Midnight Fae Academy #3 by Lexi C. Foss

Nacht Manor gaveme the chills.

The snakelike vines, gargoyles, and other dark wildlife roamed the grounds, all with one goal in mind—protect the Nacht family.

It had taken me thirty minutes to rewire the defensive spells. Aflora had stood silently beside me while I worked, her mind attuned to mine. If anything, it provided us yet another lesson in Quandary magic.

“Did you memorize everything I just did?” I asked her as we entered the grand hall, having just given our invitations to a nearby Warrior Blood.

No one took notice of us, not even the two gargoyles at the Warrior Blood’s feet.

“Yes,” she whispered. “It was fascinating to watch. Is that how…?” She trailed off, her eyes finding mine as she asked a question I couldn’t hear.

I frowned. “Is that how what?”

She held my gaze for another beat, then her lips curled down as well. “Can you not, uh, hear me?”

“I’m hearing you just fine.”

“No, I mean…” She made a quick gesture at her head.

Oh. You mean in your mind? I wondered, engaging our link.

She continued to stare at me.

Can you not hear me?I asked.

Nothing.

“Hmm.” I released her hand to wrap my arm around her back and steered her into the ballroom, not wanting anyone to notice our hesitation.

She followed my lead, moving effortlessly alongside me through the mass of red-clad and black-clad attendees. It was the same theme every year—women in red, men in black. I would have remarked on how cliché that was for vampire-like fae, but I suspected there was a reason that humans frequently associated the colors with creatures of the night.

Gold and red decor adorned the walls, as well as a variety of torches and candles. All of them held real fire, as did the chandeliers overhead.

Gargoyles walked around with trays, offering drinks.

The tables were finished with black silk.

And the stage at the front contained a throne in the middle of several other ornate chairs, each one representing a Councilman or a progeny.

I forced smiles as we meandered along, not stopping to talk to anyone and instead plucking two blood-infused red wines from a passing tray. I handed one to Aflora and kept the other for myself, then led her to one of the tables near the back. Other couples had behaved similarly, everyone wanting to select an optimal seat for tonight’s event.

Because this was no ordinary gala.

It was more of a theater production, all meant to honor the current political regime.

There would be mingling and talking over wine.

Then a grand entrance from the Midnight Fae Council, including all second-in-command reps and any progenies.

And then the real party would begin, led by Malik Nacht.

A tale would be woven through the air, accompanied by magical charades as they acted out the scenes with fiery figments.

Following the inaccurate portrayal of our history would be toasts and charming words from each power player, the last coming from the Elite Blood King.

I suspected Prince Kolstov would be forced to speak tonight.

I couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say about all this, particularly as he’d mated a Quandary Blood this year.

Aflora cleared her throat, her eyebrow arching. “Why can’t we hear each other?” she asked in a soft voice.

I set my wine down and reached over to stroke her necklace. “This really is lovely, dear,” I said, hoping she caught the insinuation in my offhanded comment. I wasn’t ignoring her; I was answering her. Or at least providing her with my best guess. We were both wearing power-masking jewelry. It was likely the cause of our inability to hear each other.

Her brow came down. “Oh.”

Yeah, she received the message. “I didn’t realize how impactful it would be against your skin,” I added. “It’s really stunning.”

“Thank you,” she replied, fingering the star pendant, her eyes telling me she received the message loud and clear.

The message was twofold. First, I hadn’t realized the impact it would have on our link. And second, there were eyes and ears everywhere. So we couldn’t exactly hold a candid conversation here.

She went to pick up her drink, but I pressed my hand to her wrist, leaning forward to give the contents a sniff. “Oh, I think they used B negative in this one, darling. I know how much you dislike that. Hopefully, we can find a tray with another flavoring.”

Her eyes rounded as she nearly dropped the glass.

Yeah, I’d only picked those up for show. Hence the reason I left mine on the table.

She carefully set hers down beside it, her nose wrinkling as she cleared her throat. “Thank you, sweetheart. I would hate to drink something so sour.”

My lips twitched. Blood wasn’t sour, but I’d let her have that jab.

“Oh, I don’t know. I hear B negative can be rather flavorful when paired with red wine,” a deep voice said as a Warrior Blood sat right beside Aflora. The hairs along her arms rose in response, her nipples beading beneath her gown. “Maybe you should try it, sweetheart.”

Zephyrus’s green eyes narrowed at her before sliding to me, his expression daring me to react.

I merely shrugged, then eyed the pin on his lapel. “Guardian Zephyrus. Shouldn’t you be with Prince Kolstov, preparing for tonight’s events?”

“You know, I was,” he drawled, relaxing into his chair. “But he sent me down early to enjoy the scenery. I think he wants me to pick out a snack for tonight.” He dropped his gaze to Aflora’s breasts. “I think I found what I want to eat.”

She flushed. “That’s rather forward of you to say.”

“Is it?” he countered, leaning forward to whisper. “I would recognize this body anywhere, pixie flower. But nice dress.” He pulled a card out of his pocket, flicked it through his fingers, and set it on the table. “You have thirty seconds to tell me what the fuck you’re doing here.”

“Neat trick,” I said, mentally reviewing the enchantment of his conversation-canceling device. To everyone around us, we were just making typical pleasantries. And any bugs would pick up the same. “We’re not here to cause any trouble. I just want Aflora to hear the Nacht family’s view on Quandary Bloods.”

“That’s fascinating,” he drawled. “Why can’t I hear my mate.”

“Her necklace is hiding her essence and power from the room, just like my watch is covering mine.” I caught his wrist as he moved to touch her. “Don’t remove it. The second you do, she’ll light up like a damn beacon.” Not my favorite term, but my father was right to use it earlier.

