Exitus (Emberhold Academy #4)

Prologue

UNKNOWN

She was fucking magnificent.

I hadn’t missed a performance since I’d been notified of her arrival.

Before she appeared, I couldn’t remember the last time I had attended these events; my interest had faded years ago.

Some never tire of the battles fought here. They thrive on the blood and gore, as well as the desperation of the warriors involved. I had enjoyed it just as much as anyone when it all began. However, I eventually grew bored, as I often did.

Nothing held my attention for long…until now…until her.

My little Bellator.

Whether I wanted to love her or kill her was still unclear.

Iwas home, sitting in my study by a roaring fire and sipping a brandy that had been part of the spoils from one of our recent victories. When Ubel walked in. My tolerance for the man was growing thin, but for now, he was still needed.

“Do you assume you’re not required to knock?” I raised my brow in question.

“Your house staff let me in.” He removed his jacket and fixed himself a drink.

His actions demonstrated that he believed he was entirely safe from my anger. For the moment, he was, but that wouldn’t last forever.

“I’ll need a name. Whoever it was needs to be punished.” I waited for his answer, but he changed the subject.

I knew the little bitch had let himself in.

“When was the last time you left this house and went out into Aurathia? Or visited the coliseum?” He eyed my clothes in distaste. “Have you even changed your clothes in the last week? It seems to the rest of us that you’ve become somewhat of a recluse.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why do any of you think that your opinions matter to me?” He hesitated, subtly shifting back in the face of my annoyance. “If there's a purpose to this visit, please get to it. I have important matters to attend to, and you’re interrupting.”

“Things like getting blind drunk?” Ubel casually walked around the room, picking up items from the shelf and putting them back, but never quite in the same position.

Apparently, he was braver with a little distance between us; what a fool.

My blood began to heat, and the familiar need to kill began to overtake me at the sight of him touching my things. The man was clever and manipulative, but never stupid; he usually handled me with kid gloves.

Sanity was not my strong suit, and he knew that.

Today, he was almost cocky; now my curiosity was piqued.

“Cut the bullshit. Why are you here?” I growled, determined to find out what he was up to.

“You need to make an appearance at the coliseum. We have a new warrior that I think will interest you.” Ubel smirked, then took a seat on my couch, spreading both arms on the back as if he lived here.

“Why the hell would I give a shit?” I was fighting the need to rip his throat out. “I was over the fuckery that takes place there years ago.”

“I get that you believe you have more pressing matters, but you’ll want to be there for this.” He flashed that crocodile grin of his, which made me grind my teeth.

“I’m growing tired of your company, so if you have something to tell me, get to it.

I hate the way you dance around things.” I cocked a single brow.

“One day I’m going to lose patience.” I stared at him, letting him see the murderous rage in my eyes that I usually kept hidden and sending my shadows to cover the floor like a heavy fog.

Ubel flinched but then sat up straighter, finding the balls to continue as if he wasn’t staring death in the face.

“This ennui that’s affected you the last few years has really grown tiresome.

” When I gave him no reaction, he huffed out a breath in exasperation.

“Fine. Her name, the warrior’s name, is Reverie, and she’s the daughter of Adelaide. ”

I sat up straight. “Adelaide Hawthorne?”

“Is there another?” He raised one eyebrow in question.

“I’ll be there. Now leave.” I couldn’t stand looking at his face one more moment.

Ubel hesitated, clearly wanting to say more, but he did as I asked. He recognized he’d pushed me as far as was wise today. He sped up his departure when one of my shadows wrapped around his neck like a noose.

I was pissed that I hadn’t been notified the moment she arrived. These little power plays of his and Selene’s were ridiculous. Was Hayes also back? Damien?

Reverie was beautiful; I’d expect nothing less from Adelaide's daughter. But it wasn’t her beauty that held me captive.

It was her fierceness in battle.

I could tell by looking at her that she’d been through some shit since she arrived here. Fresh bruises and cuts covered every exposed part of her skin. One cut on the side of her forehead looked deep enough to scar. For an Aurathion, the damage had to be severe to leave that kind of mark.

I’ll have to interrogate Ubel and find out who was responsible. I’d already decided that I alone was permitted to mark that beautiful body.

I turned my attention back to the battle as Reverie cut through the enemy as if she were born to do it. Every swing of her twin blades hit a spot on the body that would cause the most damage possible.

The two Gerendels she fought were huge, but she’d already incapacitated one. And it looked like she was going to dispatch the other in short order.

Almost as soon as I had the thought, Reverie vaulted off the body of the first monster and stabbed her remaining foe simultaneously in both eyes, killing him instantly. She landed in a crouch, then stood and wiped the blood from her face with the back of her hand.

A true Bellator. A warrior among warriors.

No expression whatsoever on her face, even as the crowd went wild.

Reverie Hawthorne fascinated me. I needed to get closer.

I sat up straight. I had a brilliant idea.

A grin spread across my face. I stood and leaned against a pillar on my private balcony, watching my warrior princess until she left the colosseum.

I had plans to make.

Prepare yourself, Reverie Hawthorne, because ready or not, here I come.