by Brenda Trim
Brokk screamed the instant he was bitten and managed to grab hold of the vampire’s head before his throat was ripped out. With a vicious twist, he snapped the vampire’s neck. That wouldn’t kill the creature, but it did incapacitate him for the time being.
The action shocked Ryker into moving and he jumped at the troll. He lifted his hand in the air and aimed it for the troll’s face. The impact stopped his movement. Both he and the troll fell in a heap to the ground. His chest was on fire as one of the troll’s large arms landed on his body.
Footsteps sounded loudly in the dirt, telling Ryker someone was heading his way. Shoving with all his might, he managed to move the dead limb enough to roll out from beneath the troll. The weapon stuck out of an eye socket.
Needing it to defend against the injured centaur that was limping his way to Ryker, he climbed on the troll’s chest and grabbed hold of the weapon. Urgency had him pouring more force into the action and the wood came free so suddenly that Ryker’s arms flew back over his head.
Rather than coming back down, the weapon struck another target with a wet squishing sound. He didn’t have to know he’d hit the centaur. That was the only creature left in the cave not engaged with his friends. The half-horse half-man fell to the ground and Ryker stumbled from the dead troll’s chest.
Brokk had a hand clamped over his throat to staunch the bleeding. Sol and Daine fought the barghest and centaur. Ryker moved to join Daine when his friend did a move that had him flipping through the air and landing on the creature’s back. Without hesitation Daine grabbed hold of the sides of his head and twisted.
Daine rode the centaur’s back as it collapsed to the ground and snatched a boulder from the dirt at the same time he summersaulted away from the unconscious beast. Daine lifted the rock and smashed through the centaur’s neck, separating his head from his body.
Adrenaline had Ryker bouncing on the balls of his feet. Sol ended the barghest by smashing its skull in with a boulder. These friends didn’t hesitate to defend him. He’d chosen well for his guard.
They knew without needing to be told that no one outside their small circle could be left alive if they knew his true identity. There were few he could trust with that knowledge, but the three males standing in the cave with him were among them.
“We need to get rid of the bodies,” Brokk said in the silence.
“How the fuck do we do that without raising suspicion?” Sol demanded.
“We come back tonight. No one will care about a few dead Fae,” Ryker declared with a grimace on his face. It was moments like these that made him want to rant and rail at Fate.
It wasn’t right that his people were suffering in poverty while their oppressors were free to live a life of luxury. The next two years at the academy couldn’t pass quickly enough.
Chapter 2
“You’ll be careful and keep your head down?” Maurelle’s father, Zephos, asked as he embraced her in a tight hug. He hadn’t left their side the entire time she was home. He’d been working from home ever since their mother was killed.
No doubt he is afraid to leave her sisters alone. Losing his mate like that was traumatic and left its mark. Her dad had aged several decades during the year she was gone. The joy he normally exuded was absent. Maurelle understood his need to be close to them and didn’t fight him when he insisted on escorting her back to campus.
It was surreal to be standing outside Bramble’s Edge Academy after visiting home for the end of the year break. She had one year down and two to go. Tears gathered in her eyes and her throat burned with the emotion she was holding back.
After several months she had the opportunity to grieve the loss of her mother with her father and sisters. No one talked about the reason for her death. They were all too frightened about repercussions. Hence the reason for her father’s words of warning.
So many times, during the past few weeks she wanted to tell them the king had returned and soon they would no longer live with the terror. Maurelle had to believe Ryker would uncover the culprits and remove the human control from their realm. He wasn’t in a position to take over yet.
He had too much to learn which is why they were keeping quiet. If the powers that be knew who he really was he would be killed immediately. And, until he had better control over his elements he was at risk.
It was killing her to have to keep this information to herself. More than just her family would be overjoyed to hear the news. The shit she was hiding was a game changer for her people, and that was the only thing keeping her mouth shut. It hurt to see so many suffering.
Maurelle needed to take action. It was a force bubbling in her soul, making her irritable. Gullvieg was dead. Time to locate the rest of the corrupt power structure. However, Ryker’s mother cautioned them until he was at his most powerful. Until then those that wanted him dead posed too big of a risk.
Balling her hands into fists, she shoved the urges into the mire of her mind and locked them down.
“Yes, father. I plan on attending classes and keeping my head down,” she promised.
“Is that your boyfriend?” Her sister Erlina blurted. “Or are you dating all of them?”
Turning her head, Maurelle saw Ryker heading their way with Brokk and Sol. A smile bloomed across her face and she waved to them. “We’re friends. I think Ryker might like me, but not the others,” she denied. When she looked at Ryker then the others, warmth unfurled in her core, arousing and tempting her.
“From the looks of it he likes you just as much,” Nyx teased. “They all do. Why didn’t you tell me you were sleeping with all of them?”
Maurelle’s head snapped around and her eyes narrowed, but before she could correct her sister, their father made a choking noise. “I prefer to believe you are still my baby. That is too much for an old male like me to handle.”
