Time Academy

by Kelly N. Jane

  My toe hit a crack, and down I went with a scream. The edges of my vision blurred. Light became dark became light again as I stayed on my stomach. My forehead resting on the ground, I knew it was over. I had no more fight left.

  “The next part is inevitable and really doesn’t require much effort on your part. Just come with me, it will be over in no time.”

  The crunch of Donovan’s footsteps sauntered closer, the man likely convinced I wasn’t going anywhere. He wasn’t wrong. Where could I go? I couldn’t even lift my hand, let alone my body.

  My fingers rested in the grit in a crack between two stones. A tingle nudged at my middle.

  It took the third prod before I paid attention.

  “Stand up, Niasa,” Donovan ordered.

  I smiled into the stones, bringing to mind the image of vines wrapped around Donovan’s wrists and ankles. I heard him growl out a curse.

  Energy seeped into me from below, drop by drop. As sweet as maple glaze, I drank it up. Slowly, I positioned my arms underneath me and rose. First to my knees, then, with wobbly balance, to my feet. The air was thick as I swallowed it down, heaving with the effort.

  I shuffled one tiny turn at a time until I faced Donovan. He buzzed with anger as he glared at me. He was an Illuminator and Mystics master, or so he said. Yet there he was, trapped and held by plants. My plants.

  A jolt surged through me. I huffed a laugh as the reprimand registered, and I quickly apologized to my newfound companions. I’d never question their ferocity and effectiveness in battle again.

  “Isn’t that something? I didn’t understand what elemental powers were when I came here. Now the abilities fill me with joy.”

  I kept my distance as I spoke, but stepped in a slow circle around the man whose blood coursed through my veins. The connection made no sense to me, and I refused to contemplate such a ridiculous notion.

  “You’ve played your little game, but it’s not going to stop my plans,” he threatened. “The path has been created, it’s just a matter of opening the doorway now.” He raised his chin as if he wasn’t held like a puppet on a stage by my powers—or a target in a field. “No one is here. They aren’t coming back for you, and you won’t stop me.”

  “I have so far. What you want will destroy humanity, but they are worth saving.”

  I didn’t really know why the overwhelming urge to keep the humans free of bondage washed over me. Perhaps realizing that I’d been manipulated had something to do with it. I hated the idea that I’d been guided, unseen, into disastrous situations to do someone else’s bidding. It was time to turn that around.

  Closing my eyes, I waited until my palm filled before I met Donovan’s gaze again. I let my whip uncoil to cascade onto the stones of the courtyard.

  Donovan’s eyes widened for a heartbeat before he slid an apathetic expression over his face.

  “You can’t hurt me with that. Any injury you create will heal,” he said.

  “Then it won’t bother either one of us to give it a try. I’ve gotten pretty good at hitting my target in class. That was made out of plants, though. It might be different now. I’ll tell you what, you answer my questions, and I’ll stay my arm. You don’t, and I won’t.”

  “I never should have allowed Danú to place you in the Mystics. I knew that, as my progeny, you’d have Illuminator skills.”

  Without any warning, I cracked the whip against his thigh. He screamed out when the barbed thorns bit into his flesh.

  When I had sparred every morning with my sisterhood, there were times that I felt bad for the injuries I caused—like the time I’d broken Gertie’s neck. This didn’t feel the same. In fact, it was exhilarating. But the thought of Gertie brought other reminders to the front of my mind.

  “Why did you give me the quartz? What did it do?”

  I still had it in my pocket. It dug into my thigh when I’d fallen to the cobblestones.

  “I’ll tell you if you release these shackles.”

  “Nope.”

  I ripped a line across his other thigh.

  “Stop doing that,” Donovan hissed through his teeth.

  I fake grimaced and shivered. “That seems like it hurts.”

  This man had worked so hard against me. He’d used my mother, and I had no idea what would have happened to her if Odin hadn’t intervened.

  “What does it say about you that you are enjoying this so much,” Donovan asked. He glared at me with daggers.

