Academy of Falling Kingdoms Box Set

by Marisa Mills

  “This is likely a stylistic choice,” Gareth said. “If you’re very good at sigils, you know ways to stretch and tweak the original designs without sacrificing the integrity of the magic. Now, as for this—”

  Gareth drew out the additional lines over the star he’d made, so it looked more like Dorian’s actual sigil.

  “This looks like a modification. You have basic sigils, and then, you have modifications, which are a little trickier. They’re sigils that can mean multiple things depending on how you put them together, and they’re really only something that very skilled sigils mages use. Unless you decide specifically to concentrate your studies in sigils, you’ll likely never study any modifications.”

  I frowned. Based on my subpar skills in drawing sigils, I probably wouldn’t be doing that any time soon. Still, maybe if I understood the sigil, I could learn what Dorian was so worried about.

  “We actually have three different sigils here,” Gareth said, drawing out the individual pieces, “if you combined these, I think what you’d actually be creating is a sigil that prevents…well, it’s an unusual phrasing. Our system of sigils and those of other kingdoms aren’t exactly the same, and it looks like this sigil has bits of another system in it. I have passing familiarity with Aubade’s system of sigils, and I think that’s what it is. I suppose the exact word would be contaminants.”

  “Contaminants?” I asked.

  “It’s more like…malignant things,” Gareth said, continuing to draw over the sigil. “I imagine it would work to prevent demonic possession, but this sigil could protect against other things as well.”

  Like poison, Lucian said. Gareth blinked, but didn’t respond. I wondered if he could hear Lucian as clearly as I could.

  “Or the spell Celeste used to control Viviane?”

  Gareth furrowed his brow. “Potentially,” he said slowly. “Maybe curses, too. However, I don’t think this sigil was created with that in mind. I think it’s more likely that this is meant to protect Dorian from infections or potentially sickness. Perhaps, adulterations.”

  “Adulterations?”

  “There’s a practice of contaminating fruit with some terrible substances—like lead, for example—to improve the color and sell it better,” Gareth said. “It’s common in poorer regions of the Lower Realms and Reverie. Since Dorian traveled often in his youth, it makes sense that Gwen would design a sigil to protect him from such things. Or perhaps,” he said lowering his voice, “she was worried about the demons she and Nick were releasing, and afraid some might come back to take revenge on the Rosewood family. That would explain why they went so far to free them.”

  “My mother made this?” I asked, running my fingertips over the rough paper.

  “I can tell by the style,” Gareth smiled wistfully. “Gwen really liked adding more…fanciful details to her sigils. She liked to make little curves and diamonds in them. I wasn’t as close to her as I was to Nick, but after I took that teaching position in Selene, she did sometimes send me sigils to look over,” Gareth replied. “But this is very impressive work. Battle-mages often tattoo themselves as a rite of passage after mastering their primary element, and sigils preventing possession are fairly common among the older families.”

  “Even though most mages are never possessed by demons,” I said.

  “Exactly. My guess is, it used to be required for the mages who would go to war as demon-hunters, exploring the dimensions for new sources of power. Over the centuries, it’s become more symbolic than pragmatic. Gwen took a traditional, functionally useless sigil and made it into something with—it appears—truly impressive protective qualities.”

  I sighed, picking up my notebook and stuffing it into my leather satchel.

  “My mother was making clever things like this, and I can barely draw basic sigils without burning down the Academy,” I said ruefully.

  “It takes a long time to master sigils,” Gareth said, flipping his pen between his fingers.

  That pen held Elaine, who—like Lucian—could come and go as she pleased.

  “Did Elaine help you figure them out?”

  “We learned them together,” Gareth said, his eyes darting nervously towards the door. He was right to be afraid. If she were found out, he’d lose more than his position. Elaine could end up trapped in some useless tech for lazy mages.

