A Curse of Flames Read online

“If you need to tap that princely ass, all you gotta do is leave a sock on the door handle,” she says so coolly I can’t help but turn red hot with embarrassment. “I can find somewhere else to spend the night. I know how hard it can be to find privacy at school.”

  “It’s not that,” I say. “Well, it’s not only that. I haven’t…I haven’t slept with a guy before. I don’t know how to initiate it. I’m not used to a culture where women take the lead.”

  “Just don’t overthink it,” she says. “Sex is just instinctual. When the time is right, you’ll know. And you’ll know how. It’s just biology.”

  “But it isn’t just that,” I say. “There…gods. I can’t even explain this.”

  “Just try,” she says.

  “Last year, you kept asking if there was something between Erick and me…” It’s hard to continue. I feel like just talking about this is a betrayal of Caleb.

  “And you kept saying no,” she says. “And then you and Caleb made it official.”

  “But…what if you were right?”

  “Did something happen with you and Erick?” she asks. Her whole demeanor has changed. Her eyebrows have pulled together, and she’s sinking lower on the end of my bed

  Why does she look so worried? It’s making me feel even worse.

  “No,” I say. “That’s why it’s so weird. Nothing has happened between us. We’re barely friends. We fight and argue all the time. In some ways, yeah, we work well together. He’s a great tutor. But he just makes me so mad.”

  “But…?” she asks.

  “But…I think about him…a lot. Like, too much. Like…all the time.” I am so ashamed to say this out loud I have to fight back tears.

  “Hey,” she says, rubbing my arm. “It’s okay to be confused about these things.”

  “But what should I do?”

  “I don’t have an answer for that,” she says. “You have to figure it out for yourself. But just because a guy is perfect on paper doesn’t mean he’s perfect. Caleb is great, but that doesn’t mean he’s right for you.”

  “I just feel like…if I had never met Erick, then Caleb would be the one.”

  “Okay, well, you also need to stop thinking anyone is ‘the one’ right now,” Dannika says. She stands up and grabs a bath towel and some scented soaps. “You’re nineteen! Caleb is your first boyfriend. He certainly won’t be the last. You are going to get your heartbroken and break many hearts before you finally settle down. Just have fun, have sex, and please, have a damn shower!”

  She tosses the bathroom stuff at me, and we laugh.

  “How did you get to be so wise?” I ask, tossing the covers off.

  “My mom has been married like six times, but she’s over a thousand years old,” she says. “Immortality gives a whole new prospective to love.”

  I pause to think about that. When I imagined life with Caleb, I was thinking of like forty or fifty years of growing old together. I hadn’t thought about the fact that who I end up with could be…forever. Or at least for hundreds of years.

  “Wow,” I say. “That does put things in perspective.”

  “And you have forever to think about it,” she says.

  Forget forever. I just need to get through today.

  After a shower, some makeup, and a warm meal in the cafeteria, I finally feel somewhat human again. I follow Dannika to class—Elemental Study. Shayne Draconis and the Fae history and politics teacher Mariana Silvers are having a hushed yet heated discussion in the hallway. Professor Draconis seems frustrated while Professor Silvers has her hand over her mouth and keeps shaking her head.

  “What’s going on with them?” I ask Dannika.

  She shrugs. “The teachers are on edge. You haven’t been around to notice, but the Ministry is taking them all in for questioning.”

  “But if they weren’t involved, why would they be worried about it?” I ask.

  Dannika pushes open the door. “I have no idea…”

  Just before I follow her into the room, I spot Erick down the hallway. I freeze, and my breath hitches in my throat.

  He smiles and gives me a little wave.

  It takes all my willpower not to smile back.

  “Hey, beautiful.” It’s Caleb’s voice behind me. “Going my way?”

  “Hey,” I say, turning to him. “Um, yeah…duh.”

  I’m such an idiot.

