I look up at him as I respond. “Look, I mean absolutely no disrespect, but I don’t want to do it. I was born to fight on the Front Lines, kicking ass, not being holed up in classrooms, teaching a bunch of kids about stuff that they probably don’t care about. I want to stay and graduate then get my assignment at the ceremony, just like everyone else.”
“I understand,” he says.
“I don’t mean to inflate my own ego, but you honestly won’t understand until you see me fight,” I say confidently.
He smiles at me and nods. “Now, why don’t you ask me what you really want to know?”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to pry,” I say.
“Go ahead.”
“How did you know Rylan and I are together? I mean, I’ve been in love with him since the beginning of the year and no one has worked it out, but you’re here for a few days and have got it crystal clear,” I ask.
“Well, I would like to say that I’m just that good when really there were a few big red flags.” he starts. “You see, I’ve watched Rylan from afar and I like to think I know him pretty well, well enough to know that he would never go against The Guard and break procedure. However, the moment you went missing, he stormed in here demanding a meeting with The Guard to launch a rescue mission, which, no offense, due to the severity of your case, it was denied before it even got too high up the ladder. Rylan went and performed an unauthorized rescue mission in the Fairy Kingdom of all places, practically a suicide mission, took underage students off the school grounds, and shot dead the Fairy Queen all to save your life,” he explains. “To me, that screams one thing – he is in love with you. He then confirmed it later during the initial meeting, the way he looked at you and you at him. It’s as if you’re the only two in the room. The people around you are blind for not seeing the truth.”
I nod in agreement, that yes, the majority of this academy are blind. “You clearly love him yourself. Why did you not stick around to be his father?” I ask, hoping I’m not digging too deep.
Brett takes a deep breath and gives me a sad smile. “As you would know, having a child out of wedlock in The Guard is extremely frowned upon. At the time, my father was the current leader and I would soon be taking over the leadership. A bastard baby would have taken my title away from me, and as I have no brothers, it would have been the end of the Norrington line in leadership. You see, I was very in love with Rylan’s mother, in fact, I still am, though she was still very hung up on Kaylee’s father, a Fairy Knight of all people. Shelby refused my hand in marriage and wanted to keep the baby. From that moment, I knew I could never be in my child’s life, not the way in which is acceptable to The Guard, especially for its leader. I needed to be an example for my people so I removed myself from the picture. It’s my one and only regret in life, to not have my boy in my life, by my side.”
I reach out a hand and place it on top of his. “He’s an amazing man,” I say.
“Oh, I know, he’s remarkable. I am extremely proud of who he’s grown into.”
“Rylan mentioned you’ve recently been trying to get in contact,” I ask, hoping Rylan doesn’t kick my ass for this later.
“Yes,” he says bluntly, thinking over his answer. “I’m sure you would know how the leadership works, being passed on from father to son,” he says, leaving the answer hanging in the air. “I’m getting older and my time is nearly up.”
“You mean to tell me that Rylan is the next leader of The Guard?” I ask with a smirk, in complete disbelief.
“Indeed,” he confirms, smirking right back at me.
“Rylan is like me. He was born to be on the Front Line. He’ll never accept that,” I say, realizing how The Guard now wants to screw both our lives and also why Rylan has done so much research on fighting it.
Brett lets out a low laugh. “That’s exactly what he said to me. Though not in as many words,” he says and I imagine the harsh response Rylan would have given.
He’s quiet for a short while, then looks me dead in the eyes. “You know, what Rylan did to save you, launching an unauthorized rescue mission and taking underage students into battle is illegal in The Guard’s eyes,” he explains. “He would be looking at some harsh consequences. The fact that he took out the Fairy Queen and has lead the battle of all battles could help his matter. But the truth about his lineage, while damaging to my reputation, would be his saving grace,” he says, letting that sink in. “You need to help him make the right decision.”
Chapter 24
I wake the next morning with dread floating high in my stomach and I just know today is the day.
