Heir of Lies (Black Dawn Series Book 1)

by Mallory McCartney

  He knew they were all underprepared for what Cesan was planning.

  At the end of Roque’s speech, Tadeas started talking about the fierceness of him and his people and how they shouldn’t be worried. They were on the same side, a team. By flame, Brokk couldn’t care less, and his gaze flitted to each person, looking for an ebony head of hair.

  Where was Adair?

  He didn’t remember seeing him last night at the meeting or this morning in the dining hall. He didn’t realize Memphis had been watching him, and his voice was low and urgent as it shook through Brokk’s consciousness, “Adair isn’t here.”

  He had to admit, it surprised him. If anyone would have volunteered, Brokk thought Adair would have been the first. Icy shivers ran down Brokk’s back, but it was too late.

  The room exploded in a flurry of movement as they gathered weapons, Tadeas beaming down at them all as his men distributed an assortment of weapons. Brokk pushed through the crowd, Memphis at his heels, as he stormed up to a rover, ripping the sleek bow from his hands. “This is mine.”

  The man raised his eyebrows at him, but Brokk slung the bow securely over his shoulder and with the quiver of arrows strapped onto his back he realized that any humanity within him was quickly being destroyed with every passing second.

  Turning, he filed out of the room with the stream of students. The Academy was quiet, and Brokk liked it this way. No fellow classmates were there looking wide-eyed at their entourage, no one seeing what he was seeing—the darkness that was bleeding into all their hearts with what Cesan had done. He had forced the Faes’ hands, forced them to fight fire with fire or else be afraid that Kiero would see them as weak.

  Brokk furrowed his brow, the steady pace of his boots against the floor was like a pulsing heartbeat, but in his mind, it was a war drum. His body moved lethally, his muscles taught, his adrenaline spiked. On the outside, he was the epitome of a warrior.

  Could no one else see the sadness when they caught his gaze? When they talked to him? Did no one else care that the Academy was ripping their morals from their very cores, leaving behind empty shells? Leaving behind nothing but the echoes of dreams?

  “Brokk, Memphis, wait!”

  Stalling, they turned in unison to see Emory running down the hallway, full tilt, her garb from the previous night gone, replaced by a black shirt, pants, and boots. Her royal blue jacket was too bright for what was happening around her. But to him, it made perfect sense. She had always been a flaring spark when things went dark. It had never mattered what was going on in her life, she was always there for them. His heart gave a painful tug as he wished for the courage to be able to leave Emory behind.

  Colliding with him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, and she buried her face in the crook beneath his ear. She was trembling, her heart beating out of her chest.

  “Please, don’t go. I’m sorry about earlier. I’m begging you not to do this. We will figure everything out, we always do. I can’t follow you down this road,” she said.

  Releasing Brokk from her chokehold and stepping back, her gaze landed on Memphis. Memphis cleared his throat, shooting him an apologetic look before grasping Emory’s face in between his hands, fiercely. “We have to go, Em. But I promise you we will come back. I will come back to you.”

  Heat flushed Brokk’s face as he watched Memphis swoop down and kiss her. Not caring there was an army of students and teachers filtering by them. Not caring he was right there. That she was a Princess now, the face of their country.

  The turmoil and emotional charge of their situation had taken hold, and Brokk could practically hear Memphis’s mind, shouting out to her, begging her to understand. That he loved her, had always loved her, would always love her.

  Averting his eyes, Brokk looked anywhere but at his friends, suspended in their embrace. They broke away breathlessly, and Brokk looked up. Tears were streaming down Emory’s face as she whispered to Memphis, “Don’t go.”

  Brokk could see Memphis’s resolve cracking before he turned away brusquely, and with one last look at Emory, her face drained of all color, Brokk followed him. Words were lodged in his throat, drowning him with their weight. They walked in silence, feeling Emory’s stare burning into their backs the entire way.

