full breath. My head cleared.

  “You think this will work?” he hissed quietly. “Protect them? You are a stupid, silly girl.”

  I was caught off guard by his sudden confession with so many people around us. I glanced around but no one seemed to have heard him.

  Cyrus opened his mouth to say more, but Dr. Han called my name and hurried over to me. “Abigail’s looking for you so you can use her phone to call home.”

  “Thank you.” Relief washed over me. I couldn’t wait to get away from Cyrus and his death stare.

  I thought Dr. Han was going to lead me upstairs to Abigail’s office, but instead he guided me outside where morning light had been snuffed out by dark clouds promising rain.

  He glanced over his shoulder at me and said, “Stay close.”

  I obeyed. First, because I was curious what he was up to, and second, because I was too afraid to say no. The guy was powerful.

  We walked quickly across campus and inside Risen Auditorium. As soon as we were in his office, Dr. Han closed the door. His office was the complete opposite from the others. The walls were a pale white, and other than his desk and a couple of chairs, only weapons occupied the room. Blades and spears hung on the wall or were piled in a basket on the floor. I stared at them nervously.

  He must’ve noticed because he said, “You have nothing to be afraid of. I’ve spoken with Liam.”

  My eyebrows lifted. “You know Liam?”

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  “We’ve worked on various projects for the Deific over the years.” He moved to the window and peered out the blinds. “A few days ago Liam contacted me and told me all that has happened. You were smart to tell Sophie, although she thinks you’re a very troubled teen. Maybe even a drug user.”

  “Awesome. Thanks.”

  He turned back to me. “But she cares for you. Otherwise she wouldn’t have sent the students away.”

  That’s what he said, but the words lacked feeling. It was as if he were trying to make me feel better.

  “How long have you known?” I asked.

  “Known what?”

  “About Cyrus? About him being a Vyken?”

  Dr. Han crossed the room and sat down. “I didn’t know, still don’t, but I trust Liam. And I trust you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of your bloodline. I fought side by side with your great-grandmother, Mary.”

  I leaned forward. “I haven’t heard about her.”

  “You wouldn’t have. She was part of a movement in the thirties that hunted Vykens. No one talks about that time.”

  “You were there?”

  Although he was looking right at me, his gaze seemed to go beyond, to another time, perhaps, and for the first time I saw emotion in his expression.

  “I was with her the day she died.” He paused and his focus returned. “I believe even Liam worked with her on an occasion or two.”

  “Liam?”

  “With such a small circle of supernatural creatures, it’s hard not to cross paths when you fight on the same side.”

  I shook my head, something nagging at me. Mary in the thirties, hunting Vykens and working with Liam and Dr. Han. I looked up at him.

  “The Shadow,” I said. “She was the one who destroyed it, wasn’t she?”

  He smiled. “Annihilated it. It was the most glorious thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

  He didn’t seem surprised that I knew about the Shadow. Liam must’ve told him about what Mr. Steele had said. I wish I would’ve known Dr. Han was on our side sooner. It would’ve been nice to know I had an ally on the inside, besides my friends.

  “The Shadow was under the control of a Vyken named Darius,” he continued. “Once Mary gave her very life to destroy the Shadow, I was able to kill Darius.”

  My heart swelled with pride when I thought of Mary and all that she’d done, but the feeling faded when I realized we were now in the same predicament she had been. “But the Shadow’s back. How is that possible?”

  “I don’t know, but believe me, I won’t rest until it’s sent back to hell where it belongs.”

  I leaned back in my seat, wondering if things could get any worse. I lifted my gaze to Dr. Han. “Why do you believe me about Cyrus when my own aunt doesn’t?”

  “Because I saw your reaction that day when you first met Cyrus and Jameson. It’s the same reaction Mary and a few others used to have. I didn’t know what I was seeing at first, as it had been so long since an Aura had reacted like that, but after I thought about it and spoke to Liam, I knew.”

  Leaning forward, I asked, “Didn’t you ever wonder why Auras could no longer sense Vykens?”

  “I didn’t get involved with Auras until the early thirties when I met Mary. And by then, many of the Auras already had their senses dulled. Liam said the drug was introduced in the twenties, correct?”

  I nodded.

  “I’m sure it was introduced slowly. So slowly that after enough time passed, Auras forgot. The ones who could still sense Vykens thought it was a gift only they had. But, looking back, I can see that they were just the on
es who didn’t drink tea. Mary hated it.” He smiled again. He seemed to do that whenever he said her name.

