Tales & Time (Lost Time Academy Book 1) Page 15
"Fine, new girl," Ella mutters, following me over to the benches. I sit down on one, and Ella chooses to sit next to me.
"I've been here a while now, I'm not that new," I remark, pulling a box closer and ripping the tape off.
"There hasn't been anyone newer than you, so yes, you are," Ella replies, getting her own box. We silently go through about five boxes, piling books up and dusting them with the cloth that Tobias brought us.
"They love you, don't they?" Ella quietly asks.
"I don't know. We don't talk about things...we just have each other. It's complicated, Ella," I honestly tell her. As much as I don't like it, we are all linked together for a little while. There is no point lying to her.
"I'm sorry for what I said and the fight. I'm sorry for going after them. I know it's pointless, and they will never listen to the rules anyway, not when you are around. As much as I'd like to marry those sexy guys, I would hate it if it were a marriage just on paper. I can't make the Masters change, but your Tale brothers might stand a chance," she says, sounding like an honest and nice person for the first time since we met.
"Thank you for saying that," I reply, somewhat speechless. I didn't expect her to say anything.
"This doesn't mean I like you or we are friends," she reminds me. "We are just a step above enemies."
"Got it," I reply, smiling at her, and she smiles back for a moment before turning away. Maybe Ella isn't all bad after all.
"Everyone, come and look at this!" Sin shouts over from somewhere behind us.
"I'm not seeing anything. This place is yuck," Ella says when I get up and look down at her. I shake my head and step over the piles of books and head to the back of the library where Sin is kneeling down, looking at the floor where a box has broken and spilled out the contents on the floor. Knox, Tobias and Noah get to my side when I get closer, seeing the box was full of shiny daggers with jewels on them. I pick one up with a blue gemstone in the hilt, and I hold it up in the light.
"Do you think Miss Noa knows these are down here?" Noah asks, eyeing up the yellow stone dagger he has picked up.
"No way. These look old, and they should be in the Tale's castle with the Masters’ protection," Knox replies, his eyes fixed on the green stone dagger.
"There are six of them, maybe we should keep one. Even Ella," I reply as the guys pick up their own ones. Each one has a different coloured gem, and the last one on the floor has a red gemstone in it.
"You want to give one to Ella?" Sin asks, not hiding his shock.
"We have come to an agreement. It doesn't mean I won't kill her if she does any of you, but for now, we are good," I explain, freezing when I realise what I just said.
"You sound like you are making a claim on us, Madi," Sin teases, though it isn't all a teasing question. They look at me seriously, like they want an answer.
"I-I didn't mean—" I nervously start to mumble out.
"We are playing with you, Sleepy." Knox puts me out of my misery, and I sigh. I'm not ready to talk about whatever is going on between us, and neither are they, I suspect. "Go on, give Ella her new gift." I smile at him before turning around, but Noah stops me with one question.
"Madi, will you be our date to the ball? For all four of us?"
I turn around, seeing them all waiting for an answer, even Tobias who looks more nervous than the rest of them. He should be nervous, and I'm not forgiving him until I get the sorry I want.
"Yes," I simply answer, because there is no one else I would go with. I walk away before they can say anything else, and for the first time, I'm excited to go to the ball.
Chapter 30
“It’s beautiful, and I can’t believe you just bought it for me,” I whisper, spinning around in the long, light blue dress that is lacy at the top. The material is soft and fits me perfectly. The bottom is layers and layers of blue fabric that gather together. Around my waist is a thick piece of material that is tied in a bow at my lower back. The top half of my back is exposed with lacy sides holding it up. I've never worn anything this nice or expensive. I've told Tavvy a million times over that I'll pay her back, but she won't have it. I look behind me as she finishes curling one last strand of my long hair, letting it freely fall down my back and around my shoulders. If I were blonde, I'd surely look like Sleeping Beauty in this dress.
