Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  “What?” Sickle screeched, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. “That’s a violation!”

  I sighed. Here we go.

  “Can’t expect much from him,” Aerie put in. “I mean, you knew he was a player before you let him lure you into bed, Ig.”

  “He said he loved me.”

  “Oh, for the love of the gods, cut that shit out,” I demanded. “You know I didn’t.”

  Her lower lip wobbled. “And now you deny it?” She shook her head, real live tears popping into her eyes. “Three times, Titus. We made love three times.”

  “I thought we fucked,” I countered, livid. “Which is it, Ignis?”

  “How can you be so cold?” She perfected the art of woman hurt. “Oh, because you went and tricked the Halfling into bonding with you. Is it some sort of bet?” Her eyes narrowed. “That’s it, isn’t it? You’re in on the bet on who can fuck her first?”

  “Oh, you know he is,” Sickle said, confusing the hell out of me. “I heard the stakes are high, too. But initiating an elemental link is a bit of a cheat, if you ask me. The others will disqualify you for it.”

  “Bet?” Claire repeated, her voice far softer than it was a few minutes ago. Her hand felt like ice in my hand, her arm brittle.

  “They’re lying,” I promised. “I don’t even know what they’re talking about.”

  Ignis snorted. “I bet you’ll say the same about how you fucked me two days ago, but I have elemental proof.” She lifted her shirt to reveal a red handprint on her abdomen. “What can I say? Things heated up.”

  Claire pulled away from me, her arms folding around herself.

  “Aww, not so tough now?” Ignis continued, her tone frigid. “And here I thought you’d be as ballsy as your mum.”

  “That’s enough, Ignis,” I growled.

  She shrugged. “I don’t think she cares. Elements knows her mother didn’t when she destroyed the fae race.”

  “Ignis!”

  “What? She’s a whore just like her mother, and you’re going to stand there and defend her?” She scoffed, tossing her long red hair over one shoulder. “You deserve better, baby. You know you do.” She tried to stroke my arm again, but flames erupted around us.

  Not from me.

  Not from Ignis.

  But from Claire.

  Tears shone bright in her eyes as flames poured from her hands, sending fae scattering down the pathway to avoid being caught in her emotional outburst.

  “Claire,” I murmured, reaching for her.

  “No,” she snapped. “Do not touch me.”

  I sighed. “Come on, sweetheart. Ignis is just being a bitch.”

  “Just being a bitch? One you slept with right before…?” She shook her head, unable to finish.

  “It didn’t mean anything,” I vowed. “Not like with you.”

  Ignis laughed, the sound mean and cold. “Pretty sure you said the same thing to me about, who was it?” She snapped her fingers. “Mae?”

  Fucking flames! “Would you just shut the fuck up?”

  “What? Worried she might learn about your reputation, lover? A little late for that.” She sounded so pleased with herself. If Claire hadn’t looked ready to lose her shit, I might have considered teaching Ignis a lesson with my fire.

  “Claire.” I kept my voice soft. “Can—”

  The entire wall went up in flames.

  As did the path.

  And the courtyard.

  Fuck.

  11

  Claire

  I had let my guard down. Stupid. So fucking stupid. I knew better.

  Titus tried to bond with me over a bet?

  He fucked that bitch? Before me?

  Everyone hates me.

  What am I even doing here?

  The fire raged around me, scalding my skin, so foreign and unfamiliar compared to the other flames I’d cast over the last few days. It actually burned me in places, singeing the dress Elana had given me to wear and searing my side.

  I jumped away from it, confused.

  Why is it hurting me?

  Titus roared on the periphery, his body hidden behind the orange-and-yellow wall dancing before me. He seemed to be yelling at me to stop, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know how. The fire didn’t feel right. I tried to call it to me the way he instructed, but all that did was cause it to flare upward toward the building.

  Oh no…

  People started screaming, the flames climbing and shifting, destroying the vines along the stone walls and creeping into open windows. It reminded me of a snake—lethal and fast.

