On the far left, framed in dark green, the image of a nude matronly woman was painted amongst a vast forest. Her skin a rich sage color, and hair like vines twisted down into the ground.
Next to the earthy woman was a man framed in shimmering blue. He sat on a rock in the middle of a sea, sunlight across his bare chest and two fish-like tails. His skin was a pale color, similar to the morning sky, however the scales of his aquatic appendages shone in every hue.
On the far right, I had to squint my eyes to make out what looked like the silhouette of a tall, thin woman, her features indistinguishable. The dark red painting was framed in flat black and set with a single red stone.
To the left of the dark woman was a canvas with a frame so transparent, it was barely there at all. The female figure in the art was more a part of the swirling clouds than she was a solid form.
In the middle, surrounded by hundreds of burning candles and dripping wax, was the largest painting. Framed in blackened wood, the artist’s work portrayed a masculine figure, wreathed in white flame. I shivered as I noticed the two violet eyes of the dragon peering over his shoulder.
Tearing my gaze away from the display, I turned to face the vampire who had brought me here.
Atramen stood silently, hands clasped in front of his dark charcoal robe.
Why isn’t he saying anything? What the hell is going on here?
“I have not stolen you, Nyminia.” Atramen’s voice brought my mind swiftly back to earth. “We are still on your campus, simply somewhere private.”
Are we? I’ve never seen this place before.
“I remember a time when students flocked to this very chamber to learn what we knew of the gods.” Atramen stepped past me, and approached the raised dais where the paintings hung. “Now, they are simply regarded as a fairy tale. A fallacy.”
“You believe in these gods?” My voice sounded shaky.
Atramen faced me. “What I believe is of no consequence, it will not change or affect the events to come.”
I’m getting awfully tired of vague answers and know-it-alls who say nothing-at-all.
“Spare me the existential bull crap. What are we doing here.” There, that sounded a tad more confident.
Atramen’s laugh filled every nook and cranny. Thank god, or um, the gods, he thinks I’m funny.
“I can see why he’s so taken with you.” His lips curled back in a wide grin. “You and Marcus are very similar, in more ways than you know. We are here in this chapel because I want to make you a promise Nyminia, and a promise made on holy ground cannot be broken.”
I shifted, uncomfortable. Does he have to drill through me with those eyes?
“I, Atramen, seer of the storm, vow to keep your secret. I will tell no man, magic-kind, or supernatural being of your true identity. You, Nyminia, have nothing to fear from me.”
“Really? And what could you possibly have to gain from keeping my secret?
“Nothing. In fact, I have much to lose.”
“What?” I narrowed my eyes. “And you’re asking me to trust you?”
“No. I have seen glimpses of what is to come, and I know the part I will play.” Atraman smiled. “It doesn’t involve exposing you.”
“What exactly does this future look like?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“Fire.”
Atramen’s words sent a shiver down my spine and I glanced over my shoulder towards the door.
“You will be allowed to leave soon enough but first, we must deal with the matter at hand.”
Crap, that means–
Atramen snapped his fingers, and out of the darkness of the chamber a feminine figure manifested.
Camilla.
Her eyes tore through me, as if hoping to shred my body with her gaze alone.
“State the challenge.” Atramen’s voice echoed off the stone walls.
Camilla stepped towards me. “I Camilla, last of the Bonheur line, challenge the one who seeks to take my progeny, Marcus Saarinen. Hero of the longest night, and heir to the Shrouded Throne.”
Heir to the what now? Heat flashed through my veins.
Camilla threw me a toying smirk.
“Do you accept this challenge?” Atramen faced me.
I swallowed, doing my best to wet my throat. “I, Nyminia of–” Of what? What do I have? “–no family, accept the challenge.”
“Nyminia of no family, Camilla Bonheur, the weighing of the hearts shall take place this day. As the sun sets, come to me in the crypt beneath this chamber.” Atramen crossed his arms, looking at us intently with his milky white eyes. “I forbid you both from seeking out Marcus until it is done. Now, go.”
