Cadence of Ciar (The Fate Caller Series Book 1)

by Zoe Parker

  And my lady-parts.

  Ciar’s jaw clenches as his nostrils flare, he smells my reaction. I smile up at him innocently and wait for the music to start. A slow smile spreads over his face and my confidence wavers, fudge.

  As the music starts he begins to hum, then he begins to move us. As his voice strengthens, it tugs at that new part of me, the magical part, and despite my best effort to stop it my mouth opens, and my hummed notes join his.

  Gods bless it Ciar.

  As our song blossoms into words and our movements speed up, the word fades away. Magic is thick between us but there’s something that’s always been there. So solid that no matter how big of a dick he is I care for him.

  Exhaling the last bits of reluctance that really, I shouldn’t be feeling anyway, I free myself and our song changes. Smiling down at me he pulls me closer and I feel his magic touch my skin. Oh, the dark lord is coming out to play.

  The teacher clearing her throat loudly, breaks the beautiful bubble of magic, glitter showers down around us and I can’t help but give her a bit of a dirty look. I’m at least subtle, Ciar looks at her like he wants to rip her head off.

  “Yes?” He’s using that tone I hate but love to hear him use on other people. I cough to hide a laugh.

  “You two were getting a bit carried away. This is a practice not a performance.” Ciar tugs me to his side and refuses to let go of my hand, no matter how I wiggle it. Giving up, I stand there and stare at the teacher staring at him.

  “So?” That one word carries a warning in it.

  “You don’t dance like that with your sister,” she hisses out.

  “Why does everyone make the incorrect assumption that you’re my sister?” he asks, turning to look at me. I shrug.

  “You share the same last name,” the teacher answers.

  “So? Lots of clans all have the same last name.” I explain.

  “He’s a pureblood.” Ciar laughs at her response. Yes, he’s a pureblood but way purer than the Selkie he’s pretending to be.

  “Idiot.”

  “What did you call me young man?” She steps forward, her finger poking him in the chest. Uh-oh. “I can have you expelled and you will be forced to work a mundane job the rest of your life.” At these words his eyes narrow.

  Double uh-oh. It occurs to me that I should try to help her save herself, but it also occurs to me that she’s foolish enough to think she has control over anything in his life. In any of our lives. With her threat she’s saying that if you do something to piss her off she can control where you go in life.

  That’s not very nice.

  Leaning down close to her face he repeats, “Idiot.” Then he steps back from her and pulling me to the seats, placed around the room in a half-moon shape setting. I sit next to him, my gaze flitting back and forth.

  Right now, she’s standing there sputtering, the rest of the class is staring at her now too, some in anger. The Fae in our class aren’t happy about her proclamation. The moment she realizes this she clears her throat and turns away from Ciar, but not before giving him the stink eye.

  “All right, let’s change things around, I have decided that we will switch partners around. It will—”

  Ciar focuses his gaze on her and his magic leaves him in a small targeted wave. “You will not.”

  For two seconds her face goes slack and then she smiles all the previous anger gone, “You know what, that will make things too hard for you. Instead, let’s plan to share your projects at the Mixer next month.”

  “Now,” she continues, “make sure you’re dressed appropriately, ladies and gentlemen. Rumor says there will be several Aristocrats there.” She says it with such glee, like we should all be excited or something.

  I’m not.

  Basically, their little Mixer is a way for the rich and royal to come and take a gander at the livestock. Do they get paid for the ‘students’, auctioning us off like property? Considering the expensive tastes of the things in the Headmaster’s office, there’s a good chance they are.

  Things like this give my assumptions more substance.

  ‘No comment about my manipulation of her to keep us partners?’

  ‘Uh, no. I don’t want to dance with anyone else.’ Raising my eyebrow at him I wait for a further explanation. Is he asking me why I didn’t react to his high-handed behavior? A smile twitches my lips as I fight to keep it hidden.

  ‘Ah, there it is. You allowed me to get away with it, unscathed, simply because it’s something you wanted?’ I shrug, in a nutshell, yes.

