6. Addi

SIX

Exploring the grounds in my full gear seemed like a good idea at the time, but now that I see the expanse of it, I almost wish I hadn't. I can already tell I'm going to be out here running laps in my spare time, working on my stamina while taking in the impressive space.

Being draped in my black cloak, however, makes that impossible for right now. It does serve its purpose of concealing my weapons, though. And I should probably train with it on instead of creating a mental blocker in my mind. Although, I just want to get familiar with my surroundings before I start putting myself through tougher paces.

Quaint little patches of grass are scattered everywhere, picnic benches dotted throughout, with winding pathways and treelines that make the place feel far more whimsical in comparison to the academy building.

I wish Nora could see it. She would love it. I can picture her curled up on a picnic blanket under the large oak tree to my left, a book in hand, a bag of grapes at her side, and a wistful smile on her face. She would preen over the sounds of the birds tweeting in the distance, like it's cute or something, while I stood guard, watching anyone and everything that may near.

My heart aches at the thought of being away from her, my father too, but Nora and me? We're inseparable. Or we were, until now. I've never spent a day without her, and as much as it pains me, it won't be forever, and it will be for the greater good.

With that in mind, I add it to the ever-growing list of positives to fuel me.

As I round a bend in the path, reaching the crest of the hill that leads back down to the lush grounds of the academy, a turret in the far distance catches my attention, rooting me to the spot.

The walls are worn, but the work has begun to bring it back to its full glory. The once cream exterior is now a mottle of copper and brown, but the stained-glass windows still shimmer in the sunlight, even from here.

Floodborn Castle.

The last to walk those halls no longer remains in control of the kingdom.

King Reagan. The fae king. Tarnished and broken, the fae desperately need a new sense of hope in the kingdom, and I'm going to provide it.

Seeing it standing in the distance, a beacon of fae strength, sends a warmth down my spine that lifts the corner of my mouth. The breeze around my face feels gentler, the air warmer than a moment ago, and the zing that glosses over my skin cements this moment forever in my mind.

That's where the heir will reign.

That's where I will reign.

My nostrils flare as I take a deep breath before slowly exhaling and continuing along the path.

Reaching the bottom of the incline, I notice the tree line grows thicker, the lush green leaves forming the perfect archway over the path as I slink into what seems like a forest. White snowdrop flowers grow sporadically throughout the grassy area, with a few sprinklings of berry shrubs and daisies.

It's undeniably breathtaking, but it has a strange way of setting me on edge. Like it's out of place here. Maybe that's the point of it: to catch us off guard.

Well, consider my guard well and truly in place. Thank you very much.

The sound of music playing drowns out the tweeting birds, and every step I take makes it louder. I purse my lips, considering whether to continue on ahead and risk bumping into whoever is playing the awful tune that fills the air or turn back around, slink back into the shadows, and walk the long way back.

My stomach grumbles in protest, reminding me that I haven't eaten anything since yesterday evening, but the indecision still wars inside of me. Curiosity gets the better of me when I spy two guys by a fallen tree trunk.

I slow my pace, sticking to the opposite side of the path to where they are as I take them in. One has a soccer ball in his possession, tossing it up in the air and catching it while he lays on the grass beside the trunk, whereas the other guy sits with his elbows braced on his knees.

They're chatting and laughing, none of which is actually audible with the music playing, but the familiarity and calmness between them is clear. Which is crazy as hell because I can tell they're not from the same origin.

The guy on the grass has messy brown hair, emerald green eyes, and a noticeably broad frame, even from this distance. The guy with him has jet-black hair swept to the side with precision and deep brown eyes that seem to be calculating everything, even while he's seemingly relaxing.

A glance from anyone else may seem irrelevant, especially from this angle where you can't see any more significant details about them, but my father trained me how to confirm someone's origin. It's an ability I like to keep close to my chest. Especially here.

Secret or not, the two origins I find laughing together now are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

A wolf and a vampire.

The origins with the largest populations, making them the top two origins likely to produce the new heir. The thought alone makes my jaw clench and my eyes narrow as I stare at them, even though they've technically done nothing wrong.

A twig snaps under my boot, a sound not noticeable above the music, not to the naked ear at least, but it drags both of their gazes in my direction. It takes everything in me to school my features and keep my feet moving, despite their attention, but it's impossible to tear my eyes from them.

