Crimes of Fire (Wayward Fae Paranormal Prison Book 1)

by J. N. Colon

  “I’ll be with you Mondays and Wednesdays. Officer Laveen will be in charge Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.” She ran her delicate fingers over her navy uniform shirt, her shoulders relaxing when she noticed the goblin cuff secured on my wrist. “Just behave, and we’ll get along fine.”

  I’d behave as long as everyone else did. My attention traveled between Viktor and then Helena. The chances of that seemed slim.

  “The work is independent. You go at your own pace.” She pulled out a notebook and flipped through the pages. “Once everyone else is started for the day, I’ll get with you and see what you need.”

  The door swung open before I could respond, and a towering figure stalked through. “Sorry I’m late, Felina—I mean Officer Farren.” Faolan winked, his lips quirking into a roguish grin. “I fell asleep, and I was having such a good dream. You were in it.”

  Crimson stained her cheeks while she fought back a smile. “Find a seat, Faolan.”

  I grimaced. How could he be under eighteen as the leader of shifters in Wayward Fae Penitentiary? Shouldn’t one of the older inmates be in charge? My body tensed as I watched him fluidly moved through the room. Maybe Faolan was just that strong and ruthless.

  Chapter 8

  After the inmates gathered their books from the chipped cabinets along one wall and began quietly working, Officer Farren called me to her desk. She doled out some basic subjects—algebra, English, and biology—and started me off at an average learning level. She also handed me some books on Fae culture, a subject given to students raised as human.

  I returned to my desk and poured over the pages of one of the Fae books. Cool air suddenly hit my back, and I whipped around, yanking my shirt down. Muffled giggles came from none other than Helena. I resisted the urge to toss my pencil at her smirking face.

  Not even thirty seconds passed before Helena attempted to wrench my shirt up again. This little unseelie brat would learn why I’d survived foster hell for so long if she continued pushing me.

  I angled my entire body in her direction. “Try it again. I dare you,” I mouthed. I didn’t need magic to put her in her place. I’d lived most of my life without it.

  “Is there a problem, Sloane?” Officer Farren’s voice poked at the crimson haze beginning to envelop my senses.

  “Nope.” I faced forward, plastering on a fake smile. “Just thought I felt a little draft.”

  A low rumbling laugh escaped Faolan, but the teacher ignored him and returned to her laptop.

  The temperature unexpectedly dropped, and I glanced up in search of a vent. What the hell? My flesh prickled beneath my damp clothes, but none of the other students seemed affected by the gust of cold air. I plucked at my shirt, pulling it to my face only to see tiny ice crystals forming.

  My neck tingled. Magic.

  Helena pressed her hand against her mouth, holding back laughter. The magic wasn’t coming from her, though. My gaze shifted, finding Viktor in the farthest corner of the room sporting a dark smirk.

  Did he have some kind of ice power? That wasn’t elemental magic—earth, air, fire, water—but I should have known the unseelie prince had extra juice. His eyes brightened to an eerie white color, and my pants cooled while flecks of ice began to stipple the ends of my hair. I’d morph into a popsicle in a few minutes.

  Officer Farren stood, pulling my attention to the front. “I’m going to step outside and make a phone call. No funny business while I’m gone.”

  “I’ll make sure everyone behaves.” Faolan’s smile made me uneasy, but the officer only blushed.

  As soon as she closed the door, I shot to my feet, a death glare aimed at Viktor. “Really?” I tugged at my freezing shirt. “You’re going to have to do a lot better than this.” I should really stop antagonizing him if I wanted to get on his good side. The guy just made it so difficult to be nice. And it wasn’t in my nature.

  His lids closed to slits, and a gush of cold air encased me. My jaw clenched as I held back violent shivers. I was pretty sure my lips were turning blue.

  “Weak. Sauce,” I sputtered. When I was seven, a foster mother sprayed me with the hose outside—in winter—for misbehaving. How I didn’t die from hypothermia was beyond me.

  A blast of wind hit me in the face, yanking my shirts up and showing off my bra to the entire classroom.

