23
Onyx
Shit. I had escaped Nocturnal Academy, but Vulthus and his cronies were closing in. If they caught up to me, they’d drag me back to his castle of torture in chains.
My legs threatened to give out.
No. I could not give up. Not now that I was on the outside.
Mei smiled and lunged at me from one side while the driver closed in from the other. My mind locked into survival mode. I ducked forward, doing what they expected the least. Muffled grunts sounded as they crashed into one another. I whirled as they both came to their senses and grasped the fence.
“Don’t exert yourself. Trust me, you’ll need your strength for Vulthus.” Mei grinned. Her eyes were reddish. She was hungry.
I gathered more ice, letting my full fury rise, and she watched me, ready to catch another attack, unaware that I could do more. The driver charged me, lifting his fist, and I dodged again, this time releasing a swarm of shimmering, buzzing bees.
The ice bees closed in from all sides, and the driver threw his hands around his face as did Mei.
I ran.
The bees wouldn't distract them for long.
Bursting into the hedge, I pushed myself into the leaves hid behind it. The rational part of me told me to run, run, but my knees locked, obeying some ancient animal instinct. Instead, I dropped, fighting against the body that wanted to betray me. I moved slowly, sheltered by the thick branches above, and just as I started to berate myself for how stupid I was, I saw it—a lawn. Beyond the hedge was a house without a fence surrounding it. A suburban home for a human family. The lights weren’t on. They weren't home or were sleeping. Maybe they had left the backdoor unlocked, and even if they didn’t, families like these always hid a spare set of keys underneath the front mat, didn’t they?
Yes, this was my salvation.
I glanced backward and when I didn’t find Mei nor the driver, I pushed up into a standing position and scurried toward the home.
I reached the house and the back door. Locked. I took a deep breath and reached underneath the mat. Nothing. I moved to the potted plants next, plunging my hands into flowers and leaves. Still no key.
“She couldn’t have gone far,” Mei’s voice carried over to me. They had broken away from the swarm. “Come out, little mouse.”
I cursed silently. No, no, I couldn’t let them get me, not when I had gotten so far. Desperately, I dug through the earth, trying to unearth a key even as the part of my brain that still worked told me it wouldn’t be there.
Sharp car brakes sounded and were followed by the slamming of doors. I couldn't see them around the house, but I knew the truth. More vamps had arrived. They would drag me back to Vulthus. I pushed at the door in desperation, considering breaking the window pane, but the noise would only draw attention to me, and the scent of my bleeding would create a trail for the vamps to follow.
My gaze wandered down and that’s when I spotted it. A cat door. Maybe even a door for a small dog. It was small, but not tiny. It could fit my head, and my torso, and my hips if I was careful. Or maybe it couldn’t, and I was delusional. But I had to try. I had to get inside.
I pushed the flap open, tears of relief shooting into my eyes when it gave and I stuck my arms, then my head inside. With a bit of wiggling and twisting I fitted my shoulder blades through as well. I could do this. Certainly, my hips weren’t wider than my shoulders.
I was so close, I could practically taste safety as I clawed at a linoeum floor and eyed a kitchen table. I began maneuvering my hips through the opening.
Something grabbed my legs.
Tugged.
I opened my mouth, but choked back my scream. Making a noise would only alert the other vampires. I had to kill this one and leave.
The stranger pulled again hard, and I let him, not wasting precious energy on fighting. When my back was fully lying on the grass, I struck the dark figure above. I flung my hands forward and shot ice daggers at him, breathing out frustration and rage. The stranger stiffened as both daggers struck his chest and shattered uselessly.
“Stop it, Onyx. You’re fine now.”
I blinked. The vamps didn’t call us by name when they were angry, and this tall, muscular man didn’t have fangs, but pointed ears. I recognized him. He had been standing next to Vulthus at the first outing. He was his friend, his bodyguard. Shit. A scream rose in my throat, and I opened my mouth, but the fae male was ready. He clamped his broad hand over my mouth. “Shut up. I’m getting you to safety.”
