If artificial insemination worked for us, I’d have sworn that was how, but it didn’t, so it wasn’t. Which made it all the more mind-boggling.
“Because my Virgo called to me tonight,” he rasped brokenly, his features crumpling for a split second. A split second I knew contained the most emotion I’d ever seen him display.
“I-Is that a bad thing?”
His mouth tightened. “She died nine years ago.” His gulp was audible. “I haven’t felt her since.”
“Oh.” My voice was small, and I hoped it hid my confusion. “I’m sorry.”
Eyes darkening, my father mumbled, “I wondered…”
“What?”
“Perhaps she was warning me about something. About you. You’re the only child I really give a damn about,” he declared, stunning the Sol out of me.
He cared about me?
When did he ever show it?
“But you’re well, true?” he queried, his voice shaken.
Suddenly nervous, I licked my lips. “Very well. My troupe has declared its final member.”
“This is good news indeed,” he rasped, evidently pleased on a personal level and not just for our lineage. “You should have said so earlier.”
I shrugged. “Wasn’t sure if you were interested.”
“Of course, I am. Who is it? Someone I know?”
“She’s human born.”
He cocked a brow. “Truly?” I sensed his surprise, and it wasn’t necessarily of the happy variety. Human borns were never trusted among our kind.
“Truly. What she lacks for in heritage, she makes up for in skill,” I lied. Far as I’d seen, there was none of the promise in her that Matthew had lauded, but Sol, it was a done deal now.
She was ours and we were hers until we either died or retired.
Gaia help us.
“Very interesting. What’s her name? I’ll do some research into her background.”
So he could judge her was a more apt description as to what he’d be about the second I uttered her name… Still, there was no point in prevaricating. We’d made our choice and we’d have to stand by it, no matter the consequences.
As my father raised a glass of port to his mouth, I passed on Gabriella’s information, going so far as to include her Skills’ score as well just so he knew we hadn’t picked a dud.
Even if I knew we probably had.
When he spat out the liquid he’d just imbibed, I jerked back as though the port could spray me. He set about coughing then, spluttering as his patrician features turned bright pink with exertion as he hacked up his guts.
“N-No,” he stuttered. “Her name… that can’t be possible.”
Frowning, I asked, “Why can’t it be?”
“Do you have a picture?”
I shrugged. “I have the graduation image.”
“Show me,” he demanded, his urgency biting me to do as he bid.
As was always the way.
Wondering what he was about, I tipped my head back against the headrest of the armchair I was using, and waited for him to speak after he fell silent. I could see on his face that the cogs were grinding, and it did no good to argue with him. No good at all.
Noa vil de Luir knew his own mind and power, and wouldn’t be led along by one of his younger sons. Even if he purported to care about that one the most.
I reached for my phone and headed into my email where we’d all received the photo of the graduating class.
Of the four hundred who’d arrived on the first day, only thirty had been sent home in disgrace. The rest had been segmented into the three castes. The largest was the administrative. Over two hundred and forty Fae had been allotted into that division of the class. Then, eighty had gone toward the instructor line, with the remaining fifty heading for the warrior caste.
As was our right, only the warriors had their wings held aloft in the photo. We stood at the head of the stands, with a few feet between each of us to make room for our wings, as we stood with pride etched on our features.
Well, everyone except for Gabriella who, of course, looked bored.
Zooming into her face, I raised the cellphone, and twisted the screen around to show him. The second his eyes connected with her, he swallowed.
“Sol help us,” he whispered, his hand shaking as he traced the part of the screen where Gabriella’s unsmiling face lay. “She’s like my Gabriella in the flesh. She and my Virgo share the same name.” He reached up and rubbed his forehead. “This has to mean something. I must go to the Temple. Maybe Gaia can advise me.”
Before I could utter another word, he’d disconnected the call, leaving me staring blankly at the screen.
It went without saying that this information was for no other’s ears.
A Fae’s loyalty remained with his line. That only changed if he became a member of a troupe. The link between the members of a troupe was such that the bonds surpassed even that of family. That was how highly respected these brotherhoods were in our society. But trusting them above family was a hard habit to break. Sol, it was impossible. Yet the urge to speak on this situation with someone burned me, and while I was no longer tied to remain silent, it was difficult not to.
Dropping my head to my chin, I stared down at my stomach as I rested my hands there. Twisting my seat so I could evade the screen, I slumped back and looked over my quarters.
As was a warrior’s due, my room was large and impressive with plenty of foliage, gold dust shimmering from the walls, and comfortable furnishings that were tailored to my tastes—tastes the Academy instinctively knew as it connected with my magic. A bit like Bluetooth with a Goddess’ involvement.
Everything from the La-Z-Boy to the wide screen TV, the plush sofa that could seat five and was more like a bed for the living room, to the absence of carpeting, which I loathed, and the hardwood flooring that felt good when I stepped on it. Every single choice was personalized to me.
It was comfortable and practical. Perhaps not beautiful, but I didn’t need beauty. I’d been raised with that. Staterooms were for public consumption, bedrooms were for private—regardless, they’d all been like show rooms for the dolls who lived within the walls of Landgow.
