Chapter 9
Avilyna
THE INSTITUTE
By dawn, we’re already on our way to the Institute.
As much as it pains me to admit it, I have to give Kai some credit.
He actually had the sense to summon horses.
Practical and late, which pretty much sums him up.
Naturally, I pointed out the obvious. Maybe think of that before we trek halfway across the kingdom on foot, next time?
But magic has a funny way of keeping the scales balanced, and I got the charming reminder that there are rules to follow. No shortcuts without consequences, and Kai didn’t have anything remotely horse-related on him. Luckily, the lookout post came through.
I’ve only ever ridden ponies at the fair. The kind that walk in tired little circles, so this was hardly a comfortable upgrade. The saddle creaked with every step, and my spine felt every jolt.
But the landscape…
It was unnervingly calm, as if the world had taken a deep breath and refused to let it out, peaceful.
Neither of us says much. Turns out we share the same disdain for mornings. And I’m in desperate need of coffee. Fuck, I’d kill for the shittiest mug of bean water right now.
We ride in silence, half-asleep, surrounded by the soft rustle of autumn leaves and the distant caw of birds. Then, through the dense tangle of branches, an iron gate emerges tall, ancient, and entirely out of place in the forest.
“Welcome to the Institute,” Kai says, like he isn’t unveiling a fortress.
Behind the gate, soldiers in black tactical gear walk hurriedly to their tasks.
Those who cross Kai’s path salute him like he’s someone important.
He might command respect here, but whatever spell he cast on those people, it clearly doesn’t extend to me.
And when their gaze lands on me, they don’t say welcome.
An old, familiar sensation crawls up my spine.
The weight of not belonging, good thing I have years of practice.
And at least the lookout post had what I needed to somewhat make me pass for a local.
I even managed to wrangle my hair into a braid down the middle of my back.
Though a few rogue curls still cling to my face like they’re plotting an escape.
Honestly, the whole mess is in desperate need of conditioner and maybe divine intervention.
Adopting what I’ve picked up every time my dad and I moved, I square my shoulders, lift my chin, and look straight ahead like I belong here.
Even if every bone in my body knows I don’t.
And there it is, the Institute.
A towering gothic monument. Spires stretch skyward, their tips hazy from the change in atmosphere.
Their corners are graced by statues that I thought were gargoyles, but now that I’m closer, I see they’re stone-carved wolves.
Each of their faces varies; some are howling at an unseen moon, and others are growling in warnings.
Guardians.
At the heart of the courtyard stands a statue so massive it commands attention.
A woman in full armour, her blade raised to the heavens, face locked in a fierce, eternal cry.
Behind her, majestic stone wings unfurl, vast and defiant.
Flanking her, two colossal wolves rear at her sides.
Stone fur rippling as if caught mid-motion, fangs bared in silent, unwavering defiance.
My stomach flips.
Could it be… The Queen from Kai’s story?
The one who gave her life to save Elgar.
I’m still caught in the daydream when Kai turns, leading us toward the stables.
He dismounts with all the smooth confidence of someone who’s done this a thousand times.
I, on the other hand, am trying to figure out how the hell I’m supposed to get off this horse without face-planting.
My entire butt has gone numb. It’s like I’ve fused with the saddle.
And then, hands. Strong ones, close around my hips and lift me down in one fluid motion. I land with a startled yelp, barely catching my balance as the world tilts.
“What the hell?” I quip offended.
“You’re welcome,” Kai tells me, his face close to mine.
Rolling my eyes, I walk past him, wincing as my legs acclimate to being back on solid ground, a sharp reminder that my sprained ankle is far from healed.
And a smack resounds in the barn, followed by a searing, fiery sting that spreads on the right cheek of my ass.
Oh no, he fucking did not.
Quickly turning around, fuming with rage and all pain forgotten, I find myself chest to chest with Kai. His piercing blue eyes dance with mischief.
“Helps with the circulation, and it looks like you needed it.” He delivers his words with a wink, “Again, you’re welcome,” and he moves past me, as if nothing happened.
As Kai walks to exit the stall, my gaze catches sight of the water bucket tucked in the corner. Doing what I do best, I let my intrusive thoughts win. The bucket hits his head with a thud before the old, lukewarm, stale water spills all over him. At the sight, I can’t hold my giggle.