  Whistles echoed through the rows. I jerked the material down and kept my hand in place until my freezing hair stopped blowing. Helena laughed uncontrollably.

  Red sank over my vision, staining everything in a bloody haze. I shoved an empty desk out of the way. The shrill screech of metal against concrete bounced through the room.

  Nope. Not nailed down.

  I marched toward Helena, the heat from my anger obliterating the cold of Viktor’s icy power. Helena’s face blanched as I reached forward to yank her out of the desk. My fingers had just brushed the gray shirt, and I could even taste the sweet flavor of satisfaction when my body halted mid-motion.

  “Ms. Warren!” The officer’s tinkling voice had been replaced by a high-pitched shriek. “That is not acceptable behavior.”

  A fibrous green vine wrapped around my middle and wrenched me all the way to the front of the classroom. My clothes and hair had instantly thawed, leaving me sweltering. Where had the plant come from? I peeked over my shoulder to trace the other end clutched in Officer Farren’s hand.

  “You will take your books and be escorted to your room for the rest of the day.” She snatched the phone off her desk, punching the numbers hard.

  Fine by me. I needed a little peace and quiet to get my shit together. I was supposed to get the unseelie prince to trust me, not torment me.

  My attention shifted toward Viktor, catching his crooked smirk. I really wanted to smack it off.

  I searched the bathroom for prying eyes while hot water soaked into my muscles, but my body had a hard time relaxing. In fact, stiffness encased every square inch. I didn’t like taking a shower in a wide-open space.

  After being served dinner in my room, I was finally released from my lockdown punishment and allowed to shower. Luckily, everyone was either eating dinner or enjoying leisure time in the rec room. Another day was ending, and I had yet to do anything other than fight with the unseelie prince.

  I toyed with the cuff on my wrist. Maybe I should just cut my hand off to free myself of this damn bracelet. I could just walk up to Viktor and set him on fire in front of everyone. He’d be dead, and I’d be executed shortly after, but Jilly would be safe.

  My lips pulled into a grimace. Viktor had ice magic. What other powers did he have besides that and air? Would fire even kill him? My only option might be to learn how to pour my magic into a knife to use against him.

  I twisted the water off and yanked the towel from the nearby hook, wrapping it around my body. The queen didn’t give a hard deadline. She knew her brother wouldn’t go down easily. I needed to regroup and come up with a real plan of action.

  I shook my head. This was going to be a disaster.

  I trudged around the corner to retrieve my clothes from the bench. Ice dropped to the bottom of my gut when the empty bench came into view.

  Son of a bitch. I frantically searched the floor and every stall, coming up without one shred of clothing. The towel and cheap rubber flip flops squeaking on my feet were all I had. Someone had stolen my clothes.

  My throat burned with acid at the thought of someone seeing me naked. Did they see the scars on my back I tried so hard to hide?

  I clutched my arms around the top of the towel to keep it secure and peeked into the hall. Not a soul lingered.

  I darted out, speed walking as fast as I could. I’d run if I didn’t fear the towel slipping. My heart hammered harder with every step, and it felt like eyes were glued to my back. Only a few more cells stood between me and safety.

  The scuff of a shoe echoed, then another, causing my chest to painfully tighten. Voices bounced off the metal and concrete.

  No. No. No.
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  Figures emptied into the hall, halting when they caught sight of my towel-clad form.

  “Oh, my God.”

  “Holy shit.”

  “Is that the seelie-dae?”

  “What is she doing?”

  Voices—both male and female—mixed with laughter. I whipped around as more Fae entered the corridor. I quickly spread my wet strands of hair out to mask the scars on my back. My pulse thundered in my ears, vibrating beneath my skin.

  There was no escaping. Fae surrounded me.

  Chapter 9

  The group of Fae on each side of the hall began to close in. My lungs constricted. I couldn’t breathe. I glanced to the left for help just as Officer Gildafor disappeared around the corner, leaving me to the inmates.

  I ground my molars. What a hateful bitch. I should have known not to expect anyone, even a guard, to have my back.

  A tall form parted the crowd. “What do we have here?” Faolan’s orange eyes roamed my body, and he practically salivated at my vulnerable position. “Why so timid now, seelie-dae?”

