Fae of the South (Court of Crown and Compass Book 3) by E. Hall (libby ebook reader .txt) 📕

squeeze in apology for storming off earlier and a promise that I’ve made my choice. I’m not turning my back on her.

Everyone clears out and I give Lea a long, lingering look but she’s glazed over—probably as shocked as me at this strange reality.

On our way back to our room, Aaron says, “That was cool. Stupid but cool. No one crosses Rizon. He wasn’t joking. He rules the reform school. Just for your info, if we fae had access to our powers, we could totally handle ourselves. I’ve always thought that was the problem—everyone is afraid of us because of our magic so they discriminate and try to keep us down.”

As we enter the dorm, he goes on, but I’ve stopped listening because the news relays reports about how the world’s on fire, falling apart brick by brick, and we’re insulated inside this little campus with idiots like Rizon.

Aaron must go back to the room because next thing I know, I’m alone with Cole and Felix flanking me on either side.

“It’s safe to assume Princess Lea is secure in her dorm. Can we talk openly?” Cole asks.

I turn away from the television to face them.

Felix rubs his hands together like a spectator warming up to watch a good fight.

“We’re friends, right?” Cole asks.

He doesn’t let me reply.

“Rizon wasn’t wrong. There’s a way that things work here at RIP Jr and girls like Lea aren’t a part of that. I see the emoji love eyes on your face and the way you went to help her.” Cole presses his teeth together, making the wincing emoji face—except for the four very sharp vampire teeth in his mouth.

“And that’s a bad thing?” I ask.

“Lea is a pariah,” Cole says.

“Do you mean a piranha?” Felix asks with a laugh.

“You don’t know her as I do.” I set my jaw and clench my fists. “Why do you guys care?”

“Don’t want to see her suck you dry.” Cole laughs at his own joke.

“See, I told you, piranha,” Felix says.

“Aren’t vampires the ones that do the sucking? And I have to say, this conversation sucks.” I brush past them.

“Do you know what you’re doing?” Cole asks.

I pause.

“I don’t think you do,” he says. “You’re going to get hurt.”

“Is that a threat?” I challenge.

Jasmin and Nina stand in the doorway.

“Did someone say threat?” Jasmin strides into the boys’ lounge on the ground floor of the dorm. “That was quite the show you put on in the quad.”

“What are you doing here?” Cole asks.

“Ouch. Cold like my heart.” She mock-flinches as though insulted. “We were just thinking, wouldn’t it be fun to go to prank the new students?”

Nina smirks. “We know you guys could think of some good ones.”

I think of Lea’s pranks over the years. If it weren’t for the fae-vamp division they’d all probably get along fine. Although, I sense these four are mean spirited.

Jasmin brushes her fingers against Cole’s hand. “It would be fun, don’t you think?”

He blinks a few times and I realize she uses her mesmerizing abilities on him.

I move to leave.

“Tyrren, don’t go just yet. Let’s create some havoc. You like breaking rules.” Jasmin’s eyes flash to meet mine. “Why don’t you show us that you didn’t really mean all that back in the quad. You’re a vamp. You’re on our team.”

I blink slowly as though entering a dream. Jasmin’s voice has a soothing, lullaby quality.

“This conversation’s getting hot,” Felix says.

“Speaking of choosing. Is it going to be him or me?” Cole points between himself and me.

He must’ve broken Jasmin’s concentration because I snap to. I should know better than to succumb to her vampire hypnosis.

“Whatever. I’d rather be with Emeric,” Jasmin mutters. Or maybe she said Eric or Rick. It doesn’t matter. I don’t care.

Cole looks sharply at her then turns to me. “Listen, vampires don’t like fae and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from them, especially Lea.”

“In that case, we’re done here.” My voice is prickly.

“Be careful,” Felix says in my wake.

As I stomp up the stairs, it wasn’t only my voice that was prickly. I feel prickly all over. I want to punch something. A hammer, anvil, and hot metal used to do the trick.

I flip the light on in my dorm room. A black X stains the wall. The chemical fumes of spray paint hang heavily in the air. The window is open and cold air breezes in. I close it. Below, movement catches my eye. It’s not Cole and his crew. Rather, the figure reminds me of the demons Lea slayed.

The room is torn apart. Papers ripped from books, clothes pulled from drawers, and Aaron, lying on the floor. Only, he’s gray, a shadow.

The hall is quiet behind me as I call for help.

I crouch down in front of my roommate.

His eyes are dim, but he wears a strange, surly smile. “You probably should’ve listened to Rizon. He took his revenge. Made his point.” Aaron slowly gets to his feet, staggers over to the wall, and rips something from the plaster.

I hadn’t noticed the handle of a black knife against the paint.

“They said you get one more chance because they could use you.”

He angles the weapon at me.

I step backward, careful not to trip on the junk littering the floor.

“It’s a nasty game, Tyrren. You belong on the other side.”

“But you’re fae. What are you talking about?”

With his free hand, he snaps his fingers. “Just like that, they made me a weapon.”

“Speaking of weapons, why don’t you set that knife down,” I command.

Aaron’s voice is robotic. “It’s war. Light and dark. Good and evil. I’m their pawn. The demons rended my shadow. Now I do what they want.”