  He holds the door open. I rush inside and sit next to Dannika, which ends up being a seat on the aisle. Caleb sits in front of me.

  Professor Draconis hustles into the classroom and opens his notebook. Some of the pages fall to the floor, and I’m pretty sure I hear him curse. He’s obviously flustered. After picking up his papers, he tries to put them back in order.

  “Today, class,” he says. “We are talking about magical signatures. It’s rare and probably a waste of my time, but it’s in the curriculum.” He speaks as if he’s in a rush, like he has somewhere he needs to be.

  “Magical signatures are like a magical residue that some very rare Fae can see. For example, after someone uses their powers, a faint light might continue to glow around them. A fire Fae might have small fireworks around them, or a water Fae might have little raindrops falling around them. But they are unique not just to Fae type but even person to person.”

  So that’s what that is! Up until now, I’d just assumed everyone could see them. The first time I had was when Damon used his powers on some lionwasps we fought on our walk to Callador, and then again when Erick put on a display in our first Elemental Application class. I had mentioned to Dannika at the time that the sparks I saw around him were amazing, but she must have thought I was just talking about the display. Professor Draconis said the ability to see signatures was rare.

  I raise my hand, and he calls on me.

  “Just how rare are we talking here?” I ask.

  “Oh, extremely,” he says. “It’s been over a century since we’ve have had a student able to see signatures.”

  So Dannika wasn’t talking about the signature. Unless she can see them, too, but hadn’t thought it worth talking about. That doesn’t seem likely, though, nor does it seem like we’d both have this rare gift. Two girls in the same dorm room, no less.

  But I better make sure.

  Leaning over, I whisper, “That would be amazing to see.”

  Dannika nods. “Yeah. I wonder what mine looks like.”

  Hmm. I hadn’t thought about that. I’ve never seen them around myself. I’ll have to look in a mirror later.

  So not only am I having visions, which Fae apparently don’t have, but I have a super-rare gift of being able to see magical signatures.

  What is wrong with me?

  I want to yell out, “I can do this,” but then I wonder if anyone would believe me. Besides, maybe it’s in my best interest if no one knows I can. I hate to keep this to myself—pile it on top of all my other secrets—but it seems like it might turn out to be a weapon one day, if I play my cards right.

  As I’m mulling this over, the door swings open.

  “Shayne Draconis,” a stern woman says. “Report to the main office for questioning.”

  The color completely drains from Professor Draconis’ face.

  “Yes, Minister Tempest,” he says. He quickly gathers up his papers, and then rushes out the door with his head down as if he is heading to his own execution.

  “Class,” Minister Tempest says. “Please open your books to page 237.” She goes over to the chalkboard. After she writes a rather complicated spell on it, she taps it. “This spell requires three movements, three types of energy, and three items. What are all nine things? Write your answers down and place them on my desk before you leave.”

  “What is she even talking about?” I quietly ask Dannika.

  “This is a personal assignment, Miss Flareburn,” Minister Tempest says sternly. “Everyone will work on this independently.”

  “I’m sorry,” I say, “but this is way beyond us. We are only on chapter two�
��”

  “I’m aware,” she says. She surveys the class, as if waiting for any questions, but I think we’re all equally dumbfounded. “You may begin.”

  I sigh, but take out my book and try to read. It’s only the second week of classes, and I missed a few, so what I try to read makes no sense. I have so many new thoughts flying through my head, and I can’t concentrate.

  I open my notebook, but instead of working on the spell, I start to make a list of people who could have been helping Myra. That must be what the Ministry is investigating.

  I start by writing down the names of people who could have given Myra the poison.

  The poison was mundane, not magical, though I had never heard of a poison in the human world that could turn someone into a tree, which is basically what happened to the students who died, including Myra. So I try to think of any Fae who has strong ties to the human realm. The only one I can think of off the top of my head is Headmistress Shadowburn. Her wife is human. I don’t really think it’s her, but I write her name down.

