by Aria Sparke
‘I enjoy some distraction,’ I said watching Flynn.
Ebba and Rose tittered.
‘I love him,’ I said defiantly.
‘Don’t worry,’ Sylvia said after frowning at the older pair of women, ‘occasional distractions are permitted as long as they don’t interfere with your professional training.’
‘Where did our friends go?’ Flynn said as he lowered the tray to our table moments later.
I turned from side to side, bewildered that I’d been talking to them seconds ago, but in the time Flynn had walked past two tables, they had evaporated into thin air. Given they were obviously powerful witches, I shouldn’t have been surprised. I wondered curiously what magic they had used to vanish so cleverly.
‘What’s that card in front of you? I didn’t notice it before.’
It was a gray business card with a gargoyle-like insignia beside the title, The Galdrar Academy and under it in silver lettering, Principal Sylvia Grímsdóttir. She had scrawled an email address and phone number with a ballpoint pen. I flicked the card into my purse before zipping it firmly shut.
‘The three ladies who asked you to fetch them drinks know Avery and gave me an address for her.’ I wasn’t ready to tell Flynn about their offer because I wasn’t sure about what to make of it myself.
‘They sounded foreign, but I couldn’t make out their accent,’ Flynn said.
‘Mmm, I think they sounded European,’ I said vaguely.
‘I hope you like canapés,’ said Flynn staring at the assortment on the tray. ‘We’ve got sweet potato and feta pastries, beef and lettuce cups, chicken skewers ...’
‘Delicious,’ Martin said as he and Anya joined our table. ‘Did you see who’s just made a grand entrance?’
‘Shh,’ Anya said to him while glancing at me. ‘Don’t forget his bat-like hearing.’
I turned my head and craned to see Alexis greeting Tarek and Zamira in the doorway. Just as well the witches had decided to leave. I’m sure there would have been fireworks with them in the same room as Tarek.
‘Tarek and Zamira seem very happy together,’ I said, hoping it was still true.
‘Father’s scrubbed up well and Zamira looks gorgeous in that blue dress. I could fancy her,’ Martin said.
‘Don’t even joke about it,’ Flynn said. ‘He’d kill you if he thought you were serious.’
‘And you might not get the chance to prove you weren’t,’ Anya said grimly.
‘You look under the weather,’ Martin said to Flynn.
‘I didn’t finish my infusion after the attack.’
‘Why not?’
‘I thought my injury was minor—a few scratches from a wolf—so I didn’t finish the bottle.’
‘Alexis said they used some strange magic?’
Flynn nodded.
I wondered if Martin suspected something was amiss with Flynn given their twin connection, or had Alexis blabbed already?
‘Oh dear, they’re headed this way. Think I’ll take a few skewers and make myself scarce.’ Martin gathered a few chicken wings from the platter in a napkin before sidling off to avoid Tarek. I watched him tap the shoulder of a pretty dhampir girl and within moments they were chatting, dancing and laughing.
‘Damn,’ Anya said. ‘I’m too late to run for it.’
‘Please stay,’ I implored her.
She patted me on the hand and remained in her seat.
Flynn sat next to me and rested a hand on my knee to stop it shaking.
Tarek strutted proudly across the ballroom floor guiding Zamira, and as they passed each table, heads turned to watch. He and Zamira were obviously the center of attention.
‘Good evening,’ Tarek said in that deep voice that resonated with a double bass playing in the background.
‘Hello.’ I kept my eyes firmly trained on Zamira, who looked beautiful.
‘I love your gloves,’ Anya said to Zamira. ‘So elegant.’
‘Thank you! My boss gave them to me as a parting gift before I left Albania. She said they’re called opera gloves apparently because they extend beyond the elbow.’
What a strange gift to give someone so young and poor. Maybe Tarek had told Zamira they would be going to operas and restaurants and she had told her employer. I searched for the bump of Tarek’s ring under her left glove but couldn’t see it.
When Tarek went to the bar to get drinks, I saw my opportunity. ‘What are the gloves made of?’
‘Satin, I think. Here feel them.’
