by Erin R Flynn
Except I hadn’t killed anyone.
And I was damn sure people would have cheered if I’d been the one lying there bloody and beaten.
Still, I won so I ended up next to Edelman on the stage in the middle of the arena to win my prize. Craftsman was there to accept the check of his winnings as my power assessor and trainer for this. He politely smiled and nodded but there was something off about him and not just that our relationship had been strained.
If I had to guess, he wasn’t a fan of what I’d done.
That was a shame because I missed my supportive doc who thought I was awesome. I missed being his sweet fairy that he adored. It hurt my heart because it seemed things really might be coming to an end then.
Well, I hoped at least there was one person who didn’t look down on what I did because I planned on giving my prize to him.
“And as the winner, you receive this voucher for next year’s tuition,” Edelman said as he handed me the envelope. “Including room and board, full meal plan, books, and any class fees.” He pulled out a key from his pocket and handed it to me. “Plus, as the rules were changed this year, the deans and I decided you also deserved an addition prize the master’s students get for their tournaments.”
“A key to what?” I asked, glancing from it to him as I accepted both.
“The key unlocks the Artemis treasures vault,” he explained. “They’re all magical objects of great value that were either donated or the school won over the years. Some were discovered during research but couldn’t be kept given they were made with the school’s equipment or materials so they go in the vault for gifted students to win later and help them excel.”
“Cool.” I wouldn’t shrug off a prize like that. Who couldn’t use a magical treasure? “Thank you.”
“Congratulations.”
I nodded, opening the envelope and pulling out the voucher. There was one thing I needed to check first. I smiled when I saw there wasn’t any fine print that said the prize couldn’t be transferred. I went over to the end of the stage were several people were waiting to congratulate me, focused on Darby.
He frowned as I held it out to him. “You want me to hold this?”
“No, I’m giving it to you, my prickly pear. Now you’re not a scholarship student. Next year you’re just a regular student.”
He blinked at it and then met my gaze. “You’re giving me your prize?”
I chuckled. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m sorta rich. You’d be weirded out if I even suggested paying for your schooling next year.”
“Of course I would. I don’t date you for—”
“I know,” I said gently. I put the envelope on his hand and moved the other over it so he held it. “I know. But you help me get here. I couldn’t have done any of this without you and you did it for free. I couldn’t pay you like I should, but Craftsman got a prize and so should you even if we weren’t dating. It’s extra horrible if I don’t share because we are dating and I won’t ever take advantage of you either, Darby.”
“You’re amazing, agra,” he whispered before crushing his lips down to mine. He kissed me like no one else was around, moving his arms around me, hugging me tightly.
I pulled away when I heard a throat clear. “Glad you’re not upset at what I did.”
He chuckled, lowering his forehead down to mine. “I thought it was bloody brilliant. Only an idiot would pass up the chance to take free shots at them after all the shite they’ve put you through. My agra is much smarter than that. Some of those runes were grand but others were magnificent and I want to see the books you learned them.”
I nodded, knowing some I couldn’t show him since they were written in Faerie. Even if I translated them into English, there were from journals I didn’t want in English for anyone to ever be able to read. It might be better to write the runes down and fib I forgot which books I found some for them from.
Darby would forgive me for tiny lies like that when he found out what I was one day. I knew he would.
I hoped he would.
11
Once I accepted my prizes it was clear I was expected to make a speech or at least say a few words. I wasn’t going to pass up that chance when I basically had the attention of the whole supe world… Simply not in the way they’d think.
Then again, if they didn’t except this from me by now, they were kind of idiots.
“I’m starting a scholarship fund at Artemis,” I announced loudly, giving everyone a few moments to settle with that and the sharp left I was taking from the normal speech. “It will be a fund that pays for tuition on merits, not forced labor for pampered, lazy elites who are to be the next generation of leaders. There will be no requirements of tutoring.
“My first day here I watched someone demand my tutor abandon me—who desperately needed the help as an unknown—and help her so he could do her homework and papers for her. She threatened his place at this school should he not do as he was told as if he was her indentured servant, her slave. You buy them and give them no rights to talk back and it’s sickening.
“That’s not tutoring; that’s cheating and it ends. Artemis is the finest school in our world and it’s time that its integrity is not only upheld but fought for instead of being bought. And before people start pointing fingers, and taking shots, my research has shown all the other supe colleges are the same. You are behind the humans.”
I raised an eyebrow at the crowd when people started murmuring disgust or disbelief. I shook my head when several people called out for me to get off the stage.
Fuck them. I went through all of this and I wasn’t giving up my time.
“Human scholarships are way more elevated. Ivy League schools wouldn’t put up with half the crap I’ve seen teachers here do. You are lagging and this is the time that having an unknown who grew up as a human is a blessing to be among you. I’ve lived where you haven’t. In other things, you’re more advanced.” I shrugged. I could admit that. “You allow other councils to sit in on certain matters.
