Peony already did. She sneered at me and leaned close as our group of twenty or so fae walked down the path to the far side of the garden. “Stop making eyes at Thorsten. When he’s ready to take a whore, he’ll look for someone accomplished.” She motioned up and down my body. “Not this.” Before I could reply, she added viciously, “And don’t think I don’t know you had something to do with Preston leaving.”
My mouth went dry, and I backed away from her.
Next to me Lily frowned. “She seriously has it out for you,” she whispered.
No kidding.
“Why does she hate you so much?”
I shrugged. Peony had been nasty to me since the day I had walked through the doors of Nocturnal Academy. Me not worshipping her and Thorsten being nice to me had added to her dislike of me.
As we reached our assigned section, I realized I had indeed been correct. Saplings struggled out of a rocky outcrop. There seemed to be two dozen of them, in rows of ten, and as Lily and I stepped through the hole in the fence and out of the protective barrier of the trees, cold wind snapped against my legs and bare arms. Lily wrapped her arms around herself and shrunk down, shivering, though I didn’t think it was that cold. Fae spread out on the big outcrop, which stretched over the lake and spanned maybe seventy feet.
Peony watched me from her position near the fence. She’d taken the first sapling and the one farthest from the drop-off. I walked past the other fae until I found the only available sapling. It was near the edge of the outcrop on the front row. I gulped, trying not to look at how the world dropped into darkness just a couple feet from me. There was no protection here. Instead, I focused on the struggling, six-inch-high pine. A cold weather species. At least, I was less likely to kill it with frost.
Thorsten walked onto the outcrop, clipboard ready, moving so fast he was almost a blur. My breath caught. Even in the moonlight, his blue eyes were striking and his ashy hair shone in the moonlight. I jerked my gaze away from him, reminding myself that underneath that nice exterior he was a monster.
“Students,” Thorsten announced quickly. “Grow your saplings to the best of your ability. Some of you will fail, but others will shine.” As he spoke, his gaze landed on me, and Peony’s inevitably followed. She even leaned over to look around the other students, making a show of it. I rolled my eyes.
I swallowed down anger that everyone was against me. I focused on the pine, trying to keep my gaze off the darkness and the lake’s jagged rocks far below.
Don’t die and don’t do anything stupid.
Thorsten paced in front of us, watching. Whispers of growing plants filled the air, merging with the wind. He eyed the garden behind him as if waiting for Sullivan. Beside me, Lily waved her hands over her sapling, a tiny birch, and scrunched up her face in frustration. Farther down the row, Kristen did the same, her forehead wrinkling. Peony had no trouble. Her oak tree grew tall.
Thorsten approached, and I quickly waved my hands around, pretending to try to access my plant magic.
“Just as I expected,” he said with an air of satisfaction, then dropping his voice, added, “Your talents lie elsewhere.”
What the hell? I took a sharp breath as Thorsten turned away. Peony leaned forward again, trying to see the happenings, and the rocks I stood on seemed to shift. No. They were slippery. I stumbled forward, dizziness stealing over me, and glimpsed a fresh layer of moss under my feet, which expanded across the rock as I struggled to gain my footing.
This wasn’t natural. This was magic. Peony was doing this.
“Onyx!” Lily shouted.
I shifted my foot, trying to throw my weight to the side, but my boots weren’t designed for outdoor use.
I slid.
Lily reached for me as the world went out from under me. I kicked at air as a scream tore from my throat. Water sparkled below. I tried to grip mossy stones with my hands, but there was no grasping the slick surface. My hands slid down...down...I was going to fall to my death, and even my magic couldn’t save me now. I clutched the pine sapling, holding it so hard it cut into my hand and tore my skin, blood rushing out. Lily stood above, stumbling and landing on her knees. I kicked again, banging my knee into a rock, panic pumping through me as I hung off the edge of the cliff.
“Onyx!” Thorsten materialized above me and grabbed my arm. He hauled me up with his strong hand while balancing on the moss.
