Second Transgression

by Wendi L. Wilson

  “That was a close one,” she mumbles as we amble down the hall. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been paying closer attention. I let Brooke distract me while Angelina rushed up to grab the stuff from you.”

  “No,” I whisper back, shaking my head vigorously. “It was my fault, not yours. I was too caught up in my own head. I didn’t think.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up, Rory. You fixed it. It’s over. You should let it go and move on.”

  I know she’s right, so I nod and hold my silence. But letting go is easier said than done. I nearly ruined everything with that one little mistake. If my use of magic gets back to Echo…

  “Rory, stop it,” Lark pleads, pulling me from my thoughts. “Stop beating yourself up. It was an honest mistake, and you made it all go away. It could’ve happened to any of us.”

  I nod like I agree with her, but my insides are still churning over the fact that I nearly outed myself to Angelina and her cronies. The whole situation could have ended in disaster.

  “You’ll feel better once you calm down and get some food into you,” Lark assures me. “Meet me at the mess in five?”

  “Sure,” I reply, my voice limp. “I’ll be there.”

  “Good,” she says. “See you then.”

  I stop outside my door, watching Lark jog down the corridor toward her own cell. I know she’s right. I was quick on my feet and neutralized the situation before it got away from us. Those girls are Glamoured and will never remember any of it.

  But I can’t seem to stop berating myself for letting it happen in the first place. I’ve gotten too comfortable using magic with Lark and the others. From now on, I must remain vigilant.

  What we’re doing is too important. The smallest slip-up could see the entire thing tumbling to the ground in a heap of rubble and debris. I cannot let that happen.

  I push the door open and walk inside, and my eyes catch on a folded slip of paper on the floor. I search for any Glamour in the room and find none that could be hiding Echo’s cameras, so I bend over and pick up the note with two fingers. Unfolding it, I slump down on my bed to read.

  Questions are being asked about the circumstances of your birth.

  I recognize the handwriting—it’s the same as the other notes I received—so I know this warning is from Jax. His words are simple and somewhat cryptic, but I get it. He’s letting me know that Echo is now on a quest to find out who I really am. There’s really nothing I can do about it, other than keep up the lie I started about being an orphan.

  But knowledge is power. If Echo thinks he can blindside me with this inquiry into my parentage, he has another thing coming. Let him search. He will inevitably come up emptyhanded in his exploration into my past.

  Because he’s investigating Rory Finley, and she doesn’t exist.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “How did it go?”

  I walk right into Asher’s arms, using my momentum to push him back from his cell door. My lips find his as I kick backwards, slamming the panel shut behind me. Asher doesn’t hesitate to respond, his arms circling my waist and tightening until I’m smashed against him.

  He takes over the kiss, his tongue darting out to tangle with mine as the backs of his legs bump against the bed. He falls backward, taking me with him. He lands on his back with me draped over his chest. Never breaking our kiss, I push my body up and pull my legs in to straddle his waist.

  We kiss for several more minutes, then I pull away to look into his blue eyes.

  “Hi,” I murmur through a small smile.

  “Hi,” he mimics. “Rough session?”

  I roll off of him with a groan, landing on my back beside him. I’d just come from another tutoring session with Echo, and it was nothing but a lesson of frustration.

  “He’s keeping me at an arm’s length,” I complain. “Completely detached. His demeanor is cold and unemotional, and his lips are sealed. I tried to subtly steer him into conversation, but nothing worked. He ordered me to perform, and that was it.”

  Asher rolls onto his side, propping his head in a hand so he can look down at me. His expression is soft and tender as he uses his free hand to grab mine and interlace our fingers.

  “You’ll get him, Rory. He’s just on his guard right now. Once he gets comfortable again, he’ll open up. He’ll say too much.” A smile tugs at his lips as he adds, “The villain always rambles on about their dastardly plan when they think they have the upper hand. Don’t you know that?”