The air shifts around me and the wolf forgets his ball, bracing on his elbows as he glances over at me. The vampire frowns, the tick to his jaw noticeable from here. My presence is clearly not wanted. Maybe turning around earlier to go unnoticed was the better option, but it's too late for me to change my mind now.

Rolling my shoulders back, I wet my dry lips as I strain every muscle in my neck to look away from them, but just because I'm not looking at them doesn't mean they're not looking at me. My body tingles from their attention, and as much as I will it away, it only grows stronger the closer I get.

Just follow the path, Addi. Pretend they're not there and get the hell out of here before you open your mouth and cause any unnecessary drama.

"I don't know who suggested you go for a walk through here, but let me make it clear: no humans are wanted along this path."

"Not human, but thanks," I bite back before I can stop myself.

A flash of movement flickers in the corner of my eye, and a moment later, the pathway in front of me is blocked. The green-eyed wolf stands with his arms folded over his chest, a step behind the vampire who leers a little closer than I'm sure is necessary. He taps at his chin as his gaze drifts over me from head to toe, the cloak concealing most of me from them.

Thankful for the floaty layer, I slip my hands inside to hold onto the first weapon I can get my hands on. Just in case.

"Well, you're not a vampire, as there's nothing flashy about you," he states, turning his nose at me, but I keep completely still, refusing to react.

"Definitely not a wolf. She's not warm and welcoming," the guy behind him adds, making the vampire nod.

"Not a human, so she says, and she's missing pointy ears. Sure, she's wearing a cloak like a mage, but she doesn't have the air of regal wisdom like Abel does. Wouldn't you agree?" He doesn't bother to glance over his shoulder at his companion, who nods in agreement.

"If you're done with your assessment…" I start, but the vampire's gaze darkens as he shakes his head at me. Which only serves to annoy me more.

"Which only leaves a shifter, but there's just…something missing from the equation." He edges in closer, making my spine stiffen. "So, we're back at the beginning with you being a human. Lying about it is never going to change that fact."

I refrain from rolling my eyes, barely, as my mouth parts, ready to put him back in his place, but the shrill sound of girls giggling bursts the little bubble we seem to be in. My lips mash together and I sink my teeth into my tongue, willing myself to keep tight-lipped.

Glancing over their shoulders, I track the new arrivals: three girls and five guys. I feel both pairs of eyes remain on my face for a moment longer before they follow my line of sight.

Use this to your advantage, Addi. Get. Out. Of. Here.

They're standing in front of me before I can make my hasty exit.

"Who is this?" one of the girls asks, peering down her nose at me with an air of superiority that instantly reveals her as a vampire.

"Wait, isn't that the weirdo with no fae ears that was standing with them?" One of her friends stares down at me with the same expression as she makes her jibe, and I take two rushed deep breaths, trying to calm my instinctive reaction, but it does little to quell the annoyance simmering in my veins.

The feeling only intensifies as the girls laugh at her appraisal, while the black haired, sharp jawed vampire who called out in the first place tries to meet my eyes.

Don't react. Don't react. Don't react.

"She's fae? But how?" The wolf asks, flicking his own ear, earning another chuckle from the growing group.

"Ew, fae, why are we even having this conversation right now?"

The taste of copper fills my mouth as I use all of my might to just keep my mouth shut, even though I want to jab a blade into this girl's neck and make an example out of her.

I really should; it would be a lot of fun, but I don't want to reveal my hand so soon. If the alternative is them underestimating me, then so be it.

Taking a deep breath again, it works a little better than my last attempt and gives me enough fuel to put one foot in front of the other, side-stepping the group as a whole, but I'm halted just as quickly.

"Fae are as low as they get. You're going to find yourself very, very, lonely here," Mr. Vampire grinds out as he stares down at me with a sneer lifting his upper lip.

I feel the snap inside of me as my tongue falls from my teeth, which I bare in what I'm sure looks like a twisted, feral smile that does nothing to make me look good.

"Oh, I can get lower," I murmur, stepping closer to him this time. A move that makes his eyes widen just a fraction. Good, you know I'm not afraid of you. "When I drop to my knees for a dick worth submitting for, I can get way, way lower." My nostrils flare as my breaths come in short, sharp bursts. I stare him down, hearing the gasps echo around me at the crude words that fall from my mouth, but this is who I am. Some days containing it is a little harder than others. "Have a nice day," I add, attempting a sweet smile now, but I know it's still nowhere close to friendly.

I don't wait around to find out, though. He gives me an inch and I take it, hightailing it out of there before I utter another word.