  And I had no control over it.

  A hand on my shoulder yanked me backward. I screamed, only to realize I recognized the arm encircling my waist. “Focus for me, princess,” Exos whispered, his lips against my ear. “Breathe.”

  “I-I’m trying.”

  “I know, and you’re doing so good, Claire. I just need you to try a little more, okay?” The words were warm and soothing, causing my shoulders to relax back against him. He kept one arm around me while he used his opposite hand to grab my wrist and pull my hand upward. Then he yanked it back when the fire burned us both.

  “It doesn’t feel right,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t even know what I’m saying.” Or what any of it meant. It was pure instinct driving my senses and telling me that I didn’t recognize the energy before us.

  “Let’s try to push against it.” He cradled my hand in his, guiding it at an angle. “Right there, baby. I want you to call water and wind, and blast the focal point.”

  “How?” I asked, exasperated.

  He shifted his grip around my waist to tap my heart. “It’s right here, Claire. Inside you. Look for it, like you do your fire, and call it to you.”

  Tears pooled in my eyes, frustration taking over me. He made it sound so simple, but he wanted me to unlock a door I didn’t possess the key to. “Exos, I can’t.”

  “You can,” he promised, his tone coaxing. Then he yanked my hand back as the flame reached out at us, the heat scorching our skin. Exos’s grip tightened, his back hitting the wall behind us as the flames turned our way in a threatening sweep. He started muttering, his own flame glowing in his hand as he threw it at the approaching inferno.

  But all that seemed to do was exasperate it.

  The blaze yawned, blowing hot air toward us that slick sweat across my skin and caused Exos to shiver behind me.

  “We need to find a way out,” he said, his voice holding a sense of urgency. “Or that thing is going to destroy us.”

  I honestly couldn’t believe we were even still standing. The fifty-foot tower of fire should have killed us just for being this close.

  But something kept it at bay.

  Something protected us.

  I frowned, identifying the thin barrier with my mind while Exos spoke behind me. His statement went over my head, my attention on the odd film of mist that seemed to be pushing against the flames.

  When I called to it, the essence responded.

  That’s mine, I realized, my lips parting. What can I do with it?

  Exos said I needed air and water. To focus on that cavernous hole above, the source of the flames. I could see it now, the way it swirled dangerously like a whirlpool of lava.

  There, I urged, shooting the water upward with a gust of wind, the power roaring out of me from someplace deep within my soul.

  Exhilarating.

  Powerful.

  Lively.

  I stole a deep breath, my lungs filling with fresh air, and blew the contents upward with the water, creating a twirl of my own—A breeze infused with cool springs that doused the flames—dcausing them to sizzle. I repeated the action, a sense of peace falling over me with each exhale, until the inferno fizzled into ash.

  Ignis stood across from me, her eyes glowing red, her expression one of abject horror. “That bitch tried to kill me!” she accused while trying to grab Titus’s arm. It must have shocked her again, because she flinched away from
him, but it was Titus’s expression that I couldn’t stop staring at. He appeared just as horrified as Ignis.

  Her friend with the bluish-blonde hair heaved a huge sigh, a sheet of ice melting beneath my water. “I thought we were gonna die. Not even playin’. Like, I’m fucking exhausted.”

  “You saved our lives, Sickle,” the other girl said, her skirt indecently high as she collapsed against the wall. “Dear Elements…” She shuddered as she put her head on her knees.

  “What are you all just standing here for? That bitch needs to be banished!” Ignis went on. “Or did you all just miss that fire tornado that tried to kill me! This is mutual ground, Your Highness. You know the rules.”

  “You provoked her, Ignis,” Titus growled.

  “I did not!”

  “Yes, you did!” He threw up his hands. “You know she’s volatile and you pushed all her buttons!”

  I winced at his description. Volatile.

  “She shouldn’t even be here anyway! Or have you forgotten what her whore of a mother did? You wait until my daddy hears about this. He will not be happy.” She folded her arms, her expression haughty as she stared down her nose at me. “Your days here are numbered, Halfling. Mark my words.”