This was exactly what I wanted, and yet, it felt empty.
I guessed it was the troupe bond that was making it feel this way. After we passed the first phase of trials, we’d move into the same apartment where the bond would tighten further in preparation for the second and final phase of graduation, which would see us soaring into the real world…
The real world with a female who was somehow connected to my line, a warrior who didn’t want to fight, and a human born Fae/witch hybrid who Matt felt sure was going to destroy my people’s equilibrium for the first time in five hundred years…
The future didn’t exactly look bright, but busy? Sol, yeah, it was starting to seem that way.
And even as my thoughts were consumed about possible outcomes for us, my biggest concern was that now, my father knew Gabriella’s family were witches… and what that meant for her I wasn’t sure.
❖
Matthew
As I stared at the obstacle course, I stacked my hands on my hips and told Gabriella, “I know you can do this one.”
Her lips tightened. “I’m not completely useless,” she snapped.
“No? Just with weapons then?” I retorted, for once, losing my cool with her.
When I saw the sparks in her eyes, I felt vindicated. The knowledge that she was just as frustrated as me came as a relief.
She gave off the impression that she didn’t give a shit, but I knew she did. Not with everything, perhaps, but with certain things, yes.
Swords, for example, she held no affinity for and was quickly bored. Crossbows? That held her attention. Lances were of less interest to her, but more so than swords, which presented a real issue as crossbows and lances were considered ‘training wheels’ in our weaponry.
If she was to pass the initial trials, she’d need to
hold some semblance of ability with the sword.
That, however, was a problem for another time.
Reaching up to rub the sweat from my brow, I murmured, “Part of the initial trials will contain something of this nature.”
“An assault course?” she grumbled. “What is this? Sparta?”
I huffed. “This is far more difficult. On the day itself, you’ll have to defend yourself and they won’t allow pepper spray.”
Her mouth tightened. “That’s because they’re stupid.”
“Maybe. If we can build up your stamina, perhaps it will make it easier to hold a sword.”
“I can hold a sword, I choose not to.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. Right.”
Having seen her lift a saber, I was definitely cynical. They weren’t considered that heavy in our armory, but for her? They had been.
I was considering switching her from a saber to a foil, a small sword that was more manageable, but thus far, she was resisting all our efforts to teach her.
“Look, I understand you don’t want to be here,” I chivvied, “but surely—”
“Spare the BS pep talk,” she grumbled, then her brow puckered as she stared at the ground. When she toed it, digging the tip of her boot into the sand of the arena, my mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry I’m being a pain in the ass, but…” She blew out a breath. “Is there something in your life that you’ve never, ever, ever wanted to do?”
My mouth twisted. “Several things.”
“And how did it feel when you were made to do them?”
I sighed. “Shitty.”
“Well, I really don’t want any of this. I’m not a soldier,” she whispered. “I’m just… not. I can’t fight. I can run. That’s about it. I’ve started to get really good at that since I arrived here, and even running isn’t necessary. I have to fly instead.”
She looked so miserable that, I had to admit, I felt for her. It wasn’t my fault she was here, but I’d chosen her to exploit her talents. That was on me. One-hundred-percent.
And even though the troupe bond was starting to unfurl among us, to the extent that it would soon become difficult for us to begin living apart… I knew she wasn’t feeling it.
Was that because of her other nature?
Deciding to broach the subject, I asked, “When you’re in your quarters, do you feel lonely?”
Her brow puckered. “Huh?”
I knew it probably seemed like an out of the way question, but there was definitely a method to my madness. “Do you feel lonely in your quarters?” I repeated bluntly.
“I feel lonely all the time. Have ever since I came here.” She tightened her mouth. “My family is huge. I have eight brothers, por Dios. Not one of them has spoken with me since I came here, and this is after they literally harassed me when I moved from Miami to L.A..”
“Why?” Seph queried, stepping closer to get involved in the conversation. From the corner of my eye, I saw Daniel approach too. They’d been practicing swordplay, but must have sensed the serious turn of our conversation.
A turn that involved Gabriella not insulting us or our way of life.
Miracles really did happen.
“Because…” She gulped. “They hate the Fae.”
I knew she wasn’t scared of admitting that. It wasn’t a crime to hate us. Hate wasn’t a crime period, unless you forced that hatred onto a public sphere or caused fear in others.
The Fae weren’t popular with witches or humans. It was a fact of life. We had more power, governed over the three sets of races, and enforced laws… Which of those aspects were the witches and humans supposed to appreciate?
But, that wasn’t true, was it? I knew why they weren’t talking to her. So did she. And it had nothing to do with hatred for my people.
“That’s a lie,” I told her softly, twisting closer to her so I was in her space.
I knew it was a lie because I knew what she was, but she took my remark like the proverbial cat on a hot tin roof. She leaped back, her hand flying to her throat. When a bright pink glow sparked from her hand, her eyes widened and she shoved both hands behind her back.
“What was that?” I asked calmly, even though, deep inside, my heart was racing like mad.
“N-Nothing,” she stammered, and that was another truth. At last.
