The Black Fortress

by E. G. Foley

“Why are you blaming her for what Wyvern did to your family? You know that doesn’t make any sense.”

  “I don’t blame her!” Janos said hotly. “Did she say that?”

  “Yes, she did. She was distraught the whole time we were gone. Because of you.”

  He spluttered. “Because of—? Don’t be ridiculous! Me? Whatever for?”

  “She cares about you, man! She did exactly what you asked and then you yelled at her.”

  “I was a little upset!”

  “Yes, I know.” Jake lifted his hands. “You had cause. All I’m saying is that you hurt her feelings, mate. And I’m sure you should know that, considering you can read the girl’s mind.”

  Janos looked away and ran his hand restlessly through his hair. “Isabelle and her bloody feelings.”

  “Look,” Jake said. “I, for one, know you didn’t mean it. Believe me, I know how it is when you accidentally lash out at one person, when you’re really mad at someone else entirely. I do the same blasted thing myself every other day. I try not to, but… Anyway, my cousin, she’s very tender-hearted.”

  Janos frowned. “Is this lecture almost over?”

  “I’m not trying to meddle. I just wanted you to know that she’s upset. She’s very fond of you.” Jake stopped himself from saying anything beyond that. “She’s a peacemaker. She just wants everyone to get along. You know Izzy. Gentle soul.”

  Janos harrumphed and studied the floor.

  “So, er, not to get in the middle of anything here, I just think…perhaps you owe her an apology.”

  “Fine.” Janos licked his lips as though striving for patience, then cocked a sideways glance down the hallway behind them. “Alas, as you can see, the young lady is busy at the moment. Talking to Stick,” he said dryly.

  Jake followed his gaze and saw that it was true: Izzy and Maddox were having a conversation halfway down the corridor.

  He tried not to smile at the vampire’s rude-but-perfect nickname for the overly serious Guardian lad. “Then I guess you’re off the hook for the moment.”

  Janos frowned again before striding off. “Bring that darkling blade I gave you,” he said over his shoulder. “You never know.”

  “Will do!” Jake said. Then he saw his pretty cousin glance wistfully after the vampire as Janos marched out the side door and disappeared into the darkness outside.

  He hoped those two made up soon. He didn’t like seeing Isabelle in pain, nor Janos still hurting over his loss.

  But, more importantly, given the external threats they faced, this disunity within the group was dangerous.

  * * *

  Maddox stood across from Isabelle, feeling slightly awkward, his thumbs hooked in his pockets as he struggled for words.

  Across from him, her arms folded, she had been waiting for him to speak his piece, staring matter-of-factly at him—until the moment Janos walked away.

  Then her golden head swiveled so fast that her long curls bounced over her shoulders.

  For his part, Maddox had been thinking how glorious she looked with the light from the chandelier sparkling along her delicate profile and shining on her hair. Like an angel standing there, glowing just a little.

  “So, maybe, um, tomorrow while we’re traveling, we could spend some time together. Catch up,” he had been saying. Rather bravely, he thought.

  But he lost her attention entirely the moment that insufferable vampire quit the conversation with Jake.

  Isabelle looked over with a nosy glance at Janos, like she needed to know what the bloodsucker was doing at every moment.

  It infuriated Maddox. His jaw clenched.

  What bothered him the most was that she used to look at him like that. But not lately.

  Not anymore.

  His idiotic words trailed off when Izzy glanced back at him, looking bored.

  “What?” she prompted, seeing his expression.

  Like he’d just been punched in the gut.

  Maddox didn’t bother answering, just stared impassively at her.

  “Oh, you’ve got to be joking!” she said, reading his face. “Unbelievable. You’re jealous?”

  Maddox was taken aback by her rude retort. So now she was making fun of him?

  “So what if I am, a little?” he said, bristling.

  “Well, that would be absurd,” she replied.

  “Oh really? And why is that absurd?” His pulse had started pounding; he could feel the blood creeping into his cheeks.

  This girl really thought she was better than him, didn’t she? Just because of her high birth.