  I can’t suppress my own smile as I say, “This isn’t some superhero movie, Asher.”

  “I know,” he says, rolling off the edge of the bed and landing on his feet. “But if it were, you’d be the hero and I’d be the super-sexy love interest.”

  I take his outstretched hand as my heart skips a beat or three at the word “love.” He pulls me from the bed, wrapping his arms around me in a warm, tight hug.

  “The others will be here soon, and Lark likes to bust in announced,” he says just as the door flies open and bangs against the wall.

  “Hello, delinquents,” Lark says, strolling forward with Cedric, Jolene, and Acadia on her heels.

  A chuckle bursts through my lips at her cocky swagger, which is being mimicked by Cedric without her knowledge. A smile brightens Lark’s face at the sound of my humor until she sees where my eyes are and jerks around. Not expecting it, Cedric takes two more steps in a perfect imitation of Lark, and she kicks out a foot, barely missing his family jewels.

  “Hey!” Cedric shouts, his knees knocking together as he twists to dodge the blow.

  “Do not mock me,” Lark orders, her tone lofty as she lifts her nose into the air.

  “Alright, you two. Cut it out,” Jolene says, pulling Cedric off to the side. “We’re here to get an update from Rory.”

  With that, my mood sinks once more.

  “I don’t know what to tell you guys,” I mumble. “It’s no use. No matter which tactic I use, which angle I come at him from, Echo refuses to talk. He won’t tell me anything at all, and the simplest questions raise his suspicions. I’m beginning to think this is a lost cause.”

  “You’re giving up?”

  That came from Acadia, her voice cracking on the words. Tears sting at my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

  “No, I’m not. I’ll keep trying, but I have to be honest with you guys. I don’t know that I’ll ever get him to crack. And if I wait for him to spill it in his own time, it might be too late.”

  We hang out for a while longer, but our conversations are tempered by my obvious feelings of defeat. I try to be chipper. I try to make jokes. I hold Jolene’s mouse and even the tickle of her whiskers against my cheek doesn’t bring me out of it. Everything I say falls flat and results in several seconds of uncomfortable silence.

  “Sorry, guys,” I say, rising to my feet after an hour of stilted words and long pauses. “I don’t mean to be such a downer. I’m going to go get some sleep. I’m sure I’ll feel more like myself tomorrow.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?” Lark asks, rising to stand beside me.

  “Thanks, but no,” I reply. “I really just want to be alone. See you guys in the morning.”

  Asher walks me out into the hall, closing the door behind us. I welcome his embrace, hugging him back for several moments before stepping away.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow?” I ask, my voice limp.

  “If you change your mind, or need anything at all before lockdown, I’m here,” he says. “Otherwise, I’ll see you at breakfast.”

  “Thanks,” I murmur, then head straight for my cell.

  I spend the night tossing and turning in my narrow bed. Sleep evades me, no matter how many times I try to still my spinning mind. I sit up and lean against the wall, pulling my knees to my chest with my arms wrapped around them.

  What if this is all for nothing? I could be at home right now with my family—safely enclosed in my parents’ arms, joking around with Robbie, attending the academy. I could put all
of this behind me and move on with my life.

  But that would mean moving on from Lark, Asher, and the others. It would mean leaving them here, never knowing if they’re okay and never seeing any of them again.

  I know I can’t do that. But…I don’t know if I can do this either. It seems like every time I turn, I hit a brick wall.

  I was so sure of myself. So confident that I could be this inside-man for Great-grandpa Robin. No one is more powerful than the daughters of December Thorne and Easton Oberon, right?

  But Echo has proven to be a stalwart opponent. His will is unwavering, and no amount of kowtowing or charm will crack him. And if I can’t get under his skin, if I can’t get him to reveal his true motives, what’s the point of all this?

  And how long am I supposed to keep trying?

