InkBorn (InkHaven Academy Book 2)

by Kenna Bardot

  Headmaster Shaw rubbed a hand across his hair that disheveled from the force he used to hit me across the face. "Restoring the balance that you so foolishly upended."

  "Balance? That's what all this is about?" I hissed, struggling against the two pairs of arms holding me.

  "It's nothing personal, Miss Shaw," he sneered. "Your existence merely has to be corrected. It is our duty to ensure the balance, and to do so you must be sacrificed. Your presence needs to be eradicated. Though I must admit, after watching you continue to defy me by living for the last two years, I am beginning to feel like my personal feelings toward you are a bonus."

  "Your personal feelings?" I whispered, and one of the Air Mages holding me chuckled.

  "Yes. You see, I will very much enjoy knowing you are gone from this world. You would have made a terrible Mage. You're defiant, willful, almost to the point of recklessness where you need to be in line, willing to serve the Order as you are deemed fit."

  "Did it ever occur to you, that if Zeevar didn't want me to be a Mage, he wouldn't have blessed me in the first place? Let alone the second time?" He glared down at me, angry veins popping out from the skin of his forehead.

  "You could not even possibly begin to understand the intricacies of the balance you've upset. We cannot wait for Frost. Kill her and be done with it." He turned like he might walk away.

  "Headmaster!" I called, making the old man turn his bored eyes back to me. "You made a mistake." A slithering sounded from my right, and the man holding that arm jumped when something slid over his foot to get to my ankle. My whip wound around my leg, seeking my skin.

  "And what mistake was that?" Headmaster Stewart asked with a disbelieving grin.

  "You underestimated me." I smiled, and his own grin faltered for just a moment. As soon as my whip had contact with the bare skin of my arm, it snapped out and shoved the Mage on my right, sparking magenta so forcefully he had no choice but to let me go. As soon as it was freed, my right fist swung to the left, the heel of my palm connecting with the other Mage’s nose with a sickening crunch. I turned and watched as Stewart tried to hurry through the woods. A flick of my whip and it wrapped around his neck. I tugged, sending him sprawling onto his back. I brought my whip back to do it again when a sharp blast of Air sent me careening off balance to nearly land on my face.

  I bolted up, turning to face the man storming my way with blood streaming down his face from his broken nose. He held his twin axes aloft, but I charged him.

  When I was barely a foot away, I flipped myself over his shoulders in the way Ronan had shown me - twisting my body about to take him down with a well-placed knee on his back. He fell with a dull thud to the ground.

  The second Mage threw one of his knives that caught me on the shoulder and was on me before I could get up. He straddled my waist and wrapped his meaty paws around my throat to press hard enough to cut off my air supply.

  I focused on my body, feeling the slight tingles of Air where it caressed my bare skin and absorbed, just enough to let me breathe.

  Enough. Barely.

  A tendril of whip slid up, catching his wrist, and I flicked it out to the side. He jerked with the force of it, but refused to budge. The other Mage threw one of his knives on it, cutting it off so that it withered and died without the core of my Conduit to feed it.

  I felt it shriek within me as part of it died, and the remaining part of it curled back against my skin. A hand held down my arm, and a knife dug under the vine on my arm. My skin cut beneath the pressure, making me gasp in pain, and the dagger cut into the core of the vine.

  "No!" I shouted, panic in my voice. I couldn't bear the thought of not having my whip attached to me.

  "Don't worry, abomination. You won't be needing it for long," he snarled at me, fighting against my struggling arm.

  "Kaia Wren!" Alec Gaius’ voice came out of nowhere, and the man's attention diverted long enough for my whip to slide free of the threat of being cut. I breathed a sigh of relief, having felt the threat of loss deep in my soul.

  Alec Gaius’ blast of Air hit him dead center in the chest, sending him flying backwards even as he reached up to block with his own air. Breath flowed into my lungs more steadily suddenly, and I looked at the man straddling my waist to see Vali's chain wrapped around his throat. The Mage clutched at it desperately, his mouth gasping for breath. In desperation, he hit it with his axes but Vali simply yanked him back sharply, and I could swear I heard the man's neck crack from the force of it as he was pulled off me.

