Flicking the cushion of my thumb over the fang of my tooth, I suck down the droplet of blood. “What the fuck is happening and why do I think I know what it is?”
“Silence!” the headmistress calls through the speaker as we move in from the hall. The common room is where we all eat and listen for updates from our families. Circular tables line the space, where every group sits, based on their magic. It’s usually separated by Stygians and Argents, but lately, there has been a shift among the people of our generation. No one likes the separation anymore. We have light fucking with dark, and dark fucking with light. One hundred years ago that shit would never fly. I think over time, we all just gave up. “As I am sure that you have heard, there was an attack in one of the Dragon’s Lair last night.”
Whispers sound out as I reach forward and pick up the rolled blunt. Legend chuckles, his thigh hitting mine. “After you.”
I flick my index finger up slightly, calling on my pyrokinesis to spark the end. I bring it to my lips and inhale. Not that the headmistress will notice much. The common room is almost as big as two ice rinks, but of course we just so happen to be seated at the front. The walls are all licked rust red with ivory-colored trimmings. Oil paintings are encased by iron carved frames that almost fill every space, and the entire ceiling is made up of glass to showcase the planets orbiting above.
“The cause is under investigation and not something for you students to concern yourselves with. Do not allow this to distract you from your pre-trials this week. We are midway through the first term, so it’s important for you all to be focused. Your marks will be going against what classes you will fall into next year, and to all my second years, do not forget your designation trials begin next term. So again, I stress, do not allow this to distract you from your responsibilities here at Rathe U.”
Speak directly fucking to us Stygians, why the fuck don’t you? So much for “coexisting”。
We’ll always be set apart in the back of the minds of the Argents, no matter how much they pretend differently.
Creed sighs, leaning back in his chair as Sinner tosses a bottle of Fae dust onto his lap.
“Deverauxs!” the headmistress snaps, and my brothers all shift to look up at her, except me. I study the blunt carefully, watching as the embers crackle against the paper. “You are needed in your quarters.”
I push up from my chair and we all make our way out and to the elevator that takes us to our quarters, which just so happens to be at the very top of the common room.
“What now, I wonder…” Legend muses as I hit the D and press my finger to the pad to read my print. “I swear to fucking god, coming here was a mistake. I’d give anything to be home. On our land. Hunting, playing…” Legend’s voice is cut short when the elevator doors part open and the first thing we see is— “Mother.”
Mom smiles at us all tightly. “I need you all to sit down.”
I should be asking why she’s back so soon. Our parents rarely ever leave Stygian, and it takes something fucking terrible to have them do it.
“What’s up?” I ask, lifting the hem of my shirt before lowering myself onto the small table in the middle of the lounge area.
Mom takes the sofa opposite, and although she’s talking to all of us, I can’t ignore the way her eyes keep drifting to me. “I need to ask you all something and it’s important.”
“Why is it important?” I know my mother. She’s a trickster and knows exactly how to weaponize her devil-given right. When in conversation with her, it’s important to note that. Especially when she’s popping in unannounced—and without our father.
“The Dragon’s Lair. I take it you were all there last night.”
“Yes,” Creed answers for all of us, standing behind the table I’m sitting on. “Why?”
“Did you notice anything?” Her amber-colored eyes fall on each of us for a moment, but oh, do they pick me to come to last. She lingers on me the longest.
“You mean other than the usual shit?” I arch a brow. “No, Mom. That was most likely dragon drama as usual.”
She tightens her red leather coat, dragging her hands down her raven-colored hair. “I’m sure. But none of you have noticed anything worth mentioning?”
“No. Why did you come all the way here to ask us this? Why not send us a message?”
Mom stands from her chair and my eyes narrow when I notice her limping to the bar cart near the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her heels slap against the marble floors and it feels like hours before she finally answers us.
“Because I’m just being careful.”
“Well!” Legend pushes up from the chair. “This was lame, but thanks for getting us out of headmistress talking shit. I’ve got to bounce, though. Got…err…tests to study for.” Legend is gone in a flash and it’s a second later that Creed and Sinner both dip out too, leaving my mother and me alone.
“Hmm. You know for immortals, all you boys are sure growing fast.” She pours herself a finger of whiskey before making her way back to me. “My Knight.”
My body tenses.
She slowly takes the spot on the sofa directly opposite, so our knees almost touch. “You have always been smart. Intuitive. Have you noticed anything?”
Why the fuck does she keep asking me?
“Why don’t you just step inside my head and see?” I ask, leaning back slightly. I need distance from her on the best of days, much less when I know she’s prying. I love my mother, but she’s a serpent.
“Well.” She waves me off, rolling her eyes. “You and I both know you boys are much stronger than me these days, and you all block me out.”
“What have you seen?” I growl, baiting her to spit out the real reason why she’s here. Not the disguise she’s using just to be around our energy in the hopes that it’ll sniff out her visions or trigger them.
“I’m not entirely sure yet.” Her eyelashes flutter. “But it’s not good, Knight.” She tilts her head back to swallow her drink. “It’s really not good. My gift, it’s angry.”
“That is nothing new.” My mother’s gift is a fucking nightmare, sometimes one that claims control over her. Though, I’m not entirely convinced she doesn’t allow it to do just that when she wants to go on a fucking killing spree.
Her lips twitch, but the look on her face is far away. “This is different. Something’s happening, young Lord. Something I can’t see, and if I can’t see it, I can’t stop it.”
I clench my jaw. “Any ice?”
Her eyes flick to mine. “What have you seen with ice?”
I shrug but make my way to the glass floor-to-ceiling windows, shoving my hands into my pockets as I take in the activity below. I could tell her the truth, that I’ve started seeing things in my dreams. I mean, they can’t be as serious as I think. It’s probably just me coming down from all of the Fae dust.
“Snow. Blood. That’s all that I can think of at this moment.” I watch as people move down below.
“If anything changes, you must let me know, son.”
I nod, slowly turning back to her. “I will,” I promise.