LOGINWhat the council wants, the council gets. And what they can't get, they eliminate. When she is forced back to Oakblood and into Kingsbury College, Rain Riverton is well aware there are only two ways out. Survive or die. But survival isn't as simple as it seems, not when the council is watching her every move, not when the students at Kingsbury possess magic she could only dream of owning. And certainly not when she gains the attention of the one person she shouldn't. Kai Malek is as dangerous as the council she fears, or maybe more. Her tormentor and the reason she left Oakblood years ago. He swore to kill her, and there is nothing more sacred than a blood oath. Oakblood isn't what it used to be. Kingsbury isn't the safe haven everyone thinks it is, and Rain isn't the same girl she was when she crossed the wards into the cursed town. The council wants something with her and she is going to make sure they never get it, even if it costs her sanity, her life... or the enemy she has no business caring about.
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RAIN ANDREA RIVERTON
What the council wants, the council gets. What they can’t get, they eliminate.
The atmosphere shifted the second we drove into Oakblood and past the banner that separated mortals from supernatural beings. A wide expanse of trees stretched across the land, adding to the eerie chill that made its way up my spine.
Strong dangerous magic pulsed through my veins.
“I checked in with the college already, you don’t have to go back to your mother on weekends if you don’t want to.” Aunt Eloise turned to me with a soft smile.
Taking a deep breath, I tucked the stray hair that had escaped from the scrunchie behind my ear. “I might hate her, but I’ll have to see her eventually. Isn’t that one of the reasons I was asked to come back? To give her a reason to live.”
“I still don’t understand why the council needs you for that. They’ve never cared for her wellbeing, not even after your father died.” She took a right turn that led us down a narrow pathway. “It sounds shady. To be fair, everything in Oakblood is, especially those creepy old council members.”
Her lips thinned into a line, there was something else she wasn’t saying and I knew it had to do with her leaving Oakblood years ago. While Dad had been one of the respected council members when he was alive, Aunt Eloise had reason to believe they were much more than they let on.
There was no single house in sight as we drove through, the trees obscuring our trail. Oakblood was modernized but it didn’t take away the dark eerie ambience that haunted the entire town. The goosebumps I felt when we first crossed the banner still clung to my skin.
“I was told to make sure you were dropped off at Kingsbury College first. I’m assuming you’ll be given a means to reach your mother. If you want to.”
“How was it when you attended?” My purple eyes peeped a glance at her.
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. “I barely made it out of there alive, Rain. I lost so many good friends to the trials and training, which was one of the reasons I took you to Willow-crest City in the first place.”
I was living a close-to-perfect life there until the council made their order. It didn’t matter that I was a full realm away from Oakblood because whatever the council wanted, they got. And for some messed up reason, they wanted me.
“While in there, do not trust anyone. Always sleep with an eye open. Your father might be no more, but he was still a part of the council, and has done some questionable things to others.”
“Let me guess, their offspring would have it out on me?” I made a face which earned me a side eye from her. “I’ll be fine, aunt. You taught me how to use daggers, remember?”
“Yes, but most of them have more dangerous weapons. And you, well… All I'm trying to say is, if it's within your power, do not make enemies.”
The spooky gates of the big school opened on its own. Gargoyles crouched atop stone pillars. A weeping angel and other statues of different types filled every corner of the entrance. The students walked around dressed in brown pleated skirts, white shirts, and brown jackets.
“I will not make enemies.” Unless of course, the enemy insists.
“And lastly, by no means should you have any interaction with Kai Malek. I don’t need to mention how many times he has tried to kill you and how he almost succeeded.”
With the mention of his name, my throat went dry. I almost forgot that the devil was going to be here too. One of the major reasons Aunt Eloise had to make me move with her.
“Avoid Malek, got it.”
“The Councilmen, avoid them.” She pulled into a parking space and unlocked the car. “I have no idea what exactly it is they want with you or what your father told them, but by all means avoid them.”
“Avoid the council, noted.”
She squinted her brows like I wasn’t taking this seriously. I probably should have picked a jotter. “Rain, I’m being serious.”
