Page 3 of Angel Lost (Fates Academy #3)

Chapter Three: Lorelei

I stride through the academy grounds, over the stupid cobbles and away from the damn portal. Away from Farrell. From Chano.

The ancient stone turrets of the academy building swing into view, silhouetted by a bright blue sky. Sweat trickles slowly down my back. Up ahead, students run laps of the track. It’s sticky, grumpy, sweaty hot. Not weather for training. Their slight figures and pointed ears give them away. Fae. Of course. I don’t care how light footed they are, that must be miserable. They’re nuts. The fae are officially nuts.

A slim figure raises an arm and waves enthusiastically. Uh-uh. No way. Not in the mood for fae. And definitely not that fae. Not Jessica. I swerve, changing direction, and head away from the cafeteria, straight to the dorms. Sorry, Mrs. Cocci, but I’d rather face my room and Naeve’s empty bed than deal with that ridiculous enthusiasm.

Stowing my kit away, checking I’ve got a uniform for the new academic year, and making my bed takes barely any time. Naeve’s half of the room is bare. Accusing. Stripped of all her stuff. A stark reminder of how badly last year went. How I failed her. I sit at my desk, facing away from the reality, and fiddle with the edge of my uniform. The tartan skirt and white blouse combo is dumb for university students. For adults. I brush the blazer free from lint, halting when I spot it. Seriously? Now we’ve got badges with our year and species on? I pick at the stitching around it. Crossbreed—charming. At least it affords some sort of anonymity. No one expects much of a crossbreed. No one expects the power I have .

Except, Chano and Farrell both wanted me safe, didn’t think I was capable. Not able to look after even myself. What if there’s something to it?

I can’t be the weak link. Not magically, not physically. I won’t be.

Groaning, I yank on shorts and sneakers and slip out of my too-quiet room into the silent corridor. The academy is deserted. There are the fae and me. Guess that tells you who around here has somewhere to be. Family to be with.

Thankfully the harsh sun is dying over the trees, and the track is now in dappled light. I pause, glancing toward the bunched fae at the opposite end. They look like they’re done for the day. My back toward them, I stretch, then start a quick workout.

Very quickly, my breathing comes in giant heaves and my heart hammers in my chest. Bending at the waist, I lean, hands on knees and fight blessed oxygen into my lungs. “Yeah. So much for not being the weakest link,” I mutter.

“Good food and lack of discipline will do that.”

I jerk upright and come face-to-face with the youngest of the fae students.

“Hi to you too, Jessica,” I growl.

“Jess! And I saw you avoided us, killer. I get it. We’re persona non grata. I won’t hold it against you.” Her tone is peppy, but her lips pull into a tight line. She tucks a stray strand of hair behind a pointed ear and tugs on her earring.

“Nothing like that, Jess, just a bad day. Better I don’t rub off on anyone else.”

Her face brightens, and she flings herself down on the ground at my feet, cross-legged, elbows on her knees and hands under her chin.

“Tell me?”

Oh fuck no. See what happens when I try to be nice. She squirms her ass into a more comfortable position and blinks her big eyes .

“There was a rip on the Maveriks’ turf.” She gasps, and I force myself to keep talking. “Lots of hellions, lots of their nasty black blood. But the worst was that Chano tried to save me.”

Jess takes a hissing breath in through her teeth, and it hits me. If anyone would get how insulting that is, it’s her. It’s the fae.

“That sucks. I mean, he does know you, right? He knows what you’re capable of?” She fiddles with her braid.

I flop on my back beside her, pulling at the grass stems.

“It gets worse.”

She frowns. “How?”

“His little sister got hurt because he ‘saved’ me instead of her. And then he sent me away to ‘keep me safe.’”

Jess covers her face with her hands and groans. “He’s got it so wrong.” Then she perks up. “So, how are you going to punish him?”

A giggle almost escapes, but I push it down, remembering how well that didn’t go.

“Yeah, I…uh…went to see Farrell instead.”

Jess claps her hands.

“No, wait. Hear me out.” I push myself up to sitting and glare at the sky. “He didn’t want me to help either. He’s been…scouting and fighting rips too.” I have to keep it vague. The fae know nothing of Farrell’s rebellion. “He wouldn’t let me join. Told me I could train with the kids.”

Jess grimaces.

“Told you it was a bad day.”

She jumps up, bouncing on the spot. “Best way to get back at them? Prove them wrong!”

“Yeah, hence the wheezing mess you just witnessed.”

“Want to get better, killer? Chase me!”

With that, she’s off. The vamp in me can’t resist and, despite my heavy legs, I’m up and after her without thinking. We flit through the trees, Jess darting this way and that. She’s quick. She squeaks as she dashes around a tree in front of me and my fingers graze her shirt. She dives back out into the open and sprints down the playing field. I slog after her, only catching up because she stops right in front of the cafeteria.

