Page 29 of Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 7

The five of them leaped down from the cliff face to the path that wound down below them to Solace. Ryder carried Khos the distance as that was too long a drop for the Dire Wolf to take safely. Khos’ paws moved in the air as if making the jump itself. Ryder set the Dire Wolf down on the path.

They moved swiftly and silently, not needing to speak further about their plans. They communicated with hand or head movements especially as the path went from empty to dotted with Vampires. Fiona was struck by how easy it was to work with all of them. They’d done this for countless years, decades, centuries, millennia.

Maybe longer. They are my brothers. No wonder we were able to harm each other so deeply. We know each other so well.

Fiona was grateful for their familiar and powerful company as the path soon became crowded with enemy Vampires. They were all dressed in those proto-Confessor robes, which had Fiona itching. She passed her hands over her own arms, remembering the confort she had drawn from her official Confessor uniform. It had made her a part of something while also allowing her to stay separate. She was a Confessor. Her word was law. None could question her. Or make her doubt herself.

Except Arcius. He made me question everything. But his faith was so strong that it didn’t seem dangerous to do it. That opened the door to doubt and, finally, freed me.

She missed him terribly and nearly reached for that spot in her mind where they were connected, but it was empty for now. Arcius would not live for millennia. He was not even a thought yet. That made her more determined than ever to get home and find him. She knew he was on a dangerous mission, but she needed to hear his voice, feel his touch. There had to be a moment for him to get away. They’d find that moment.

But, for now, she put on her old mask. The one she’d worn as a Confessor for centuries. A slightly superior smile and a nod if anyone chanced to look her way. Back straight. Head up. Eyes slightly narrowed. She belonged here. She was one of them. Actually, she was better than simply one of them. That’s the effect she sought and it seemed to be working.

None of the other Vampires had looked at them too closely. They had the beatific smiles of the newly converted. They moved with purpose and determination to spread the word and power of the Order. There would be no more War. The Immortals were the true enemies and they were–or would be–overthrown. Then the Vampires would march together as one into this brave new world.

How arrogant and foolish we all were. Everything here is built on lies. A house constructed on sand. And I allowed myself to believe it.

“We’re almost inside. This is working so well,” Charlie murmured.

And that was when, of course, something untoward happened. It was just as they were approaching the entrance to Solace. It was an arched gate of that pale stone with a set of stairs that led up to the flat expanse of the square beyond. There were two guards at the gate, one on either side. It was the one to the right that called out to Charlie or Cirillen and Ryder or Rakash. Fiona felt her limbs freeze, but forced herself to keep moving forward as if she wasn’t with them. Grayson’s eyes followed after Ryder, but he followed when she jerked her head to keep up with her. They passed through the gate and moved to the side just out of the eyeshot of the guards, but within earshot of what they were saying.

“Cirillen, Rakash, what are you two doing returning from your patrols early?” The guard’s voice was sharp, her intonation clipped.

Unlike Artemis, they knew little of either Cirillen or Rakash’s personalities or their places here. But Cirillen had called Artemis Master so maybe she had meant that in the true sense of a Master and Childe. If she was one of Artemis’ fledglings then she would outrank a guard. Or even if she didn’t, she would act like she did.

Don’t let her throw you, Charlie, she thought fiercely.

Grayson was right at her side. His fangs were still showing. His anxiety for Ryder was clear. She reached over and took his nearest hand, squeezing it fiercely. His expression cleared and turned inquisitive as he looked at her.

It will be all right, she mouthed. Be calm.

Grayson blinked, but then slowly nodded. She saw him make a conscious effort to control his emotions. The fangs retreated and his eyes were no longer shining like silver beacons. They were asking so much of him right now. Not only had he been attacked by Artemis, but freshly turned by both Kaly and Weryn blood. Not to mention his mother being missing and all the rest. That he was keeping it together at all was a credit to his incredible strength of mind. But he needed help and she wanted to give it. He squeezed her hand back.

“We have matters to report to Artemis,” Charlie said in Cirillen’s voice. He kept it sounding cool and unconcerned.

“Then report them to me and get back to your posts,” the guard growled.

“That coward Eyros is not going to come through his gate,” Charlie scoffed.

It was a good guess, but the guard didn’t seem to agree. “That is not your place to decide! We need that gate watched constantly and you are assigned–”

“Who are you to question our activities?” Ryder’s voice, though it sounded like Rakash’s, rose up in an angry burr.

There was a nearly shocked silence and then the guard got out, “The one who commands you. Your leader.”

Leader? By the gate? Fiona blinked rapidly and looked over at Grayson.

“Artemis himself gave me special orders,” Charlie insisted. “I am fulfilling those.”

“You didn’t mention those earlier! But fine, if you claim to have something to say to Artemis, I shall call him here!” the female guard snapped.

This was a disaster. If the guard actually had Artemis brought then the jig was up. He’d know his own Childe. He’d realize that Ryder and Charlie were not who they appeared to be. Everything would be lost.

Grayson started to move. He was going to slip around the gate and snap the female guard’s neck. But the problem with that plan was that they were not alone. There were tons of people on the path! Everything would be seen! Even if Grayson was quick and quiet about it. Fiona, though, moved too. She’d take out the other guard at least and maybe teleport them away swiftly. Khos, too, was getting in on the violence by baring its teeth.

“Artemis does not want his private business told in front of others!” Charlie’s voice went high and tight.

It was at that moment, Fiona caught sight of a familiar face. Not one she had known in this life, but one she should have never forgotten.