Page 6

T he minutes of induction with Lamond are heartfelt, but it’s quickly back to intense sternness the moment we enter the passageway again.

The meeting room door clicks shut behind us, the Major grunting in the form of a greeting. Major wastes no time beginning his monologue of the rules and expectations. I try to focus on his words, but walking through the Ravels is like walking through a mausoleum. As if defying the very mountain it worms through, the ceilings are high and elegantly arched.

A tingle of power brushes against my skin, as magic works to keep the floating lights on and twinkling. The halls are sprawling, black rugs woven with gold thread lining the corridors.

The cave walls are decorated with paintings and a few maps that appear to be ancient. Attempting to scan the details as we walk, my eyes don’t catch on anything familiar. Each map looks as if it depicts a province of the Fae Realm; the only city that I’ve heard mentioned so far is Xecelsion.

They lead me through the dining hall, the training hall, and then a long hallway with doors, the Major rambling about each one along the way. “This is the Leadership Annex and their bedrooms,” he says as we swiftly make our way around a corner. “The Novice Annex is down here. You will be staying here with another in your ranking.” He raps on one of the doors and retreats a few steps to give room.

A girl that looks to be my age opens the door. “Major, Lamond.” She dips her chin at both of them. She addresses me last, looking me up and down before offering an approving nod. “I’m Deah. Welcome.” Her words are clipped, but her face is warm, her eyes dancing mischievously.

We’re about the same height, but she’s far more muscular. The clothes she wears are similar to Lamond’s; wholly black and close-fitted. Dark, tight curls frame her face, while the remainder of her hair is loosely braided down her back, rivaling the length of mine. Delicate, pointy ears stick out from between strands of hair.

The markings running down her left arm snag my attention, I study the detail of swirling inking surrounding a delicately outlined eye right along her bicep.

“This is the roommate we mentioned. Deah, as you know, this is Aledrya.” With a light touch to the back, Lamond steers me through the threshold of the room. “We’ll leave you to it. Deah, please show Aledrya around. We will see you both for dinner.” Lamond’s voice has become harder, more direct. “Oh, and Aledrya? Your training starts first thing tomorrow morning. Try to get rest tonight.”

Rotating in a small circle around the room, I furrow my brow. We’re isolated to the side of a mountain, are there options aside from sleeping?

The Major and Lamond set off down the hall, back toward the Leadership Annex. Deah closes the door behind them as I continue to take in our shared space. We both have our own sets of furniture, like an invisible line was drawn separating two sides.

There are two desks at opposite ends and two narrow dressers. One desk is littered with parchment and empty glasses—Deah’s I’m assuming. Another desk is cleaned off, adorned with a neat stack of books and pens.

“Thank gods they’re gone.” She plops into the chair at her desk. “Where were you before?” She leans forward, hands tucked under her thighs like it’s the most interesting question in the world.

Her sudden casual demeanor disorients me. “Torrent, I arrived this morning.”

She listens to my answer intently, nodding along. I wonder what it would be like to have a friend for the first time in my life .

“Torrent,” she says the word like it has a bad taste, pulling her lip up. “I’ve heard that place is…tough.”

“To say the least.” Especially after seeing Xecelsion, Torrent seems like a suffering city, stifled under an evil, incompetent king. “Where are you from?”

She sits up tall with what I assume is pride. “Xecelsion. I always knew I wanted to be part of the Ravels. Just like my parents.” Her smile feels genuine, but I don’t allow my guard to slip. “Have you done any hand-to-hand fighting?”

“I have limited exposure to it, but I can hold my own.” There was no proof of that, my practices in the valley outside of Torrent had all been solo.

Deah studies me with deep brown eyes. “I can tell you’re going to be a natural at combat training. You have a good stance.” She shifts her attention to the stack of books on my desk. “Where are your things? I can leave you alone to get settled if you’d like?”

The kindness offered in the Ravels is leaving me bewildered, but the questions make me feel exposed. “I don’t really have anything,” I admit to her, humiliation creeping in that I’ve only shown up with the clothes on my back. “But is there a place I could wash up?”

What a stupid question. Like there isn’t a place to bathe in this marvelous cave?

She bobs her head, pointing toward the door. “We’re lucky; it’s next door. It is shared though, don’t be startled if someone else is in there.”

