“Wake up.” Pain exploded in my cheek, a second before the slapping sound vibrated around the room. “That ought to do it.” Grayson brushed his hands together.
A dark snicker followed. “Wish I could’ve done that to him.”
“You wish, pup.” I felt my jaw clench as I pried my eyes open and my head lolled to the side. Every muscle in my body screamed when I lifted my head. The fluorescent lights reflecting off the sterile white tile floor stung my eyes. Chairs lined the rectangular beige walls of the room. A mirror covered most of the back wall and there was a metal door at the other end. “Where am I?”
“Challenge number three, I believe.” Ashryn, the noble elf, sat stiff as a board across from me. Her sandy-blond hair was tousled as though she’d been through hell and back. Dirt marred her delicate face and hands, and dark smudges hung under her forest green eyes. I didn’t know the elf well, but there were a few things I could tell just from looking at her. The perfect posture she held and elegant motions told of royalty. Though she wore a plain t-shirt and jeans, I could tell they were made of the finest material.
“But I lost the last challenge. I remember I handed Niche to Beckett, the witch.” A splitting headache shot through my skull, the aching went from the back of my neck up toward my eyes.
Grayson appeared at my side. “Oh yeah, but you see, you was a good lad and the Queens decided to offer you second place. And now here we are.” He motioned to the remaining competitors sitting around the room. “Challenge number three.”
“Only four of us left? What is it? What’s the challenge?” I pushed my hair out of my face.
Brax looked much worse for wear. He cradled his arm in his hands, yet I didn’t see any teeth or claw marks. He rested his head back against the wall. “The others went in.”
“We’re the last four. This place is like a dog pound. Competitors go in but they don’t come out.” Grayson glanced toward Matt. “Better be careful, they might put you down, Wolf.”
“Very funny.” Matt bared his teeth and growled.
“Aww aren’t your baby teeth cute?” Grayson turned toward him and slowly extended his fangs. “I do believe mine are bigger than yours.”
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any weirder, Niche strolled through the door. “Gentleman, let’s put them away, shall we? No use comparing the length of your teeth. After all, its the bite that matters, isn’t it?” Her bright red hair was pulled up high into a tight bun. She pushed her wide-rimmed glasses up on her tiny, pert nose as she approached me. “Tucker Brand, I presume.”
She extended her hand to me, and I quickly took it. “Yes, that’s right.”
“Well, I must say your performance has been impressive.” She dropped my hand. “I do hope you survive the next one.”
“Um, thank you?” I turned my head to the side meeting Grayson’s eye. He gave me a palms-up shrug.
She held up her clipboard. “Miiiisssttteeerrrr Matt, you’re next.”
Matt rose to his feet and gave me a smirk. “I’ll see you on the other side, bird.”
“I’ll be sure to keep some dog treats handy, pup.” I made a show of patting my pocket. The door clicked shut behind him and I couldn’t help but wonder if I would see him again. I prayed I didn’t.
I turned towards Brax. “You okay?”
“Yeah, the witches, they, ah, healed me.” He held his arm up. “Still a bit sore. How are you feeling?”
“Like I got hit by a truck…twice. Besides that, I’m okay.” I rose to my feet and walked over to the mirror that looked like a window. I rapped my knuckles against it. “Is this two-way glass?”
“I suspect so.” Ashryn tilted her head back again, looking at the glass as though she could see right through it. “I also suspect we have an audience.”
The elf held secrets behind her calm exterior. Their species was one of myth and legend. Little was known about them aside from their abilities with a bow. Their lives were steeped in earthen magic even the witches dared not try to harness.
I pressed my hand to the cool glass. “Are you enjoying the show?”
“I doubt they’ll answer you.” Grayson came to stand beside me. “This is the last bit for us. Personally, I wouldn’t mind working with you.”
“Likewise, vampire.” I nodded to him. “Wouldn’t be so—”
Boom! A cannon blast roared, shaking the room. Tiny bits of dust rained down from the ceiling. I exchanged nervous glances with Brax, Grayson, and Ashryn. “Guess the wolf didn’t make it.” I shrugged. “Can’t say I’m sorry about it.”
Brax crossed his arms over his barrel-like chest. “Question is, what did they do to him to make him grab this thing?” He held up the orange crystal hanging from his neck.
