31. Creed

CREED

Adull ache runs through my body from top to bottom and I turn over onto my back with a sigh. Another night, another training exercise. Last night, the weapon of choice was the staff. It’s almost impressive, the damage you can do with a wooden stick. But I guess that’s the whole point, using anything and everything we can get our hands on.

It’s the reasoning behind it all that continues to elude us.

There’s something in the air. I can sense it and it leaves me dreading the thought of what the future holds. I’m not the only student at the academy with a parent whose life was lost in a battle for the greater good, but that doesn’t stop the thought from weighing heavily on my shoulders.

Whatever may come, I have a reason to fight. A reason to not give up, no matter what.

Raven.

I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason. Even at a young age, my brain twisted the loss of my father into a reason to be strong, determined, and now, I know everything in my life was meant to prepare me for this crazy ass woman who consumes me.

I’ll do anything and everything in my power, including investigating a compound no one else on campus seems to care about. Raven does, though, and that’s all that matters.

Laughter echoes from the lounge, the high-pitched melody from Raven has me shaking the covers off and rushing to get ready so I can join them. We’ve been passing on workouts some mornings if our nighttime activities with the Guild have been enough, but it’s still not like me to be one of the last up.

Showering, I get my uniform and shoes on. I’m fixing my tie as I step out of my room into the lounge to find Raven and Zane at the dining table, chuckling amongst themselves. I have no idea what he said to make her smile like that, but the contentment on her face as he leans close and presses a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth warms my heart.

She’s lowering her walls and letting us in a little deeper every day, and it only solidifies that this was all supposed to happen. We’ve all felt loss, hope, and now love. It will overcome everything.

Heading toward them, Eldon and Brax also appear from their bedrooms, but that doesn’t stop Zane from claiming Raven all for himself, pulling her into his lap as the rest of us take our seats.

“Hey,” Raven murmurs with a smile, glancing at the three of us, and I grin back.

“Good morning, Raven.”

“Are you ready?” she asks, looking over her shoulder at Zane as if waiting for his approval, and when he nods, she focuses back on the table. A moment later, plates of food appear in front of Brax, Eldon, and me. Each is filled with eggs, bacon, and pancakes.

“You even got the plate this time. What a queen you are, Little Bird. Thank you,” Eldon says with a snicker, and she sticks her tongue out at him.

“What has you in such a good mood?” Brax asks, digging into the food on his plate, and I follow suit.

“Nothing, I just actually slept for a change. I’m revitalized and ready for the day.” She’s practically bouncing in Zane’s lap. Whatever she did, it’s definitely given her the energy she’s been lacking.

“Do you still want to go and find Lyra today? See if she can give us some information on the compound?” Zane asks, murmuring against her ear, and she eagerly nods.

“Please.”

Fuck, she doesn’t even have to say please. We’ll follow her to the ends of the realm and let it burn if she asks.

All too quickly, the table is filled with empty plates and it’s time to leave. Grabbing my backpack, we meet at the door and step outside into the gray and abysmal weather.

We make it to the end of our pathway before Raven pauses, tilting her head back to look at the sky. “Does the sky seem weird to you?”

I try to give it the same level of attention as she is. It’s not raining, and the sky isn’t completely filled with dark clouds… it’s just really dark. To the point that I’m considering rechecking the time to make sure we’re not early.

“I see what you mean,” I murmur, but there’s no real explanation for it. Raven’s lips twist as she closes her eyes.

“My skin feels tingly, the air static-y, and it’s almost like there’s a strange taste on my tongue or something.”

I frown, but it’s Zane who speaks before I can.

“What does that mean, Dove?”

Her eyes blink open and she slowly lowers her head to glance at us. “I don’t know, but my spine is stiff and the hairs on the back of my neck aren’t happy,” she explains, but it still doesn’t make much sense. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s keep going before we’re late.”

Brax takes the lead and we join the students already on the main path heading to the academy building. It’s deathly quiet. There’s no murmuring among friends, no gossiping. Nothing. It really does feel like the weirdest and most solemn morning we’ve had for as long as I can remember.