  “She grew up with humans.” Helena slithered through the other side. She may as well have been a shifter with that predatory facade. “They’re ashamed of their bodies. They like to cover up.” When she tried to reach for my towel, I stumbled back. “See.”

  Hard fingers sank into my shoulder. “I’d like to see what she’s hiding under there.” Hot breathed teased my bare flesh.

  I yanked out of Faolan’s reach, staggering into the daemon Tiana. She flashed a smile as slick black coated her irises.

  “Get the hell away from me.” I scooted into the center of the tight circle they’d formed. My breath came in quick pants through clenched teeth. I’d pass out if I didn’t get a grip. “Move out of my way. I’m going to my room.”

  A rough laugh promising torture spilled from Faolan. “You can get to your room. Just give me the towel.”

  “Screw you.”

  “That can be arranged, sweetheart.” He blew me a kiss.

  My towel began to slip. I quickly locked my arms tighter, but a hard tug hit the worn white material again. I gasped and caught the edge just before cold air seeped too low. Shit!

  Dark chuckles had me turning around to find Viktor Hale leaning against a wall beyond the circle of Fae, looking dangerous with those ebony tattoos crawling over his bronzed skin.

  “What’s going on?” A smooth male voice floated over the jeers and laughter.

  Viktor’s smirk melted into a snarl. Apparently, someone had arrived to ruin his fun. I turned, expecting a guard. Instead, another inmate forced his way into the center of the crowd.

  A pair of navy eyes widened when they landed on me. He cursed and ripped his gray button-down shirt off, draping it over my shoulders before I could protest. Normally, I wouldn’t accept help from a stranger, but I was desperate.

  Groans bounced around the surrounding Fae as I threaded my arms through the sleeves and wrapped the donated shirt tightly over the towel. Sweet vanilla coated the warm material.

  “You’re such a buzzkill, Tristan.” Faolan bumped the other Fae’s shoulder. “See you later, Sloane.” He brushed my arm as he stomped down the hall.

  Viktor shot me another icy glare before he pivoted and marched off.

  “What’s all the commotion?” Officer Gildafor strolled up as if she hadn’t been relaxing out of sight the whole time. “I see an incident has occurred. Would you like to report it, or would you rather be escorted back to your room?”

  “I’ll go to my room.” Reporting this would only make things worse.

  “Good choice.” The C.O. jerked her head down the corridor. “Let’s go.”

  “Be careful with that one,” Tristan whispered, strands of golden-brown hair falling across his forehead. “She bites.”

  “Tristan, I believe you’re in the wrong cellblock,” she said, pointing in the opposite direction. “The seelies belong in the light wing.”

  Tristan lifted his palms. “Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere.”

  I glanced over my shoulder as he stalked away. Besides Kimber and Barlow, he was the only other Fae that hadn’t either ignored me or sent waves of hostility in my direction. Kimber was my cellmate; Barlow found me entertaining. So, what was this seelie’s excuse?

  The rustling of sheets and ragged breathing pulled me out of sleep. Instinctively, my hand reached across the small bed to search for my sister. My lids popped open when I didn’t feel her. It took a moment to remember I was in Fae prison, and my sister was safe—or so the queen said.

  A rough moan yanked me from the sinister thoughts about to burrow inside. Kimber tossed and turned up a storm on her bed.

  No. Not exactly. And Kimber had help.

  A bare ass peeked out from the covers as the thrashing became more frantic.

  I cursed. “What the hell, Kimber?”

  Her head popped up, a look of chagrin on her face. “Sorry, cellie, but a girl’s gotta eat.” She licked her lips, and her eyes flared brighter than neon lights. “I’m a succubus, remember? I need to do this.”

  I was pretty sure she wanted to do it.

  “We thought you were asleep.” The male voiced belonged to the bare ass I’d just gotten a good view of. The gray and white clothes strewn over the cell floor told me he was an inmate.

  I sat up and shoved my feet into my boots before scrambling to the door. I tried to push the bars open with no luck. “Unicorn,” I whispered and the distinct unlatching of a lock sounded.

