Rise of the Arcanist Series: Books 1 - 6

by Elizabeth Kirke

  “Well, I’ll resign if you will,” I said. It started off mostly as a joke, but as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized I meant them.

  “Yeah?” Danio said in surprise.

  I considered it for a moment, wondering if I was rushing into things. Maybe I was just desperate for the idea of change after all of these miserable, hellish weeks in this castle.

  “I’ll think about it at least,” I said with a chuckle.

  He turned around and looked at me thoughtfully. “Fair enough.” To my surprise, he actually held out a hand. “I will, if you will,” he said softly.

  Shaking on it was strangely satisfying.

  Danio eased himself back down, groaning in pain as he did.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked. Thankfully, I thought his eye had looked a little bit better.

  “Okay. Kind of feel like a berserker kicked the shit out of me.”

  “Yeah, I can see that.”

  He chuckled, then groaned in discomfort again as he wiggled around.

  “You should get some sleep,” I said.

  “I’m trying. It doesn’t hurt as much, but it’s still pretty unpleasant.” He laughed bitterly. “I think my pain tolerance has gone down over the last few years.”

  “That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I could um… always sedate you?”

  He shuddered. “No, no need for that.”

  “It doesn't have to be, you know, injected.”

  I was surprised that it seemed like he was considering the offer; even more surprised when he leaned back against me and said, softly, “Okay.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No. But I need the rest.”

  With that, I converted my saliva into a sedative and got ready to spit it into my hand.

  “Hey, Tom?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for… hell, everything.”

  “You’d do the same for me.”

  “You know I would,” he chuckled.

  “Ready?”

  “Mm.”

  “Hold still.” I gently held my palm over his mouth and nose. “Just breathe normally,” I suggested.

  “Yeah, that's easy,” he muttered.

  Either way, it worked; a moment later he slumped limply against me. I gently eased him up a little, into a more comfortable location. Then I settled back against the hard edge of the tub and closed my eyes.

  Chapter Ten

  Danio

  Possibly the only thing worse than almost being slaughtered by a berserker was having to enthusiastically regale people with the tale over and over and over. Although admittedly, while taking down a berserker had never been on my bucket list, there was something satisfying about being able to cross it off. I had hoped my annoying popularity would fade after the next fight, but when nobody was even maimed, all eyes turned right back to me. Not only was it obnoxious, but I really didn’t need to call attention to myself.

  It was a waste of almost three weeks, but finally Tom and I felt like we could get back to exploring the castle without people noticing my absence.

  Then again, it was hard to consider it wasted time when our searches were so fruitless.

  “Are you sure we haven’t been down this one?” I asked, as we walked down yet another long corridor.

  “I'm not sure of anything here,” Thomas said grimly. “This entire castle and everyone in it is a mystery.”

  “Mysteries are fun,” I said. “Everything here is just fucking obnoxious.”

  “Yeah, that too.”

  He suddenly flung an arm out in front of me and pushed me back, turning his attention to a connecting hallway ahead of us.

  I palmed one of my throwing knives. Sometimes I wondered if I should sneak more but thought that I had chosen the amount well. I certainly wouldn’t reduce the number I carried, but any more than three would have been a bit harder to conceal. Of course, if I couldn't bring down someone with three knives, they deserved to beat me.

  A moment later I could hear the footsteps too – there was nowhere to go this time.

  I wasn't sure how I felt when Reave himself stepped around the corner, looking at both of us in surprise. He smiled.

  “Delta, Joe! How wonderful to see you this evening.”

  I forced a smile. “Evening, mate.”

  “I apologize, I haven't gotten much of a chance to speak with you since your arrival. I'm afraid I am quite busy here.”

  “That's all right,” Thomas said nervously.

  Reave tilted his head slightly, studying me. I shifted my weight nervously, tightening my grip around the knife. “You've been the talk of the castle in recent weeks,” he said. “I confess, I did not see it, but I hear you killed Cleaver.”