He was trying to lull me into a false sense of trust. But fae couldn't lie. Not a pureblood like him who crackled with magic. He was getting me to his safety, not mine.
I kicked and clawed at him, but he ignored me. “Don’t make me knock you out.” With a swift move, he produced a cloth and tied it around my mouth, then he heaved me over his shoulder as if I was a feather.
Yes. A pureblood. Just like Petra. I punched his back and kicked anything I could reach with all my might.
“Don’t make me knock you out,” he repeated with a growl, and this time, I went limp. Over his shoulder, I could do only minimal damage, and if he knocked me out, he could take me wherever. I needed to pretend to play along. At least this way, I’d see where he was taking me.
I let my breath calm. Mei and the driver were nowhere. This didn't make sense. This fae man wasn't carrying me back in the direction of Mei's vehicle, but through the yard to an adjacent street. He didn’t speak again, but simply walked me to a black car parked next to a suburban house. The door was open. He lowered me onto the seat, blocking my way out, and offered a nod. It was somehow reassuring. Then he untied the cloth around my mouth.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“I will tell you.”
That was helpful. I remained on the edge of the seat, determined to fight if this man tried anything. I eyed the front of his dark suit, watching his pose. “Are you taking me to Vulthus? A yes or no. No funny, vague answers.”
“No.”
“Are you taking me back to Nocturnal Academy? The Elites?”
“No.” Impatience grew and the air crackled with magic.
“So, the Summer Court, then.”
“Absolutely not! We need to go.”
He was not lying.
Something strange was going on. Forcing my heart to calm, I slid across the seat to allow the fae man to get in beside me. He did so with grace and class. This was stupid, trusting yet another person, but I had to get away from the area. Mei was out there and Vulthus was coming.
The driver in the front started up the engine. The windows were tinted and since it was night, I couldn’t see anything outside. Great, so much for my plan to see where he was taking me and commit the route to memory. I counted silently, determined to at least memorize the length of our journey and remember the turns we were taking. Then I sized up my opponent. The fae man sat quietly next to me. He hadn’t spoken once to his driver.
Was the driver a vamp? I couldn’t tell from the backseat. I was still unshackled, but the doors had clicked shut.
“Put on your seatbelt,” the fae said, and I obeyed, deciding that pleasing him might put him in a talkative mood.
“Where are you taking me?” I studied him, watching for any signs of lying.
His blue eyes met mine. “To my stronghold. Nobody knows where it is.”
Okay. Was that supposed to reassure me? “Are you planning to ask for a ransom to resell me to Vulthus?”
He gave a throaty laugh. “Why on earth would I do that?”
“Because you’re friends.” He shook his head. “Business partners?”
The male fae snorted. “Vulthus had his uses, but no more.”
I felt my forehead wrinkle. This fae male was admitting to using the king of sadists for his own agenda. Was he insane or even more ruthless than Vulthus? Finally, I asked the question I should’ve posed all along. “Take two. Who are you?”
The stranger’s blue eyes drilled into me. They
weren’t light like Thorsten’s. They were dark, cobalt blue. I had only seen this particular shade on one person before. I gulped. The stranger smiled. “I am King Olwen Vinter of the Winter Court. I am your father, Onyx.”
Savage Monarchs
Nocturnal Academy Book 4
1
Thorsten
With my hands behind my back and from my position against the wall, I counted the minutes that passed since Onyx had followed Kristen out of the ballroom. With so many other vampires around, many of whom had purchased fae at the bidding ball, I could only sneak glances at the clock. One minute. Two. Five passed. The longer the girls remained absent, the more hope grew in my chest.
I shouldn’t think of her, but I prayed that Onyx had mastered using glamour, an almost-lost fae talent in this world and escaped Nocturnal Academy. A feat I had failed to help her perform. Useless as I was, all I could do was hope that she’d moved on and never looked back. That our paths never met again. My jaw set at never again seeing the rebellious glint in her eyes, never again watching how she cleverly maneuvered her way out of a tricky situation, and never again witnessing the kindness she showed others.
I gritted my teeth, reminding myself that Onyx was better off on her own. I would only complicate things.