  Vali's savagely pissed eyes stared down at me, and he held out a hand. I took it, letting him tug me to my feet. Those eyes lingered on my throat, no doubt examining the marks there, and I watched his nostrils flare in response.

  "KAIA!" Cel shouted, and I turned just in time to catch my sword as he tossed it my way with his Air. I thrust it up to absorb the blow both Mages sent my way. My Conduit glowed red, vibrating in my hand, and I winced against the way it echoed into my shoulder.

  It was suddenly hot. Too hot to hold really, but I couldn't release it either.

  And then it happened.

  My Conduit shattered. Hundreds of pieces of the blade were suspended in the Air for a split second before scattering to the ground below, leaving me with nothing but a hilt to hold and no sword to speak of. Vali turned shocked eyes to me, and I gritted my teeth against the loss. One of the Mages lay on the ground, his chest rising and falling far too quickly from whatever damage Vali had done to his neck and spine. I turned my attention to the one still standing, ignoring the tears pooling in my eyes at the loss. Just the year before I thought I had cheated to get it when all along it was meant to be mine. And now my sword was gone.

  And I was furious. I flung my whip at him, snatching three of his knives from his hand. They clattered in heap to the ground, and my whip wound around them.

  Over and over again it wound.

  I focused all my energy on it, and the burst of purple sparks left the other Mage roaring in rage as he tried to retrieve them. When my whip slid back to me, it left behind a bouquet of roses. Charlie landed on my shoulder, offering his silent support when I turned to the Mage who grimaced in pain.

  "Don't worry, Little Monster," I echoed. "You won't be needing it anymore."

  "You fucking bitch!" he yelled, and Vali stepped up to him. He punched him in the face so hard the man fell to the ground, and then Vali placed his boot on his throat.

  I turned back, seeing that Alec Gaius had his sword to the other Mage’s throat. Ronan and Cel stood over the Headmaster where he laid on his back, whimpering at the sight of Cel's spear in his face. Gale joined Alec Gaius, using his finger knife to send a jet of red at the still-armed Air Mage's Conduit so it clattered away.

  I nearly started to sigh in relief, but then my breath caught in my throat. "Where's Emerson?" I asked, glancing around nervously. The men looked around too, and panic filled Cel's eyes.

  "Emerson!" I screamed, needing to find him. My youngest, least trained man was missing, and it was not lost on me that Emerson was the only one of us who had never had to truly protect himself against the threat of death.

  The Headmaster chuckled. "You might as well kill her now. She has to die, and he will stop at nothing to be sure he does his duty and rids us off her stain on this world."

  "Frost," I whispered. "Where's Frost?" He smirked back at me.

  "You were never going to walk away alive."

  Charlie cawed, a long croaky sound of warning from his vantage point from above the trees.

  "Kaia, get down!" Ronan roared, and I dropped to the Earth like my life depended on it. As it would turn out, it did. An arrow soared through the space where my head had been, digging into the trunk of the tree with a thunk. I dug my fingers into the Earth below me, pressing my forehead to it for that added connection. With a burst of energy, I sent it rippling through the ground. The ground lifted, cracking in a path as it burst toward the woods where the arrow had come from.

  "S
he has to die!" Frost yelled from the distance, and after getting a nod from Ronan, Cel took off in that direction. All I could see was a burst of red light, and then someone was roaring in agony. Cel glanced around at the edges of the trees, listening for any sound that would tell him where Frost was.

  I could only hope finding Frost would lead him to Emerson.

  There was a grunt. Cel shot in that direction. I stood to rush towards it, and Ronan took me and wrapped me around him.

  “Please, Kaia, no. I love you. Please,” he begged me. “I’m sorry. It’s you he’s after. Can’t let you go to him, woman.”

  I sank into his arms, sobbing in fear for Emerson. I could have died, and the last thing I’d told Ronan was to give me space. I wrapped my arms around him and listened to the fast thuds of his heart as we waited.

  And waited.

  Tears stung my eyes. My nose burned.