  I know I should have Jax call Puck. My great-grandfather would have some plan, some idea of how to break through Echo’s defenses. Just the thought of bringing him into this, admitting defeat, turns my stomach. I want Puck to be proud of me, and proud of his decision to trust me with this mission.

  I want to be the faery he sees me as. Strong. Capable. Crafty and smart.

  No, I won’t call him. Not yet. It’s only been a few weeks. I still have time.

  All I can do is keep trying. Keep impressing Echo and hope he starts to trust me. Prove to Puck, and myself, that I can do anything I set my mind to. That I can stop bad things from happening. That I can defeat Echo.

  And, in the process, rescue all the faeries locked up in Oberon Reformatory.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “If a human treats you with disrespect, it is important that your retaliation be swift and concise. You must teach the heathens that we are to be revered and feared. Even hybrids rank above those beasts, and they should not be allowed to forget it.”

  I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Tiana spouts the same drivel every day, and I’m so over it. I raise my hand.

  “Yes,” she says, pointing a finger in my direction.

  “Excuse my ignorance, Miss Avery, but what you’re saying sounds a lot like the doctrines of Queen Sebille. She saw the humans as a nuisance, a people that needed to be subjugated and eliminated. Is that what you’re teaching us?”

  I keep my voice light and innocent, but I’m sure she can see the venom in my eyes. A feeling of satisfaction washes over me as her pale skin turns a bright shade of red.

  “Do not compare me to Sebille,” she growls. “I do not have anything in common with the dark queen.”

  I tilt my head, my expression confused. “You don’t? I thought I heard somewhere that you were in cahoots with Alwyn Jameson when he killed King Finn, handed his own son Easton over to Sebille, and stole the crown. Isn’t that why you’re here?”

  I swear I can see steam pouring from her ears as she lifts a palm in my direction. I don’t even flinch, knowing her bracelet will prevent her from blasting me with magic like she so desperately wants to. One corner of my mouth lifts into a smirk just for her.

  “Get out of my classroom,” she grits through clenched teeth.

  But I’m running on no sleep and a lot of negative emotions, so I cross my arms over my chest, arch one brow, and say, “Make me.”

  A few audible gasps ring out around me as my classmates react to my challenge. I can feel eyes burning against my skin and the tension in the room spikes as everyone waits for Tiana’s reaction.

  “You little b—”

  “Stop,” I command, cutting her off. “You are no better than any of the rest of us, Tiana.”

  Her eyes narrow when I call her that, like using her first name is the height of disrespect. She’s delusional, and it’s high time someone brought her down a few pegs. And apparently, that someone is me.

  “You turned against your king and fell into bed with a traitor. Literally.”

  A few snickers ring out across the room at that, and Tiana shoots death glares at the offending parties until silence falls once more. She opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off again.

  “You slept with an old, married Sylph to try to gain power. You stood with him when he kidnapped King Easton and joined forces with Queen Sebille.” I paused just long enough for a dramatic effect, then added, “You’re a traitor and a slut. You deserve nothing.”

  I jump to my feet as she charges me with hands curled into claws. A few startled cries ring out around me, but I ignore them. This is what I wanted, and I’m ready.

  I grab her wrists and push her hands down as I yank her toward me and press my forehead against hers.

  “Stop,” I whisper, pushing Glamour through our connection, and her struggling immediately ceases. “You will keep your insults to yourself from now on. You will treat everyone with the same respect you think you deserve. You will tell no one I Glamoured you, and if they ask, you’ll say you’ve had a change of heart.”

  With that, I push her away from me and she staggers back a few steps. Her face contorts with confusion, then rage as she points a finger and opens her mouth to hurl accusations my way. When no words come out, her screech rattles my eardrums. I sit back down, a smile tugging up my lips.

  I could’ve made her forget that I Glamoured her, and she’d have no idea why she was suddenly compelled to treat others with decency and respect. But that would’ve been too easy on her. This way, she knows I am responsible, and there’s nothing she can do or say about it.