My breath escaped as I finally gained purchase with my boots on the rock of the cliff. Thorsten hauled me up. As soon as I was standing, he sidestepped, and I became aware that the other fae had gathered behind him to watch the spectacle. I would’ve been upset at their lack of help if I hadn’t been overwhelmed by gratitude for Thorsten.
I was alive because of him. He maintained his grasp on my wrist. His nostrils flared, and I remembered I was bleeding. I tried to step away, but he held on. There was so much concern in his face, it couldn’t be fake.
People muttered. Peony stepped forward, blinking as if clueless. “Who slipped?”
“There was moss,” I gritted out. I wanted to rat her out badly, but I doubted I’d do me any good. The vamps wouldn’t eliminate the most magical fae student in the school. Me? They wouldn’t give a shit. Staying silent was my best bet.
“Are you okay?” Thorsten asked, his hot breath caressing my ear.
I nodded, heart racing, as he walked me away from the cliff, still holding my hand. If he suspected Peony of foul play, he didn’t show it. She frowned as we walked past, showing fake concern, and I refused to look at her. Bitch.
“What is going on here?” Sullivan shoved through the crowd.
Thorsten released me then, pushing me away. I grasped my injured hand and seethed, trying not to get blood on my uniform. The vamps would probably punish me for that too. As I stepped aside, Thorsten straightened. “A student stumbled and nearly fell off the cliff.”
“And you rescued her.” Sullivan’s voice was incredulous. What was his problem?
“Yes. We don’t want to deprive our society of their well-earned courtesans.” Thorsten shot me a cruel glare. “Especially virgins with a body like hers.”
Sullivan nodded with approval. “Correct. Well done. I see you take your new position seriously.”
Thorsten bowed his head with deference.
Humiliation streamed through me. How much of this could I take before I exploded? And why was Thorsten playing both sides? Was he fake with the vamps or with me? Probably me. He had absolutely no reason to be nice to me. He did have reasons to climb the social ladder. Maybe he had been sent here by his sire as a test. If Thorsten did well, he got to inherit one of the luxury car companies or some bullshit like that. Yes, that had to be it. Otherwise, Mei wouldn’t be interested in him.
Still, even as my brain told me that Thorsten was my foe, gratefulness soared in my chest. He had insulted me multiple times, but he had also saved me. And each time, I was becoming more deeply indebted to him. What would he ask of me when he was finally ready to collect my debt?
Chapter 8
After a quick trip to the infirmary where I grabbed a few painkillers and plasters, I went to bed. As my adrenaline faded, exhaustion settled in, and soon, I found myself in a slumber.
“Mmh,” I moaned some time later as the delicious scent of coffee and buttery croissants filled my nostrils.
“Morning, Onyx.”
I shifted in bed and groaned as my bruised and scabbed knee hit the wall.
“I brought you breakfast.”
I turned away from the wall to find Lily holding up a tray with yummy goodies. Saliva pooled in my mouth.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to.” I sat upright, ducking my head to avoid the top bunk.
Lily shrugged like it was no big deal. “I thought you could use the extra sleep.”
I glanced at the clock. Only half an hour until classes started. Had it not been for Lily, I might have gotten detention. Great, now I owed her too, but I was too hungry to worry about that at the m
oment. My stomach growled, and I bit into the soft croissant, moaning as it melted in my mouth. I washed it down with coffee that had just the right amount of milk and no sugar. I gave Lily a questioning look. “How do you know how I take my coffee?”
She shrugged again. “I pay attention.”
Right, and that was exactly the reason why she would make a good servant and also why I needed to keep her at arm’s length.
“Are you feeling better?” Her gray eyes widened with worry.
I chuckled wryly. “I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
Lily wrung her hands. “Listen, I know I’m not the strongest fae. I’m not cool, and I’m not pretty, but I’m loyal, and I’m smart. I would like to be your friend. I think we could both use one.”
I snorted. “There are no friends at Nocturnal Academy. It’s all about who you know and beneficial alliances.”
Lily sighed. “Fine. How about partners or teammates?”
There was pleading in the depths of her eyes. The nasty part of me wanted to lash out, say that I didn’t need her. But I was still shaken after yesterday, and her bringing me breakfast and not making me deal with the fae and vampires in the cafeteria was a kindness I couldn’t easily dismiss.