As grateful as I am for her lack of pressing, I know at some point she’ll likely ask why I don’t have anything to my name. I turn to make my way back into the hall, but she stops me, handing me a key.

“We keep the doors locked,” she explains. “Don’t lose it, or Lamond gets even more cross than he already is. You won’t need the key once you learn how to Unblock the door, though.” I nod my thanks and slip into the hall to the washroom next door.

Interesting. Lamond is the gatekeeper.

Once my eyes adjust to the dim lighting of the bathing room, I’m relieved to find the space empty. I look up at the sparkling mystic lights along the domed ceiling, they wink at my attention. Following the sound of running water, my focus snags on the back wall, where a trickling waterfall chutes down the cave wall. The sound nearly drags me into a peaceful slumber as I head toward the washbasin.

Making quick work to avoid running into anyone new, I wash my hands and face, getting the first glimpse of myself in a mirror since arriving. I bark out a harsh laugh at how disheveled I look, genuinely in disbelief they let me in here looking like I do.

Mud is caked on the side of my face from our tumble out of the Wall, and there’s dried sweat along the edges of my hair. I do my best to freshen up, but call it quits after a minute or so when I realize there will be no fixing this. If they kick me out for looking unkempt, I was never meant to be here.

Slipping back out into the chilled hall, I orient myself, trying to recall which way I came in. The doors all look the same, nothing to identify who occupies it. I’d been so distracted, I’m not sure if I turned left or right leaving my room. I have to start somewhere, so I attempt the door to the left first. Slipping the key out, my heart thunders when it unlatches the door. I shut the door softly but find the room empty.

At least I’m in the right room.

My vision promptly catches on the neatly folded jet-black colored clothes on my bed next to a few toiletries. Blinking, I cross the room and pick up one of the crisp, ironed shirts. They’re field clothes like Deah was wearing, variations of long and short-sleeves. There is also a jacket nicer than anything I have ever owned, with a Phoenix embroidered on the breast of it. I run my finger over the rose-gold stitching, admiring how artfully done it is. Glancing at my wrist, I run my finger over the new marking that matches the embroidery.

Toiletries are lined up in a neat row next to my new clothes, including a hairbrush and ties for braiding. I run my fingers through the length of my blonde hair, pushing it into a loose braid down my back with one of the ties.

In a recurring nightmare of my real family, my mother brushes my hair in front of the mirror before bed. Her smile is loving and tender as she combs through my long hair while I sit at her vanity. The dream is always happy until I get into my childhood bedroom. Once my parents close the door, the nightmare begins.

A soft knock comes at the door before it creaks open and Deah steps inside the room with a crooked smile. She tips her head towards the pile of clothing still stacked on the bed. “I picked up a few things for you. I’ll go to town with you to grab more personal effects if you would prefer,” Deah says quietly, not moving from the spot at the threshold.

I look down at my hands, realizing I’m still clutching the shirt in my fingers like it could be ripped from me at any second. “Thank you for getting these for me. We’re allowed to leave to go into town?”

Deah looks puzzled by my question. “We aren’t trapped here. We only have to let security know for safety reasons.”

Her soft smile makes me trust her a fraction more. I set the shirt on the bed, turning to face her fully. “What now?”

“Get changed into your new field clothes and I’ll show you around. I’ll wait outside the door for you.” Before I can inform Deah she doesn’t need to step out, she slips back into the hall, the door clicking shut behind her.

I get changed hastily, partially because I don’t want to make Deah wait, but I’m also itching to see the rest of the Ravels now that I’m fairly certain no one is going to murder me.

I drop the powered stone from Ganthral into my pocket, running my finger over the smooth surface, longing for the one Artemis gave me. I’d only realized I’d left it at the cottage after we arrived.

Tugging on my new black boots, I step into the hall. Deah leans on the wall, picking at her fingernails with a small knife, flicking her gaze up to meet mine. The sight makes me halt, my breath catching in my throat.

“Hey, is everything all right?” Concern etches her face, her dark eyes watching me carefully. She slides the knife back into a sheath at her thigh.

