Academy of Falling Kingdoms Box Set

by Marisa Mills

  With any luck, I’d find the journal and be long gone before he learned who I really was. If Dorian kept his promise, Sterling and Briar would be safe, and that’s all that mattered.

  Despite the awful experience at the bar, I still forced myself to go to Du Lac’s office. It was too early to go home, and I didn’t want to risk running into anyone else until the truth serum wore off. I hadn’t brought my tools, but I used Lucian’s sigil to pass through the door as easily as through the glass in the archives. I felt even more light-headed than usual, but it was probably just the alcohol. For the first time, I realized how valuable I’d be if I returned to the Scraps now.

  If Gabriel knew what I was truly capable of, there’s no way he would ever let me go. I searched carefully through Du Lac’s bookshelves, but couldn’t find anything that looked like a journal, and there was no mention of Nicholas Armenia. I clenched my jaw and pinched the bridge of my nose. Where else might it be? I’d only searched through a third of the archives, so I’d just have to keep looking. I’d already spent too much time in Du Lac’s office, and it was well past midnight, so I headed back to the dormitories. The crisp air cleared my head, but I was exhausted from lack of sleep.

  I walked in slowly and saw the full moon through the window across from me. Its silvery light fell over the three beds near me. The two closest to the wall belonged to Dahlia and Ariana. Dahlia was nice, if a bit quiet. Ariana was eccentric and in Gareth’s History of Reverie class, although she rarely attended. And of course, Viviane. She must have gotten home before me. I climbed into bed and stared at her for a long time. Viviane knew I was a fraud who’d—at least—lied about my past and was stealing for Dorian. The question was, would she tell anyone? Or had she already? I drew in a shaky breath.

  Viviane seemed to be having a fitful sleep, tossing and turning every few minutes. I wondered if she was caught in some terrible nightmare and unable to escape. Briar sometimes thrashed like that. Maybe I did, too, and just didn’t realize it.

  Viviane mumbled softly and rolled onto her back. I noticed blood smeared across her sheets and my eyes widened. I quietly slipped from my bed to look closer. Viviane’s skin was pale, nearly clammy. The blood was coming from a cut in her upper arm, and although Viviane remained sleeping, she wiped a finger through the dripping blood and drew sigils down her arm. I took a step back, expecting some burst of magic, but nothing seemed to happen.

  “Is that normal?” I whispered, stroking the scabbard of my rapier absently.

  No, Lucian replied. I’ve never seen anything like this before.

  I climbed back into my own bed and continued watching.

  “Should I tell someone?” I whispered.

  Lucian hesitated. It might be unwise to wake her, he said. If you startle her, it’s possible she’ll unleash a spell of some kind, and I’ve no idea what it might be.

  I nodded and stayed awake, watching Viviane. I knew I should be furious at her, for betraying me in the bar and forcing a confession. I’d always considered her a spoiled aristocrat, but it seemed like she was wrapped up in something dangerous.

  I slept for a few hours, but opened my eyes just before dawn. The sigils had faded from Viviane’s arm by morning. When she woke, she saw the blood and swore softly.

  “Viviane,” I said.

  Viviane glared at me with enough venom to kill a horse.

  “Quit watching me, Summer. It’s creepy.”

  I wondered if Viviane had planted her sigils in my trunk and if she’d even realized she’d done it. If so, what kind of dark magic was she wrapped up in?

  After a few seconds, I climbed out of bed and dressed, pulling on my uniform. They weren’t strictly required, but they were comfortable, and I didn’t feel like picking out a dress. Plus, I’d already tossed several of them out already, and wasn’t sure how many clean ones I had left. I smoothed over the knee-length skirt and after thinking it over, pulled on my sweater and left my coat.

  It was getting warmer, so there was no need for both. I skipped breakfast and went straight to the library. Because it was early, it was mostly empty. The journal wasn’t in Du Lac’s office, and it hadn’t been in the archives, at least not in any of the boxes I’d checked. Was it possible it had been moved somewhere in the school? I scoured the spines of books, but there was no sign of Armenia. Frustrated, I scowled at the books as if I could make what I wanted magically appear.

