The Shadows of Blackbriar Academy Read online

  Jesse shrugs as if it was a casual comment and not a warning.

  Gideon turns his attention to Milo. “Any input you want to add?”

  He sits forward. “With our skills combined, we stand a chance to come out of this relatively unscathed. But, as Wren mentioned, only if we work together. Now’s not the time to let our egos get in the way of our goal.”

  Soren growls. “I don’t believe this.”

  I roll my eyes. “Look, we go into this prepared for a fight. If it turns out to be nothing, then all the better. Splitting up would be a mistake.”

  “So, we go in there,” Jesse says, “at the butt-crack of dawn. What else?”

  “We will portal to a location about one mile from the facility where we believe Michael is being held.” Gideon leans forward in his seat. “We take our next steps, depending on what happens when we get there.”

  “Why can’t we just portal straight there?” I ask.

  “Because,” Soren says, calmer now, “if it is a trap, we land right in the middle of it. It’s best we give ourselves some distance. This way, we can scope the area for any signs of danger on the way.”

  I nod. I hadn’t thought of it that way. But now that it was explained to me, I see that it makes perfect sense.

  Milo nods. “Arriving a short distance away will also ensure we remain unseen. It’s safer.”

  “Are we good on this now?” I take time to look at each of my men individually. They each respond with a nod, a smile, or a wink.

  “Very well,” Gideon says. “Now that it’s settled, we need to discuss what we will do with Michael once we have him safely out of the hands of his captors.”

  I narrow my eyes on him. “What do you mean?”

  He stands from his seat and approaches me and places his hands on my shoulders. “I received word earlier today that your father is a suspected criminal.”

  “That’s horse shit.”

  “Wren, we have to consider this as a possible reason he disappeared.” His voice is calm and gentle.

  I shake my head and pull away from his grasp. “No. I refuse to believe it. What is he suspected of doing?”

  “I don’t know. Gaining information on your father’s past is proving difficult.” Gideon maintains his tone. “But if he is a criminal, he can’t come here.”

  “Then where do you suppose we should take him?” I cover my face with my hands and take a few steadying breaths. I just can’t allow the image of my father to be shattered by an accusation that can’t possibly be true.

  “I’ve secured a private safehouse on the East Coast. We’ll take him there and make sure he’s safe until there is proof of his innocence or guilt.”

  I shake my head. “So, we save him only to keep him at a distance from me?”

  “Not necessarily.” Gideon returns to his seat. “You will be able to visit him. We will do everything we can to make sure he remains safe and protected with wards and a few of my most trusted magusari friends.”

  I cross my arms as a pinch forms in the center of my forehead. “I don’t like it, but fine. At least he will be safe.”

  “I’m sorry, Wren.” There is something in Gideon’s voice that pulls my attention to him. And he, for all the world, looks truly apologetic.

  “I understand.”

  For a moment, things are silent.

  “Anything else we need to discuss?” Gideon asks.

  “I have something.” I step forward.

  “What is it?”

  “Savannah Fey. She’s a friend of mine, but she hinted to me just before we came here that she knows the service for Professor Lawrence is all for show.”

  “Are you worried about this?”

  “No,” I say as Soren says, “Yes.”

  I narrow my eyes on him. “No. She’s a friend. She’s helped a lot, in fact. And she’s never given me a reason not to trust her.”

  “Yet.” He points at me.

  “I agree with Wren on this,” Gideon says.

  “You do?” Soren’s eyebrows knit together as he takes in his best friend sitting casually in his seat.

  “I do. Until I see otherwise, I will stand by that. But I believe it is best for all of us if she’s not involved.”

  “I agree,” Soren and I speak at once. I snap my eyes to him and smile. He’s too in shock to fully enjoy the rare occasion that we agree, much less at the same time.

  “Aww, how cute, the lovers agree.” Jesse approaches and pats Soren on the shoulder.

