Peony stared daggers at Blair. “One day, you’ll injure yourself or somebody else, and then you’ll be in big trouble.” She stalked away, and a now somber-looking Virgie followed her, swinging her hips and gathering several stares from the male students.
I shook my head at Peony’s dramatics, grabbed a glass of water, and plonked down, opposite Blair, at a table that was across the room from Peony’s posse. “So, Peony is like the head cheerleader. Virgie is every boy’s wet dream. And Mr. Chad is the only cool teacher.”
Blair popped a chunk of pulled pork in her mouth and answered while chewing. “It’s not that simple. Peony is at the top of the popularity pyramid until the vamps return. Virgie is hot, but she doesn’t spend much time around the guys for obvious reasons.” Before I could ask what those obvious reasons were, Blair continued. “As for Mr. Chad, avoid him.”
I waited for her to elaborate, but she didn’t, stuffing her mouth with food, so I followed suit. A moan escaped me as the mashed potatoes melted in my mouth. At least the food was good here. “Mr. Chad sounds chill. If you set anything on fire in Sullivan’s class, you’d have a week’s worth of detention.”
Blair shook her head. “Mr. Chad doesn’t write anyone up, but he gets...too friendly with female students. He doesn’t care that he’s old enough to be our Dad.”
“Ugh, gross.” Why did all of our teachers have to be psychos?
Blair pulled out a sheet of paper and began filling it out hastily while wolfing down her food. For a moment, I let her be, studying the others in the cafeteria. Only a few tables were filled, and while Peony and Virgie acted like they owned the place, the other students were more subdued. Most of the two dozen fae rarely talked and a lot of them stared intently at their food, as if it held all the answers. Others looked into space, eyes blank.
The double doors swung open with a bang, and the twins strolled in. They didn’t grab any food but headed straight to Peony’s table where they whispered intently, shooting a few glances my way.
I cleared my throat, but Blair was completely focused on her assignment. “Um, Blair.” I nudged her.
“What?” she asked impatiently.
“Headmistress didn’t find any magic in my blood.” Which was probably what the twins were gossiping about.
The annoyance melted out of Blair’s face to be replaced by pity.
Not needing her to baby me, I quickly added, “Does she drink everyone’s blood and ask strange questions?”
Blair sighed and shook her head. “I’ll explain later. I need to finish this now.” She refocused on her assignment, leaving me to stare at her with incredulity. I thought she was my friend. Didn’t she care that I was terrified and confused? Couldn’t she spare a minute to explain what was going on?
As if sensing my stare, Blair put her pen down. “Look, I forgot to fill this out. If I don’t complete my homework, there will be consequences.”
“They’ll take away your food?” If they did, I’d bring her something from the cafeteria.
She snorted. “If only. No, not handing in an assignment means you get to be a blood bag for a vamp who feels like getting high.”
My mouth dropped open. But Blair turned her gaze behind me. Before I could react, a strong hand pushed my chin shut, and then a finger traced my lip. I jerked back to find one of the twins retracting his hand and undressing me with his eyes.
“What the hell are you doing?” I snarled as my heart pounded with shock.
“Why, tasting the goods, of course,” the other twin replied, sliding into the chair next to me from the other side. He scooted the chair closer with little effort.
“Leave her alone!”
They ignored Blair, and the twin on my right who had just touched my lips extended his hand. “Kassius.”
I didn’t shake it given what the headmistress had done to my wrist only an hour ago. The bite marks lingered, red and angry.
“That’s rude. You need to learn some manners.” The other twin grabbed my waist and pulled me into him.
“Take your hands off me.” I shoved him back, but he only laughed as if my rejection amused him.
“I’m Kayden.”
What was wrong with them? Didn’t they understand that no meant no? I rose. “Blair, let’s go.”
Blair had already packed up her bag and joined my side, glaring daggers at the twins as I turned my back to them. It must’ve been the fire in her eyes because neither of them grabbed me again. But as we exited the cafeteria, one of them called, “Feisty. Just how I like them.”