  When it didn’t, I sank into a nearby seat, beneath the same portrait of Countess Amelia that I’d once bumped my head on. I tried to study, but I was too anxious to focus. The exam was still two weeks away, but I didn’t trust Viviane to wait that long. She’d been trying to get rid of me since I first got here. Even if I passed the exams, that still left Viviane and Du Lac as direct threats, not to mention the occasional demon attack. I promised Briar I’d return to the Scraps, but what good would that do if we remained slaves to Gabriel our whole lives? I had to find that journal.

  “Wynter?”

  I’d been so distracted I hadn’t seen Alexander approach. I tipped my head back against the seat and looked at him. Alexander leaned close to me and put his hands on the arms of my chair. I sighed. I was getting so tired of people trapping me in places.

  “Alexander,” I said.

  “You look tired,” he said. “Worried about exams? I think it’s my princely duty to tell you that it’ll be fine.”

  “You’ve never seemed all that concerned with being princely.”

  “Apologies,” he said. The smug look disappeared from his face, replaced with an expression of deep sadness I’d never seen before. “I’m sorry I’ve been distant lately.”

  “Why were you?” I asked. “What did I do wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he said. Then he scowled and sat down next to me. “It wasn’t you. I was just… angry at myself. Angry at you. You stopped that demon, when I couldn’t. And I’m a prince, and you’re just a—”

  “A nobody from Argent,” I said.

  “I was jealous, you’ve been given this power and you don’t even want it.”

  “That’s stupid,” I said.

  “Yes, I suppose it is,” Alexander sighed. “I guess it’s just that I have so many expectations on me. My older siblings have all done great things. How do I stand out when I’m the youngest of six children?”

  “I don’t know,” I replied. “I don’t care much about standing out. If anything, I’d want to disappear.”

  “You don’t understand,” Alexander said.

  “No,” I replied. “I guess I don’t.”

  Alexander leaned closer. Even in the half-light of the library, I was taken aback by the intensity of his blue eyes. Just staring at him made my face warm. Viviane’s warning rung in my ears, and I glanced furtively around the library to make sure we were alone. Alexander was the one thing that could burn everything down. I knew I had to stay away from him, but I was glad he was speaking to me again.

  “What about the demon attack?” I asked. “Did you see what I saw?”

  Alexander was quiet for a long time. Slowly, he sank into the chair beside me.

  “Yes,” he admitted quietly, “but telling won’t do any good.”

  “Why not?” I turned and curled up in my chair, so I could face him. The fabric backing of the chair was soft against my cheek. “Because the Council cares too much about Reverie looking strong,” Alexander said, “And the aristocracy is too busy fighting over trade agreements and worrying about Reverie’s many enemies.”

  “Reverie has enemies?” I asked.

  “Of course, we do.”

  “Do you think that—assuming a mage is controlling these demons—they’re trying to assassinate specific people?”

  Alexander shook his head, looking as if he pitied my lack of political insight.

  “If someone wanted to plan an assassination to weaken Reverie, they’d likely target either my parents, Celeste, or Du Lac. If I was assassinated, it’d be sad, but I
have six older brothers. It’s not like I’m the heir apparent. I might work as a hostage, and I wouldn’t be a good hostage if I was dead. And Viviane? Sure, her family would be furious. But it wouldn’t be a kingdom-destroying blow or anything.”

  I wondered again about the charm Gareth mentioned. Nicholas heard voices, did that mean he could talk to demons, like I could? Alexander was jealous, because he wanted to be able to communicate with them as well. Was that different from a mage using demons to do their dirty work, binding them to their will with sigils? What was the connection?

  “You’re forgetting, too,” Alexander said, “that you and Tatiana were also present. I don’t imagine anyone is going to try and kill either of you.”

  “You should be careful anyway,” I said, “So should Viviane. She doesn’t look good. You’ve noticed, right?”

  Alexander’s jaw clenched. “Of course, I’ve noticed,” he said.

