“Whoa,” Lily said.
My breath caught as I turned my hands, and the floating doll twirled like a dancer. It was beautiful. True, the female could’ve been anyone, not just Kristen, but it was something.
How I wished I could create an ice doll of Vulthus and then destroy it. Alas, I doubted my powers had anything to do with voodoo, and a powerful vampire like Vulthus would feel anything even if I had a proper voodoo doll and the right needles.
I released my magic, and the doll melted onto the stone floor, forming a puddle.
“That was amazing!” Lily jumped from her bed. “I didn’t know that was possible.” I glanced at the door meaningfully, and she cringed. “Sorry,” she whispered.
I let out a loud sigh. “Yes, I suppose it’s a nice skill to have if I want to join Vulthus’s personal circus.” A hysterical laugh bubbled from my lips. Blair the fire fae and me the ice fae. What a misfit duo we’d make. I shook my head. “But it’s not useful with the whole glamour thing.”
Lily shrugged. “I don’t know. Creating shapes with your magic seems like a step in the right direction to me.”
I hoped she was right. Deciding this was enough for one day, I crawled into bed. Exhaustion soon lulled me into dreams where I created ice owls and snakes with my magic that later rebelled, diving for my head and trying to choke me.
The dreams got worse and worse until I woke up with a start, shooting into a sitting position. In the last dream, an owl was about to peck out my eye while a snake pushed between my legs, hissing in Vulthus’s voice, “You’re nothing.”
Knowing there was no chance in hell I’d fall asleep again, I put on my uniform and made my way toward the library. If there was one thing I had learned at Nocturnal Academy, it was that one could never be overprepared. A random test or quiz was standard here, not the exception.
The library was empty, not surprising given that it was five in the morning. Hoping I wouldn’t run into a nest of vamps who had returned from a night of clubbing, I made my way onto the third floor to find Thorsten sitting on the ground, his legs stretched out, his back against a bookshelf as he read, And Then There Were None.
I chuckled. “Agatha Christie? Are you kidding me?”
He glanced up, and damn it, but a little bit of color filled his face, which made him look irresistible.
“It’s my time off,” he said, almost apologetically.
I sat down next to him. Who was this stranger, and what had he done with angry, tense Thorsten? Since I couldn’t ask that, I said instead, “You like to read?”
A smile worked its way up his face, making him look twice as handsome as usual. “Very much. German literature was always my favorite subject in school.”
I swallowed hard, thinking back to my old high school and how I had complained about calculus and physics. I’d give anything to turn back the clock and obsess about exponential functions and thermodynamics. And Thorsten had once been human. The vamps all had. I tried to wrap my mind around that thought. What had Thorsten been like in high school?
“Why are you up so early?”
I snapped my gaze back to Thorsten, ready to defend myself, but all I found was concern in his blue eyes. They didn’t look cold today. They looked like a calm, safe lake on a beautiful summer day. They made all my walls and caution collapse. “I had a nightmare. Guess my subconscious was trying to process Vulthus’s visit.”
His jaw clenched, and without thinking I reached out, smoothing the tension from his face. Or at least that’s what I thought I was doing, because Thorsten pulled back, slamming his shoulder into the bookshelf as if I had attacked him.
I clasped my hands together. “Sorry.”
“I should get going.” But he didn’t make a move to stand up.
Since talking about anything personal was Thorsten’s least favorite topic, I decided to broach the other thing that was on my mind. “I’m trying to learn how to use glamour. I’m having trouble.” Foolish, so effing foolish to disclose this information to a vampire, to my enemy, and yet that was exactly what I was doing. Because Thorsten didn’t feel like an enemy. He felt like an ally. No, he was more than that. Much more.
He snapped his book shut. “I don’t know much about glamour.”
I bit my lip, not surprised, but still disappointed by his answer.
“But I’ll find out for you what I can.”
I met his blue gaze. “Thank you.” I hesitated, not wanting to sound weak, yet having to ask once again. “I understand that your sire won’t buy me, but is there someone else who you could convince to bid on my contract?”