  I slumped into my seat, feeling exhausted. So many years had passed with people ignorant to the truth. “What about May’s blood? Why did you take it?”

  He hesitated briefly. “I wanted to test it. To see what would happen if a Vyken’s poison infected a Fury’s blood.”

  “Why didn’t you just use yours?”

  His jawline tightened. “I wanted the blood of an innocent Fury. One who hadn’t awakened the Fury darkness inside them.”

  I stared at him, wondering what internal darkness he’d had to contend with in his life. Maybe there was something in his past that could help me with mine. But not now. Too much to do. “And what did you discover?”

  He faced the window in a thoughtful expression. “Furies are immune.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “They already have their own evil to contend with.” He looked back at me. “A Vyken’s poison does nothing but add to it.”

  “But there’s not a bad bone in May’s body.”

  “Like I said before, she hasn’t been tested. But be assured, it’s in her, and one day she’ll have to fight it.”

  I leaned back, a deep ache in my gut. I couldn’t bear the thought of May going through anything like I was.

  “What are we going to do about Cyrus, Llona?” Dr. Han asked.

  “You’re asking me?”

  “You are the leader, are you not?”

  “I’m an eighteen-year-old girl who wants this to all go away. I’m no leader.”

  “Leaders never choose their destiny. It’s handed to them. And what they do with it will either lead them and their followers into victory or defeat. Which direction will you lead us in?”

  The air in the room felt cold and heavy. I didn’t want to breathe it in.

  “You remind me of her,” he said, sadness filling his eyes. “She was like you. Always doubting her abilities, and yet she always made the right choices.”

  “My mother?”

  He shook his head. “No. Mary.”

  “What about my grandmother? Did you know her well too?”

  The corners of his mouth turned up again. “I did. Sarah had the same rebellious spirit as Mary, but when Mary died, she took that spirit with her. Sarah wasn’t herself ever again, but I did notice a light return to her when she had your mother.”

  “What happened to Sarah?”

  “She was killed with her husband in a car crash. No one knows the details, but there was a huge blizzard the night she died. Their car was found on fire at the bottom of a ravine.”

  I closed my eyes. So many deaths.

  “But now there’s you, Llona. You are like your great-grandmother Mary. You can change people’s minds with your voice and your actions. Already you have an Aura on your side, Kiera. I’ve watched you with her.”

  “And Sophie,” I added, opening my eyes.

  His lips tightened briefly then relaxed. “Yes. And Sophie. Don’t despair, Llona. Change takes time.”

  I shook my head. “But we don’t have any more time.”

  “Then what do we do?”

  I glanced up at the clock, a plan forming in my mind. “Tonight. At six.”

  “Where?”

  “In your training room. And bring whoever of the teachers you think will go along with us.” I stood.

  “And Sophie?”

  “She needs to be there. And please tell her before she meets with Cyrus. I’m worried what he’ll do to her if she confronts him, especially now that he knows the truth about me.”

  “I’ll go talk to her now.”

  May and Kiera were waiting for me outside his office. They must’ve seen us leave together and followed us.

  “What did he want?” May asked.

  “He’s with Liam, always has been. He’s going to help and get others too.”

  Kiera squealed. “Yes! A Fury is on our side.”

  May raised her hand. “Um, hello. I’m a Fury too.”

  Kiera’s smile disappeared. “I know. I just meant an experienced Fury.”

  “I have to call Liam and Christian,” I said. “We’re all going to meet at six tonight in Dr. Han’s training room to discuss how to get rid of Cyrus and the best way to secure Lucent. You two try to convince every student to leave today. Say whatever you have to, but make this week sound like it’s going to be completely boring.”

  They nodded and left through the front doors, leaving me alone in the hall. I inhaled several deep breaths until my lips began to tingle. The weight of what was happening pressed against my chest. How can Dr. Han expect me to lead? A year ago, I didn’t even have friends.

  I thought of my great-grandmother; what sort of person she must have been. She sounded so strong. If only she were here to talk to. But, she’s not. I looked up and met my reflection in the glass door. There’s only me.

  I shoved back whatever pity I was feeling for myself and pushed open the door.