I dress in loose clothes that can be changed in a heartbeat as I’ll most likely be given a uniform to match the rest of the Front Line. I make my way down to the cafeteria and eat a big breakfast, making sure I give myself enough food to give me energy all day. I notice the eerie feel of the cafeteria, as the other men on the Front Lines all sit quietly in their own thoughts, maybe it’s not just me who feels like this.
I pack a few things that I can munch on throughout the day and head for the exit. I pass Alex and Luke on my way out, who both wear glum and frightened expressions on their faces and for once, I don’t get a snide comment as I pass.
I head straight over to the Great Hall for the morning progress meeting, even though it doesn’t start for another 45 minutes. I enter the great room to find a few people with the same thoughts as me, sitting around the podium, just waiting for the madness.
Twenty minutes later, Rylan enters the hall in his full uniform with Kaylee trailing behind and if I wasn’t so sidetracked by how sexy he looks in uniform, I would have noticed how Kaylee is looking a whole lot better than she had the day before. He makes his way over then takes a seat a few spaces down from me. He gets up and heads into a side door, leaving Kaylee to herself. I scoot over and take the empty seat next to her, noticing how ridged and fidgety she is, very unlike her.
“You okay?” I murmur, not wanting to meet her eyes.
“Yes, much better. Thank you,” she says quietly. “Why did you do that for me?”
“How could I not?” I whisper.
She gazes down at her lap and I notice her small nod out of the corner of my eye. I take that as my cue to leave and scoot right back over to my earlier spot. I glance towards the door Rylan had just exited and watch as he pushes his way back through with a large cardboard box.
He stays over by the side and dumps the box at his feet then begins to scan the room. I follow his eyes as they land on each of my classmates and indicates for them to join him, last but not least his eyes come to mine. I get up and make my way over to our small group.
Rylan crouches down and opens the box and begins throwing a parcel to each of us. I catch mine automatically and realize this must be my uniform. “Keep these nearby today,” he warns as a seriousness falls over the group. “I don’t know for sure, but I have a feeling it will be soon.” He fixes his eyes on me. “Don’t stray anywhere and stay close to the hall so you know when it’s time to move. I’m responsible for each of you, so you will report to me before and after. We all travel together and we fight together. I don’t want any of you out of my sight for even a second during the battle. Understood?”
We all nod, but I know that last line was solely for my benefit.
He dismisses the boys but asks for me to stay behind as he reaches into one of his many pockets and pulls out a shiny dagger. “Here,” he says, holding it by the blade and handing me the silver hilt.
I take it from him cautiously. “What’s this for?” I ask confused.
“That’s yours to keep. The Guard will most likely supply you with guns and standard daggers, but you’ll be better with this one,” he says.
“Thanks,” I say, glancing down at the silver dagger before I run my fingers over the beautiful craftsmanship of the hilt. I flip it over in my hand to take in the engravings marked on the other side when I notice Rylan’s initials engraved into the artwork.
My
eyes shoot up to his and I know he’s seen what I’ve noticed. “This is yours,” I say. “I can’t take it.”
He reaches out and places a hand on my shoulder. “I want you to have it,” he says with meaning, his eyes begging me to give in and accept.
I take a deep breath and give him a tight smile. “Okay,” I whisper.
“Thank you,” he says. “Listen, during this battle, you need to stay right by my side.”
“I know,” I say. “I can’t promise I won’t get distracted watching you in action though.”
He shakes his head, but I see the tiniest smile forming on his lips. “God, Bianca,” he groans. “Don’t joke about this.”
“I can’t help it,” I say honestly as I turn. I give him one last cheeky smile and head over to my seat with my new things.
I watch as more people trickle in, the men and few women on the Front Lines all in their uniforms looking as lethal as ever. Watching them makes me want to go and throw mine on, but I’m sure I can wait until the end of the meeting.