  Soren huffs and shakes his head, but his lips quirk up at the sides and I smile a little wider at that.

  In fact, I’m grateful for him. For all of my men. Hell, I’m even grateful for my friendship with Savannah.

  Though all of this is still new to me, I can’t see making it through any of this without all of them. As I take a moment to enjoy the sight of my men in the room with me, working together to help me save my father, I realize that my adoration is quickly becoming something deeper for each of them.

  And as far as Savannah goes… I’m starting to adore her too. It’s nice having a girl to talk to.

  Lady Alene appears in the room. “Good evening, everyone.”

  I approach her, and there’s an expression on her stony face that reminds me of regret and guilt. I smile. “I don’t blame you for what happened during my fifth trial. I hope you know that. In fact, I wanted to thank you. Your help meant a lot to me while I was going through the trials.”

  The stony façade shifts into one of relief and joy, and she smiles as she rubs the length of my arm with her hand. It’s such a tender and warm touch for her being made of stone. “That brings me such relief. I’m grateful for your kindness.”

  “Of course.”

  “I do hope you will continue to visit while you are attending.”

  “I promise.” I turn to face the rest of the group. “If we’re leaving as early as Gideon suggested, we should probably get some sleep.”

  “What?” Jesse feigns shock. “But the night is still young.”

  I chuckle. “You’ll get over it.”

  Gideon stands from his desk once more. “I agree. You all need to get sleep. I’ll catch Lady Alene up on the plan and head to bed myself. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight everyone.” I leave the office and head straight for my room. Though I doubt I’ll be able to sleep well, I know I at least need the rest enough to try.

  I’m hours away from seeing my father again. That feeling creates a sensation of butterflies in my stomach along with an overwhelming sense of glee. I know anything can happen tomorrow, but for now, I allow myself this hope.

  Chapter Eleven

  The sun isn’t even up yet. With hours before it is set to grace the world with its light, I stifle a yawn and stretch my arms over my head, bending back slightly.

  I stare out the window in Gideon’s office, my thoughts lost in the details of our rescue plan. If we succeed, I get my father back. If we fail… well, there is no room to fail. I won’t let it come to that, and I know my men won’t either. So far, it’s just me, Soren, and Gideon waiting in the office. We’re all lost in our own thoughts of the coming mission. Jesse and Milo have to walk farther than we do. Their houses are on the other side of the castle.

  They’ll be here in a few minutes.

  Soren yawns and grumbles about waiting just as a tapping sound comes from the door. Seconds later, the door opens. Milo and Jesse enter with excited expressions on their faces. Jesse is so energized he’s almost buzzing with enthusiastic vigor, and by the look on Milo’s face, he’s exhilarated by what the new day will bring. These men are impossible, and I love it.

  “Good morning,” Milo says.

  “Morning,” we all mutter.

  “Time to go.” Gideon moves toward a floor-to-ceiling framed piece of art made to appear as a real bookshelf. He pushes the frame in and steps back. The section opens and reveals a small set of stairs that lead upward.

  One by one, each of us take the stairs. Soren
leads, followed by Milo, Jesse, and me, with Gideon sealing the secret staircase and taking the rear. We arrive at the top of a tower. As soon as I take in the sight, my breath stills. I step closer to the short wall that separates me from the very long fall to the ground below. Up here, the wind blows stronger, colder. But the view…

  Breathtaking.

  The island below kisses the edge of the ocean that meets the sky which is just barely starting to brighten with the rising sun to the east. To the west, night still lingers. The last thin strip of silver light from the moon sinks under the water. Up here, I can almost touch the stars. Standing on the top of this tower, I feel as though I can fly.

  Below us, mermaids swim toward the shore. The waning moonlight makes their colorful scales glisten as some of them rest on jagged rocks guarding one side of the island. In the woods, sprites sluggishly flash their lights. They’re nocturnal, and they seem to be tired and readying themselves for bed after a long, chilly night of dancing among the stars. Some windows in the kitchen area are alight with busy staff, working to prep breakfast for the rest of the academy. And in the distance, small lights dot the horizon from the mainland.