As we near the double doors, there are three professors waiting for us and a heavy feeling settles in my gut. Since I’m holding position at the back of the group, I take an extra step closer to Raven as Professor Figgins speaks. “There’s a gathering this morning. Everyone make your way to the courtyard, immediately,” she declares, and Raven glances back over her shoulder to stare at me with wide eyes.

I have no answer for her, but a moment later, Leila appears inside the hallway, hollering Raven’s name.

“What’s going on?” Raven asks, falling into step with her somewhat friend.

“I don’t know, my father mentioned there was an announcement but he didn’t look happy. If anything, he was maybe a little… worried. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so lost, not even when he was worried about me in the Gauntlet,” she admits. Even I remember the sternness of his face and the tightness in his jaw as he worried for his daughter in the build-up to the third years taking to the pit. Nevermind when she was actually in there.

“Do you think the sky looks weird today?” Raven asks as we follow the crowd moving toward the courtyard, and Leila frowns.

“I mean, it does seem dark…” she admits, and Raven nods reluctantly. Whatever she’s sensing, I don’t think the rest of us are feeling it.

Entering the courtyard, it’s a surprise to see Burton there already waiting. It’s not even a projection of him like it usually is. He’s here in the flesh. “Why does that feel like a bad omen?” I mumble to Eldon as we come to a stop in the middle of the mass of students.

“I didn’t think that was possible, but I know what you mean,” he retorts.

Pursing my lips, I look over the group of men that seem to be standing with Burton , but they’ve all got their backs turned to us. One of them stands taller than the others, a fur cloak lining his shoulders drapes down to the floor, and it looks like there’s a crown on his head, but I can’t be sure. The others are dressed in black with brown satchels over their shoulders and scabbards at their waist. It’s like they’re dressed for battle, but if that was the case, they wouldn’t be standing here so casually… would they?

They look completely out of place beside Burton in his usual pristine suit and slicked-back hair. The only noticeable thing different about him is how stiff his shoulders are. He turns to address us, a mask of calmness washing over his features from head to toe as he speaks.

“Good morning, students. We have an unexpected visitor today, but a fabulous one at that.” The way the corner of his mouth twitches as he smiles tells me he’s lying. “I would like to introduce you to Erikel. He’s visiting from the Basilica Realm.”

Nobody gasps, nobody startles, nobody panics. Because nobody but the fucking Guild knows what the Basilica Realm is. Why the hell is there a man from south of the wall here? The mere mention of the place has the memory of the flickering flames and burning lava flashing through my mind.

My gaze flickers to Brax, the only one of my brothers I can see without drawing attention to myself, and his facial expression looks as pissed off as ever. But when I spot Grave past him, I instantly spot the tension in his jaw.

Yep. I definitely heard Burton correctly. What the fuck is going on?

“Professor Burton, you humble me,” the man states, his voice low and nasally as he spins to face us, sweeping his arms out wide in a grand gesture. “It’s Erikel, King of the Basilica Realm. I’ll also take the title of ruler as well, even Your Majesty, Your Eminence, Your Highness, whatever suits.” A smile spreads across his face, mostly hidden by the facial hair covering his cheeks and chin. A scar mars the skin down his left eye. It looks angry from here, hot and rigid, yet it also looks older than time.

“I do not like this man,” Raven whispers from her spot in front of me, and I place my hand on the small of her back, silently trying to comfort her.

“Of course, King Erikel,” Burton corrects as he clasps his hands together. “Erikel arrived this morning with some students from their elite academy, Shadowgrim Institute. It is noted in our original guidelines from when Silvercrest Academy was first opened that we welcome one and all.” The last part feels like it’s being said through gritted teeth, but if Erikel notices it, he doesn’t act as though he does. “With that in mind, Erikel and his students will be here for the remainder of the week, looking at how our academy operates and how our students achieve greatness.”

At the mention of Shadowgrim Institute, the six men turn around in their black uniforms with sullen looks on their faces. I can feel the tension increase around me as they look out over the crowd, but again, it’s only the Guild who seem to be having this kind of negative reaction. Everyone else simply seems intrigued by the new arrivals.

Were we this naïve and unaware a few weeks ago when we still didn’t know the Guild existed?

Fuck.

“You may see some of the students in your classes. Please, ensure you aid them where necessary. We want them to feel as welcome as possible. Additionally, we have decided to host a farewell ball on Friday evening. As it’s been so long since we’ve had visitors from another realm, it’s only fitting that we mark the occasion. I hope you all agree, as all your families will be in attendance, along with The Monarchy.”

