House of Ravens (The Nightfall Chronicles Book 2) (22 page)

I pull Kai's sword out of the beast's eye and try to stand, but I stumble and fall to my knees as he walks over, a bit wobbly himself. I'm scared of what happens now. My wings are still out. He's seen everything. I wait, gripping my arm as my body works to heal it.

He kneels before me and smiles, caressing my cheek. "You look good with my sword."

I blink. I'm ready to mind control him, but I don't want to. Did he hit his head in the fall? Isn't he freaking out? I'm so confused. "Um… thanks?"

He grins. "You look good with the wings, too."

I suck in my breath. My body is shaking. "Do you understand what I am?" I cock my head, trying to read him.

"You're Nephilim," he says, as if telling me I'm blond or that I have blue eyes. "And… you're Nightfall."

My heart skips a beat. "You seem awfully… calm."

He takes his sword out of my hand, sets it to the side, and holds both of my hands in his. "It doesn't change how I feel about you, Scarlett. And I'm not going to tell anyone, don't worry about that."

"You… accept this?"

He nods. "I've actually suspected for a while, but I didn't really care either way. I still don't, though I'm glad I know for sure, and I'm glad you know I know."

"But your father, your uncle… "

He frowns. "Scarlett, I've grown up in the Orders, in politics. I know the kind of corruption that runs rampant in this world. And it shouldn't. My family shouldn't get to rule just because we're born to it. Zeniths shouldn't be mistreated just because they are born different. It's not right. My country is one of the lucky ones. My father is a just ruler, even if he and I don't see eye to eye on everything, and Corinne will be even better. She's the best of us all and will be a great Queen. But what if that hadn't been the case? My country shouldn't be stuck with someone awful just because of a bloodline. Many things need to change."

I'm still trying to absorb what he's saying because it feels impossible that this is really happening. "So you support Nightfall's cause? My cause?"

"Yes, I do. I support you as Scarlett and as Nightfall. The world needs Nightfall, and I need you." He leans in, his body so close to mine now. "Scarlett," he whispers as he runs a hand through my hair, "I love you. All of you."

When he kisses me, I melt into his arms, responding with equal passion and desire. But I can't stop the tears. To be loved like this, to be accepted for everything I am, is the greatest gift to receive and I don't know how to accept it, but I try. I try because this beautiful, frustrating, amazing man in front of me has seen all the parts of me and still loves me.

He pulls back and wipes away a tear. "Have I made you sad?"

I shake my head. "No. Happy. Very happy." I smile through the tears. "I think I'm ready to officially date you now, Prince Kai."

He laughs. "If I'd known all it would take is a near-death experience, I would have put myself in harm's way long ago."

I slap his arm. "No! No harm. Stay out of its way and we'll be fine."

He cradles me in a bear hug, and I rest my head on his chest as he strokes my hair. "Fair enough, Scarlett. I'll stay safe if you promise to do the same."

When he squeezes me harder, my arm burns and I flinch, my vision growing cloudy again. He looks down at me. "Are you okay? These cuts look bad."

"I heal fast," I tell him. "I'm just hungry."

He holds my arms. "You're shaking. I can hunt up some berries."

I look at him a moment, my wings flickering behind me, and he smacks his forehead with the palm of his hand. "Right. So, Life Force, is it—?"

"A blood substitute," I tell him.

"And marshmallows and chocolate?" He grins.

"Most human food tastes like sawdust now and makes me sick. Those are still gloriously delicious."

He nods. "I don't have any Life Force. Or marshmallows."

"I know. It's okay. I'll be fine."

He tilts his neck, exposing his pulsing vein. "Feed on me, Scarlett."

I recoil. "What? No!"

"You've done it before, yes?"

"Yes."

"Did you kill the person?"

"No." I can't possibly tell him the first person I fed on was his beloved uncle.

"Then do it. How else are you going to be my knight in shining armor and fly us out of this ravine?"

I look around and realize he's right. There's no way in or out without my wings. The Orders never expected any of us to end up down here. Which means my secret might still be safe if they didn't place surveillance in this area. But it also means I'll have to fly us out, and I'm too weak to walk, let alone fly.

He looks at me, his smile sincere. "I can take it."

I nod. "Only to get us out of here."

"Fair enough." He tilts his head again, and I lower my mouth to his neck, my teeth stretching as my appetite grows. I'm starving and need this. And I want it.

I bite into his neck, and he doesn't even flinch. I take only what I need, stopping long before I'm full. But it's enough. I pull back and lick the last traces of blood off my lips as my wounds heal themselves and my body grows stronger. I stand, my wings fully extended and powerful.

He looks at me wide-eyed. "Wow, the networks don’t do you justice. Though, I thought you'd be taller."

