Page 7 of Oleander
“Jesus H! What was that?” I gasp, leaning over and bracing my hands on my knees as soon as my lungs are somewhat functioning again.
“The shields under each tapestry charge the corresponding elemental magic when a Fae makes contact. You were drawn to it because the magic was calling to you, and normally, it would have been beneficial, but the iron cuffs prevented the magic from reaching your source.Your heart,” Onyx tells me as he helps me stand upright again, smoothing down my hair. “Your hair is sticking up just a little there.”
Birch snorts, and I narrow my eyes on him, reaching up to feel my electrified hairdo.
“It’s fine. We must keep going, Sklyer. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine. No worries.” I turn my back to him for a moment and roughly swipe at my nose. I glance down at the bright red smear that came away on my hand.
Shit.
I lift my black tee and wipe my nose until it’s gone.
I hope.
Onyx doesn’t look convinced when I turn around, the worry on his face evident.
“I’m good. Let’s go.” I hold my arm out, motioning for them to lead the way.
“Seriously,” I say emphatically when Onyx doesn’t move.
“I don’t have time for such foolishness. We need to go,now,” Birch demands. I can’t disagree with the grumpy bastard, so I stride after him, hoping he’s taking me down the correct corridor and not a quiet corner where he can murder me.
The walls are the same gray stone as the outside, and a soft golden carpet leads the way. Elaborate paintings line the hallway, ranging from beautiful nature scenes to detailed portraits of Fae royalty.
Birch stops in front of massive wooden doors that are propped open. A large mahogany desk sits front and center, with rows and rows of books beyond it and several connecting hallways.
“The administration office,” Birch informs me in a bored tone. “And your final destination.” My captors-slash-rescuers are ready to drop me off andleave.
“Wait, you’re leaving me?” I ask Onyx with what I’m sure must be panic-stricken eyes.
Fuck.Weak again.
Sympathy washes over his face while Birch remains impartial.
“We have ensured your safe arrival, and now you must check-in. There is nothing left for us to do. There is no work here for us.”
I don’t know anyone at this fairy school, and it might be concerning, but my captors are starting to feel more like home the longer the scary Fae girl behind the desk glares at me. I can’t help but stare back; she’s the first female I’ve seen in this world. Her ears are draped in rose gold chains and barely stick out of her long blonde hair. Much more subtle than Onyx and Birch’s giant ears. She’s beautiful, for sure, but also a little terrifying, like a praying mantis that could eat me alive.
I turn back to my kidnappers, more specifically Onyx. “Can’t you be my bodyguard or something? You said so yourself: I'm special, and there needs to be discretion.” I’m throwing his own words back at him, but I’m feeling out of sorts and slightly terrified.
“We cannot stay. You are safe here, little Fae,” Onyx whispers tenderly. “I will check on you every time I pass through.” He squeezes my shoulder fondly. “You will do amazing things, Skyler. I can feel it.”
Without hesitation, I wrap an arm around his shoulder and pull him in for a quick hug, catching him off guard. It doesn’t take more than a moment for him to reciprocate. Despite everything, Onyx and I have bonded on some sort of level, and I don’t think that will change anytime soon.
“I suppose we could wait and show you to your dorm if the headmaster doesn’t already have plans, of course.”
“You’re getting soft in old age, Lieutenant,” Birch ribs.
Old age?
They don’t even look thirty.
Birch sees the confusion on my face and takes the opportunity to drop yet another information bomb on me. “Fae are practically immortal unless killed, and we age extremely slowly. Never trust your human perception here in Faerie, Skyer. It can get you killed.”
I swallow roughly at his harsh words.
“Enough, Birch! You need to learn boundaries and when to keep your mouth shut.”