  “Miss Nightshade, you and Mister Nightshade will go last. This way the brighter lights shall shine first.” I shrug at her.

  Bitter much? Mrs. Cobbleson is a bit dramatic and if one goes by the dirty looks some of the other Fae are throwing at her occasionally, potentially not much longer in this job. The thing about human arrogance is that some Fae have way more.

  Knowing these things—and the whole not caring thing—makes me ignore the slight she’s trying to give us. This Menagerie is not an important place to me, and although I can respect others feeling that way about it I won’t let my life be impacted by something petty or someone trying to hold over me their perceived control in my life.

  I realize now I’m here for three reasons and one of them is sitting next to me. Once the other two find their way here, I won’t need to stay here anymore.

  ‘Does this mean you’re ready?’

  Looking over at him, the smile I fought earlier slips free. Tempered with a bit of apology. ‘Maybe.’

  “Miss Nightshade, if you are unable to acquire an appropriate dress by then, I’m sure the school might have some used ones from previous students.” Mrs. Cobbleson’s snide comment knocks the smile right off my face.

  “We’re from the Dark Forgetful Forest, do you think to insult the Elder who rules there by insinuating that she would send us here without adequate provisions?” Ciar’s words are so cold I’m surprised icicles didn’t form on the woman’s nose.

  This is the point where a lot of independent women like myself would bite his head off for treating her like a damsel in distress. Nope, it’s pretty darn hot of him to stick up for me. It’s his nature he can’t help himself. It doesn’t mean he thinks I’m incapable, he taught me to be strong after all. He’s just protective of those he cares about and it’s something I admire in him.

  It’s okay to let a man be a man sometimes and still hold onto your feminine power.

  Ciar breaks out in a laugh and Mrs. Cobbleson jumps like a startled cat.

  ‘Mada taught you well, monster girl.’

  ‘Yeah, but don’t always think it’ll be this way.’

  ‘Oh, I look forward to seeing those moments, too.’ There’s a promise in those purred words. So, like the intelligent, independent woman I am most of the time I throw down the gauntlet.

  ‘Some of those moments require nudity.’ The muscles in his legs tense, as if he is fighting himself to stay seated. Smiling, I bat my lashes in an overly dramatic flirt.

  My teasing, because I am being a tease, has his sex drive on full throttle. The fact that he has managed to not cave-man style toss me over his shoulder and carry me off to ravage me, shows the strength of his self-control.

  Fae are sexual by nature but not ruled by it we’re simply accepting of it. Ciar is darker than some so his desires run deeper. The fact that I bonded with him and that there’s a potent attraction between us that’s not related to magic at all, is pushing him into Rut.

  In our world it’s not just the females who go into heat. It’s Faerie’s way of keeping the various species breeding as much as possible because it’s so hard to conceive. Rut for males last twenty-four hours, thankfully. I can’t imagine it lasting longer, that would be painful for all involved. Heat for females last two to three days.

  We don’t menstruate like humans, we ovulate only when we Heat—something I’m thankful for. I can’t imagine the bother of bleeding every month and having the hormon
es and moods fluctuate with such frequency. Heat is bad enough and dangerous, especially for the female’s lover. Violence is a common, sometimes uncontrollable, side-effect.

  The thought of going through that once a month is awful.

  In my case, I don’t want children anytime soon, if ever, and because of this I take precautions for my Heat, magical ones that Mada gave me. She’s of the same belief as me, Fae children are a blessing but should only be had by those who want them or are ready for them.

  I’m in the ‘neither’ boat right now.

  ‘Strange thoughts to have, monster girl,’ Ciar muses, lightly pushing his shoulder against mine.

  ‘While I was zoned out did I miss anything?’ I realize Mrs. Cobbleson is still talking, but I have no idea what it’s about.

  ‘You know they have Fairy dressmakers in town.’ He says it very flippantly while looking at me out the corner of his eye. Fairy dressmakers? The butt head is taking advantage of my fascination with Fairies… and dresses.

  ‘Oh, uh,' there is no way for me not to sound excited about this, ‘how long do you think the wait time is?’ My foot starts to bounce in excitement.

