“Regardless, Osiris’s spy was purposeful. His intel, amongst other useless information, is vital. Afterwards, I removed his head. You’ll find it in your bottom drawer.”
Glancing down, I notice my oak desk is now stained with a darker tone. I am not foolish enough to ask the cause behind ending our most trusted spy. If he killed him, there is only one reason why. He turned on us. Ethan may be hot tempered, but this mission is essential to us surviving. Killing an informant would be dire to our cause otherwise.
“Do you have a replacement for him?”
“A fay by the name of Kale. And yes, she’s aware of her role and what’s expected,” he says, sealing the letter with wax and stamping it with a Legacies emblem.
“On your departure, remove this head.” Opening the drawer, I find a leather bag soaked in blood. I grab it and toss it at him. “Your idea of jokes has become tiresome. We don’t need anyone finding out about this. Plus, you’ve grown sloppy. I’ll make preparations for visiting the last location in this letter. The glooms will look to return for those away during their attack.”
He catches the bag and smirks. “I’m aware. Make your preparations quickly. We leave tomorrow at high moon. Procure the team, but keep it small. Let’s hope they take the bait. I’ll join you here after I’ve taken care of something first,” Ethan notes, standing to exit.
“Before you go, be aware Kyra’s joining us. A courtesy warning. This strife you have with her, leave it here. Whatever vengeance you’ve plotted, remember the contract you’ve signed.”
“And you wonder why rumors are spreading about the two of you. We’ll discuss this another time.” He glares. “Not having access to my magic is making it difficult not to find reasons for killing you,” he adds before walking out.
Since the passing of our father, or murder as Ethan often puts it, I can’t recall a time when he and I weren’t at odds. Months and years collapsed with me justifying no mere fay can kill a God, even in the God’s fay form, but his hatred for me grew stronger in the time since. He was obsessed with finding those responsible while proving another child inhabited our home. A sister.
Supposedly, there were four of us, three males and one female,but there were no signs of her. None I recognized anyway. Ethan and I shared both parents, while our half-brother had our mother in common. He passed, sending our mother in search of a soul coin in hopes to reach beyond the dead.
She never returned.
Despite Ethan’s efforts, no spell or fabricated pictures could bring back memories that never existed of a family we never had. Yet I spent the better part of my teens indulging in the insane mind of my brother.
No longer.
My father was having his memory and name tarnished along with my mother’s. Being fixated on a lie, Ethan performed spells, charms, incantations, and often tried curse removals–gifts of our mother’s elven kind before she became a vampire. Since then, we argued more over the topic, and eventually, he started to loathe me.
I held no resentment in the beginning, until Ethan stopped showing up for our mother’s memorial. His memory of her is far different than what truly happened. To him, she abandoned us and followed our brother into the afterlife, leaving three young fays to be raised by Apollo. The God of Truth and Prophecy, Healings and Light. A twin to Artemis.
Our father.
Ethan denounced his relationship to her, hiding features we share to bear no resemblance. Either way, it appears we both have reasons to sever our blood tie.
I’ve canceledmy remaining lectures for today as time dwindles in a rush. If we plan to leave at high moon tomorrow, there are things that need to be taken care of first.
I strike a pen across the worn parchment containing my to-do list, drawing a line through Rebecca’s name. Upon arriving, she andElder Holland were in a heated discussion, which wasn’t my concern, over the aspect of being the Assistant Dean. Or lack thereof.
Catching most of their conversation before nearing her door, I heard him demand respect, and of course she cared little about his tone, which was why I stepped into a room filled with aggression and ice. Her magic was being enhanced by a shifter she felt no one knew of, a Polar Ashling owl as cunning as it is deadly.
To challenge Rebirth’s strongest Elder is an act against our Dean. Good thing our Dean was the one who put Rebecca in such an authoritative position to challenge Holland. He wouldn’t dare run and tell though. His pride is bigger than that.
After informing her about Osiris’s visit to the Blanded Region, where a few dangerous shifter breeds reside, namely the Pantera panthers, I departed. Gaining clearance for the upcoming mission, I also got her on board with Kyra attending. I left Rebecca to whatever activities required an elegant fitting dress and Libra twins.
Standing outside her door, I watch students stroll past me with curious gleams, discussing theBook of Bonds. Some have signed their names and are now in search of their eternals using Eros’s game. I move on to my last two tasks, which are making a difficult call and meeting the Elders.
Pulling out my phone and finding her name, I press call. Gods, give me strength.
“Perfect timing, Alex. I was just thinking about you,” Yuna says, gleefully.
“I assumed you would. Excuse my intrusion, but we have matters to discuss.” Watching a few more students pass me, I hear whispers of seductive things pertaining to the one on his phone. Me.
“It’s always business and never pleasure with you, Alex. One of these days, I’ll get you away from those books, and we can have some real fun.”
“Unlikely,” I huff, “some important information has come about, and I need you here at Rebirth.” It is silent for a few seconds minus her irritable breathing.
“Nope. Not happening. Last time, one of your Elders almost lost their life. I’m not dealing with pervy old fays. Pass.”
“Yuna, this is important. You have my word no one will touch you, let alone approach you without my permission.”