  The whole scene is simply serene. Peaceful. It’s a breath of fresh air that brings me hope as we prepare to head into a dangerous situation to rescue my father.

  “Beautiful,” Jesse says, but he’s looking at me and not the sight that makes me want to stay up here forever.

  “Gather around.” Gideon’s voice pulls my attention to him as he moves his hands in a graceful and quick way. In one smooth motion he performs what looks like a ritualistic gesture, crossing his arms over his chest, palms facing his body, and thumbs interlocked. Light fills the space in front of him as we all stand in a circle around a newly formed portal. It’s a tall pillar of sky blue with sparkling specs of white glitter throughout, floating upward.

  With a nod from Gideon, we step inside, and I feel as if I’ve been sucked into a vacuum. The sickening yet weightless feeling of being pulled and pressed overcomes every other sense. Before long, my feet settle on solid ground. It takes me a moment to gain my bearings. And, judging by the look of the others, they need a few seconds as well. Gideon and Soren seem to be the only ones not fazed by traveling through the portal, which makes me wonder how often they’ve done this.

  As planned, we’re one mile away from the location where my father is being held, somewhere deep in a forest in Arizona. The ground is sloped, and as my eyes regain focus, I stare at the pine tree covered mountains surrounding us. High above us must be the peaks of these massive mountains, but I can’t see them from the little outcropping we’re standing on. The change of salty, moist island air to the sudden warm dryness makes it hard to breathe, and I know it’s only going to get hotter and harder to catch my breath as the sun continues to rise above us. Luckily, the trees will provide sweet relief from the overbearing rays.

  We pause for a few moments, listening for the slightest sound of an alarm or a footfall nearby. I watch both Gideon and Soren turn their heads and scan the area, their faces screwed up in concentration as they reach out with their magic. Satisfied that our arrival remains undetected and that we haven’t triggered any magical traps, we start our silent hike toward the facility.

  A short while later, a tan colored building comes into view, surrounded by a twelve-foot fence topped with military-grade concertina wire. It strikes me as a building that’s out of place with its surroundings. Though it’s tucked away in a large national forest, it’s definitely not open to visitors.

  It’s a compound with several smaller buildings resembling storage sheds, flanking the main building that are joined by a short, covered walkway. For all intents and purposes, it looks like a research facility in the middle of nowhere. I can’t imagine what mundane studies would be conducted here, but what does catch my interest is the fact that no cars surround the building. No roads lead here, not even the barest hint of tire tracks mark the ground, making it seem like the only way to get here is by walking a long distance.

  If I had happened upon this building during a hike, I would think this building is abandoned. There are no lights or sounds. No guard in site, much less a guard station. The compound appears hollow. Research long forgotten. Left to the elements. Simply there to bake in the hot desert sun.

  But I know better.

  I’m certain there are guards, mages, and who knows what else, set up somewhere out of sight. Getting in and out seems like it would be easy based on the misleading appearance. And getting in may very well be easy. Especially if this turns out to be a trap. Getting out? Well, we aren’t going down without a damn good fight.

  We follow the length of the fence and search for an opening in the chain link wall, or a gate that provides an entrance to the compound. After a short time and an anxiety-filled moment of thinking there may not be a way in, we find a gate, sitting open, not more than fifty feet away from us as we take huddle within the cover of trees.

  Gideon and I exchange a determined glance. This is playing right into our plan.

  He and Soren approach and enter first. After a moment of looking around for signs of unwanted guests, they wave for us to continue. I head in next, and then Milo and Jesse file in after me. Standing in the center of the compound, Soren and Gideon stand in front of me, I’m in the middle, and Milo and Jesse take up the rear. After a brief look around, keeping our ears peeled for the slightest sound that comes out of place from the woods surrounding us, we cross the large, empty, red-dirt yard to the main building. The double doors in the front blends into the rest of the building, only revealing itself as we approach. Like the gate, the doors are unlocked.