Peony spat, “Slut.”
I waited until Blair and I were far down the corridor, away from anyone who might overhear before I opened my mouth. “Headmistress Cardinal forced me to tell her that I was a virgin. Then she said there was still hope for me. Care to explain what she meant?”
Blair scratched her neck. “I hoped you knew.”
I threw my hands up. “You need to be a little clearer than that. I can see that the twins and other vamps don’t understand consent, and I know that some take fae as lovers—”
“Not lovers, courtesans,” Blair cut me off.
I blinked. “You mean like a job?”
Blair motioned around us. “What do you see? What are our classes teaching us?”
“To be obedient. To be a servant.” Apparently also a servant of the pleasures. I stopped walking. “No.” I had expected unwanted attention, and I had heard stories of rape. But certainly-- “They can’t train us to be prostitutes!”
Blair grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. “We’ll discuss this later. We can’t be late. You already have one detention.” I allowed her to drag me along, all of my mental energy going toward trying to process what she had revealed.
“So, it’s not enough that we’re second class citizens and their servants, we’re also their sex toys?”
Blair sighed. “Not everyone. Basically, you either get assigned into the servant or courtesan category at the official start of the school year.”
The twin’s words came back to me. I like them feisty. “Do the obedient girls get to do normal jobs?”
“Those with magic get the better jobs. The ugly ones become labor horses. The pretty ones become courtesans.”
For several seconds, I was silent. Finally, I found my voice. “And the twins think I’ll be a courtesan?”
Blair motioned up and down my body. “Look at you. You’re gorgeous.”
I wished I could wrap a blanket around me and hide myself. I didn’t feel gorgeous. I felt disgusting. “What about you?” I asked in a whisper.
“If I won’t learn to control my power, I’ll get assigned to do fun duties like clean the dungeons. The vamps don’t care if I set their prisoners on fire.”
My eyes widened. The vamps had their own prison? Of course, they did.
“Are you still a virgin?” I blurted. It was a rude question, but I felt like I had the right to ask since she knew my V-card status.
Blair chuckled. “What do you think? My fire comes out every time I panic or have any strong emotion.”
I nodded, unsure how to reply and unable to imagine what it would be like to live with powers that you couldn’t control.
We entered a pompous room with velvet couches, dark wood, and gilded walls. A white piano stood in one corner of the room, a golden harp next to it. The room merged into another one, which was simple and held all kinds of painting supplies. The floors and walls were protected with plastic wrap, and several smocks dangled from the hangers. It gave way to yet another room where flowers and even small potted trees stood. Somehow, when we reached our next class, Peony and the other fae already stood inside, waiting. I could only guess that Blair had taken me the long way, giving me the opportunity to work off some steam and talk privately, something I was immensely grateful for.
“Thank you,” I said, then asked, “What is this? Are we encouraged to take up hobbies?”
Blair snorted. “This is where they test and work on your skill
s. The more skills you have, the higher the starting price of your contract.”
I swallowed hard, everything finally clicking into place. “Virgins sell for a premium.”
6
The Siamese triplet room turned out to be, according to Blair, our Home Decor class where we learned how to use our magic. The goal? To make the vamps’ living spaces something out of an expensive furniture catalog. All the fae took it together during summer prep, and I was amazed Blair hadn’t been kicked out of this class yet for setting the expensive piano or the couches on fire. What vamp teacher would tolerate that?
The door opened and our instructor walked in, complete with gorgeous golden locks, greenish-gold eyes, and a perfect chest and hips.
The fae man I’d run into earlier. He was a staff member. A totally hot, magical staff member who wasn’t a vamp. Now I understood why he was here. The guy, who must barely be of drinking age, smiled at us as he crossed the room to his desk, which was nestled in a cluster of small, potted trees. Blossoms opened on nearby plants, responding to his presence. The air in the room thickened with warm magic. This young man was unlike the rest of us. He was the brightest star in the night sky.
