A Curse of Fire (Fae Academy Book 1)

by Sophia Shade

  “Why else would someone set a huge fire like that?” she asks. “We should talk to Erick about it.”

  Great, now when the person who did attack Ohdows is caught, they will get blamed for burning the tree down, too. That’s another person who will have to pay for my mistakes. Although, if anyone deserves it, they do.

  I lean back on my pillow. I was wrong. After everything, I was wrong. It’s not an Unseelie poisoning the Seelie students. I was rude to Lord Ralnor, I physically attacked Ferria and broke into her room, and jeopardized my relationship with Caleb, and all of it was for nothing. It had been a coincidence they were all Seelie.

  What if they have nothing in common at all? What if it’s totally random? Some serial killers work like that, right? Which is why it can take the police so long to track them down, if they catch them at all. If there is no pattern, no method to the madness, they can evade detection for years. I read once there might even be more serial killers in the world than we realize because the killers don’t always follow a pattern. A strangulation in Albuquerque might seem unrelated to a stabbing in Salt Lake City, so the murderer is never found.

  Wow, my mind just went some place really dark. No one has died. Not yet, anyway. But Nurse Oshae said the students who were poisoned will eventually die if she doesn’t find a cure. I wonder if she has made any progress.

  “Come on,” Dannika says with a pat on my leg. “We need to get to Elemental Application.”

  I’ll have to check in with Nurse Oshae later.

  “Today, class,” Coach Thorne says, “we are going to try training with real swords.”

  A round of oohs and ahhs comes from the class as Erick wheels the swords out of a closet.

  “I know many of you might feel like you aren’t ready for this,” the coach goes on. His look pans the group, but passes over me, as if he’s trying not to make me feel like I’m exactly the person he was talking about. “But you don’t have to practice with another person. Just hold one. Swing it around a bit. Get a feel for it. Feel the weight of the weapon in your hand.”

  We crowd around, each choosing a sword. Erick doesn’t even make eye contact with me when he hands me one. That’s fine. Whatever.

  I grab the sword, and I stumble a little under its weight. Damn. I was not expecting that. It’s as if I’m holding a thick iron rod. Except that Fae can’t touch iron.

  Maybe that’s plus one for halflings. I’d never had a problem touching iron before in the human realm. Being half-human had its perks, though none that I’d be able to cash in on here.

  “What are the swords made of?” I ask the coach.

  “Mainly steel,” he says. “But you can use materials such as silver or bronze, even copper. Katanas are made from an iron sand, but we can’t use that. Obsidian can make a beautiful and functional sword. Jade or other gems can be used to make shorter weapons such as daggers.”

  I move away from the group, where I am sure I won’t hurt anyone, and swing the sword. Just working with this would help build muscles in my arms. It is almost painful to try to wield it, but I feel powerful as I swing it left and right. It would take a lot of work, a lot of practice, but I think I would like to learn more about sword fighting.

  “Want to try sparring?” Ferria asks, sauntering up to me.

  “Nope,” I say. “I’m good.”

  “Are you sure about that?” She holds up her sword and takes a step closer to me.

  “I’m sure, Ferria,” I say. “I’m not ready to fight another person.”

  “You sure were quick to fight me not very long ago,” she says haughtily. “What’s changed?”

  “Well, Caleb is my boyfriend now, so I don’t need to fight you for him,” I return, shooting off my big mouth. Again. I shouldn’t have said anything, but it just slipped out.

  She quickly steps forward, and slashes at my sword.

  “Hey,” I exclaim. “Back off! I don’t want to fight you.”

  “Pick it up!” she says, motioning toward my sword, which I am just holding down in front of me.

  “I won’t fight you,” I try again.

  “Pick it up,” she yells again, stepping toward me and raising her weapon. She slices at me, her eyes cold.

  Instinctively, I raise the sword in self-defense, but she manages to leave a nasty cut on my forearm. I wince at the pain, but refuse to let a groan pass my lips. I won’t give her the satisfaction. I might have been wrong about her being involved in the students getting sick, but I wasn’t wrong about her being a bitch. That’s very obvious.

