by J. M. Kearl
She tossed it again, caught it, then slid it into the sheath. “We could volunteer with the horses. I hear they get to ride to the town. Or the seventh years are having the first dueling competition tonight. Swords and magic.” The sly smile that followed said she wanted to go to it.
Most of the academy would show up to watch the competition. They were the oldest and the most experienced which made them entertaining. Mistakes rarely happened and they knew some fun spells. “I’d rather be in it than watch it,” I mumbled.
“You’ll get your turn when we have ours soon,” she said. “I guess the other kingdoms older students are more prepared. But you could ask Madison for permission, she’s in charge of it.”
I knew if I stepped in the arena, I’d likely get knocked out quickly. The older students knew more spells and even if I was one of the best in my year, I’d seen some of the seventh year students fight back in Delhoon and their top contenders surpassed my own skills. “She’d say no. They never let fifth years fight against seventh years in the tournaments, only for practice and even then they don’t want to bother with us.” I ground my teeth at the way the older students always had an air of superiority. I tried not to act that way to those younger than myself.
“Would you want to fight a second or third year?” she asked laughing.
I sighed and looked at Atticus who was curled up on the end of my bed. “It wouldn’t be fair to most of them.”
“Exactly.” She strolled to the mirror and began playing with her hair. “So the tournament then?”
“Sure,” I said with a shrug. “But I want to stop at the library first and check something out.”
It was quiet and mostly abandoned when we walked through the library doors. Books floated in the air above us, going to find their proper place, and a professor strutted by with her arms full of scrolls. A short-haired gray cat appeared and hopped up on a stool, a pair of glasses sat perched on its face. “May I help you two find anything?” she asked.
I looked up and the shelves seemed to go on forever but at the very top a skylight bathed the room in warm light. A spiraling ramp built into the wall led the way up and up. The main floor held countless tables and books of course. There was a potions area set up with cauldrons and an ornate fireplace adorned with gold fixtures and sculptures of warriors set off to the sides.
“I’m looking for books on Collweya.”
“This way,” the cat said and led us up the ramp and into an alcove of books. “Here you will find everything we have.”
“Thanks,” Legacy said as I had already begun browsing the shelves. My fingers slid along silver and gold lettering.
Legacy started on the opposite side of the small room as me. “What if the person who killed Finnick is just one of us and had weapons or even slightly shaped shifted to be part animal?”
She’d seen what I did and we hadn’t really talked about it. In the past week she’d dealt with it in her own way but she didn’t feel the guilt that I did. She didn’t blame herself like I did.
I considered her words, it hadn’t occurred to me it could have been a shapeshifter. Someone who could use magic to become something else. If that were true, it would have to be someone very talented. But I hadn’t told her about my other vision that involved the princes and myself, where I’d seen the human faces and red eyes of what I assumed to be hostile killers, and nothing about them looked animalistic. No claws on their perfect hands, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t have sharp predatory teeth.
“True but you heard those professors from Collweya saying they suspected something followed them from the cold north. So it sounded to me like it wasn’t just someone using magic.”
Legacy nodded slowly. “They mentioned a wolf, what if it’s part wolf by nature? I could just ask Aric and save us the time.”
“If you ask Aric,” I said pulling a book that looked promising by the title Creatures of the Dark, “that will lead to more questions about why we were there when Finnick died.”
“Aric wouldn’t tell anyone.”
I ignored her and sat down at the small round table. Flipping through the pages I saw many frightening sketches of terrifying things with claws and teeth and scales and stuff of nightmares, as Aric had once said but then I stopped at the beautiful face of what appeared to be perfectly human woman, and the only thing of color in the sketch was her red eyes. “You don’t need to ask him.”
“You found something?” She leaned over my shoulder.
I read aloud: “Corsea Bludara.”
“Blood drinkers,” Legacy said in a quiet voice.
I didn’t read the rest aloud because the page was full, and with Legacy leaning over me, she could read it herself.
Blood drinkers or vampires, as they are known in Collweya, are thought to be survivors from the previous civilization who founded the place under the protected dome. It’s suspected that dark magic created these beings and eventually they killed the spell castors and then each other except for a small group of survivors who integrated with our recent founders in secret.
In most physical aspects they appear human. Major differences include:
Drink blood to survive
Thrive in the dark
Skin burns and withers to ashes in prolonged sunlight exposure
Enhanced speed and strength
Fangs that only appear before they bite
Cold blooded
Eyes may turn red after a feeding
It is very difficult to distinguish a vampire from a human. Some clues: they only come out at night. They will try to lure unsuspecting victims with their beauty and seduction. There have been reports of some blood drinkers able to walk freely in the sunlight with the help of a spell. Said blood drinkers will be marked on their skin by the magic somewhere on their body.
My heart seized and nausea flared in my gut at the last sentence, and when I looked up at Legacy her face had paled. Her eyes welled with tears and she blinked several times. “He can’t be,” she whispered.
