InkSpelled (InkHaven Academy Book 1)

by Kenna Bardot

  When I reached an empty hallway, I eased her down to the floor. I put my head to her chest, listening to the slow thud of her heart beating with relief.

  She was breathing.

  Somehow, she’d breathed in that torturous room, just enough to keep her alive albeit not conscious.

  “Kaia, sweetheart, wake up,” I murmured, cupping her cheek and staring down at her - willing her to wake up.

  She didn’t.

  “ALEC!” I roared, knowing he and Gale would hear me. I’d run far enough away that I was just a few doors down from Gale’s classroom. It wasn’t that far though, not enough to forgive. She’d been so near, and she’d almost died.

  Alec’s head peeked out of the door and widened when he saw us. He was out of the room and striding nearer with quick strides.

  “What happened?” he asked.

  “She was in the Oxygen Deprivation room. I don’t know how long. She’s breathing, but she won’t wake up.” I explained.

  Gale, who should have also heard me shouting, came racing over, sealing his mouth over hers to give her mouth to mouth.

  “She’s breathing already!” He was breathless as he pumped his hands on his chest.

  “Kaia, you sweet Thief, you did not steal life back just to die like this. Wake up,” he demanded, giving a tap to the side of her face. I growled at the audacity and lunged for him. It was only Alec Gaius’ attempt to hold me back with one hand held up that made me pause.

  “Look, Ronan! She’s waking up,” he ordered and my eyes went back to my woman laying on the floor.

  “Wake up, baby,” Alec crooned to her, shifting her head into his lap to stroke her hair. Her eyes opened slowly, latching onto mine.

  Dazed. But alive. Miraculously alive.

  “So tired,” she murmured sleepily, shifting to snuggle into Alec Gaius. I knelt beside her, gathering her up into my arms with an urgency that must have scared her in her sleepy state. Clutching her to me, I buried my face in her neck and breathed her in. She hummed against me, a contented sound that made my heart clench.

  She’d almost died.

  Fucking Zeevar’s sake. I was never letting her out of my sight again.

  Eleven

  Kaia

  InkHaven was a gossip mill the next day or at least from what I could tell in my semi-dazed state. I was still exhausted, a little nauseous, and a lot scared. My attention drifted, but I heard some of the whispers. Poor, pathetic Kaia getting locked in the Oxygen Deprivation room and only managing to survive because Ronan was looking for an easy fuck.

  At least, that’s what they said. I let them think what they wanted to think, say what they wanted to say. Only I knew the truth.

  Only I knew how long I’d really been in that room.

  Ronan just assumed I hadn’t been locked in very long, given that I was still breathing when he found me, albeit unconscious. Close to death, but not quite. I’d felt the slightest flicker of something within me before everything went black, but whatever it was hadn’t been substantial enough for me to thrive. I couldn’t bear to tell Alec Gaius or Ronan what I’d felt or that I’d been in that room for over ten minutes without oxygen. I couldn’t get their hopes up like that.

  I tried to ignore the whispers. I knew how distraught Ronan had been as he’d clutched me against his chest all night long. If I so much as twitched, he jolted awake. I was more than just an easy lay to him, even though I suspected he still hated me for it sometimes.

  “Such a shame Ronan has such horrible taste in pussy.” Pia sneered at me where I sat with Lottie. “It would have been nice to have been rid of you finally.”

  “You’re just jealous that Ronan wouldn’t touch your slut ass with a ten-foot pole,” Lottie spat out easily.

  “Please, I have-”

  “For Zeevar’s sake, Pia,” I said in a bored voice, giving her an uninterested look. “It’s really pathetic that you keep talking like your words matter to anyone but you and the men you let use you like a walking vagina. We get it. You want Vali, and you’re threatened by me.”

  “You little-”

  “It’s sad that you feel it necessary to air all of your dirty laundry like this, but since you insist. Do you want me to spell it out to you? I could have Vali; he made that very clear, and I think you know that.” I gave her a sad smile, because in some ways I really did feel sorry for her - desperate to hang on to a man who didn’t truly want her. One who didn’t have a single shred of emotional investment for her.