  As our swords clang together, sending reverberations through my body, I step back.

  “That’s enough, Ferria,” I say, trying to remain calm. “You’ve made your point.”

  “I don’t think I have,” she says.

  She stomps toward me, slashing left and right. Each time, I raise the sword to deflect. She thrusts to the right, and I dodge to the left.

  “Fight me,” she growls as she feints left and then parries right.

  “Not on your terms.” I huff as I catch her sword with my own before pushing her back. She wasn’t expecting it—neither was I—and she falls on her butt. I run up, and aim my sword at her.

  “Do you yield?” I ask.

  She looks at me wide-eyed, as if she is scared all of a sudden.

  “Help! Help,” she screams.

  I lower my sword, taking a step back in surprise.

  “Imogen!” Coach Thorne calls as he runs toward us. “What is the meaning of this?”

  “She was going to kill me,” Ferria wails.

  The other students notice the commotion, leaving what they were doing to surround us.

  “Imogen? Are you crazy?” Erick asks, his shock evident.

  “She attacked me,” I say. “I was just defending myself!”

  Of course, that’s not how it looks. That’s when I realize this was Ferria’s plan all along. Manipulative bitch.

  “You’re bleeding,” Dannika says, and runs to my side.

  I had almost forgotten about that, but now that she mentions it, I can feel pain shooting up my arm. I look down and see blood dripping from the wound. It goes down my hand and pools on the ground. I start to get a little lightheaded, so I try not to concentrate on it.

  “This looks bad, Coach,” Dannika says as she pulls a towel out of her waistband and holds it to my arm.

  “I’m not lying,” I insist. “She attacked me when I wouldn’t agree to fight her.”

  Ferria gets up from the ground, and stands at Coach Thorne’s side. “That’s not true, Coach,” she says, playing the damsel card. “You know she has it out for me.”

  “That’s enough,” he says. “Both of you. Ferria, I’ll see you in my office. Dannika, please help Imogen to the nurse’s station.”

  I drop the sword to the ground, and Dannika keeps the cloth on my arm as we exit the field.

  “What happened?” Dannika asks as soon as we are off the field.

  “She’s just crazy,” I say, shaking my head. “She came at me with that sword, and insisted I fight her.”

  “Does she know about you and Caleb?”

  I blush, looking away shamefully. “Well, if she didn’t before, she does now.”

  “You told her? While she was holding a sword on you?”

  “Yeah, not my brightest moment,” I say.

  “You are either the bravest woman I know or the dumbest.”

  “I am a woman of many talents,” I say, and we both manage a small laugh.

  When we get to the nurse’s office, I notice that I can’t see through the windows. Must be some kind of spell blocking vision inside, but why?

  We step inside, where Nurse Oshae seems to be running herself ragged. The infirmary is packed. Every bed is home to a sick student. They seem to be arranged from those who have been sick the longest in the back to the most recent in the front. It’s hard to see the students in the rear, but I can see some of the symptoms I heard her talking about that night in the hallw
ay. Their arms and legs are turning into tree trunks, hanging off the beds and anchoring them to the floor. Mushrooms and lichen are popping up on them, and their skin is turning every shade of brown.

  “We are all out of beds,” Nurse Oshae says as she approaches us, waving us away. “You’ll have to rest in your room. There isn’t much we can do for you anyway.”

  “No,” I say. “It’s my arm. I got a nasty cut.”

  She sighs. “Oh, thank goodness.”

  At our quizzical expressions, she heaves out a forced chuckle. “Sorry, dear, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I’m just glad you aren’t sick. Let me see.”

  I hold up my arm, and Dannika removes the cloth.

  “Oh my,” she says, followed by a tutting of her tongue. “This might leave a nasty scar, even magically healed.”

  “That’s okay.” I try to grin. “Dudes dig scars.”