  Swallowing down his jealousy, he tried not to linger on what had just happened between Emory and Memphis. Instead memories of laughter and hope swirled all around Brokk, as they left the Academy behind. He could feel the balance of their world shifting, back into their bloodied past, back into the unrelenting darkness. The doors swung open, and sunlight beat down on them, making him blink fiercely. The students and teachers were leading horses, making sure everyone had a mount from the Shattered Isles, from what was left.

  It took him less than ten seconds to find Tadeas, to find the king smiling wolfishly at him already. Deep breathes. He couldn’t afford to lose himself when the king from across the sea had already seen him lose control. Rolling his shoulders, he took the steps two at a time. There was no turning back now.

  His gaze drifted to the forest, to the canopy of trees, reminding him of the wildness in his heart. He could run away from all of this. The chatter of birds and echoes of ancient magic stirred his heart, shivering down his spine.

  Averting his gaze, he followed as Memphis broke away from the throng toward two dappled mounts. The horses pawed the ground nervously as they approached, and he internally cringed. Animals had an acute sense when it came to seeing people for who they truly were, and Brokk made them nervous. The powerful creature before him knew he was more beast than man.

  With a pounding heart, he gripped Memphis’s arm. “We look after each other. If things go south, we escape.”

  Memphis nodded, his smooth voice echoing in his mind, “Agreed.”

  Gripping the pommel of the saddle, he lifted himself up with ease, sliding his boots into the stirrups. Easing the reins into his grip, he gave the mount a reassuring brush of his hand, begging the horse not to throw him off.

  He glanced over his shoulder. The Academy, and the courtyard nestled amongst the rolling hills and the ancient forest behind them. He said a mental goodbye to his friends who lingered behind its walls and snapped forward when Tadeas’s voice roared over them: “Let’s visit this city under the stars, shall we?”

  Cheers and catcalls sounded, and lurching forward, the horse’s hooves pounded against the ground, the group moving forward in a gallop. Brokk leaned forward, gripping with his legs, causing his stallion to shoot forward, his powerful hooves pushing them faster.

  Brokk’s heart was in his throat as he settled into the speed, leaving everything behind. Memphis’s stallion pulled close to him, the two galloping together, spirits unleashed.

  “Did you see who else is here?” Memphis’s voice was clipped as it bounced around his consciousness. Brokk shot him a glance, and Memphis nodded to his left where Professor Iasan was galloping, his black stallion frothing at his bit.

  The Professor looked sideways at them, his lips turning upward in a sickly-sweet smile. As if to say that out here, in the wild, they weren’t protected. Out here, they would be at his mercy. Baring his teeth in answer, Brokk dared Iasan to try. If it came down to it, he wouldn’t falter - not again.

  Chapter Nine

  Adair

  The excited voices around him felt dull and far away. Everyone was talking about the group of students that went to assist in bringing Cesan back. Everyone was talking about what his father had done. Whispers chased at his heels, one word standing out from all the others.

  King. King. King.

  He rubbed his eyes, the heaviness of them making everything seem too bright, too fast. The world was charging forward, and he wanted to curl into himself and make it stop. Classes had been suspended until further notice, which meant until Roque dealt with his father.

  His traitorous, lying father.

  Leaning against the cool wall, Adair closed his eyes.

  “Follow us, follow your destin
y.”

  Those voices curled around his mind, and in response, he slammed his iron walls up. What happened last night wasn’t real. He had stayed in the tunnel until he had willed his body to move toward the new light, and images of those creatures lurked behind his every waking moment, chasing him further and further into himself.

  Feeling reckless, he needed some form of normality—which had led him to this moment, waiting outside the Faes’ office.

  “Adair, what are you doing here?”

  Eyes flying open, he took in Emory, her face gaunt as she wrung her hands together. She wore her usual loose black pants and leather boots, but today, she was adorned by a velvet royal blue button-down jacket.

  Pushing himself off the wall, he said, “I assumed, even though classes were canceled, we would still get our training. Especially now that you are royalty. Despite...what has happened.”