Ten minutes into my wait, the ballroom doors opened. I flinched and peeled myself from the wall where I stood on guard duty. Kristen strolled through the double doors in her bright blue, lacy dress, heading straight for Mei Wu. Every muscle in my body tensed. Kristen nodded and smiled as she spoke to her new master, verbally licking the soles of Mei’s shoes. She was so pathetic, it was hard to imagine that she might be Onyx, pretending to be Kristen through glamour.
I squinted and scanned the room, acting like I was monitoring the fae, in case any of them tried to dodge their fates. Most of them stood beside their new masters, meek and quiet. No one wanted to leave. Only the vampires chattered amongst themselves. Kristen, however, seemed to be in a hurry. She even yawned and eyed the door.
Yes. Onyx had taken her form. I had to believe that. What else did I have to hold onto now?
Kristen followed Mei out of the ballroom, glancing backward, and the head movement gave Onyx away. Those who didn’t know Onyx well wouldn’t have noticed the gesture. But I knew my girl. Shit, where the hell had that thought come from? Onyx was not my girl.
She glanced at her friend Lily. Lily was at a table, hiding her face in her hands, weeping. Onyx hesitated, which the real Kristen would’ve never done.
Onyx and Mei left the ball, letting the door swing shut behind them.
Goodbye. It was for the best...for both of us.
Relationships with fae were off limits for vampires, especially when one’s sire was Lord Griffin Steinberg. Feelings would only further tarnish my new family’s name and get me into deeper trouble.
I focused on the large clock hand in the middle of the wall as tension crawled into my shoulders. I brushed past two vampire men, pretending to patrol, while truly I was pacing. Half an hour past midnight. How long would it take for Mei to get the disguised Onyx out of Nocturnal Academy? And what was Onyx’s plan after they cleared the underground tunnels and gates? Would she fight the Hong Kong heiress and her driver? Could she win? She had to, and luck was on her side. Mei was the only Wu representing her family, and she was certain of Kristen’s loyalty and desperation. I doubted she would have guards in her car as she transported Onyx to wherever she was supposed to meet the Wus or a handler. Plus, Onyx, even though she was half fae, had magic. Powerful magic.
I threw a cautious side glance at Vulthus, the monster that had paid one million dollars for Onyx. He sipped wine, chatting with Stanley MacGregor and a woman I didn’t know. His side-combed dark hair shone under the chandelier. The other two vamps kept their distance as he talked with a nasty grin on his face. The self-satisfied bastard was probably describing the atrocities he planned to do to Onyx.
I wanted to tear out his throat even though he wouldn’t have her now. The monster didn’t just want to take her virginity, but wanted to decimate her soul until she was nothing more than a broken slave to add to his collection of victims. I gritted my teeth. I had almost let him get away with it. I hadn’t done enough to stop him. Yes, I had tried to get other vampires to bid on Onyx during the few times I had been able to leave Nocturnal Academy, but my attempts had been pathetically careful.
I turned away.
I was a coward.
Onyx didn’t need me.
“Excuse me,” a vampire woman snarled as she brushed past me, pulling a nervous fae girl behind her.
“My apologies.” I offered a little bow. I wasn’t paying attention.
A thought struck. Where was the real Kristen? What had Onyx done with her?
The darkness of worry rose in my chest. Onyx had killed before and if she did it again...I didn’t want to imagine what it would do to her inside. And if she hadn’t? That was worse. I itched to move, to search the school, to put Kristen somewhere she couldn’t be found easily, but I couldn’t leave the ballroom. It took everything I had to continue patrolling around the room. If I ignored my responsibilities, I would draw attention to myself and maybe even make Vulthus realize that Onyx had been missing for over twenty minutes.
Vulthus had moved to a table. He glared at the door. Then after scanning the ballroom, he snapped his fingers at another guard, who obeyed and stood beside him. I sidestepped over as if I were just watching the common vamps mingle on the other side of the room.
“Fetch me my property,” Vulthus said, looking down his crooked nose at the guard. I could barely hear over the chatter.