“I’ll help you where I can,” I said slowly, and immediately a smile played on her lips. “But you need to keep a distance from me in public.”
“Why?” Her forehead scrunched up as if she had forgotten about Thorsten’s cruel comments, Sullivan’s obsession to punish me, and Peony’s nastiness.
“I’m not exactly popular. Peony almost killed me last night.”
Lily bit her lip. “But she didn’t. You’re still here. You’re much stronger than she.” She interlaced her fingers. “Everyone here thinks I’m the weakest link.” She leaned forward. “I think they’re afraid of you…because you’re different.”
I inhaled sharply. Lily was too close to the truth. I finished my breakfast and went to the closet. “I need to get dressed.” I pulled out a fresh white shirt. “I mean it when I say to keep your distance. Or someone will go after you to get to me. Trust me when I say this.” I would not speak of the past. I would not face the awful memories.
“Please don’t shut me out.”
I whirled around, balling my fists. I had tried to be nice, but if Lily was this desperate to hear the truth, so be it. “I had a roommate during summer prep,” I bit out.
Lily’s eyes widened as if she finally understood that something bad had happened to the previous girl who had shared the dorm with me.
“We bonded.” I advanced until I was in Lily’s face. She flinched but didn’t back away. “We were friends. Besties. Her name was Blair. Do you know how it ended for her?” I would not break down. Not here. Not ever.
Lily gave a tiny shake of her head, her throat bobbing up and down. Good, she was scared. Had I known that telling her about Blair would be the only way to keep her away, I would’ve done so much earlier.
I smiled viciously. “One day, Blair and I decided to escape Nocturnal Academy.”
All the color drained from Lily’s face.
“She was caught while I hid. She was whipped in public. In front of the whole school.”
Lily’s lower lip trembled, but I continued, the words flying out of my mouth, my body humming with triumph. Once Lily saw me for the monster I was, she’d finally understand why we could never be friends. “Then she was sold to a sadistic vampire. No one has heard from her since.” I dropped my voice and brought my face even closer to Lily’s. “She’s either dead or wishing she was.”
Lily’s teeth chattered. Then she grabbed her bag and ran out of the dorm. I watched the door slam shut behind her. Relief and desperation overcame me. Trying not to cry, I pulled on my whore stockings, tugged my skirt as low as I could and made sure my white shirt was neatly tucked in. I put the blazer on last and then I heaved my bag on my shoulder, trying to ignore the dry, heavy feeling in my throat. I could do this. I was fine.
I didn’t see Lily in the corridors, and she kept her distance from me in Lord Sullivan’s class. I was the first person in Home Décor. I wasn’t sure how I’d dance with my sore knee and pulled muscles, but no one had given me a sick slip, and after getting several lacerations from nearly falling off the cliff, the last thing I needed was a whipping or having a vampire suck my blood as punishment.
I pulled a chair over to the dancing area of the room and sat down. Slowly, the fae trickled in one by one. Peony’s eyes shone with delight as she took in my bruises and scratches.
“Poor Onyx. Hope you feel better soon,” she crooned, flouncing off with Kristen.
“Let me know if you need something,” Virgie whispered only loud enough for me to hear. She took up the back of the Bitch Brigade today, as if someone had tied her there using invisible rope.
Lily was last to arrive. She remained at the opposite side of the room, nervously tugging on her blazer’s sleeve. Good, finally, she’d gotten the message.
As the clock struck ten, Thorsten entered, wearing a cobalt blue shirt that gave his eyes endless depth. His gaze met mine for a second before he stepped to the teacher’s desk. Once again, I was clueless about what he was thinking or what mood he was in. Would he be cruel or kind? Or both?
“Everyone, please welcome our new Home Decor teacher, Ms. Rutherford.”
We all glanced to the door as a woman over six-feet tall swept into the room. She was fae. Proud. The air around her crackled with magic, and the nearby plants brightened in color as she passed. Her black blouse and pencil skirt accentuated her long legs and arms. Her raven, straight hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail that would’ve given me a headache ten minutes in and exposed her long neck and pointed ears. Black eyeliner rimmed her dark eyes, and her ghostly white skin made her look more vampire than fae, like she was desperate to fit in with the rest of the Nocturnal Academy’s staff.
