“Nothing that I wish to revisit right now.”
“Got it.”
He carried me out of the forest in silence, stepping onto the snow-covered stretch of land where the portal arch waited in the distance. How far had I run to reach the Academy’s border wards?
The wind whistled, plucking at my hair as the final effects of the spray evaporated completely, leaving my head clear and my thoughts sharp. But the pleasant hum that danced beneath my skin remained. Unrelated to the spray and everything to do with him. First Vitra, now Drayven. The curse must be unraveling. It was the only explanation. If that was the case, I’d milk it for every ounce of pleasure I could—starting with staying in his arms for a couple more minutes.
But a couple of minutes turned into three, then four, and before I knew it, we were at the port.
“How are you feeling now?” Drayven asked. “Do you think you can stand? Walk?”
Heat rose to my cheeks. I should have said something sooner. “I feel better. I can walk.”
He lowered me carefully, holding on to me until he was sure I was steady on my feet. “The portal opens at the barracks. Each tower has access to the border portals, but students know better than to use them unless they’re on the active hunt team. Outside of that, they’re for emergencies only.” He pressed his palm to the crystal, and the portal flared bright blue. He pressed his hand to the small of my back to guide me through.
We emerged in a stone room filled with weapon racks hung with swords, daggers, shields, and axes. A forge burned at the back of the room, and a giant, half-naked male slammed a hammer against an anvil to render some kind of blade.
He looked up and wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his wrist, which was wrapped in a cloth band.
“New recruit?” His voice boomed across the room.
“Yes and no,” Drayven said. “Frederick, this is Anamaya Onyx.”
His brows flicked up slightly. “Ah, the subject of much discussion. At least in Trinity Tower. My boy Benedict has only good things to say about you. You have my assurance that the Ironharts hold no ill will toward you.”
Thiswas Benedict’s dad? The man was a monolith of muscle, his body stocky, his face rugged with a heavy jaw. I searched for Benedict in his features and failed.
I fixed a smile on my face to hide my confusion. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“Let’s get you to the infirmary,” Drayven said.
I glanced at the clock behind Frederick and let out a yelp. “Shit, class started five minutes ago. Can you open a portal to the bridge?”
“You should get checked out first.”
“No. I’m fine, I just can’t be too late.”
He chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment. “Fine. But I’m coming with you.”
I was already late. I just hoped Selethis didn’t give me too much of a hard time about it.
CHAPTER 17
Were they demons or angels? I found them to be neither. They were something else. Something more than we could have ever imagined…
FIRST CONTACT MEMORANDUM (VAULT ARCHIVES)
The Main Building halls were quiet as we made our way to the first floor, where History of Nightsbridge was taught. The place was a maze of corridors and smaller rooms, and although I had a pretty good sense of direction, I was soon overwhelmed.
I’d need help making my way out. Hopefully, another student, or maybe a map of the building. Either would work.
“Don’t be nervous,” Drayven said, mistaking my silence for apprehension. “Constance is a ball-breaker, but once she hears what happened?—”
“No. I don’t want everyone knowing what Viola did.”
“Fine, I’ll ask Selethis if we can speak in private. But there should be repercussions for what Viola did.”