My teeth sink into my tongue, trying to keep my mouth shut before I call out this bullshit. I’m usually the quiet and observant one. If I’m struggling, I can’t imagine how Zane and Raven are holding it together.

“Now, enjoy the rest of your day and follow the sun, destroy the shadows, and survive another dawn.”

For the first time since I arrived at Silvercrest Academy, I repeat those exact words along with my brothers, Raven, and every other student in attendance.

“Follow the sun, destroy the shadows, and survive another dawn.”

* * *

“I wasn’tsure if the training would still go ahead,” I admit as Grave greets us through the gateway. Today has been completely fucked up and I genuinely expected it to impact tonight’s meet-up, but the way he shakes his head tells me I’m wrong.

“Are you serious? We need it now more than ever,” he states, increasing the thrum of adrenaline coursing through me. He shakes my hand before moving down the line of my brothers and pausing at Raven. “Am I allowed to shake her hand, or will I wind up losing it?” He’s peering at Brax more than anyone, making Raven chuckle as she takes his hand before any of us can respond.

“I’m standing right here, Grave. You can ask me yourself.” She gives him a pointed look and he shrugs.

“I know, I’m just covering my back with these crazy fuckers. Especially since I’ve seen how this one handles a sword.” He points at Zane, who grins with pride.

“What the fuck is this all about with Erikel?” Brax asks, redirecting the conversation, and a gloomy expression passes over Grave’s face.

“We all have a lot of questions, and we’re desperate for the answers, but the truth is, there’s little anyone knows. I would give my left nut to know why we are just letting someone from the Basilica Realm into our academy. How did they even get here without being slaughtered for trespassing?”

I nod eagerly, completely in agreement with his line of thinking, but before I can respond, someone clears their throat from behind me. Peering over my shoulder, I find Professor Fitch with Leila at his side.

“As Burton mentioned, Erikel appeared with dated documents for the academy, forcing himself in with loopholes. If we knew his intentions, we would share them, but as it stands, we must remain vigilant and ready to act at any given moment.” Fitch glares at every member of the Guild who has gathered around us to hear him speak. He seems to dismiss us, but before he can get two steps away, it’s Leila who questions him further.

“Couldn’t we have said no? Who did he first approach to be let in? None of this makes sense. Now we have to mingle with some guys from another academy, completely unaware if they are gifted or not.” The moonlight reveals her reddening cheeks, clearly worried about questioning her father in front of everyone, but to my surprise, he doesn’t raise his voice or get angry. He just shrugs.

“That’s the thing, he was already in. Stepped through the fucking double doors of the academy like there’s not a magical forcefield around the place.” Fuck. How is that even possible? “Now, let’s get on with what we came here to do, shall we?” This time when he turns to leave, no one stops him. “We’ll be working on defensive magic tonight,” he explains, turning back to us when he’s a good distance away from the gateway. “You all know how to attack, but the ability to block and defend is just as paramount. It can be used as simply as mundane tasks can be done. Pair off with the fourth years; let’s get you up to speed and fast.”

The same fourth year, Dalton, who I worked with the other day, waves me over, and I accept his offer. He works quietly, my kind of guy. He doesn’t fuck around either, getting right to it. “What you want to envision is almost like a bubble or a shield that you can change the size and shape of. Focus on protecting you or whatever else might be important to you and it should start to form. Let’s get the basics of it knocked out first, then we can start trying to put it to use between us.”

I hold my hands out in front of me, just as he does, envisioning a bubble-like structure as I think about protecting myself. It’s frustrating at first, with very little showing, but I try to push through it.

“Are you thinking about what you would protect above all else in the realm?” Dalton asks, and I shake my head. “Maybe focus on that instead. That’s what works for me.”

I nod, shaking out my arms as I sigh, hoping to rid any tension from my limbs as I focus on what I would need to protect Raven. My eyelids fall closed and I instantly sense the magic between my palms. I peer through my lashes to find exactly what he had instructed me to envision.

