Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 4

Valeri

After court adjourned, I was escorted to a temporary holding cell. It was less tenebrous than the previous ones with a light shining through a small window. It had my bare necessities -somewhere to lay my head and somewhere to relieve myself. I decided to lay down on the stiff cot and reflect on what transpired. A slight prickling of pain reminding me of the fuck-session I had with Cassius. I took the sleeve of my ragged shirt to wipe the blood from my neck. I wonder how many of the judges saw the trickle of blood. It seems the brawny judge knows something. The way he looked and slight pallor of his skin, as if he were sorry for something. Why would he be sorry?

He should be, the same dark sultry voice says, he’s one of the reasons we’re in this mess.

Why do you say that? I asked, trying to engage in conversation.

Let me out, little star and you’ll have the answers that you seek. Is all I get in response. A slight warm caress tickles my cheek before leaving.

It seems that Cassius crossed a line. The way the male judge looked at him after eyeing me said it all. He was pissed. Although, he didn’t seem to hate me, just remorseful.

Still ruminating on what occurred, I’m remembering the lady, or rather, the witch queen, laid some sort of claim on me. Valeri the Valiant? More like Valeri the Delirious. Why would she vote that I go to some college when I could sit happily in a cell? She must know something. I’m still at a loss as to what world I’ve entered, or quite frankly, who I am. Her voice...was familiar as well. And then it hit me:

A wall of fire.

The abysmal darkness.

The demon and his laughter, taunting me.

Light blotting out the dark

Come child,

You’re safe now…

Why save me, just to send me away? I think to myself.

“I see you’ve finally remembered something.”

I quickly get up from where I lay. She entered without my notice. Standing there as tall and strong as her namesake.

“It’s you.” is all I can let out as she sits along the cot with me.

“No need to be alarmed, I’ve come to give you a few pointers if you are to make it through the first semester at the University.” I straighten my back indicating my attention as she continues.

“You will find this world different from whence you hail from. Do not expect kindness, no one cares for your tales of woe. You are a killer set free in their eyes. They will test you, and the majority will try to see you out. Know that your enemies are everywhere, but there will be friendship in the darkest of places.” She warns.

At this, she rises from the cot and walks towards the stone doors.

I ask, “Why did you ‘claim’ me? Why not let fate decide?”

Turning back around my way, she says “Only time will have you questions answered, little firefly. Also, my fellow Executives and I have agreed that the Vitality cuffs are to stay on until we are sure you’re not a danger to yourself or others. It seems the ones you’ve had previously have been severely damaged.” With a wink, she leaves before I could bombard her with more questions.

I might as well get some shut eye. There’s no telling when I’ll be able to sleep as luxuriously as I am now.

*****

The next day came sooner than expected. No one splashed mop water on me as if I were a stray.

I guess technically I am, I don’t belong here.

Rising from the cot, I raise my arms to the ceiling stretching out the tension in between my shoulders. An unpleasant scent assaulted my nose, making it apparent that a shower was needed. I hope wherever I end up has a shower readily available. The now familiar clank of metal doors scraping keeps me alert. Two guards enter as well as the same sexy god following soon after. I wasn’t imagining things as I took in his appearance.

His eyes were in fact a deep crimson. “Stand and turn around slowly, and place your hands behind you.” His voice, a sickly sweet enticement, and charming smile nauseated me. I give a mental shake of that feeling and obey.

With guns raised, the guards approach me with caution. “Y’all act as if I’m a ticking time bomb.” I say and someone snorts. Glancing back on my right I see the handsome man covering his laugh. He catches my eye and blesses me with a wink before straightening his face. My knees buckled.

They link the cuffs together and lead me out of the cell. I get to finally observe my current eye candy as he leads the way out of here. I tilt my head to the left in observation. A form-fitted black leather blazer outlines his tall and lithe frame. I inhale his scent in the air. He smelled of honeyed roses of a forbidden garden.

What is it with me and colossal-sized men?

He stands at about six feet-six inch with sun kissed tawny skin. His hair, coal-black, tied into a man-bun and a fade. Black leather pants-

“Oof,” I let out a breath as I ran into a warm body. He catches my balance by my biceps, sending electric-like jolts throughout my entire body.

His delectably full cupid bow lips flash beautiful white teeth as he says, “My apologies, Miss Valeri, but it seems we’ve reached our destination, and must part ways.”

Our eyes lock in an unbreakable connection. Undefined emotion swirls through his crimson gaze before me lets me go.

Turning towards the guards he says, “You have your orders. Load the prisoner, and don’t be late.”

Giving a slight bow and a hat tip, he continues, “Until next time then.”