I swallowed hard and looked at the last sentence again. I replayed in my mind every interaction Aric and I had ever had. Every move he’d made, every sparring match, every meal. He didn’t appear to have enhanced strength or speed but that could be controlled—hidden. It only said eyes may turn red. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Zyacus told me that mark is from a deal Kyria made during the Queens Challenge. She owes a life and they think it will be his.” Then I realized it wasn’t much better to her that her boyfriend was cursed to die so I added, “But he’s alive so we don’t know that for sure either.”
The tears she held back began to fall, and her lip quivered. “What if Zyacus was lying to protect Aric?” Her voice was barely audible through her wavering, breaking voice. “What if… what if…” she couldn’t go on.
My own eyes stung at the possibility she could be right. That Aric was this monster who drinks blood to survive, the person who killed Finnick. Zyacus could have lied, and he had been so adamant on knowing what happened when Aric touched me. He already suspected I had other gifts because of my parents, what if he thought I saw Aric for what he truly was?
I closed the book and replaced it on the shelf. “What are you going to do?”
Shaking her head, Legacy dropped her face into her palms. “I don’t know.” She looked back up at me with a tear-soaked face. “He never felt… cold when I touched him. I just don’t know if he could be one of those things. He’s so—kind.”
I tapped my finger on the hilt of my sword. “Cold blooded animals aren’t always cold. Their bodies adjust to the temperature of their environment.” I pursed my lips for a moment. “Literally the only thing we have to suspect is that birthmark—”
“It’s a human skull,” Legacy blurted. “It doesn’t get much more sinister. The blood drinkers who can go into daylight will be marked by magic. That’s what the book said.”
I didn’t want to admit she was right. “Maybe we should give it some time before—”
I shook my head. “I already told her my suspicions and she doesn’t think he’s a monster. If we want to figure it out, we’re on our own.” Without another word, Legacy hurried out of the book cove and started down the ramp. I jogged after her. “You’re breaking up with him right now?”
The glare on her face would have been answer enough. “Yes, I can’t kiss someone, or even be near someone that may have murdered Finnick right in front of us and then pretended like nothing happened. Thankfully we don’t have classes together.”
“What are you going to tell him?”
Her face was set in a rage and I didn’t think there was any convincing her that we could be wrong. “I’ll tell him that it’s over. Period. I’m not even going to talk to him in person, I’m sending him a note.”
If we were wrong then Aric would have a broken heart and might be fated to die but if we were right, then my vision when Aric and I touched was more likely to be my death than his. I felt like I might throw up.
∞∞∞
After the whispered spell and paper burned in the flames of the candle, I expected Aric to write back to ask why at the very least, but there was no return note. Maybe he needed more time or maybe he’d approach her in person demanding an explanation. That’s probably what I would do in his situation. All she wrote was:
It’s over between us Aric. Please leave me alone.
Legacy
Even with suspecting what he might be, I still felt sorry for him. All he’d ever been was nice and fun, a friend. I walked up the stairs looking for an open spot for us. I had been right, most of the academy gathered here, hundreds of bodies filled the stands. “Do you see Taz or Lora anywhere?” I asked.
Legacy shook her head, her usual exuberance diminished.
“Oh, there’s an opening,” I said. We squeezed in between a group of Hesstian and Delhoon students on a bench in the fighting arena, an indoor colosseum in the underground level of the academy. It was nearly bright as day with the white light magic orbs floating above.
I looked over when the boy beside me bumped my shoulder. He was switching spots with someone nearby. My eyes widened when the blue-uniformed, dark hair boy turned around and smiled.
“Hello, Princess. Didn’t expect you to wind up next to me,” Zyacus said.
“I didn’t expect to either.” I snuck a look at Legacy. I wondered if he’d spoken to Aric since she sent the breakup note. Had I known Zyacus was nearby this spot I’d have gone elsewhere to avoid that conversation.
“Oh, and here I thought you picked this spot because of me.”
“Hardly,” I said.
He smirked as if he enjoyed my rudeness, then offered a paper, “It lists who’s fighting tonight.”
I guessed he hadn’t spoken with Aric otherwise he’d surely say something. He wasn’t the type to keep quiet about his opinions. I took the roster and as I read the list of names I knew some of the Delhoon students. Conner Goldheart, he was the best from my academy in Delmar, Delhoon. Destiny Darva, she would do well too. Others I read sounded familiar but I couldn’t remember their faces.
Zyacus leaned over, and lightly cleared his throat. “Who do you think takes this tournament?”
I glanced down at the paper in my hands. “Conner Goldheart.”
“You seem pretty confident in that.”
“I’ve seen him fight in Delhoon.” The first two contenders stepped into the ring to meet Madison at the center. “Who do you think will win?”
“Someone from Delhoon, as much as I hate to admit it. Your kingdom has been at this a long time. So I’ll go with Conner, too.” He turned to his friend, “Put me down for five on Conner Goldheart.” His friend wrote on a piece of paper that when the ink set in, it disappeared. It would go to a larger betting scroll that someone had set up and the coins that Zyacus dropped in the pouch would also be spelled to go to a large pot somewhere. This way no one could back out of their bets or not pay up. I’d seen this several times at events back home.