  The muscles in Gideon’s and Soren’s shoulders tense as they prepare for an ambush as soon as they open the doors. My magic pools in my hands, glowing with the power rushing through me.

  After a short pause, Soren pushes the doors in, revealing…

  No one.

  Either this will turn out to be one hell of a trap, or we’re being toyed with. I push the uneasy thought to the side. I try to ignore the glance that Gideon gave Soren. Soren then immediately looks at me, making my nerves feel like they’re on fire with apprehension.

  It’s still early. We still need to find the room my father is being kept in and get out of here.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as we move inside and through the halls, opening doors to random rooms. One is filled with boxes, another is filled with desks and papers, and yet a different room is filled with filing cabinets. So far, it’s a whole lot of nothing, but with my intuition flaring, I still keep my guard up.

  One thing I’ve learned in my time with the trolls that’s proved especially true in any circumstance, is not everything is as it seems. Appearances are deceiving. That’s what my gut is telling me right now, and over the years, I’ve learned to trust it. My men seem to believe the same as their shoulders tighten with tension while we slowly move through the compound. Their expressions are of stony seriousness as they scan every nook and cranny we pass.

  Just when I begin to think we were given faulty information, we approach the last room. Its door hangs off its hinges. The smell of smoke hangs heavy in the air as we step inside and scan the room. Torn pieces of paper litter the floor. Something has charred the white cinderblock walls. Up-ended chairs are scattered at opposite ends of the room, and splotches and puddles of blood add to the stomach-churning scene in front of me.

  I hope beyond all hope that none of it belongs to my father, but I’m not convinced. I’m not sure if I should be grateful or worried that no bodies are strewn across the floor. Where is my dad, and how hurt is he? There’s too much blood for no bodies to be present.

  A note folded in half sits on the table, tented on an otherwise empty surface.

  Gideon approaches the table and gingerly picks up the note, quickly scanning the words before setting a sad gaze on me. He holds out the paper toward me.

  I swallow hard as I numbly take it a
nd read it aloud. “Too late. Better luck next time.” I look up from the letter and shift my attention between my men, each of them with somber, solemn expressions. “How the hell did they know we were coming?”

  “Not sure,” Soren says.

  “From the look of this place, they left in a hurry. That means they’ve only recently found out and had to move quickly.” Milo adds.

  Gideon nods. “I agree. And by the look of things, there was a fight. Probably your father trying to get away, but with the amount of blood, I’m willing to bet several people lost their lives.”

  Though I agree with their assessment due to the lack of bodies, I shake my head, unwilling to lump my father in with that lot. “Nope. He’s alive. I feel it.”

  “Wren.” Soren’s voice is soft as he takes a step toward me.

  I hold my hand up, trying to defend myself from a possibility I won’t accept. “I’m not entertaining that idea. All right? I can’t.”

  “Or, what if he’s responsible for the damage here?” Jesse kicks at a sheet of paper on the floor.

  “Next time…” I start to anxiously pace. “Whoever has him is already anticipating us coming for my father again?”

  “Seems like they’re a step ahead,” Gideon says.

  “But that means he’s alive, right?” I look into Gideon’s blue-green eyes.

  “If it’s not meant to bait you, yes.”

  I nod. Yes, I like that idea better. Although, we have to start from scratch to find him again.

  “This is simply a hurdle. Not a complete roadblock.” Gideon’s voice is full of promise. “We will find your father. It’ll just take a little longer than we first thought it would.”

  “I was really looking forward to a fight.” Jesse sighs wistfully.

  We turn our attention toward him. He looks between us. “Did I say that out loud?”

  “You’re right,” Gideon says. “I, too, was expecting some opposition here, but for some reason they saw it as more important to forcefully remove your father and jump ship. They obviously need something from him.”