“That’s like different countries playing together much nicer than humans do. You understand that as a world to survive, we need to put the world first.” I paused for them to pat themselves on the back. “But in this, you are behind and it’s time supes stop being garish compared to humans. It’s time to catch up to progress and the basic human standards of educational normal.
“Also, how we regard some of the finest minds as they come to Artemis and to treat them as dogs do the future of our society a disservice… While spoiling the next generation of leaders who need to be stronger, not weaker and entitled, but earn their place and positions. People are pissed that I made the students here look bad this year, that I kicked their asses now, and I won.
“Is that my fault? It’s not the professors’ fault as I’ve worked my ass off with their lessons and guidance. No, it’s your fault for coddling your kids. It’s their fault for being lazy and self-important, letting others do their papers and assignments instead of getting stronger. Instead of being angry at me, take me as the new standard and get your asses in gear to keep up.”
It was really, really hard not to laugh at the shocked expressions and half the school board standing there with their mouths hanging open. People who knew me looked ready to either smack me at the trouble I was starting or break down laughing.
Either worked for me.
“I hope people donate to this new fund that pushes for a brighter future for Artemis and all supes. Information will be available next week for donations, but those who meet the minimum requirements will be invited to a summer soiree I’ll be throwing. The catering company I helped start will be serving it along with all kinds of fun and goodies raffled off and fae dust in the gift bags. Thank you.”
And on that note, I walked off the stage. Better to leave it on a high note and I wanted to get the heck out of there. Professor White was smart and understood, standing off to the side and waving me over.
Yup, a quick esca
pe was best.
Except there was a reason behind it and not ten minutes later I was about to claim the other part of my prize.
The treasure vault was actually deep under the administration building which made sense. I had no idea there was even a basement but I was pretty sure I had yet to know even a fraction of the secrets Artemis University held. Edelman and White were going to escort me at first but after a lot of demanding on his part, Craftsman joined us.
I wasn’t sure why. He didn’t seem happy with me so did he just want to see the treasure room? He’d probably seen it before given he was a savant and most likely won different competitions as a master’s student. Did he want to guide me what to pick?
My brain hurt simply thinking about it all and the day was catching up with me so honestly, I just wanted to take a nap. People were waiting to “congratulate” me and as much as I planned to duck them, I didn’t think this was the way. We could do this later or tomorrow so why were they making this a thing now?
Did Edelman and White want to duck people too? I was pretty sure they were going to get an earful from the school board no matter how long our trip to the vault took.
Geiger was ready to lay the smack down on anyone who started shit with me, so I didn’t think they’d have too much crap to deal with. Hopefully at least. They didn’t know of the plan after all.
“You’re awfully quiet for once,” Professor White muttered.
“I’m actually quiet a lot,” I countered, studying the vault door. “You just don’t get to see me as I am, but always when there’s problems or when shit’s going down. If you come over to hang out during break when the guys bring the hobgoblins, you’d see that they’re all chatting away and I just sit back and chill. I enjoy the liveliness now and again, but I never had a family so I’m still getting used to it.”
“That’s more than you normally share,” she worried.
“I’m tired,” I admitted as I used the key. “If I’m hungry I get hangry. If I’m tired or not feeling well, I get a bit blunt. If it’s both, Mel says I turn into a kitten and it’s about the best behaved I ever get.”
“Interesting to know, but anyone decent wouldn’t want you exhausted and hungry simply to see you act like a kitten,” she teased.
“You’d hope not.” I opened the door and handed the key back to Edelman, wondering if he let me do it just for the ceremony since they all seemed to be into that.
Stepping inside I could feel power pulsing that had been contained by the doors, but the vault itself wasn’t impressive. It was basically metal shelves of storage with crates and boxes that had labels on them or on the shelves. I was slightly disappointed as I was more expecting the Hall of Prophecy from Harry Potter, but this was more Indiana Jones how they stuck the Ark of the Covenant in a crate in a warehouse.
Well, but more like bank vault security as there were some drawers on the side and the shelves were secured to the floor. So Fort Knox? More logical and less cool, especially if you couldn’t feel the power.
Except something was irking me. Badly.
“There is a wide variety of magical objects and treasures in here for you to choose from so I would advise you to take your time and select wisely,” Professor White advised. She went into a bit of a tour guide mode but I completely tuned her out, focused on what I was feeling.
“I’m sorry, please be quiet a moment,” I muttered as I closed my eyes. I felt them flinch. I ignored it. They were quiet and finally I could hear it.
Wait, I could hear it?
Singing. Something was singing to me. To my soul. It wasn’t music it was almost when like when I witnessed injustice and how Professor White described it, it sang to my soul.
I followed it, pulled towards that feeling and unfortunately crashed into a shelf since my eyes were closed. I muttered thanks to whoever helped me but hurried on. A few more turns and I shoved several things out of the way on a shelf I could barely reach trying to get what I wanted.
A strong body pressed against mine as an arm reached above me, retrieving what my fingertips were brushing. “Is this what you want?”