  Apparently, she didn’t know that Maddox was actually the illegitimate son of a bachelor prince whom Ravyn had once been sent to guard.

  But, of course, Isabelle’s ignorance of his true origins was Maddox’s own fault. He was too proud to tell her he was actually a royal bastard.

  Nevertheless, his genuine royal blood was part of the reason that he so despised Janos, who’d been very much a commoner up until the night he abandoned the Order and received a bloody kingdom in exchange.

  His title, his castle, his lands had been simply handed to him by his filthy vampire brides and their ruler, the foul Red Queen. Janos was one of them. A creature of darkness. He had chosen his path.

  And now Isabelle couldn’t stop ogling the blackguard. Maddox wondered what that might actually say about her.

  “Why shouldn’t I be jealous with the way you’re always pining after him?” Maddox growled.

  “Oh, let’s see!” she shot back, her tone saucy, her blue eyes ablaze. Drumming her fingers on her arm, she lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “I’ve been gone for three weeks and I did not receive so much as a single word from you, Maddox. Jake even wrote to Dani, but you couldn’t spare a single line for me? That told me all I need to know. You don’t really care about me. Out of sight, out of mind.”

  “You wanted me to write to you?” he asked.

  Her jaw dropped. “Oh—why do I even try? You’re right. It was a foolish expectation, considering you’ve been ignoring me for the past four months.”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “Yes, you have.”

  “My mother was missing!”

  “Yes, I know that,” she said. “And that is the only reason I didn’t give up on you sooner. But I’ve had it, Maddox! I’m glad your mother’s safe—thanks to Janos—but, in the meantime, you completely forgot I existed. You withdrew into your shell and shut me out.”

  “I didn’t want to burden you with my problems!”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying—you could’ve confided in me! That’s what people do when they care about each other. Instead, you shut me out, withdrew into yourself, and practically abandoned me. Now your mother’s back and you think we can simply pick up right where we left off?”

  “But—”

  “Maddox, a girl is not a toy you can take down off the shelf and play with when it pleases you and then toss aside again whenever it suits your fancy. I’m a person, with feelings, and I will not be treated with such disrespect.

  “Besides, what’s the point, anyway? The same Guardian rules that held you back before are still in place. Nothing’s changed.” She waved a hand dismissively. “I just— I see no reason to go through that again. We’ve already done that dance, so why waste our time? I’m sorry, Maddox,” she said with crushing finality, “but I’ve moved on.”

  Maddox stood there and didn’t know what to say.

  A couple of centaurs clip-clopped past the end of the hallway, turning the corner. He hoped they hadn’t heard her scolding him this way.

  Rejecting him.

  He gritted his teeth.

  Didn’t she know lots of other girls liked him quite well, thank you very much? Even Princess Sapphira made it clear she fancied him. But here was haughty Miss Bradford brushing him off like he was some sort of bumbling pest.

  A weakling. A nobody.

  “All I ask,” she said, “is that if we both have to go on this trip, let’s
keep it courteous to spare the others from unnecessary drama.”

  “Of course,” he said, seething.

  “Good. If you’ll excuse me, I have to pack.”

  She started to walk away, but Maddox reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Isabelle, wait.”

  She looked down at his possessive hold. “Unhand me at once. What do you want?”

  He released her wrist but glared at her. “Why don’t you be honest?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “The only reason you’re saying this is because of that stupid vampire!”

  She huffed, but her cheeks turned strawberry red. “No, I’m not!”

  “Yes, you are. It’s obvious! Don’t be a fool, Isabelle. You know what he is.”

  “How dare you?” she uttered, and for a moment, Maddox thought he was going to get slapped. Clearly appalled, she looked him over from head to foot in utter disgust. “Need I remind you, that ‘stupid vampire’ was the one who risked his life to bring your mother back safe. And it cost him his entire family! You, of all people, have no right to say a single word about him. How monstrously ungrateful.”