  “He wouldn’t have made anything of the sort clear to you, you lying piece of shit.” She snarled at me, eyes glancing about the room where everyone’s eyes were on us.

  I prepared my fingers to air quote as I gave her another bored look. “I believe his exact words were that ‘he didn’t want to be just my friend’ and that ‘the two of you weren’t serious.’ It sounds to me like you got your wires crossed on exactly what your relationship is. It certainly doesn’t sound like you have any claim on him.”

  “I’ve had him for months. Long before you came here and stuck your fucking ass where it didn’t belong. I had him first!” Murmurs broke out around us as people started to whisper amongst themselves, and I couldn’t blame them. Zeevar, Pia Ramos sounded like a spoiled child.

  “No, Pia. You had his dick first. Actually, no probably not, but before me at any rate.” Lottie snorted beside me, and I gave Pia a dark grin that I’d picked up from having spent far too much time with Ronan. “I had and still have everything that mattered. Everything he will never give you.”

  “And what good does that do you? You aren’t with him.” She looked on the verge of a breakdown.

  “I’m not with him, because I turned him down. Unless we’ve forgotten, I already have two men who worship me.” Okay, so ‘worship’ might have been an embellishment but she deserved it. “I’m not about to jeopardize that by screwing around with a man they hate, no matter how pretty he is or how important he is to me.”

  The look on her face turned vicious, and I knew whatever bullshit she was about to spew would be vile. “It isn’t how pretty he is. It’s that cock of his. Can’t beat it.”

  I grinned at her like my stomach wasn’t churning in disgust. “Good. Maybe he can use it to shut you up for once.” I stood from the table, snapping my Theory textbook shut with a bang. I turned, walking from the study room.

  “I’m off, Lot.” She nodded, rolling her eyes as she did.

  “Bye, Kai. See you when I see you, I guess.”

  I stalked out, fuming. Lottie and I had been foolish enough to think we could study with other students around and not be disturbed. Ronan lurked in the hallway, and I didn’t quite resist the urge to roll my eyes at him.

  “Woman, where are you going?” He stood before me, feet hip-width apart and effectively blocking me.

  “To my room, stalker.”

  “Kaia, please. I don’t want you to be alone.” He wasn’t ordering me about for once, and I felt my hackles settle back down.

  “Something doesn’t feel right about what happened yesterday. Just humor me. Please,” he added in an uncharacteristically gentle voice.

  I eyed him wearily. “So what are you suggesting?”

  “Spend the night with us again. We’ll make it worth your while.” He waggled his eyebrows at me, and I laughed in his face.

  “Fine. I suppose you’ve enticed me with the promise of orgasms.”

  “Orgasms?” he asked.

  “Mhmm, I demand at least three orgasms per guy for it to be worth my while, caveman.” He roared out a laugh, taking my hand in his and walking down the hallway with me, swinging our hands between us. Had we gone back to high school somewhat?

  “I suppose I can make that happen.”

  ✽✽✽

  Even with my shadow, Ronan, walking me to class there was no way for him to actually escort me in class since he was still actually a student himself and had his own coursework to do.

  So I walked in alone to my first Annals
class with the 2nd years. I’d been lucky enough to have just a Control and Discipline class the day before, so I still had the benefit of having Lottie with me along with the guys.

  I took a seat at the back - I noted that the second year class had more students in it than the first years did. I didn’t really know any of them personally since my guys didn’t have any friends who were in this class.

  The rest of the class trickled in, followed closely by Docent Ho, who in her usual cheery fashion greeted us with a lilting, “Good morning!”

  The rest of the class greeted her back, and she clapped her hands enthusiastically. “Lovely! Oh, and welcome, Miss Shaw. Nice to see you in this class. Congratulations!”

  While I appreciated how genuinely happy she seemed to be for me, I could not help but wish she hadn’t brought attention to me being there when the entire class turned to look at me. Most of them had curious stares, but one had a vicious and evil one - Wella Smith. Zeevar, I had assumed that she was classmates with Pia and Lottie so it was surprising to note that she wasn’t. It made me wonder even more why it was they were roommates and Lottie was mine.

