Fae of the South (Court of Crown and Compass Book 3) E. Hall (ebook reader macos TXT) 📖

will do that, then I won’t say a word,” I tell him automatically.

“Good,” he says.

I meet his hazy eyes, afraid of what I might see there. “Aaron, I found your ethics book.”

“I don’t care.”

“I think you do. I think there’s a little part of you that cares. It’s not too late for you.”

“That’s the thing about losing your shadow. You don’t care about anything.” His shoulders droop.

“You must, considering you’re pointing a knife at me.”

“And I’ll drive it through your chest if I have to.”

I click my tongue. “Ah, is that how they destroy vampires these days? Did you learn that in class or elsewhere?”

He chuckles. “This reform school is a joke. It’s a sham.”

I raise my eyebrows, eager for info. “How so?”

“No one is who you think they are.”

“Such as? And don’t worry, I’m not going to say anything. You and your friends run along and tear the world apart. I know, it’s a game. I’m supposed to pick a side. I’m bound to live for all eternity. I’m just curious to know who’s playing. Give me info and I’ll give you what you want.” I reward him with a grin.

He turns my words over.

“Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?” I ask.

He sneers with narrowed eyes. “This is also about you, Tyrren.”

I conceal surprise. “Fine. What would it take to leave Lea and everyone at RIP Jr out of this?”

“RIP is this,” he says. “You’re no hero. Don’t try to be one.”

I snort. “How am I part of this?”

“You’re the perfect fall guy.”

I balk. “How so?”

“Turn you into a vampire. Send you to RIP Jr. Make it look like you’re the one behind all the crimes against fae on campus, including letting the demons in.”

“Why?”

“To build the Shadow Army. Starting with me. Stupid, forgetful Aaron was picked first.”

“And that’s something to be proud of?”

He doesn’t answer.

“Emeric changed me so he’s behind this. Who’s he working for?” I ask.

“The king of the Southlands.”

“And what do you want from me?”

“Go to Jurik. Confess that you let the demons in. You allowed all the fae at Riker’s Reform School to succumb to the rending of their shadows, including Lea’s.”

I wrinkle my eyebrows together. “Emeric wants her shadow too?”

“By now, he already has it.”

Ah. That was the plan. It’s an understatement to say that I’m glad it failed. “Okay, I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

“Go to the headmistress first thing in the morning. Confess. Take the blame. If you don’t, this knife will have your name on it.”

I’m afraid it already does.

Chapter 17

Leajka

I mentally hurl every gut-wrenching, conflicted, and twisted thought at Emeric’s image in my mind. He flashes there like a photobomb. I want to scream at him, destroy him.

He made me think I was special.

He led me falsely.

He used me.

Tyrren doesn’t return from his dorm room. My heart stutters. Maybe I should be mad at him too. Or worried. However, he’s a vampire now. Clearly, he can handle himself.

I slouch back to my dorm because even without the files and the flimsy evidence they prove, I have to warn Amelia and the others. Emeric concealed the fact that he’s a vampire and conducted the secret meetings with the fae to gain our trust only to betray us.

The weight of what’s happened today gets heavier with every step. Half of me wants to cry and curse this so-called life. The other part of me rejoices in knowing the truth. I want to lash out with rage against everything that’s happened, including the things I’ve done, but also hide behind the same hand. I’m ashamed. I was tricked.

Tyrren’s presence and unwavering care for me softened something inside of me, yet at the same time, I’ve become grittier, grimmer. I thought I was wild and free with Emeric. It turns out, it isn’t fast cars that are my greatest temptation, but the attention of a guy who told me I’m important, special, powerful. I don’t want to be that girl. I want to be me.

For weeks now, I thought it was my own rebellious spirit urging me to skip classes when really it was Emeric’s poisonous tongue in my ear.

Nina and I reach the door to the girls’ dorm at the same time.

“What are you doing here?” She raises her eyebrows.

“Unfortunately, I live here.”

She surveys me carefully.

“I thought you were with Emeric tonight,” she blurts.

It’s then I realize she’s probably in cahoots with him. Likely, Jasmin and all of the vampires too. And there I thought he was one of us. He’d pitted me against his kind. I’m embarrassed but try to hide it.

“He wanted me to grab something before—” I pause, clearing my throat as though I realized I better not say that we’re leaving campus—likely his intent, considering the car was waiting.

“You better hurry then,” she says and sashays inside.

I worry she’s going to try to find him.

I rush toward the stairs and my room, hoping Amelia is there. I have to warn her. The room is empty. I sit on the bed, wondering if maybe she went to the bathroom.

The longer I wait, the closer I inch toward mischief addling my thoughts. Whether I had Emeric encouraging me to break rules or not, I tend toward being unseelie. That much is indisputable. But as Amelia said, I get to choose what I act on.

While I wait for her, I pull drawers out, searching for the necklace with the snowflake charm that Ivan gave me—the one I took off when he didn’t bail me out. When I find it, I hold it up and the charm spins in the dim light. I