  “Well, they probably won’t dig a nasty infection. Let me get my supplies. Come sit over here.”

  She leads me to a chair between two of the sick students.

  “Dannika,” she says. “Why don’t you toss that cloth, and then get some fresh ones from the linen closet over there?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Dannika says.

  She and Nurse Oshae disappear to get their supplies, while I look at the other newly sick students. They aren’t very far along in the illness, but both are showing signs. The girl on my right has mushrooms popping out along her neck like warts, while the boy on my left has hair that’s turning green like moss.

  “Hi,” I say. “How are you feeling?”

  “Just tired,” the girl whispers. “Like I could sleep forever.”

  You just might, I decide not to say.

  “I’m so thirsty,” the boy moans. “Like I just can’t get enough to drink.”

  I glance around to see if there is a cup of water anywhere.

  “No,” he says hoarsely. “Don’t worry. Nurse Oshae says she thinks it makes the illness work faster.”

  “Oh, I see,” I say, but I don’t. “Do you have any idea what the cause is?”

  “Some sort of curse, I guess.” The boy shrugs, but it’s lackluster. He doesn’t seem to have even enough energy for that small gesture. “That’s what it feels like, anyway, but Nurse Oshae said we should stop saying that.”

  All part of trying to keep the rest of the students from freaking out, I decide. Must be the same reason for the spell blocking out the windows that look inside. The sick aren’t leaving, so they can’t tell anyone, so it’s up to us who can walk out of here to not spread the word. I don’t exactly agree with Nurse Oshae’s decision, but I can’t see a way where telling everyone what’s going on would help. If I could get more information, though, maybe I could figure this out.

  Or screw it up worse, which seems to be more in line with my current track record. But I’d regret it forever if I didn’t at least ask a few questions.

  “But who would want to curse you?” I ask.

  “I don’t know,” he says. “I just came to the school and the Fae realm this year. I didn’t know anyone before I arrived.”

  “I know the feeling,” I say. “Does Nurse Oshae have a lead on a cure?”

  “Not that I know of,” the girl says. “But she says she is hopeful. She is working so hard, caring for us and researching, experimenting, trying to find something that will help.”

  “Do either of you know if there is any connection between the sick students?” I ask, doubting they do, but knowing it can’t hurt to ask. “Any similarities or common enemy?”

  They just shake their heads, and then go back to resting. They must be exhausted.

  Nurse Oshae comes over with her supplies, and proceeds to work on my arm. “Luckily, it looks worse than it is. You don’t need stiches,” she says. “I can use this spongy moss to absorb the blood and seal the wound. It’s a traditional method.”

  “That’s great,” I say. “Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here next to the sick students? It’s not catching, is it?”

  “No.” She shakes her head, anger in her eyes. “It seems to be deliberate. Who gets sick, I mean. At least we’re making progress. In the beginning, I didn’t know what to think and was quarantining everyone, but if it was contagious, the whole school would have it.”

  “That’s terrible,” I say.

  She nods. “I know. But I’m doing all I can.”

  “I am sure you are,” I say, placing my hand on her arm.

  This seems to comfort her a little. She pauses before continuing to work on my wound.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask.

  “Just keep your wits about you,” she says, finishing up the job. “I’d hate for you to be next.”

  Eighteen

  “Cheers to everyone who made it through the trials!”

  “Cheers!” Everyone raises their cups before downing their drinks.

  Trials were held for every house, and not everyone passed. Most people did, but there are a few empty chairs to recognize those who will be banished to the human realm and have their powers bound. I can’t imagine what it must be like for them to have to go back and live as humans after being here.

  I turn to Dannika when a thought hits me. “What about the full Fae?” I ask. “They’ve always lived here, right? Are they banished to the human realm, too?”

  Her eyes go wide, and she nods, her face blocked as she sips her drink.

  “But they won’t know anyone there,” I argue, horrified at this news. “And their families, their lives, are here. This is the only world they’ve ever known.”

  Dannika nods again, setting down her drink. “I know.”

