“It is standard practice for every cadet’s room to be warded. This will prevent just anyone slitting the throats of a student, but is by no means the only defense a cadet is permitted to employ whilst at the hunter’s academy.”

- Hunter handbook (2nd edition)

I stepped back and took in my assailant. It was the tiefling. He scowled down at me like I’d just slapped his mother. The angles of his face resembled artwork I’d seen of the ancient gods, and he had the brutal apathy that went along with that comparison. Despite his beautiful features that I definitely didn’t linger on, his accusation annoyed the hells out of me.

“What’s your problem?” I demanded. His jaw flexed and he looked away from me. Heat reddened the tips of my ears at his proximity, but I didn’t back down. It didn’t help that I had to strain my neck slightly just to look up at him. He was built like that prowling shadow-based monster from the arena battle—lithe and powerful. There was an air to him that promised violence if pushed too far.

But I didn’t care. I had too many problems already.

“You tried to kill me.” His words were calm and resolute, like he was discussing the weather. But his tone betrayed the truth. He was ready to murder me right here on the steps if he thought he could get away with it. He didn’t move. My mouth fell open and frustration mixed with something harder burned its way through my veins.

“I just did what I needed to in order to survive that hellhole. You would’ve done the same thing in my shoes, so don’t get all high and mighty about it. And it worked out for you, so get over yourself you arrogant prick.” I made to leave, but a blue hand shot out and grabbed my bicep. His grip didn’t feel magically reinforced, but it wasn’t any easier to shake it off. He had the hands of a warrior.

Like Kaelin’s hands.

Like my father’s hands.

I took in the young tiefling again. I was not the best at guessing ages, but he couldn’t have been more than a year older than me.

“Step inside those walls and you will die,” he whispered in a harsh tone. The way he said it sounded off.

“That a threat?” I snarled back.

A figure rushed forward and shoved the tiefling from behind. His grip disappeared, but he seemed hardly perturbed by the intruder.

“Get your hands off of her, beast,” I heard the newcomer growl through gritted teeth. I jolted with fear and shock as Charles stood in front of me. The scowl that marred his face was filled with contempt as he stared the tiefling down. He was taller than the tiefling by a few inches, and the countless years working for his uncle as manual labor made every lean and wiry muscle across his body taut with power. I had never really thought about him as strong before, but now it was painfully obvious.

Charles was strong.

“This is your last chance,” the tiefling addressed to me, completely ignoring my friend.

“This is your last chance if you don’t beat it, ashblood,” Charles warned. He took a step in front of me and crossed his arms. The scowl he bore never wavered. The tiefling harrumphed but didn’t rise to the challenge. I gasped at my friend’s audacity.

“Charlie, what the hells?!” I demanded as the blue skinned boy retreated up the stairs with silent steps.

“What?” He responded defensively, like I was the one overreacting. I shoved him. Hard.

“What? How about you explain what in the hells you are doing here?! Or that you’d butt in on my fight like that? Also, we’re using racial slurs now?! So yeah, what the actual hells are you doing?!” My words came out harder than I expected. “I can’t watch your back here. I have too much at stake to take care of you here.”

“Watch my back?” He retorted bitterly. His tone stung but the way he looked at me then was worse. Betrayal. It was the only word for what simmered in those green eyes of his. “You’re not serious, right? You come to my house in the middle of the night, drop an anvil on my chest with the revelation that my own uncle has been enthralling me, and then you just up and leave like consequences aren’t a thing?” He stepped closer, and I once again had to strain my neck to look a man in the eyes. I hated it, but I didn’t back down.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“My uncle tried to use his charm on me again! I barely escaped with my life. He wanted to use me to burn your parent’s house down, Thea.” Shadows gathered behind his expression. “I—I had to run. There’s only one place I want to be, and that’s by your side, Thay. I would follow you anywhere. And don’t act like you won’t need the help here. Especially since your mind—” He drifted off, but I caught what he was going to say.

Since my mind was addled. Since I was living in a fantasy.

Since my brother didn’t exist.

“You shouldn’t have come,” I replied and walked up the stairs.

“Thea!” He shouted after me. “I didn’t mean it. C’mon! I—I just…”

I whirled, now at eye level with him on my higher step.

“You what? Barge in when I specifically asked you not to come because I didn’t want to see my best friend die? Go around shoving people and calling them ashbloods? I didn’t want this, Charlie. I wish you hadn’t come. You don’t belong here,” I replied. A few onlookers took us in and whispered amongst themselves, but no one interrupted.