“Your property, Lord?” The guard tilted his head in a confused manner.
Vulthus gritted his teeth, and the guard flinched even though he had twice the muscle and several inches on Vulthus, but Vulthus had power and was a merciless psychopath. Even other vamps feared him. “The half fae I purchased for one million dollars. Onyx Logan.”
“Right, of course. I’ll be right back.” The guard scurried off and disappeared through the double ballroom doors.
The clock let out a chime, and Lady Cardinal strode to the center of the room and flashed a cold smile, whirling slowly to face everyone. “Dear patrons, thank you for attending Nocturnal Academy’s Bidding Ball. The festivities are hereby concluded. Please take home the fae you have purchased and don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions. Your support is greatly appreciated.”
Vampires pulled fae with them toward the doors. The ballroom slowly cleared as patrons said their goodbyes to friends. Several minutes passed. A couple of guards moved tables to the side to prepare for cleaning.
Vulthus advanced toward the headmistress. His shoulders rose and his nostrils flared as he probably explained that he hadn’t seen Onyx in a while. But in his eyes was a wicked gleam. He was looking forward to punishing Onyx. He hoped she messed up. A savage urge to tear out his heart swept over me.
I reminded myself that I could not move. Not yet.
Lady Cardinal’s forehead puckered, but before she had a chance to reply, the guard Vulthus had sent to fetch Onyx returned, pushing against the stragglers with panic gleaming in his eyes. He headed not for Vulthus, but for Lady Cardinal.
My chest tightened, and it felt as if my heart had stopped beating, but I kept my face stony. I couldn’t betray anything.
Headmistress Cardinal said something to the guard and motioned for four other guards to follow him. Tables dropped as they darted out of the ballroom. I shifted leg to leg, wishing I had been one of them so that I could’ve done something to slow them down.
A guard radioed something about the garage gates. I stepped forward and wove around the few remaining guests, unable to take it anymore.
I hoped that Onyx had already left, or she and Mei would not be getting out.
Headmistress Cardinal clapped her hands together as I swallowed. “Excuse me, dear guests, but I must ask you to stay for a while l
onger.” She poked her head out of the ballroom doors and repeated herself into the corridor. Chatter grew louder as guests returned. “We have a problem. Lord Vulthus’s property, Onyx Logan, seems to be missing. We have closed the gates to the underground garage. We must recover the half fae before we can open the gates to the awaiting cars in case she tries to flee.”
There were a few surprised murmurs. Partygoers looked at each other and many poked their heads back into the ballroom. Even some fae did the same. Lily lifted her head from her table, one of the few that hadn’t been collected yet, red eyes darting around the room with hope I knew she shouldn’t have. Nocturnal Academy was a fortress. Onyx would not come to the rescue for her again. No fae escaped unless he or she committed suicide or had been sold.
Kayden Orizo, a spoiled vamp next to whom fraternity guys would be described as polite and respectful, jabbed his twin Kassius in the ribs as the two re-entered the ballroom. “Things are about to get interesting.”
Kassius snickered. “Our feisty Onyx is going to give us the show of a lifetime.”
“What do you think Vulthus will do to her once he finds her? Throw her over his knee and spank her?”
Kassius snorted. “I’ll be disappointed if that’s all he does. I think at the very least he should pop her cherry in front of us, and then let us have some fun.”
I put my hands behind my back as my fists balled to the point of pain. I wanted to tear out their throats. The two laughed like idiots, and I had to move away before I punched their stupid faces to a pulp.
The other vamps weren’t quite as crude, but rumors were already flying.
“Maybe she killed herself. She could’ve hung herself from the top bunk.” Peony, a nasty fae who had it out for Onyx, twirled a curl around her finger, talking to a group of fae girls who nodded like puppets. She didn’t seem disturbed by her usual posse missing. Mei had left, Kristen was wherever Onyx had left her after she was done with her, and Virgie was at the side of my sire, Griffin Steinberg, who narrowed his gaze at me from the doorway.
The Nocturnal and Fae Prison Academy Boxset [A Complete Paranormal and Fantasy Series Boxset] Page 41