  I thought of the demons trapped in the chamber beneath Reverie, keeping the mage-kingdom in the sky, and shuddered. If Celeste had succeeded, the whole kingdom would have fallen, smashing the Lower Realms beneath it. The chamber was sealed again, but only the king had the key, and unless we took action soon, the old tech would falter. Even if we could convince the mages to give up their magical objects and ground Reverie, we’d be sitting ducks for an invasion from Aubade. One way or another, I couldn’t see a way to free the demons without destroying Reverie, and everyone within it.

  “Professor,” I said, pushing my fingernails into the palm of my hand. “What are we going to do?”

  “I don’t know if there’s anything we can do, Wynter. Believe me, I’ve tried. Nick tried, too. He wanted a systemic evacuation of Reverie and the Lower Realms, something slow and calculated. But I don’t foresee anyone agreeing with such a plan. At least, not now that everyone is so focused on Aubade. You and I shouldn’t even be discussing this. You’ve stumbled upon very forbidden information. And remember, you’d not just asking mages to free their demons; you’re asking them to give up their source of power, and their way of life. Some men would rather die for the way things are, than relinquish control and risk everything for a better future.”

  My shoulders slumped. “I know,” I said.

  Gareth squeezed my hand. “But you young people are clever. Maybe you’ll find a solution I’ve been missing. I have to go, Wynter. I’ve got another class.”

  “Right,” I said. “Thank you, Professor.”

  “Any time,” Gareth replied. “I’m always happy to find someone genuinely interested in my work.” He reached for a knotted scarf, with intricate blue and green stitchwork.

  It’s not that cold outside, Lucian murmured.

  I traced over the lines of my mother’s sigil one more time and headed into the arched hallways and down past a row of marble statues and green potted plants. Gwen and Nick would’ve figured this all out. My heart ached. They had figured this all out. Nick had found a solution, and now, both he and Gwen were dead. At least, I thought they were. According to Celeste, Nick had returned from his studies after Gwen’s death.

  I clutched my jacket tighter as a bitter wind made me shiver. My attempts at finding Nick’s journal at Rosewood Manor hadn’t gone so well. I could try again on the weekend, but I didn’t want to wait that long. If Celeste did still have contacts in Reverie, none of us were out of danger.

  The only silver lining was that only my blood could unlock the demon chamber, so there was no way someone could open it again without my knowledge. After our last encounter with Celeste, however, the decorative sword I carried no longer felt like enough to protect my friends. It had taken five of us, and a demon, to defeat her last time, and Alexander had barely survived.

  But maybe if I went through Nick’s notes again, I’d find a way to recreate the charm he’d made for my mother, or the protective sigil my mother made for Dorian. It would mean a trip back to Oberon’s bookshop, but it was better than doing nothing. Besides, there was no way I could concentrate on homework when all our lives could be at risk.

  Four

  THE AFTERNOON BROUGHT SOFT, DRIZZLING rain and wet, uncomfortable heat. Already, Tatiana’s long, red curls had soaked up the humidity, so her head looked as if it was surrounded by red brambles. I felt a sharp longing for Briar. His thick, blond hair was equally untamable, nearly magic in its ability to fight gravity.

  We’d been warned not to wander from the Academy, but students weren’t explicitly forbidden to leave campus. However, I knew Kit was keeping me on a short leash, so
I snuck through the woods and climbed over the back gate. I had to tug the sleeve of my cloak away from a patch of blackberry thorns, but scaling the wrought-iron fence surrounding the school was easy enough.

  Tatiana’s green eyes glowed as I dropped down on the other side of the fence, straightening my clothes.

  “Ready?” she asked, picking a leaf out of my hair.

  “You aren’t taking a parasol, Tati?” Viviane asked.

  “You’re welcome to share mine,” Jessa said, popping hers open.

  Tatiana shook her head. “I’ve heard the rain is good for my complexion,” she said brightly, “and besides, I don’t mind the damp.”

  It was barely raining, but the colored umbrellas would help keep us hidden on the crowded streets of Reverie. I’d never even used a parasol—in the Scraps, when it rained we got wet—but I pulled the hood of my cloak up, hiding my face under the delicate lace trim.