  She shook her head with a withering stare. “You, more than anyone, owe Janos your loyalty, Maddox. I suggest you remember that before he loses patience with you. Because Lord knows I already have.”

  With that, she pivoted on her heel, her blue skirts swirling around her. Head high, curls bouncing down her back, the Keeper of the Unicorns marched back angrily toward the parlor they had left.

  Watching her, Maddox realized two important things.

  First: his hot-tempered insults of Janos had, admittedly, been wrong. She was right: his words had been dishonorable. He might despise that creature, but the vampire had saved Ravyn’s life.

  Second, it sank in with great finality that the beautiful Isabelle Bradford was well and truly done with him. He had officially lost his chance, if he’d ever really had one. And there was not a thing he could do about it now.

  She was gone.

  Her rejection pumped through his veins like a poison spreading through him.

  How was this fair?

  He had done the right thing, same as always. Had chosen to put the Order’s rules ahead of his own wishes. Why, it was the very opposite choice that her precious Janos had once made years ago.

  Good God, how did that blasted vampire always get away with everything, when Maddox never did? He clamped his jaw shut and clenched his fists at his sides, his temper roiling within him.

  Well, he wasn’t stupid. He could see exactly what was going on here. The smooth-talking scoundrel had gotten into her head somehow with his unholy charm. Janos had even fooled Derek into giving him another chance.

  Why am I the only one who can see he can’t be trusted? Now the bloodsucker had cast some sort of glamour over Izzy.

  But Maddox made a decision in that moment. After all, he was a Guardian, sworn to protect the innocent and the good. Fine. Cast me aside. But I’m not going to let him hurt you, Isabelle.

  Even if I have to stake the blackguard myself.

  CHAPTER 47

  The Snitch

  “You wanted to see me, Lady Bradford?” Dani asked nervously back in Parlor 16.

  Everyone else had gone, the other kids to pack, the other adults to make their preparations for the trip.

  Only the Elder witch remained.

  Seated at the elegant writing table at the front of the room, she gave a weary nod. “Don’t be alarmed, Miss O’Dell. You are not in any trouble.”

  Dani was relieved to hear it. She’d been scared to death when the intimidating woman had asked her to stay. She could not recall Her Ladyship ever wanting to speak to her privately before.

  Interlocking her bony fingers, the wise old dowager baroness regarded Dani. “How are you finding the Lightrider program so far, Miss O’Dell?”

  “Oh, I love it, ma’am,” Dani said heartily. “There’s so much to learn. It’s fun, and Master Finnderool says I’m one of the best in my class.”

  Her Ladyship’s wrinkled face softened with a smile. “I am not at all surprised to hear it. I had a feeling you would be.” She glanced down at the Bud of Life on Dani’s wrist. “I see you have received your training gauntlet.”

  She nodded, touching the buckles. “Yes, ma’am. I’m being very careful not to get it wet.”

  “Good girl,” Lady Bradford said, then she came to the point. “Miss O’Dell, I wish to ask a favor of you.”

  “Me?” Startled, Dani waited attentively. “Of course, my lady. Anything.” She owed the old woman so much.

  Lady Bradford seemed relieved at her answer and nodded. “I won’t be joining the diplomatic mission, as I am needed here. However, I should like for you to keep an eye on my nephew for me during this journey.”

  “Jake?” Dani smiled. “Oh, I always look out for him, ma’am, and he looks out for me.”

  “Yes, I know, but, um…that’s not exactly what I mean, dear.” She paused, pursing her lips slightly. “Jake trusts you more than anyone, Daniela. We all know that. And, so, for his sake, I am charging you with a very serious responsibility.”

  Dani tilted her head. “Yes, ma’am?”

  “I want you to keep me apprised of what he does. Anything unusual you might hear him say. What he’s thinking. How he’s doing, in general. Particularly if you notice any changes in his behavior. For example…mood swings of, er, a negative sort.”

  Dani stared at her with a chill of realization tingling down her back. Oh no. Her shoulders hunched a little. “Y-you want me to spy on Jake for you?”

