∞∞∞
When both of us were ready I sent word to Zyacus to meet me at the bottom of the girls’ dorms. He sent a note back and said he was already at the party with his friends. I guess it doesn’t matter since it’s not a surprise anymore.
As Legacy and I strolled up to the party, people definitely noticed my skimpy attire. We attracted eyes like bees to flowers. Ugh, I could feel a blush coming on before my cheeks even warmed. It wasn’t that I felt insecure with my looks but I didn’t like the attention where male eyes hungered over my body. I was used to being noticed for my status or beauty but not sex appeal.
Legacy strutted along, head held high, clearly enjoying the many eyes that followed us in. “Do you see Aric?” She whispered as we headed for a table with several large bowls and cheap metal cups on top. “I want to talk to him.”
She lifted her arm and pointed at a group of girls dancing, holding sticks with blue fire burning at each end. “Those are the dancers Gracie arranged for. Aren’t they amazing?”
The five girls twirled, leaped, and flipped in jiggling skirts and tossed the fire sticks into the air. One girl front flipped and dropped into the splits then caught her sticks. The crowd whistled and clapped.
“So amazing,” I agreed.
I searched the groups of students for Zyacus and Aric but there were so many people out here, more than I expected, and the main source of light came from far spread torches. It was too difficult to see faces in the distance.
“And no, I don’t see Aric but Zyacus said he’d meet us here and he said he’d be with Aric and some friends.”
I dipped a clean cup into a bowl of blush-colored liquid and took a small sip. A sweet, light juice washed over my tongue. Drinks in hand, we meandered around the party looking for our friends. A few boys whistled at us. Legacy winked at one of them. I had to stop myself from smacking her arm.
Taron emerged, sliding an arm around Legacy’s waist. “Hello gorgeous,” he murmured.
Legacy giggled and pushed away. “Not in public. We talked about this.”
Feeling as if I was intruding, I took a couple steps away. “I’m going to find Zyacus.”
“Oh, you don’t have to go,” Legacy said.
I shook my head. “It’s fine. I’m sure I’ll see you in a bit.”
Taron gave me a long look. “We’ve never met. I’m Taron,” he said holding out a hand.
I held back a smile; we had met; he just didn’t know it. I nibbled on my lip as I stared at his hand. I should have worn my gloves. I should have worn something with less skin showing. Not wanting to be rude I took his hand and my fear took hold. The landscape changed as I was drug into a vision.
The Fae, a group of maybe fifteen of them mingled with us here at the academy. Many danced, and soft music played while tables and tables of lavish food and drink surrounded those in attendance. Some girls wore white dresses with crowns of flowers. Eleven boys were lined up… kneeling. Taron was one of them.
Oh, no. I jerked my hand away from Taron. I knew what would happen next. I didn’t need to see it.
I breathed a laugh, trying to cover up my abrupt reaction. “Nice to meet you, Taron. I’m going to go find Zyacus.”
“Vis, wait,” Legacy said her face bathed in concern. I didn’t know if she could tell I’d had a vision but I didn’t wait for her to protest further. How was I going to stop the Fae? How could we stop this ritual? I’d utterly failed to stop anything in the past but as always, I couldn’t give up. I couldn’t keep myself from trying to stop the deaths. Madison said one day I’d find a way to use my curse as a gift. I had to do something. It wasn’t only Taron I saw who had a death sentence. A whole line of boys, and girls to be brides for the Fae.
Sweat rolled down my back as I searched for Zyacus. Since no one wore uniforms I didn’t know who belonged to which kingdom. I searched faces as I wandered, wondering where he could be. The birthday boy would probably be surrounded by the largest crowd. All I had to do was listen for big boobed Jennika and I was sure he’d be near. I still owed her payback for the other day too.
Then the glint of a silver crown and the outline of a tall broad boy about fifty yards away caught my eye. Finally. Although not surrounded by a crowd as I’d suspected. Getting closer I saw another figure, a girl. And they were... kissing? He had his arms around her. Fire burning within me, I charged ahead. I grabbed his shoulder and jerked as hard as I could.
When he turned, I jumped back. Blood cascaded out of—Aric’s mouth. The red liquid slid down his chin and covered the front of his shirt. Snarling his upper lip, he growled at me. I didn’t recognize the girl but she slumped forward into his arms, her head bobbing to the side. I swallowed hard, dragon’s fire, is she dead?
“Aric,” I whispered. “What are you doing?” I knew it was a stupid question, clearly he was drinking her blood but I didn’t know what else to say. If he were anyone else I’d be subduing if not killing him and shouting for help but this was Aric.
“Go away,” he barked but then his anger changed to something else. Something predatory. He released his grip on the girl and she crumpled to the ground. Before I could even move, Aric wrapped a hand around my wrist and pulled me against his body.
“Aric, it’s me, Visteal.” I tried to sound calm as he trailed his nose down the side of my face. “You