  “Ok, class, enough ogling. Let’s get started. Today, we will continue in our more detailed discussion of the history and founding of the sects in the Order. As you learned from previous classes, there are four sects in the Order and we’ve started with the Airs and Inks and are set to move on to, Yes, Miss Smith?” Docent Ho broke off at the raised hand.

  “Docent Ho, I wonder, in the annals of our Order’s history, have there been any mistakes?” Wella’s fake, smug voice asked cattily.

  I stiffened at the question. There could be no doubt at who or what she was referring to, but I was surprised to note that Docent Ho was frowning, a hard glint in her eyes. It made the way she tapped her knife - her conduit - against her hand a little threatening.

  “Our only mistake, Miss Smith was when we displayed extreme violence against the Inkeds who rebelled and attacked Zeevar temples 143 years ago and ended their lives without tolerance. It was correct to ensure that the faith was reestablished and protected, but scaring them was not the best course of action. Now, does anyone have any other questions?” She raised an eyebrow at Smith who I noticed flushed red from the back.

  “No, Docent Ho, thank you.”

  “All right, let’s proceed. Now who can tell me who founded the Earth Mage sect?” She looked around and smiled at me, with a wink. “Miss Shaw, perhaps you can help your new classmates out?”

  “Of course, Docent Ho. It was Ifera Arithomson, eventually known as Ifera the Ingenious. She was the niece of then King Andavac of Crimson City.”

  “Well done. Now, let’s discuss how she founded the Earth sect and established their rules and protocols.” Docent Ho turned to the board. “Turn your book to page eighty-six.”

  ✽✽✽

  Doing well in my Annals class earlier that day made me confident about my current standing in InkHaven. While I was still insecure about actually being an Air Mage, I was happy that I wasn’t a complete failure. It was with that feeling that I found myself in the library to prepare for my worship class - it was one of those classes where everyone did their activities together, but every separate year and type had a 30-minute discussion with the docent about theory. I was determined to be prepared.

  “Here you go, baby.” Alec Gaius handed me a thin book with gold trimming. “This should help.”

  “Kaia Wren, please.” I was still a little on edge after the blatant hostility I got from Pia Ramos’ roommate - baby didn’t usually piss me off anymore.

  “Ok.” His brows drew together before he stood up. “I have to look for another book.”

  “Mhmm, fine.” I was too engrossed in my book by this point to notice.

  Barely a minute later, I heard the chair in front of me scrape back. Annoyed at the intrusion, I determined to ignore Alec Gaius and didn’t look up until I heard an unfamiliar voice speak up, “Zeevar, I thought I’d never catch you alone.”

  I met the steely blue eyes of a shockingly beautiful woman with dark red hair.“Hi?”

  “Oops. Hi. Sorry, I’m not always so polite. I’m Marisole Chesson.” She tossed back her short, glossy hair. “Call me Mar.”

  The golden sash on her tunic piqued my curiosity. “Hi, Mar. I’m Kaia Wren Shaw.”

  “Well, I know who you are. Even before all these other losers met you. I was shadowing on your rebirth day so I wrote your name down for Docent Porter and Alec Gaius Williamson. I just wanted to meet you, Kaia. Can I call you Kaia? And trust me that’s been hard - you always had your roommate with you or, more recently, Ronan Daniels and Alec Gaius. And I didn’t fancy talking to you with a witness.”

  “Oh.” I was overwhelmed but my mind latched into one thing she said. “You wrote my name.”

  “That’s right! I’d requested to have another shadow night even though I’m just an incoming fourth year but they let me because I was top of my class. Docent Hughes was a little miffed at me that night so he made me write your name. I got a bit of a tongue lashing because they think it was a mistake since you, well, didn’t actually die.”

  I winced at that since Gaylord and Alec Gaius had gotten the same treatment. “Zeevar, I’m sorry.”

  She shrugged. “Oh, I didn’t come here to fight you. I really don’t give a flying fuck since I’m still here. I think it’s fascinating, truth be told. Anyway, I just wanted to meet you, so hi!”