  Her heart began to pound as she recalled their conversation at supper.

  Why, barely an hour ago, Jake had warned her not to tattletale on Isabelle’s secret bond with Janos. In the rookery, he’d reminded her, snitches were punished ruthlessly.

  Rat out a friend? That was the one thing a good rookery lass would never do.

  Yet the person asking her to do it was the one soul on earth Dani owed practically everything.

  Forget the Lightrider program—Lady Bradford could’ve sent her back to the rookery at any time. Instead, she had shown Dani the great kindness of letting her stay on as Isabelle’s companion. Where she had enough food, a safe place to sleep every night, her friends nearby. Even nice clothes. And books! Education…

  Mother Mary, what a horrible dilemma.

  Lady Bradford waited for an answer, but Dani felt slightly queasy. Spy on her best friend? She couldn’t say yes. But how could she possibly say no?

  The Elder witch watched her face as though she could read her mind. For all Dani knew, maybe she could. But, of course, Dani had never been very good at hiding her emotions. She’d always been an open book.

  “My dear young lady,” the woman said sternly, “you know the stakes. As much as we both adore him, the boy has been prophesied to become a future leader of the Dark Druids. That is why I’m turning to you. If anyone is going to notice wicked tendencies starting to emerge in Jake, it would be you. If you truly care about him, you must tell me if you see anything worrisome taking shape with him so the problem can be dealt with at the earliest stages.”

  “Dealt with?” Dani echoed, as wary as if ol’ Constable Flanagan back in London had asked her to rat out one of her big brothers’ misadventures.

  “I only mean so we can help him. If signs of evil start arising in my nephew, it is vital that we nip it in the bud, as they say. We daren’t risk letting it go untreated. Believe me, I don’t like asking this of you, but I really have no choice.”

  “But don’t you think Isabelle would be better at this than me? She is an empath, after all,” Dani said meekly.

  “Not even Isabelle knows Jake like you do. You’re the one he can’t survive without.”

  Dani stared at her, awed that Her Ladyship should think so. “I would never let Jake turn evil. He never would.”

  “So you agree?”

  Dani floundered.

  The old woman arche
d a brow. “My dear, you have been given the extraordinary honor of training to become a Lightrider. I should think your first loyalties now belong to the Order, do they not?” And I’m the one who got you into the program, her sharp gaze clearly reminded her.

  Despite that fact, Dani dreaded what she was being asked to do. It went against everything she believed in.

  It went against Jake. Her own best quality in her view was loyalty, and she was being pressured into compromising that. Besides, what if he found out?

  She could lose her best friend.

  “My dear, I am not asking you to do anything except what is in Jake’s best interest and the world’s. I can’t let my own nephew become another Zolond.”

  Dani gulped.

  “If Jake starts to go bad, I need to know at once.”

  “But, ma’am, he’s always a little bit naughty. I mean, it’s a part of what makes him so courageous. How am I supposed to tell if it’s just him being his regular rascal self as opposed to…something worse? And if it does get worse, well, what will you do to him?”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, dear. I am only asking you to monitor him for me during the trip.” Lady Bradford tilted her head. “Think of it as if Jake had been exposed to some terrible disease and we weren’t sure yet whether or not he had actually caught it. You’d be like a nurse, watching for signs of the illness, so the doctors can help him at the first appearance of any symptoms.”

  “But how exactly do you cure someone from turning evil?” Dani asked, still dubious. Quarantine? Would they lock him away somewhere to prevent his destiny from coming true?

  Might they even kill him?

  Lady Bradford frowned. “Surely you trust me, Miss O’Dell?”

  The pointed question pierced through the cloud of suspicion Dani was feeling, and actually showed her she was probably being silly. Paranoid. A typical rookery fool like her brothers, who refused to trust the police.

  But she wasn’t a rookery lass anymore.

  She was a Lightrider-in-training. She was part of something bigger, something good.

  And the Elder witch had made it all possible. Jake’s Aunt Ramona, of all people, would never ask her to do something bad.