by C. A. McHugh
“Enough.” The Raven Bringer hurled a ball of red magic that sizzled along the protective blue dome that surrounded them.
Deep fissures etched the dome’s surface, stretching and colliding like cracks in glass as the red bolts faded, until the spell fractured and the dome shattered around them.
Raimel barely had time shield his face before the next spell followed. He braced for the impact, for the torture it would bring. Or maybe even the sweet escape of death, but knowing the Raven Bringer, he wouldn’t get the latter without the former.
But Master Binnius blocked the assault with a spell of his own and launched a counterstrike.
Raimel sat back in awe as the old man proved why he was considered the most powerful mage in Elgeus. He moved with the speed of a man a fraction of his age. Each spell he cast sent the Raven Bringer skidding back as the magic collided with the red shield their masked enemy had cast to defend himself. And that’s all the coward could do. Defense was his only recourse. Master Binnius was casting too quickly to allow the Raven Bringer any chance to cast an opposing strike of his own.
But all mages had a breaking point, a time when they ran out of magic. If they continued casting, they’d sacrifice their own lives. It was what Prince Rythis had done to supposedly defeat the Raven Bringer, and obviously, that had been in vain. Now, the Raven Bringer was using the same tactic, saving up his own magic while Master Binnius spent his.
Raimel refused to let Master Binnius fall into that same trap. They’d forgotten about him, the pitiful whimpering mass that he’d been moments before. But like a cockroach, it took more than one lick to kill someone like Raimel. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the two little presents he’d procured for the Raven Bringer in the shop in Gentilmead.
The vials of liquid fire.
Handling liquid fire required precision, skill, dexterity, speed. Or basically, pull the top, launch them at your enemies, and pray you didn’t get caught in the backdraft.
Which was exactly Raimel did.
Now it was his turn to cast the rudimentary second year protection spell as a ball of fire consumed the Raven Bringer. A scream of pain—a reminder of all the ones he’d cried while being tortured—ripped through the night, stirring up howling wolves and shrieking birds. The air shook with the Raven Bringer’s rage. And just as quickly as the fire ball had exploded, it faded into nothing more than a few tendrils of smoke and a patch of singed grass.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a pile of ashes to indicate their enemy had perished.
Master Binnius slumped against his staff, his breathing sharp and quick. “That was rather ingenious of you.”
“Would you expect any less from me?” Raimel placed his hand on the old man’s shoulder and cast a restorative spell. “How are you holding up?”
“I’ll live to fight another day.” He straightened, his gaze drifting to the place where their enemy had stood a second ago. “Unfortunately, so will he.”
“Not without taking some serious time off to lick his wounds.”
“Agreed.” The old man turned and started back toward the Academy, his steps revealing a pronounced limp now. “Until then, we have bought ourselves a little more time to regroup and plan.”
And time was something in short supply when it came to battling the Raven Bringer.
“He’s going to be really pissed off when he returns.”
Master Binnius paused and turned to give him a weary smile. “I certainly hope so because if he’s angry, he’s more likely to make a mistake.” He continued on the road, adding, “Tell Ceryst we need to meet once we get Aerrin back to Dromore. There is much we need to discuss.”
Raimel looked at the soot spot a few feet away one more time.
No shit.
Chapter 20
Aerrin stared blankly at his porridge. In an hour, he would have to face another block of challenges. He’d studied, and he felt confident he would pass, but it was still going to be an exhausting day. Then, afterward, it would be back to the palace at Dromore to deal with all the pressures of being king, including the danger the Raven Bringer posed to his kingdom. Would he have enough proof to convince the Privy Council of the enemy’s return? Or would he be forced to keep this secret to himself even longer?
Leandros, on the other hand, devoured another piece of sweetbread as though nothing were amiss.
“Where are you putting all that?” Aerrin asked.
Leandros patted his flat stomach. “It’s all going here. Eat up. You’re going to need all the energy you can get for today.”
“You’re in an unusually good mood. In case you haven’t forgotten, we have our challenges today.”
Leandros reached for another piece of sweetbread. “No, I haven’t forgotten. I just have a good attitude.”
“Meaning?”
“If I fail, I fail, but I won’t. I’m going to pass. I’ve had Nyssa tutoring me all week.”
“Oh? And what did you agree to do for her in return?”
“Nothing. She seemed glad to help me. I didn’t need to promise her anything. You know the ladies can’t resist me.”
Aerrin grinned. “I forgot that you can charm any woman to do your bidding.”
His friend washed down the sweetbread with a long gulp of milk. “Exactly. I have them begging to do favors for me. I’ve even had a few battle for my attention. There’s nothing like a good catfight, especially when it’s over you.” He laughed.
“I wish you luck.”
“Thanks. You, too.”
Nyssa rushed into the Great Hall, her cheeks flushed, and smiled broadly at the two boys. “I can’t wait for the challenges to begin. I don’t know if I can eat a thing, I’m so excited.”