  That made me pause. What did it say about me? Was I any different from the man in front of me? He had no problem hurting others for his own benefit. That’s not what I was doing, though. Or was it? With each injury I caused, I sought to retaliate against the wrongs he’d committed

  That’s vengeance, not justice.

  I lowered my arm.

  Trying to match the level of this man’s evil, even though he deserved worse than I’d given so far, was not who I was. I’d tried to make Odin’s army better, to help those who’d needed it. No, I wouldn’t sink down to his level.

  The vines around Donovan’s wrists released and receded. I wouldn’t release him, but I would prove I could gain information without torture.

  “Tell me about the quartz.”

  He tilted his chin and stared at me through narrowed eyes.

  “You don’t even recognize kindness when it’s shown to you.” I hissed through my teeth.

  “Kindness doesn’t keep anyone alive. Only what you can take for yourself has any meaning,” he said. “Your weakness is a pity. I had higher hopes for you than that.”

  I snorted. “Just because I’m not going to kill you without a trial doesn’t make me kind or weak. It makes me better. It means that I’ll learn from all of this, and I won’t be susceptible to others like you in the future.”

  The air shifted, and I knew that Carlos had just stepped into the courtyard without having to look.

  I sighed and nodded. Nothing is ever easy. I had Donovan trapped, but I’d ignored the other threat.

  “Did you finish?” Donovan asked Carlos as he strolled nearer to us.

  “It won’t work without it,” the demon responded and cocked his head toward me. “She shouldn’t be able to hold you.”

  “It doesn’t matter anymore. Grab her and bring her to me. Then we’ll get this over with.”

  I arched a brow at him. “Why, would I just stand here and let that happen.” I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

  My grip tightened on the whip. I might not be willing to torture a bound man, but I wouldn’t hold back against the evil that Carlos had proven himself to be.

  A corner of his mouth tipped up, and I saw a glimpse of the boy I’d sat next to in class. My heart pinched. That boy had died in order for Carlos to take his form.

  The monster would pay for that, too.

  Carlos rushed forward, and I slashed across his middle faster than he expected.

  His eyes went wide. “Impressive. You seemed so unskilled before, it’s nice to know you’ll make this fun.”

  “That makes two of us,” I said and raised up on the balls of my feet, checking for balance.

  Many of my injuries had healed, but my wings still dragged. I straightened my shoulders.

  I can have a long bath and rest when this is over.

  We began the dance of a good battle, each of us keeping our eyes on the other, tracking small shifts in balance as we circled. Halfway around the first loop, Carlos tensed, and I knew he was about to charge. I raised my arm, ready to find out if he would still live without a head.

  He lunged and then stopped. I hesitated, unsure about his movement, and was tackled from behind.

  As we’d circled, I’d stepped too close to Donovan. My decision to release his wrists was an instant regret.

  I jerked my elbow, hoping to connect with either his ribs or jaw. The added weight on my back caused my pain level to rise and cloud my judgment, so I couldn’t get a feel for where he was exactly. And since I couldn’t move my wings, they just go
t in the way.

  Donovan’s hand reached around my throat and squeezed. I fought his hold, and we rolled to the side. With as much speed as I could muster, I snapped my head backward into his face.

  He grunted and lessened his grip on me. I sucked in a gulp of air as his hand left my neck, dragging with it the medallion. Suddenly I was free of his weight, and I rolled quickly to my feet.

  Just in time to watch Donovan close his eyes while mumbling something under his breath.

  Carlos hurried to his side as a portal opened behind them.

  Chaper 32

  Donovan and Carlos misted away through the portal before it closed. My medallion was gone, no one was safe, and it was my fault.

  I surveyed the damage in the courtyard. Pillars had toppled over, cobblestones lay broken in heaps, and the tall front gates were twisted off their hinges.

  The battle was over . . . The war had just begun.

  I stretched out my hand, and a vine rose to meet me. The life and vitality in the leaves seeped into my skin. I closed my eyes and breathed deep.