  I peered from around Ronan and watched those woods with every piece of my soul, waiting for two of the men I loved so fiercely to return. When they walked from the woods, Cel supporting Emerson's limping body, I burst from Ronan’s arms.

  Vaguely, I heard Cel tell Ronan it was clear, but it didn't matter.

  Emerson was covered in blood.

  My Emerson.

  I took his face in my hands, looking him over quickly.

  "Not mine. S'not mine, Kai," he mumbled and the glazed look in his eyes broke my heart.

  "Oh Emers," I whimpered, and he snapped out of whatever trance he was in.

  "I'd do anything for you, Precious. Even this. Especially for you."

  "Frost?" I asked, turning to Cel as I drew Emerson into my arms - it didn’t matter that he was soaked in blood. His face hit my neck, breathing deep.

  "Dead. Emers broke his Conduit, and when they fought...."

  I nodded. I’d heard enough.

  "KILL HER!" the Headmaster roared at Ronan, when he walked away from the old man. Other Security Air Mages had arrived and were taking him into their custody. Ronan wrapped his arms around the back of me, clinging to both Emerson and I.

  “I love you,” he breathed out.

  "She broke the balance! She has to die!" He kept ranting as he struggled against their hold. As the other Mages were taken away, the others hit our huddle, and we all offered our sweet Emerson the support we knew he would need after his first kill.

  Thirty-Two

  Kaia

  "In light of recent changes that have come about," Headmistress Ho said, taking a seat behind what had formerly been Headmaster Stewart's desk. "We will obviously need to fill Frost's vacant position. The last few weeks have, of course, been handled jointly by Gale and Tomos, but I would appreciate recommendations any of you may have as to an appropriate candidate to fill the position next year. As classes have wound down, we only have the Reaffirmation and graduation left to contend with tomorrow but next year needs to be tackled as soon as possible."

  I listened vaguely, glancing around the office, wondering what I was doing there. As the only non-staff person in attendance, I felt nothing but unease. Gale's hand clutched mine, and I knew he was feeding off my anxiety and trying to calm me all at once.

  I needed to go back. I didn’t want to leave my sweet Emerson for too long.

  It had not been long since my sweet man, who had vowed never to kill, had done just that.

  For me, he’d said. Especially for me.

  So I was loathe to leave him.

  "Docent Tomos will be stepping up to serve as the Head of the Air Track, and Docent Hughes who is currently the Head of the Ink Track will fill my position as the Deputy Headmaster concurrently. Unless there are any objections?" she asked, and none of the staff argued against her points. "Very well."

  "Miss Shaw?" Docent Tomos said, turning to me. "I must say, I am very sorry for all that you have suffered during your time at InkHaven. I never stopped to consider that your accidents might have been intentional attempts to harm you. I feel responsible-"

  "Don't, please," I whispered. "I knew someone was trying to hurt me. Not in the beginning, of course, I started suspecting after some time, but I've known more definitively for months. I never suspected the Headmaster would go to lengths like this to be rid of me, and even though I was well aware of the fact that he and Docent Frost hated me and did Trials to make me suffer I didn't see it at first. How could you have, when you only see me during class?"

  "Regardless," Headmistress Ho interrupted, "I would like to say that Miss Shaw has gone above and beyond to show her worth as a Mage. All reports indicate that she single-handedly fought off two successful Air Mages until help could arrive. In addition to the times she survived assassination attempts prior to that and two years worth of Trials meant for Fifth-Year Disciples, I think it is safe to say she is ready to graduate from InkHaven. You will, of course, need to reaffirm your desire to join the Security sect."

  "Agreed," Tomos murmured and the other members of the staff gave their assent.

  "No!" I protested, turning wide eyes to Gale. "I-I mean, I'm grateful. Truly. But-"

  "I'll take care of him, Kaia," Gale said softly. Tears stung my eyes again.

  "I can't just leave him." My voice broke.

  Ho's eyes softened as she stared back at me.