In an instant, Kai whirls around with astonishing speed and pins me to the wall. By the throat, leaving me breathless. Tension crackles as we stand mere inches apart, breathing the same air, water leaking down his temple.
"Careful who you piss off around here. This ain't your Mundane World anymore, and trust me, there’s way worse than humans lurking in the dark." A chill runs through me, leaving goosebumps on my skin. "Unless a monster is what you're hoping for, Princess?"
Kai’s words are laced with poison. For a fleeting moment, it awakens something deep in my belly.
Urging me to let go of all control and just exist in this moment.
But awareness comes back crashing, hooking my leg around Kai’s, I sharply pivot.
Using his momentum against him. In a heartbeat, I’ve reversed our positions.
My other arm gets control over his throat, this time.
Squeezing, I hiss in his face, "That attitude must be exhausting to carry around. You don’t scare me.
Now get out of my way, I have better things to do than entertain your fragile ego.
” A smirk slowly ghosts his lips before he rises to his full height.
As Kai moves, my grip slips, coming to rest against his firm chest. In that charged moment, it’s clear who's in control.
He leans in, closing the space between us.
“But you play the part so well, Princess,” his voice smooth with amusement, a lingering challenge beneath it, “very entertaining”.
Before I can get a word out, someone clears their throat.
Turning around, instinctively on guard, I find a tall, stunning woman standing in the stable entrance.
She doesn’t need to say a thing to own the space; the way she holds herself says she’s used to being in control.
Her hazel eyes scan the scene, framed by surprised arched brows.
Feeling a sudden rush of shyness, I quickly put distance between my annoying travel partner and me.
"Oh, good," Kai interjects. "You can lead her to the council. I’m tired of babysitting," his tone drips with arrogance. All playfulness is replaced by hard lines and a frown, fitting back like puzzle pieces. With his dismissive words hanging in the air, he leaves me alone with the stranger.
"I assume you're Avilyna," she says, breaking the awkward silence. I nod, she continues. "Come with me; we’ve been expecting you," she gestured, “I’m Nalaka.”
“Nice to meet you.” That’s when I notice it, nestled among her braids, decorated with golden charms, the pointed ears that peek out just enough to give it away. Like that soldier, she’s also an elf; this is real.
Everything is real.
I inhale deeply, forcing myself to stay grounded.
Deep breath... deeeeep breath.
"What the hell is going on?" I mutter, thoughts spinning in disbelief. Part of me should be thrilled. I mean, isn’t this every bookworm’s dream, to be thrown into a fantasy world? But the truth is a hell of a lot scarier than any book I’ve ever read.
"What's that?" Nalaka asks me, glancing sideways as she leads us past the statue.
"Huh?" I reply, momentarily confused.
"You said, 'What the hell is going on,'" she clarifies calmly.
"Oh, um, yeah," I stumble over my words, amazed that she clearly heard me. "I mean, you probably already know this since you knew my name, but I'm human, so some of the things around here are, uh, well, really, really strange to me."
“ Like what?”
“Well, first, demons exist, magic exists and non-humans that look like humans exist.”
Nalaka hums thoughtfully, a knowing look in her eyes before she adds, "So, you’re scared."
"No.” I bite back, maybe a little too quickly, as a flush creeps up my neck. "I’m not scared. I’m just... surprised and confused. That’s it. They don’t exactly teach this stuff in schools. The only place I’ve ever read about monsters or mythical creatures is in books."
"Sorry, I didn’t mean to be insensitive," Nalaka says quickly, her smile softening her features. At that moment, the fierce soldier disappears.
"So, you're an elf?" She nods, and the next question slips out, "…And what exactly is Kai?"
“If he didn’t tell you, it’s not my place to say,” Nalaka replies thoughtfully, her expression distant as she weighs her words.
"Fair enough," I murmur, curiosity still burning.
“Anything else I can answer?”
“How can you open the portals?”
Nalaka eyes me skeptically, clearly debating whether to share that knowledge or to be cautious.
"Only beings of that specific world can open its portal, as the key resides in their life essence.