Camilla produced a half bow, turned on her heel, and disappeared into the blackness from which she had emerged moments prior.
Atramen stood silent, hands clasped behind his back.
Does he have any more to say? Should I say something?
Turning, I walked towards the door at the back of the dim room, relieved to feel the light of day pour over my skin as I yanked it open. Turning back as the heavy iron door closed with a clank, I noted the building I had emerged from was one of the dilapidated blue stone structures I had admired upon my arrival at RBU.
“You didn’t know, did you?” Camilla’s voice whispered behind me.
Twisting around, I felt flames flash deep in my gut. “Get lost, Camilla.”
She twisted a strand of hair around her finger. “You should have seen the look on your face. It’s always amused me how difficult it is for humans to hide their emotions.”
“What do you want.”
“How did you not know Marcus’s true identity?”
“I–”
“Actually, I don’t care.” Camilla’s eyes flashed as she advanced, her sudden change in demeanor catching me off guard. “What I really want to say is if you think you and that warm soft body of yours can take my prize away from me–” she threw her head back and laughed “–ahh, you are about to be sadly surprised.”
With a smile more similar to a snarl, Camilla grasped my shoulder, her supernaturally strong grip threatening to crush my flesh and bone. That’s enough. Without thinking, my fire rushed forth. The magic sizzled as it met the air, spilling from every pore.
Blinded by flame and anger, it wasn’t until the heat died that I saw Camilla had disappeared. Shaking, I looked down at the ring of black earth around me. Calm down Nyminia, calm down. My legs wobbled. Get a grip, you can’t just flame out like that.
A crackling sound overhead pulled me from my thoughts.
“Attention students, please return to your dorms.”
Is that Midwood’s voice?
The message sounded like it was coming from everywhere and nowhere, all at once. “This is an emergency, please remain in your rooms until further notice.”
It’s probably too optimistic to think this has nothing to do with me. I inhaled heavily, and smiled. Time to catch up with Rowan.
CHAPTER 18
BARE YOUR SOUL
“What the heck is going on! What happened last night? Kit and Cash showed up, I couldn’t get anything out of them other than you were staying at Marcus’s. And excuse me, you slept over at Marcus’s house? Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for you–”
“Ro! Please, take a breath.”
My friend crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the carpet. The early afternoon light flooded our clean bright space, making it particularly easy to see the look of annoyance on Rowan’s face. When I had arrived home her brothers were waiting, and securely tucked me away with a very inquisitive roommate.
They took off before I could find out what’s up, I’m happy to fill Rowan in but first...
“Did Kit and Cash say what’s going on out there?” I asked.
Rowan let out an exaggerated sigh. “For two wolves who hate keeping secrets, they have told me zilch.” She frowned. “Both of them were really shook up though, it’s obviously something bad.”
“I’m worried
it has something to do with me.” Like a dragon is attacking the school, or a crazy vampire lady on the loose.
“You?” Rowan cocked her head to the side.
“Um, yeah. There’s a few things I need to tell you.”
I explained everything to Rowan, the true sacrifice, the acceptance of the fate-pairing, the weighing of the hearts, my encounter with Atramen, and my embarrassing story about Caleb.
Rowan’s eyes glazed over as she sunk down onto her bed, silent.
Please please please don’t be too freaked out.
Another moment of silence passed. Maybe that was too much to share, too much pressure on our friendsh–
“I can’t believe how horribly the headmistress has handled this.” Rowan frowned.
“Sorry?”
“You said Marcus was taking over campus security, starting today right?” I nodded, and Rowan sighed in relief. “Midwood is supposed to be protecting you, and instead you’ve been in mortal danger almost the entire time.” Rowan stood and strode over to the window, crossing her arms. “I understand why you didn’t tell me at the start, that was smart. But Nym–” Ro faced me “–I’m glad you’ve told me now. I promise, I’ll do anything I can to help.”
