A Dance With Darkness (2020 Ed)

by Jenna Wolfhart

  “There are far worse things in the world than Redcaps, Norah,” he said, voice eerily calm and quiet.

  My heart squeezed tight. “Obviously, I never thought the faerie realm was real, but I never would have imagined it to be like this.”

  He raised his eyebrows and cast me a strange smile. “And how would you imagine it, Norah? All puffy clouds and rainbows? Dancing and merriment? Everyone holding hands and singing songs?”

  “Well…yeah, actually,” I said, heat creeping into my cheeks. He made it sound so stupid when he put it like that, but it was what I’d imagined when I’d thought of faeries. “I never would have thought it was a place full of dangerous creatures who went around murdering people.”

  His eyes flashed, and something in his expression darkened. But just as quickly as it had come, it was gone again. What was that all about? A part of me yearned to know. This fae was…odd, unsettling, strange. And it made me want to figure him out.

  “There is much to love about Otherworld, but there is also much to hate. At one time, our world was better than this. There was the merriment, the dancing, the songs. We do still have that now, though not nearly as often as we used to. Otherworld is changing. Ever since we split our Courts, a darkness has begun to creep in. With it comes more violent attacks and much more danger.”

  Frowning, I glanced up at him. His eyes were locked on something in the distance, and his strong, square jaw clenched tight. Every part of his body was stiff and straight, radiating with pure tension. I thought back to my conversation with Finn on the way into the Academy. Four Courts. Four rulers. When there had once been only a Queen.

  “You don’t seem particularly happy about the division of the Courts,” I finally said. “I thought it was the Autumn fae who led the revolution.”

  He leaned forward, his fingers tightening on the stone ledge of the watch tower. “It wasn’t a revolution, Norah. It was…” He stopped short and sucked in a sharp breath through his flared nostrils. “It matters not. But you see those storm clouds on the horizon?”

  Rourke shifted behind me, took my hand in his, and pointed my finger toward a dark shape beyond the furthest edge of the forest. His touch was cold and electric, and it was my body’s turn to go tense. Why was he touching me? Why could I feel the caress of his breath on my skin? A whirlwind of scents enveloped me: crackling leaves, rotting wood, and deep damp earth. In my chest, my heart began to shake.

  He smelled like the very earth itself, and it was almost overwhelming. I wanted to rip my hand out of his grip, but I couldn’t. Every cell in my body stilled, waiting desperately for…I didn’t know what.

  “See it just there?” he asked in a low whisper with his lips only inches from my ear. He was so close. Why was he so close? And why didn’t I move?

  Swallowing hard, I ripped my gaze from where his fingers were curled around my hand and followed the line. “Yep, I see it. There it is.”

  He let go, but I still stood frozen in place with my hand outstretched before me. I was losing it. Something about these fae guys had a strange effect on me, one that couldn’t be normal. Every single one of them was either irritating, annoying, or kind of weird, but they were all really getting under my skin. I mean, I was practically a trembling mess when Rourke had barely touched me. Not to mention the way that Finn had made me want to punch and kiss him at the same time. And Liam, with his deliciously fiery eyes.

  No, I wasn’t having these thoughts. Not about these fae. It was just some kind of magical allure they carried around with them. That was the only logical explanation. They had magic, and they were using it on me. And I hated every single second of it.

  Rourke had begun speaking again while I’d been distracted by my ridiculous reaction to his touch, and I only tuned back into his words in time to add another terror to the increasingly-growing list of things to worry about in Otherworld.

  “Those storm clouds were never there before, particularly not during the Summer,” he said with a deep frown. “But they’ve been increasing these years past. Sometimes, the storms are quite violent. We don’t know what’s causing them, but I believe it has something to do with what we did all those years ago. We killed the Queen and tore the Courts apart. Otherworld was stable, and now it no longer is.”

  My eyes caught on his sharp profile, outlined by the light of the moon. “Finn told me it was traitorous to question the new ruling situation.”