  ‘I imagine since you’re a favorite of Fairies that the wait won’t be long at all.’ I roll my eyes at him. I’m not a favorite of Fairies, I’m just good at making friends with them.

  Ciar snorts and bumps me with his knee, pointing towards the teacher.

  “Today I want to evaluate your musical abilities. Several elite houses employ musicians on a full-time basis. Miss Nightshade you can go first, pick your instrument.”

  I clearly remember putting on the application for this class that I don’t play any instruments… unless—I stretch out my right arm, the one with the Conduit bracelet on it.

  Trails of blue climb down my arm to materialize into the form of the violin in my hand. Looking at the shock on her face, I keep the smile of triumph off mine and place the violin under my chin. As my hand hovers over the string the bow appears, and I gently stroke it across them.

  Looking past the teacher to the far corner I take a deep breath. Yes, the Conduit helps me play but I think music is now a part of me too. As the first notes fill the air the large potted plant in the corner shivers. Frowning I keep playing but walk closer.

  An odd feeling fills me… and then the plant is gone.

  What the fudge?

  ‘Keep playing, all is well.’ Ciar reassures me and this time I listen. I trust him with my life why not the weirdness of a plant?

  Turning my back on the now empty corner I smile at Mrs. Cobbleson all sharp teeth and determination. I think it’s time to remind her I’m Fae and by the gods I’m Awakened.

  Playing until sweat rolled down my back and my arm felt like it might fall off, I’m cocky enough to bow before the gaping mouths of the class.

  Eat that, Mrs. Cobbleson.

  Taking my seat, the bow disappears and the blue climbs up my arm again to become the bracelet. I swear the thing sighs in contentment.

  ‘Sentient, remember?’ I choose to ignore the sarcasm in his voice.

  Instead I want to know about the plant. ‘Okay, so, the plant.’ He sighs.

  ‘Whoever it is, can mask themselves from me. I do not sense any ill intent, so whoever it is—is just curious versus dangerous, to you anyhow.’

  ‘This has happened before?’ Instead of answering, he shrugs.

  Kicking his foot, I sit back, a bit perturbed. These are things he needs to share with me. Communication is one of the most important parts of any relationship. How can he expect me to always tell him things when he doesn’t give me the same courtesy?

  ‘Relationship, huh?’

  ‘That’s all you take from that?’

  ‘Oh, no I heard everything else, but that part is the most important to me right now.’

  Rolling my eyes, I try to pay attention to the rest of class and the dirty looks occasionally thrown my way from the teacher. Freely I’ll admit, I probably shouldn’t have tossed anything in her face, but she treats me like I’m garbage and I’ve had enough of that.

  “Class is cancelled the rest of the week to give you all time to prepare for the Mixer. I expect you to make me proud. Here are copies,” she starts handing out pieces of paper, skipping me in the process, “of the schedules for your performance. In order to attend, you need to receive an invitation from one of the families who either sponsor or will be attending the gathering.”

  The look of satisfaction she sends my way makes me want to stand up and smack her. And to push me that far takes a lot, I’m not big on violence if there is another method.

  Ciar isn’t as nice as I am. “We have a standing invitation to all events related to the Menagerie. Would you like me to have our sponsor contact you to clarify this?”

  Mada doesn’t clarify, she terrifies.

  “Uh, well—that won’t be necessary, class dismissed.”

  As soon as we head out into the hallway I split off to go to the restroom. My schedule is open for the rest of the day, but I have a feeling, yay, that Ciar is going to take me to the Fairy dress shop.

  Jeans and t-shirts are my go-to clothes, when I’m outside of the forest, but I love clothes. Dresses and flowing blouses. Hair ornaments and jewelry. Basically, anything shiny and gauzy and I’m all over it. But I never get the chance to wear them.

  The forest isn’t a fabric friendly environment.

  Speaking of fabric, what color dress do I want? My hair is purple now, so I need to make sure it doesn’t clash. Fairy clothing is made from all sorts of materials. Dragon scale and spider silk to name a couple.