  The first thing I’d need to figure out was how to contact Danú or Aurora. They needed to know what happened.

  Do they already? What is their plan to bring everyone home again, once it’s safe?

  It turned out I didn’t have that much energy left in me to think about it.

  I sighed and let the vine slip back to the ground. “Thank you,” I whispered.

  As if understanding, the vines retreated, slowly exposing the courtyard. Several minutes later, I was alone. The silence both comforted and disturbed me.

  I’d always found solitude the best way to recharge and relax. Now it reminded me of everything I’d lost.

  Not sure where to go, I rose and wandered through the rubble. I kicked a stone, immediately regretting it as pain shot through my foot and up my shin. I could feel my body healing itself, but it wasn’t ready for more abuse.

  As I waited for the throbbing to subside, a sound drifted to my ears. It startled me, even though it was faint.

  At first, I thought it was a bird, returning now that the ground had stilled and the threat was gone. When I heard it again, I smiled, and my heart swelled.

  A shadow passed overhead. I shaded my eyes and watched as Georgia Anne landed with a thud in the center of the courtyard. A moment later, she returned to her human shape and wobbled.

  I ran toward her, but didn’t make it in time to catch her before she fell on her backside. I dropped to my knees beside her, choking down a scream from the knife-like agony that jolted through me.

  Georgia Anne focused on my face, and a small grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I’m glad you’re still here.” Her voice sounded raw and raspy.

  That must be a side effect of spewing flesh-burning fire from your throat. “Everything is going to be fine,” I lied. Her skin was pale, and she seemed ready to collapse. I couldn’t bear to lose another friend. “You’re going to be fine. If it’s like Sabra, you’ll heal. Can you feel it?”

  She chuckled and then collapsed into a coughing fit that made her roll to her side as she tried to catch her breath. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I patted her shoulder—I’d seen her do that for others before. All that did was send her into more spasms.

  Clenching my fists, I waited for her to regain control.

  “I’m just tired. Turns out flying around as a massive beast is hard work.” She smiled at me and took my hand in hers. “I’m healing. It will be fine.” She squeezed my hand, and I leaned over and rested my brow on the top of her head.

  I wasn’t alone. I had a friend.

  The acceptance overwhelmed me, and I hiccupped a sob. What a big baby I’d become.

  Arms, stronger than I remembered, wrapped around my shoulders and gently pulled me in for a hug. Comfort washed over me, and I melted to my backside to sit on the uneven ground next to Georgia Anne.

  “How do you do that?” I asked.

  “Do what?” She kept rubbing my shoulder. I could tell she’d been careful to touch me in a place that seemed the least battered.

  “That! Make me feel better, rub my shoulder, be so gentle.”

  She smiled. “It was cute when you tried just now. Pattin’ my shoulder and all. It’s what made me try to laugh.”

  I huffed and looked to the sky.

  “You’ve changed, ya know. When I first met ya, I thought, ‘that’s a beautiful woman who knows how to take charge’. I admired you so much.”

  I pinched my brows and stared at her. She’d admired me? “Why?”

  “Because bein’ strong like you, that’s not my gift. But that’s how good friends find each other. You each have strengths that the other doesn’t, and ya help each other out.”

  “You’re a dragon, Georgia Anne.” I smiled.

  The bubbly woman who always had a kind word to offer was one of the most powerful beasts in all the realms.

  We both chuckled.

  “Now don’t go makin’ me choke again. I don’t know how I feel about transformin’ into somethin’ so scary. But, that flyin’ around sure is fun. When we both feel better, we should go into the skies together.”

  I flicked my brows and stared out in front of me. Will we get to a place where we can have fun again?

  Surveying our surroundings, I couldn’t make that leap yet.

  “I’m gettin’ my legs back. How ‘bout you let me know what you had to deal with while I was gone?”

  She said it as if she’d left for a pleasure flight around the island, not battled a demon and lived to tell about it.

