Chapter 9
Nine
A silver-haired fae with a pixie cut stood at the base of the classroom. “Welcome to Tactical Leadership and Decision Making. I am Professor Leslie.”
The class was held in Magique Moderna, a seven-minute walk from Alaire’s room—a luxury considering it met at dawn. Kaia, who liked to rise with the sun, had already saved her a seat. It was one of the rare classes they took together.
Sunlight poured through the tall lancet windows, framed by deep red velvet drapes. The faintest trace of lavender lingered in the air from the dried bunch sitting on the professor’s desk. Papers rustled and chairs scraped before silence settled as Professor Leslie waited for everyone’s attention.
“Tactical Leadership and Decision Making is a foundational course in your schedule,” she began.
“We will cover strategic planning, leading teams in elemental and magical tactical situations, and fostering trust and camaraderie amongst teammates.” Her eyes flicked briefly to Alaire.
“We’ll also practice leveraging the fears and desires of opponents while mastering these essentials—controlling emotions under extreme stress, applying leadership techniques in any situation, and maintaining the trust and loyalty of your team in critical moments. ”
Someone sitting behind them scoffed.
Professor Leslie blinked but moved on. “Managing emotions—processing what you’re feeling and seeing—is imperative to maintaining clarity in times of crisis.”
The classroom plunged into darkness as a map of Elithian appeared behind her. “Can someone identify what’s behind me?”
A hand shot up. “A map of the continent—Elithian.”
“Correct. What natural barriers does Cielore have to protect itself from invasion?”
The words hovered on Alaire’s tongue. She opened her mouth to answer but decided against it. Blake had drilled this into her during sparring matches: Fighting must become instinct. Keep your mind free to think. Be strategic. She didn’t know as much as her peers, but she knew the basics at least.
Her throat tightened. It was moments like this she felt endlessly grateful Blake had walked into her life.
Kaia spoke up. “To the east of Cielore is the Crystal Spire Peaks, an imposing mountain range, and Cassiopeia Forest to the south. Below that, the Phantom Gap and the Shadowfang Crests are three layers that separate Cielore from the vampire’s territory—Retribution of the Ruined.
To the north and west is the sea. Protected on all sides,” she said, drumming her fingers on her knee. Kaia missed nothing.
“Very astute, Ms. Moore. Can anyone else share where exactly the fliers are positioned along the front lines and why?”
If Alaire didn’t make it through her first year at Aeris Academy, that was precisely where she would end up.
“Fliers are positioned mostly along the Crystal Spire Peaks, north of the Scorched Marsh. They have the advantage of speed and agility compared to the human infantry,” another student answered.
“Precisely. Providing our fliers with the smoothest course to the vampire borders is a tactical decision. The Consortium has been pressing forward inch by inch into the Retribution of the Ruin, keeping the fighting as far from our borders as possible. However, as your peer pointed out, Cielore’s natural barriers, while effective defensively, make transporting an army lengthy and cumbersome—even with magical assistance. ”
“Have the vampires ever strained Elithian’s forces enough to retreat?” a novice in the front rows asked.
Professor Leslie raised her eyes to the ceiling before answering, “Yes.”
“And how… often has that occurred?”
“I won’t coddle you,” she said, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. “The situation is dire. The vampires are changing—evolving. Their momentum and precision have strengthened, becoming more lethal.”
Alaire shifted in her seat, fingers curling into her leathers.
Professor Leslie paced the front of the room. “They have turned humans into weapons against us, swelling their forces with our own. While the fae cannot be turned—only killed—we are not invincible. We’re still outnumbered, and this enemy is relentless.”
She stopped, eyes scanning their faces. “Our fliers are our greatest asset, but wings alone won’t win this war.
” Her gaze locked onto theirs, intensity burning in her expression.
“Your instincts, quick thinking, and ability to lead under pressure—those will shape Elithian’s future. Your leadership. Your choices.”
The room fell silent.
Professor Leslie’s words about leadership and choices rang hollow to Alaire when she thought about the humans who had no choice but to serve their territory, turned against their will.
Her voice came out shaky. “And for the humans who have been captured… what’s being done to help them?”
“Nothing. At that point, they are beyond redemption.”
Alaire rose to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor.
“Beyond redemption?” Her voice dripped with ice.
“So that’s it, then? They’re expendable?
Bodies thrown into the meat grinder of war?