I slap his shoulder and laugh. "The cameras add a few inches."

I hold out my hands and he embraces me.

Our faces are inches apart as I push off of the ground and into the sky. His smile broadens. "There are perks to dating you," he says as I fly us out of the valley. Just before we land, he closes the small distance between us with a kiss that leaves me lingering in the air.

When I land and retract my wings, I look at him. "You can't tell anyone about me. Ever. Not even your siblings."

He pulls me into his arms again. "Scarlett, your secret is safe with me. And so is your heart."

I laugh. "Do you tell all the girls that?"

He kisses my forehead and grins. "Only the ones who can fly."

***

We walk the rest of the way to base with light hearts, hands held and with time to spare.

It's a great feeling.

The base is a large grey building of metal that doesn't look inviting until we enter. It's set up to receive tired and hungry students with sleeping mats, a buffet table with food, and bathrooms with showers, all of which are in use.

My grandfather is there, which surprises me. He smiles when he sees me and limps over with his cane. "I had no doubt you would fare well," he says, kissing my cheek.

"It was a close one," I tell him as Kai grabs two plates and fills them with food for us.

"What happened?" he asks, concern in his blue eyes.

"There was a creature, a giant dinosaur-like beast, that hunted Kai the entire three days. We escaped and killed it, but barely." I shudder thinking about it.

"That's highly unusual," he says. "I'll look into it."

Kai brings me a plate of food—marshmallows and chocolate and three packages of Life Force. "Thank you," I say, as I down all the Life Force and stuff my face with the rest.

He laughs. "I found Corinne and Wytt."

I follow him over to a table where Corinne is eating and chatting with Wytt, Jaden and Lana. I'm happy to see all of my friends safe and back in time.

Wytt looks up at us and smiles. "Thanks a lot for leaving me alone with Garin. He's a real charmer."

Kai and I take seats, and I ask," How did everyone else do?"

"I found Jaden and Lana and we teamed up," says Corinne.

Jaden nods. "Our girl here had all the Boons. A first aid kit, a dagger and an encrypted map that Lana deciphered. We've been back since yesterday."

Lana looks over at a table where one guy I never knew well sits alone. "Not everyone did so well. He used his flare."

I frown, feeling bad for him.

"But I can't believe Bartholomew died," Lana says. "And you were there."

I nod. "It was awful."

Garin passes us with a plate of food, and Corinne calls out to him. "I'm sorry about Bartholomew. I know he was your friend."

Garin bares his teeth at her. "He wasn't my friend. And just to be clear, neither are any of you. It was only about survival."

He stomps away, and I'm not sure who I feel worse for, the guy who died, or Garin, who will spend his life forever angry and alone.

Kai puts his arm around my shoulders, and I lean into him. We share a look and communicate so much. He knows. He knows me and he loves me. All of me.

That alone is worth all of this.

Trial celebrations last the whole weekend. Even the death of one of our classmates isn't enough to stifle the cheer. Probably because he was a jerk to everyone and no one liked him. I'm not glad Bart's dead. I don't think anyone is, but it doesn't weigh on my soul.

And so we spend a few days attending parties and having fun. The only damper happens when Bart's family comes to collect his belongings. There's no body, since the beast ate it, and his father shouts at the Chancellor so loud it travels through the Castle as he demands some kind of recompense for the death of his precious son.

They leave empty handed, and life returns to normal.

We all attend a congratulatory ceremony in the Main Hall. There are now eighteen of us left from the original twenty.

"Each quarter you will lose more," my grandfather tells us, "until the end, when only the true Knights shall remain."

We leave, relieved that we have a few weeks off before this crazy starts again.

While a few of our classmates have left for their respective homes for the holidays, most have stayed in New York to attend the Tournament Festival after Christmas. The way Wytt tells it, the entire week between Christmas and New Year's is an epic celebration of chivalry, revelry and wonder not to be missed, culminating in the final Tournament battle and a New Year's Ball.

Kai and I are going together, of course, and this time we are coordinating. I'm having a dress made in his house colors, with black and gold and accents of black feathers. It's going to be stunning.

A few days before Christmas, Corinne ropes us into helping decorate the Initiate Hall.

Wytt is grumbling as he strings lights over the fireplace. "Isn't there a staff for this?"

"You're such a scrooge," she says, smiling. "This is fun."

He glares at her. "For you, maybe."

But in the end, the hall is a winter wonderland, and we all agree it was worth the work as we sit around drinking hot cocoa and talking about our plans for the holidays.

"We should do something fun," Wytt says, his arm draped over Lana's shoulders. They're still close, even if they're not dating.

"Like what?" Jaden asks.

