Page 42 of Above (Darkness Reigns #1)

Priya Otarn threw the door open, a gasp slipping from her lips.

She must not have expected to be let in so easily.

Then she hadn’t been a part of the ward.

Couldn’t be that close to her if she wasn’t allowed in his room whenever she wanted.

Slimy snake probably didn’t want to get caught with Captain Zade.

The Otarn heir walked into the room, her sniffs and following disgusted scoff told me she also smelt the whiskey and musk that permeated the air. But, whereas I would have assumed that even in a drunken state, Altair wouldn’t leave his wards down, Otarn assumed the opposite.

“Drunk idiot forgot to put his wards up,” she mumbled, turning back toward the hallway and slamming the door behind her.

I waited beneath the bed for a few moments, unsure if I was being tricked. But Otarn didn’t come back. So, with my nerves skittering across my skin, I crawled out, willing a galaxy of my small stars to light up the room.

Altair was clean, I’d give him that. Every aspect of his barracks room was like personified perfection, as if the sheer beauty could speak. Black dominated the space, Altair having utilized different fabrics to diversify it. Silk, cloth, leather—everything and anything. Celeste would love it.

I used the thought of my sister in a place like this, her body unmoving, as motivation to search.

I scoured the bookshelves and nightstands, finding no jewelry of use.

Though, I did swipe one book on the history of core families, the emerald green spine calling to me from its place among the black shelves, and shoved it into my bag. Hopefully he wouldn’t miss it.

The bathroom and the closet—both enormous—also brought no results.

There was no possible way he wore all of his accessories daily, he was far too spoiled to have so little in the eyes of the wealthy.

But where were they hidden? As I had done with Talon’s, I began pressing on the floor boards, each one firmly in place.

By the time I was halfway through with the hardwood, my fingers aching and my back protesting as I crawled out from underneath a bench, I spotted the inconsistency I was looking for.

At the very top of the head board was a sort of molding. Silver snakes coiled and climbed their way up the black headboard, meeting in the center where they kissed a silver eight-pointed star. But it was the star, which had to be the size of my head, that seemed off.

It was crooked.

Now, this wouldn’t bother me in Talon’s room. He rarely cleaned and refused to unpack, so I could see him accidentally knocking a piece out of place. But Altair? No.

I carefully climbed onto his bed, hoping I didn’t wrinkle the sheets as I made my way to his headboard.

With a pounding heart, I touched the star, feeling that it wasn’t loose.

No, it was oddly tight. As if it were off the winding tracks.

Realization hitting me, I shoved the star to the left with the palm of my hand, feeling it click back into place.

Then, I began twisting it. Within seconds it was loose and in my hands, the back housing a latch that split the star in two vertically.

I nearly cheered out when I saw the glittering surfaces of the jewelry that had been hung on small hooks within the star.

Even better, a small journal had been shoved into it.

Sadly, I simply didn’t have the time or the luck to snag that.

Instead, I opted for one of the glittering black snake rings, silver eyes so bright they shone beneath my stars.

When I had placed the star back and straightened the black sheets, I quickly stole my magic from the air.

Then I gripped the ring and willed myself to the shops back home in the Sham District.

More specifically, the ally near Artie’s shop.

Shadows burned across my flesh, moving me miles away. I smiled as my eyes met the familiar brick of the buildings at either of my sides. Home.

Straightening my leathers and hoping with all my might that anyone who saw me wouldn’t think twice, I began the short walk to the pawn shop.

As soon as my hand met the glass door, I caught sight of the man behind the counter, a mischievous smile lifting my cheeks so high my eyes nearly closed.

Artie’s head flew up at the ring of the bell above the door, his eyes widening at the sight of me. “Tershetta?”

“In the flesh,” I teased, opening my arms wide. It felt so easy to be here, where no one sought my downfall and eventual death. Artie scowled, crossing his thin arms and pursing his lips.

“Why?”

“You know, it’s polite to say hello. Maybe even ask how I am. Gush about how glad you are to see me. Say how beautiful I look.”

“I prefer not to lie,” he quipped, still eying me suspiciously.

“Oh, please.” Then, just because I knew he preferred to get to the point, I tossed my bag onto his counter. Old times resurfacing in my mind. “I have two things for you.”

“Stealing from elites now?” he asked, raising a brow.

Offering no response, I set down first the pin, then the ring. Artie’s eyes flicked down, not yet realizing what exactly I had taken and from whom. So, I patiently waited, my hands folded upon the countertop, as he grabbed each. The moment he understood, his eyes began to bulge, the shock obvious.

“Nova, are these—“

“Yes,” I answered, not needing him to finish to know exactly what he was going to ask. “How much can you give me for them?”