“Yes, sorry. I’ve always wanted to learn how to wield a blade,” I tell her, letting her lead me down the long hallway. Surrounded by others wearing the same Ravels issued clothing makes me feel oddly at peace, a semblance of blending in. Perhaps that’s why I decide to ramble on. “In Torrent, women weren’t allowed to carry or train with weaponry. I tried my best to practice on my own, but branches aren’t quite the same as a real dagger or sword.”

“Oh, you will get plenty of that here,” Deah promises, linking her arm through mine. “You’ll get your own in a few weeks, too.” A rush of delight blooms in my chest at that. A tool I can wield to protect myself and others—a symbol that I belong here.

We round the corner into the dining hall, where Deah starts telling me the history of the Caves. She’s surprisingly detailed, and everyone who passes by waves a polite hello. The dining hall is overwhelmingly breathtaking. Arched ceilings that elegant golden chandeliers hang from. Tables clearly hand carved from flawless wood, with sturdy wooden chairs to match. Warm floating lights make the room feel more intimate than I’d expect such a large space to feel, and whatever the cooks are prepping for dinner smells like it’s wafting down from the Above.

We slip into one of the corridors across the dining hall, leading us to the training rooms. Sizable mats for sparring and swordplay, and a wide opening takes up the back wall. Deah senses my puzzled look, stopping her detailed history of when the training rooms were added instead of Novices practicing in the valley below.

“Oh, that takes us to the Overhang. Come on.” She tugs my arm like we’re kids racing one another in the street.

We get to the opening, but she puts her arm out in front of me, stopping me. “We need to Unblock it first,” she clarifies, placing her palm out, against thin air. A hum whirs, a gust of cool air rushing in as Deah drops her hand away.

“What was that?” I breathe. There was seemingly nothing blocking the room from the outside, yet now a wind pushes its way into the large space.

“Blocks. Created like the ones the Woven Wall is made of. You can see out, but no one can see in. The Blocks will open for you too after we teach you, then you won’t need the key anymore. It takes a while to get used to Unblocking.” She faces the opening, the breeze pushing a few curls loose from her braid. “Ridge made the Blocks that surround the Ravels, and he keeps all the mystic lights on.”

“Ridge?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

She snorts. “Yeah, Ridge is…” She squints, as if struggling to find the words. “He’s an imposing presence. I’m honestly not even sure what his title is, but I know he outranks even the Major.”

“Go on,” I urge, my curiosity getting the best of me.

“You notice someone like Ridge, for more than just his looks or his authority. He has a demeanor that is…distracting.”

What did I say about handsome men being everywhere in this realm? Artemis remarks down our tether. Don’t lose sight of why you’re here.

We fall into a comfortable silence as we reach the edge of the Overhang. In the Pass beneath, Phoenixes fly and roam about the grassy hills. Many are sprawled out, basking in the warm afternoon sun. A few birds fly low along the base of the mountain, skimming the ground.

“What are they doing?” I find the words slipping out, instead of remaining an internal thought.

Deah peeks over the edge next to me, chuckling to herself. “Terrorizing the mountain goats. A few of them are actually hunting, though.”

“How many are there?” I can’t help but gape at the sight; there are so many, it would be impossible to focus on just one. Woods surround the Phoenixes resting spot, and birds and creatures mill about as if there aren’t enormous warrior-birds around them. The grass below is a carpet of green blades, making me long for a nap in the plush field.

“This is our Odyssey of Phoenixes—their group. There are more of them in Zindell Valley, which is where they hail from.” Deah’s smile tells me she feels at peace out here, too. “This Overhang is where we launch when we do any kind of training with the Phoenixes.”

Peeling my eyes from the sight below, I finally take in my surroundings, how wide the Overhang spreads—although it’s precariously narrow. The space is still long enough for ten to fifteen birds to launch at once. I can’t help but notice the angle of the mountain around us, starting to consider the physics of how a bird could launch with a mountain flanking their back and sides.

“If you’re wondering how we manage takeoff, my only advice is don’t eat too much for breakfast beforehand.” She chuckles. “It’s brutal to get used to. Leadership is adamant that if we can’t manage a tight turn out of homebase we have no business flying.”

A small chill sweeps up my spine at her words. Despite how kind and generous people are here, I’m still here to serve . I have an inkling that weakness and fear don’t survive long here.

“Has anyone died?” The question almost withers on my tongue, but I force it out anyhow.