“My family is one of the richest in the tale community, so don’t worry about me spending my dad's money. He is a lawyer who makes sure no human ever wants to speak about our kind if they find out. Our dust can make people do anything we demand,” she explains to me, and I didn't know any of that. Tavvy doesn't talk much about her parents, and I got the impression she wasn't close to them when she would prefer a shopping trip rather than a phone call to home. "That's how he got so rich. My mum doesn't have descendant powers from her line, but she can talk anyone into anything either way. They are a cool power couple."
“That’s a cool power, Tavvy, and thank you,” I turn back and tell her. Tavvy has a stunning green dress on that hugs her curves, with a long split up to her upper thigh. The green material is shiny but almost has a glitter shimmer to it as she moves. Tavvy's blonde hair is up in a bun, surrounded by plaits she has woven in.
“Don't thank me, just enjoy your night," she says, winking. I hold my arm out for her, and she links her arm through mine as we leave our room. I try not to trip in the slight heels Tavvy got me, but I'm walking a little strangely, I think. Tavvy has ridiculously high heels on, making her so much taller than I am. She doesn't have a date, and I still remember her answer when I asked her who she was going with. It went along the lines of, "I don't need a man, and if I want a date, I'd pick them. No one in this school could handle me," and honestly, she is right. Tavvy needs a special kind of person to keep up with her. I even struggle to just as her friend. We get to the end of our corridor as Ella and a blond-haired guy walk past us. Ella has a short, very tight and glittery black dress on with killer heels. It looks stunning with her long red hair falling in waves. Ella smiles at me briefly, but then sharply looks away.
"I can't believe you guys are kind of friends now," Tavvy whispers to me as we head towards the stairs, where I can hear light music coming from somewhere, and the stairs themselves are lit up with floating, multicoloured lights.
"Under all the snarky bad attitude, there is a good person. I see it, don't you?" I reply, because honestly, that's how I see Ella. I don't know her parents, but Masters as parents can't be easy. The Tale brothers struggled growing up and have to deal with their own. I think Ella is a bitch because she was brought up to be one, to not show weakness, I suspect. Under it all, I think she is pretty nice.
"If you say so," Tavvy says, shaking her head at me. We walk down the stairs behind another group of students and follow them through to the dining hall, which has been transformed into a room I just about recognise. The floor shimmers like silver liquid filled with glitter, yet it is hard as stone to walk on. The ceiling is filled with dozens of floating spheres, which slowly let hundreds of tiny droplets of light fall from them. In the corner, instruments play music, though there is no one actually playing them. On the other side, where food is usually served, are tables filled with drinks and snacks, with teachers behind them, handing things out.
I look back into the room to search for my Tale brothers when they find me. They all stand a few feet away, dressed up in tuxes that make them look dangerously attractive. My mouth goes dry as they walk towards me, and I have to pinch myself because there is no way guys as hot as the Tale brothers are looking at me like this. I'm so used to them that I forget what it is like to really see them. They are imposing, strong, and everything you could want to see in front of you. The Tale brothers are everything.
"Madi, you look gorgeous," Sin speaks first, and I'm still too speechless to reply to him before he carries on speaking. "Can I steal you for a dance?"
"Come on, guys, why don't we get some drinks and spike them? This party needs a dose of fun," Tavvy says
as I can only nod once at Sin, agreeing to dance. Sin doesn't need any more of an invitation to take my hand, leading me into the dancers. He grins as he pulls me into his arms in the middle of the crowd that parts to give us our own space. Sin leads the dance, keeping my body pressed against his and my hands resting on the back of his neck. I don't notice the well-played music, the way Sin moves my hips to the beat, never missing a step as we spin around; I only notice how he looks down at me.
"This place is magical, almost unbelievable, if I'm honest," I say, needing to break the tension and say something. Anything.
"Before I knew the truth, fairy tales and happy endings seemed unbelievable. Now they are real. Magic is real, and despite everything bad about this world, it makes us special and ever so lucky," he replies, pulling me closer and pressing his warm lips to my forehead. I close my eyes, breathing in how Sin smells like home and everything that feels safe.