“Yes, thanks,” I muttered, grabbing it from Craftsman. I clutched it to my chest. “This shouldn’t be here. I’m taking it.”
“What is it?” Professor White asked, frowning when I shrugged.
“The label says ‘lot 25-7D,’” Craftsman answered.
Edelman flipped through some pages on his clipboard and shook his head. “There is no 25-7D.”
“It shouldn’t be here!” I shouted, flinching when the three of them did at how I was acting. “Sorry. Something is wrong with it here. Everything inside of me is screaming it cannot be here.”
“Clearly it’s something important to fairies or Faerie and someone hid it here,” Professor White comforted gently. “I suggest this is enough of an outing for today. She can peruse for her prize another time.”
I blinked at her. “This doesn’t count?”
Edelman shook his head. “I don’t even have it in my records. I agree with White. If it’s calling to you as needing to be kept safe, do it, Ms. Vale. I doubt someone hid it here with good intentions. We’re still baffled as to who infiltrated campus and buried that bespelled box last semester that was at the center of the plagues. Something is going on and clearly it isn’t over.”
“Or good,” Craftsman sighed. “Yes, more time for her prize is better. We rushed you in here to give you a break but your aura is pulsing with exhaustion. You need fuel.”
I needed away from him but I wasn’t going to say that. I hurt simply by being around him as I was pretty sure things between us were over as my gut told me he disapproved of what I did today… As it wasn’t what he wanted from his sweet fairy.
“Yeah, thanks, um, can I look over the list or something?” I asked as I turned to leave.
“No, that’s not allowed but I can make time in my schedule to walk you through here as often as you want,” Professor White offered. “Normally a parent would come with a freshman to guide them.”
Headmaster Edelman snorted. “I don’t know that we’ve ever had a freshman win anything from here. Most know enough by the time they win anything to have an idea of our world or what they would want.”
That made sense.
I hid away what I’d found so no one thought it was my prize or asked about it. It was definitely from Faerie from the magic I felt from it but it settled down the moment we left the vault as if not wanting to get caught as well. Interesting. Even the magical objects of Faerie were at a different level and almost had a sentience to keep themselves safe.
Campus was still packed with guests which wasn’t good news for me as most wanted to either yell, lecture, or speak with me on a range of things.
“Sorry,” I muttered to the three of them before I was a jerk and disappeared on them, using a shadow rune, barrier, and a few other tricks like I had before.
I simply did it on purpose this time.
“Where’s Ms. Vale?” a member of the school board demanded the moment we stepped out of the administration building. “We need to speak with her immediately.”
“We sent her out another exit to rest,” Edelman lied. “And you do not. You want to yell at a student who thwarted your ploy. You are the school board but I am headmaster and this little coup of power ends. Ms. Vale is right and the humans are further elevated in their education systems. I was planning on making certain changes before the next year but it seems it’s needed now.”
“We are your bosses, Edelman. Do not forget that,” the guy snapped.
“You are not actually,” he calmly replied. “You are advisors and a way for students to have a voice if needed if there is a problem here. The system has been abused to the point it is broken and tied the hands of all the faculty way beyond being unfair. It will be changing and if any of you want to retain your positions and a voice in the future, I suggest you start acting in the interest of Artemis, instead of your child.”
He pushe
d past them and stormed off, leaving me standing there watching with an open mouth even if no one could see me. And I wasn’t the only one.
Hot damn. Go Headmaster Edelman! Good for him because the amount of bullshit he put up with was unreal.
“About bloody time,” Craftsman grumbled. He extended his arm to Professor White. “I believe there is a celebration party at the witch dorm for our Ms. Vale. Students, faculty, and her friends only. May I escort you there?”
“Why yes you may,” she chuckled, accepting his arm. “A good day to you all. Have a safe journey getting to your homes. I suggest you take it soon because if I hear you harassed a student under our protection who doesn’t have parents to protect her, you will need your guards to protect you from me.”
Wow, so she’d hit her limit as well.
I trailed after them, not knowing I had a celebration party on the books. Then again, I’d been so focused on the actual event, anything after had been static in my head.
When we reached the dorm, I hurried to my room and tucked the box in the hidden magical safe in my closet White had set up where I kept my reservoirs. Only I could access that and it seemed the best place until I went home. Then I went out to the common room and found a huge celebration party in full swing.
I went right to the hobgoblins and hugged each of them, thanking them for my special bars.
“Tasty, yes?” Irma checked.
“They were more than that and exactly what I needed when I felt I was standing alone,” I whispered, leaning my forehead down to her. I felt tears run down my cheeks and fall onto her face. “I felt all of them standing with me and helping to give out the justice that was needed. Thank you. I don’t know what they were, but thank you. It meant everything. It made all the difference.”
“Good, good,” she sniffled. “We will make them again when you need them. You are not alone, child.”
I simply nodded. I felt it. I always felt alone as the last.