Page 128 of Death of a Mortal

“The fuck is everyone looking at?” Aerie yelled. “Every one of you was a newbie at some point. Get back to your meals!”

I could have cried. Aerie’s support lifted my spirits so much.

I guessed being friendly with a captain would have its perks.

They did as she said, and the noise level slowly rose again. I saw some people still watching me as we walked down the center aisle between two of the four long tables toward the food line.

“You wanna cut the line and jump to the front? I can make it happen,” Aerie asked me.

While getting out of here quickly sounded great—mainly because I was eager to get started on controlling this angry beast—I didn’t think that would win me any popularity points.

“I would rather not,” I said a bit sheepishly.

“You got it then.”

So we stood at the back of the quick-moving line as she pointed out certain fae and mortals to me, like the pink-haired elemental magic teacher, the insanely muscular mortal physical training coach, the old and frail-looking schoolteacher, and the patrol and supply unit leader.

By the time we sat down with our tray of meat, eggs, and sliced bread, she was explaining to me the different orders of the base and that I would need to align with one at some point.

There were five, each with its own unique specialty areas, and they all had fae and mortals working side by side: the Hearths were the healers and caregivers, the Guilds were the builders and forgers, the Vanguard were the specialized combat units, the Arcanum were the scholars and philosophers, and the Pathfinders were the scouts and strategists. I’d be spending time with each over the next fewweeks to determine where I could contribute best to the base, because, as Aerie said, everyone here contributed somehow. That was how they were so self-sustaining.

“Am I gonna have to go to…school? With the kids?” I finally voiced a nagging fear that I’d have to go back to being in school, but this time as the oldest among the children.

Aerie laughed. The sound always lightened my mood. “Of course not. I think Dray intends for you to have private lessons and training sessions for now, but not classroom-style schooling. Eventually, when you’re up to speed, you’ll attend regular training like the rest of us. And when you’re strong enough, I’ll be placing all my money on you in the sparring ring.”

No school was great, but sparring? That sounded brutal. I was a good fighter, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed it. I’d gotten into regular scraps in Briarstead growing up—I was always so angry about Cassius and how unfair life was—which was actually somewhat funny and ironic to think about now after months in a dungeon cell.

“When we finish breakfast, I’ll bring you to Dray so he can go over your schedule with you.”

“Great…”

“Chin up, fireball, you’ll be fine. You’re gonna love it here.”

She seemed like she wanted to keep talking, but let me finish my food in silence as I thought through all the change and took everything in.

When we were done, Aerie led me from the mess hall and back out to the grounds toward the captain’s quarters. As we passed each building, I noticed again that every door had the black flame painted on it, and it made the back of my neck prickle.

We stopped in front of the building at the furthest end of the row, and Aerie knocked on the door.

“Enter,” I heard Drayce boom in response.

My pulse quickened.

Aerie glanced at me, nodded, then opened the door.

“That will be all, Aerie,” he said.

“Play nice, you two,” she said before pulling the door shut and leaving me in a small dining room, alone, with Drayce.

It was set up like a small house, with a combined kitchen, dining room, and living room at the front and a dark hallway at the back.

“How are you settling in?” he asked from his seat at the table, a map stretched out in front of him.

“Alright, I suppose. I only woke up a bit ago.”

“How do you feel, physically?”

I thought for a moment. “Fine, actually. I thought I’d be stiff and sore at least, but nothing.”