"Magic is frightening...but you are right, it is special. We are lucky," I reply to him.
"I hope to one day live in a world where dark tales don't exist and we can be safe. Maybe we can all live together in a house, have a few children, and be happy until we die," he tells me, being so shockingly honest that I'm not sure how to respond to it.
"Sounds like you have it all planned out," I nervously reply. I haven't thought about a future for us all; I don't even know where to start. Sin leans back and slides a hand under my chin, never stopping our dance as he stares down at me.
"I want a future with you, that is my only plan, Madi," he explains to me, and as I stare into his light silver eyes that are as enchanting as he is, I want the same. I've always wanted the same, and we have a chance at that future now. I lean up and gently press my lips to his, needing to kiss him. Words aren't always the best tool to tell someone how you feel; a kiss can do so much more. A scream makes us jolt apart only seconds before a powerful explosion slams into the side of the dining room, and the wall blasts into a million pieces. I cover my eyes, and when I open them, the teachers are standing in a line, blocking us from seeing what is in front of them.
"Students, run into the forest to the portals!" Miss Ona turns back to shout at us, locking her eyes with me for just a moment, and there is fear. So much fear in them. Sin grabs my hand, dragging me through the students running for the door. The students in front of us scream at something I can't see, and Sin rapidly turns us around. We run to the back of the dining hall, where the door is already open. I grab the door frame, stopping Sin from dragging me, to look back. Knox and Tobias are fighting two men who have incredible powers. Knox is spinning fire, water and lightning in circles around the men while Tobias is using his powers to make the men walk into the fire. I glance around for Noah and Tavvy, only to see them both knocked out on the floor behind Knox.
"We have to go! They wouldn't want you to die as well!" Sin demands, trying to pull me away.
"We have to help them!" I turn back to tell him.
"No, we have to survive and then help them. Knox and Tobias will get them out. I'm protecting you, come on," Sin demands, tugging on my arm. "Please, Madi."
"Fine," I eventually say, letting Sin drag me away through the kitchens. We run to the back of the building, hearing the explosions and screams behind us, which makes me just want to go back. I have to trust Sin though, he wouldn't leave his brothers unless there was another choice. Knox and Tobias can fight and handle themselves much better than I could anyway. I'd likely be in the way. Sin stops us in front of a door and lifts his hand, creating a sphere of fire and throwing it at the handle which melts away, and the door swings open as I kick my heels off. I can run faster without them anyway. Taking my hand again, we head out the door and start running straight across the grass to the forest ahead.
I suddenly hear the squawking of ravens and slow down, my feet sinking into the freezing cold grass as I look up at the dozens of ravens in the sky. They swirl around as Sin shouts at me, grabbing my arm, but I shove his hand away. Something is so wrong and so familiar about this all. I pull my gaze from the sky and the crows to the edge of the forest as someone steps out. Snow gently starts to fall all around us as I look into the familiar face I've longed to see for many months.
"Quin?"
Chapter 31
"Qu-Quinton?" I manage to whisper, feeling like the entire world is frozen in this moment as he steps closer. Quin looks different, strange almost from what I'm used to. Snow falls onto his large shoulders, which have silver clips holding on a black cloak. His skin is so pale that it almost has a blue quality to it. Quinton's black hair is shorter than the last time I saw him, making him appear so much older. He looks colder yet still feels like my Quin. I instantly go to step forward, but Sin grabs my arm, and I look up at him to see him shake his head at me.
"That isn't Quin. Not anymore," Sin quietly warns me, and I flash him a confused look as the crunching of Quinton's boots on the frozen grass catches both our attention.
"Didn't you miss me, brother?" Quin sarcastically asks, taking one more step closer. The ground beneath his feet freezes each time, and it doesn't take me long to figure it out.