Ten minutes later, the room is packed and the meeting begins. We’re faced with the same annoying dimwit from yesterday who advises that so far there’s been no decision made. He talks for another few minutes when a quiet feminine gasp comes from a few seats across.
My head snaps in Kaylee’s direction as I watch her eyes widen. Rylan’s whole body tenses in understanding and immediately flicks his eyes back to me, making sure I know what’s going on. I give him a nod and watch as he stands from his seat and takes Kaylee to the podium, interrupting the current speaker.
The whole room is immediately filled with tension as all the bodies stiffen around me. The room quickly registers Rylan’s appearance for what it is and are now waiting for him to address them.
“What’s happening?” he asks Kaylee, who looks out to the crowd nervously. Clearly not a good public speaker, like her brother.
“They’ve just called a meeting. Their decision will be made shortly,” she says addressing the room, but focusing her attention on Rylan.
“Okay,” he says glancing up at the crowd. “The decision will be made soon. I suggest if you have not already, go and prepare yourselves for battle, collect your preferred weapons and return here in fifteen minutes,” he says.
The room is a flurry of activity, I hop up from my seat and dash out the side exit, taking my uniform and dagger with me.
I get dressed as quickly as possible and slide my dagger into position on my belt.
“Woah. You look badass,” Jacinta says coming in through the door. “Hold on, why are you dressed?” she asks, her eyes going wide with panic.
“The fey have called their meeting, which means the decision will be made soon so we’re preparing for if we need to leave,” I explain.
Jacinta is silent as she throws her arms around me. “Be careful,” she whispers, being strong for the both of us.
“I will, I’ll be back before you know it,” I say wrapping my hair up into a tight bun. I grab my phone and head for the door. “Keep your phone on you,” I say as an idea pops into my mind.
“Okay,” she says with a tight smile. “I’ll check in with Millie for you.”
I rush back into the room and wrap my arms around her one last time before I head for the door and make my way back down to the Great Hall. I push my way through and walk myself right up to the front of the room, squeezing my way through the throng of men all dressed in their black tactical uniforms.
I stand right up front to see Rylan upon the stage next to Kaylee who’s been ushered into a seat, concentrating hard. Rylan’s eyes find mine and begin to heat as he takes me in. Hmm…apparently, he likes me in uniform too. He sends me a wink before focusing his attention back on Kaylee.
Ten minutes later it looks like everyone has arrived back and we all begin to take our seats. Brett Norrington stands on the stage with Rylan and Kaylee and I briefly wonder how Rylan feels about the proximity. “May I have your attention please,” Brett announces as the room instantly falls into silence. “Thank you for such a speedy preparation. Now, as you know, the fey are in the middle of their meeting and as of yet, there has been no decision.”
He scans the room, doing his best to meet the eyes of every one of his soldiers, but seriously, there must be at least four hundred of us. He continues on with his speech but I zone out as I focus on Kaylee. She sits in her chair, slightly hunched over with her eyes squeezed shut in deep concentration. Rylan stands next to her with his hand placed on her shoulder, offering her as much support as he possibly can and my thoughts from earlier come rushing back to the forefront of my mind. What’s going to happen to Kaylee once we leave? There is no way The Guard is going to let her stroll out of here alive.
I take this quiet moment to put my plan in place. I pull my trusty phone out of my pocket, doing my best to keep it hidden from view.
Bianca – You and the boys up for a crazy plan?
Jacinta – Any plan you come up with is going to be tame after last weekend. What’s up?
Bianca – You guys have another life to save…
Jacinta – I’m listening.
Bianca – It’s Kaylee, I know you’re kind of hating on her at the moment, but I can’t guarantee that The Guard will just let her walk. The moment we leave, you need to break her out of here. Make sure she’s safe.
I quickly glance up from my phone to make sure I haven’t missed anything. Brett is still blabbering on, trying to rev up the men to be in the right frame of mind. My eyes swivel in to find Rylan and Kaylee. Yep. Still the same. She’s still deep in thought and Rylan is…oh, wait.
