by K L Rymer
Guys keep checking us out, and why wouldn’t they? Four sexy girls dressed as Mrs. Claus?
I’ve been out for four hours now, so I’m pretty drunk. I’ve already had four Jaeger bombs, so I’m about ready for bed.
I’m such a lightweight.
Megan is completely wasted. She’s not even speaking English anymore as she gibbers away on my right. The girl could talk for England anyway on a good day.
At least she looks cute though. She made a good Cady Heron in the end.
Meg’s currently telling me an interesting tale about the time she tripped and flashed her knickers to the entire class at her old school when I get a text. I pull out my phone. The writing is blurred since I’m drunk, but there’s no mistaking those crying face Emojis.
It’s Felicity and apparently, she’s in the middle of a crisis.
Just when the night was getting started...
I put my phone away. “I have to go.”
“No, stay!” Megan begs, dragging me back toward the booth.
“I need to. My friend Felicity’s stuck at a party.”
It’s not completely untrue. As far as I know, she’s sitting alone in her bathroom stall at the academy, ruining her makeup with her snot and tears.
Megan sighs and releases my arm. “Boo you whore...”
I put my hands on my hips, scowling down at that drunken redhead. “That’s my line... I’m Regina, remember?”
The girl looks up at me now with a lopsided smile, and she can’t stay mad at me for long. She’s too nice when she’s drunk. “All right. It’s been a good night, Bryn. Thanks for coming. Just get home safe, okay?”
“I will. See you guys later.”
I stalk off into the crowd. I soon find the exit and step out onto the street.
It’s like my ears have been stuffed with cotton. I can’t hear a thing after the noisy nightclub. I don’t even bother to make my way to the hill. I’m way too drunk for that anyway. Instead, I find a quiet street and teleport away.
...
I stagger down the hallway to the girl’s lavatory on the second floor. I’ve been catcalled and wolf-whistled by several guys already. So I summoned my fire, threatening to burn their asses.
Finally, I find the lavatory and call out her name. “Felicity?”
“Oh, Bryn! Thank goodness!” she cries.
I move to the stall and open the door, finding her crouched on the floor, and I was right. Her makeup is totally trashed.
I sigh. “Felicity...”
The pixie jumps up to her feet, wrapping her arms around my waist, and now she reaches my boobs. “Bryn... it was awful...”
“What happened?” I stroke her trembling back. Her heart’s beating a mile a second.
She squeezes her eyes. “I... I asked Macson to dance with me. And then Damien punched him in the face.”
Alarmed, I push her away a little too roughly, and now she staggers back, looking up at me in fright. “B-Bryn?”
I clench my teeth. “What did I warn you, Felicity?!”
Her face contorts and now she covers her eyes. “I know! It’s just... I couldn’t stand seeing him there with... with her...”
I palm my face. “It’s only Zahara, Fel. Take it easy. You know she would never do anything.”
She shakes her head, mumbling into her hands. “It... wasn’t Zahara...”
My blood boils and I move her hands away from her eyes. “Who was he with?”
Her eyes overflow with tears, and now I can no longer see those shiny blues. “J-Jessika... she... she kissed him, Bryn!”
Stunned, I let go of the pixie as she collapses to the floor, and now she cries in a heap once again.
That Seelie bitch... she is so dead. How dare she betray Felicity’s trust like that!
“Take me to her,” I demand.
Felicity gasps. “No... Bryn... don’t...”
I smile all creepily now, and the pixie shuffles away from me horrified, hiding behind the toilet. “Take me to that fake bitch so I can gorge her pretty eyes out... Magnanimous my ass! You know, I’m starting to think that all these houses are bullshit. Someone kind does not do that to their friend!”
Felicity trembles, releasing a nervous giggle. “W-well... we all have had a bit to drink...”
“No excuses. Get up.”
She squeals as I drag her up to her feet, and now we rush down the hallway. I’m squeezing Felicity’s hand too tightly, and she tries to squirm out of my grip. “Bryn, stop, you’re hurting me!”