  I’m reeling at that. How could they do that to someone? If I’d failed, that would have been one thing. I’d have gone back to the place I’d always known. Mom probably would have been more than happy to welcome me back as a “normal” kid.

  I can’t help but think it should have been me. The full Fae students shouldn’t have been banished. I mean, if the Fae had bound me, my mom wouldn’t have to run anymore because they wouldn’t want me. Well, I guess she doesn’t have to run anymore while I’m here, but still. Maybe I should have just failed the trial, gone back to the human realm, and lived a simple life. Mom and I could have settled down somewhere. I could have followed up on one of those acceptance letters, and then gone to a regular college.

  But could I have? Could I really just go back, pretend this has all just been a strange, beautiful dream?

  Of course not. This is my world now. My home. The only thing that’s missing is Mom, and I’ll still see her every summer.

  As I look around at the empty seats again, I tell myself I belong here. I don’t think it’s right they would banish full Fae to the human realm, but that doesn’t mean I should be banished instead. It wasn’t them or me. If I hadn’t succeeded, it wouldn’t have meant they would.

  But someone doesn’t want me here. Someone wanted me to fail. Or worse, wanted me dead. But who? I haven’t offended anyone that gravely, have I?

  I look over at Ferria and her friends. They are drinking and laughing, not paying any attention to me. No. It’s not her. I made a big mistake, but she wouldn’t retaliate by trying to kill me in the trial. She did a pretty good job of getting back at me in class. We just had a misunderstanding. If I stay out of her way, I’m sure things between us will smooth over in time. We might not be friends, but I’m not her enemy, and she is not mine.

  I have to stop thinking about her.

  I need to be happy. I need to celebrate. I passed! I’m staying! Even Damon clapped when I succeeded. Maybe I could try talking to him again. Try to sort out whatever went wrong between us. I need to convince him to mentor me. It’s clear I still need help. I need to train. I can’t go to Erick, not with how things left off with us last time, but I need help from someone.

  “Great job today, Imogen,” Caleb says, giving me a peck on the cheek. My face heats up instantly. He still makes me fee
l so weak in the knees.

  “Please,” I say. “You smashed that course!” I’m not exaggerating. He finished the course with the record time, and sent all the ogres limping out.

  He shrugs. “I was raised for this. You weren’t. Even if you had failed the course today, you’ve come farther than anyone. You should be proud.”

  “Thanks,” I say. “That means a lot coming from you. I know we’re in the same year, but do you think you could help me train? I still need so much help.”

  “I don’t know,” he says with a smirk. “Dating and working together? That could be a dangerous mix.”

  “Not as dangerous as not helping me,” I say, pinching his arm. “Would be a tragedy if I blew you up again.”

  “Ow!” He slaps my hand away. “That hurts! I have sensitive skin.”

  “Ahh,” I say, running my fingers up and down his arm. “I have found your one weakness.”

  “I think I have more than one,” he murmurs as he lightly touches my cheek. I close my eyes, drinking in his scent. He smells so good. Like a mesquite log on a campfire. He leans in to whisper in my ear. “Maybe tonight, you can—”

  “Hey, Imogen,” Dannika cuts in, tugging on my arm. “Can you help me back to our room? I don’t feel well.”

  Her skin has a sickly green appearance, and her eyes look half shut, as if she can barely keep them open.

  “What happened?” I touch my wrist to her forehead. She feels cold. She was fine when we left the trial field to come to the party.

  “I don’t know,” she says. “I was just eating, and then I suddenly felt really sick. I feel like I’m going to faint. Let’s go, now.”

  “Okay, okay,” I say as I take her arm and let her lean on me. “Sorry, Caleb. Can you find Ella? I might need more help.”

  “Sure,” he says, looking worried. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

  We make our way out the door and down the hall, moving slowly. She seems stiff in her limbs, leaning so heavily on me I’m scared I might fall. Thankfully, Ella trots up to us.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks, taking Dannika’s other arm.