"You have powers," I gasp in shock. How did this happen? He is here, just like in my dreams, but it is so real. My dreams were telling me the truth, and the ravens are still circling, still loudly squawking. They are warnings, but that is all. They can't help us.
"He is a dark tale, don’t you feel the need to kill him?" Sin hisses, trying to pull me away, but I stop him. This is Quin, my Quin.
"No," I whisper, my breaths coming out in clouds of cold smoke.
"You should run, Oisin," Quin warns, crossing his arms, "before this ends badly."
"Quin, this is crazy. It's us, your friends," I try to plead with him, only for him to ignore me like I'm not here. He is fixated on Sin, not really looking at me much. I don't get this. Quin has never been like this. He was kind, sweet, and I loved him.
"Things have changed," Quin tells me, his voice detached and cold, just like his powers which seem to have stopped his emotions or something. I want my Quin back, not this monster. I step closer, pushing Sin away when he tries to stop me. Quin won't hurt me, I know it. His powers and being a dark tale don't make him who he is. It doesn't make him forget our past.
"I still love you. I never stopped," I tell him, walking another step closer until we aren't far apart at all. Quin moves his eyes to me, and for a second, just a tiny second, I see my Quin in his blue eyes. I smile, going to move closer when Sin screams. The world feels paused as I turn around and see Sin on his knees. He looks down at his chest, where there is a spear of ice sticking out of the place where his heart is.
"NO!" I cry out, running across the snow and falling to my knees next to where Sin has collapsed, blood dripping into the white snow. The blood doesn't look right against the perfect white, it isn't right. I place my hands on his face, begging this all to be a dream and for him to open his eyes. He doesn't. "Sin, wake up, please. You can't be dead! You can't be! Sin! Wake up! Sin! Oisin!" I scream and scream his name until arms wrap around my body, pulling me away, but I don't stop begging for Sin to wake up. He can't be dead. He just can't be.
"Knock her out, Quinton, and send the Tale son's body to his parents. Leave a note, telling them to surrender, or I will send more of their sons’ bodies." I don't look up at the man that spoke as I cry and scream Sin's name, and I struggle to escape Quin's tight grip.
"I'm sorry," Quin whispers in my ear, but I will never forgive him for this. Never. I'm almost glad when something slams into my head and darkness takes me. In darkness, there is no pain...
Epilogue
Quinton
I walk at his side through the blood-covered floors, and my eyes stay fixed on each step of his which freezes the ground, the blood turning to ice. My uncle stops at the foot of the stairwell before looking down at me. He is cruel and as cold as his powers. Powers we both have. All I can think of is Sin’s expression as he died, how he looked at Madi. How Madi w
ill never forgive me for not stopping my uncle from killing him. I push those thoughts away to focus on my only family, my uncle. I know when my uncle looks at me, he sees his dead brother—my father—and not me. So far that is all that has kept me alive. I’m not Quinton Lupas who grew up with a girl he fell in love with and four guys who became more like brothers than best friends. I’m now Quinton Frostan, heir to the dark tales throne.
“You did well, nephew. Now we begin.”
Thank you so much for reading Tales & Time! I’ve always been a massive fan of any fairytales, and I loved bringing this world alive.
A big thank you to my family, Helayna, Mad’s, Cora and everyone that supported me with this book!
A special thank you goes to Mad’s for her ongoing support.
Thank you to my wonderful Pack Leaders for everything. <3
Once again, thank you readers for your continued support! You’re all amazing, and I couldn’t do this without you guys.
If you have a moment, please leave a review. <3
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About the Author
G. Bailey is a USA Today bestselling author of books that are filled with everything from dragons to pirates. Plus, fantasy worlds and breath-taking adventures. Oh, and some swoon-worthy men that no girl could forget. G. Bailey is from the very rainy U.K. where she lives with her husband, two children and three cheeky dogs. And, of course, the characters in her head that never really leave her, even as she writes them down for the world to read!