What a charmer, I think with a smirk. He leaves me…here. Where exactly? I have no clue. I take in my surroundings and see that I’m surrounded by rocky terrain. A gigantic four-wheeled carriage looms in front of me. It’s cold and uninviting presence blots out the sun. A short squat of a man sits at the front of the carriage. Two winged-horses are placed in front of the carriage. Their coats give a warm coppery and bay-hued shimmer in the sun. They stand at about twenty-two hands at the withers and remind me of thoroughbred horses. Their plumaged wings give a kaleidoscope of light bronze and chestnut.

An unfamiliar voice says, “Come on, don’t just stand there. We have a deadline to meet,” and gives me a not so gentle shove.

I’m led into the looming carriage and find the interior is equally enormous. Dark gray in color makes it equally bleak.

At least it doesn’t smell of rotten flesh. I should be grateful I’m not dead. I think to myself as I sit uncomfortably on the upholstered seats. One guard sits beside me at a distance, and the other guard across from me.

With a slight slap of the rope attached to the winged beauties and a gentle “Haw!” we’re jerked forward.

I nearly fall out of my seat as the creatures increase in speed. The slight bumps of the rocky landscape prevent me from grasping the seat and the guards aren’t of assistance. I don’t expect them to, because hello! Killer of the Hunters here.

Suddenly, I feel a plummeting sensation in my stomach and a sudden weightlessness as we’re tilted up towards the sky. I slide to the right side of the carriage and catch a glimpse of my surroundings.

We’re flying! We’re actually flying! I mentally facepalm myself noting that the horses were in fact Pegasi.

Looking at my guards I realize how heavily armed they are. I’m not talking about physique, but actual weapons. They were definitely precautious with how heavily loaded they were. They each carried personal defense guns in hand and assault rifles strapped to their backs. Tactical gear is belted around their lower waist. My guards are built like fucking tanks. Hulkish muscles almost burst from their black leathered uniforms.

Man, what is with these people and leather?

The one sitting across from me dons on aviator shades and a thick black mask. He appears bald, but it’s hard to tell with the hood attached to the upper-half of his attire. I observe the other beside me and he’s equally brawny with similar attire, but with no hood donned on. His gray hair braided down his back and I see his ears are noticeably pointy. Ah, a human and an elf, interesting.

White opulence flashes past the carriage as we glide lazily by in the clear sky. For some odd reason, I’m reminded of my fellow prisoner and the moment of passion that was forced on us. His cold eyes gleaming down at me in mockery as I take him in fully. I try to shake of the left over desire from the thought of him, making a mental promise that it won’t happen again, but a deeper part of myself knows this to be a lie.

A clean, crisp scent draws my attention away from the guards. Looking through the dark tinted window, it seems we’ve left the rocky terrain. A sea of vibrant blue and green flowing harmoniously in my field of vision, stilling my nerves.

Ahh, the ocean. I wonder where this university is?

Closing my eye, I’m reminded of serenity and a sense of belonging. Flashes of memories come to mind. Taking a deep breath I let the memory flow.

Pearly white sands cover a turquoise blanket. My dark, gold-colored hand dusts it away, but it doesn’t do any justice, for sand was all around. I let out a huff of annoyance. A quiet chuckle comes from someone beside me. I glance over and see an elderly man smiling at me. He sits on a wooden waterfall-esque beach chair and wears a typical Hawaiian shirt that all fathers wear. It’s red and green floral colors complimenting his dark umbre skin.

“What are you thinking about, kiddo?” he asked, his voice filled with mirth.

“Are we moving again, Papa?” I ask, for the millionth time. It seems to be a part of our annual ritual.

He responds with a twinkle in his eye. “Not this time, kid. You’re safe now, I promise.”

A jolt breaks me out of my reverie. Opening my eye, I see we’ve landed.

I’m shoved towards the door as the elven guard commands, “Up.”

“Move it.” he commands me again.

I turn my head towards the idiot. Surely he knows I’m still cuffed, right? There were no door handles to grasp. It appeared we were locked from the inside.

“As much as I wish it to be possible, the door is still open, you moron!” I shot back, a scowl present on my face.

He matches my gaze with a sneer before the coachman opens the door. “Now, move.” says the human guard with a hard push of his gun. I stepped out of the carriage and all but fell.

I take a look at my surroundings and nothing but open sky for miles on end. A sea of green pastures glaze lazily against the balmy air and seagulls screeching in delight.

“Keep it moving.” I’m again shoved, but this time I turn around, quick as a flash, I shove the human guard to the ground.

The click of a gun barrel, makes me pause. The cold tip of a barrel at the side of my head makes me think twice.

Taking a deep breath, I step away from the human and say, “Where is this stupid school?”

“I’d suggest you keep comments to yourself, if you are to survive Sundancer University” says an icy feminine voice. Coming around the carriage, I see that we weren’t alone. The cursed carriage blocked out a small crowd of students and a thin woman of average height.

Talk about a nice impression.

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