“I don’t know. But I’m sure I’ll find out soon en—”
The steel door clicked open and Niche walked in once more. “Tucker Brand. They’re ready for you.”
I turned toward her and put my hands on my hips. “I still don’t know what this challenge is.”
“Sometimes, Mister Brand, we do not know what challenges we are about to face or what’s expected of us. All we can do is our best. And frankly—” She pushed her glasses up her nose again, then held the clipboard to her chest. “—I’d like to be done with this. I have lots of work to do back at the school and I need to return soon. So if you’ll please follow me.”
So she’s a teacher? Everything makes sense now. None of the Queens had been put in danger, only their teacher. It was a precaution any mentor would’ve taken. Hell, I could picture Blackwing doing the same. She turned on her heels and walked out the door. With one last look over my shoulder I nodded to the others. “Be seeing you soon.”
I followed closely behind Niche, down one beige hallway after another. If I didn’t know any better I’d say we were in a precinct, the kind I’d seen on human TV. They must’ve used their magic to shift he arena setting once more…right? “Are we still in the arena?”
“We are exactly where we need to be.” She didn’t turn around, didn’t stop. Only held her shoulders back and kept on going. My heart thundered in my chest. The mark on my neck smoldered its warning. The hall was lined with identical black doors, one after another. At the end stood a single red one. Niche paused and turned toward me. “How are you feeling, Mister Brand?”
“It’s Tucker, and aside from some soreness, I’d say whatever you gave me to counteract the venom worked well.”
“Indeed.” She made a note on her board. “And how about now? Do you feel any different?” Why is she looking at me like that like I…Oh, what is that smell?
I sucked in a breath through my nose. The scent of cinnamon and hot chocolate wafted over me. I closed my eyes, relishing that sweetness. It reminded me so much of home. “What’s that smell?”
“Exactly what do you smell?” She leaned in closer.
My eyes rolled back as I sucked in another flavorful breath. “Hot chocolate and cinnamon.”
“Interesting.” She reached forward and opened the door wide, then waved me through. “Please go in.”
My feet moved of their own accord. I felt like I was floating on a cloud. “Thank you.” My voice sounded weird even to my own ears, sleepy almost.
“I don’t think you should thank me, Mister Brand. Perhaps afterward.” Without another word she turned away, and walked back down the never-ending hall.
“Hmm, yes … What?” I turned to say, but she was gone. The scent was intoxicating, lulling me into a sense of comfort I hadn’t felt in years.
“Close the door, Tucker.” The words were so simple, yet I found myself lunging to close the door as quickly as possible. It slammed shut with a loud band.
“Please come in, Tucker,” a sweet voice called out to me beckoning to me.
I drifted forward into another room. A large plush couch ran the length of the wall, its crimson coloring called to me, enticing me to sit, to be comfortable, to relax. I shook my head. When did I ever relax? Still, I sat down, sinking into it, as though sinking into a pillow.
“Hello, Tucker.” The voice lulled me into a stupor.
“Hello, Serrina.” I gave a single clumsy wave.
I could understand why Serrina was the Queen of Desires. Everything about her was enticing in some way. Her blond streaked hair hung down past her shoulders, and fell around her soft oval face. Even her eyes drew me in, a vivid emerald with flecks of topaz in them. And yet I felt something deep within my chest resisting everything about her rebelling the hold she was gaining around me. She was lovely as ever, a true beauty with a hard edge that was reflected in her style. Tight leather leggings and a bright white shirt that read wild thing.
“Would you care for some food?” She waved her hand and a table laden with all my favorite foods appeared including peaches.
I shook my head. “I prolly ssshhhhhouldn’t.” Is that my voice?
“Oh, come now.” She crawled up on the couch next to me. “A little snack won’t hurt you. Try the peach.”
How did she know? She snagged one off the table and brought it to her nose and took in a deep breath. “It smells amazing. You want it, don’t you?”
My goodness, the power she wields! How does anyone stand a chance against her? I nodded. “Yes.”
She leaned in closer, her decadent chocolate scent wrapped around me. “Take it, you know you want to.”
I locked my hands at my sides. My fingers twitched to grab that peach from her. But deep down I knew it’d cost me something dear. What? I didn’t know. All I could see was her. Her smile, her scent, her eyes all reeled me in. I shook my head. “Can’t.”
