Weakened Mountains (Artemis University Book 4)

by Erin R Flynn

  “Dude, you’re an idiot for ghosting a woman who would let you do any of that,” Nelson said as Craftsman tried to get it away. “And she’s offering the whole of it if you wear the shirt for all your classes to see?” He blinked at the note and that was when Craftsman snagged it. “Really? The sex is so good you use a healing rune on her?”

  “I’m going to pound you,” Craftsman growled. “That was not something everyone here needed to know.”

  “Is she really flexible? A few on that list didn’t make—”

  “Enough, Professor Nelson,” Edelman cut in, giving him a scathing look. “Craftsman, I’ll allow the shirt even if it goes against dress code since you messed up your personal life for work again.”

  “Thanks, mate.”

  “Of course.” His lips twitched as he went back to his lunch. “You have several bottles of whiskey I’ve always wanted to try now. Interesting woman you’ve landed there. Your family must be thrilled.”

  Craftsman snorted. “She knows I’m not ever telling my family. Apparently, I’m a git who didn’t get I should make it clear I’m off the market even if we’re not making it public because of those tossers.”

  “Any woman should be proud to want to mate into such a respected magical family,” Campbell argued with a haughty snort.

  He gave her a withering look. “I’m part of that family and wouldn’t wish it on an enemy, so maybe don’t speak on things you don’t actually know about. I’m a Craftsman. Any I mate would be a breeder to bring the next generation and if anyone with a brain doubts that, all they have to do is look at how my mum is treated now that my dad is gone.”

  “I’m sorry.” She dipped her head to him. “You’re right, I shouldn’t have spoken on what I’m not privy to. I simply meant you’re a man worth the fight for something real, not having to hide.”

  “I appreciate that, but she would do it. I wouldn’t do it to her. My family’s going to be sniffing around enough trying to figure out who it could be now that there’s a hint I’m involved with someone. I expect when they don’t get answers, I’ll have more potential mating candidate portfolios dropped off, or worse, started again. I expected it already.”

  “Why’s that?” White asked, finally jumping in when she knew full well who his “girlfriend” was given she figured it out before we started using the discretion charm.

  “My tie to Vale,” Craftsman sighed. “They would love a powerful pawn like her under their thumb and I’d be the perfect way to get her. Except the elders want her and they told my family to back off of me so for the moment they’ll be careful.”

  “Oh dear. Yes, and Vale filed a grievance against Elder Ainsworth,” White muttered. “We filed the correct reports with the police and Geiger was handling that. What became of it?”

  Edelman cleared his throat. “They’re going to review it when there’s an available slot in the current schedule.”

  “So sometime after they give a flying fuck,” Mel grumbled to me. “Geiger told me he was getting stonewalled but then…”

  Yeah, Mason, the thing with Darby. The havens. We’d been busy.

  “Let’s update Geiger and see what he wants to do.”

  Mel nodded. “It’s bad on Ainsworth. We’re taking a big shot if we do it.”

  I met her worried gaze. “Can you live with yourself if we don’t?”

  “If it means keeping you alive? Yeah, I can take some guilt and sleepless nights, Tams.”

  Fair enough. I felt the same. “Then we play it safe and talk to Geiger. He can be the adult. I didn’t even know there was a black market, but I’ve been a supe for two seconds.”

  “I was only one as a kid and left right after I finished my schooling. I had no clue and I was pretty tapped in as a Rothchild. This might be new or—we could really start trouble with this.”

  “Yeah, but I’d rather do it and out myself and have the fae dogs protect us. We both know we probably only scratched the surface on this, and it won’t just be Ainsworth.”

  “It never is,” she agreed, sounding tired. She shot a glance over at Craftsman and then back to me. “You’re not seriously just letting him off, right? I mean, that’s a huge gift after he blew you off Friday and ghosted your date? Really?”

  I snorted. “Fuck no. I said he’d get fun if he wore the shirt. I didn’t say we were at the point he was forgiven. I’ve been hearing shit for over a week and it’s been getting worse with all the co-eds and Campbell. Zack and Marshall said to mark my territory. I did. Now the fucker has to grovel to get back in my bed.”