  Exos’s arm tightened around me. “Is that a threat, Fire Fae? Because as you already pointed out, violence on the Academy premises is frowned upon. I would hate to have to report your behavior to your father, who happens to sit on the Council. With me.”

  Her face paled. “He’ll never believe you.”

  “I think you’ll find that I am quite convincing,” Exos replied, all arrogance. His hold loosened, his hand falling to my hip. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I need to escort Claire to her sleeping quarters.”

  “Exos—”

  “I think you’ve done enough for the day, Titus,” he said, cutting him off. “I’ll follow up with you later.” His dismissive tone pissed me off before, but right now, it was what I needed. I wasn’t ready to talk to Titus, not after everything Ignis had said.

  He was with her right before he met me.

  It wasn’t fair to hold that against him, but I couldn’t help it. The woman was an utter bitch, and he’d slept with her.

  Right after someone named Mae.

  Did he just sleep with all the females on campus?

  Was I just a conquest to him? Something new?

  No, a part of me whispered.

  But what did I really even know about him? He’d almost fucked me last night. Exos was the one who stopped him. Clearly, Titus had a control problem when it came to sex.

  Part of me knew the assessment was unfair.

  The other part was too exhausted to care.

  “Take me to the dorm,” I said, voice low, my gaze falling to the ground. I didn’t want to see Titus’s expression, didn’t want to know what he thought. I just wanted to lie down. Fighting those flames had taken a lot out of me. So had this entire morning, or day, or however long it’d been. Actually, no, this whole fucking week had exhausted me.

  Exos pulled me with him, away from a sputtering Ignis and her two insipid friends.

  Away from the warmth of Titus.

  “I don’t know what happened,” I mumbled, Exos’s palm a brand against my hip as he led me through yet another courtyard. The fae really like being outside. Except this one was vacant save for a few heads poking out of windows, all eyes on me. When I glanced at a few, they ducked. Afraid.

  They all hate me.

  “Your emotions created an inferno,” Exos murmured. “But you were able to contain it.”

  “Why did it burn me? It’s never done that before.” Sure, it singed my clothes to ash, but it didn’t hurt.

  “I don’t know,” he replied, taking me through a set of black gates lined in fire. The buildings took a drastic architectural turn, the landscape black and charred, all signs of flowers and trees gone. But it wasn’t so much barren as it was intriguing, the fountains in the yard flowing fire instead of water. And little flickers that reminded me of lightning bugs buzzed about.

  “Wow,” I whispered, awed by the sight. “This is…” I had no words.

  “Fire,” he supplied. “I’m heeding Titus’s point that you need to be near the students, and have procured you a dorm here. I’ll be staying with you.” I missed a step at his proclamation, but he caught me with ease, his lips curling. “Surprised, princess?”

  “Y-you’re staying with me?” I stuttered.

  “Yes.” He gave me a wry glance. “You need supervision. No more burned-down buildings. But hey, the Fire Quad is actually fire-retardant, so that’s a plus.” While he spoke the words in a teasing manner, they didn’t lighten my feelings in the slightest.

  Because he was right.

  I kept hurting people and destroying everything around me.

  Rick.

  The bar.

  Elana’s house.

  The path.

  I really am volatile, just as Titus said.

  “Hey,” Exos murmured, gripping my chin and drawing us to a halt outside one of the buildings doors. “I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad, Claire. I actually meant it as a positive thing—that we’ll be safe here.”

  I swallowed, trying to look away from his too-blue eyes, but he held me in place, his pupils flaring. “I… I know you didn’t. But you’re right.” The last part was said on a whisper, my throat suddenly tight. “I don’t mean to keep hurting people, Exos.”

  “Oh, darling, I know.” He cupped my cheek, pulling me to him. “I can’t begin to understand, Claire. Our upbringings are so different. But I can tell you one thing.”