  “Yeah, I mean…” For some reason the false bravado that I had given everyone else didn't seem right with Reave. “I kind of didn't have a choice.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tom's eyebrows lift briefly in surprise and hoped that I had read Reave correctly. To my surprise, Reave’s eyes narrowed in confusion.

  “Well, you certainly didn't have to fight a berserker if you didn’t want to,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Um…” I wasn't sure how to reply to that. Thomas and I both glanced at each other.

  Reave’s frown deepened. “You didn't realize who you would be fighting when you volunteered?”

  “No…” I said slowly. “I went first?”

  Reave nodded as if that made sense. “Ah. Too proud to back out when Cleaver stepped up,” he chuckled, as if he was sure he had figured it out. “Not the wisest move, but I can understand.”

  “Yeah,” I said nervously. “I should probably sit out from the fights for a while…”

  Reave chuckled as if that were perfectly reasonable. He studied me for a moment and then said softly, “I have to confess, I'm not a fan of the fights.”

  “Neither am I,” Tom offered.

  Reave turned to him, looking pleasantly surprised. “I thought I liked you,” he said. “Some of the vampires here are…” He paused for a moment, thinking. “Well, sometimes I think I’d like to see a little more restraint… If this… future that Victor envisions is to happen…” He sighed. “It would be nice to have some people at the top who don’t share his… thirst.” He shook his head, then laughed bitterly. “It doesn’t matter; Victor does what he wants.”

  “I thought this was your operation,” I said.

  “So did I… I think…” Reave narrowed his eyes. “I…” He shook his head, as if clearing his mind.

  “Lord Reave,” called Adaira, coming toward us. “I’ve been looking for you, my love.” She paused and bowed to us. “Good evening.”

  Tom and I forced smiles at her. For just a moment, her eyes lingered uncomfortably on me. I wondered what she thought of my tussle with Cleaver. Then, she looped her arms around Reave’s arm, hugging it to her, yet not really pressing it against her.

  “My lord,” Adaira said softly to Reave. “We have just two weeks. Victor called…” she trailed off and glanced at us. “There is much to prepare for.”

  “Yes, my dear.” Reave smiled tenderly at her, then nodded to us. “It was good to see you this evening.”

  “What’s in two weeks?” I asked.

  Just for an instant, Adaira’s nose wrinkled at me, as if she didn’t think I had any business questioning Reave.

  “Lord Reave,” I added, trying to sound sincere with the title.

  “Time flies, doesn’t it?” Reave asked with a smile. “It is time for some new friends to join us. In two weeks, Victor will host them and extend the offer for them to come to the castle.” His smile faltered. “I hope… more of them are like you, than not.”

  “Victor is waiting, my lord,” Adaira reminded him.

  “Of course. Good to see you,” Reave said, nodding to us as he let Adaira lead him away.

  Tom and I gaped at each other as they walked off down the hall.

  “What the hell?” he mouthed to me.


  I shook my head, just as baffled.

  We waited until they were long gone, then Tom whispered. “The credit card records showed people disappearing from Cavalier’s every six months… you don’t think…”

  “Happy belated birthday?” I offered, absolutely appalled at the idea we had been here that long. “And Halloween… happy birthday to me… Thanksgiving?”

  Tom shook his head slowly. “Six months,” he choked.

  I swallowed hard, the despair I had been pushing away for months – six fucking months, apparently – washed over me. We locked eyes and I could see the same horror, the same agony etched in his expression. Then, his eyes widened.

  “Victor leaves! He goes to Cavaliers!” he gasped. “Adaira said he called!”

  “There’s a phone!”

  We both turned down the hall in the direction they had gone. I let him lead the way, easily able to smell them. He stopped short at another hallway, then grabbed me and pushed me against the wall behind him. He held me in place as he leaned out slightly to look around the corner, before stepping back.

  He rose onto his tiptoes and put his mouth right by my ear. In any other situation I would have made some sort of lewd joke or at least a height one. Instead, I titled my head to make it easier.

