I slid.
Lily reached for me as the world went out from under me. I kicked at air as a scream tore from my throat. Water sparkled below. I tried to grip mossy stones with my hands, but there was no grasping the slick surface. My hands slid down...down...I was going to fall to my death, and even my magic couldn’t save me now. I clutched the pine sapling, holding it so hard it cut into my hand and tore my skin, blood rushing out. Lily stood above, stumbling and landing on her knees. I kicked again, banging my knee into a rock, panic pumping through me as I hung off the edge of the cliff.
“Onyx!” Thorsten materialized above me and grabbed my arm. He hauled me up with his strong hand while balancing on the moss.
My breath escaped as I finally gained purchase with my boots on the rock of the cliff. Thorsten hauled me up. As soon as I was standing, he sidestepped, and I became aware that the other fae had gathered behind him to watch the spectacle. I would’ve been upset at their lack of help if I hadn’t been overwhelmed by gratitude for Thorsten.
I was alive because of him. He maintained his grasp on my wrist. His nostrils flared, and I remembered I was bleeding. I tried to step away, but he held on. There was so much concern in his face, it couldn’t be fake.
People muttered. Peony stepped forward, blinking as if clueless. “Who slipped?”
“There was moss,” I gritted out. I wanted to rat her out badly, but I doubted it’d do me any good. The vamps wouldn’t eliminate the most magical fae student in the school. Me? They wouldn’t give a shit. Staying silent was my best bet.
“Are you okay?” Thorsten asked, his hot breath caressing my ear.
I nodded, heart racing, as he walked me away from the cliff, still holding my hand. If he suspected Peony of foul play, he didn’t show it. She frowned as we walked past, showing fake concern, and I refused to look at her. Bitch.
“What is going on here?” Sullivan shoved through the crowd.
Thorsten released me then, pushing me away. I grasped my injured hand and seethed, trying not to get blood on my uniform. The vamps would probably punish me for that too. As I stepped aside, Thorsten straightened. “A student stumbled and nearly fell off the cliff.”
“And you rescued her.” Sullivan’s voice was incredulous. What was his problem?
“Yes. We don’t want to deprive our society of their well-earned courtesans.” Thorsten shot me a cruel glare. “Especially virgins with a body like hers.”
Sullivan nodded with approval. “Correct. Well done. I see you take your new position seriously.”
Thorsten bowed his head with deference.
Humiliation streamed through me. How much of this could I take before I exploded? And why was Thorsten playing both sides? Was he fake with the vamps or with me? Probably me. He had absolutely no reason to be nice to me. He did have reasons to climb the social ladder. Maybe he had been sent here by his sire as a test. If Thorsten did well, he got to inherit one of the luxury car companies or some bullshit like that. Yes, that had to be it. Otherwise, Mei wouldn’t be interested in him.
Still, even as my brain told me that Thorsten was my foe, gratefulness soared in my chest. He had insulted me multiple times, but he had also saved me. And each time, I was becoming more deeply indebted to him. What would he ask of me when he was finally ready to collect my debt?
8
After a quick trip to the infirmary where I grabbed a few painkillers and plasters, I went to bed. As my adrenaline faded, exhaustion settled in, and soon, I found myself in a slumber.
“Mmh,” I moaned some time later as the delicious scent of coffee and buttery croissants filled my nostrils.
“Morning, Onyx.”
I shifted in bed and groaned as my bruised and scabbed knee hit the wall.
“I brought you breakfast.”
I turned away from the wall to find Lily holding up a tray with yummy goodies. Saliva pooled in my mouth.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to.” I sat upright, ducking my head to avoid the top bunk.
Lily shrugged like it was no big deal. “I thought you could use the extra sleep.”
I glanced at the clock. Only half an hour until classes started. Had it not been for Lily, I might have gotten detention. Great, now I owed her too, but I was too hungry to worry about that at the moment. My stomach growled, and I bit into the soft croissant, moaning as it melted in my mouth. I washed it down with coffee that had just the right amount of milk and no sugar. I gave Lily a questioning look. “How do you know how I take my coffee?”