“Well, I’m here now. And I won’t abandon you. You need me.” Charles' lower lip quivered, and I felt like my heart was getting hollowed out by a jagged spoon.

“I need you to live. Go, now. Please.” I didn’t care that my voice caught in my throat. Sure, I was angry with him, but I wanted him to survive more.

And that wouldn’t happen here.

“Ahh, there you are.” Charles and I turned to see none other than Prince James saunter up and put an arm around Charles. “I was beginning to think my little savior was going to turn tail and run.”

“Savior?” I inquired, my jaw dropping at the absurdity taking place in front of me. The prince took me in with mild surprise, like he found it odd a piece of manure could speak.

“This poor sap had the wonderful gift of saving yours truly from a nasty encounter with one of those Gloomstalkers. He tackled it to the ground right before it pounced on me, and my team and I graciously accepted the distraction. My sword cut off its head quite cleanly, I might add. Chuck here was extremely brave.”

“It’s Charles,” I whispered dangerously. Prince James’ eyes narrowed at my interruption. His gaze focused briefly on my right wrist and a sneer contorted his face.

“Charles, why don’t you dine with me tonight? I will show you how civil people comport themselves. Not like…” and he waved his hand dismissively at me as he led Charles up the steps. He looked back at me, a cold fury belied in his otherwise clean smile. “…Thieves.”

Charlie looked like he was about to contest the noble’s direction, but an entourage surrounded them while James rattled on. He described delicacies I knew were meant to make my friend feel inferior, but I was too rattled to help him out.

And did I want to?

He would be far safer in their company, even if they made my blood boil.

My heart a mess of emotions, I entered the ajar entrance. Some of the sting I felt in my chest diminished slightly at what I bore witness to. It was absolutely gorgeous inside. An attendant was handing out small bundles of books with a few parchments on top. I stood in line but they were efficient enough so that Charles and I didn’t cross paths again. I waited alone as his group collected their items quickly.

I took in the ornate chandeliers with warm everglow enchantments expertly arrayed though their crystalline structure. Thick carpets and furry monster hides were laid around several hearths set into the wall through this grand chamber. Hallways spread out in every direction, and the vaulted ceiling that spanned this great hall exposed handrails of at least seven stories of rooms and dorms.

Dozens of cadets and other personnel wandered around, the chatter of conversation lively and welcoming. One girl with expertly braided hair that showed off the gold sheen to her blond locks glanced at me and narrowed her eyes. The immaculate hairdo accentuated the two pointy eyes and even sharper cheekbones that betrayed her race of origin. Any beauty she might’ve possessed soured when I caught the hatred pouring off of her toward me. Before I could tell her where to shove it, she moved on, leaving my heart racing and half a dozen fantasies of punching her in the face swirling through my mind.

“Your books and dorm room,” the attendant spoke up and my head shot back to her with an embarrassed expression marring my features. The female elf spoke in a monotone, but I caught the barest lift of her lips when she saw my expression. “They’ve been randomized and magically sealed to detect your aura and race. You’ll be grouped with others of your year, but there should be a healthy mix to keep each hall fair. Please read the parchment for further details.”

“Thanks,” I offered with a smile and the elf blinked in surprise. I took the bundle and the parchment on top lit up.

East wing, 5th floor, room #517.

Below the magically scrawled words, a second rune activated and a thin outline of a diagram appeared. It took me a moment, but then I realized it was a map of the academy. In the center of the minimalistic drawing was a dotted line that led deeper into the expansive building. I glanced back at Charles, and our eyes met. Pain lingered there, but he broke away and followed the nobility down a corner. They all laughed and some shoved him around, but he simply took it.

First Barnum, now these pricks, I thought darkly.

I took a single step toward him, but hesitated. I was on a mission. I couldn’t get distracted. Every day that passed meant Kaelin was farther from me and closer to getting caught by that Alaric bastard.

I had to focus.

I hefted the bundle and adjusted the pack they’d returned to me. The leather straps bit into my fatigued shoulders as I took the steps two at a time up toward my new room.

I’ll find you, Kael. I promise. I headed down a corridor on the right. Cadets chatted as they passed me, but I kept my eyes set straight ahead. Wherever you go, Kael, I’ll catch up. Just survive long enough for me to reach you, okay? I’ll be there.