I doubted Zyacus cared since he was a prince and probably didn’t think the rules applied to him, but I said it anyway, “Betting isn’t permitted on the tournaments here.” It wasn’t permitted at any academy, but Zyacus seemed to have a particular interest in gambling. He’d made bets with me after all.
With a dazzling grin, he winked. “What the professors don’t know won’t hurt us.”
I shrugged; it’s not as if I hadn’t had the same mentality a time or two. I watched as the students, two boys, one in a green, lightly armored uniform and a boy in blue and white, also armored, clashed swords. The crowd roared and I let out a loud whistle.
“If you want in on the bet, you’re welcome to make a wager. I promise I won’t tell,” Zyacus said and then yelled, “Kick his ass Dom!”
“I’ll pass.” I figured Dom was the Hesstian student who threw a blast of fire met by an invisible wall. It felt strange to be having such a normal conversation with the prince. I waited for him to start being a prick or say something inappropriate. It was bound to happen. It always did. Even after he’d given me the birthday gift he tried to ruin it by implying I’d go up to his room.
“You must be Princess Visteal,” the boy beside Zyacus said.
“I am.” I eyed him warily. He wasn’t Skinny or Unibrow but rather a muscle-bound bodyguard type with long ebony hair pulled back and swirling black tattoos on his forearms.
Zyacus shot to his feet when Dom landed a hard blow to the other boy’s legs and knocked him on his back. The point of his sword was instantly at the Collweyan boy’s face. A win for Hesstia. “Yes!”
After sitting, he leaned forward with his forearms on his thighs. “Mateo says he’s heard things about you.”
“But I’m not inclined to believe the gossip,” Mateo finished.
“Oh?” I asked, and my eyes drifted from the arena floor to Zyacus and his friend. “What’s the gossip? Surely you’ve heard the worst about me from the Prince himself.”
Zyacus chuckled. Mateo gave him a knowing look, then said, “That you’re cold, unfriendly, that you have that self-importance thing down hard, and are one of the most beautiful girls to walk these halls. Zyacus only said one of those things.”
My cheeks flushed. Was I cold? Did I act superior?… I did keep myself distant from most people with my curse. And which of those things did Zyacus say? “It was the self-importance bit, wasn’t it,” I accused, glaring at him.
“Nah,” Zyacus said, a slow smile started at his lips. “I corrected Mateo. You’re not one of the most, you’re the most beautiful girl here. Though I might have mentioned the unfriendly part. After all, I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve called me a bastard.”
I laughed and the crowd burst into cheers. Zyacus thinks I’m the most beautiful girl here or is he playing nice because he wants something from me? “I’ll remind you that on most occasions you deserved it.” I looked down as another set of fighters began, the two girls threw spells more than used their handheld weapons.
“You should feel privileged,” Mateo said. “The Prince would never allow anyone else to call him that and get away with it. Most assuredly not countless times.”
I suppose he wouldn’t, but I wasn’t just anyone. I was his equal and his rival. “Yes, I’m sure I should feel so lucky,” my tone dripped with sarcasm.
We chatted off and on throughout the tournament. I still waited for something that would piss me off but thus far it hadn’t. I found that I had a near-permanent smile and I had a difficult time looking away from Zyacus. I hated that he had this effect on me.
I tried to speak to Legacy but she kept giving me one-word answers, and I hoped this wasn’t the beginning of a long few weeks while she got over Aric.
As predicted, Conner Goldheart competed in the championship round with a Delhoon girl, Sienna Riplee Cutter. “I told you it would be a Delhoon victory today,” Zyacus s
aid, nudging my arm. “Not forever though. We’ll catch up faster than you think. Especially when I’m down there.”
“Arrogant as usual. And you won’t be down there for two more years.”
“We’ll see about that,” Zyacus said.
A loud crack ripped through the arena and a blast of lightning hit the dirt floor, leaving a black hole. It had missed Conner by barely a foot but he still seemed stunned, slowly getting to his feet. “Damn,” Mateo said, knocking shoulders with Zyacus. “She ain’t messing around.”
Zyacus cupped his hands at the sides of his mouth. “Come on Conner, get your ass up!”
Legacy grabbed my arm, and with a low eeeek she said, “This is crazy!”
“Done pouting?” I chuckled.
She jabbed my side. “I wasn’t pouting. Just deep in thought.”
“By this time I’m surprised that their magic isn’t used up,” I said to no one in particular. “They both fought two other times.”
“When you’re in a serious brawl, you’d be surprised at what you’re capable of,” Zyacus said, as if he knew from experience. I wondered what he’d fight about outside the academy, aside from beating on jerks who talked bad about me at my own party.
The contenders’ swords rang as they hit over and over, then Connor flipped behind her, probably assisted by magic given the height he got, and kicked her hard in the back. She fell forward onto her face and Connor’s foot planted between her shoulder blades. Screams rocked the arena and Zyacus grabbed me by the shoulders, lifting me from my seat! “AH! You were right, Princess!” Then he jumped up and down, fist in the air.