  She loosened a breath, a slight tremor through her body. Stepping closer, her voice was soft, as if she was trying to coax a feral animal. “Adair, please try to understand. My dad met with me this morning after the group was dispatched. Things are moving fast. We are trying to reach Sarthaven’s communications to let them know what Cesan is trying to do. Things are in a precarious situation. My dad has decided to not recognize your family as part of his court after yesterday.”

  She bit her lip, her eyes wide, waiting for him to respond. Roaring had filled his senses, as his heart tried to catch up with his mind. He took a step back, feeling unhinged.

  “He is pushing us out then? Just like that? Like the years we have all put into this means nothing? That my family means nothing to him? To you?”

  Emory reached toward him, whispering, “Adair, no...”

  An ugly aggression raised its head within him, wanting to lash out. To destroy, to bleed darkness within all their hearts. This was madness. Complete and utter madness.

  Backing away, he shook his head. “And you agree with him? That you, alone, will rule Kiero? That you, alone, are the rightful heir to the throne? No allies, no court? No one you trust by your side?”

  “Adair, I will have a court.”

  “Just not one with me in it.”

  Her eyes begged forgiveness, but all he saw was the blade as she landed the killing blow. “Yes.”

  Running his hand through his hair, Adair looked at Emory. They had been best friends since birth; he trusted Emory with his life.

  Ice licked at his heart, churning through his veins, as his pulse roared in his ears. Stepping closer, and with shaking hands, he gently tipped her chin up toward him. Her skin was silken, her breath coming faster as Adair watched her emerald eyes fill with tears.

  “I wish I could go back in time, Em, and be brave enough to tell you how much you mean to me. Maybe it would have changed things between us. But I will be damned if I don’t try.”

  Swooping down, Adair gripped her face tightly as his lips collided with hers. Heat tore through his core, chasing away any icy shock. His lips moved against hers, wanting more. Pressing Emory against the wall, she gasped. Mussing her hair, his hand swept down her side, grabbing onto her hips. Adair felt the pressure of her hands against his chest. Slowly, breaking away, Adair registered her answer in her features, pale and drawn.

  “Adair, I’m so sorry... I just don’t feel the same way. You’re my best friend, and I will always love you—as my friend.”

  The world had tipped, and he was freefalling. All the pieces he had been trying to hold together for his future, for her scattered into that void. There was only one thing that remained beneath all of that. His ability, which was born from fury and darkness.

  Brushing by her, his feet carried him, his entire body numb. Her pleas were lost in the hallway, his classmates looking between them. At her tension and his indifference.

  “Don’t you want more?”

  The words sunk their claws into his heart, and for a fraction, he opened himself to those voices: those chilling, soothing voices that beckoned to him. Emory’s rejection smothered his logic as his anger wildly encompassed him. He refused to bow anymore.

  The shift around him was subtle, the world carrying on like it always did. But to him, as he charged down the hallway, his world was quaking. His best friend, severing him for the power that was now handed to her. Until his parents returned, Adair had every inclination to reveal Roque’s skeletons to Emory.

  Over the years, he had caught snippets, that Roque, generous kind Roque, had very interesting rumors kept sealed tight. Rumors only his parents had heard. Adair, once a couple years ago, had accidently slipped into their consciousness, and he hadn’t told anyone what he had found lurking there.

  Swinging by his room, quickly, Adair let his emotions ravage through him before succumbing to his numbness. Throwing open the door, he grabbed his high collared jacket and a bag which he stuffed a short blade into, several history books, and a hidden supply of jerky. Zipping it closed, he swung the bag over his shoulder, looking at the empty room. Steeling his nerves, he walked out.

  The door shut behind with a snap, and an arrogant voice sounded from behind him, “Going somewhere?”

  Twisting to find mischievous eyes, Marquis Maher leaned against the wall, arms crossed and a lazy smile splayed on his face.

  “Go away,” Adair said before turning and walking steadily down the hallway; Marquis jogged behind him.

  “Had enough of this stuffy pace then?”