She shrugged again. “I pay attention.”
Right, and that was exactly the reason why she would make a good servant and also why I needed to keep her at arm’s length.
“Are you feeling better?” Her gray eyes widened with worry.
I chuckled wryly. “I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
Lily wrung her hands. “Listen, I know I’m not the strongest fae. I’m not cool, and I’m not pretty, but I’m loyal, and I’m smart. I would like to be your friend. I think we could both use one.”
I snorted. “There are no friends at Nocturnal Academy. It’s all about who you know and beneficial alliances.”
Lily sighed. “Fine. How about partners or teammates?”
There was pleading in the depths of her eyes. The nasty part of me wanted to lash out, say that I didn’t need her. But I was still shaken after yesterday, and her bringing me breakfast and not making me deal with the fae and vampires in the cafeteria was a kindness I couldn’t easily dismiss.
“I’ll help you where I can,” I said slowly, and immediately a smile played on her lips. “But you need to keep a distance from me in public.”
“Why?” Her forehead scrunched up as if she had forgotten about Thorsten’s cruel comments, Sullivan’s obsession to punish me, and Peony’s nastiness.
“I’m not exactly popular. Peony almost killed me last night.”
Lily bit her lip. “But she didn’t. You’re still here. You’re much stronger than she.” She interlaced her fingers. “Everyone here thinks I’m the weakest link.” She leaned forward. “I think they’re afraid of you…because you’re different.”
I inhaled sharply. Lily was too close to the truth. I finished my breakfast and went to the closet. “I need to get dressed.” I pulled out a fresh white shirt. “I mean it when I say to keep your distance. Or someone will go after you to get to me. Trust me when I say this.” I would not speak of the past. I would not face the awful memories.
“Please don’t shut me out.”
I whirled around, balling my fists. I had tried to be nice, but if Lily was this desperate to hear the truth, so be it. “I had a roommate during summer prep,” I bit out.
Lily’s eyes widened as if she finally understood that something bad had happened to the previous girl who had shared the dorm with me.
“We bonded.” I advanced until I was in Lily’s face. She flinched but didn’t back away. “We were friends. Besties. Her name was Blair. Do you know how it ended for her?” I would not break down. Not here. Not ever.
Lily gave a tiny shake of her head, her throat bobbing up and down. Good, she was scared. Had I known that telling her about Blair would be the only way to keep her away, I would’ve done so much earlier.
I smiled viciously. “One day, Blair and I decided to escape Nocturnal Academy.”
All the color drained from Lily’s face.
“She was caught while I hid. She was whipped in public. In front of the whole school.”
Lily’s lower lip trembled, but I continued, the words flying out of my mouth, my body humming with triumph. Once Lily saw me for the monster I was, she’d finally understand why we could never be friends. “Then she was sold to a sadistic vampire. No one has heard from her since.” I dropped my voice and brought my face even closer to Lily’s. “She’s either dead or wishing she was.”
Lily’s teeth chattered. Then she grabbed her bag and ran out of the dorm. I watched the door slam shut behind her. Relief and de
speration overcame me. Trying not to cry, I pulled on my whore stockings, tugged my skirt as low as I could and made sure my white shirt was neatly tucked in. I put the blazer on last and then I heaved my bag on my shoulder, trying to ignore the dry, heavy feeling in my throat. I could do this. I was fine.
I didn’t see Lily in the corridors, and she kept her distance from me in Lord Sullivan’s class. I was the first person in Home Décor. I wasn’t sure how I’d dance with my sore knee and pulled muscles, but no one had given me a sick slip, and after getting several lacerations from nearly falling off the cliff, the last thing I needed was a whipping or having a vampire suck my blood as punishment.
I pulled a chair over to the dancing area of the room and sat down. Slowly, the fae trickled in one by one. Peony’s eyes shone with delight as she took in my bruises and scratches.
“Poor Onyx. Hope you feel better soon,” she crooned, flouncing off with Kristen.
“Let me know if you need something,” Virgie whispered only loud enough for me to hear. She took up the back of the Bitch Brigade today, as if someone had tied her there using invisible rope.