“Excuse me?” She tilted her head to the side. “But you want it.”
“I know.” I nodded.
“Why won’t you take it?” She tossed it up and down, catching it each time.
My eyes locked onto her movement, following the peach, up and down. “Because you want me to.”
Her cherry lips titled up in a half-smile. “Oh, you are stubborn, Tucker. I’d heard as much.” She leaned over and placed the peach down on the table. “But is fruit what you really want?”
The room shifted around me and suddenly I was back at my childhood home, sitting in the study adjoining my room. Before me a fire crackled in the hearth. I loved the way the flames moved to my whims. As a child I’d make them waver and flicker all night long. The white marble surrounding it glittered in the dark. Shelves of books lined the walls, their smell mixed in with that homey cinnamon chocolate scent that clung to the air. A smile broke out over my face.
“Yes, I could tell this is what you—” She leaned in even closer, her lips only a breath away from my ear. “—desired most.”
Yes, this is what I desire…but the most? I’m not too sure. The mark on my neck smoldered to an uncomfortable degree. I pressed my fingers to it, knowing something was wrong, but I couldn’t figure out what. “This is nice.”
“You know what else would be nice?” Her beauty, her voice, everything about her was appealing.
I tilted my head back to rest it on the couch, and then I locked my eyes with hers. “What’s that?”
“I think you should give me a little kiss.” Her fingers brushed my cheek. “You want that.”
Did I? The desire for her was there, flooding my system. And yet it felt almost empty. “Do I?”
Again she tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes at me. “Yes, you do.”
“I don’t think I do, though.” I shook my head and pressed my finger to my chin. “I think something is missing.”
She slouched back next to me her shoulder brushed mine. “Missing?”
“Yep, big yep. Huge yep. Missing.” Why was I talking like this? This wasn’t me, the phoenix I was. This was someone else, some kind of love-sick, or potion-sick, version of myself. I staggered to my feet. “I don’t want this.”
“Yes, you do.” She punctuated each of her words, and with each syllable I felt the power roll over me.
This time my mark flared sending flames through my veins. Smoke rose off my skin but I didn’t care. “No.” I smacked my hand over the mark on my neck trying to calm it down. “I have to get out of here.”
“No, you have to stay.” So much power, so much influence! I nearly fell to the ground pleading for her to let me stay.
My eyes darted around the room. There were subtle differences to how I remembered my beloved study. Books I’d organized were out of place, the carpet that had once been white was now a deep cream color, even the flickering of the fire was different. “This isn’t my house.”
She pursed her lips. “It is.”
I began pacing back and forth. “Something is wrong.” I stabbed my hands into my hair. “Why am I here?” I had to remember, it was important, life-changing. But what was it?
“We’re just hanging out together.” She crossed her legs and patted the seat next to her. “Come sit down.”
So help me, I took a step toward that seat and froze. “No.” I forced myself back. “I.” Another step. “Will.” My back pressed against the stone mantle. “Not.”
The heat of the flames seeped into my skin and I ate it up. Soon they rose up, forming a wall between she and I. There was only one way I was going to remember exactly why I was there. One thing left for me to do. I needed to wipe it all clean, burn until there was nothing left but me.
I stepped into the flames.
Serrina leapt to her feet. “Come out of there.”
Among the burning cinders, everything became so clear. My purpose there, what I was born to do, and where I was now. “Say please.”
Her jaw slackened. “What?”
“I said, say please. Serrina Darling, Queen of Desire.” I let my fingers play with the flames. Though they had started as an illusion, they were all mine to control now. And control them I did. I let them lick up my legs and over my arms, cleansing me of the influence she had over me.
“You remember?” She raised a disbelieving eyebrow.
“I do.” I stepped out of the flames letting them die down. “Now let’s change this whole room back to the way it was, shall we?”
“Fiiinnnee.” With the wave of her hand the room shifted once more. There were only two hard plastic chairs side by side in a windowless one door room. “How did you resist? No one ever does!”
“Because I was born to be a Knight” I said with absolute certainty. “And not one of you will tempt me from my duties. I see you all as sisters I need to help protect. Nothing more, nothing less.”
She rolled her eyes. “So you’re sure you’re a Knight?”
With absolute certainty I nodded. “Yes I am.”
The door burst open and Niche strolled in. “So am I.”