“Honestly? Not nearly as much as they’re worth.

But I can give you enough for whatever bizarre scheme you’re plotting.

” A smile stretched across his face at the exact same time as my own, and I found myself eagerly awaiting the gold that he began counting out, his deft fingers moving as he spoke. “So…”

Oh great.

“How is Elite Academy? Are you making friends?” His eyes peeked up at me, lips tugged down.

Groaning, I brought my hand up to my face to hide the heat that I felt going to my cheeks. “Artie, I already have a dad, you don’t have to pretend to care like one.”

“Hey, I do care. You’ve been bothering me like a pesky fly for years. The least you owe me is an update.”

“Ugh, fine. They hate me, but what’s new? I’m handling it.”

“You shouldn’t be there,” he mumbled, counting the coins slower. He didn’t meet my eyes, but I could feel his attention. “You belong here, with us.”

“You know just as I do that I don’t really fit in anywhere.

I’ve accepted that.” Shrugging, I grabbed the small burlap sack, listening with glee as the coins clicked together in a rhythm that seemed to sing of the life my family might continue to have.

Artie’s lips were pursed, his eyes sad as they glittered with unshed tears.

Stars above. “Plus, I’m practically running the place at this point.

They can’t keep me from succeeding. Don’t worry, okay? ”

Without a word, he nodded, taking the lie despite the clear sign that he didn’t accept it. Forcing a smile to my face that didn’t show my teeth, I tapped his hand awkwardly and turned to leave.

“I’ll see you soon, Artie!”

By the time I finished shopping for the supplies and got back to the island, everyone was gathered in the courtyard, readying for our morning run. I got into place, hoping no one would notice my arrival, but as always, Talon seemed to spot me almost immediately.

“Move,” he ordered, the trainee in his way darting off to the left. A sort of parting began in the small crowd, ending to my right. Rolling my eyes, I began my stretches, knowing I’d struggle after not eating this morning and not wanting to pull something. “Where were you?”

“Good morning to you too,” I mumbled, bending down to avoid his gaze.

Talon followed, squatting low to look me in the eye.

He had braided his hair back, the twist ending between his shoulder blades.

His facial hair was growing in, the stubble sharp where it covered his jaw and cheeks, but fuller on his chin and lip.

He looked weathered, as if the black phase had permanently altered and aged him.

“Where. Were. You.” Not a question. A demand.

“I was practicing in the alchemy lab,” I lied, the words falling off my tongue so quickly they could’ve been the truth. But Talon shook his head, unconvinced.

“I checked there. Don’t lie to me, Nova. Az said—“

“Whatever he said is a lie,” I shouted as I straightened, not willing to let Altair of all people make me look bad.

“Oh, really? Then why are you so defensive? Why are you lying?”

“Because everything that comes out of his mouth is worthless!”

“So you didn’t make a move on him? You didn’t open our door in your towel, soaking wet and telling him I wasn’t there? You didn’t ask him if he liked what he saw?”

“Well, I—I did, but I—it wasn’t like that.

I was—“ stammering, I tried to focus. Altair had spun the conversation. Of course he had. My cheeks heated, mind spinning. Talon was struggling with the illusions and my clear lack of deeper interest. That was fair. I couldn’t blame him.

And I had done those things, even if I wasn’t trying to seduce Altair.

“I had been in the bath and heard the knocks. He said he wouldn’t leave.

I told him you weren’t there and to essentially fuck off.

He was staring and I wanted to make him upset because he’s always being so horrible.

He’s misconstruing what happened, Talon, I swear. ”

“Oh, so he somehow spun the story that ended with your towel on the floor?”

“He what?” I asked, my fingers curling into a fist. But it was a pointless question, because I didn’t wait around for an answer. I turned and shoved my way to the front, knowing that the five of them would be there.

People began to grunt and complain, but the humid, hot air and my own exhaustion paired with Altair’s audacity left me too furious to care. I caught sight of his blonde head, and then I was rushing forward.

“Altair!” I screamed, catching the attention of everyone around us. The cores all turned, a smirk appearing on Altair’s face.

“Back to show me your chest again, Tershetta?”

Not bothering to grace him with a response, I lifted my arm and swung, my fist slamming into his cheek so hard his head whipped to the left.

Arms were around me before I could tackle the worthless core, my screams of fury sounding more like rabid growls.

“Okay, Curls, you got your hit in. Let’s get you back to your spot now.”

“Let me go, Dofrel!” I shouted, trying to wrestle out of his firm grip around my waist. But he just chuckled, carrying me back to Talon. Altair was standing, his sharp cheekbone so red it looked bloody. That smirk hadn’t left his face for some reason, and I went limp at the sight of it.

Somehow, Altair had won this match.