“We met earlier, didn’t we?” he asked me. “Yes. Near the headmistress’s office. I’m Prince Preston Kallan, but please, call me Preston. I’m your Home Decor instructor.”
His voice was sweet honey, as pure as he must be. And Prince? Did that mean he was from the faeland? I eyed Blair, determined to extract information after class. She grinned at me and poked me in the ribs, which I took as a yes to my unasked question. But if my guess was right, why did the vamps hire a prince from the faeland? Shouldn't all the fae who grew up in their native world have a good amount of magic?
Blair leaned close and whispered, “The vamps can’t teach us magic.”
That made sense. I breathed a sigh of relief, glad that not all of our teachers would be monsters. Even Peony’s jealous glare couldn’t pop my tiny bubble of relief.
Preston pulled out an attendance sheet from his folder and marked each of us down as present. But as he did, the door opened again, and Lord Sullivan walked into the room. I wondered why he was there, until he swept over to the desk and waved Preston out of the way. The two looked at each other, tension building, before Preston nodded and allowed Lord Sullivan to sit.
What gave? Blair must’ve noticed me staring at the scene in confusion because she whispered, “The vamps supervise him. A different one comes in each day.”
“Oh.” Even if he was a real prince from the faeland--and he had to be because a pureblood like him could not lie--he was still lower than Lord Sullivan and maybe even the vampire students.
Preston gathered his leather binder, walked to the front of the class, and stood between a couple of large potted plants. The leaves took on a more vibrant green as he cleared his throat.
“I know we’ve done testing once before, but it’s important that we take another session to assess your growing powers.” Preston spoke with perfect professionalism, but his voice was still melt-worthy. “Things can change even in a month’s time.”
Peony gave me a smug look while Lord Sullivan’s thin lips pulled back, revealing the tips of his fangs. He twirled a polished wooden pen in his grasp lovingly. I shuddered, wondering if he was sending us non-magical students a message.
Preston stepped forward, positioning himself between Lord Sullivan and me while throwing Peony a stern look. “Do you have a question, Peony?”
I couldn’t suppress my smile at first, but then Peony fluttered her thick eyelashes in that sickly-sweet manner. “Why do we need to do another test? Lady Cardinal just determined that Onyx has no magic. She doesn’t need to be in this class. Her time would be better spent learning how to please without magic.”
Mutters floated through the room. Heat threatened to rush into my cheeks. Trying not to bristle, I said, “Well, maybe we need a second opinion? Things can change, as Prince Preston just said. Or weren’t you listening?”
Blair’s eyes grew to the size of saucers, and Peony’s cheeks flushed, letting me know I’d scored a point.
“That is correct.” Turning to me, Preston said warmly, “Please call me Preston.”
“Preston.” I could get used to saying his lovely name. Ugh! What a stupid thought. I should pour a bucket of ice-cold water over my head. Before I could embarrass myself further, Preston’s gaze slid back to Peony.
“Perhaps you should pay a little more attention. Now, hold out your palms.” He stood before her, stern and commanding, and even his rich boy sweater didn’t diminish his royal image.
Peony, now stunned into silence, held her palms to Preston’s. Tiny leaves sprung from Preston’s fingertips and wrapped around her fingers. He held her there for what felt like minutes, when it was probably just seconds, before retracting and letting her go. Peony stepped back, bumping into Virgie as Preston offered a curt nod and moved to the next student, a male fae with dreadlocks and tattoos on his arms. Our teacher didn’t spend as long with the male students as he did with the females, releasing them quickly and to the relief of both parties.
“Hold up your palms.” Preston appeared in front of me, palms ready, and the air tingled so much that I could barely breathe.
I obeyed, wondering what it would feel like to touch a pureblood. Our hands met, and a zing of magic ran up my arms, along with a furious heat that probably had nothing to do with that. Tiny leaves and vines coiled around my fingers, interlocking mine with Preston’s, and I met his golden-green gaze. My heart raced and my lower stomach tingled, sending out waves of energy, and then with a nod, Preston released me.
