12. A needle in a Faystack
A needle in a Faystack
KYRA
The sun continues its slumber, yet here I stand in the middle of the Assistant Dean’s office, missing the warmth of my blankets, awake much earlier than anyone should be allowed.
A letter appeared inside my room after meeting with Angie last night.
Literally out of thin air. We had gathered to continue our plans of me remaining at Rebirth, but much like the previous nights, it ended with no results.
We have absolutely nothing to go from, so finding an answer is near impossible. What worsens my dilemma is classes start soon, and I can’t leave, making my stress level flow past its brim. Time is running out, and those wanting me dead have itchy fingers.
Speaking of death, Ethan’s unannounced visits have ceased. In fact, I’ve only seen him a few times since the Awakening, and here we are on day three. I’m not sure if it’s a blessing or something more alarming, either way, his death stares surely aren’t missed.
Each night peaceful sleep eludes me, not that I’m staying up in anticipation of his arrival, but I struggle to fall asleep.
When I do, my dreams are active. Or rather nightmares.
Every night presents a more dire purgatory to sleep through, dealing with the Awakening’s massive failure.
In the first, Holland was victorious in kicking me out and sending me back.
But somehow, I retained my memories, only to live knowing I’d never see Angie, or anyone else, again.
The following night, Ethan killed me. A slow death.
Much more vivid than the many descriptive ways he felt inclined to voice.
Fulfillment spread wide over his features with each slice of his blade and snap of my bones.
His enjoyment hurt more than the agony I was forced to endure.
An everlasting hatred. Sweat coated me fully as he swung for the killing blow, and I lurched from my sleep, downing iced coffee for the remainder of that day.
The remnant of his blade still haunts my skin, and I can only pray a peaceful slumber welcomes me tonight.
I let myself into her office, following the precise guidelines of her note.
Dearest Kyra,
Come morning, please meet me in my office no later than 6am, before the sun’s awakening breath.
There are a few things needing your attention.
I’ll be wrapping up a meeting of my own and will join shortly after.
Let yourself in. And whatever you do, ensure no one else enters my office without me present.
Sincerely, A.D.
Rebecca Secksenmore
Footfalls draw attention from outside her office, one pair approaching and the other, walking away.
I take the seat left of her desk, preparing for her entry and this information that can’t wait until later.
But no one enters. Not long after, more steps echo, and I glance at my phone, noticing it’s now six twenty-two, and a message pings.
Who in their right mind would be up willingly–on a Saturday–at this time? It better be her.
SHINING KNIGHT
Being summoned to Rebecca’s office this early can’t be a good sign. Tell me, what rule have you broken, and why wasn’t I invited?
A message from Raine sends my mind whirling with thoughts.
How can he possibly know I’m here? I took liberties with changing his name on account that he saved me from a bothersome night.
Still trying to figure him out, though, I wonder at the reasons he held for coming to my dorm on the night of the Awakening, his angle, his game, or maybe he is another fay that wants me dead but is going about it in a less conspicuous way.
Regardless, he keeps me occupied whilst I wait, and that’s sort of sweet. Right?
Breaking the rules by yourself means you have a lesser chance of getting caught, and I’m not caught yet.
I type, battling a smirk of my own.
Whispers slither beneath Rebecca’s door, pulling my attention, and on instinct, my legs slowly move towards it. Placing an ear against its cold touch, I can’t help but notice how unnecessary, and extreme, it is to have an actual gold door. Was a regular one not good enough? My brows scrunch.
“Who the fuck does she think she is, and why’d they let her into our school?” A cheeky voice whispers.
“Tell me about it. That’s why Ms. Rebecca summoned her, so she’ll be gone soon, the desperate bitch.
I’ve seen the way she whimpers after Ethan like a wounded pet.
As if he’ll waste his time sleeping with a mortal.
Eww.” Though this voice is slightly deeper, there is no mistaking it’s a female.
They both snicker, and heat rushes into my palms with irritation.
How the fuck do they know she summoned me, and who the hell are they?
I ball my hands but remain quiet. “We should kick her out ourselves. A perfect opportunity to rise in the ranks. ”
“Yeah, but what if she fights back, Gina?”
“Then we kill the bitch, Paige. It’ll be an official challenge, so no trouble will come from it.” Got it, Ethan’s girlfriend’s name is Gina, and her lackey is Paige.
