10. Can I survive this? #2
Turning around quickly, I see Angie staring from the stands, eyes filled with pain, prompting my own tears to swell. Rebecca approaches, and a sob greets her. “What does this mean?” I whisper, feeling ashamed as though me being a mortal caused this.
“I can’t say for sure, but everything’s okay.
” She places a hand on my back in hopes of calming me, but an urge to flee has my legs trembling.
I was so sure I’d awaken my magic, hoping it would bring me one step closer to seeking revenge on Rosie’s death.
Hoping for once, I could fulfill my promise.
But like everything else, I’ve come close only to be reminded that I’m never enough. Nothing I do will ever be enough.
Steps pound into the hardened soil as others rush to join us.
“She’s not a fay nor yields Rebirth magic.
Kick her out immediately,” Holland voices rudely upon his arrival.
Terror strikes at his words, but he is right.
I’m not fay, and there is no denying his feelings towards me being here. Regardless of any outcome.
But the expressive disgust aligning his features speaks something more than that. Between him and Ethan, it’s unclear who hates me more.
Two sigils appear before us–one black and one gold, ending Holland’s hateful spewing. Ethan and Angie step from his golden sigil, and she wraps her arms around me with haste, blocking my view.
“Kyra, I’m so sorry,” Angie whispers, enveloping me tightly in a warm embrace. There is a brief tick before the holier than thou asshole speaks again.
“We need to wipe her memory and send her back,” Holland fumes. “I’ll do it myself if need be.”
Angie releases her grasp and stands beside me, her features morphing into something dark. “Touch her, and I’ll shove my fist through your di–”
“Enough, Angie.” Another student, or teacher, or whoever the hell steps between Holland and me.
My height is laughable compared to his, and I crane my neck just to see the start of his lightless black braid, which is slung over his left shoulder, contrasting against his ominously dark suit that fits him flawlessly.
My tears stall long enough for me to witness that much, though this internal battle feels more like a losing one.
“Did you just attempt to threaten me, girl?” Holland hisses, spitting on the last word.
“Steady your tone, Elder,” the newcomer insists.
His voice is polite yet menacing. “You will no longer address her. It’s me you’re speaking with now,” he educates Holland, and something presses against my skin.
An invisible force. A scent of bourbon mixed with mint and danger tingles my nose.
What the fuck does danger smell like, and why do I keep smelling it?
Holland scoffs, “In case you missed it, every flame went out as she approached them. In all the history of Rebirth, such results have never transpired. Nothing good can come of this, and I demand you move away from her at once.” He enters my line of sight, and a vein on the side of his head throbs with anger, growing larger by the second.
His loathsome stare locks dead on mine, and if I didn’t know any better, a murderous sensation enters me. He won’t just wipe my memory but…wipe me out completely. A reminder of Ethan’s promise if I happened to fail. And shit, I did more than fail–apparently–I’m the first to fail this bad.
I force down a sob. “Please don’t let them near me,” I whisper around the blockade of a man facing off against Holland.
Subtly, Angie maneuvers between us, creating another barrier of protection.
It’s unlike me to ask for help, but without a leg to stand on, how the hell will I avenge Rosie if I’m murdered .
“I demand you move this instant; or would you prefer our Queen brands you a traitor for protecting a human?” Holland growls.
“And who will invoke such a heinous accusation? Forfeiting their life before the ink dries.” My protector steps forward, aligning himself directly in the elder’s path.
A growl laces over a threat. I swallow thickly, and my legs tremble for a whole other reason.
“I suggest that individual become wise before the night’s end or they’ll find their blood staining the ground. ”
Another invisible touch presses against my flesh, granting me confidence and an unyielding sense of protection. Layers of bumps travel from my head to toes, warming me from the inside out. Until I catch a glimpse of Ethan’s ruthless eyes, smothering that warmth before I’m able to enjoy it.
“Alex, is that in your contract?” Angie questions him, folding her arms.
He peeks over his shoulder, capturing us both in those gray hued orbs. “No one’s getting their mind wiped tonight–or killed,” he huffs, returning his focus to Holland. “There must be an explanation.” His voice is raspy, wrapped in a velvet blanket.
“That’s not what we agreed upon,” Holland commands. “If she failed the Awakening, she’d be removed from Valirene, or removed permanently…Unless you’ve forgotten your own words.”