  It took some time navigating through all the students, but eventually I made it back to my room. By the many conversations I eavesdropped on, most were planning on leaving. I called Christian first and told him about the meeting and how the school was shutting down for a week.

  “I heard,” he said.

  “What about the Guardians? What have they been told to do?” With the phone to my ear, I walked to the window and peered out. Already the driveway was starting to fill with cars. The richest of the rich probably had paid a Lizen to drive their child home.

  “As soon as the announcement came, I’d say about a third of the Guardians just disappeared. I have no idea where they could’ve gone.”

  “Do you think they’re with Jackson?”

  “Could be, or maybe they’re scared. Many of them have never been in a real fight before.” He was silent for a few seconds, then said, “But the rest of us are ready to defend Lucent. Do you know who else will be at the meeting?”

  “Not yet. I’m calling Liam after you, and hopefully he can rally some troops from the Deific or somewhere.”

  “Good. I’ll come meet you for lunch, and you can fill me in then.”

  “Deal.”

  “Llona?”

  “Yes?”

  “I love you.” But his tone held so much more than those three simple words.

  “I know. I love you too.” Reluctantly I hung up, my heart aching to see him again.

  I waited almost a full minute before I called Liam. By the sound of his voice, he sounded stronger.

  “I have good news,” he said. “Not really good news, actually, but information.”

  “What?”

  “In three nights. That’s when Vykens are coming into the school using the secret entrance in Cyrus’s office.”

  My pulse quickened. “And they’re coming for the blood?”

  He didn’t say anything for a few seconds, but then asked, “How are you doing? Are you feeling better, not so Jack Ripperish?”

  “I’m fine,” I said, annoyed by the comparison, although it was probably true. “Answer me.”

  He exhaled a tight breath. “Yes, they’re coming for the blood.”

  I frowned. “But why not just sneak it out? Why a dramatic entrance?”

  Liam’s voice lowered when he added, “They want the girls too. Every last one of them.”

  Chapter 35

  Chapter

  * * *

  I inhaled a hitched breath, the phone trembling in my hand. “Say that one more time.”

  “They want to take as many Auras as they can to a facility where they’ll use them as their own never-ending personal blood bank. But it’s not just the blood, Llona. They also want to change some of you.”

  I didn’t know which horrifying discovery to address first. “But changing Auras, won’t they all end up like Britt?”

  “They’ve done something to the blood. Less potent, I guess.”

  I leaned my head against the cool gl
ass. “How do you know all of this?”

  “Last night the twins and I went out. We caught ourselves a Vyken and made him talk.”

  “But you were so weak!”

  “Sometimes you just have to man up.”

  I sat on my bed, listening to his quiet breathing. So many people were going to get hurt.

  “Llona?”

  I forced myself to speak. “There’s a meeting tonight at Lucent, about what’s going on. At six. Bring whoever you can.”

  “Will do.”

  “Oh, and Liam?”

  “Yes?”

  “Cyrus knows that I know.”

  It was Liam’s turn for silence.

  “Liam?” I asked.

  “Is Christian there?”

  “No, but he will be,” I glanced at the clock, “in one hour.”

  “Good. Whatever you do, don’t be by yourself. Stay in public by May and whoever else. Got it?”

  “Got it. See you soon.”

  I hung up before he could say anything else. Liam’s tendency for bluntness was the last thing I needed right now. I was scared enough.

  I found May and Kiera in the commons area talking to several of the girls. I pulled them away from the crowd and into the corner of the room. “What’s everyone deciding to do?”

  “A lot are going home today,” May said. “They can’t wait, actually. Sometimes I wonder if they sense the tension in the air.”

  She was looking around the room as if she could feel it too.

  “And a bunch more are leaving tomorrow,” Kiera added.

  May lowered her voice. “If I had to guess, I’d say less than twenty percent are staying the rest of the week.”

  “That’s too much,” I groaned, still frustrated with Sophie for planning fun activities during the break. Maybe I could get her to cancel those as well. “Let’s keep campaigning. I’ll talk to Sophie about stripping some fun out of the schedule later.”

  Despite the warning from Liam, we split up. There wasn’t enough time to get everything done if we didn’t.

  May and Kiera were more successful than I was at getting the peers to leave, as I was still considered a troublemaker, but I didn’t give up. If only I could tell them the truth: if you stay, you might die, or worse, become a Vyken. But no one would’ve believed me. I was an outsider.