“Not from our class, no, thank Above.” Deah gestures for me to follow her away from the Overhang. “There are rumors that Novices have in previous years, but we’ve been rather fortuitous so far.”

We head back into the training room, and I follow Deah across the space as she eagerly lays out how training works. “Tomorrow you’ll be on this mat.” She points to the side as she continues walking toward the hall. I stop, staring at the back of her head.

“We’re fighting tomorrow?”

Deah whips her braid over a shoulder as she turns, her expression amused. “Of course we are. We need to get you up to speed quickly. You’re late to our group for Novices, we all started at the start of Summer.”

I can only hope that my measly practice against an invisible swordsman will be useful during my training.

“And we call it sparring,” a male voice calls from across the training space. The source of the voice is easy to track. I spot Lamond sauntering in from the Overhang. “We aren’t just senselessly brawling with one another.”

Deah winces. “Sorry, Lamond. I should have caught that.”

Lamond hasn’t taken his eyes off me his entire approach. Being under the heat of his stare makes me shift uncomfortably. I notice another male trailing behind him, scanning the room. Light brown, sparkling eyes never stop roaming, never even glancing our way. Black hair framing a pale face; his features are sharp yet handsome.

“How are you settling in?” Lamond’s question feels flippant, as if he’s being forced to check in on me. His demeanor has altered since we arrived, now distant and cold.

“Fine,” I supply, holding my hands behind my back. “Deah has been helpful. We were in the middle of a tour.” Deah bobs her head emphatically in response.

Hard lines form on Lamond’s face, looking between us. He’s difficult to read, my pulse quickening as I try to decipher his stoic expression. “Your request for leave was approved, Deah. The whole group is heading out?”

A grin breaks across her face, white teeth flashing. “Yes, we’ll leave after dinner.” Lamond opens his mouth to respond, but Deah ignores him, turning to me. “I put in your name to join while you were changing. I’d love for you to meet the others. We go into town every Friday night to have drinks.”

“Decided I passed the roommate test?” I tease, elbowing Deah lightly.

She bounces on her toes, poking me in the ribs in return. “You passed with flying colors. So, are you in or out?”

I don’t bother suppressing the smile stretching across my face. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

Lamond clears his throat, folding his hulking arms over his chest. The male behind him still stands sentry, not bothering to partake in the conversation. “Have you had mead before?”

A pang of irritation comes over me at his question. Having friends is something I lack, and Deah is a top contender so far. I certainly don’t need a chaperone.

“I’ve had it before.” A lie, but I am Fae, and of age to drink. I could handle mead made in my own realm.

Deah rocks on her heels. “May we continue our tour, Lamond?”

Lamond waves us off, heading for the gym washroom. “Go on, do your worst, but make it back in time to beat the shit out of one another in the morning.” He throws a wink over his shoulder at me before shutting the door behind him.

I turn back to Deah, who’s slack jaw staring at the closed door. “Did he wink at you?” she asks, her brown eyes widening as she gapes at me.

“I’m as baffled as you are.”

“The man is an enigma, you have to tell me more than that,” Deah squeaks, grabbing my arms energetically. She never stops moving, always bobbing around or bouncing on her toes.

“I likely know less than you do,” I inform her, glancing at the closed washroom door. “He would hardly answer any of my questions on the way here.” I switch gears quickly, clearing my throat. “How long until you think I’m caught up with the rest of the Novices?”

Deah considers, doing a visual sweep over me. “You need to put on muscle weight. Like I said, I’m going to help you and I promise I won’t beat the shit out of you .” She puts her hands on her hips, doing a Lamond impersonation, eliciting a snort of laughter from me.

“Where are we going now?” I ask, Deah dragging me back to the hall we came in from.

“I’m going to show you how to Unblock doors and the instruction rooms. Then we’re going to dinner.” She turns as she talks, walking backwards. “Tonight, you’re going into Xecelsion with us.” She flashes me a huge grin before turning to walk forward again, slowing to match my pace.

I rack my brain, trying to remember if I spotted any bars while we were in the city proper.

She notices my furrowed brow and laughs again. “If you came through the middle, you wouldn’t have seen the bars. They’re all at the edge of downtown. It’ll be fun,” she promises before flinging her arm over my shoulder.