You'll have to mark the door with your blood," she explains it slowly, as if I were a child.
Which I guess I am not far from in her eyes, clueless to everything that seems evident.
But I can't stop the questions from flooding my mind. How did they get attacked during the Bloodmoon War?
How did the demons break through?
And, more troubling, how did they get into my world in the first place if that’s the price to pass through?
The interior of the Institute is nothing short of awe-striking. The walls stretch so high, the ceiling seems to vanish into darkness, giving the illusion of infinity.
Despite its vastness, the space maintains a gothic elegance, cloaked in mystery.
Imposing stone walls are etched with intricate runes that glimmer faintly in the torchlight.
Tall, arched windows offer fleeting glimpses of the outside, where soft light filters through, casting long, haunting shadows across the pristine white marble floor, heightening the ethereal atmosphere.
Contrary to what you’d expect, the Institute isn’t exactly buzzing with life.
It’s quiet, eerily so. After only a few steps, we stop in front of a set of tall, black double doors.
Stepping into the room, my eyes are immediately drawn to the long table stretched across the space.
A row of figures sits stiffly on the far side, their gazes locked on me as I make my way in.
Oh, good, a welcoming committee.
How… not intimidating at all.
"Miss Rey, thank you for being here. We're sorry for what you've endured, but you can take comfort in knowing that your father is stable.
" The voice belongs to none other than Isolde.
She sounds like she just stepped out of a course on how to control a crisis; warm, composed, maybe even genuine. The perfect soldier for damage control.
I cut straight to it. “When can I see my dad?” There’s a beat of silence, and then a new voice answers. Male, smooth, and entirely too practiced.
“That will depend.”
Of course it will, my gaze shifts to the man who spoke.
In his mid-forties, maybe, he sits tall in a crisp black general’s uniform.
Every button in place adorned by some important medals, as if he were born for a rulebook.
His expression is carved from stone, offering nothing.
No empathy, no irritation, no trace of anything resembling human warmth.
Clearly, he doesn’t need emotion; he has authority.
The kind that commands fear, you can feel it in the air.
“Depends on what?” I bite back, the annoyance in my voice deliberate. I’m not here to fulfill someone’s agenda.
“If you wish to see your dad,” the man adds, tone dry and all too pleased with himself, “you’ll have to stay here and enroll in the Legion.
But if you wish to leave, you’ll need to do so now, though your father will only be returned to you if, or when, he wakes up.
” He says it like he’s offering me a choice.
As if the smug twist in his voice doesn’t make my hands clench at my sides.
I have to fight the urge to lunge across the table and wipe the satisfaction smirk off his face.
“Why do you even want me to stay?” I force my voice to stay even as my pulse spikes. “I don’t know anything about your world.”
His response comes rehearsed like everything else.
“We’re at war, Miss Rey. Our army is weakened, and we need to rebuild before the next attack.
It’s rare to encounter someone with the sight who also knows how to defend themselves.
We can’t pass up this opportunity, even if that someone is you.
I’m sure you understand.” His pale eyes gleam as he finishes, not worth his attention anymore. As if this is already a done deal.
I let the silence stretch just long enough to make a point.
Then, calmly, I say, “Fine. But only on one condition, I walk out when I want. No consequences, no chains, no clever little loopholes.” The general’s jaw tightens. His nostrils flare; it looks like I hit a nerve, good.
"Very well," he eventually concedes, after a tense silence, his tone contradicting his words.
“I want it in writing,” I reply, flat and unapologetic.
There’s no point pretending I trust him. Men like him don’t have that privilege.
His fist tightens on the table, knuckles going white as the tension coils up his arm like a live wire.
Clearly, being challenged isn’t in his playbook, especially not by someone like me, a nobody.
Before the silence can turn into something uglier, Isolde steps in, her voice clear through the tension.
“I’ll have the documents prepared. Miss Jelani, Nalaka, please escort Miss Rey to her quarters and brief her on her schedule. Her training begins tomorrow. That will be all for now.”
“Yes, Sergeant,” Nalaka responds smoothly, her calm presence a warm contrast to the storm brewing behind us. She leads me out, as the door clicks shut with an almost defiant finality.