  “I know it’s not my business,” I said, “But I just…I think maybe she’s involved in something she shouldn’t be. Maybe you are, too.”

  “You’re worried about me,” he smirked. Alexander tilted his head back. His hands curved over the armrests of his chair.

  “You wouldn’t understand what I’m trying to do,” he said. “If we can improve our mastery over demons, we can save Reverie.”

  “Save it from what?”

  “From the quakes, from the demons,” Alexander said. “From everything.”

  “I think whatever you’re involved in is too much for Viviane. Remember what you told me?” I asked. “Not everyone can master magic.”

  “Can we talk about something besides Viviane?”

  “Like what?”

  Alexander vaguely waved his hand. “I don’t know. Anything. Tell me—tell me about you.”

  “There’s nothing to say,” I replied.

  “Sure, there is. What was your life like before you came here? Did you have friends?”

  Why did he want to know about me?

  “One,” I said. “Sterling. And my brother.”

  “Older brother?”

  “Younger.”

  “They must be very proud,” Alexander said, “Having a mage in the family.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I felt awkward lying to him, but I wasn’t sure how much to tell him. “Um…I live with my uncle, and he just doesn’t like me much. I could be the most powerful mage ever born, and I don’t think he’d care.”

  “How unfortunate,” Alexander replied.

  “It is what it is.”

  “So…” Alexander trailed off. “How do you intend to occupy yourself after this semester?”

  “I suppose it depends on whether I pass the exams or not.”

  Alexander looked at me askance.

  “If you do and decide to stay in Reverie over spring break,” he said, “I could give you a tour. If you wanted. Obviously.”

  Alexander was acting really weird. Really nice, suddenly. And the way he was looking at me was making me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I liked the thought of spending time with him.

  You need to be careful, Lucian interrupted.

  Lucian’s warning snapped me back to reality. Did Viviane already tell him I was a fraud? Was he trying to use his charms to get more information out of me? Even if it wasn’t, I knew I couldn’t afford to spend time with Alexander. Besides, if he found out who I really was, he wouldn’t be so eager to spend time with me.

  “I’ve got to go—” I said, reaching for my things.

  Alexander reached forward and cupped his hand around my cheek. I froze, as all my protests fell away. His hand was soft and warm, and he leaned forward, my heart raced a million miles a minute. He was so handsome that it wasn’t even fair. I thought of kissing Sterling, and I wondered what it would be like to kiss Alexander. “Think about it,” Alexander said. “Won’t you?”

  I nodded mutely.

  Alexander leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. It was nice, and I felt a soft tingling spread through me. My hands fluttered. I wasn’t sure what to do with them, but I had a sudden thought of curling them in his hair. I wondered if he’d done this before. Of course he had, he’d probably kissed dozens of girls.

  I saw blue light from the corner of my eye and abruptly broke our kiss as flames burst around the edge of my sword. Alexander backed away quickly, looking almost comical in his confusion.

  Then he burst out laughing.

  “I guess it really is instinct with you,” he said

  Heat flushed to my face. “I’m so sorry,” I said.

  “Don’t be,” Alexander said. “I think it’s…well, it shan’t be a kiss I soon forget.”

  “I…I thought you and Viviane were…” I trailed off.

  “Wynter,” Alexander said, “Don’t keep bringing Viviane into this. Despite what she may have led you to believe, the two of us aren’t having some elaborate romance.”

  My breath hitched.

  “I think I’d very much like to know more about you,” Alexander said, his voice low. “We could be great together; you know. You have a real gift for understanding demons, and I’m working to understand them. I’d bet we can discover some exciting things, you and I.”

  Alexander abandoned his chair and left me alone again. I stared after him for a long time, confused and unsure. My heart beat madly in my chest. I took a deep breath and tried to ignore all the girlish fantasies I’d suddenly concocted about Alexander sweeping me off my feet. Maybe I could even tell him the truth about this all. Maybe he could help me.

  You’re being an idiot. Viviane warned you to stay away, and now you’re letting him kiss you. What do you think she’ll do when she finds out?