  I let some of her fortitude seep into my weary bones before I answered.

  “Donovan is gone . . . “

  I hesitated. How could I get the words out and admit he was my father? Maybe I’d keep that to myself for now.

  “Carlos came back, and they broke the enchantments on the island. I don’t know where they went, but I know they opened a portal to someplace within the human realm, or possibly beyond. They used my medallion.”

  “So, the Shadow King’ll be able to take over?”

  “If we don’t stop him.” I stared her in the eye.

  No matter what, I was not going to let an entire realm fall into slavery or worse because I’d made a mistake. Or because of who I was.

  Georgia Anne tightened her lips and narrowed her eyes. “Let’s go find the dirtbags.”

  “I hope I’m included on that mission,” Sabra’s growly voice startled us as she made her way through the courtyard.

  Relief flooded through me. I hadn’t known what happened to her after Donovan flung her out of the workroom.

  I made it to my feet, and Georgia Anne rose with me. Sabra was in her human form, but her hair was matted with blood on one side of her head, and she had scratches all over her arms and face.

  “You’re alright!” Georgia Anne threw her arms around Sabra and pulled her tight.

  I would have done the same, but friendly affection was so new to me, it seemed awkward. The wince on Sabra’s face when she was squeezed also gave me pause. I was tired of causing others pain on any level.

  “What happened to you?” I asked.

  “I woke up in the middle of a hall with a crack in my skull.” She huffed a laugh as if she’d told a joke. “I crawled my way to the infirmary so I could try and patch myself together and get back into the fight. Obviously, I didn’t make it in time.”

  “It’s good you’re here,” I said. Then it hit me where she’d been. “Were you with Gus?”

  “No, I went to the healers’ room. But I did check on him, since I was nearby. The glamour is gone, but he’s still asleep.”

  Excitement that he was alive filled me, then, just as quickly, the despair that he was no longer safe took over.

  I nodded, unable to form words.

  “If we can find out where the portal took those two evil rats, and stop them, then Gus can stay where he is without worry. We’ll go kick some demon butt and be back before he wakes up.�
� Georgia Anne stood tall, with her hands on her hips and determination lining her face.

  I almost believed it was a good idea.

  “Do we know where they went?” Sabra asked.

  “No.” Then I remembered I’d had a vision the last time I held the quartz. “But I might know how to find out.”

  It wasn’t much to go on, and I had no idea if I could make it work, but if I could use the quartz to track Donovan like he’d done to me, I could try to connect with the medallion and travel to wherever he went. Then I could stop him.

  Before I tried, though, I had something I needed to do.

  Sabra and Georgia Anne stood behind me in the hall as I rested my hand on the handle to Gus’s door. There wasn’t a reason to be nervous, but my insides were twisted into knots.

  “He’s there, I promise,” Sabra whispered. There was a twinkle in her voice as she leaned into my ear.

  I rolled my eyes and pursed my lips. She was right to tease me, though. I was acting foolish.

  “You take all the time you need,” Georgia Anne reassured me. She patted my shoulder and I saw her wave her other hand in a shooing motion toward Sabra, who stifled a giggle.

  Releasing a heavy sigh, I opened the door and strode two steps into the room, determined to keep myself under strict control. Then stopped in my tracks, eyes bulging wide as Georgia Anne bumped into me.

  Sabra growled. “Now what?”

  Gus stared at me from where he sat on the edge of his bed. His bare feet resting on the floor and his hands braced on his knees.

  Air stilled in my lungs, words would not form, and my stomach flipped in circles. He was awake. Those beautiful blue eyes staring into mine. I managed a slight smile though I didn’t move closer.

  Rather than returned softness as I expected, Gus clamped his mouth into a thin line. Narrowing his eyes, his nostrils flared in obvious anger.

  He had to know I was the cause of all his troubles. This time he wouldn’t forgive me.

  “I’ve been lied to and so have you,” Gus said. His voice was gravelly from lack of use, but also it burned with anger as it rumbled through me.