“Choose your next ones carefully, Elder.” Again, Holland’s title is spoken like venom from Alex’s lips.
“They might be your last.” He flicks his wrist, and a few feet behind Holland, a minor rip tears through the air, opening a thin slit of void.
Electricity pulses around it, beckoning the elder’s concern, and I can’t help but feel traces of sparks kissing everything this dress isn’t concealing.
My heart elevates from a flash of heat, awakening an emotion long since forgotten.
Whatever magic this is draws Rebecca’s and Ethan’s attention–who have remained quiet until now.
“So, the day has finally come when you’ve decided to do it, I see,” Ethan says dryly, aligning himself beside Alex and sharing a brief look, one that makes the hairs on my arms rise .
Ethan’s devious smirk mixed with Alex’s vicious scowl has my stomach churning. Not knowing if I should run or stay, I watch Alex find his resolve, and the rip closes.
“Are you condoning his actions?” Holland points. “You, too, made a vow to end her just as I did. Unless, like him, you’re not a fay of your word.” How can they toss around me living or dying so easily? As if my life’s insignificant.
“Don’t proceed to think you know what I will, or will not, tolerate.
I’ve never made a promise I haven’t kept,” Ethan speaks behind a darkened expression.
Then it’s gone without a hint of it ever existing.
“But let me remind you, I too made a promise that you’ll die by my hands, Holland.
It’s a matter of time before I uphold such a vow. ”
A low rumble in his throat sends an intense shiver down my spine, latching on, refusing to let go, leaving promises of death embedded along my back, the one place I now need to watch.
Holland fully faces him. “The day you try will be your last day breathing air.” A moment or two lingers before Ethan advances with a smile so deadly it alone would have killed me.
“Stop…Now is not the time,” Alex demands. His velvet tone is lost in his rising anger. He is serious–no, more than that–threatening them both with a promising squint. If I had a knife, I’d break it trying to cut the surrounding tension.
“Your time will come, Elder. For Death herself can’t protect you from me.
” Ethan frowns, adjusting his invasive leer towards me before summoning a sigil and vanishing.
My jaw slackens. That decree holds another meaning than what is obvious, and the air sitting deep within my lungs freezes over.
Not a hint of doubt is reflected in his oath.
Both Holland and I will die by his hands.
And if Death interferes, he’ll kill her too.
“If you insist on keeping her here, whatever happens is on your head,” Holland pouts, his face beet red and appearing to swell. With one last look, he storms off and rejoins the other students whose orders are being decided.
Rebecca follows him, leaving the three of us stationed alone, like nothing more than an afterthought.
My feelings, Destroyed…Incinerated…Extinct…
Demolished. All my eggs were placed in this one basket, banking on receiving magic and hopefully closing this devouring blackhole over my heart.
But the thing about hope is, regardless if you believe in it or not, reality is still undefeated.
And the reality is I’m going to die before my oath is complete.
“Are you okay?” Alex asks, his tone returning to its velvety smooth origin. But I can only respond using a subtle head shake back and forth, afraid my tears are on the verge of springing free at any moment.
He steps closer, leaning down and ensuring I’m able to witness his features, prompting more pressure as I find my dejected reflection sprawled across his beautiful gray eyes. His dangerous scent finds me once more.
Angie shifts beside him, and if I move even an inch, the embarrassment of him witnessing me cry may be too overwhelming.
“Alex,” she calls, pulling his focus, and I use this moment to wipe away these tears betraying my emotions. “We should leave.” He nods, standing erect and fixing his attention upon me once more.
“Please don’t wipe my memory…or kill me,” I whisper as the pressure once again bares down from tonight’s events.
“No one is laying a finger on you.” He smiles, and that thick coat of ice thaws from the warmth of his words.
Finally, I can exhale. “We’ll figure this out.
Until then, Angie, can you please escort Kyra to her room and await further instructions.
” I’m not entirely sure why I trust him, but I believe he won’t allow my life to end. Not yet at least.
“As you wish. Let’s go, Kyra–Kyra,” Angie nudges, breaking a spell that’s attempting to break me.
Without knowing, I’ve been staring into his gaze, captivated by the sparkling galaxy swirling deep within.
It’s faint, but there nonetheless, and every cell of my being wants to explore it more.
To get lost in absolute space with him. What is happening?
“We’re leaving,” she says, grabbing hold of my hand and surrounding us in a luminous light. We vanish.