“You would be.”
“And you’re not, Leandros? Not after all the studying we did? Think of all the spells you learned.”
“I guess they’ll be useful one day.” He shrugged before looking past her. “Oh, they have apple butter over there.” Leandros dashed over to the next table and began to slather another piece of bread with the sweet brown spread.
Nyssa rolled her eyes and turned to Aerrin. “Are you ready?”
“About as ready as I can be, I suppose.”
Nyssa chewed on the tip of her hair. “Perhaps I shouldn’t bring this up until after the challenges, but…”
Aerrin laid his spoon down. There was no way he could eat the porridge since it had cooled into rubbery goo. “But what?”
“I caught Seroney scrying last night.”
“Scrying? For whom?”
“I don’t know. When she couldn’t find the person she was looking for, she gave up and left our room in a very foul mood. But she didn’t bother to acknowledge me when she left. It was like I wasn’t there at all.” She pinched off a piece of cinnamon bread and nibbled on it.
As if on cue, Seroney entered the Great Hall and sat at the end of an empty table nearby. One of the servers brought her some hot tea, but she didn’t touch it. She stared straight ahead, her eyelids heavy. She nodded off to sleep and awoke just before her head hit the table.
There was no way she could take on her challenges in this condition. Aerrin wondered if she would even attempt them. Even though the Masters would intervene before any harm could come to a student, it was still a big risk.
For a moment, he half wondered if Nyssa’s high spirits were linked to her certainty that she would regain her position as the top of the class. Then he realized how suspicious of everyone he’d become. Nyssa was competitive, but she was not cruel. Seroney looked like she needed to visit Master Eamon in the infirmary rather than participate in the challenges.
Aerrin continued to watch her. “Perhaps I should say something to one of the masters. She’s falling asleep sitting at the table.”
Leandros joined them and offered Nyssa a piece of his sweetbread smeared with apple butter. She murmured her thanks before saying to Aerrin, “I agree she would be better off with a nap.”
A messenger
came into the Great Hall and went directly for Seroney. Aerrin leaned forward and nudged his friends to pay attention. It was another letter.
She hesitantly took it from the messenger and waited until he had left the Great Hall before opening it with trembling hands. Aerrin thought her face could not grow any paler than it already was, but as she read the letter, it became completely ashen. She stood and took a few unsteady steps before collapsing to the floor.
Leandros was the first person to her, closely followed by Aerrin.
“Back up and give them some room,” Nyssa shouted at the other students gathering around them.
Aerrin checked her pulse. He skin was icy cold, but he felt a weak flutter at her wrist. When he lifted her up off the floor into a sitting position, he counted every rib under his hands. He lightly slapped her cheeks. “Seroney, wake up.”
When her eyes quivered open, she gazed around her, disoriented. She seemed to focus in on him and opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out was a sob.
Aerrin almost dropped her. What had that letter said? By this time, Master Karena had made her way through the crowd and stood by his side. She shooed him away and embraced the now hysterical Seroney, calmingly rocking her and blocking the other students’ views.
“It’s alright, dear, it’s alright. Master Binnius will be able to help. Shh, let’s get you to his study.” Karena stroked Seroney’s hair as she glared at those gathered around them. “Everyone, please return to your tables. Remember, your challenges start in less than an hour.”
They scurried back to their places, whispering about what just happened.
Once she was given some space, Master Karena helped Seroney to her feet. The girl leaned heavily on the older woman, who continued to stroke her hair and make calming noises. Seroney’s sobs grew softer, and she allowed the master to lead her out of the Great Hall.
Leandros stared after her. “I can’t believe what I just saw.”
“I can,” Aerrin admitted, unable to ignore the guilt gnawing away at his insides. “I’m surprised she didn’t collapse before now. The human body can only take so much.”
“I wasn’t talking about her passing out. I meant how she reacted to the letter.”
“I wish I knew what it said.” It had obviously been devastating news, whatever it was.
“Wish granted.” Leandros pulled a crumpled piece of paper from up his sleeve. “I picked it up off the floor when she fainted. Finally, we’ll get a little insight into the mysterious Seroney.” He eagerly unfolded the paper, but his jaw dropped when he saw the contents.
The other two huddled around him, and Nyssa snatched the letter from his hands. “It’s unreadable. Well, maybe it’s readable, but it’s in a completely different alphabet.”
Now it was Aerrin’s turn to grab the letter. Nyssa was right. Not a single marking on the paper resembled a letter he recognized, yet somehow Seroney read it and responded by turning into a sobbing heap. He turned the paper upside down to see if it made any sense that way. “What language is this?”
Nyssa reached for the letter and drew her brows together as she attempted to decipher the words. “She had markings like this on her trunk, but I know I’ve seen this somewhere else…”
“Well, that narrows it down a bit,” Leandros drawled. “If we go through every book ever written, maybe we’ll find the answer.”