  Huh. That actually worked even with the goblin bracelet on.

  “Told you.” Kimber winked before diving back under the covers. Their moans started the moment I crossed the threshold.

  Sparse dull bulbs barely lit the halls after lights out. The eerie atmosphere reminded me of an abandoned psych ward in a horror movie. Footsteps suddenly echoed, followed by the clank of keys and probably a sizzle stick.

  Damn. A guard.

  I darted around the corner, plastering my body against the wall. I peeked as a broad-shouldered figure came into view. Like a nocturnal animal, his irises reflected silver when they caught the light. He had to be a shifter.

  I held my breath for several seconds after he passed. I had no idea what kind of punishment I’d receive for sneaking out of my cell at night.

  Tinkling laughter resonated. I whipped around as a group of fairies skipped by, two females and a male. The girls sported miniskirts that had been fashioned from parts of our gray and white uniform. Where would they be going dressed for a party?

  I slinked after them, keeping to the shadows and muting my steps like a pro. My small size helped me remain hidden while following them through a twisting maze of hallways and stairs. When they reached a large steel door, the male whispered something. The air shimmered, blue sparks popping like tiny fireworks.

  The door creaked open.

  The three fairies danced inside, utterly oblivious to the intruder behind them. I slipped through the crack before it closed and entered a long dark hall. The hair on my arms rose. What kind of place had I tailed them to? If I ended up at some freaky fairy orgy, I’d lose my shit.

  A loud ring echoed followed by cheers. Did orgies have audiences?

  I turned a corner, and my jaw dropped to the concrete floor. A crowd of Fae stood below, encircling a fighting ring as two wolves went at it, snapping, clawing, and biting each other. Blood and sweat permeated the air.

  I’d stumbled onto a secret fight club.

  From my spot on the balcony, I could see a few groups of Fae meandering in and out of the smaller chambers connected to the large central atrium. Toward the left, a raised area with couches, chairs, small tables, and a bar overlooked the ring.

  My fingers gripped the edge of the cement railing at the sight of Viktor Hale sitting in a plush, black velvet chair with a perfect view of the fighters. He might as well have been a king lounging in a throne. All he needed was a crown. Helena stood next to him, running her fingers down his arm
and whispering in his ear.

  My stomach soured at her fawning. Were they friends with benefits? More?

  A howl tore through the space, and a bell dinged. The two wolves separated, one limping. Both began to twist unnaturally as sharp jerks tore through their bodies. They stood on two legs while fur slowly melted away, becoming bare flesh.

  Holy. Shit. Instead of wolves, two naked guys stood in the center of the ring, blood dripping from several wounds. My head swam. I’d just seen two Fae shifters go from animal to man. It was kind of gross.

  Another guy approached the shifters and grabbed one of their arms, lifting it high in the air. “The winner is Gregory!”

  The crowd cheered.

  After the shifters trudged toward the back, two other Fae appeared in the ring. Their pointed ears meant they were either elves, pixies, or fairies. They wouldn’t be shedding any clothes to turn into animals.

  “Get ready for Shane and Dawson.” The referee examined each Fae’s wrist, ensuring a goblin cuff was secured.

  Interesting. Was no magic allowed?

  A weighted stare suddenly froze me to the spot. Shit. I didn’t need to turn to know who had me in his icy crosshairs. Like an involuntary tick, I swiveled toward it anyway. Those gunmetal eyes pinned me in a relentless stare. Every fiber in my being begged me to look away. But I couldn’t. I would not crumble under Viktor Hale.

  The unseelie prince stood abruptly, forcing Helena to stumble back. She followed his eye line, and her lips thinned into a sneer as she raised her palm to shoot me with a blast of magic.

  Viktor snatched her hand, saying something that made the scowl on her face deepen.

  I smiled. Helena’s anger put me in a happy place.

  My happy place shattered when Viktor stalked out of the royal party and headed in my direction. It didn’t take long for those wide shoulders to emerge from the shadows on the balcony, his expression carved out of layers of thick, glacier ice.

  “Oh, hey, Vik. I was just enjoying the show. Thanks for—”