  We gave the school entrance a wide birth, to avoid the row of royal guards flanking the entrance. A slash of red fabric cut through their dark uniforms, and the darkened skies somehow seemed to enhance the gleam of the swords hanging from their belts. I was so distracted, I jumped when someone grabbed my arm.

  Alexander smirked at me, and I punched him in the chest.

  “You nearly gave me a heart attack,” I said. “How did you even find us?”

  “You’re not nearly as sneaky as you think you are. Wherever you’re headed, I’m going with you.” Alexander said, rocking back on his heels. “Kit is suffocating me. I’m in the mood for an adventure.”

  “What if you’re being followed?” Viviane asked.

  “I’ve been dodging these armored ninnies all my life,” Alexander said, cocking an eyebrow. “And they still haven’t learned half of my tricks.”

  “We’re heading to my father’s,” Tatiana said.

  “Maybe there’s something else about Nick,” I explained. “Something we missed.”

  Alexander shrugged, then set a brisk pace across the wide, central plaza, dotted with gold pillars of flying angels. Despite the inclement weather, flowers filled the air with soft, delicate scents. I let myself relax, appreciating the beauty of the city, until I saw a pair of guards patrolling the crystal and iron entranceway of a stone manor. I felt a sharp, instinctive jolt of fear and pulled my hood down so low I could barely see. I held my breath until we passed them. I wondered if they’d recognize me, or if Kit had told the whole royal army to keep an eye on me.

  “My father is very excited about seeing everyone again,” Tatiana said. “He can’t stop asking questions about what we saw in the lower chambers, and he never seems satisfied by my answers.”

  “Great,” Viviane said. “It’s been a few days since I was properly interrogated.”

  “We’re the only people who knows he’s not crazy,” Jessa said. “And that Reverie really is falling from the sky. I can appreciate his eagerness. It’s not like he has anyone else to talk to. Other than Tati of course.”

  As we approached the forum, I felt sick to my stomach. The marble platform was cracked and splintered, like it had aged a century in only a few days. Piles of glass and fractured crystal lined the street. Tall, noble columns, carved into the shape of men holding a marble arch, were lined with chunks of blue lapiz lazuri. Even the buildings surrounding the forum had broken windows, covered with hastily nailed pieces of wood. It was hard to believe I’d caused so much damage. No one glanced at us as we passed, but I still wanted to shrink back and duck into the building behind me. I felt like a criminal returning to the scene of a crime, and wished I could disappear into my own shadow as easily as Lucian could.

  “I wonder if your father has any notes on how Nick made that charm,” Alexander said. His eyes lingered on a pair of winged lion statues that guarded the wide entrance to the Council’s headquarters. Red gemstones had been placed over their eyes, giving the illusion that they were tracking our progress.

  “You’d want to be able to do all this?” I asked quietly, nodding at the dark crack that spread like a plague over the outer wall.

  “No,” Alexander replied. “But I’d like to speak to Lucian. And others like him.”

  So he can enslave us, Lucian hissed, and control us. Just like his father.

  I bit my lip but didn’t respond. Alexander had already disobeyed his father to rescue me, but he’d also jeweled the demons Celeste had freed in order to protect Reverie. He promised to release them again, someday, but who knew if that day would ever come. A war with Aubade could last decades, and according to Oberon, we didn’t have anywhere near that long. I wondered what Alexander would do if he was truly forced to make a choice, between Lucian’s people and his.

  We were nearly past the forum when a broken window caught my reflection and that of the street behind me. A shadow stretched over the silvery street, licking the damp stones. I turned sharply, glancing over my shoulder, but it had already vanished.

  “You saw it, too?” Viviane asked quietly.

  “Saw what?” Jessa asked.

  “There’s someone following us,” Viviane replied.

  “Probably one of my father’s guards,” Alexander said. “Let’s lose them.”