Pain marred Thorsten’s face, and he pinched the space between his eyebrows. For a long moment, he didn’t reply. Just as I thought the conversation was over, he said, “Our family doesn’t exactly have the power to influence anyone right now.” He paused, then nodded, as if making a decision to go on. “Griffin Steinberg was a proud man and a bit of a loner. He was raised in isolation by his sire, and he preferred to keep his distance from others as he matured. But with time, he felt the pressure to have an heir. Older vampires gain power, but only to a certain extent. After a while, they need younger vampires in their family or they’ll lose their standing.” Thorsten ran a hand through his blond hair, which right now was on the longish side, something I really liked. “Griffin decided to kill two birds with one stone and get two heirs in one year. His search seemed thorough, and he hoped that I and Jason would entertain ourselves and learn from each other.” He shook his head and fell silent again.
“Jason is the other vampire Griffin sired?” I asked carefully, afraid that if I pushed too hard, Thorsten would shut down once more.
Thorsten nodded. “Yes. Jason messed up.” He snorted. “Well, he did the right thing, but in a bad way.” His stormy gaze meant mine, several emotions flitting through his face. “Jason freed three of Vulthus’s courtesans.”
I couldn’t hold in the gasp that came over my lips. “He did?”
Thorsten nodded once more. “He was caught on tape doing it. The fae were dragged back and executed in front of everyone. Freeing somebody else’s property is illegal in vampire law and a dishonor to our whole family. Jason was imprisoned, but his punishment didn’t end with him. He besmudged the whole Steinberg name. We lost a lot of allies.”
I felt my forehead scrunch up. “But then why did Griffin Steinberg get to judge our Placement Tests?”
“My sire called in a favor. Lady Cardinal wasn’t as harsh with him as the other vamps.” He shrugged. “In fact, it was her suggestion for me to work here.”
“To prove yourself?” Thorsten nodded and it all began to make sense now.
He stared up at the ceiling. “I must clear the Steinberg name. Only then will my family be admitted back into the Elites. Mei’s family is banking on me to fail.”
“So the Wus can keep your place in the Elites.” I licked my lip. Thorsten had risked so much more than I could’ve ever imagined by getting involved with me. He wasn’t cold or a jerk. He was borderline selfless. “It wasn’t smart of you to help me and get me out of all the messes.”
He tilted his head. “It was the right thing to do.”
A vampire who still thought like a human. Thorsten’s looks were hot, but it was who he was as a person that did me in. Why wasn’t he like the other vamps?
I didn’t know, but what I did know was that I could no longer keep my distance. I leaned forward, throwing all caution and reason to the wind, and pressed my lips against his.
16
Onyx
Thorsten was tender strength, merging with me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into his hard chest. He smelled like fresh mountain air. Freedom. But there was also a hint of salt and sadness. Electricity raced under my skin as he caressed the inside of my lower lip with his tongue. I ran my hand through his smooth hair, grasping the strands as a moan of pleasure rose from my throat.
“Release her!”
A strong male voice rang out, filling our
level of the library. We both jerked, and I shuffled away from Thorsten as he turned his wide-eyed stare at someone standing at the end of the bookshelf.
Griffin Steinberg.
Thorsten’s sire wore an expensive, tan suit that hugged his well-built form, and his dark, slicked back hair and mustache spoke of money. Unlike Vulthus, Steinberg carried a distinguished air that spoke of control. Despite discovering us, he kept his hands folded behind his back and puffed out his chest in an official manner.
He had just seen Thorsten and I doing exactly what we were not supposed to do. The vampire turned his intelligent, brown eyes on me, then slowly turned his head to face Thorsten, who scrambled to stand, despite his natural grace.
“Sire.” Thorsten brushed off his black guard uniform and bowed his head respectfully, but it was too late to salvage the situation unless Thorsten could come up with an amazing excuse. We could say we were drunk, but without the reek of booze in the air, Griffin would never believe that.