  Ella said most poisons are plant-based, which is how she was able to find the antidote. From that line, I try to think of people who are advanced enough in botany to make a poison. I don’t have any botany or herbology classes being a fire Fae, but Ella has mentioned the head herbology professor is a woman named Jasmine Graves. I write her name down. Even if she didn’t create the poison, she might know who else would be skilled enough to do so.

  I sigh with frustration. This isn’t getting me anywhere. It isn’t these people. And I don’t know them well enough to question them anyway. I scratch the names out before turning to a new page. Dannika reaches out and pats my shoulder reassuringly. She must think I’m stressing over this spell problem. She’s probably actually doing the work. I give her a small smile.

  I start to make a new list of people, people who might want me out of the school. I never did find out who sent the lionwasps after me last year, or why the new Elemental Application coach seems to have it out for me.

  Coach Volcanis is probably a good place to start, so I write him down. Under his name, I add Lucas. I don’t really think Lucas has it out for me personally, but he might be working for someone else.

  That gives me an idea. If I could question Lucas, or have someone else, we could find out why he attacked me in class. Or who had him attack me.

  Damon’s name is next. He has largely ignored me this year so far, but he wanted me gone last year.

  A dark gray robe brushes past my desk.

  When I raise my head, I see Minister Tempest staring down at me and my work.

  “Sorry,” I whisper. Shuffling my papers around, I pretend to focus on the problem she wrote on the board.

  She simply presses her lips and continues to walk down the aisle. Geeze, how long was she watching me? At least she has no idea what I was working on.

  As she sits down, I go back to my list, but now there is another name on it. One I didn’t write there.

  Erick Greyspark.

  I bite back a gasp. How did his name end up on my list? And why?

  I scan the room, though I have no idea what I’m looking for. No one could have written on my list while it was on my desk under my other papers. It would be impossible.

  As my eyes are shifting, they catch sight of a flicker at the front of the room. Small blue sparks are whirling around Minister Tempest. Her magical signature! She must have used magic to write Erick’s name. Minister Tempest and I lock eyes, and I quickly look away. I don’t want her to realize I know she added the name or that I can see her signature.

  I study the paper and wonder what it all means. Why would Erick want me out of the school? I never met him before I arrived here. And he allowed Dannika to bring me into their circle of friends. He used my help to investigate the poisoning and attacks on Ohdows Hall.

  I examine the other names on my list. Damon Clawfire, Coach Volcanis, Erick Greyspark. What is the connection?

  Why would any of them want me gone?

  Chapter 5

  That evening, I have dinner in the cafeteria alone. Caleb and Erick have practice while Ella and Dannika are in clubs I’m not a part of. It’s a little awkward eating by myself when I am surrounded by other people, but it gives me a chance to think things over.

  What probably concerns me more than Erick ending up on my list of people who would want me gone is that Minister Tempest put him there. Who is she? Why would she help me? Or why would she lead me astray? I have no reason to think Erick might want me kicked out of the school.

  Maybe she put him on the list for another reason. Maybe she didn’t know why I was making it. She could have thought it was something else. Damon is supposed to be the fire Fae mentor, and Coach Volcanis oversees our training this semester. Maybe she thought I was listing people who could help me.

  She could be trying to help me…or hurt me…and she may or may not have succeeded depending on what she thought the list was.

  That’s…not helpful at all.

  As I’m sipping my warm tomato soup—not exactly a Fae specialty, but comforting—Professor Draconis rushes past carrying a sandwich and his papers. He doesn’t stop to eat, and he’s haggard and sweaty.

  Poor guy. What did those ministers put him through? Is he guilty of something? I can’t imagine it, but there’s no other reason he would be acting so strange. If he were innocent, why would he care they were asking him questions? Well, sure, I guess being nervous is normal when questioned, but this guy acts as if he’s going to pass out at any moment.