I stroked the silky fabric. ‘How lovely. Could I try them on please?’ Although I felt like an idiot, I had to persist.
Anya looked at me strangely as Zamira peeled her gloves off.
My stomach back-flipped because she had revealed she wasn’t wearing the ring.
‘Where’s your ring?’ I asked probably too pointedly.
Anya and Flynn swung around to look at her bare finger just as Tarek returned with a bottle of champagne and glasses.
‘Why is everyone looking so edgy?’ Tarek asked.
‘Oh, it’s nothing,’ Zamira said ‘I left my ring at home.’
Confusion and anger reflected in Tarek’s expression. ‘Where is it, Zamira?’
‘I’m sorry, my love, I didn’t want it to snag on the glove.’
Flynn stood pushing his chair back. ‘Do you feel like dancing, Lily?’
I almost pushed my chair over in haste but managed to grab my purse and clear out of there before Tarek gathered his composure to speak again.
‘Let’s get some air.’ Flynn took my hand and we wove between other dancers toward the open doors where we stepped out under the fairy lights. Outside, where it was fresh and mild, some of the guests seated at small tables were chatting while sipping drinks.
‘What do you make of that?’ I was still shaking.
Flynn shrugged. ‘I’m sure what she said was true.’
I was certain she didn’t realize the significance of the ring, but Tarek would ensure one way or another she was wearing it again as soon as they returned to the mansion.
‘I didn’t tell you before, but I had a strange dream last night. It was a ball outside the walls of Anubis and no one was who they seemed. Everyone’s features and voices were mixed up. I tried to cast my magic in the middle of it all but couldn’t.’
‘It was probably a premonition about the attack last night over the wall.’
I shivered.
‘Are you cold?’
‘No, just incredibly uneasy.’ Flynn looked so tired that I decided I’d suggest we leave early. Another half an hour would be more than enough.
* * *
CHAPTER 22
Flynn: Night Shadows
We sat together under a clear sky with the stars I knew and loved overhead, twinkling and reassuring. Tarek remained inside with Zamira and eventually we relaxed. Couples who had sought solitude from the throbbing dancers inside the gym surrounded us. I could hear them murmuring their devotions under the fairy lights strung above the tables. It felt magical and intimate, yet a dark cloud crept into my thoughts. I was fighting fatigue. The effects of the wolf attack were still lingering from the previous night. My face burned where the creature’s claws had dragged and my limbs ached with whatever poison it had left behind.
I had to admit, I hated the weakness of being more human and after taking the infusion last night, I was tempted to have more. Yet now as I looked into Lily’s eyes, I knew it was worthwhile. Nothing could compare in value to her love and spending what time we had together in synchrony.
Lily’s dream had unhinged me and after seeing that Zamira had removed her ring, I was uneasy yet trying not to let Lily know. From our table outside, I monitored Tarek in the ballroom with the thought I could escape with Lily around the back of the building and across the oval if we needed. I felt responsible. I’d encouraged her to come to the ball and now I feared I’d drawn her into a trap. There was no arguing it, I was an idiot. She had warned me of her dream and worries, but I�
��d reassured her it would be fine, yet now I couldn’t guarantee it. I could see she’d been right.
Thankfully, Lily had strung her purse on its thin silver strap over her neck. She had told me she had brought her candles and chalk in it, just in case. Although what use were they? She couldn’t sit on the strip of concrete near the gym doors and draw a circle of protection without being noticed by everyone. I knew it would create a scene. I wondered if she had other spells she could use but realized it would only startle her if I asked.
I wanted our private time to last forever, but I spied Martin making his way across the dance floor of the Anubis gym with a dhampir girl in his wake.
‘You know Steph, don’t you?’ Martin said to us when he finally reached our table. Obviously slightly inebriated, she was swaying and ran into him, bumping him forward as though she couldn’t quite coordinate her movements.
I nodded and smiled while Lily greeted her warmly.
‘Everything okay, Martin?’ I asked.
‘Bit chilly out here,’ the pretty young dhampir girl said. ‘I’m going back inside to get a drink.’
‘Okay, Steph, I’ll be close behind,’ Martin said. ‘I’ll meet you at the bar.’ He pecked her cheek and she giggled before turning to go.