“You’re fast,” I say between pants.

She takes a gulp of air. At least she’s breathing out her ass too.

“Had to be.”

I cock my head.

“Never knew what they’d throw at us in the correction facility. The king is so convinced fae are plotting against him that he lets his trainers use whatever tactics they want. Some of the students from the fae academy didn’t survive…” She blinks quickly. “I’m not naturally very physical. I’ve worked at it. You? You’re all legs. You should be better. Stronger.”

I nod slowly, digesting her words.

“You need more muscle, less of the…skinny.”

I snort. “That’s what Frank always called me. Skinny. ‘Get me a beer, Skinny. Clean the kitchen, Skinny.’” I see her confusion. “My foster carer.”

“Then pretend you’re chasing him down.”

“Did that already,” I grumble. “Don’t ever need to worry about that asshole again.”

Jess pumps the air with her fist, doing a little jiggle dance on the spot. “Knew it! Knew you were a killer. Let’s go again! Pick up those legs.”

“What?”

“I dunno, I heard it on some coaching clip. Sounded cool.” And with that she’s off. I cast a long look at the cakes in the cafeteria window, grit my teeth, and push myself after her.

And that’s how the next week continues. I have the mornings to chill, train with Jess through the scorching afternoon heat, and load the fight simulator every evening. I was hoping to see Kai too, but apparently he’s allowed home to see his family. Unlike the rest of the fae. From what Jess said, the fae here are still being monitored, their families kept under control by having their children held political hostage at Fates. I guess for Kai there are perks to having the king’s sister as your stepmom.

Shoving the wrought iron doors open, I slip into the whitewashed rooms beyond. The plain walls belie the extensive technology hidden within them. At least the dean agreed I can use the simulator. It’s not kit we’ve been trained on, not yet. But how can I expect to get better if I keep cutting myself slack? The programming isn’t that difficult to figure out. Not really.

I run my fingers over the sleek gray control panel and flick through the options again. Basic scenarios: complete. Satisfaction blossoms in my chest. My finger hovers over the keypad.

“Heard you got sent away for your own protection.”

Kai.

“You’re still running the baby simulations?” His hand lands on my shoulder, and I wrench away. He peers down his aquiline nose at me, the corner of his mouth pulled up in a smirk. “Maybe you needed that protection after all. All us mere fae are using mid-level scenarios, at least.”

This is not how I pictured meeting Kai again. What happened to the charm he exuded last term? I know fae can be cruel, but…The humiliation of being “saved” sweeps over me again. Ignoring the heat creeping up my cheeks I jab the screen, select a scenario, flash Kai a smile, and step into the cold, slightly blue-tinged room beyond the plexiglass.

Kai’s smug expression falls away and he waves frantically through the window. His lips move like he’s shouting, but the soundproofing is too good. I turn away just as he flickers out of view, the pixels of the scenario loading around me.

The heat hits me first, then the humidity. It’s stifling. Wiping the beading sweat from my forehead, I tug at my collar. People live in these conditions. Every. Single. Day. Their lungs work just fine. Just breathe. Thick, lush vegetation blocks my view in every direction. The tree closest ripples slightly before solidifying as the scenario settles into place. Okay. Jungle. This is new. I try to picture the simulation screen, to remember what I selected but…I draw a blank.

Guess I’ll find out soon.

A flock of birds takes off, bursting out of the canopy, scattering, screeching. I freeze. Did I alarm them? Or…

A hush falls. So quickly, so suddenly, a chill crawls across my skin. Crouching, I meld into the shadow of the nearest tree, bunching my fists. Not even a knife on me. Shit. What would cause even the insects to shut the hell up?

Prowling through the undergrowth in front of me is…Hecate…is that Chano? Chano in full demon form, and at his side…Farrell, geared up for military combat. Standing, I step hesitantly toward them.

“Guys, what are you—”

A sheet of fire barrels at me. I duck, smelling singed hair and patting at my head frantically. Shit! They're the enemy in this sim. Got it. Even scenario Chano is an asshole. He glares at me, barely pausing before sending another burst of fire straight for my feet. This time, I’m ready. I flick my wrist, pushing out my aether, holding on until the blast stutters to a stop.

Farrell fixes me with his piercing blue eyes, raises his hands, and swipes at me with the full strength of his air magic. I stumble, losing my footing, and I’m swept up in the tornado, spinning, disoriented. Throwing my arms out, I steady myself, counteracting with my magic. More fire. Agonizing pain cuts down my leg. A scream wrenches out of my throat as I’m spun higher and higher, tumbling head over ass. As suddenly as it started, the tornado stops, and I plummet headfirst toward the ground. Below me, Chano and Farrell have set the ground alight. Flames lick up toward my face.