  I clung to his suit jacket, allowing his comfort, seeking something, anything, to make the pain go away. “What?” I whispered.

  “Watching you handle that fire was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.” The words were against my ear. “Whether you caused it or not remains to be seen. That you were able to dispel it, that’s what counts, Claire. It means you’re learning control, and far faster than anyone I’ve ever known.” He shifted back to stare down at me. “You’re going to be okay. I promise.”

  “I don’t feel okay,” I admitted.

  “I know.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “But you will. Let’s go up to the room. I’ll make us something to eat, and maybe you can show me how you created that mist tunnel.” He didn’t wait for the answer but instead linked our fingers together and slowly led me inside.

  Several students with pointy ears poked their heads into the hallway, their mouths gaping wide at seeing Exos. Then freezing as they spotted me behind him.

  I didn’t try to smile or wave this time. I learned my lesson in the quad.

  No one wanted me here. That much was clear.

  Well, I don’t want to be here, either, I thought at them, my heart skipping a beat in my chest. None of this was my choice.

  Not Exos.

  Not Titus.

  Not this entire damn world.

  My mother did this to me. A warning would have been appreciated. Some sort of note that said, Oh, by the way, you’re part fae, would have been great.

  But I received nothing. Not even a warning call from the Fae Realm. Just Exos showing up at the bar, kissing me, and stealing me into this world.

  Now they wanted me to attend an academy where everyone hated me. Fan-fucking-tastic. Oh, and I had bound myself to two men. One of which was apparently a man-whore, and the other, a dick.

  Well, he wasn’t acting mean right now.

  And Titus, I really didn’t know. Maybe he had an excuse? He didn’t know me when he slept with her.

  Oh God. Of all the fae to sleep with, he chose her? What did that say about me? I was nothing like Ignis. Was that his usual type?

  Why am I beating myself up over this? I hardly know him.

  Yet, I almost slept with him.

  “Here we are,” Exos said, pushing through a door into a modern living area with all-black walls and furniture. Even the kitchen was painted
in ebony shades. However, it maintained a clean feel, the marble beneath my feet reminding me of granite.

  Exos closed the door behind me, pressing his thumb to some sort of high-tech lock that shifted beneath his touch. The shades in the room lifted to reveal a view of the forest lining the property, the leaves almost beckoning me out to play.

  “Your bedroom is through there.” He pointed to an open threshold that revealed a decent-sized bed and dresser. “I’ll be in the one here.” He gestured to the room across the hall. “I, uh, didn’t know what clothes you wanted, so I ordered a selection. And of course your uniforms.”

  “Uniforms?” I repeated, frowning.

  “Yeah, you know, traditional plaid skirt, sweater thing.” He shrugged. “Guys wear slacks and button-downs. Pretty standard.”

  “For a private high school, maybe. But this is supposed to be like a university, right?”

  He palmed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. “Elana thinks the uniforms help give the fae a united feel. The less competition the better.”

  “Why?” I wondered.

  “Because our elements can either exist peacefully or negatively.” He dropped his hand and cocked his head toward the kitchen. “I’m going to fix us some sandwiches. Why don’t you go check out your room?”

  “Uh, sure,” I said, staring at his back as he walked away, dismissing me.

  Because he’s Exos. A Royal Fae Prince.

  And I’m just Claire, a volatile firecracker.

  My lips curled down at the side. This whole pity thing wasn’t me. I always fought through my hardships. My grandmother used to say I had a spine of steel.

  But I didn’t feel like that right now.

  I felt more fluid. Bendy. Breakable.

  And I hated it.

  I wanted to fight yet didn’t know what to fight against. Or how. Or even who.

  Well, I knew one thing. Moping around in this state of hopelessness wasn’t going to fix a damn thing. It wasn’t me. I didn’t just give up. I struggled until I won.

  Stubborn to your very core, my grandmother used to say.

  I am, I agreed, walking into the room Exos stated was mine. I just need to accept what is and move forward.