Page 68 of House of Vampires and Flame

“I feel the wild magic in Underhill as well,” I revealed more.

Cade’s eyes sharpened, homing in on me. “How did you get to know the wild magic in Underhill? It doesn’t welcome anyone. Even Killian can’t venture into the depths of Underhill.”

“I can be a friend to all magic.” I shrugged. “Anyway, we should focus on the urgent matter, which is to strengthen the Veil.”

Disapproving murmurs spread across the courtyard. I shouldn’t have talked to a prince that way.

“I might not have manners, as I wasn’t schooled and taught in society, high sir,” I said, bowing my head a little to appease the prince and the crowd. “I’m merely a wild boy who has found a home here. I want to be of use. In a century or two, when corruption from the human realm keeps leaking into our realm, the wild magic might be our only defense to keep Mist of Cinder from fading. So, sir, please, we need to fix and strengthen the Veil. I’ll be at your disposal if you’re up to the challenge.”

“Your Highness, forgive me for speaking out of turn,” Bea chimed in. “Detecting a security breach and amending the Veil will earn our house points, so all will see that mages’ spells are superior to the fae glamour. Your Highness will be the hero again by protecting the realm.”

“Of course,” Cade said as he lifted his gorgeous chin. “We mages are masters of spells and wards, and no house can beat the House of Mages at laying wards.”

Cheers erupted, and a band of high mages stepped out of the crowd, spells twirling around their palms. A few of them rolled up their sleeves, eager to prove their prowess.

Cade snapped his fingers at his people. “Let’s go take a look at the broken Veil. It’s long overdue anyway.” He shook his reddish head in disgust while Bea and I beamed at each other. “Our house has to do everything for the benefit of the rest of the realm, don’t we?”

Cade strolled toward the open fence of the dwarf burning bushes, which now flourished bright crimson, spell free.

The mages rallied around their prince.

“Hurry up, Little Bob,” Cade snapped. “We don’t have the whole day.”

I sprang after him, a bit dazed that my plan had worked. But I stayed a few paces in his shadow, just in case any vampire suddenly came out at me, even at noon.

We cut across the less traveled path at the back end of the shops and wandered through a cluster of shacks and a theater. This was the edge of the campus grounds, where those who didn’t belong to any house dwelled. They had more freedom, but they weren’t granted any house’s protection.

As the mage prince led us through a shortcut to the Veil, we didn’t meet many students; while steam rose from the ground and the breeze blew hot like an oven at high noon, most students chose to stay indoors.

We strode through the fields of long grass until there were only hills between us and the Veil. Even from this distance, I could feel corruption leaking into the realm from the bottom of the portal like a trail of oily smoke. A dark web crawled over the Veil, turning its shimmering to black veins. A Shrieker had breached the Veil a week ago.

“What the bloody hell?” Cade growled.

The mages gasped and cursed. Then all at once, they abandoned their stroll, raced to climb the hill, and charged down toward the Veil.

I was right behind the prince, who led the race.

The magic, weaker than last time I was here, whimpered.

Uneasiness surged into me as I felt the nearness of the Shriekers. Then, like a nightmare coming true, long claws pushed through the Veil. A Shrieker was coming through, and it would expose me!

My heart pounded. Cold sweat grew slick under my armpits.

I acted instinctively and shot past Cade. Sy pumped her strength and speed into me.

Faster! she urged.

She could get there sooner than I, but I was fast enough, running on fear, rage, and adrenaline.

“Little Bob! Come back!” Cade yelled.

I pumped my legs faster, Deathsong tight in my grip.

The Shrieker poked its hideous head out of the Veil before the rest of its body followed. It was a male. The creature saw me and grinned grotesquely and delightedly.

“Prin—” it started.

I leapt a dozen feet in one jump and thrust my dagger into the space between its eyes, which was a Shrieker’s Achilles heel. When my father made the abominations, he stored his magic in their third eye.

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