  “Is that wise?” Jessa asked. “I mean, they are here to protect you after all.”

  Alexander rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to be followed around like some kind of criminal,” he said. “None of us should be. Let’s split up. We can loop back and catch up at Tatti’s.”

  Viviane crossed her arms. “Or we could just let your father’s men follow us around. We’re just going to a bookshop. It isn’t as if we’re meeting with agents from Aubade.”

  “Revolution always begins with a bookshop,” Alexander smiled, wiggling his eyebrows. “There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”

  “What are you talking about,” Viviane said.

  “It’s a quote I like. I read it in a book once.”

  “Of course you did,” she said, rolling her eyes at him.

  “Wynter and I will go right; you all go left. My brothers and I evaded the guards this way all the time.”

  Viviane pinched the bridge of her nose. “Fine,” she said. “Whatever.”

  She stormed away into the side street on our left.

  “I’ll see you in a bit,” Tatiana said.

  Jessa looked hesitant, but followed. I watched her limp until she caught up with the others. Alexander offered me his arm. I took it and let him guide me into a narrow alley to the right.

  “Are you sure this is the best idea?” I asked. “Can’t you just talk to Kit to give you more space? He’s your brother, after all.”

  “Kit might not like everything Father does, but he won’t openly rebel against my father.” Alexander said. “He’s been different, since your trial. He’s always been skilled at magic, but I don’t think he’s ever been asked to torture anyone before.”

  “What happened to her?” I asked. “The girl from the forum?”

  “Sent back to the Scraps, I imagine,” Alexander said, using my term for the impoverished regions bordering the mage trash-heap of the Dregs. I couldn’t help imagining that Autumn and I had shared similar upbringings. If not for fortune, I could have easily ended up to the same fate: blinded and silenced by mage justice.

  “I can talk and argue until I’m blue in the face,” Alexander continued, “but it won’t do any good. I can, however, show that I’m displeased with sarcastic witticisms.”

  “That’s something, at least,” I smiled bitterly. Maybe he could get away with voicing his displeasure, but I needed to be on my best behavior. If I wasn’t careful, I could still end up just like Autumn, despite my recently discovered noble heritage.

  “Besides,” Alexander replied, “this means I finally get to be alone with you.”

  Lucian growled, even though Alexander couldn’t hear him. I turned away as my cheeks warmed. Was this all just a set
up to get me alone?

  “I feel like I haven’t really gotten to see you in a while,” Alexander said, slowing his steps. I wondered if he was thinking of our kiss by the lake, before the demon attack that fractured Jessa’s spine, or the one I’d given him after he rescued me from the forum, just before we fought Celeste. It almost seemed impossible for us to be together without some kind of dramatic interruption, as if fate were determined to drive us apart,

  Alexander’s hand slipped from my forearm and down to my wrist. When his thumb stroked the underside of my wrist, a warm shiver ran over my skin.

  “I wanted to…well, I suppose I’m a bit jealous. It isn’t fair that everyone else gets your time now.”

  “You’ll have to learn to share,” I said, taking a step closer to him.

  “Will I?” Alexander asked.

  Yes, Lucian said.

  Alexander’s hand slipped into mine, sending my heart racing as our fingers crossed.

  It’s just a hand, Lucian deadpanned. It isn’t that great.

  But it was.

  I’d rather listen to your horrifying thoughts about the nobleman than I would your attachment to this prince.

  Alexander wasn’t that bad. Quite the contrary, actually.

  Lucian sounded like he was gagging.

  “So what do you say we try this again,” Alexander said, lowering his voice, “is—”

  He lifted my chin and I leaned up to kiss him, cutting off his words with my mouth. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. I felt dizzy and lightheaded as I pulled away, and when I opened my eyes again, the world was spinning.

  But it wasn’t just me. The ground lurched sharply and I stumbled forward. Alexander lost his grip on me and leaned against the wall for support, his eyes opening wide as the rocking continued. We’d experienced quakes before, but they rarely lasted more than a few moments.