Wytt shrugs. "How about a cabin? Just the six of us. We could bring a tree, exchange gifts, go sledding, sing carols and drink spiked eggnog. It will be epic."

Corinne grins. "That actually does sound fun. Let's do it. Kai, Scarlett, you in?"

I look to Kai, who smiles. "I'm in if Scarlett's in."

I nod. "Sounds fun. Where do we want to go?"

Wytt clicks on his eGlass and opens his laptop. "I'm on it." After a few moments of mumbling and typing he looks up. "I've booked us the perfect place." He smiles and clears his throat, to indicate he's getting his
speaking voice
on. "In the heart of the Catskill Mountain, outside the Village of Athens, through the deep old growth forest of Shakespeare on the Hudson, on the majestic Hudson River, lives the Hudson River House. An eleven-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion that will be home to our first Christmas together."

He closes his laptop, satisfied.

"When do we leave?" Jaden asks.

"Tomorrow morning," Wytt says.

We are all packed and ready the next morning. Zorin isn't happy I'm leaving for the weekend, but while I wait for more details on Crixus' plans, there's not much for Nightfall to do, and I'm only going to be gone a few days. I need a break.

Wytt has secured a limousine to drive us there. I guess being a Prince has its advantages. We climb in as the driver loads our bags into the trunk. For three hours we talk, laugh, drink and eat. Some of us also kissed. There's a lot of happy.

The mansion is everything Wytt promised and more, with a hot tub, pool, rooms enough for everyone to have two if they want, and a huge fireplace and gourmet kitchen.

"Who's cooking this weekend?" Lana asks.

Wytt rolls his eyes. "My dear Lana, do you not know me at all?"

Corinne laughs. "In her defense, she's never seen you cook."

"Fair enough," he says as he runs his hands over the marble kitchen counters. "But let me assure you, your culinary delights are handled."

Kai looks at me and winks and I blush. It's so strange, being around someone who knows the truth. Until now, Zorin was the only one who knew both sides of me, and it's different with him. I'm still mostly Nightfall with Zorin.

But with Kai, I'm Scarlett. I'm me. But I'm also her.

Since the Trial, we have grown so much closer. We've spent nearly every moment we can together. I have no secrets from him now, and he never had any from me. We talk about everything. I told him about my parents' death, about what happened after. I shared my deepest fears about being Nightfall, about the cost, the risks. I tried to warn him away from me, but he held on tight and shook his head. "You can't scare me away. I know what I'm getting into, and I accept the risks. You are worth the risks."

There's also been a fair share of kissing, I'll admit. But we will still be in our own bedrooms this weekend.

We all choose our rooms and unpack and Wytt starts whipping up something for dinner while Kai pops open a bottle of champagne. He pours a glass for each of us and we all toast. "To us," he says. "For surviving. To our friendship. To our futures." He holds my gaze as he says this and clinks glasses with me.

I smile and sip, happy to note that it tastes good. Fizzy and fun.

After dinner, which I'm sure was exquisite, but which tasted like cardboard to me, we venture out to buy a Christmas tree. "We can't do our gift exchange tomorrow without one," Corinne argues.

It's Christmas Eve, and there aren't a lot of options left, but we find the perfect one to fill our temporary living room. The guys insist on dragging it in and setting it up by themselves, and we all decorate it with baubles we bought at the store next to the Christmas lot.

When it's all set up, Kai hands me a box. I raise an eyebrow and open it. It's a silver star for the top of the tree.

He whispers in my ear. "I know that's your nickname. I wanted to get an Angel, but I figured I should be a little more subtle."

I kiss his cheek. "Thank you. It's beautiful."

He gives me a boost so I can reach the top to place the star, and then we plug in the lights. They twinkle white and gold.

Soft instrumental music plays in the background as we sip more champagne and tell stories of each of our Christmas traditions and memories. It's enlightening hearing how my friends grew up, with their different cultures, countries and traditions. But there's a spirit that binds us together, that makes all of this feel somehow familiar. Familial even. We belong together, the six of us. We fit.

It's late as Kai and I sit on the floor in front of the fireplace. Everyone else is in the game room playing pool, but we choose a few quiet moments alone instead.

I run a finger along Kai's jaw. "You seem… melancholy. You okay?"

Fire reflects in his purple eyes as he stares into the flames. "My mother died on Christmas Eve," he says. "Did I tell you that?"

My breath hitches. "No, you didn't."

He looks at me, his face a mask. "Have you ever had to kill someone? As Nightfall?"

I blink. "Not directly. But in a way."

"It does something to you," he says, looking back at the flames. "Taking a life with your own hands. It changes you."

"You've had to kill before?"

He nods. "I told you. I killed my mother."