  Just as Professor Draconis exits, the room goes deathly silent. I turn to see the entire Ministry of Justice team enter the room, each of them carrying a tray of food. They all go to a corner of the room and sit together. The other professors who were eating suddenly finish their food and leave. Several students get up and exit as well. A chill works its way up my spine, and I have to fight the urge to leave.

  These Fae really need to work on their people skills. No one’s going to want to cooperate when they keep giving off this crazy evil vibe.

  Last year, I asked a member of the Unseelie court if there was any basis to the belief winter court Fae are evil. Now, I’m starting to understand where that feeling comes from. The Ministry of Justice is supposed to be made up of members from both courts and unbiased, but it is clear all the members here are Unseelie.

  I wonder why. Callador has always had a Seelie bias. Most students and professors are Seelie even though they claim members of any court are welcome. It’s surprising the Ministry would send so many Unseelie courtiers to a place that would be more welcoming to Seelie members. But maybe that’s precisely why they’d chosen the ministers they had. If they’d sent Seelie, they might be less inclined to investigate members of their own court.

  I have no idea, though. I’m just speculating.

  This whole thing is rather bonkers. I mean, they should be investigating. There is a lot more going on around here than anyone—even me—knows. Yet, the investigation seems to be going in the wrong direction. I don’t think they are going to get anywhere by scaring the crap out of people.

  I sigh, and I can’t help but watch the ministers. They all have black-and-silver notebooks on the table next to their trays. Occasionally, someone will open one and reference something. Like they’re comparing notes. I bet it’s details from their interviews. I wonder if they’ve learned anything interesting. Anything that could help discover if there is a larger conspiracy behind Myra’s death. Any information about the attacks on Ohdows.

  Do they know who is out to get me?

  If I can screw up my courage enough to talk to Minister Tempest, I’ll be able to figure out if she was trying to send me a message for some reason. I’m just not sure I can trust her. I don’t know her. Logically, if she wanted to tell me something, she could always call me in for “questioning.” After all, I was the person who realized Myra was behind the poisonings. It would make sense for them to want to speak to me. Actually, th
e fact they haven’t is rather odd.

  Minister Tempest glances up from her notes and catches my eye. I quickly look away, but not before seeing the edges of her mouth turn up in the slightest hint of a smile. Focusing hard on my soup, I take a bite, but it has gone cold now. I’m pretending to read my notes from class when the ministers finish their meals and head out of the cafeteria.

  All right. This is it. I’m going to follow them.

  If my friends were around, they’d warn me not to do it. My cold soup issues no such warning, though, not even as I dump my food in the trash and head into the hall behind the ministers.

  First things first, I need to find out where they’re staying—without getting caught following them. I try to stay far enough behind to be lost in the sea of students, but close enough to keep an eye on them. I’m not sure if it’ll work, but they don’t seem to be checking to see if anyone is following them, and I’m sure it’s not actually a secret where they’re staying.

  As they head into Aurez Hall, I pause. This is the hall for the air Fae students. I clearly don’t belong here. If I’m caught, there’s not much I can say, unless I claim to be visiting a friend. And whose name would I offer up in that case?

  As the ministers head deeper into the throng of students, I realize I don’t have time to think about that. I need to keep going and walk confidently, as if I belong here.

  The ministers all enter a door on the first floor. If it’s like the rooms on the other floors, it’s probably a suite, with several rooms and bathrooms all connected.

  Learning what they’ve discovered so far in their investigation is my objective, but I don’t know how I can. For the next few minutes, I hang around, keeping a careful distance while I try to come up with a plan.

  Truthfully, I hadn’t thought about what I was going to do once I knew where they were staying. There hadn’t been time to think about it. If I had, I would still be sitting in the cafeteria right now, staring at cold tomato soup, and worse off than I am now because I wouldn’t even have an inkling where they were staying.

  At the same time, the knowledge of where without knowing what to do next isn’t much better, if any at all.