Chapter 8 | Ravinica

Chapter 8

Ravinica

ALARM BELLS WENT OFF in my head. I sat back, stunned, blinking at Corym. "Wait, w-what?" I stammered. My eyes swiveled from Corym's brilliant orbs to the smug expression on Deitryce's face.

Corym's younger sister wasn't fond of me. The feeling was mutual. In fact, all the elves except Corym seemed to want me out of here, if not dead. They saw me as an imposition—same as it ever was.

Even separated from my race, I couldn't find my place here among the foreign Ljosalfar elves.

I shouldn't have been surprised about Corym's admission. Humans and elves were enemies. It was folly to think otherwise, and foolish for me to imagine a peaceful coexistence, it seemed.

My throat went dry as a desert. A hint of betrayal swept through me, which felt awful considering I had gotten rather close to Corym E'tar over the past few weeks. He had, at the very least, made my stay here manageable. The elf had tried to make me as comfortable as possible, despite the warnings and mutterings from his kinsfolk. He had trained me in new forms of physical combat I hoped to exploit back at the academy, and had helped burgeon my new runeshaping powers.

I didn't have an answer for why my inherent magic had decided now was a good time to awaken. I wondered if my meeting with Lady Elayina had anything to do with it, or if my contact with the elves and my proximity to Corym had been the cause.

It didn't matter right now. I felt trapped, suddenly, by Corym's announcement he'd been sent here to discover the defensive capabilities of Vikingrune Academy. I hoped that didn't mean he was planning on testing those capabilities, too.

I had now learned the how and why they were here. Both answers were concerning. A weakened portal? A scouting mission? What does it all mean? They aren't telling me everything.

I had to remember, if our positions were reversed, I would probably do the same. Despite everything that had transpired over the past three weeks, I was more human than elf, had lived with them my entire life, and was considered an enemy to these people.

Cormy said nothing for a long time, simply studying the growing panic on my face. Then, "You asked, lunis'ai . I answered."

I flared my nostrils in frustration. "I can only think of one reason why you would need to understand the defenses of Vikingrune Academy, Corym." To attack it.

"I am sure. However, let me explain." He twirled his fine wrist, lifting his palm from his knee. The entire situation here—crossed legs, sitting on the floor, eating from clay bowls—seemed very peaceful and Zen.

"I fear we are not the only people to have discovered the weakening wards of Midgard's portals," Corym said. "There are other races much more worrisome than ours, where humans are concerned."

I chewed my lip. My rampaging heart managed to settle a bit at his explanation, though I wasn't completely satisfied with his answer. "Can you expand on that, please?"

He glanced over at Deitryce, who gently shook her head, as if I wouldn't notice. Then he went on, going against her gesture, which caused her to roll her eyes.

"The goblin and kobold tribes, inhabiting many of the nine realms. The jotnar, giants from Jotunheim, Muspelheim, as well as trolls. Dwarves and Dokkalfar from Svartalfheim. The list goes on, as I'm sure you know. They all pose threats to the middle-lands of Midgard. And, thus, humankind."

I leaned forward, planting my hands on my kneecaps. "You're saying they're all headed here?"

"We can't be sure. All we can do is prepare for the worst."

"Prepare for the inevitability, you mean, brother," Deitryce amended.

At least one person in this room was certain of an invasion. What about the elders? They haven't said a damn word, the three of them sitting there with blank looks on their faces as if they don't even understand us.

I found the three elder elves disconcerting. Were they saving their energy for something important? Were they vowed to silence by some creed of their people?

I shook the thoughts aside and focused on Corym and Deitryce. This seemed incredibly important—like knowledge I should have known the first damn day I came here.

"So, to be clear," I said, "it's not the Ljosalfar elves planning on invading Vikingrune Academy?"

"Not unless we're given a reason to," Corym said.

It was a half-ass answer, but it would have to do for now. "Why would all these creatures wish to come to Midgard?"

"For the same reason species always invade others: resources, power, enslavement, conquest. The empires of the realms are always looking for ways to outclass their opponents. Can you imagine what would transpire if a specific race had the resources of Migard at their disposal, and the sheer numbers of humans enslaved to their armies? It would make a people unstoppable."

I shook my head wildly. "This is insane. These people— your people—you know we'll fight back, right? Humans are not weak, contrary to what you may think. We have a history of fighting like hell for what we think is ours."

"Yes, we know that . . . though not everyone agrees," Corym said, glancing over at his sister. "Elves are not in the business of underestimating potential enemies. The existential threat these beings symbolize should not be underestimated either. They may not come with spears and magic, but with nuance and trickery. The Dokkalfar are cunning, treacherous. Goblins, kobolds, and trolls are hearty and strong, yet they don't lack brains. Jotnar are unlike anything this realm has ever faced. And, don't forget, our pantheon is a living pantheon. Could you imagine the potential destruction if the Aesir and Vanir were to come down from the heavens?"