“I’m not sleeping with all of them, dad. She’s wrong,” Maurelle insisted. Not yet, a part of her mind whispered. The idea wasn’t entirely repulsive. They were all good-looking males, but it seemed wrong for a hidden part of her to want them all. Refusing to indulge the thoughts anymore, she concentrated on Ryker and her connection to him.
“It’s not like it would be a scandal if she was,” Erlina continued. “There are many lines that have been involved in harems. Most of them are upper class or royal, but it happens in the lower class like us, too.”
Erlina’s talk about royal Fae had Maurelle shifting her feet and wringing her hands. Winds sent pink strands of her hair into her face. With an impatient hand, she swiped it out of her eyes and tried to calm down. Anytime she was excited or angry or frustrated her elements escaped her control.
“Hey guys,” she called out to Ryker, Brokk and Sol to divert the conversation. She couldn’t allow her dad to think about that anymore. It’d be a disaster if Ryker’s secret got out. “Dad, this is Ryker, Brokk and Sol. Ryker and Brokk are in my league and Sol is their roommate. This is my dad Zephos.”
Maurelle’s dad held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. We’ve heard a lot about you all.”
Ryker clasped forearms with her dad and returned the greeting. “Good to meet you, Zephos. Sorry I haven’t met you before now. I was busy helping my mother during break.” Despite discovering Galina wasn’t his real mother, Ryker didn’t allow that to decrease his affection for her.
His love for Galina had Maurelle’s heart melting where he was concerned. The female had sacrificed everything to take care of and hide him, and he was going to ensure she was rewarded in return. Maurelle knew he wanted to provide her with security and comfort above anything else but was doing everything in his limited power at the moment to take care of her.
Brokk and Sol greeted her father and before she knew it, they were saying goodbye to her family. Giving her father and sisters one last hug, she held each of them close. “Take care of dad,” she told Nyx and Erlina then turned to enter the gates to the academy.
How was this her life? Fate was one fickle bitch. First it
took her mother from her and then it gave her the salvation of her people while at the same time putting the Fae King and herself in the crosshairs of an evil Headmistress at the Academy.
Why couldn’t they be ambushing the castle so Ryker could take his rightful place on the throne? He killed Gullvieg and delivered a blow to the assholes controlling the Fae. It was beyond frustrating to have to wait. Mag Mell needed him now more than ever. The Gods only knew how long those she loved and cared for would last. Death was all too common for the Fae.
Ryker reached out and twined his fingers with Maurelle. He needed the contact to keep from acting rashly. It was only because his mother had given everything to ensure he survived and grew up to be a powerful king when the time came.
His mind still struggled to grasp what he’d learned. He was the only living heir to the Fae throne. In all of Mag Mell, he was the one being that could unite his kind and overthrow the humans.
But it wasn’t just humans that were the problem. They weren’t capable of controlling and forcing powerful elemental beings to do their bidding. It would take a magic user to cast the spells and keep them suppressed.
All that was needed to get a foothold with the masses was the trauma of losing their King and Queen. Ryker had discovered those in power used spells and potions in food to keep Fae from breaking free.
“You ready for this?” Maurelle asked. When Ryker looked at her, he returned her smile and brought their joined hands to his lips.
Pressing a kiss to the back of her hand, he enjoyed the tingle that spread across his mouth. “Not really. Have you heard who is taking Gullvieg’s place?”
Brokk turned around and walked backwards while joining the conversation. “My parents told me a male named Gaius was appointed as the new Headmaster.”
“Do you know anything about this male?”
Brokk looked over at Ryker and shook his head. “The only thing I was told is that he’s a big supporter of the chief.”
Ryker considered that information. The chief of the enforcers was the primary liaison between the Fae and the humans. If anyone was corrupt, it had to be that guy. That was the last thing he needed when he was working hard to stay hidden.
“Perfect,” Ryker growled. “Do you think he’s running the Bravo Unit?” He recalled the secret assassin league Gullvieg recruited he and Brokk to.
“I sure fucking hope not,” Brokk said as he turned back around.
Ryker did too. Rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, he stretched his wings. With the degree of danger constantly surrounding him, he hadn’t relaxed in months.
A glance over his shoulder had some of the tension leaving Ryker’s body. Like all Fae, his wings glowed subtly now because he’d come into his power, but the markings that covered them were hidden. If they were visible, then they would tell everyone he was the King. Ryker knew his mom and his aunt were right when they said he couldn’t let anyone know yet.
His control over the elements was shaky at best. All Fae his age came into their powers when they reached between eighteen and twenty-three years of age. At that time, they were sent to Bramble’s Edge Academy to hone their abilities.
Fae without the ability to control their elements made for a volatile society. If there were a bunch of young adults burning down buildings, causing fires, flash floods and earthquakes chaos would reign. The university was designed to teach them control. Only over the past twenty or so years its purpose has been perverted.
It’s used now to mold and shape Fae to be slaves for human betterment. Ryker discovered potions in the food last year that were used to make them more amenable and easier to manipulate. It dulled their emotions and made them susceptible to outside influence.
Thinking about his need for the academy, Ryker reminded himself he had to be careful how angry he got. Lately, he’d been influencing others around him when his emotions were high. Just yesterday he got pissed when someone tried to take his mom’s purse. He discovered that little nugget when he was talking to Babel outside his bakery about fixing some rot around his window.