  “He hurt you,” she growled in my head.

  I looked away and shrugged a shoulder. She didn’t know the half of it. He got a magical night with Hudson that he said was such a fantasy and then he just… Drifted. My telepathy hearing all the coeds fawning over him and his excited conversations with Campbell.

  He’d promised he’d had me, wouldn’t find another woman like me, and never leave me—and then forgot about me. I wasn’t just hurt. I was angry. I shook my head at Mel and turned off my telepathy as I stood with my tray and bag. It took all the restraint I had not to throw my tray at the spot to drop it off.

  I knew I’d be hungry later and regret not eating, but my energy was spiraling and there was something I needed more. I went to my room and got my reservoirs before heading to class. I froze as I stepped out of my room.

  I had class with Campbell next. I honestly didn’t know if I could handle that and I didn’t care about the rumors. I headed for the admin building and then the faculty lounge, glad when I didn’t find anyone there. Using just a trickle of power, I opened the portal for only me to my house and was relieved when I knew it worked somehow.

  Maybe it was all the extra power I felt going in the reservoirs? Fuck if I knew but at least something actually went right.

  I headed to the basement and then the portal to Faerie. I activated that one and walked inside Faerie, Faerie pulling the spiraling power and negative energy out of me. I sank to my knees and did the one thing I’d needed since everything with Darby and then Mason had happened.

  I completely, totally, and utterly lost my shit. Not just cried or broke down. I lost my shit. I screamed and screeched at the injustice I was the last and all alone to figure this out. I shrieked that I couldn’t do it on my own anymore and risk everyone. I cried out my pain and pushed out all the energy from the reservoirs into Faerie, begging the energy for answers or help.

  I was the hope for so many… But who was the hope for me? Who was my beacon of fucking hope? Where was my shining light to guide me and help me figure all of this out?

  Nothing. I got nothing. I had enemies on all sides and even if I did have more allies and help, the fight was so big and I kept getting hurt in it. It was such a burden and not fair to me.

  I cried until I couldn’t cry anymore, curling up on the lush grass in the still dark world, begging it to get better and not let me be the last. Begging it to give me a sign I could do this and save Faerie.

  Nothing. I got nothing. Not even a whisper.

  I had no idea how long I was there but eventually I collected my stuff and went back through the portal. The second I was back in cell service, my phone went ballistic in my pocket.

  Mel: Where the fuck did you go? We can’t track you.

  Mel: Tams? Please answer me. Shit, we’re scared you were taken.

  Mel: You walked out of the cafeteria and were just gone.

  Edelman: Please communicate you are okay, Ms. Vale. We cannot track you when you use so many runes.

  Izzy: Dude, everyone’s wiggin. Please check in.

  Craftsman: Love, we’ll get Ainsworth. I know you’re upset at what you heard, we all know that but please check in.

  Zack: How the fuck did you vanish like that?

  White: You’re excused from your afternoon class if you check in right now. We should have spoken with you about Elder Ainsworth in private.

  There were several more and from several more people until
I pieced together enough I’d done something new.

  Whoops.

  The last one hurt my heart.

  Darby: Agra, please don’t bail on me. I need you.

  Tamsin: I didn’t mean to. I just went home.

  Darby: How did you not mean to? You disappeared and put up a barrier because no one could hear you or catch your scent.

  Well shit, how did I explain to my boyfriend that I didn’t need to write runes to do them? Fuck.

  Tamsin: I was upset and I… I don’t know. I was thinking I didn’t want to be seen. I must have written the rune. I’m sorry. The barrier is just instinct now I’m so jumpy I think.

  I was in the kitchen when I hit send and I jumped when I heard the door to the garage slam. I blinked and Darby was in front of me.

  “Oh, agra,” he breathed, reaching out and wiping my cheek, making my realize I was probably a mess.

  “It’s complicated and been building,” I muttered, ducking my head. The tears I thought all dried up built again. “I’m sorry I’m still keeping things from you.”

  “You keep them so I’m not burdened and a target, not because of anything nefarious. I accept you need to keep the secrets to keep us safe. Don’t apologize. You were clear on that and I’m fine with it.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered against his chest.