My eyes narrowed. “You really don’t know.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she whispered uneasily. “I-I don’t feel well. I’m going to go lie down.”
Before she could stride off, I reached for her, grabbing her arm so she couldn’t run off. When my fingers connected with her skin, a tingle shot through me and the pink glow spread to me. It was like a gas, almost impossible to discern but for its brightness. Close to neon, it began to spread up my forearm toward my bicep, but rather than feel pain, I felt a curious warmth.
It burned, but it didn’t scorch.
It was like the difference between a scald from boiling water and heading into a sauna. Strange comparison, but this was strange too.
“I think you’d better explain what’s going on,” I rasped, eying the ever-spreading glow as it moved nearer and nearer to my shoulder.
Daniel, who, the second the glow had emanated, strode closer to us, eyed the glow and whispered, “Is that supposed to hurt?”
Seph tilted his head to the side, his tongue stuck in his cheek as he eyed the bewildering connection. “I’ve never seen anything like that. And you know my father collects oddities.”
Indeed, I did know. Noa vil de Luir was renowned for his prisoners... All unusual witches with peculiar talents.
I didn’t agree with it, was certain most didn’t, but Noa wasn’t technically breaking any laws. And, truth be told, Noa was just more public about what he did—most hid the witches they mined their own personal vaults of power from.
Catching Gabriella’s terrified gaze, I murmured, “It’s okay.” It seemed strange to be comforting her when I got the feeling this pink glow was anything but friendly. Sure, it might be a cheery color, but anything that came from a witch where a Fae was concerned was never all that sympathetic to our race.
But just like with Dan’s burn a few days ago, a burn that had disappeared overnight, this wasn’t hurting me.
“How can you say that?” she rasped, her eyes wide and wild. “I have no idea what it is.”
I dipped my chin. “We both know you were witch born, Gabriella. At least come clean about that.”
Her mouth curved in a sneer. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sol, I’ve seen you practice magic, Gabriella. I don’t think now is the time to lie. When I saw you practice before, it wasn’t easy to detect. I only knew what it was because you were moving a book and it flew over to you. There was a faint tinge of pink, but nothing this visible to the naked eye. So, what’s changed?”
She gulped. “I don’t know.”
“Why are you lying?” Seph groused, folding his arms across his chest.
“Why should I trust any of you? You obviously saw something you misunderstood and that’s why you kept me here, you bastards.” She dragged her arm from mine, except, as my fingers disconnected from her skin, there was a searing flash that had us both crying out—for me, it was uncomfortable. For her? She released a sharp scream and staggered to her knees.
“What the Sol?” Daniel demanded, his hands coming to catch her as she almost fell to the ground. Only, as he touched her, the glow appeared once more, this time spreading faster over his body as both hands were connected to her, encompassing him in the light.
“Let go of her,” Seph growled, evidently concerned for him.
“I can’t,” Daniel gritted out, and when I looked at him, I saw he had sweat beading on his brow. “It’s like my hands are glued to her.” I watched him try to wrench his hold free of her, but to no avail.
“Is it hurting you?” I asked.
“No, it’s just really hot.” He blew out a breath, the
hair that was flopping onto his forehead jerked upright with the gust, before settling back onto his clammy skin. The gold that was intrinsic to all of us gleamed all the brighter for the pink glow that was overtaking him.
“We have to stop this,” Seph stated gruffly. “Someone will see. We have the court to ourselves, but only for the moment.”
He wasn’t wrong.
“Fuck.” I scraped my hand through my hair. “What in Gaia’s name are you doing to him, Gabriella?”
But she was slumped in his arms, her head lolling back as, whatever the Sol was happening to her, seemed to sap every ounce of her strength.
“Maybe we should try to dislodge his hands?” Seph suggested, unease dropping from the words.
“If we do, won’t the glow spread to us?” I queried warily, eying the light.
“Maybe? But it’s a risk we have to take. If we can dislodge his grip then maybe we can break the glow’s hold?” He shrugged. “Work in progress theory, but I don’t think we have an alternative. Someone is bound to come in soon enough. We only booked the arena for a few hours, and if we want to hold out on revealing what she is—”
“You know they’ll take her from us if they know,” I rasped.
He shrugged. “She’s more trouble than she’s worth. Won’t train, attitude larger than Greenland.”
“Yeah, but she’s the next gen,” I said. “You and I both know having her in our troupe is going to make history.” The look we gave one another said it all.
We wanted that.
Fuck, we needed it.
Seph had a lot to live up to. His family was warrior born and bred. His father and uncles had been in a famous troupe, his brothers were currently in the Middle East helping with the clusterfuck over there—the Assembly only sent the strongest to the most troubled areas.
As for me?
I had my family’s reputation to save, and Daniel was the first warrior of his line. He wanted to make his name too, wanted to forge a dynasty of his own, a new era for his kin.
It was selfish and egotistical, didn’t consider her wishes at all, but, and this was the whole truth, she was under the impression that the Academy would have let her return home if we hadn’t selected her for our troupe.
Faeling for Them: An Eight Wings Academy Novel: Book One Page 10