  “You almost set him on fire!” I hissed. “And for what? He didn’t do anything!”

  What? You only want my fire when it’s useful to you, hm?

  “I don’t want you to hurt people!”

  But it’s fine when it’s hurting demons. You are just like the rest of them!

  “I didn’t choose to be here or fight demons, Lucian.”

  No, but when this is done, you—at least—get to do something! You have a royal heir interested in you! The nobleman has agreed to help your family—

  “Only if I can find what he wants me to,” I said, “And they have names, Lucian.”

  Why should I care? They’ve never been invested in knowing the names of the demons they enslaved. Do you think your nobleman knows the name of the demon in his blade, the same demon whose ice magic has protected him all these years? Do you think this prince or Viviane know the names of the demons in their pens? Look. I said her name. Are you happy now?

  “This has nothing to do with me,” I said. I didn’t understand why he was getting so angry. I knew he didn’t like the prince, but this seemed deeper. It was just a kiss.

  Nothing? Wynter, do you think you’re the only person to ever hear my kind? Because you aren’t. And like all the others, you’ll keep using my powers when you want to. Then, you’ll marry the handsome prince and continue subjugating my race! Maybe you’ll even learn to stop listening, so you can sleep at night.

  “That isn’t going to happen,” I said, “And if I married Alexander, I would do as much as I could to help!”

  Then, you have no problem with freeing me, do you, demon slayer?

  I took a deep breath and froze, my head spinning. I walked quickly out through the front gates of the school, past the sculpted gardens, and sat on a bench near a large fountain. White doves were pecking seeds from between the cobblestones of the pavement.

  “What are you talking about?” I whispered, after making sure we were alone. Lucian’s reply came low and dejected, like the anger had left him.

  I thought, if I could help you, protect you, prove myself a worthy ally, eventually you’d let me go.

  “Let you go?” I repeated.

  Do you t
hink I want to be trapped in a sword, doing the bidding of a first-year mage student; when the mages have enslaved my race? Do you think I don’t also have family and loved ones I miss and hope to return to?

  Guilt ate into my stomach. I never even considered that Lucian would want to be freed, or that I would have the ability to grant him such liberty.

  “So everything you’ve done,” I said slowly, “it’s all been to warm me up, just so I would free you?”

  Alexander was right. You could never trust a demon. Yes, Lucian had been helpful. I couldn’t deny that. But I couldn’t ignore the demons that had attacked us. I couldn’t deny all the dire warnings I’d heard about the dangers of demons.

  “I…I can’t,” I said finally. “I can never trust you. Not really.”

  I know.

  ***

  The first day of exams finally arrived, and Lucian hadn’t said a word since our argument. Viviane had been avoiding me as well, but her silence was a relief. I was anxiously expecting a confrontation when she somehow learned I’d kissed Alexander. Why hadn’t she told anyone about me yet? What was she waiting for?

  The dormitories were loud with panicked girls, worrying over exams and trying to study last-minute. And because I still hadn’t found the journal, I was one of them. I had to at least try to pass winter examinations. Somehow.

  After grabbing an apple from the dining hall, I headed out to the grounds. They were green and radiant in the spring sunlight. The sky was a cheerful blue all around me, spotted with soft and fluffy clouds. I took a bite of the apple, relishing the sweetness of it. We’d never had apples that fresh in the Scraps. They’d always been bruised and half-rotten, and even then they were a rare treat. I wondered if Briar and Sterling had gotten the food I kept leaving for them, or if it was rotting away in the Dregs.

  The bells rang, announcing that it was time for us to gather. I finished my apple, letting the seeds drop onto the ground, and headed back inside. The ballroom, once destroyed, was now fixed and packed with a hundred or so first-year students. The older students, like Jessa, would be having their exams later in the week.

  I spotted Viviane and Alexander. They weren’t standing as close together as they normally did. I wondered if Viviane had told Alexander anything. Alexander caught my eye and smiled, but he didn’t invite me to join them. So I remained where I was, against the wall and out of everyone’s way.