  He kissed my hair. “You treat me like a partner in so many other ways that I have no complaints. I adore what we have and you’re a miracle to give me another chance after what I did. I know you’re spiraling after so much has happened but please, please do not worry about me. You have my heart, agra. It’s yours completely.”

  I hopped up on the counter and pulled him between my legs, kissing him deeply and then simply hugging him. I soaked up his strength and comfort… And didn’t flinch he was by my neck. That alone almost made me cry all over again.

  “You good?” I checked.

  “The thought crossed my mind,” he admitted. “You smell divine, but I need you in my life more than I ever need your blood.”

  And that meant everything to me.

  I quickly cleaned up my face in the half bath off the kitchen and grabbed my stuff. I realized the slamming of the door to the garage wasn’t only in his rush, but he had tried to keep others out as several people were standing there waiting for us.

  I locked gazes with Zack and swallowed loudly. “Sorry.”

  He nodded, getting there was more going on than he understood.

  Craftsman reached for me, but I flinched away, not even looking at him as I focused on Edelman. “Sorry I used the faculty portal without permission. I’ll take whatever punishment you think fair. I just need… I wanted to be home for a bit.”

  “No, it’s fine, Ms. Vale, understandable even,” he murmured, giving my shoulder a quick pat before heading back through the portal.

  Yeah, except he didn’t get any of it, not really. He thought I was upset about Ainsworth.

  I wasn’t.

  He thought I meant the Townsend mansion I’d inherited.

  I didn’t. I meant Faerie. I’d come here to run there. That was actually my home as a fairy. That was where I was from.

  And that thought made me realize something I hadn’t before, almost tripping over my feet as I stepped towards the portal.

  “You okay?” Darby asked as he caught me.

  “Fine, down on the tank,” I muttered, giving him a weak smile as I tried to push down the bubbling panic swirling in me. He nodded and came through with me.

  Holy fuck—I wasn’t born in this world.

  I wasn’t just a fairy… I was an alien.

  Did that make me an alien?

  Oh. My. Fucking. Gods. I. Was. An. Alien.

  What did someone do when they found that out?

  I crawled into bed and took a nap, trying to forget I ever had the epiphany. Maybe I’d deal with it next semester. Sure. That sounded like it could work.

  19

  Friday afternoon I had showered and dressed after class for another photo shoot when Mel came barreling into my room. Relief instantly filled her eyes when she saw me.

  “Oh thank fuck you’re ready.”

  “Yeah, Natalie told me what to wear,” I muttered, glancing down.

  “No—I mean yeah,” she growled and waved off my questions. “Tams, I fucked up. I fucked up big. Forgive me and love me enough to forgive me but we have to go now. I forgot. I thought—we’ve had too much going on and I thought—I fucked up.”

  I grabbed her hands when she went to pace and made her focus on me. “Mel, whatever it is, we got this, okay? Do I have to give a kidney?”

  She smothered a hysterical giggle. “No, but you hate surprise meetings, and this is a big one. I thought—I’m so fucking sorry.”

  “I’ll spank you later. What are we doing and where are we going?”

  “The portal. Now.” She let out a slow breath and kissed my forehead. “Thanks, kid.” She quickly grabbed what I needed and led me out to where everyone was waiting, apologizing as Natalie quickly did my makeup and hair so I was ready.

  For what I had no clue, but I could roll with changes. Sure. I could kick off the heels and run if we needed and certainly kick ass with them on.

  “The outfit’s perfect,” Mel praised as we rushed to the student union.

  I liked it. It was a sexy professional black charcoal suit that had low-rise pants with a bit of flare at the cuff and the jacket was longer and didn’t button. The shell was a pretty—but thin—wrap and with the quick braids Natalie had done in my hair, leaving the rest down and flowing, I looked killer strutting in the platform heels.

  “Don’t kill me,” Mel repeated when we met Zack, Ray, Edelman, White, and Craftsman—who I still hadn’t spoken with—at the portal.

  “Seriously, what are we going to?”