  “Yes, he would say that.” Rourke sighed. “And truth be told, it is best you don’t question it, Norah. If Viola got wind of a new changeling being rebellious, she could make life incredibly difficult for you.”

  Great. Another thing to worry about.

  I raised my eyebrows. “Who’s that?”

  But his answer was cut short when a boom shook through the night. We both turned toward the sound, only to get blinded by lightning that split the sky. As I frowned at the rolling clouds, something dark blurred in the corner of my vision. Something from within the forest. I lifted my binoculars to my eyes. There, just between the trees, a small creature charged across the forest floor, its clawed hands kicking up bright green leaves. Its slick emerald skin rippled beneath the light of the pale moon, and its veiny, pointed ears flopped against its wrinkled face.

  “I see something in the forest,” I said, though the little creature didn’t look all that dangerous. Just...kind of weird. “It’s probably nothing though. You said to look out for furry things, and that’s not furry.”

  Rourke held out a hand, palm up. “Let me see.”

  After he held the binoculars to his eyes, he let out a low whistle. “That’s not nothing, Norah. It’s a pooka, and it’s been a long time since one has come anywhere near the Academy.”

  Shivers coursed down my spine. “That doesn’t sound good.” I paused. “So, what the hell is a pooka?”

  “Pookas thrive on mischief and trickery. Sometimes, they’ll transform into horses and carry riders to the nearest stream where they’ll drown and then devour them.”

  I blinked and tried to still the frantic beat of my heart. “Right. So, definitely a danger.”

  He gave a nod and set the binoculars on the stone ledge. “Interested in some one-on-one training? I can give you a demonstration on how to take care of a pooka.”

  My mouth suddenly went very, very dry. “I thought we were supposed to sound the alarm when we spotted something dangerous out there.”

  “You are. But I’m here, and I’m perfectly capable of taking out a pooka. It would be a good experience for you.” A beat passed as his lips curled into a devious smile. “Or are you too afraid to face the beast?”

  “I’m not too afraid.” The words popped out of my mouth before I could stop them. Truthfully, I was a little afraid, but I wasn’t about to say no and stay here in my safe little tower out of harm’s way. I wanted to learn how to fight, and here was my chance. It had just come far sooner than I’d expected.

  I was all too aware of what had happened when I’d tried to shoot an arrow at a fake target. I didn’t want to know what would happen when I tried to take on a real creature, one that sounded pretty freaking terrifying. At least Rourke would be there. Not that I really trusted him.

  “Then, shall I show you how it’s done? It might give you an edge in training, one you’re going to need.”

  My heart thumped. I could read between the lines on that one. I’d screwed up with the bow and arrow, and this was my chance to get some important one-on-one training before classes started. I might have failed the challenge, but maybe this would keep me from failing the next. And maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t suck this time.

  “Okay,” I said in a small voice.

  His laugh only added to my terror. “Good. Then follow me.”

  Chapter Eleven

  The forest looked different at night than it did in the day. The brilliant, verdant trees had transformed into dark and twisting vines that choked out the sky above, and a heavy fog drifted through the undercurrent of leaves. Gon
e were the sparkling lights and the singsong of the birds. In its place, darkness had come.

  Twigs snapped beneath my lace-up, leather boots as I followed Rourke deeper into the woods. He’d been quiet since we’d left the watch tower, and I couldn’t stop staring at the muscles in his back, and at the way he held his sword as if it were merely an extension of his arm.

  Yep, he had a sword. For some reason, that unnerved me even more. He hadn’t given me one though.

  “Shouldn’t I have a sword?” I whispered, trying my best to keep my voice as low as possible. I didn’t want that pooka creature to hear us coming. I distinctly remembered Rourke saying it liked to devour its prey. Much like the Redcaps I’d encountered.

  “Not happening.”

  “Why not?”

  “I saw what happened with the arrows.”

  A flush went through my cheeks. “Honestly, it’s not like I’d be throwing the sword.”