“That’s it. Now drop it and go again. We want you to be able to produce it on demand.” I repeat the process over and over again until I’m almost doing it as quickly as him. “Perfect. Let’s start trying it with each other. Actual attacks can always help increase your speed too.”

He directs us out to a less crowded spot, but I make sure to check on Raven and the guys and I’m relieved to see them managing it too. Raven grins every time, pleased with herself, and it warms my little black heart.

Turning away from them, I focus on Dolby, preparing myself for the attack I know is coming. “I have ice magic. Do you have physical magic or do you need to use a weapon for this part?”

“I can summon my sword,” I offer, not actually disclosing my magic to him, and he waves me off.

“Let’s work on you blocking a few times first, then we can start alternating.”

He warns me the first time that a blast of ice is coming and I just about manage to block him in time. The second time, he starts to count down from five, and by the fifth go, he hits me in the arm with ice because I couldn’t get the magic to form quickly enough.

“Fuck,” I grunt, irritated more than anything, as he looms above me with a hand out for me to take.

“You’re not thinking about the important stuff again. Try not to focus on me. Focus on that,” he offers as I roll my shoulder out, grunting in agreement.

Turning to face him head-on again, I pause, frowning when I can hear a commotion coming from across the field. Searching for the noise, I still when I see pink hair splayed out across the grass and realize that Raven is flat on her back.

“What the fuck?”

I’m moving before I even decide if I should intervene, but even if it was an accident, I’m about to lay someone the fuck out. As I near, I frown when I notice the fourth-year Raven had been working with is lying still on the floor.

As Raven rushes to her feet, it quickly becomes clear that she’s trapped between Sebastian and Genie. How the hell did that happen?

“Take the left, Creed, I’ll take the right,” Zane hollers, and I don’t bother to look where he actually is. I can’t take my gaze away from Raven. I just have to hope that means Brax and Eldon are coming at them, too, because these fuckers need to be stopped.

As I near Sebastian, he throws a huge gust of wind at Raven, knocking her straight back off her feet without pause, and I snarl. Focusing on him, I exhale, channeling my magic, and a beat later, he stills, hands dropping to his side as his chin slams against his chest.

It’s one thing to prevent him from hurting her anymore. It’s something else entirely to make sure he damn well pays for it. A gut-wrenching scream breaks from the fucker’s lips as he drops to his knees, head in his hands, tugging at the strands of his hair as he writhes in pain.

“Creed,” Brax hollers, and I almost consider ignoring him and finishing the fucker off, but if Raven needs me, I know that’s more important. Leaving him in agony, I search for pink hair to find her hovering over Genie while Raven’s fourth-year friend lays injured on the floor beside them.

“What did I miss?” I grumble, falling into step with Eldon as we hurry toward them. The entire practice has come to a halt as they watch the drama unfold. “Raven,” I breathe when I’m within arms reach. I don’t touch her, though. She’s standing stock still, a wrinkle of confusion marking her forehead. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. She used her magic to launch the rock at me,” she explains, pointing down at the object beside Genie. “I touched it, Creed, and in the next breath, I was hurling it toward her.” Her voice lowers with her admission so no one but me and Eldon can hear.

“What the hell is the meaning of all this? We shouldn’t be attacking one another when there’s a battle brewing on our fucking doorstep,” Fitch snarls, looking from Genie to Raven and then the screaming ball of pain that is Sebastian. Reluctantly, I slip from his mind, and the noise stops, letting Fitch release a sigh of relief. “We’re done for the night. Everyone go home,” he grunts, stomping off without actually checking anyone. “Leila. Now.”

Turning my full attention back to Raven, Brax and Zane step in closer to form a protective circle around our girl. “I don’t know what any of this means,” she murmurs, more focused on what she just did instead of why they attacked her. It’s nothing new with them, I just didn’t expect it to happen while we were training with the Guild.

Fuckers.

“So you touched her magic?” I ask, and she nods. “And when Brax tried to delve into your mind, you projected into his instead, right?”

“Yeah.”

“That would explain why it didn’t work with Eldon afterward,” I surmise, thinking out loud.

“What would?” Raven asks, turning to me with furrowed eyebrows and concern flashing in her blue eyes.

“Mirror magic.”

“Mirror magic?” Isn’t that what Rhys mentioned…

“Yeah. I think you can replicate the magic of those around you.”