  Groaning under his breath, Adair looked at the spots where the hidden cameras lay. His ability unfurled, its talons clicking themselves along the wiring, spreading like a disease until it reached its target. The new surveillance team before the main doors collapsed at their desks, unconscious. Stalking by the room, a stony silence filled him as he looked at the bodies. They would wake up in a few hours, and who would piece together that he was gone? It would be too late at that point.

  He shifted the bag on his shoulder, turning to face an amused Marquis. He snapped, “Look, I’m not joking. Leave me alone.”

  Throwing the doors to the Academy open, the empty courtyard splayed before him. Rushing down the steps, he was desperately trying to escape the ghosts of what had happened here.

  “Well, that’s not very welcoming. We did travel a long way, you know.”

  Adair turned, stalking up to the heir of the Shattered Isles. “I do not care. Now leave me alone, or I will make you.”

  Marquis waggled his eyebrows. “I dare you to try.”

  His ability roared in response, exploding from him, rushing toward the rover. Marquis grinned wickedly. Adair’s talons rushed forward, about to sink themselves into his flesh, his muscles, his nervous system.

  All he met was an iron wall.

  The wind howled around them, and Adair found himself encircled in a mini cyclone, his ability scattered to the winds.

  Sauntering up to him, the prince snapped his fingers as the cyclone dropped immediately. “Now, where are we going?”

  Adair was breathless, his words lodged in his throat. “How did you do that?”

  Marquis sported a lazy smile. “Because, like yourself, I am gifted. Different. The sea bows to me, and I control the water. But I can also block abilities, if the occasion calls. Seeing as you were just about to try to either kill me or force me back, that is a perfect example of when I use it.” He faked boredom. “Now, since we are over that, what exactly are you planning?”

  Running a hand over his mouth in exasperation, Adair shook his head. It would draw too much attention to try to send him back.

  Adair shrugged. “If you slow me down or try to stop me, it won’t end well. I’m going to find answers.”

  The prince lit up. “That’s exactly what I was hoping you would say. Back in there, they have their futures paved out, you know? Their judgements made, and their accusations ready. But... you, Adair Stratton, are worth more than their judgements. Crave the adventure that it will bring. I find it quite refreshing.”

  Adair huffed, continuing to walk
toward the woods. “Isn’t that a bad thing though? My father will likely be killed, my family holding no title or status. My future here has come to a standstill.”

  Marquis slapped him on the back. “Then it is up to you to change the course. Seek what you want, not what others want for you.”

  He whispered, “I want the truth.”

  Marquis nodded. “Don’t we all?”

  Adair let his words sink in. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

  Pulling at his jacket, the prince replied, “Because the world is changing. Because I know what it is like to be forced into a life you don’t want. Take this situation as a gift, Adair. A gift not to be locked down in the politics of kings.”

  Adair picked up his pace, the wind gently tousling his hair. The afternoon was clear and crisp, the threat of autumn on the air. This had been his life, being groomed for court with Emory, with the Faes.

  He looked to the forest line, pausing for a moment. His answers, his truth, lay in the depths of those woods. At the heart, where an ancient magic lay dormant. He had always had a fascination for the history and mythology of Kiero. His father had battered against him for years, saying that it was a waste of time to always have a nose in a book.

  Those years of research hadn’t been wasted, when a year ago, Adair found a map and instructions to a lair of ancient magic that had been long forgotten. After the Great War had happened and the lost city of Nehmai had fallen, dark magic and creatures were forced to the shadows, never to be awoken again. But Adair had found them.

  Pausing, Adair turned to Marquis. “This won’t be easy. Or safe.”

  The Prince of the Shattered Isles smiled slyly. “The best things never are.”

  Adair stepped through the forest, the coolness of the shade washing over him as he murmured, “Agreed.”

  He had always loved how as soon as he passed underneath the trees, it had seemed like he had stepped into another world. One consisting of weathered bark, mossy ground, and above all, mystery.

  “Come find us, come find us, come find us.”