  I laughed because her easy friendliness combined with arrogant sass reminded me so much of Lottie. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you, Mar. And, yes, you may call me Kaia.”

  “Cool! I’ll catch you later then, Kaia. I’m escaping before your shadow comes back.” She laughed but gave my outstretched hand a brief shake.

  I waved at her and watched her walk away, long legs striding quickly. Not that I was interested in women but if I were, I had a feeling that Marisole Chesson was exactly my type.

  With a shake of my head, I went back to reading the book Alec Gaius had given me to read. I stopped when I came across a reference to another book so I stood up to find it.

  I found it easily but had to stand on my tiptoes to reach it. Rather than go back to the table, I leaned on the shelf and opened it to check. I ended up engrossed until I heard the sound of a grating giggle I’d heard before. I looked over and nearly dropped the book I was holding.

  But I felt my heart drop instead.

  We’d never discussed what we were to each other. Never talked about exclusivity to our little group, never defined it. They didn’t owe me anything, but watching Wella Smith flirt brazenly with Alec Gaius left a pit in my stomach. Her hand lightly smacked at his chest, laughing at whatever he’d said to her.

  “Precious Kai?” Emers’ normally light voice drew my gaze away from where I stared at them like a love-sick puppy. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, Emers. I’m fine.” I gave him a grin I didn’t believe in, fiddling with my hair where it rested on my shoulder. “Just adjusting to life here, really.”

  Emers turned to look where my gaze had previously fixated with a grimace. “Don’t worry yourself about that. Alec Gaius is crazy about you.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him, a silent question. A challenge. “You’re right. I see that, very clearly.” Smith moved a step further, crowding into Alec’s space where he stood next to one of the shelves of books. Turning my eyes away again, I closed the book I’d been reading on Sacrifice procedures for different temple types.

  A quick walk to the other side of the shelf took me out of view of Smith working her charms on one of the men I shared a bed with nearly nightly. Leaning my back into the shelf, I huffed out a sigh and resisted the urge to berate myself. Because really? What had I expected? Confessions of love and a long-term relationship?

  No, I’d just thought I’d have more time with them before they tossed me aside.

  “Didn’t think I’d see you here, Little Bird,” Vali said, strolling into the aisle with his hands in
his pockets and that swagger to his walk. “I’d have thought Alec Gaius would be with you if you were. They rarely let you be away from them now.”

  I gave him a small smile. “They just worry about me. I’m sure you heard about what I did - going and getting myself locked in the Oxygen Deprivation room.” I returned my book to its place on the shelf, fiddling with my fingers once my hands were empty.

  “Worries about you? Is that why one of your men is probably ten minutes away from being balls deep in another pussy?”

  I flinched, his words striking me like a physical blow.

  “Zeevar, I’m sorry Kaia. I didn’t-” he broke off, running his hands through his hair. “I’m just jealous,” he admitted. “They have you the way I want you, and yet the bastard is out there flirting with another girl who can’t come up to even half what you’re worth.” He stepped closer, crowding into my space in that way he always did. For once, I didn’t let it make me feel uncomfortable. It was no more of a compromising position than Alec was in, after all. He leaned a shoulder into the shelves next to me, his torso brushing my shoulder.

  “We don’t have any commitment to one another,” I pointed out, feeling like I needed to justify Alec Gaius’ decisions for some reason.

  “Good,” Vali murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “That means I still have a chance.”

  I flushed, feeling shy around him for the first time since never. “Are you deprived of sex?” I teased and then grimaced. “Oh, wait. What I said to the slut Pia the other day probably didn’t go over well.”

  He laughed, a smooth chuckle that sank into my bones and sent shivers up my spine. “No. It would be safe to say it did not. But everything you said was true.”

  “I know. I’m still sorry it blew back on you. I’ve tried to ignore her antics, but she seemed determined to torment me. I can’t keep swallowing it, and I’m so sick of just being everyone’s punching bag because they know I’m too quiet to put a stop to it.”