  “Oh, this will be amusing,” Professor White sighed. “Hold onto your hat and welcome to the top of the food chain, Ms. Vale.”

  Oh goodie, just where I wanted to be like never.

  We went through the portal and instantly I knew Hudson was there, that strange energy dancing over my skin letting me know he was close, and it was time to be even closer soon. I locked eyes with him and noted his parents and Tanesha, dipping my head to them in greeting.

  I might have gone over to them, but I saw Juan standing with regal-looking, very tall people and guards… One a woman who was Hispanic or South American and a man who was Asian. His parents. Okay, so two sets of dragon royals.

  “Oh, I think I’m going to kill you slowly, Mel,” I murmured under my breath when I saw two other regal couples surrounded with very large people who had the air of badass ninja dragons like the Rothchilds.

  “Glad you could make it so fast after class,” Mr. Geiger greeted with Claudia standing next to him.

  “Hmm, me too,” I muttered, letting him shake my hand as I took in the situation. “Sorry, Mel, but I’m going to out you.”

  “Why?” she hissed, sounding a bit hurt.

  “Because not only do I not know what this is, three of my biggest allies are dragons standing before their bosses and like royals and I have to know what side they’re on,” I hissed right back. “If we’re about to throw down here that leaves me with two wolves, two warlocks, and a witch who I think might be able to take us all with the secrets she keeps but I don’t actually know.”

  “You are smarter than people give you credit for,” Professor White chuckled, not offended in the slightest.

  Mel ignored her and addressed my concern. “In my defense, they didn’t tell me much of what they wanted, but it’s not to throw down.” She tapped my hand when I didn’t look at her and simply focused on all the guards in the room. “Tams, you’re only seeing the hits you’ve taken lately.”

  “No, I’m seeing that elders have sent their fucking aides and people after me to get my power and more,” I explained, already having my telepathy on. “And all they’re thinking is they want my power.”

  “Actu
ally, we want your help and your power can give it to us,” Mrs. Vogel clarified. “This is simply a meeting, Tamsin. Just a dinner, I swear it to you. Nothing more. Our elders are not here. We invited you to have a chance for… A proposition of favors. We think you can help us, and we can certainly help you.”

  “We’re here as your attorneys and allies, no need for alliances to be called into question,” Geiger promised.

  “All right, then maybe let’s tone back the amount of testosterone in the room,” I suggested.

  “Agreed,” Zack practically growled. “And it’s impressive you can sense it.”

  “I knew when people saw me as a problem long before I was a supe.”

  “Your power clap was quite hard to unsee and makes us nervous to be around those we’re charged to protect,” one of the guards explained.

  “Don’t piss me off and we’ve got no worries, mate,” I promised him. “I’m a very rational and logical woman.” I cursed several times. “And I’m not even armed for once. I was supposed to be doing a photo shoot for the hobgoblins.”

  “You are a weapon I’m saying,” he clarified.

  “Not if you feed her and are polite,” Juan joked, giving the guy a look to back down. “I’ve never seen her start anything in the months we’ve been friends. So don’t.”

  “I do like being fed,” I agreed, taking the olive branch. Several people chuckled and it eased the tension in the room.

  “Ms. Vale, it’s a pleasure to finally meet the woman my goofball son speaks so highly of,” Juan’s father greeted as our parties moved closer. It took me a moment to remember Juan’s last name—Gui. Mr. Gui? Your Majesty?

  Oh shit, Mel, really?

  I let him kiss my hand but then registered what he said and frowned. “That’s not who Juan is. If someone’s paying attention, they can see that’s not at all who he is.” I felt the air shift around me as people flinched and even Mr. Gui’s eyes flashed shock. I blurted a nervous chuckle. “Sorry, I didn’t mean you. You’re his dad. You can’t be objective, of course.”

  “Jesus, Tams,” Mel hissed under her breath.

  I gave a half shrug. “Yeah, that sounded bad even to my socially awkward ears.” I took my hand back and gave Juan’s dad a let me back up gesture. “I don’t have parents nor children so I don’t—I’m not burdened with a family perspective, only an outsider. What I meant as an objective outside perspective is Juan isn’t a goofball at all.”