I tug on my aether, combine my air with it, but I can’t stop the fall. Can’t stop the burn…I try to speak, to trigger the safety, tell the simulation to stop, but my tongue won’t work. The vivid jungle greens rushing up to meet me fade, and my vision blurs .

The blue of the practice room floor blinks into existence, and I smash into it. Pain spreads across my face and down my neck.

Groaning, I roll over onto my back with a wince. For a moment I lie, staring up at the textured tile ceiling until it stops moving. Nothing broken, I think. My leg though…Heaving upright, I peer at the already-blistering burn. Nasty. My gym pants are melted into my skin. Almost a part of me now.

The door bursts open. Kai. With all that purple hair, those delicate features…he’d be pretty if he smiled…My head spins.

“You took the safety off? You were running scenarios with the safety off ? Final-year students do that in their last month. What is wrong with you, Lorelei Bal?”

Shutting my eyes, I concentrate on breathing, his angry voice fading into the background. The pain will pass. All pain passes. I grunt, stretching out again on the floor, my head dropping the last few inches with a clunk.

Cool, starched cotton kisses my skin. The bright, clean scent of chamomile tickles my nose, and I open my eyes. Bright white strip lighting…The hospital. I’m in the infirmary. Again. My memories float back together, piecemeal. Farrell and Chano attacking me. The fire, the fall. My burning flesh. Wait, that’s wrong. It wasn’t Farrell. It wasn’t Chano. Of course not. I was running a scenario. Kai goaded me and I loaded something…hard. Something that looked into my psyche and created a personalized fear-based scenario. What asshole created that program? Their mother clearly never loved them enough.

“You could have died, Lorelei. You chose a level nine with no safety,” Kai says gruffly.

I blink, twisting my head to bring his long limbs into view. Slumped on a hideous hard plastic chair, his yellow-flecked eyes are accusing. His purple hair is swept into an untidy man bun, the undercut making his aquiline features stand out, the delicate points to his ears on show. How does he manage to look so attractive when he’s so rumpled? He’s clearly been sleeping in the chair.

Sleeping? Shit.

“How long have I been out?” I croak.

Kai rolls his eyes but gently props me up, handing me a glass of water. I take a sip. Lukewarm. I spit it out, spraying him.

“You could just have said you weren’t thirsty,” he says, surveying his shirt. “You’ve been out nearly twelve hours. You had me worried—uh…the docs worried.” He runs a blessedly cool hand across my brow. “You could have died.”

“You said that already.” I trail my fingers under the covers, hesitantly skimming the crepe bandage covering my leg. “I wouldn’t have. Died, I mean. I had it.”

He snorts. “You didn’t. But…you’re stubborn.” He holds up a hand as I open my mouth to protest. “I like stubborn, but it’ll get you killed if you allow other people to goad you into acting.”

“You goaded me.”

He shrugs, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Call it the fae way. Didn’t let you die though, did I? Terminated the scenario.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“You can’t control what other people do, Lorelei. You can only control how you react.”

I stare hard at the white of the bedsheet. He is un-fucking-believable. He heckled me into selecting a different scenario. He did that. He pushed my buttons. Deliberately. I pinch the bridge of my nose and yelp. Hell, I’m one big bruise.

“I can’t decide if you’re trying to be Yoda or just a pain in my ass, Kai.”

He grins. “I’m helping. After what Jess told me…”

“Your help nearly got me killed.”

He sighs, raking a hand through his hair, displacing some of it from the bun. “How about I help you to a beer? You look like you could do with one.”

“Again, thanks. Also, I’m sure the doc wouldn’t approve.”

Kai stands, awkwardly fussing with my pillow. He deftly plumps it up, moving around to straighten my sheets with surprising efficiency. “So, what’s all this about, Lorelei? You’ve been training with Jess. Don’t get me wrong, that kid needs friends, but…”

I draw my brows down, shoulders hunching to somewhere near my ears. “It’s about getting better.”

Kai hums agreement in the back of his throat. “Survival is everything.”

“I have to prove I don’t need protecting.”

His hands stop fussing and he cocks his head, waiting.

“Okay, how would you deal with “friends” trying to keep you safe, like a princess?” I ask.

“First, I’m not sure I’d suit a dress. Although I’d try out a tiara.” He does an exaggerated twirl, then curtsies. “Second, I don’t need anyone’s approval. I do what I want, whatever they think of me. If I’m ever really lost, I ask the voice in my head. But that mostly ends in someone else’s vicious death. Mostly.”

He winks and shrugs, drifting out of the room as the nurse enters.

The voice in his…What the actual hell?