Rylan is watching me, typing madly on my phone rather than paying attention. His eyes narrow at me with a silent scolding that I recognize all too well. I hold my ground and keep my eyes trained on his. ‘Trust me,’ I mouth to him. He’s thoughtful for a moment before he nods and quickly changes his scolding look to one of curiosity and suspicion.
I glance down at my phone as it vibrates in my hand.
Jacinta – Okay, I’ll get the boys now. We’ll work something out. I’m sure they’ll love a little challenge!
Bianca – Oh, God! Make sure they keep it tame. I can’t have you idiots getting yourselves in trouble.
Jacinta – I can’t make any promises when Daniel is involved.
Bianca – Good point. I have to go, Rylan is giving me ‘the look’.
Jacinta – God, that look is sexy. Be safe. We love you.
Bianca – Love you, too.
I tuck my phone back into my pocket, knowing my friends will pull through. They always pull through.
I glance up just as Kaylee’s back stiffens and a look of pure fear comes over her pretty face. Every eye in the room immediately zones in on her. Rylan’s hand tightens on her shoulder, probably tight enough to leave a bruise, but he doesn’t notice. Her eyes snap open and she looks up at Rylan.
The room is eerily silent as we wait for her to speak. She takes a deep breath and stands, taking the few short steps to the podium where she can speak into the microphone. Brett quickly moves out of the way as she advances. She stands tall and confident, though I see the terror in her eyes. “The decision has been made,” she says, scanning the room.
“The fey have decided to go ahead with their attack. They are rounding up the vampire army which they believe to stand at 250 and will make their move immediately. The Fairy Warriors and Knights will attend and any other fey who would like to be involved may go, which as our Queen was murdered, there are quite a few who are willing to join. I believe in total, including the vampires, you should expect a show of at least 400,” she says, taking a deep breath.
Relief at hearing those numbers comes through me as we won’t be outnumbered. “They plan to meet at Centenary Park in three hours, then they will make their way here, to the Academy where they plan to slaughter every living soul.”
Rylan comes forward and stands before the Front Line as Kaylee steps to the side. “Right,” he starts. �
��This is how this is going to go. Centenary Park is not far from here and is huge, backing onto a forest. I believe with their numbers they will be on foot. We will lay in wait for them and ambush them in the park before they have an opportunity to get anywhere near the school grounds and children. Ambushing them is going to be difficult with the vampires’ sense of smell. The older ones in particular, with our numbers, they will smell us from miles away, so we need to make it fast,” he orders, earning a few grunts of approval from the men around the room. “Are there any questions?”
We spend another twenty minutes with back and forth questions, every one of them even more important than the last. The men around me begin to fidget as the anticipation grows, everyone wanting to get out there and get the job done.
Rylan finishes up his Q&A session and everyone gets up and heads for the door. “Combat students, you’re with me,” he orders, using his badass instructor tone. I struggle to make my way over to him with the flow of the crowd all wanting to push me out the door. I make it to him just as Luke, Alex, and Tom do.
“Alright,” Rylan says, taking us all in. I see the questions clearly in his mind. Are they ready? Did I teach them enough? Have I done the right thing? “Follow me,” he grunts, taking us deep into the room where he got our uniforms. I walk in to find row upon row of combat heaven. He goes about the room, grabbing bits and pieces from here and there as if he knows the room like the back of his hand.
He stands before us and hands us each a gun and we immediately take them, checking the chambers and making sure the safety is on. “Now, the safety guidelines we practiced during training. Forget them all. During a battle, the only thing you need to remember is Do. Not. Hesitate. You do whatever it is you need to do to quickly take down the creature before you then move onto the next. Remember your lives are just as important as the next, so if someone needs help and you have the opportunity to save a life, do it. Now, you have only a few minutes, look around and load yourselves up with your preferred weapons,” he turns his back and heads back over to the shelving units.
Heart and Revenge: Slayer Academy (Book 2) Page 22