"Oh, Kai. That wasn't your fault. She got sick. Varian never should have made you feel responsible for that."

"She didn't die from the illness," he says.

My heart skips in my chest. "What do you mean?"

"She nursed me back to health and got sick, that part is true. But she didn't die. She recovered. At least… it seemed like she did. We thought everything was back to normal. Until—"

He pauses, pain evident on his face.

"Until?" I ask, softly.

"Until she changed. She started having serious mood swings. Not just happy and sad, but violent. She'd hurt herself or the staff at the castle. My father once found one of the maids in her room, dead. My mother was crying over her body saying 'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.' It turned out the maid hadn't changed the sheets fast enough and my sweet, kind, gentle mother beat her to death in a rage."

"That's horrible. I'm so sorry."

He nods, still staring at the flames. "My father loved her so much. Too much. He couldn't accept that her mind was lost to us. He clung to her lucid moments and assured everyone it was temporary. That she'd heal."

I can feel something momentous coming, and I hold his hand more tightly.

"She was supposed to have a nurse around the clock to keep her—and others—safe. But the nurse fell asleep on duty one night on Christmas Eve, and my mother snuck out to see us. When she came to the nursery she was normal, happy, our mother again. I ran to her and hugged her. I missed her so much. Corinne and Wytt were still babies—almost toddlers. They were in their crib, and my mother wanted to see them, too."

Kai reaches for his champagne and takes a sip. "She took them both out and held them, singing that song Corinne sang. And then, she changed. Her face disappeared, and in its place was a madwoman full of rage. She dropped both the babies to the ground. They cried, screamed, more from fear than pain. They landed on blankets and weren't badly hurt. She paced the room screaming obscenities at us all. She told the babies to stop crying, but they didn't. And she slapped them both, yelling at them to be quiet. I begged her to stop, to leave them alone. But she wouldn’t."

I'm holding my breath as he talks, knowing the worst is still to come.

"When she picked up a heavy wooden toy and held it over them, I knew she would hurt them. Kill them. I couldn't let her do that. I had to protect them both. I used all the strength I had in my nine-year-old body and ran into her. She had her back to a window, and she crashed through it, falling to the ground two stories down."

A tear slides down his cheek, and he takes another drink. "I cried and ran through the castle to where she fell. Pools of blood surrounded her, but she was still alive. Barely. She grasped my hand and begged me to forgive her. I did. Then, as she died, she made me swear to always protect Wytt and Corinne, no matter what."

We sit in silence for a long time. As the fire dies, Kai moves to add more wood. "That's why I don’t fight in the tournaments."

"What?"

"You asked once why I don’t fight in tournaments. This is the real answer. I don’t ever want to kill again, unless I have to. I fight to protect, not for sport."

"I understand," I say.

He sits down and looks at me. "Please don’t tell Corinne and Wytt. They don't know. They think she died from sickness. That's what everyone believes. It would crush them if they knew the truth."

"Your secret is safe with me."

***

The next morning we all wake excited to find Christmas presents under the tree. Jaden, who woke up first to bake, passes around a plate of ginger cookies shaped like hearts, stars and goats. The house smells like a ginger cookie factory.

"These are pepparkakor," he says, holding up a cookie. "They're a Christmas tradition in my country."

I eat one and am sad to discover this doesn't make my short list of yummy foods. Kai sneaks my other cookies from my plate to his. "I've got your back," he says with a wink.

"Such a Prince," I tease. "Making a sacrifice like that."

Corinne scoots near the tree and starts passing out everyone's gifts. We drew names for our gift exchange, a first for me.

I look at the tag on the beautifully-wrapped silver box in front of me. It's from Corinne, and I smile.

"Who goes first?" Wytt asks, holding up the gift I got him.

"You go," I say.

He rips open the package and groans. "Seriously?" He holds up a book of quotes by the Pope and everyone laughs.

I pull another package from behind the tree. "I couldn't resist," I say. "But here's your real gift."

He smiles and opens it, then gasps. "This?" He runs his hand lightly over the cover of the leather-bound book. "This is… "

Kai nudges me. "Three cheers for Scarlett. The first person in the history of mankind to render our brother speechless."

Wytt grins and holds up the book. "A limited edition book of poetry by Robert Frost. I don't even know how you found this! I've never been able to find one."

"I have my ways," I say. Actually, Carter has his ways. He helped me find the book, but of course I can't say that. I just smile, happy he likes it.

"You go next, Scarlett," Corinne says.

I nod and carefully open my present. My breath hitches as I pull a painting out of the package. It's of me and Kai together. We're sitting in the Castle Courtyard with our swords to our side, my head on his shoulder. "I remember when this happened," I say. "But… how did you see us, let alone capture all the details so perfectly."