  "I assure you, Miss Shaw, that Mr. Hawkins will be just fine. He may not radiate strength like Docent Porter or Mr. Daniels or Williamson or even Madden, but he knows that he has everything he needs at his back to cope with what he was forced to do. Mr. Porter will care for him in your absence."

  "He took care of me," I mumbled, feeling a tear glide down my cheek. "After-" I paused and swallowed nervously. "After Lottie and after I-"

  "We are all aware of how difficult this year has been for you. Miss Montgomery is a presence we all feel the loss of keenly and none who look at you would suspect just how strong you must have been to come through on the other side of that grief as well as you did. You were able to do that because of the people who love you. Your Emerson has those same people, but what's more; he also has you. Don’t underestimate yourself. Even Zeevar saw something so worthwhile in you to bless you twice."

  "Balance always has a way of righting itself in the end. You didn't deserve to bear the brunt of all that you endured. The loss of one's Conduit is said to be one of the most painful experiences a Mage can suffer," Docent Tomos said pointedly. My left hand twitched, one of the phantom pains when I wanted the comfort that came from my sword striking through me. "And yet here you stand. I personally believe you will all be okay."

  "You will graduate in a few days, and you'll have an entire summer to spend with Mr. Hawkins. I've no doubt that the group of you can do a lot to heal that wound in that time."

  I nodded, and Gale smiled at me in support.

  “Thank you.”

  ✽✽✽

  I marched through the halls, on a mission to get to Emerson as soon as I could. I was going to Reaffirm my desire to join the Security sect the next day after which time I would graduate. The last few weeks had been a torment - going through the Final Trial, the final exams, the classes with people I didn’t want to be around. I had wanted to be out of InkHaven, wanted to take my sweet man from it and help him heal. I only wished that when I left it completely, I could have all my men around me at all times.

  I flew down the hallway and the people I passed whispered.

  But then again, they always had.

  The only difference was I no longer cared in the slightest. I'd at least gone from being whispered about for being useless to being whispered about because I survived everything InkHaven had thrown at me.

  And not just because of my men.

  I'd survived on my own too.

  I held my head high as I walked past groups of students I barely knew - only pausing to smile at Mar while I passed. I was pretty sure she was going to be thrilled that I was graduating with her the next day, but I figured I’d leave that as a surprise. She shook her head with a grin, no doubt loving my new, visi
bly confident attitude.

  When I hit my room, I pushed the door open slowly and made my way in. Emerson lounged in the bed, and he turned his face to me with a smile when I entered. "Hey Precious."

  "Hi handsome," I grinned, jumping up onto the bed to crawl into his lap.

  "Oh, hellllloooo there."

  I giggled, pressing my forehead to his and kissing him briefly. "How are you holding up?"

  His smile faded, and he glanced to the side. "I'm okay. Wish you'd stop asking though."

  My return smile didn't reach my eyes. Now I understood why they’d acted as they did when Lottie had died. The worry was almost all-consuming. "I just want to be sure."

  "I know. It's not the easiest thing I've ever done by any means. I never wanted to have blood on my hands like that, and I'll never forget the look in his eyes when my sword ran him through." He shuddered. "But the alternative was you living and constantly having to look over your shoulder. I didn't want that for any of us, and if something had happened to you because I didn't-"

  "Shhh. You did the right thing, Emerson. There's no doubt about that, and not a single person would argue with you. I just need to be certain you're okay with it. Fuck what everyone else thinks," I argued, and his smile returned.

  "I'll be okay, Kai," he murmured. "I'd do it again." I wrapped myself around him, holding him tight to me.

  The door creaked open, and Cel walked in followed closely by Gale.

  From the bed, I asked, “Can we sneak out of here? Please?”

  Gale pinched the bridge of his nose. “Kaia, you and Cel are graduating tomorrow. Is that not soon enough?”

  Emerson and Cel both sent me and Gale looks of shock. “Wait. You’re graduating?”

  I shrugged. “It appears I am. And I want to spend my last night as a student flipping a finger at the school that tried it’s best to see I didn’t survive it. Please,” I bore down.

  Gale sighed as all three of us sent him silent, pleading looks. “Fine. They’ll be glad to see you all anyway.”