  Spider silk is soft and beautiful but sticky. Not something I need to wear in such a crowded place, that’s more of a wedding dress type of material. Dragon scales shimmer and keep you warm but can be stiff and unyielding, that’s something you want to wear for some sort of publicity function.

  Maybe like a red or white… na, white washes me out. What about a black with sparkly—

  “Oh, look, it’s the nerds knight in shining armor.” The snotty voice yanks me out of my thoughts and I groan.

  Are you kidding me? It’s the three girls that were being cruel to Lucinda. My eyes narrow, now they think they can pick on me? I’m genuinely not a supporter of violence, but there are moments in time when there’s no other choice.

  The problem is, I always feel bad after the fact.

  The first fireball hits me in the chest, flinging me into the mirror which shatters on impact.

  Ouch.

  For Faerie’s sake, why in the world did I tell Ciar I didn’t want to learn to use the magic I have? What possible reason is good enough to counter the predicament I have myself in right now?

  “She’s rather weak for a Fae, don’t you think Kim?” The Water Sprite questions the other two women.

  The Elf with the red hair is too busy lobbing fireballs at me with a malicious grin on her face, to answer her. Another fireball singes my hair and I’m pretty sure one eyebrow and all my eyelashes are gone on the right side of my face. Okay so I don’t have their kind of magic but I’m far from helpless.

  The knife sliding out of the sheath at the base of my spine is silent. In this situation most Fae I know would kill them. Luckily for them, I’m not most Fae. Water seeps through my sneakers, I like these sneakers.

  Water creeps up my body and burns as it forces its way into my nose and mouth. Before I lose vision, I toss the knife at the Water Sprite who is trying to slowly drown me, it clips her arm and just as I expected makes her cry out and lose concentration. The water falls away and I draw in huge breaths to make up for the lack of oxygen.

  “You stupid bitch!” She shrieks at me and I can feel her magic building up again, she’s not very powerful and it takes her a bit to have enough juice to control the water. Her I can deal with, no problem.

  The vines wrapping around my legs and pulling me down to the wet, tile floor however, put me in a bit of a bind.

  “Now, Kim she’s
ready to be a toasty critter.” The Wood Nymph who has me trapped encourages the strongest of the trip—Kim—to roast my bum.

  Physically I can take them, but magically I’m sunk and unless I can get to them I can’t do squat and they’ll hand my ass to me or kill me. Great, just great.

  ‘You ready to learn about your magic now, monster girl?’ Ciar teases.

  Rolling my eyes, I stop fighting the vines and go limp in their embrace. Of course, Ciar’s close by, he would sense my predicament. He’s not the only one. A massive reptilian head slams through the door, knocking if off the hinges and coating me in plaster dust.

  “Hello Zag.”

  “Why is it that every time I allow you out of my sight you land yourself in trouble?” Ignoring his comment, I start cutting myself out of the vines.

  The screaming women—because of well, DRAGON—are all huddled together pointing and yelling at the top of their lungs. Not that I want them to, but it seems strange that when presented with a threat like Zag none of them had the sense to call their Familiars.

  See, this is why you don’t lock them up in your Blank Space.

  Zag chuckles in my direction and it sounds like a train in the small room, which makes the women scream louder.

  “Gods, shut them up, will you?”

  Turning his glowing eyes onto the three women in the room with us he exhales shadows that tangles them up like birds on a spit. The screams and shrieks are still happening, but they’re muffled because he essentially gagged them.

  I can also see their magic being absorbed into the shadows. They’ll have a heck of a hangover tomorrow. Being sucked dry isn’t any fun, at least not in this case.

  “I’m a magnet for fun times,” I finally answer his earlier question.

  “This is fun times to you?”

  Giving him a dirty look, I cut the last of the vines away and dust my clothes off as I stand.

  “Now ladies, I assume this is the only time we’ll have this kind of encounter?” Zag questions as he releases them from the shadows into an ungainly heap on the ground.

  None of them say a word, but then the Aura of Kim, the fire bug, flickers with the only spell she has the magic to cast. She’s trying to summon her familiar, finally.