This must be what it’s like to have a sister. Crossing the room to Rowan I hugged her tight, and she returned the gesture with her signature crushing embrace.
“Alright,” she said, releasing me, “so we don’t know what’s going on today, but there is a fair bet it has something to do with you.”
“Could it just be the fact that both Atramen and Camilla were on campus today?”
“Maybe.” Rowan answered. “But my gut tells me that it’s something more than a couple of unauthorized visitors. What about this Caleb guy? Do you have a photo of him?”
I grimaced, heat rising in my face. “I did, but when I reverse searched it the other day I found it on a stock photo site.”
Rowan rubbed my shoulder. “Hey don’t beat yourself up. Does he have a photo of you?”
I shook my head.
“You never sent him a photo?” She asked, eyebrow raised.
Please god, strike me dead now. “No, I didn’t have a phone or camera or anything.”
Rowan turned to look out the window, obviously pondering something.
“I suppose it’s safest to stay put for now,” I said. “ But I do have to get through the weighing tonight.” Cross campus at night during lock-down to have my soul temporarily removed from my body. What could go wrong?
Rowan spun around. “This Camilla chick, do you want me and the twins to beat her up? I reckon between the three of us we could probably take her.”
She sounds so serious! And the mental image of my werewolf friends ruining Camilla’s day is fantastic. I giggled. “No it’s ok, Ro. I don’t want you getting hurt. Besides, I’m sure I’ll, um, win, tonight. Hopefully.” Great show of confidence Nyminia!
Rowan playfully punched my shoulder. “You’ll do fine, I believe in you. And I’m sure Marcus does too.” She winked, heat flushed my cheeks. “Hopefully, whatever’s going on blows over soon, but if it hasn’t, I’ll escort you to the old chapel myself.”
A loud voice in the hallway drew my attention. With a quick look and silent understanding, both Rowan and I slid to our door and opened it a sliver.
“Please speak quietly, Cash, I don’t want to alert the students.” Midwood’s voice was clearly recognizable.
“Apologies, Headmistress, but you’ve got to be kidding me. I mean the evidence is there, it’s just insane.”
“But Nyminia is here, in her room correct?”
“Yes, she’s with Rowan right now.”
“That’s all that matters, she’ll need to remain here and stay safe.”
Rowan and I exchanged a glance and opened the door a little wider.
“Did you have something else to say, Cash?” Midwood’s voice was an octave higher than usual.
“Yes, Marcus is waiting to speak with you in your office regarding the changes he’s making to campus security.”
“Ah, of course he is. Would you mind collecting your brother and meeting me there?”
Cash produced a low grunt in response.
As the sound of their footsteps down the staircase faded, Rowan and I made a move to close the door, and found ourselves unable. Instead it swung towards us, pushed open by a wide eyed Farsky.
“Ladies, you’re safe.”
“Um, yes,” I said, reaching for the doorknob in an attempt to shut out this vision of teeth and slicked back hair.
“You weren’t just leaving, were you?” Farsky asked.
The way he eyed me made my stomach churn.
“No, thanks for checking in on us though,” Rowan said, reaching for the door as well.
Farsky’s hand flew up, preventing our efforts to retreat. “Rowan, would you mind waiting in the common room while I speak to Nyminia alone?”
I looked at his hand on the door and his foot across the threshold. If you think I’m going to agree to hanging out alone with doctor weirdo, you’re dreaming. “Anything you have to talk to me about, you can say in front of Rowan.”
Farsky inched forward, moving his other foot into my domain, and Rowan crossed her arms. I could actually see the fine hairs bristling on the back of her neck.
“I’m afraid this is a rather private matter, it would be best if we spoke alone.”
“If Nym doesn’t want me to leave, then I’m not leaving,” Rowan said, her eye shape becoming more wolfish in appearance.
“Of course,” Farsky said as he drew his free hand out of his pocket.
What’s he holding?