‘What do you think?’ Martin watched Steph weave her way through the dancers. ‘I think she may be the one.’ He burst into laughter. ‘Sorry, don’t mean to be flippant. I know it matters to you both.’
I could see Lily wasn’t listening to him but rather sitting forward on her chair.
Martin squinted at the dancers. ‘I’ve managed to dodge Tarek all evening.’
‘Lucky you,’ I said.
‘What did he have to say for himself when he landed at your table?’
‘Zamira took her ring off,’ I said, wiping the smile from Martin’s face, ‘and I’ve no idea why.’
‘That’s serious.’ Martin slumped on a spare chair. ‘What’s the wicked old codger up to?’
I shook my head discreetly at Martin to avoid alarming Lily further.
‘I also had a dream,’ Lily said in a brittle voice, ‘of an attack just outside the walls.’
‘Surely that’s been and gone.’ Martin swirled a glass of champagne a waiter had handed him moments earlier.
‘Go easy,’ I suggested as Martin downed his drink. ‘Just in case you’re needed.’
‘I will.’ He grinned as though it was already too late.
Not listening to us, Lily waved at the dancers on the gym floor. ‘It was just like this in my dream, except everything happened outside the college wall.’
‘Don’t fret.’ Martin patted Lily’s shoulder.
She ignored him. ‘I think we should leave early, Flynn. You look exhausted and I don’t trust Tarek or what’s outside the wall.’
‘Did you see someone attacking in your dream?’ Martin asked.
Lily shook her head. ‘I saw animal eyes in the forest and I felt evil was coming.’
‘Did anyone else have the same vision?’
‘I don’t know,’ she said softly as though embarrassed by how little concrete information she could give us.
‘Alexis checked the wards on the wall—they’re strong—and they stood up to an attack last night,’ Martin reassured her. ‘We’ll be fine.’
‘You don’t understand. Everyone’s faces, limbs and voices in the dream were mixed up. It’s coming and I can’t stop it. Please Flynn, could we go?’
‘It was only a mixed-up dream.’ Martin looked at Lily with a compassionate yet puzzled expression. ‘Come on, I’ll take you for a spin on the dance floor. Flynn won’t mind, will you?’
‘Ah, here you are.’ Tarek suddenly appeared at the table, casting a shadow over the evening.
I’d been distracted by Martin and had stopped monitoring Tarek, which gave him the meager seconds he needed to arrive at our table unseen.
Lily’s face paled. ‘What do you want?’
Tarek smiled in a chilling way. ‘You know, Lily.’
Lily stood pushing her chair back so abruptly it fell on the grass. ‘No. How many times do I have to tell you?’ she said loudly.
‘Father, sit down,’ I said. ‘Where’s Zamira?’
‘The little vixen has vanished.’ Tarek coolly examined his fingernails. ‘Now, don’t let that upset you, Lily dear. I can hear your tiny heart pounding. No need for that.’
‘It’s not from fear, you fool,’ she said in rage. ‘What don’t you understand? I’m not interested in you or becoming your bride. Go and look for Zamira.’
‘But I like you better.’
Lily groaned.
I could tell he was serious. ‘She isn’t available, Father,’ I said and stepped between Lily and him.
Tarek chuckled.
‘Come on, Father,’ Martin said. ‘I’ll help you look for Zamira. I think I saw her by the bar. She’s probably alarmed you vanished.’
‘No. Run away, child,’ Tarek said to Martin in a low growling tone as he flexed his fingers into a fist.
I knew I was being reckless, but I had to break Tarek’s focus on Lily. ‘You’re making a fool of yourself in front of the Ruberios. See, everyone’s looking.’
‘Do you really think I care?’ Tarek flew at me, grabbing and tearing my shirt at the throat before flinging me across the lawn where I landed with a sickening thud. Winded and jarred, I lay for a few moments with my eyes closed.
‘Flynn, are you alright?’ said Lily, who had rushed to my side and was now trying to help me up.