They are people—with families, friends, lives.
” Her hands trembled with rage as she tucked her thumbs into her palms. “Every life matters, not just those who wield magic. If we’re so willing to abandon our own, what are we even fighting for? ”
“Sit down, Ms. Aerendyl.”
Slowly, she eased back into her seat, chest heaving.
“That outburst is exactly why this class is necessary. You cannot let your personal convictions dictate your actions. People need to be able to rely on you in high-pressure situations. The lives of the few do not outweigh the many.”
Alaire’s fingers tapped against the bottom of the seat, trying to rein in her barely restrained fury. “The lives of humans are not in the minority here. Fae are.”
“Yes, that’s right. The infantry consists of humans serving their territory.
One flier or elemental compensates for the strength of at least twenty humans.
By doing our job effectively, we are saving the human lives you accuse us of valuing so little.
So I suggest you put all your energy into mastering your emotions.
” Her eyes swept the classroom. “All you will have out there is each other and your magic. There is no them—only us.”
Alaire crossed her arms over her chest. Easy for her to say .
“For this reason, you’ll be paired with a partner to work with for the remainder of the year in this class. This partnership aims to help you understand how to function effectively as a team.”
Kaia smirked at Alaire. Partners. Easy enough .
Footsteps echoed behind them. The hairs on Alaire’s neck rose. Reluctantly, she turned to meet a familiar prince’s glacier stare pinning her down.
Fuck off.
A Cheshire grin spread across Professor Leslie’s face. “Might I add that each of you will partner with a veteran of my choosing.”
Kaia gave Alaire a deadpan look as the veterans lined themselves along the rear of the class, one for each novice.
Excellent. Just what I need.
Alaire ground her teeth. All these “partnerships” would do was give the veterans even more power and entitlement than they already had.
She held up a hand, silencing any protests before they could begin.
“Pairing you with a veteran is not only tradition but essential. As novices, you must learn what it’s like to collaborate and trust someone in any field you embark on.
This partnership will test your ability to adapt and problem-solve.
For those of you—particularly the fliers—that could mean the difference between life and death. ”
“The veterans aren’t here to coddle you. They’re here to push you, challenge you, and teach you what no lecture or training drill can. They will not make it easy, nor are they supposed to.”
Alaire pressed her lips into a tight line.
“And for the veterans,” Professor Leslie continued, “this is their chance to prove they can lead.”
With a smile as bright as Lysia’s light, Kaia raised her hand to ask a question.
Professor Leslie shook her head. “You must learn to navigate the trials of one-to-one partnership. Headmaster Carth and I have handpicked these pairings for a reason. There will be no questions and no switching.”
Alaire’s stomach knotted. Perfect. Just perfect.
The class took an impromptu break when one of the academy’s clerical staff delivered an urgent message for Professor Leslie. Once the door slid shut behind her, the room erupted into chaos. The veterans gathered in their usual circles, orbiting their golden boy.
Alaire couldn’t help that her gaze snapped to him whenever he was in the room. She had no power over it. Probably because she wanted to punch that arrogant ass in the face.
“So, are we hoping to be paired with the Prince of House Aetheris?” Kaia crooned.
“Not a chance in Umbra’s seven hells.” Alaire shook her head vehemently.
“Sounds more like denial to me.”
“What about you? Eyeing Dawson’s friend—the one who looks like he has a stick up his ass?”
Kaia wrinkled her nose. “Hard no. I’ve already been down the dark-and-dangerous route. Didn’t end well.” Her eyes flicked to the floor, pain flashing across her face. As quickly as it appeared, it vanished behind her cheerful demeanor. “But you two, on the other hand, have chemistry.”
“Dawson and I do not have chemistry. It’s called animosity.”
“It’s Dawson now, is it?” Kaia practically squealed.
Alaire clapped her hands on her knees. “You’re impossible. It’s his name. What am I supposed to refer to him as? Most-Revered-Premiere-Lord-in-waiting?”
“Wouldn’t be surprised if he was into something like that.” Kaia waggled her eyebrows.
Alaire dragged a hand down her face. “You. Are. Impossible.”
“I think you meant amazing . If not for me, you’d be miserable in this place.”
An unspoken wave of gratitude washed over Alaire. Kaia’s immediate loyalty hadn’t been what she expected, but it was a welcome alliance in a pit full of vipers.