She slapped his arm. “Be serious for once. And quiet. I’m trying to think here.”
“What about the Royal Archives? Could it have been there?” Aerrin knew how much she loved exploring the documents stored there. It was her favorite place to hide whenever he invited her to visit him in Dromore.
“Maybe. I think so.” She continued to study the letter with even more intensity. “I’m not sure.”
Leandros cleared his throat. “I know we all want to know what this letter says, but first we have to pass our challenges. We can plan an adventure to the vaults of the Royal Archives after that. Here. Until then, I’ll hold onto the letter, seeing as I found it and all.”
“Oh no you don’t.” Nyssa spun around and stuffed the paper down the front of her tunic. When she turned back to face Leandros, she stuck her tongue out.
He arched one brow. “Do you think that’s going to stop me? It’s not like you have any breasts to speak of.” He grabbed for the front of her tunic as she frantically crossed her arms to protect her treasure.
“Stop it, you two!” Aerrin jerked Leandros by the wrists, pulling him back. “If you two keep bickering over the letter, someone will realize we have it. Leandros, you’re right, we do have to pass our challenges. Nyssa, I’m trusting you to keep the letter safe and hidden until we can get to Dromore. For the moment, let’s focus and remain calm. We don’t want to fail our challenges and get expelled from the Academy.”
They nodded in agreement and followed the other students out of the Great Hall to corridor where the challenges were being held. Nyssa patted her bosom, making sure the letter was secure before she disappeared into the room where she would await her challenges.
Leandros paused by the door of Aerrin’s challenge room. “This stuff with Seroney is becoming very strange.”
Aerrin agreed. Finally, he might have the evidence he’d been searching for. This letter could provide more information about Seroney than anything he’d gained over the last four months. Was it in another language? In code?? What did the letter say?
And if he could find a way to interpret it, would he want to know?
The only thing he knew for certain was that he’d been right from the beginning. Whoever she was, she wasn’t a normal fifth-year student.
What if there was more to her than that? What if she was one of the Raven Bringer’s spies?
The room around him grew hazy, and the first challenge began.
***
Seroney allowed Master Karena to lower her into the chair in Binnius’s study, her grief blinding her to anything else.
Her mother’s letter gave life to the nightmares she’d been having since she’d first confronted the Raven Bringer in Gentilmead weeks ago.
Her grandmother was dead.
Correction—her grandmother had been murdered. And by the same despicable creature who’d killed her grandfather.
And it was all her fault.
“Thank you, Karena,” Master Binnius said in his usual soft manner. “I’ll take care of her from here.”
He waited until they were alone before offering her a handkerchief. “I see one of your parents has informed you of this unpleasant news. Rather risky on their part, I must say.”
She nodded and wiped her eyes with the fine linen.
“How much did they tell you?”
She raised her gaze to meet his and noted the tension lining his face. “Just that they’d found her, along with a pendant bearing his mark.”
He nodded and hobbled off to the window he always stared out of when he was deciding how much to reveal to her. “Your mother was kind to spare you the details, for I know she was the one who must’ve written the letter. Your father would’ve been much more blunt.”
She rose from the chair and paused to steady her feet before joining him. “What did she leave out?”
When he turned to her, his normally merry eyes were filled with anguish. “I don’t think you want to know, my dear.”
“I’m an adult, not one of the children who roam the halls here. Tell me.”
He drew in a deep breath and released it in a heavy sigh. “Are you familiar with what the Raven Bringer did to his victims when he wished to use them to intimidate his enemies?”
She shook her head, wondering if she should be thankful to have been spared this knowledge.
“He has a documented history of kidnapping those closest to his enemies.” His voice grew choked. “He’d torture them to death, then scatter their remains to be found by their loved ones.”
Seroney’s stomach heaved, and she stumbled back. “What did that monster d
o to her?”
Binnius nodded to the box on his desk. “This arrived for me this morning.”
Even though her mind screamed for her to stay away, her feet were propelled forward as though under someone else’s control. She slowly lifted the lid, her heart pounding at a frantic pace.
And looked into her grandmother’s glazed eyes.
Her hand shook, but she couldn’t pry her fingers from the lid. Her grandmother’s severed head lay in the box with the Raven Bringer’s mark burned into her forehead.
It was a message. He was back, and he was willing strike at anyone who dared to challenge him.
A new fire burned through her, awakening a hatred she’d never believed possible. He would soon rue the day he attacked a Meritis, even if she had to sacrifice her own life to carry out her revenge.
Even if she had to break her promise to Uncle Binnius and abandon the mission that had brought her here.
She was done babysitting the king and playing his protector.
All she cared about now was revenge.
***
Find out what happens next in Revelation, Book 3 of The Raven Bringer Saga. Click to order here.
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