“Leave,” Griffin said, flashing his fangs at me. “Now. Do you hear me, fae?”
I flinched. I wasn’t even worthy of a name, and for a moment, I’d been hoping Griffin, like Thorsten, was different than the other vamps. Griffin intensified his stare as he slowly stepped between me and Thorsten, the way I imagined a mother bear would step in front of her cubs.
Shaking, I backed away without a word and descended to the second floor. Faint sounds of vamp students returning to school filled the corridors outside the library, and I could see a few red-uniformed students hanging outside the main floor doors when I peeked over the railing of the spiral staircase.
I ducked out of instinct, rooting myself to the spot, almost underneath where Thorsten and Griffin stood. We’d taken an enormous risk. Griffin wouldn’t reveal what we’d done, but others might. And Griffin might choose to get rid of me to avoid unnecessary complications. He had a lot at stake.
I should’ve left, but I didn’t. Instead, I waited. For a long beat, there was just silence and I began to wonder whether they spoke too quietly for me to hear, but then...
“Do you not understand the danger? Having any relationship with a fae beyond a strictly professional one is an extreme risk, especially for you.”
“Yes, sir,” Thorsten said.
“Your actions could place all of the Steinbergs in danger. The Wus have eyes and ears everywhere.”
I shuddered as I thought of Mei down in the corridor. The seriousness of Griffin’s tone only added to the nausea gathering in my gut. Why had I allowed myself to put Thorsten in danger?
“Do you understand?” Griffin asked, his voice taut.
“Yes, sir.”
“It is clear that you do not. You have demonstrated enough altruism already. It’s time to let that go if not for the sake of our family, then the one you left behind.”
My throat dried as my legs began to cramp from the squatting. Sweat formed where I grabbed the wooden railing. More silence dragged out, leading me to assume the conversation was concluded. Knowing Griffin would be furious if he found me eavesdropping, I darted down the rest of the carpeted steps.
Despite the close call and the fact that someone was now aware of our secret, a ghost of Thorsten’s kiss remained on my lips for the rest of the day and throughout my classes. A mixture of hope and dread gathered in my chest. One moment, I felt as if I had a chance at escaping this, and the next, the walls of Lord Sullivan’s classroom seemed to be closing in. But at least, Vulthus didn’t show up again to escort me to Courtesan Studies.
I was halfway to her class when I spotted Mei and Peony talking, both their faces tight while Virgie and Kristen stood a few feet away, patiently waiting to be included.
My skin tightened and my muscles tensed at the sight of them. What if word had already gotten out about Thorsten and I? It was just one kiss, but even that could spell the death of me at Nocturnal Academy.
No, it had been too brief. If anyone had seen anything, they would’ve gone to Headmistress Cardinal by now.
Faking confidence, I squared my shoulders and walked into class.
“How are you, Onyx?” There was genuine concern in Candice's voice. I appreciated her caring even if she couldn’t do anything about the threat hanging over my head. I didn't even mind that she had probably told Virgie about my interest in glamour. Candice must have figured out my attempts on her own, especially after Vulthus had come in.
“I’m fine, thanks,” I lied as I shuffled to my seat.
Virgie snuck a smile at me as she sat down across the room. What did that mean?
I found out what Mei and her cronies had been talking about at dinner when Lily and I entered the cafeteria. Lily had her notebook clutched to her chest as we scooped out our dinner and took our usual spot near the edge of the dining hall, under the painting of a sunlit autumn park.
Lady Cardinal strode into the room, Mei by her side. I tensed at first, but the headmistress wasn’t focusing on me. Instead, she straightened and tapped her stick on her palm to gain everyone’s attention.
“Attention, all students,” she said. “We have a special assignment for all of you tonight.”
Mutters floated through the cafeteria. I breathed a sigh of relief. So this wasn’t about me and Thorsten.
“We have completed our investigation into the disappearance of Preston Kallan and turned up no leads,” she continued. “We must go to the next step and investigate our vampire students and staff. The Elites have commanded it.”