  “I hear Reave,” he breathed, voice so quiet I still could hardly hear him. “He is on a phone.” He pulled away slightly and we stared at each other, hardly daring to hope. I could sense his blood racing, even as I felt my heart pounding. He gasped again.

  “What?” I mouthed.

  He mouthed something that I didn’t catch and I shook my head, frowning. Before he could repeat it, his nostrils flared and he looked around in alarm.

  “Anthony,” he mouthed. That one I understood.

  Damn it. We both turned and hurried down the corridor, back to somewhere less suspicious. I hated to go, especially since either one of us could have defeated the dhampir single-handedly, but we couldn’t risk it.

  It was late enough, so we went back to the room where Tom began to pace while I sat on the bed.

  “So, what did—” I started.

  “I heard a computer! I’m positive!”

  “We found it,” I said. “Holy shit.”

  “Now we just have to get in there without getting caught…”

  “Guess what happens in two weeks,” I said, voicing a thought that had just occurred to me.

  “Another batch of victims and killers shows up?” he asked.

  “Victor, Anthony, and Singe all go to Cavaliers.”

  His mouth opened slightly. “Yes,” he murmured. “We know he’ll be gone.”

  “I want to go back now,” I confessed. “I sure as hell don’t want to wait two weeks but…”

  “We’ve waited this long,” he said sadly.