  “Maybe not on purpose.”

  I growled, fisting my hands.

  “Shh,” he said sharply. “Just follow me. Don’t say or do anything.”

  Right. Because I was really only here to watch and learn. As far as Rourke was concerned, I was a useless girl who had failed her first challenge. One who needed to be dragged into a forest so she could stand by helpless while he took care of the pooka.

  My hands twitched. I really wished I had my own sword.

  Suddenly, he stopped short and held up his hand. He jerked his chin over his shoulder, and his glittering eyes met mine. My breath caught at the look in his eye. He pointed at a spot just to my right. When I turned, there it was, lurking between two thick tree trunks, the color of its skin melting into the forest surroundings.

  And it was staring straight at me with a pair of bright red eyes that were the color of blood. I swallowed hard, my heart trembling beneath my ribcage.

  “What do we have here?” it asked in a hiss. “A girl who dreams of vengeance. A girl who doesn’t belong here. Well, then this is your lucky day, my dear. Take a ride with me, and I can return you to your native lands where I will give you the strength to smite your enemies.”

  Swallowing hard, I glanced at Rourke, but he’d disappeared from my side. Heart shaking in my chest, I swung my head left and right, desperation and fear rising up from deep within my bones. Where had he gone? Had he left me here to face the creature by myself? Without a damn sword? Surely he wouldn’t. He was one of my instructors. He was tasked with keeping me safe.

  My heart thumped hard.

  Or was he?

  He’d seemed chilly to me from day one. Maybe he didn’t want me around. Maybe this was his way of disposing of me quickly and easily, without any witnesses. I didn’t know these fae. How could I be certain they were trustworthy? I’d gone along with this whole thing without question. And maybe, just maybe, I’d only been walking straight into a trap.

  The pooka’s sharp grin widened, and it scuttled forward. I yelped and jumped back.

  “What do you say then, Norah of Manhattan?” it hissed. “Will you come with me?”

  As it took another step closer to me, I bent my knees and fisted my hands. It had sharp teeth and claws, but it was small. It had no weapon but itself. Maybe if I gave it a good kick in the face it would leave me alone.

  It scuttled forward. I shouted and swung my foot into the air. My boot made contact with nothing but air. Another dark form lunged from the depths of the forest. It all happened so quickly, and the shadows around me blurred at an impossible speed. One moment, the creature was before me, extending its hand toward mine. The next, a sword protruded from its neck, and a waxy blood dripped down onto the forest floor.

  Rourke yanked his sword from the pooka and wiped the blade across a cloth he pulled from the depths of his golden-hued cloak. “And that’s how it’s done.”

  My heart hammered as I stared up at him open-mouthed. “You just left me out here with the pooka. It attacked me while you were lurking around in the bushes.”

  “No, he was trying to lure you away from here. Away from me,” he said with a quick shake of his head. “He wouldn’t have attacked you until he led you back to his den. But, well done.” He glanced up, his eyes glittering. The look in them made my heart tumble. “You were brave. I didn’t expect that. Most first-year changelings would have run.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “So, what were you doing then? Testing me?”

  “No.” A pause. His gaze flicked down. “It’s next to impossible to kill a pooka head on. They need to be distracted long enough for someone to sneak up on them from behind. It’s the easiest way to get in a killing blow without things getting messy.”

  Realization dawned, and I had the sudden urge to show the fae what a messy fight could really look like. “You used me as bait. This wasn’t about giving me a demonstration on how to kill a pooka. It was about making your life easier on you.” I shook my head and took a step back away from him. “I can’t believe it. I actually believed you were trying to give me some training. I’m an idiot.”

  His smile was pure ice with a hint of that fae mischief I was beginning to really despise. “Two birds with one stone. I needed someone the pooka would be interested in, and you needed to learn how to approach one.”

  “You know what?” I fisted my hands and took another step away from him, whirling on my feet toward the Academy. Anger sliced through my gut. “Next time you want to help me, don’t bother.”