I seethed with humiliation. ‘Don’t worry, I’m fine.’ I knew if Tarek had wanted he could’ve torn my head from my shoulders and being weakened, I’d be unable to defend myself.
‘Please don’t antagonise him anymore. Don’t say anything. We’ll leave now,’ Lily begged.
I could hear the desperation and fear in her voice.
‘Come, Lily,’ Tarek demanded. ‘I want you.’
‘I won’t,’ Lily screamed. She stood and faced him with her hands on her hips. ‘You’re a disgusting bully.’
Some of the Ruberios had stopped dancing and several stood at the back of the gym watching curiously at a safe distance. They all knew and feared Tarek. No one in the family could match him physically and no one was game to take him on. Even so, I knew instinctively these cowards would be cheering Lily on from their safe vantage.
If I was at full dhampiric strength and had a blade to defend myself, I would have stuck it through his chest in a heartbeat, but all I had was my bare hands and Lily to defend. I glanced at Martin, but he shook his head at me as though telling me to stand down. I understood he was in no fit state to help me. I climbed to my feet and placed myself between Tarek and Lily.
‘You have to leave her alone, Tarek. We’re engaged,’ I lied, but I didn’t care and knew Lily would understand.
‘Dear, dear, do you think that matters to me?’ Tarek said in a jeering tone.
‘I don’t want to be with you,’ Lily said to Tarek.
Tarek ignored her and focused on me. ‘I can see you’re a fragile boy these days.’
I wondered if he could instinctively tell I was no longer receiving blood.
‘She deserves a man who can defend and love her,’ Tarek said.
‘Man?’ I laughed openly.
‘Better,’ Tarek said defiantly.
Unable to contain my fury, I flew at him again, but after a couple of steps and inexplicably, my body jarred in mid-flight.
Tarek was still looking at me, calling my name. Puzzled, I saw his rage turn to disbelief and shock.
I was floating in a strange sea as I felt myself falling forward to the grass.
Lily was calling to me in a distraught voice.
I tried to speak ... to tell her I loved her. Then there was a flood of pain and...
* * *
CHAPTER 23
Lily: Flight
Flynn and Tarek had been arguing over me. I was disgusted by Tarek’s refusal to acknowl
edge or accept my wishes. They kept yelling until Tarek hurled Flynn across the lawn, while members of the Ruberio family watched the embarrassing exchange. Why didn’t they help Flynn and stand up to this bully as a family should? Flynn had dragged himself from the ground and stood up to the monster again. They exchanged more angry words while the crowd of spectating Ruberios grew.
Pushed to the limit in my defense, Flynn launched himself at Tarek in blind rage but no sooner had he stepped forward then he stopped almost in mid-air. He seemed surprised before he fell to the grass. I couldn’t understand why there was a blade in his back. I tried to run to him, but my knees buckled and I slumped to the ground. I screamed his name over and over and I could see him looking at me. I saw his lips move but it was as though he had no air in his lungs to call out to me.
Now everything was happening in slow motion.
Men were running on top of the wall and the Ruberios were streaming from the ball onto the lawn. It seemed so odd, men and women in suits and ball gowns, some with blades drawn ready to do battle with the vamps on the wall. I wasn’t afraid. Disconnected, I floated above, watching it all unfold from the night sky.
What was Flynn doing? Why didn’t he get up? Somehow I had to get to him, but my legs refused to work. I tried to crawl yet failed.
Martin gazed at me like he was far away at the end of a telescope. ‘She’s in shock.’
I wanted to deny it, but my words were missing.
‘You’ll come with me,’ Tarek said.
My eyes found Flynn again on the grass where two Ruberio women were tending him.
‘It’s too late for him,’ Tarek said quietly while around me a chaos of shouting, running and blades grew.
I needed to shut everything down, to close my eyes and sleep.
Tarek scooped me from the ground and we moved so fast that the world around me blurred and streaked until we were in Alexis’ office. He lowered me to the sofa and pulled a chair up close.
‘Do you have any means of creating wards?’ he asked.
I tried to pull my mind back to reality.
‘Berishas have invaded the college. They are after me and you, I suspect. I need a ward of protection here to stop them.’ He stood and wandered to the window.