  “Better safe than sorry.”

  ~~~***~~~

  Thomas fought at the next fight, against yet another vampire. She wasn’t as vicious as Olivia, but more skilled. Neither one of us wanted to admit it had been a bit too even of a match. We didn’t bother exploring anymore, no sense in risking it. Instead, we carefully plotted exactly what we’d say when we got to the computer or the phone. When the time came, we would be ready.

  Although when the time did come, we were both nervous as hell. The castle was in chaos all day as people rushed around to prepare for the new members. Our little group was taken aside and given instructions. Just like our first time, we would all report to the arena before the new people arrived so we could greet them. Tonight there would be feasting and games and then the fights. After that, everyone was on lockdown for the evening to allow the new members to settle in. Then, business as usual.

  That meant we had a small window before the fights to get to the computer. I honestly expected things to go horribly wrong, but Tom and I made it back to where we overheard Reave without incident. It seemed all the witches and wizards were busy with other preparations and we knew Reave was off overseeing it all.

  Still, I could hardly believe it when we found the door that Tom could hear electronics whirring behind. I unlocked it and we found ourselves standing in what looked like the MES IT department. Complete with very familiar server towers.

  “So that’s how he gets to the database,” Tom said grimly, sniffing at one. “He is hardwired into MES.”

  I shook my head, stunned and furious. I wanted to destroy it all. Instead, I went for the computer.

  “We have to be quick,” he reminded me. “The longer we stay here, the more our scent gets around.”

  I nudged the mouse and the computer woke up, bringing up a password protected screen. I had hoped… “Shit.”

  “Here!” Tom gasped, yanking a cell phone out of a drawer. His hands were shaking as he fiddled with it. “It works…” he gasped. “Oh my god, it’s not locked…”

  “Door,” I said to him, reaching for the phone.

  He handed it to me and quickly took up a position just inside the doorway, keeping an eye – and a nose and an ear – out for trouble.

  My hands shook too as I punched in my own number. Char and I reserved the landline for MES; it was unlisted and, in theory, untraceable.

  I swallowed nervously, tapping my foot impatiently as it rang. And rang. And rang. I heard the answering machine click. Damn dehydrated fucking…

  “Agent Smith and Special Agent Pelagos’ line. We can’t—”

  I yanked the phone away from my head with a choked gasp, completely unprepared for the sound of his voice, even though I knew he had recorded the message. The moment it beeped I took a deep breath, remembering at the last moment that I didn’t have to worry about the stupid accent.

  “Hey, it’s… it’s me.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Thomas

  I glanced around nervously as we entered the arena. We hadn’t been caught making the call, but every time someone looked in our direction I felt like they were wondering where we had been… what we had just done…

  We filed up to our usual seats. There was an excitement in the air, as if everyone was ready for something fun, instead of the same old fight with the addition of new faces. All around us the usual conversations that I tuned out were replaced by speculation about what new types of magics Victor was bringing and who would fight tonight. A few were even excited about the ball game that preceded the fights.

  A wizard entered the arena, waving for attention. “They will be entering shortly,” he announced, before hurrying back out.

  I shifted my weight, casting an uneasy look at Danio. He grinned back weakly.

  All at once, I caught a strange, strong sense of confusion from Tethys. Very strong. Even after six months, it was second nature to focus my attention on our bond. Instead of the strange, fuzziness I expected, I was met with a rush of emotions. Clear, powerful emotions. My mouth went dry as I easily zeroed on his direction and distance.

  I went rigid.

  “T-Joe?” Danio asked in alarm.

  “He’s… here,” I choked, unable to believe it. For a moment I was overjoyed, but the feeling was replaced by growing horror. It was no coincidence Tethys was here now. Not on the night, not the same time, the new members were arriving. His confusion was evidence of that. He was with the new members. Now, he was just as trapped here as we were.

  “Who?” Danio demanded quietly.

  I shook my head, unable to speak. I could sense him drawing closer, still a jumbled mix of confusion, excitement. Joy at being able to sense I was okay. Alarm at my emotions.

  “Who is here?” snarled Danio urgently.

  I didn’t answer, I turned my head slowly to the door I could sense him behind. My hearts were pounding and I felt myself trembling as the door opened. Victor strode in, flanked by Anthony and Singe.

  A couple of unfamiliar, curious faces followed them and then…

  I let out an involuntary whimper at the sight of him. I heard a stifled gasp from Danio and knew he had seen Tethys too.

  “Ho
ly shit,” he moaned. “Oh no.”

  My eyes stayed locked on Tethys as he followed the group to their seats across the arena. He easily found me and our eyes met. He smiled weakly, obviously torn between his relief at finding me and concern at my increasing panic. Nevertheless, I smiled back, I couldn’t help it.

  I actually jumped in surprise as a curse burst from Danio, then jumped again as he sank his dinner knife an inch into the table. I forced my gaze away from Tethys.

  “Wha…” My question died as I turned to look at Danio.

  The color had drained from his face and all trace of blue was gone from his eyes as he stared across the arena, mouth agape.

  “No…” he choked, shaking his head slowly. “No.”

  I looked back, scanning for what Danio had seen. Did it take him this long to realize Tethys was… oh. The air felt like it had been sucked out of the room as I realized Tethys wasn’t alone. Of course he wasn’t; why would I have expected Charlie to just let Tethys try to rescue us by himself?

  I heaved a sigh of despair and reached under the table to put my hand on Danio’s leg. He grabbed my hand instantly, clenching it so tight it hurt.

  The audience burst into applause as Reave appeared, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Tethys and Char.

  ~~~***~~~

  Waiting to find out who would be called in each fight was agonizing. I vividly remembered my fear and confusion on the first night here as I slowly realized the fights were real. How would it have felt to watch them, seeing someone I knew, someone I cared about, in the arena? It was a relief when Danio and I escaped another night of fighting.

  The moment the fights were over Danio and I rushed for the back stairway that would lead to the area the new members were able to explore. We paced around in the same art room we had gone to six long months ago. I could sense Tethys heading right for us and could hardly stand the wait.

  It seemed to take forever, but then he was there, opening the door.

  “You fucking idiots!” Danio exploded. He hurtled across the room and practically crashed into Charlie, pulling him against him. “Why the fuck are you here?! You… you…” He broke off and kissed Charlie soundly, before burying his face into Charlie’s shoulder with a sob and a muffled curse. Charlie wrapped his arms around Danio and hugged him hard.