My eyes widened. Corym was talking about literal gods. Odin, Loki, Thor—those guys. He can't be serious, can he? Does he know something I don't? Something no humans know?

My hands trembled when I lifted them from my knees. The light elf deflected to all the other races that could potentially cause humans harm. But what about the Ljosalfar themselves? I was their prisoner, not the prisoner of the dark elves or jotnar. The Ljosalfar were the first arrivals—the first contact with outside races humans had had in eons.

By Hel, these warriors had already killed half a dozen Huscarls right in front of me! Would have killed me, too, if it weren't for what I looked like.

The betrayal inside me morphed into fear. It was a crippling sensation, seeping through my bones, straight to the marrow. I need to get out, I urgently thought.

I had been pining for my men every day now, missing them. Once or twice I'd even thought about escaping into the night, fleeing so I could try to find my way back to Vikingrune Academy. Curiosity had kept me here.

Without a map, the journey would be treacherous. Delaveer Forest was vast, the Isle was huge. I could easily get lost and wind up right back here, under even more scrutiny than before.

Getting close to Corym today—that could easily be chalked up as an accident. A fluke. At the end of the day, I didn't know this man well. He wasn't telling me his motives, he was deflecting from it. Which only scared me more.

I abruptly jolted and stood up from the circle. Everyone stared up at me from where they sat.

" Lunis'ai ?" Corym asked.

I noticed the hint of sorrow in his tone, as if he knew he'd said too much and spooked me. "If what you say is true, I have to warn my people."

Strangely, Corym's eyes moved from me . . . to the elders.

I followed his gaze to the three flat, wrinkle-free faces of the statesmen, all of whom slowly shook their heads.

"Afraid that's not possible, half-blood," Deitryce spat.

My body tensed as I curled my hands into fists at my sides. I gave Corym a pleading look, my eyebrows arching helplessly. "You said I was free to leave this place whenever I wished, Corym."

"Did he now?" Deitryce said with a snort, eyeing her brother and shaking her head. "Regardless what he said before, things have changed."

"Is she the leader of this outfit, or are you?" I growled, keeping my eyes on Corym.

He dipped his chin, shame chasing across his beautiful face. "It doesn't matter. The elders have spoken."

"They didn't say a damn word!" I cried, throwing my arms up.

"They did to us," Corym explained.

I blinked. Mindshaping?

Putting my hands on my head in frustration, I looked down at Deitryce. "What's changed, dammit? You said I can't leave now because ‘things have changed'."

"You told us about Lady Elayina. Though we might not need to see her now, we will soon. You will lead us to her, as you offered before."

Damn the gods! I opened my big fucking mouth and this is the outcome? I gritted my teeth, clamping my jaw to try and prevent an outburst. My eyes never left Corym's cautious face. "Now I know why the elves can't be trusted. You go back on your promises."

It didn't matter what the histories said about the elven-human alliance. That was the past, this was now. From what I could see, nothing had changed.

I stormed toward the exit of the tent. Two elves in golden armor stood outside, spears crossed to block my path.

Spinning around, I glared at Corym.

"Let her pass," he said, waving his hand.

"I'll run," I promised him.

The elf stood and sighed, putting a hand to his forehead to swipe his glorious sun-silver hair out of his face. "Escort her to the corral."

The guards nodded. I scoffed with derision, lifting my chin. I had needed to hear Corym say it: I was still his prisoner.

"Ravinica." When I paused and looked over my shoulder, he said, "Patience. Please. That's all I ask."

More patience? Fuck that!

I realized I couldn't rely on anyone else. If I was going to leave here and warn Vikingrune about the situation at hand, I would have to do it without help.

I walked toward the "corral" with my golden-armored escort. It was essentially a makeshift barn for me to sleep in, complete with a small cot.

As I walked through camp, earning typical scowls and haughty expressions, I glared at everyone I passed. A cold autumn sun fell on me, making me squint, and I started to think more about the situation and what I could do.

Warning Vikingrune . . . is it really in my best interest?

I had almost forgotten that the Huscarls the elves attacked by the creek had been the ones who kidnapped me first. Sent by someone from Vikingrune Academy to bring me in, led by Arne Gornhodr.

I'm without a home. As always. Trapped between these two worlds.

The only home I had, that I could think of, was with my friends and the men I trusted: Grim and Magnus. Dagny and Randi.

Anger swelled inside me at the position I'd found myself in. Just an hour ago, I had walked through this camp with my hand entwined with Corym E'tar's. Now, I was back where I started—untrusting, suspicious. I should have never asked to sit with the council.

As I stepped into the small confines of the corral, I wondered if I should try to help Vikingrune Academy at all, or just let it burn. I wondered if I'd made a huge mistake letting Arne live, free to spout whatever bullshit he wanted once he returned to the academy. I wondered if my friends and mates were looking for me.

I wondered, I wondered, I wondered . . .