I knew why. Even they didn’t want a war with a bunch of pureblood fae. The Elites needed a culprit before more Petras arrived from the Summer Court. And since the royals wouldn’t be satisfied with a fake scapegoat, the vamps had to launch a full-on investigation. “To investigate the vampire students, we will need a stronger blood crystal,” Lady Cardinal continued as the silent students all watched. “Mei has had a wonderful idea. Our school will have a competition tonight. You will split into teams, two fae and one vampire to each team. Your job tonight is to go off campus and purchase a large blood crystal for the lowest possible price. Each team will have a tentative contract for a seller to sign. Return by daybreak, and the team able to secure the best deal will be awarded with premium meals, improved marks in all of your classes, and for fae students, a chance to go off campus for one night with a vampire escort to further socialize with potential employers.”
I gripped my skirt. A chance to go off campus? That was unheard of. My mind wandered to Thorsten and I breathed out, pulling myself back to business mode. This might be a trap, to see who would hesitate obtaining a blood crystal or a way to test Thorsten. Any outing would be supervised and spied on. I glanced across the room to Virgie, and she flashed me another sneaky grin. She had probably been the one to convince Mei to go to Lady Cardinal with the outing idea.
“There is a large business meeting in Denver tonight,” Lady Cardinal said. “It begins in two hours and many Elites will be there. Do not disappoint Nocturnal Academy.”
The headmistress swept out of the room. People muttered. A few fae nearby grumbled about us being free labor, but quieted as the vamp guards, including Thorsten, entered the room and lined up. They waved the vamp students out of their chairs to stand beside them. The guards and students spoke amongst themselves, Thorsten keeping his back to me. I realized they were deciding which fae to take with them. The twins eyed Virgie with disgust and turned away.
Lily shrunk in her chair.
“It shouldn’t be as bad as it was last time,” I whispered to her. But no color rose in her face. “This might be your chance to talk about your business plan. You’re better prepared now.”
“Peony will ruin it for me. If she weren’t going to the same meeting we are—”
“Just tell them your ideas. You’ve got a chance.” I patted her on the shoulder, urging her to breathe. Despite Virgie’s two-faced behavior lately, I owed her one. Even if this outing turned out to be dangerous.
Mei motioned for Peony and Kr
isten to join her. I gripped the side of the table, digging my nails into the white cloth as the three of them huddled and whispered. Virgie was left sitting out. I watched as the other vamps scattered around the room, at Mei’s direction, picking out fae and motioning for them to stand. Some guards checked cards they drew from their pockets, reading names and searching faces. Partners had been assigned, it seemed.
And slowly, Thorsten walked over to me with a glare.
“Up,” he said. “Both of you. And this time, not cooperating when they bring in the drug will earn you both a whipping.” Though his face remained hard, Thorsten’s eyes shifted, constantly monitoring the room. Clearly, he too was aware of the danger that more alone time with me presented.
“Bring the two of them this way,” Mei said, appearing behind Thorsten. A hint of a smile teased her lips. “We will be taking the same car. Two groups per limo, by Lady Cardinal’s orders.”
Every muscle in my body tensed. They had paired him with us, and with a sinking feeling and weakness in my knees, I realized this wasn’t just Mei borrowing Virgie’s idea for an outing. We were going to the Elites. And she was waiting for a chance for Thorsten to slip up, whether it be with Peony or me.
17
Onyx
The night was cold. I might be a Winter fae, and the temperature didn’t seem to get to me as much as it did the other fae, but even I shivered in the back of the limo when I came to from the drug, blinking the sleep from my eyes.
The bitter taste of the clear liquid I drank remained in my mouth, adding a nasty hint to the evening. Outside the tinted glass, the city of Denver rolled past along with ordinary humans whose breath spiraled into the night. Ahead of me, the limo stretched forward, with the guard who had been assigned to me last time. What was her name again? McKenna, I believed.
The Nocturnal and Fae Prison Academy Boxset [A Complete Paranormal and Fantasy Series Boxset] Page 36