“I will be fine, I promise.” I gestured at my knee-high boots. “And I still have the four daggers you gave me strapped to my thighs.”
Another deep breath. “Fine. Do you need me to walk you in?”
“Aunt Eloise! I am twenty, not six.”
She giggled and watched me hop out of her car with a worried expression. My brown box with every essential I needed was in my hand as I stared up at the huge building of the school. It felt like I was standing in front of a med
ieval castle.
I would make it out alive. I promise.
CHAPTER 20RAIN ANDREA RIVERTON Prophecy or not, we were still students of Kingsbury High. It didn’t matter what we knew, or who we slapped. Attending classes was non-negotiable. Especially when they involved training. We were going to die one way or another, better to put up a good fight.“I am pleased to see some more familiar faces from the remaining aspirants the first trial didn’t wipe out.” Professor Bengal raised his chin. Hands behind the back of his robe, Dr Zia stood behind him like she always had been. “Do not rejoice yet, you still have three more to survive and win.”Three.Total of four. Not three like the Acolytes had done, Or as Aunt Eloise had in her time. Four. “Why does everything about our set have to be fucking different?” Nazeera frowned. Lix stood next to us with her Kitsune blade tugged in an X shape behind her fight gear.“Right?” Lix sneered. “It’s like they are trying to get us killed on purpose.” Professor Bengal continued. “You have today and tomorrow
CHAPTER 19RAIN ANDREA RIVERTONShivers trailed down my arms in waves as I looked up to his tall frame. There was no surviving the rage that was in his eyes.“I have to cover my fish,” Nazeera said and walked away without waiting for a response.What in the world of betrayers?“I have to go help her cover her fish.” Leon hurried along. My eyes widened at how fast they were to betray me. Leaving me with this raging monster in front of me. But I couldn’t blame them, I’d do the same.“It wasn’t intentional.” I frowned, turning fully to him.“Do you even have any idea of what you have done?” His eyes flashed.Kai was angry. Murderous even. The hallway was empty, most students were in class already and I was in danger. “I kept it safe!” I shot at him. “I tried to, at least.” He scoffed, silver eyes blaring into mine. Suddenly, his ears twitched and he grabbed my wrist forcefully. Electricity passed through my veins and straight into my brain as he pulled me towards him, my face going to
Chapter 18RAIN ANDREA RIVERTON“Ward nine, section five members have always been first in Kingsbury. So it would be absolutely wrong for me to say I am surprised.” Councilman Omen said with hands behind his back in high prestige. I could see the resemblance between Kamari and Ivella with their father. Were they as fucked up as he was too? Did he take the key? Did Nazeera take it?“Good job, once again.” His eyes scanned the hall.Our formation of three was behind our flags as always. Wards three and six stood beside us. “Your second trial comes in three days.” “Three days?” Voices were raised in protest, “We barely survived this one.” My brows squinted as I stared at Omen. Whatever his soul was made of, it was so dang obvious mine hated it. “Why the rush?” Naz mumbled beside me. “Aunt Eloise’s dairy stated we had at least two weeks to rest before the next trial.” I still didn't trust that she didn’t take the key. But I couldn’t accuse her if I didn’t witness it myself. Besides,
If you are reading this, it means your first trial went well and you are still breathing. I am proud of you. You’ve always been a smart girl, Rain. Pay attention to details, patterns, and things that repeat themselves. And at the same time keep an eye on the council. And always remember. Once is a coincidence, and twice is a pattern. ~A GUIDE TO SURVIVAL AT KINGSBURY HIGH, GIFTED TO RAIN ANDREA, RIVERTON. FROM ELOISE RIVERTON (section5) ~ Chapter 17 RAIN ANDREA RIVERTONHome. Sweet. Fucking. Home. Well, maybe not exactly my idea of home, but at least I was back in my room. No corset. No long gowns. No cupcakes. And certainly, no Kai Malek. The slight movement from the other end of the room reminded me that Nazeera was still my roommate.Taking a deep breath, I let the sleep wash over me.***“Do you think you are worth anything? Do you think your father would find excuses to travel every time if you were so worth it?” Mother’s voice pierced through my ears, my little legs s
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