I loosen my hold, but I still drag her down the corridor, eager to find that whore Jessika. The Seelie’s going to have herself a pretty little chimney when I’m through with her. (That’s a black eye. Look it up).
The pixie whimpers. “Please, Bryn... don’t—”
“Hey!”
We both spin around, facing the other end of the hall, and my blood fires up when I see that asshole.
Damien.
He may not be Jessika, but he’ll do.
The demon stalks toward me, his red eyes ablaze as his black coat flaps behind him. I don’t even know how he does it considering there’s no breeze, but I ball my fists, ready to swing them at his demonic face.
His horns are burning with red-hot flames as he flares his nostrils, puffing out smoke. “Let her go... now...”
I let the pixie go and march right up to him, aiming for his face. “You jerk!”
My fist flies up. He catches it swiftly with his hand, and now he smirks with those evil black lips. He’s never looked so fucking twisted. I see he managed to get his arms out of that straight jacket, the freak. The belts hang loosely from his shirt.
“I wouldn’t do that now if I were you, Bryn Bryn,” he whispers, breathing smoke all over my face. “I’m quite dangerous...”
I growl. “Not as dangerous as I am!”
I swing my other fist, but he catches that too and soon he pins my arms behind my back, shoving me to the wall. Smart move; I was about to kick him in the ballsac.
“Seriously, Bryn Bryn,” he mutters down my ear. “How much have you had to drink?”
“Enough to want to kick your ass!”
He blows a heavy sigh, and dang his breath is hot. There’s moisture inside my ear. “You’re ridiculous.”
I bare my teeth. “You kissed Jessika!”
I try to wiggle free of his grip now, but then Felicity pushes him away from me and I stumble to the floor, gasping for air.
The two of them stand above me dumbfounded as I shake like a leaf.
I’m... crying. I don’t know where it comes from, but all I know is that I can’t stop as my sobs echo down the hall.
Felicity steps closer. “Bryn?
“No!”
They both flinch, staring at me aghast. They’ve never looked so pathetic.
“You... you two are so stupid,” I choke.
Damien and Felicity keep their horrified eyes on me, and I take a moment to look into each pair—the scorching red and the shimmering blue, respectfully.
“You... you’re perfect for each other... yet you both threw it all away over some petty squabble... Grow the fuck up!”
My shriek rebounds off the walls, yet they still don’t speak. It appears I’ve stunned them into silence.
Good. They need to hear how stupid they are.
“I... I thought I loved someone once too... but... it turned out to be a big joke!”
I continue to bawl, burying my face to the floor now. I shouldn’t have drunk so much, but it’s too late for regrets now.
A lump lodges deep in my throat, and I choke, unable to breathe. “I... miss him so much...”
The truth finally comes out, and now my howls reverberate around the corridor. Meanwhile, they stand solemn and still as I weep my little heart out.
Finally, Damien steps toward me. “Bryn—”
His voice is cut off by the sound of Angelina’s shriek from the other end of the hall. She’s wearing her PJs and slippers.
> “He’s here. Matthew is here!”
Chapter 12.
The vampire’s words barely register as I remain on the floor, blinking in confusion.
Matthew... is here?
Angelina skids to a halt as Damien blocks her passage. “What the fuck are you talking about, Ambrose?”
She bares her fangs. “I wasn’t talking to you, hell-spawn. Move out of my way. I need to get Bryn to the headmaster, now!”
The demon’s eyes flash bright scarlet. “How do we know you’re not lying? This could just be some twisted joke you’re pulling after all. And not a very funny one either.”
Her eyes burn azure. “I said move—”
Before she has a chance to push him out of the way, a great roar shakes the castle, and the hair rises up on the back of my neck.
Gwyneira.
I’d recognize that roar anywhere.
Matthew... he really is here...
“Oh no...” Felicity cries, and her eyes grow wide in fear.
Damien and Angelina snap into action, baring their fangs and flames, but all I can do is sit on the floor dumbstruck.
