Page 5 of Oleander
I glance at Onyx, who is once again glaring at his partner. “Don’t use that word,” he admonishes. “And it isn’t accurate either. Skyler was not left in the Mortal Realm, nor was he swapped at birth.”
“Sorry, captain. Ahalfling,” Birch corrects himself, and I can’t figure out if his problem is with me or if he’s just a grumpy, cranky bastard.
“I suggest you step in line, soldier,” Onyx says firmly, his eyes glowing a deep purple. He turns to me, his frown immediately morphing into a soft smile. “You’re special, Skyler. You need to be protected at all costs, and you won’t fully be until you’re behind the enchanted stone walls of the academy.”
My captors continue on through the trees, their long strides gliding effortlessly over the uneven ground while I stumblebehind ungracefully, tripping over gnarly tree roots and slipping on vibrantly colored moss.
The forest is lush, and life here is thriving. The exotic birds put on a lively concert for us, and sparkly green butterflies flutter around my head before disappearing deeper into the woods. Bizarre-looking flowers dot the oversized trees and fill the canopy with a kaleidoscope of colors. Deep purple shrubbery accents the forest floor with wild mushrooms of every shape and size. My senses are overloaded with new sights and sounds as I stand here, taking it all in.
Something inside of me settles.
“Wow,” I whisper, in complete awe of the wild Fae forest.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Onyx whispers, startling me.
“I didn’t even hear you move,” I admit with slight embarrassment when I realize any creature could have snuck up on me and attacked.
“You’re connecting with the land, little Fae. It’s understandable. Completely natural. Agoodthing. Take your time. We have your back, Skyler. Nothing will approach you. Close your eyes and open yourself up to the plants, the animals. To the sun and the wind. Let the elements charge you, connecting you with Faerie and settling your inner magic.”
Elemental magic.
That’s what Birch said it is. All Fae gather their power from one of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which element I have.
Air.
Neither of my captors would confirm or deny it, instead telling me I would learn everything at the academy properly.
“It will help balance and ground you with the land. Level out your. . . explosiveness,” Onyx says, continuing to instruct me patiently and kindly.
I do as I’m told and close my eyes, opening myself up to this brand-new world of sensations and feelings. The beauty is overpowering as magic surrounds me. Warm wind picks up flower petals from the forest floor, swirling them around me and tickling my skin. The breeze is infused with the calming scents of rose and hibiscus, triggering cherished memories of gardening with my grandmother. I helped her every day when I was little before she passed. The smile on my face is more genuine than anything I’ve ever offered in the Mortal Realm. There’s a certain peace here with nature.
The iron cuffs won’t allow me to access my magic, but the wind still reacts to me, offering comfort instead of harm. It soothes a part of my soul that I never knew needed soothing, instantly elevating my mood.
My eyes pop open, my energy fully charged like this is some sort of video game and not my new reality. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Onyx gasps when I look at him, a slow smile curving his full lips.
“What?” I ask hesitantly, my brows creasing in confusion.
“Your eyes. They’re glowing silver. Your magic has awoken.”
CHAPTER THREE
SKYLER
Besides a few close calls with thieving chipmunks, completely filthy clothes, and some mild cuts and bruises, Onyx, Birch, and I make it to the academy in one piece. Wild predators left us alone, not even showing themselves once, although I’m not disillusioned enough to think they weren’t watching. I’m sure I looked like obvious prey. But it doesn’t matter because they must have retreated as soon as they got a glimpse of the big-ass swords strapped to my kidnappers’ backs. And for that, I’m grateful. I’ve been traumatized enough; I don’t need to addattacked by supernatural creaturesto the list.
When we step out of the treeline, a large emerald field dotted with small yellow wildflowers comes into view. A wrought-iron fence with a colossal front gate guards the steep, winding road to the academy. My new university is strategically positioned at the top of a large hill and surrounded by forests and a massive stone wall, only allowing me to see the tops of a few towers whose sharp spires pierce the clouds menacingly. My future here remains a daunting mystery, one I’m not looking forward to figuring out. I have no clue what to expect, and that’s kind of a scary thought.
When we approach the gate, I crane my neck, shielding my eyes against the sun. The gold filigree is elaborate, veined with black and silver like some sort of metallic alloy we don’t have in the human world. I step closer, reaching out to run my fingers along the smooth grooves and ornate etchings.
Before I can make contact, Birch roughly grabs my forearm, squeezing tightly and stopping me. “Touch it and die.”
I yank my arm away, scowling at his blasé expression and extreme words. “Excuse me?”
“The gate is infused with both Air and Water magic,electrifying it,” Onyx explains, concern shining brightly in his purple eyes.