Lily was last to arrive. She remained at the opposite side of the room, nervously tugging on her blazer’s sleeve. Good, finally, she’d gotten the message.
As the clock struck ten, Thorsten entered, wearing a cobalt blue shirt that gave his eyes endless depth. His gaze met mine for a second before he stepped to the teacher’s desk. Once again, I was clueless about what he was thinking or what mood he was in. Would he be cruel or kind? Or both?
“Everyone, please welcome our new Home Decor teacher, Ms. Rutherford.”
We all glanced to the door as a woman over six-feet tall swept into the room. She was fae. Proud. The air around her crackled with magic, and the nearby plants brightened in color as she passed. Her black blouse and pencil skirt accentuated her long legs and arms. Her raven, straight hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail that would’ve given me a headache ten minutes in and exposed her long neck and pointed ears. Black eyeliner rimmed her dark eyes, and her ghostly white skin made her look more vampire than fae, like she was desperate to fit in with the rest of the Nocturnal Academy’s staff.
“Hello, class.” A shiver ran through me at her crystal voice. It sounded too rehearsed. Too perfect. Her deep and dark violet gaze swept over us, and goose bumps broke out on my arms.
“Hello, Ms. Rutherford,” we chorused back.
I glanced around, trying to gauge if anyone else had a bad feeling about this new teacher. Several fae lowered their gazes. Lily bit her nails. I swallowed, wishing for the nth time that I had never gotten involved with Preston. If I hadn’t spent time with him outside class, he wouldn’t have tried to kidnap me and would still be alive.
And then what? If not me, he would’ve found some other fertile fae. Preston might’ve looked like an angel, but he had always been a predator. I shouldn’t judge Ms. Rutherford’s Addams family appearance too harshly. Perhaps a soft side was hiding underneath her exterior.
My hopes were dashed as she announced in a lifeless tone, “I would like to get acquainted with each of you. Please resume your usual activities and come to the teacher’s desk when I call you.” I didn’t like the way she emphasized the word usual.
I gulped and quickly hid behind the other dancers. I did not need any more attention and scrutiny.
“We should practice the Viennese Waltz,” a fae girl squeaked. “I heard the vampires like to dance it on New Year’s Eve, especially in Europe.”
Another girl sighed. “Do you know how to dance it? And how will we do it without boys?”
She had a point. None of the half a dozen male fae were dancers.
“I know someone who can teach us,” Virgie chimed in. She was a chameleon, showing promise at all fae skills and not specializing in anything. Today it appeared that she had chosen to join our dancers’ group.
“Who?” the first girl asked.
“Him.” Virgie stared in Thorsten’s direction.
A blush flooded my cheeks, and a shudder ran down my spine. Even my body wasn’t sure how to react to the Viking vampire.
“Mr. Steinberg?” Virgie asked sweetly.
Thorsten glanced up and headed toward us. I inhaled deeply, wishing I had gone to the infirmary and demanded a sick slip.
“Is there a problem?” His voice was cold as always. Well, besides yesterday when he had asked how I was. I stifled the stupid thought. I was imagining things.
“Not at all.” Virgie pushed her full chest out. “We understand that at vampire balls, the Viennese Waltz is a popular dance and were wondering if you could teach us.”
Thorsten’s jaw tightened, and I expected him to say no. “Of course,” he answered, seizing my uninjured hand as if I were an object on a shelf. I let out a yelp of surprise. “Onyx, you struggle the most, so I’m going to demonstrate with you. This way, hopefully, I won’t have to repeat the steps twice.” With that, he whirled me to face him.
No. Oh, my god. No. His wintry eyes, deep as the packed ice of a glacier, glared into my own. I tried to open my fingers against his hand. I’m not an object, I wanted to say as my skin tightened. Don’t touch me. I gritted my teeth, willing my face to remain stony as the rest of my body wanted to lean into him. “Your generosity has no bounds,” I hissed as Thorsten’s hand came around my shoulder while his other rested on my small back.
He stared at a point above my head as if remembering something. “The most important thing in the Viennese Waltz is to do proper half turns every three steps. Don’t be sloppy.”