“Hello, class.” A shiver ran through me at her crystal voice. It sounded too rehearsed. Too perfect. Her deep and dark violet gaze swept over us, and goose bumps broke out on my arms.
“Hello, Ms. Rutherford,” we chorused back.
I glanced around, trying to gauge if anyone else had a bad feeling about this new teacher. Several fae lowered their gazes. Lily bit her nails. I swallowed, wishing for the nth time that I had never gotten involved with Preston. If I hadn’t spent time with him outside class, he wouldn’t have tried to kidnap me and would still be alive.
And then what? If not me, he would’ve found some other fertile fae. Preston might’ve looked like an angel, but he had always been a predator. I shouldn’t judge Ms. Rutherford’s Addams family appearance too harshly. Perhaps a soft side was hiding underneath her exterior.
My hopes were dashed as she announced in a lifeless tone, “I would like to get acquainted with each of you. Please resume your usual activities and come to the teacher’s desk when I call you.” I didn’t like the way she emphasized the word usual.
I gulped and quickly hid behind the other dancers. I did not need any more attention and scrutiny.
“We should practice the Viennese Waltz,” a fae girl squeaked. “I heard the vampires like to dance it on New Year’s Eve, especially in Europe.”
Another girl sighed. “Do you know how to dance it? And how will we do it without boys?”
She had a point. None of the half a dozen male fae were dancers.
“I know someone who can teach us,” Virgie chimed in. She was a chameleon, showing promise at all fae skills and not specializing in anything. Today it appeared that she had chosen to join our dancers’ group.
“Who?” the first girl asked.
“Him.” Virgie stared into Thorsten’s direction.
A blush flooded my cheeks, and a shudder ran down my spine. Even my body wasn’t sure how to react to the Viking vampire.
“Mr. Steinberg?” Virgie asked sweetly.
Thorsten glanced up and headed toward us. I inhaled deeply, wishing I had gone to the infirmary and de
manded a sick slip.
“Is there a problem?” His voice was cold as always. Well, besides yesterday when he had asked how I was. I stifled the stupid thought. I was imagining things.
“Not at all.” Virgie pushed her full chest out. “We understand that at vampire balls, the Viennese Waltz is a popular dance and were wondering if you could teach us.”
Thorsten’s jaw tightened, and I expected him to say no. “Of course,” he answered, seizing my uninjured hand as if I were an object on a shelf. I let out a yelp of surprise. “Onyx, you struggle the most, so I’m going to demonstrate with you. This way, hopefully, I won’t have to repeat the steps twice.” With that, he whirled me to face him.
No. Oh, my god. No. His wintry eyes, deep as the packed ice of a glacier, glared into my own. I tried to open my fingers against his hand. I’m not an object, I wanted to say as my skin tightened. Don’t touch me. I gritted my teeth, willing my face to remain stony as the rest of my body wanted to lean into him. “Your generosity has no bounds,” I hissed as Thorsten’s hand came around my shoulder while his other rested on my small back.
He stared at a point above my head as if remembering something. “The most important thing in the Viennese Waltz is to do proper half turns every three steps. Don’t be sloppy.”
He moved, and even though I had never learned the steps, I kept up. We fell into an easy rhythm, and since the twirling we did put enough distance between us and the others, I dared to whisper my question, “Why did you choose me?”
One corner of his mouth tugged upward before his lips returned to a firm line. “I thought I’d made that plenty clear.”
“You lied. I’m not the slowest, and you know it.”
Instead of replying, he brought us to an abrupt stop and released me. “Don’t stand around. Practice,” he snapped at the others before striding off to the teacher’s desk where Ms. Rutherford was talking to Kristen. Kristen was leaning forward, practically bouncing on her feet while Ms. Rutherford appeared to be suppressing a yawn.
Virgie sidled up to me. “What is it with you, Onyx?” She took a strand of my purple hair, examining it. “First, Preston. Now, Thorsten.”
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