Farsky snapped the dark glass vial, and the thick red liquid within it pooled in his palm. Stray droplets fell, and before I could make a move to do anything at all, Farsky smashed his hand into our white wall. The scent of copper stung my nostrils and a wave of energy hit me square between the eyes.
He’s attacking us? Man, I promised myself I’d avoid burning down our room.
The doctor hummed as he wiped the blood off his hands with a grey cloth, barely acknowledging me as I dug deep into myself to bring forth the flame. Alright, a flamethrower type thing could work well here, all I have to do is imagine it, right? Something was preventing me from reaching my inner fire, and a glance at Rowan made my blood run cold. What’s happening? My friend stood frozen in a wide stance, mouth open and elongated canines partially descended. Her thick red coat had sprung up her neck and down her arms, but it was as if she was on pause, stuck in a second of time. Okay, I’m in serious trouble.
“I can’t believe you made me do that.” Farsky tucked away his stained rag. “You have no idea how long it took me to craft that spell, it’ll be weeks before I’m able to make another like it.” He sighed, sounding more annoyed than angry.
I blinked. “Doctor, what the hell have you done?”
“She wasn’t going to leave you alone, and I need to talk to you. Just you.”
I glared at him.
“Rowan will be fine.” He snorted. “That was a very particular repression spell. You see, it’s temporarily frozen the werewolf mid-transition with the added bonus of suppressing your own magical ability.” Farsky chuckled and smiled.
He’s quite proud of himself. “Blood magic,” I stated. “Who’s blood?”
“A little of this a little of that, it doesn’t really matter.” Farsky crossed his arms. “All from willing donors, of course. I don’t steal life blood like certain despicable creatures.”
Are you certain you’re not despicable yourself? “Alright, Doctor, what do you want?”
“I came to warn you about Midwood.”
“What?”
“You can trust me, Starling, and even the wolf if you must, but do not trust Midwood. The old bat has let religion go to her head, and I fear it will cost you.”
“We’re talking about trust right now? You just barged into my room, suppressed my magic, and put my best friend on p
ause. How, in your brain, does that translate to me trusting you, and whatever it is you have to say?”
“Can’t you see? I am protecting your friend. If she heard what I have to tell you, it could mean her death.”
“What?”
“I mean that if things go too far, if they get out of hand, I believe Midwood plans to kill you herself. If Rowan heard that, do you think she would wait idle? Or do you think she would confront one of the most powerful ethereal mages of our time?”
My body felt icy and numb. Midwood isn’t going to kill anyone, that’s just not possible. “Why would Midwood hurt me? Isn’t that against her whole belief system?”
Farsky crossed the room, closing the distance between us. “Her prime, holy goal, is to stop the return of the dragons. If she is unable to protect you, make no mistake, she will kill you. A reincarnated infant a thousand miles away is better than a sacrifice made.”
My head reeled. That can’t be true, can it? “Why do you care? What’s in it for you, to keep me alive?”
Farsky smiled softly. “You are a beautiful, shining piece of history. The product of the most complex spell ever created. Why should that be destroyed when the creatures who would benefit are more than likely extinct?” Reaching out, he brushed my hair away from my face, taking no notice as I flinched. “Besides, haven’t you noticed?”
“Noticed?”
Farsky sighed. “The similarities between you and I. It’s obvious.” He advanced as I recoiled. “It’s natural that you would try to deny it, particularly given our differences of opinions on some matters.”
You mean how you’re a total racist?
“However,” he whispered. “I think our souls are more alike than you know.” Reaching out, Farsky attempted to take my hand in his.
“Let’s stop right there,” I said, snatching my hand away. “I think it’s time for you to go.”
“You can’t say you don’t feel it too. A sense of loneliness, a sense of needing someone–”
“I have someone.” My words cut his sentence short, and the look on Farsky’s face was as if I had shredded his flesh as well. Now, take a hint and get lost.
“You have someone?” Farsky’s eyes flicked back and forth, as if searching the room for my invisible lover.
Of Flesh and Fire - Book I: Everything Will Burn Page 15
