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

of who she is. I want to slash and burn it away so it’s visible to her too if it isn’t already. She’s the fiercest and bravest person I know.

What does she see when she looks at me? Her goofy, nerdy friend, obsessed with dusty old books and metalwork? Or a vampire who’s out to suck her dry?

Lea exhales loudly, I’m guessing with relief now that she’s put distance between us and RIP.

“Okay, I can’t take it anymore,” I say, my patience left somewhere a mile or two behind us.

“Oh, right. Sorry. This is a pretty rad set of wheels.”

I look at her sideways.

“What’s going on?”

“The head of school wanted to see me a little while ago. Of course, I thought I was in trouble. I’ve broken just about every school rule and a law or two. She said we’re a lot alike.”

“So you weren’t in trouble?”

“Oh, I’m in it big.”

I raise my eyebrows.

“Headmistress Jurik had a kid. His father died tragically. He was never the same after that.”

“Understandable.”

“He requested to be turned.”

It takes me a minute to figure out what she means. “He requested to be turned into a vampire?”

“You got it.”

“No one does that.”

Lea’s shoulder lifts slightly as though it had crossed her mind. “Jurik wants me to bring him to her...to destroy him.”

“Harsh.”

“I have to find him and get him back to the campus.”

“So you’re just aiding and abetting a crime.”

“It’s for the good of humanity,” Lea says.

“Wait. You said back to campus.”

She nods.

If I was the one driving I would’ve stopped short. “Wait. Do you mean—?”

“Headmistress Jurik’s son is Emeric.”

I’m floored. “But if Jurik had him on campus all that time, couldn’t she have sent him to RIP or destroyed him them?”

“She was hoping RIP Jr would change him. I thought about this. He’s her son. She had hope. Then when she realized what he’d done to me, forced me to perform the acts of vandalism and was leading the X-Crew...she knew she had to take drastic measures but didn’t want to put her position at risk.”

“What’s in it for you?” I ask.

“A shortened sentence. I do this and I’m free.” Lea changes lanes. “You too.”

“You requested I be released too?”

Lea smiles slightly. “I’d do what she asked with that condition.”

“Are you sure you can trust her?” I ask.

“Jurik got a lead from some former students who left RIP Jr and joined the crew. She’s been watching carefully. There’s an X-Crew meeting tonight. I’m going to bring Emeric back.”

“Sounds dangerous. Lea, have you really thought this through?” Worry prickles every part of me.

“No, of course not. But I can’t pretend like everything’s fine. Emeric tried to hurt me twice. No way he’s going to try that again because if I’m sure of one thing, he’s going to come after me. Likely, that’s what the meeting tonight is about.”

“How was he getting on and off-campus?”

“The same way you’ll get back.” Lea fiddles with something on her wrist when we pause at a traffic light to go through the tunnel.

“I just left. No way am I going back,” I declare.

“We have to do this the right way. Official. Jurik will release you, clear your name. If you’re on the run, they’ll drag you back. Probably directly to RIP.”

Familiar, sprawling buildings and signs come into view as we enter the city. I lean back on the headrest, trying to convince myself she’ll be okay.

The robotic voice of the GPS says, “Recalculating,” indicating she strayed from the directions she imputed earlier. She pulls down a street, narrow from cars on either side and double parks.

“I take it this is my stop.”

“I’m sorry, Tyrren. Believe me, of all people, I’d like you to be with me, but it’s too risky.” She removes the iron bracelet from her wrist and passes it to me. “Jurik marked this with what she called a rune of passage. It was for me to use if I run into trouble and need a quick escape.”

“You keep it. There’s a reason she gave it to you.”

Lea shakes her head. “I’ll be fine. I can do this. In fact, I may have been born to do this.” She grips my hand and places the bracelet in it, forcing me to take it. A little thrill shoots through me, straight to the chest at her touch.

“Trace the symbol and it’ll bring you back to campus.” She reaches over and opens the door.

I reluctantly start to get out and then stretch over the center console and give Lea a tight hug. I don’t want to let her go, but Lea pulls away. Our eyes meet. Hers are dark, almost animal-like, ravenous, ready to kiss or kill.

Her gaze drops to my lips. I dip my head.

Energy sizzles between us. Electric, magnetic, kinetic energy.

Then she lets out a long breath, turning her head. “I should go.”

I lean in and plant my lips softly on her forehead. “Be safe.”

Then I get out of the SUV and remain on the sidewalk, watching as the brake lights glow when she stops at the traffic light, keeping her from vanishing completely. Then I take off at a run, tailing her.

 

Chapter 19

Leajka

 

 

If it were a month ago, I wouldn’t have thought much of Tyrren kissing my forehead. It would’ve been seen as a friendly gesture. Now, it’s like his lips left a permanent mark. A tattoo. I can’t stop thinking about it. About how his heart is stronger than the change to being a vampire. His intentions are true. The thought of how Emeric was manipulating me sets my teeth on edge.

Lost in thought, I absently make the turns the computerized voice