I swallow. We’re all under attack and I’m powerless to do anything. All because I was too chicken to wake Brynmawr.
“Felicity...” Damien whispers next, his voice low and dangerous. “Get Bryn to the headmaster. Ambrose and I will stay and fight.”
The pixie’s lower lip wiggles. “Damien... I... I can’t leave you—”
He snaps his head around and glares at her, and the poor pixie flinches. But then his crimson eyes soften as he addresses her gently now. “Go. Myrddin will know what to do. Bryn can’t fight this alone...”
Felicity’s eyes swim with tears. Meanwhile, I keep my gaze on Damien, momentarily distracted from all the screaming and chaos for a moment.
Angelina is the first to speak. “You know about the prophecy, don’t you, Hellborne?”
He turns slowly to the vampire. “I’ve been lurking in the shadows... listening...”
She hisses. “You freak—”
One of the tall windows explodes in front of us next as a jet of blue blasts through the glass, and Damien’s on top of Felicity instantly. Angie throws me back against the wall, sheltering me from the onslaught, and my eyes bulge in shock.
She’s protecting me?!
Somewhere amongst the din I hear Felicity whimpering, but all I can do is stare into those ice-blue eyes of Angelina’s.
She... saved me... I don’t know what to do or say.
“Don’t look so flattered, Bryn. I need you alive after all. Who else is going to stop that son of a bitch outside? Now get to the headmaster. The demon and I can stay behind and fight.”
She drags me up to my feet, and my eyes fall on Damien and Felicity. My heart hurts just looking at them. The pixie wraps her arms around his neck, absolutely beside herself.
It’s like a love scene from a movie.
It seems my yelling made them realize something very important. They need each other.
“I... I don’t want to leave you, Damien. I... I can stay and fight too.”
I hardly doubt Gwyneira has any shoes for Fel to steal, but the pixie is good with that slingshot. She could always blind the dragon with one of her pink puffballs, but Damien has already made up his mind.
“No. Go, Felicity... Get Bryn safely to the headmaster. That’s your job now. If anything happened to you, I would never forgive myself.”
Those sapphire jewels of hers are drowning now. “P-promise me you’ll stay safe...”
He smirks. “I’m the Devil’s son, Tinkerbell. Of course I’ll be safe. No dragon has anything on me after all.”
She half laughs half cries then throws herself at his lips, getting that black lipstick all over her. When they finally pull away, they’re both covered in each other’s makeup, and I’d snort if the situation weren’t so depressing.
I guess that’s what happens when a goth and a fashionista date. Maybe if we survive this and they get back together, they can give each other makeup tips.
Finally, the pixie stands and takes my arm, and a wave of determination washes over her. “Come on, Bryn. Time to get you to the headmaster.”
Before she teleports us away, my eyes find Angelina’s, and a worried expression forms over her face “Be careful,” she whispers, just loud enough for me to hear.
I knew it. She wasn’t just protecting me to save her own skin back then.
Angelina Ambrose has become my friend now, whether I like it or not.
...
We teleport outside the headmaster’s office, and at once something feels off.
I stagger away from the door. Felicity glances up, concerned. “Bryn... it’s okay. It’s just the headmaster’s office. We’re safe here.”
I shake my head. “No... something isn’t right... The... the headmaster... he’s... missing...”
Her eyes protrude, and suddenly that incapacitating fear takes over her small, elfin features.
Gelert materializes by my side, giving me a warning bark, and that’s all the confirmation I need. So I back away slowly, but then I bump into the solid frame of a man’s chest.
A cold knife presses against my throat. “Don’t move.”
Someone breathes hot down my ear and I shiver when I recognize that voice. A tear drips from my eye and I swallow.
Mattie...
Felicity and Gelert snap into action. The pixie summons her pink slingshot, aiming straight for the bastard behind me, while the dog growls, raising his hackles.
The mage chuckles handsomely, and the sound is like velvet. “How cute... I see you’ve found your weapon, pixie.”