He was watching his mom and noticed a centaur grab her purse and start to take off. Out of anger he yelled at the guy to stop. Already tearing off after the culprit, Ryker was stunned when the centaur stopped so suddenly his back legs nearly flew over his head.
Shineah told him it was the mantle of the king growing and expanding. She gave him a more powerful talisman to dampen the heat of it. He didn’t realize what was happening before that. He’d assumed it was his frustration with having to hide who he was. After receiving the amulet, instead of his chest being at a boil it simmered on low.
The familiar expanse of lawn opened up the second the path ended. Ryker stiffened and Maurelle shuddered the second they crossed the barrier to the academy.
“What the fuck was that?” Brokk blurted.
Shaking his head, Ryker glanced around and noticed the students behind them had a similar reaction. “No idea, but it wasn’t pleasant.”
Maurelle let go of his hand and rubbed her arms. “I thought it would be okay here since you killed Gullvieg,” Maurelle whispered.
“We won’t be safe until I am able to take my throne back and eradicate those that played a hand in my parents’ deaths,” Ryker replied in a low voice that only carried to Maurelle and Brokk.
Their group fell silent as students rushed past them and headed to the main hall for the welcome assembly. Ryker’s stomach twisted as he held the door open for Maurelle to enter. Conversations echoed in the open entrance, making it seem as if there were ten times the number of students this year.
When they entered the cafeteria, Ryker got his first glimpse of the new Headmaster. The male stood with his arms crossed over a muscled chest. Taken back, he had anticipated Gaius would be in the later stages of his life like Gullvieg. Fae lived for hundreds or thousands of years and didn’t show their age until the last couple centuries.
The new Headmaster had no gray in his white-blonde hair and clear blue eyes. It was clear the entire student body expected an elder, as well. Everyone was gaping at the way his biceps bunched when he moved.
“Take your seats,” Gaius demanded in a booming voice as his gaze scanned the room.
Everyone scrambled to comply. Ryker and his group caught up with Daine at their usual table. The ordering screens popped up with a greeting a second before Gaius started talking.
“Welcome back students and staff,” Gaius began. The male either wore a perpetual scowl or he was pissed. There was no levity anywhere in his countenance. “As your parents might have told you during break. The council has taken steps to assure your safety while at the academy.”
“Yeah right,” Brokk muttered under his breath. Ryker punched his arm and shook his head.
Ignoring the frown, Ryker focused on the new Headmaster. “There will be extra security patrolling the grounds. I will not allow another Fae to be murdered on this campus.”
Gaius glared and lifted one corner of his lips in a snarl. Ryker wanted to sink in his chair. It seemed as if the Headmaster knew he was responsible for Gullvieg’s death, but that was ridiculous. He wouldn’t be alive if anyone had discovered what he’d done.
“First years will be arriving tomorrow after they are collected. I expect you all to be on your best behavior and welcome them to our fine institution.” With that Gaius took his seat and began ordering his food.
“I guess that’s it,” Daine joked. “Good to see you guys again. How was break?”
Ryker ordered lamb with veggies as Brokk and Sol caught up with Daine. Maurelle kept quiet and he understood why. She’d been immersed in grief for weeks with her family.
When the food came, Ryker saw the familiar green glow and wanted to growl. He’d hoped that by killing Gullvieg this aspect of life at the academy would be eliminated, but it persisted like fungus on buildings. He could only pray that it was easier to get rid of when the time came.
As he and his friends ate the food it took great
effort to mellow their expressions as the meal went on. When Maurelle’s forehead remained pinched for several seconds too long, he almost regretted that the link to him provided her and his friends immunity to the potion’s influence.
From the corner of his eye he noticed Gaius watching their group. Warning filtered through his nerves and had him shifting in his seat. He needed to get intel on this male, so he understood what he was dealing with. Knowledge was his best friend at the moment, and too hard to come by.
Tuning back into the conversation, he decided to sneak out that night and ask his aunt or the Peridun. The sooner he learned about Gaius the better.
Chapter 3
“I can’t believe this is the same academy,” Maurelle observed as she took in the air league classrooms that she’d spent so much time in last year.
Gone were the windows and obstructions. When they’d arrived last year, the windows had been blocked by panels of wood or shutters over the glass, cutting off not only the sun, but also the air. Now, the glass and other items were gone, allowing air to flow freely through the building. It energized Maurelle and brought forth her air elemental abilities in a way she’d never experienced last year at the academy.
It seemed the changes affected all of the students as wind swept through the room, sending papers and chairs into a vortex before the professor waved her hand and cut it off before shit got out of control.
One of the many things that bothered her last year was how they expected to teach them to wield and control their elements when they stifled said element during lessons. Feeling the difference gave her hope that their new headmaster, Gaius was different.
Sure, he was still poisoning the food with a potion that made students malleable to outside influence, but perhaps he wasn’t aware of the practice. A snort left her mouth. If she truly believed that then she wasn’t as immune to influence as the Peridun told her.