“Ohh, I like the sound of that.” Another snicker follows. “Plus, she needs to learn what happens when messing with another girl’s man.”
Gina snorts. “Besides, I don’t want her spreading those mortal germs to him.
It’s only a matter of time before we’re eternals and my pupils get their rings, swimming with the gold color of his magic.
Everyone knows we’re blessed by the Gods, and she’s fucking it up for us,” she huffs in frustration.
“I’ve heard once you sleep with a mortal they take your soul, tethering you to them.
And by the Gods, that’s not happening to my Ethy-poo.
His beautiful cock isn’t going anywhere near that cursed and disease-ridden cunt. ”
Excuse me, what? I’ve never hit on, nor ran behind, Ethan…
Or any man in fact . Sweat builds over my palms, intensifying the irritation as they continue blurting bullshit.
I’m quickly reaching a point of not giving a damn whether they have magic or not.
If she wants a fight, here I am. Who do I think I am? Keep talking, bitch. You’ll find out.
“Speaking of Ethan, you see who else she hangs around? Angie,” Paige’s envious tone announces.
“Don’t worry, I have something planned for little miss ‘Innocent Fay.’ The whole school will witness it. I see the way she glares but is too afraid to challenge me. Scary bitch.”
“Girl, you’re evil, but I love it.” They snicker again, sounding like a pair of squeaking mice.
Vexation takes over, and I yank open the doors, letting them slam against the marble walls of her office. Two sets of frightened eyes stare back as if looking at Death herself, and if I’m being honest, they damn well should be afraid.
“You have something to say to me?” I glance between the two. Their exuberated cockiness deflates, and upon a better look, their faces don’t match the voices I heard through the door–at least until Paige’s cheeky tone speaks again.
“What are you doing, spying on us?” Though she is smaller, my leer finds hers, and on instinct, she retracts a step, shutting the fuck up.
“You heard her, whore, or do mortals not have manners?” Maintaining visuals on Paige, I move towards Gina who retreats, but my advancement continues. “What are you doing? Stop!” she demands.
Finally, giving Ethan’s girlfriend my undivided attention, I realize she looks exactly like someone he would be in a relationship with.
Big breasts…Incredible hair…Thin lips…Cream skin…
Heavy makeup. Yep, typical bitch. “What happened to getting rid of me? That’s what you and your little ‘pet’ said, right?
I heard the bullshit spewing from your mouths.
Well, here I am. No time like the present. ”
She is not much taller than her friend, but her body is lean.
I have a few inches on her, but the muscles in her arms and legs signify that being less of an issue if a fight breaks out.
Her House wasn’t revealed, so the magic she uses is still unknown.
Same with Paige, who I see from my peripheral, is subtly maneuvering around my back.
“You think just because Ethan domesticated you, you can talk to me that way? You’re beneath me…
Nothing…Filth.” She peaks around my shoulder, wearing a confident smirk.
“I’d go so far to say you’ll do anything just to get your lips around his cock and taste the warmth of his magic. Whores like you should be–”
My fist flies straight into Gina’s mouth, and blood spurts from the gap of her newly missing tooth. She stumbles, battering her head upon the wall, and I rush in for more, ignoring the agony singing around my knuckles.
Instantly, a strong gust flings me aside with tremendous force, and more pain awakens against my shoulder, yet my conviction doesn’t waver.
Paige, who is not as muscular but still fit, has her hands raised, encouraging Gina to move.
I try standing, but she brings down a rush of air and pins me.
Fuck. The pressure drives into my chest, flattening my lungs.
It doesn’t take long for Gina to recover, expelling a maddening screech while removing blood from her lips. And I smile at the sight.
“Hold her down, I’m going to kill this bitch.”
She pushes off the wall and advances, her skin stretching and tearing from her bones similar to pulling clay apart. Each step reveals more flesh dropping from her body, producing a sonance I can’t unhear, and you call me disgusting? WHAT THE FUCK. Now there are two of her.
“She started this, Gina, kill her!”
“Release your magic, I’m ready.” Both twist their lips into a murderous grin.
It takes a few seconds for the air to cease pushing me down.
My body feels heavy and sluggish, but seeing two of Gina is enough to get the hell up.
“You’ll regret touching me with your disgusting mortal hands, bitch,” she hisses through her blood-stained gap.