She narrows one eye, trying to get a good shot. Matthew digs the knife deeper, and I feel that serrated edge pricking my skin. “Put the weapon away... unless you want me to slit a hole through your friend’s throat.”
Felicity’s eyes waver and now they find mine, and I can see she’s resisting the urge to cry. Gelert whimpers beside her, and I can’t decide who looks more precious. The dog or the sweet, doll-like girl.
We should have stayed with Damien and Angelina in the end.
I laugh nervously. “It’s... it’s all right, Felicity. He... he won’t hurt me... he’s too much of a coward.”
“Oh, really...” Mattie presses the knife that little bit closer, and Felicity squeaks.
I hold back my own tears. It’s not enough to kill me, but the implied threat is there. So long as he is willing to kill me, I’m not safe.
What’s happened to him? Someone has darkened his soul, and I think I have a good idea of who that may be.
This isn’t my Mattie...
What’s his father done to him?
Felicity shakes with sobs. “Matthew... p-please... don’t... don’t hurt her... You love her, remember? Why... why would you want to make her suffer?”
He stiffens behind me, and I feel his pulse against my back. Felicity has such a way with words; I wouldn’t be surprised if her sweet voice alone was enough to break through Mattie’s dark clouds. But I know better than that. His father is the one pulling the strings here.
Matthew has no control. He really is a puppet.
“Shut up, imp. You have no idea what I love...”
“I... I do...” I stutter next, and he stills.
His bark of laughter nearly bursts my eardrum. “And what’s that, human?”
I try to turn my head so I can look into one of those piercing gray eyes, the exact pair that have haunted my dreams for months now. It’s been too long since I’ve gazed into them.
Yet I don’t see him, and its torture to have him so close again. I can’t touch him. I’d do anything to glance upon those lush lips, kiss that sweet dimple beneath his nose...
“You... you love your mom, Mattie... She’s the only reason why you’re doing all this. I don’t know what your father told you, but please... think twice. I don’t know what you’ve done with Myrddin either, but eliminating him won’t bri
ng her back. Killing me won’t bring your mother back...”
Matthew’s hand trembles as he keeps that knife to my throat, and I know he’s resisting his father’s influence over him. I’m not sure whether he is controlling him with his powers or his threats alone, but there’s never been a more conflicted creature. He’s beside himself with what to do, and I just want to reach around and take him in my arms and tell him it will be all right. That we will find a way together.
Normally, I would want to kick the shit out of any man who would dare lay a knife to my throat, but I know this time is different. Right now I need to put cold, snarky Bryn aside and be more like my gentle friend Felicity.
That’s what you do for the ones you love after all.
Mattie suddenly cries out as he drops the knife, and I whirl around and gasp.
Ow, how the tables have turned. Now Angelina’s the one saving me from Matthew...
Her orbs burn bright blue as she extends her arm, and now Mattie hovers several feet in the air. I finally meet those conflicted, gray eyes, and my heart breaks. No one has ever looked at me with such hatred before.
Damien materializes and Felicity runs to his side, throwing her arms around his waist. “Damien, thank goodness. You’re safe.”
He chuckles. “Didn’t I tell you? I’m the Devil’s son. No one can touch me. Not even a pompous asshole by the name of Matthew Humphrey IV.”
The demon turns away from the pixie, fixing his burning eyes on the floating form of Matthew. We all stand in the hallway and watch him for a while as Gwyneira continues to wreak havoc on the school. There are explosions and distant screams, and debris rains down from the ceiling.
Somewhere, I know my friends are fighting. I can see them now: Zahara with her longbow, shooting arrows, Nora with her snake-shaped dagger, and Thomas with his golden dirk. And then there’s Jack with his brass knuckles.
They’ve got this.
Mattie was a fool for showing up. A real, real fool. What did he think? That my friends were just going to let him take me?
Still... when I look into those gray eyes above, I see the regret. He knows he’s lost. This is the end of the road for him. None of us have the ability to take his powers. Only Myrddin, which was why Matthew removed him from the picture.