  His quiet, eerie chuckle followed me all the way back to the watch tower, and I could have sworn he kept stopping by my corner for the rest of the night, though he stayed hidden. The cloying scent of crackling leaves and rich, dark earth stayed with me until I stumbled onto my bed for my precious hour’s sleep.

  The next week passed with more of the same. We spent our days holed up in classes, learning about all the various types of fae and faerie creatures that called this realm their home. Our physical training also began. Fight moves and strategies were discussed, though they didn’t introduce weapons just yet. It was clear we were all very much beginners, and the only one of us who seemed particularly good at anything (and everything) was my roommate.

  If she wasn’t also my best friend in the whole of the Academy, I might be kind of jealous.

  Okay, so maybe I was jealous, but I didn’t hate her for it.

  For the third night since I’d arrived, I found myself prepping for a long, quiet stretch in the northwestern watch tower. Lila and I kept coming last in the tasks for the Manhattan recruits, so it was always either her or me who ended up having a sleepless night. Rourke hadn’t visited me again after that first night, though I’d always partially held my breath, wondering if he was somewhere nearby.

  I was still angry that he’d used me as bait, but the dance with danger had also been thrilling in a way I couldn’t define. I’d tried to kick an asshole pooka in the face. I’d failed miserably, but at least I’d tried.

  It was more than I’d ever done before. It felt like a very small step toward…something. Something more than what I’d always been and who I’d thought I was.

  A knock sounded on the door just as I slid my feet into the dark leather boots I always wore during my Watch Duty shifts. Just in case I got another chance to take on a creature. I glanced up, heart in my throat, half-expecting to see Rourke’s golden eyes boring down on me. But it was only Griff, the changeling fae from Wales who seemed to enjoy coming last in tasks so he could spend his nights on Watch Duty.

  I kind of couldn’t blame him. It was the closest us changelings came to real hands-on training.

  “Yep, I’m coming,” I said as I finished lacing up my boot. “I don’t even want to imagine how Rourke would react if we were late.”

  “Came here to tell you that Watch Duty has been postponed for tonight,” Griff said with a frown. “Really sucks.”

  “Wait, what?” My heart dropped.

  “You heard me. No Watch Duty tonight for us. We’ve got to entertain some royals or something instead.�
��

  “Royals?” My ears pricked up at the words. While we’d spent many hours learning about Otherworld— the creatures, the ancient history, the types of weapons we would one day learn to use—my instructors had been strangely silent about the political side of the faerie world. It was almost as if they weren’t yet ready for us to know. That coupled with the strange dark clouds in the sky that Rourke had pointed out…well, my curiosity had been piqued. Like, seriously piqued. I was dying to know more about the four Courts.

  “Some members of the Winter Court have come to meet the new changelings or something,” he said with a shrug. “We’re supposed to go to the Great Hall and be on our best behavior or something. Sounds dumb. I don’t care about royalty or politics. I just want to learn how to fight and keep everyone safe.”

  “Same, Griff,” I said, giving him a soft pat on the back. “But trust me. I’m sure you and I will be right back on Watch Duty tomorrow night.”

  Griff and I were the last two changelings to enter the dining hall, and I could see that we were somehow late even though I’d just learned about the visit from the royals five minutes ago. The fourteen other first-year changelings were sitting quietly and tensely at the table where we usually gathered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner while a cluster of extravagantly-dressed strangers turned their gazes toward me and Griff.

  “Ah, here we are,” Kael said as he flashed me a tense, irritated smile that made my toes curl with annoyance. It wasn’t my fault I was late. “These are our last two changelings, Norah and Griff. They were assigned Watch Duty for this evening, hence their late arrival to meet you.”

  A tall thin male strode forward and sniffed. His coal black hair hung in loose curls around his angular face, and his eyes were a deep black that seemed almost endless. A crown perched on his head made from glistening knotted brambles. I sat hard on the bench next to the other first-year changlings, struck by the aura of power that radiated off his golden skin.