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

blood-drinking life, but it’s vampires who order around demons. Everyone knows that.” She smirks.

“But I didn’t do it. I was at the dance. There are witnesses.”

“Do you mean Lea? Unfortunately, she’s not the most reliable.” Jurik doesn’t waver.

“But we danced together and—”

“She was with Emeric if I remember correctly.”

“Not the entire time.” Arguing is futile. I’m at the headmistress’s mercy.

“Two strikes, Tyrren.” She eyes the RIP grounds out the window. “I’m considering banning you from the Rjoklund Games endurance challenge, but I believe in offering second chances. But not third so unless you want to experience a real-life test of endurance over at RIP, I suggest you follow the rules.”

But I have been. I’m starting to think someone has it in for me. Why else was I the only vampire in Jurik’s file? Is there something she’s monitoring? A conspiracy going on in the background? Instead, I say, “Yes, of course, Headmistress.”

During my workout, breakfast, and morning classes, whispers about the demon attacks on several fae get louder. By lunch, it’s all been pinned on me. I’m the pariah. Well, at least among the fae. I don’t see Lea and I’m not entirely surprised. Not after our conversation and not after me supposedly ordering the attack on fae—if she believes the hype.

I spend entirely too much time in the blood dispensary in the coming days. Vandalism on campus increases and everywhere I go I feel eyes on me. I hardly see Lea except in passing. When I do, she hardly looks at me and won’t speak to me.

I’ve never felt so alone.

In the gray dawn, I pull on my sneakers for the Rjoklund Games. The scent of damp earth kicks up from my footfalls. Leaves and the faintest sounds of birds and squirrels rustle from nearby. We all gather around a podium.

No one holds signs for the event or shakes pom-poms to cheer us on like at my old high school. It’s kind of solemn. The clouds overhead tell me to go back inside.

The headmistress stands in front of a microphone. “Students, welcome to the annual Rjoklund Games named after the famed endurance challenges in the Southlands of Borea.”

The surrounding crowd cheers in a subdued vampire-y kind of way.

“We honor the vampire traditions of old with these tests of endurance but with one difference. You will do it with a partner. Someone unlike you. Vampires will be paired with fae. You will learn to work cooperatively.”

By the grumbles, I’m assuming that’s going to be the real challenge.

No one claps. Thunder sounds in the distance.

“We’ll all return here at nightfall to celebrate.”

Jurik goes on to read the names of the pairs. I pity the fae who has to go with Rizon. I hear my name and then Lea Vladikoff.

I blink, certain I misheard. No way would Jurik pair us up.

Lea appears in front of me. Dark circles ring her eyes. She looks tired, thin.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi,” she repeats, glancing over her shoulder at Emeric.

When everyone is matched up, Jurik explains the three games. There is a footrace, a hammer throw, which if it’s anything like throwing axes, shouldn’t be too bad, and a golden disk hidden somewhere on the grounds. The team to find it wins the overall championship.

A bell chimes. Everyone is off on fleet feet.

Lea and I look at each other awkwardly. No words are spoken. Then we take off. We cruise along the trail, avoiding roots, rocks, and the uneven terrain. We’re in the middle of the pack. Not the fastest and not the slowest but definitely the quietest. Whether it’s because Lea is concentrating or because she hates me, I’m not sure. The tension is like a thick slab of iron between us.

We arrive at a fork in the trail. It’s an even split between both directions as the people ahead of us keep running.

We go left. The pack of runners thins out and Lea remains focused on the terrain. I’m not sure what to say to break the ice. I clear my throat but words don’t come.

All at once, she hits the ground hard and is dragged into the underbrush.

I find my voice and shout.

A demon grips her ankle. I kick it hard, sending it creeping back into the bush. She wiggles loose and gets to her feet.

“Are you okay?”

She nods and brushes off leaves.

“For the record, that had nothing to do with me.” My muscles are coiled and I remain in a fighting stance, eyeing the brush.

“Probably part of the race. An obstacle.” Her voice is flat. “We should keep going.”

It isn’t. “What if it attacks the next person?”

She shrugs and starts running again. Lea, my warrior princess, didn’t walk away when the demons attacked the girl in Brooklyn before we were locked up. I don’t want her alone on the trail in case there are more. I’m torn between warning the next runners or decimating the thing but hurry to catch up with her.

Ahead, there’s a checkpoint for water and fuel. For me, that means blood. I hate it every time but my body doesn’t. While I feel refreshed, Lea still looks worn out, exhausted after getting water and a snack.

“There was a demon on the trail,” I tell the CA.

He doesn’t reply but holds me steadily in his gaze like I’m the one who needs watching.

“Right. So. I warned you?” I’m frustrated but and take off to keep up with Lea.

We reach the end of the trail without another incident, except for regular obstacles, including a huge mud puddle, a wooden fence to climb, a rope swing, a narrow plank to walk over a pit, and without another word spoken between us.

We have a few minutes to rest while the rest of the runners come in and before the hammer