“You may have potential,” he said in a low voice and with a faint smile.
“Po...potential?” I asked, begging him to elaborate. The sensations vanished, except for the heat in my cheeks, but before I could ask what he meant, Preston moved on, extending his palms to Blair. She was the last in line, and once Preston had finished, he exchanged places with Lord Sullivan, who proceeded to stand at the front of the room.
Had Preston sensed some kind of magic in me? A way out of my horrible fate? I still planned to break out of Nocturnal Academy, but if I failed to find a way out, I needed a fallback, a Plan B. Tending an indoor garden didn’t sound so terrible compared to what else I could end up doing.
“Now,” Lord Sullivan said, slowly turning to face the class. “We need to test your progress in Home Decor and ensure that our curriculum is lining up with Prince Kallan’s. Miss Onyx. Answer me this question, please.”
My throat went dry. Peony once again smiled at me, and I wondered if she was giving Sullivan favors between classes. This definitely felt like a set up.
“Question?” I tried to think of a way out of this one. The savage gleam in Sullivan’s eyes told me that I’d earn another detention sentence, or worse, if I answered wrong.
“Yes. Tell me the three basic steps of magical gardening.” If he had that stick, he’d tap it on his palm, but instead, Lord Sullivan put his hands behind his back and rocked, waiting for me to fail.
The other students all eyed me, some with amusement, others with sympathy. No one dared to point out to Lord Sullivan that this was my first time in this class and that it was impossible for me to answer his question. “Um.” I focused. I might not know the textbook answer, but certainly, I could come up with something. What would be the number one step to any magic?
“We don’t have all day, Miss Onyx.”
I inhaled deeply and hoped my logic was correct. “First there’s intent.” Sullivan didn’t contradict me, so I pressed on. “And then there’s—”
Behind Sullivan, Preston mouthed, “concentration.” At least, I thought it was that word. He was helping me. Finally, I had an ally among the staff.
“Concentration,” I said.
Sullivan frowned in disappointment. “And the third step?”
Flicking my gaze to Preston once again, I saw him mouth, “action.”
/> “Action,” I finished.
“Very good,” Lord Sullivan said as Peony let out a disgusted sigh and glared not at me but at my roommate.
Blair crossed her arms, glaring right back.
“I see your friend has caught you up over the weekend.” Sullivan’s reptilian voice made me think of a cobra getting ready to strike, and even Blair took a step away. “Come forward, Miss Blair, and show the class your talent.” He crooked his index finger, and Blair did as she was asked, keeping her face stoic, but I could feel the nervousness radiating from her.
“Miss Peony, why don’t you bring us some candles.”
Peony smiled like a cat who fell into a jar of whipped cream and ran off while Sullivan told another student to bring a table. Unable to do anything, I just waited while Blair stood at the front, the whole class staring at her.
The fae boy with dreadlocks positioned a metal table next to Sullivan’s desk, and Peony put seven candles in a row on it with an air of importance, as if she was creating a masterpiece and not being a nasty bitch.
“You are an elemental fae, are you not, Miss Blair?” Sullivan’s dark eyes glowed with malice. I broke out into a cold sweat as I realized he would make her use her fire magic, which she hadn’t learned to control yet.
“Yes.” Blair’s throat bobbed up and down.
“As such, if you were chosen to live in a vampire’s home, you could be expected to entertain him and his guests with fire performances, correct?”
“Yes.” Blair shifted from foot to foot while beads of sweat ran down my nape.
“If you paid any attention in your classes at all, it should be a basic task for you to light a few candles.” Sullivan practically spat the last few words, making it clear he wouldn’t tolerate any protests.
Blair nodded and held out her hand, shaking. A flame exploded out of it, engulfing not just the candles but the whole table. Heat billowed off the table as tongues of fire gripped the edges, searching for food. Crackling filled the room, and I coughed from the stench of wood smoke.
The Nocturnal and Fae Prison Academy Boxset [A Complete Paranormal and Fantasy Series Boxset] Page 4