He moved, and even though I had never learned the steps, I kept up. We fell into an easy rhythm, and since the twirling we did put enough distance between us and the others, I dared to whisper my question, “Why did you choose me?”
One corner of his mouth tugged upward before his lips returned to a firm line. “I thought I’d made that plenty clear.”
“You lied. I’m not the slowest, and you know it.”
Instead of replying, he brought us to an abrupt stop and released me. “Don’t stand around. Practice,” he snapped at the others before striding off to the teacher’s desk where Ms. Rutherford was talking to Kristen. Kristen was leaning forward, practically bouncing on her feet while Ms. Rutherford appeared to be suppressing a yawn.
Virgie sidled up to me. “What is it with you, Onyx?” She took a strand of my purple hair, examining it. “First, Preston. Now, Thorsten.”
I shook my head, pulse roaring in my ears. Should I be angry at her? Slap her right here? No, that would just get me in trouble. I didn’t want to see what sort of punishment Ms. Rutherford would dish out for fae who caused a scene. “It’s nothing.”
Virgie put her arm on my shoulder and slid her other one around my waist, mimicking the way Thorsten held me. “I don’t think so. Preston was drooling over you. Thorsten seems to hate-want you.”
I shook my head again. Hate-want? “You’re mistaken.” She was trying to gauge the situation. I let out a breath, my anger cooling. Having another set of eyes, an unbiased pair, could only help me figure out what Thorsten had in store.
Virgie twirled us in a circle. “Don’t lie to yourself. If I were you, I’d be very careful. Attention from a fae prince could result in a happy ending. But attention from a vampire…” She paused dramatically. “It won’t end well. If he wasn’t at school, he could take you as a courtesan, but those working here aren’t allowed such luxuries. If he deflowers you—”
“Enough,” I snapped, and Virgie let go of me, staring down at her hands that had turned blue. Cold. Wrinkled at the fingertips. I recognized the warning signs of impending frostbite.
I sucked in a breath and reeled in my magic. The other dancers glanced at us curiously.
“Why can’t they turn on the heater?” one complained, but Virgie was staring at me. I couldn’t read her expression. Had she put the pieces together?
“Miss Onyx,” Ms. Rutherford called, tearing me from one interrogation i
nto the next. On shaky feet, I moved toward the fae teacher, praying despite the unease in my stomach that she might be an ally and not an additional foe.
9
The world seemed to slow as I walked through the triplet room, past the art section and into the gardening section. As I approached her desk, the scent of fresh soil invaded my nostrils, as if Ms. Rutherford’s presence had amplified it.
I stopped at the front of her desk. She interlaced her long fingers and studied me. Immediately, my walls shot up. On her desk were a small cactus and a bonsai tree as well as a flute, a set of pencils, and a sketchpad. A mini-test. I gulped. While I’d read plenty of mangas before, drawing the complex characters had never been my strong suit. Neither was playing in a marching band, which I’d never attempted in my regular high school due to possible exposure.
To make the situation worse, Peony was standing off to the side of Ms. Rutherford’s desk. She had probably gone right before me.
“Show me your skills, Miss Onyx,” the teacher ordered, impatient.
“She might struggle,” Peony said. “You see, if there was such a thing as a black thumb, versus a green thumb, Onyx would have it.” She giggled like she was telling a simple joke, not threatening to expose me.
I bit in a retort. Peony was dangerously close to blowing my secret in front of Ms. Rutherford who like Preston was a powerful Summer Court fae. She had that pureblood atmosphere, untainted by generations spent struggling in the human world. She also carried an air that told me she didn’t mess around.
“Show your skills, please,” she ordered. “Make this cactus bloom.”
I didn’t know much about plants, but the tiny cactus on her desk looked nowhere big enough to bloom. The cold crept back into my fingers, and I struggled to hold it back. If Ms. Rutherford saw my ice, she’d tell the other staff, hoping for a bonus.
But maybe I’d be okay. Desert plants were supposed to be hardy and survive cold nights.
Swallowing, I lifted my hand above the cactus. “Grow,” I muttered.
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