  It’s the perfect punishment.

  “Excuse me, Miss Avery?” Asher’s voice rings out behind me.

  “Yes, Mr. York,” Tiana replies cordially, and my smile grows as her eyes narrow even further.

  “How would you recommend a Sylph treat a hybrid if they met at a social event?”

  I have to stifle a laugh as Tiana’s face tightens with anger and she attempts to hold the words in. Asher is the only one close enough to have heard my command, so I’m sure his question is meant to humiliate her.

  “Yes,” I call out, “how would you handle that?”

  “You should treat them with the respect you would show any Sylph. All creatures deserve to be treated equally.”

  My attempt to hold in my humor results in a loud snort, which causes the entire room to burst into laughter. Most of the inmates in the room glance around nervously as they chuckle, like they’re not really sure what’s happening or that this is some elaborate joke.

  My friends stare at me with smiles on their faces, knowing exactly what happened. Lark’s laughter rings louder than anyone else’s, and Tiana tries to spear her on the spot with a nasty glare before spinning around and stalking from the room.

  “We probably shouldn’t have done that,” Asher murmurs, his mouth close to my ear.

  “I know,” I reply, turning in my seat so I can see his face. “But whatever the consequences, it was totally worth it. Besides, she can’t tell a soul. I made sure of that.”

  “And you can bet she’ll come up with some creative way to punish you for it,” he counters.

  I shrug and give him a lopsided grin. “Still worth it.”

  Asher chuckles, amusement and affection shining in his bright blue eyes. Lark calls for my attention, and I swivel in my seat to see her reenacting the whole scene in an exaggerated fashion, making the inmates around her smile and laugh.

  My eyes dance around the room to see everyone smiling, even Angelina and her cronies. Apparently, even being full-blooded Sylphids hadn’t protected them from the viper’s tongue of our professor.

  Sadness streaks through me like the lash of a whip as my mind veers back to what kept me awake all night—my inevitable failure to expose Echo Oberon. These faeries will be stuck in this place, taking these stupid classes until they age out and Echo…does whatever he does to inmates over the age of eighteen.

  I know I need to stay strong and positive. To keep the hope alive. But every day that passes pulls me deeper into the mire of pessimism.

  Lark must see my change in mood and leans across the aisle to place a comfo
rting hand on my arm.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” I say nodding. Then my shoulders slump. “No.”

  She leaps from her seat and grabs my hand, pulling me up from my chair. Before I can resist, she’s dragging me from the room and down the hall. Her pace never slows until we’re safely ensconced in my room, with the door firmly shut behind us.

  “Privacy,” she orders, waving a hand at the door. As soon as I throw up a shield, she starts in on me. “What’s wrong? Why do you look defeated after so thoroughly humiliating Tiana Avery?”

  “I don’t know, Lark. It just feels like I’m fighting an uphill battle with Echo, never gaining any ground.”

  “So, you want to give up?”

  “No, I don’t want to give up. I’m just running out of ideas, and honestly, it’s depressing. I thought it would be so easy to ingratiate myself with him, gain his trust, and get him to talk. But it’s not. It’s impossible.”

  “Nothing is impossible, Rory. You just haven’t found the chink in his armor yet. You’ll find it. I know you will.”

  “I wish I had as much faith in myself as you do,” I mumble.

  “Listen to me, Finley,” she says, and my head snaps up at the sound of my real name. “You are a descendant of the most powerful Fae families in existence. Nothing and no one can hold you back when you set your mind to something. You could walk into Echo’s office and Glamour him to tell you everything if you really wanted to. You know I’m right.”

  “That’s not a risk I’m willing to take,” I shoot back. “If something goes wrong, and it inevitably will, this whole thing could come crashing down around us. Everyone could find out who I really am, and everything my parents spent their lives building would be ruined.”

  She shakes her head and lays a hand on my shoulder.