Zephyrus held my gaze for several seconds, then twisted out of my hold and lowered his hand to his lap. “Kolstov thinks his father is under some sort of spell, or perhaps not even him. And the Warrior Bloods are on their way to grab Zenaida. She’s supposed to be tonight’s culminating act.”

My eyebrows flew up at that mouthful of information.

Aflora gasped. “What?” She looked at me, her eyes widening. “We need to tell Shade.”

“Calm your expression,” I said quickly. “The spell Zephyrus ignited only masks our voices, not our appearances.” And I’d already drawn some attention by grabbing the Guardian’s wrist. Hopefully, they all thought it was just us teasing one another about my date.

Hell, he’d pretty much announced that he wanted to take her back to Kolstov’s quarters and fuck her without any sort of introduction or preemptive conversation.

Fortunately, that matched what I knew of his typical behavior around females. He didn’t mince words or suggestions.

Aflora schooled her features, impressing me for a brief moment with her ability to feign nonchalance.

Then the Guardian’s words came back to me.

“There’s no way they’ve found her,” I said.

“According to enchanted Malik, Shade provided the—”

The card on the table sizzled into ash, cutting off Zephyrus’s explanation.

But it was enough for me to infer what he intended to say.

Shade gave up his grandmother’s location.

That wasn’t something he would ever do willingly. Which meant there was another ploy at play here, one I feared Zephyrus had just walked right into.

If the Council knew about their bonds, they’d use those links to try to provoke Aflora out of hiding. And I’d just waltzed her into the heart of Nacht territory.

My senses flared to life, assessing our surroundings and zeroing in on Zephyrus’s pin.

Fucking fae.

The Guardian had led them right to us. I should have studied him more closely when he sat down and searched him for signs of enchantments.

Because Aflora wasn’t the beacon. Zephyrus was.

“We should go,” I said, my words for Aflora.

“Oh, no. I think you should definitely stay,” a smooth voice said from behind me.

Zephyrus’s gaze widened, and Aflora stiffened.

I just shook my head and sighed. “Hello, Constantine.” I’d never had the displeasure of meeting him in person, but I would be able to pick out his voice anywhere.

“Zakkai,” he returned, taking the chair beside me as several Warrior Bloods appeared out of an enchanted mist to fill the rest of our table.

Yeah, this wasn’t going to end well.

What I couldn’t figure out was how they knew we’d attend tonight. I’d been careful with all the wards, and Aflora hadn’t breathed a word of it to—

Dakota, I realized, her brown hair flashing in my peripheral vision. That fucking bitch.

She gave me a little wave as though she’d heard me and came to stand behind Constantine, her fingers lightly teasing his shoulders. “Will you be needing anything else?” she asked him.

“No, darling. You’ve been perfect, thank you.” He leaned over to kiss her wrist, dismissing her as he did most women.

Zephyrus’s jaw clenched, his palm having gone to Aflora’s thigh.

Because yeah, Dakota being here meant Constantine knew everything. No wonder she’d been so obsessed with my intentions for the Blood Gala. She was hoping to provoke an incident that the Elite Bloods could squander in some grand display. But all I’d intended to do was show Aflora the truth.

That plan hadn’t exactly backfired. She was about to learn some hard truths very quickly. However, this wasn’t how I’d intended to show her.

“Where’s Kols?” Zephyrus asked calmly.

Constantine shrugged. “Otherwise detained.”

Because he knew about Kolstov’s ties to Aflora. Brilliant. Honestly, I almost wanted to applaud Dakota for her trickery. “So what was the plan?” I asked, reaching for my wine to swirl it in my glass. “Was Dakota supposed to seduce me like she did with Kolstov and Zephyrus?” Because yeah, I knew all about that incident. “Was she supposed to gain access to the source through me? Then report back to you?”

“Something like that,” Constantine admitted. “But your lack of interest made that difficult.”

“Yeah, power-hungry cunts aren’t really my thing,” I drawled, glancing at Zephyrus. “No offense.”

He didn’t reply or acknowledge the statement, his attention on the new wave of Warrior Bloods who had approached the table. We were up to twenty now. A reasonable number. But Constantine severely underestimated my skill if he thought that would intimidate me.

“So what now, Nacht?” I asked, setting my glass down again without drinking it. Given they knew I was coming, it was probably spiked with something. Even if it wasn’t, I would never accept their alcoholic handouts. “Are you hoping for a show? Some grand finale to appease your admirers?”

“Oh, we’re all in for quite a show,” he said, sounding amused. “And I’ll be providing you and your pretty little abomination with front-row seats.”

“While I appreciate the intriguing offer, I think we’re going to have to pass.” I fussed with my tie, then smiled at the ancient asshole beside me. “So unless you want a rather violent prequel to your main event, I suggest you let us leave.”

“And I insist you stay,” he replied.

A laugh clawed at my throat, his arrogance astounding. As if I—

Aflora released a whimper beside me, her arms beginning to shake. “Kai…” My name left her lips on a tremble of sound. “I… I don’t…” She clutched her chest, her body convulsing violently beneath some sort of invisible shock, her eyes rolling back into her head.

Zephyrus reached for her, only a similar quiver worked its way through his limbs, and he grabbed his chest a moment later, his lips parting in shock as he looked at Constantine. “No.”

“It had to be done,” Constantine replied, rolling his neck. “He’s tainted the Nacht name. So I’ll do what I do best and restore it.” He flexed his fingers as power whirled through the room, the source screaming in agony inside my head.

I dove in to figure out what the fuck was happening, only to be hit with a bolt of energy that knocked me out of my chair.

“Let the show begin,” Constantine announced.