The Cursed Rune (Royal Reaper Academy #1) - G. Bailey Page 0,1

creature trapped under a rock. It struggles, wailing as it tries to pull its foot from the rock with no luck. It’s big yellow eyes look up at me with so much fear, the flames behind me reflecting in its eyes. I glance back at the fire, only seeing it just above the tall grass and making a quick choice. I can’t leave it. Mum would tell me that all creatures in need are worth saving. Anyone hopeless needs a little help sometimes. I rush to the rock, digging my fingers into the mud and gasping as I pick the heavy rock up enough for the monkey to pull its silvery grey and blue furry leg out before passing out in the mud. Without waiting, I pick the monkey up, tucking it under my arm and rushing into the forest, my footsteps slapping across the muddy ground. I don’t look back as I head towards the yellow light that spins in a circle, sucking in leaves and twigs as it spirals. Every second, it gets smaller, and soon it won’t be there at all.

Magic.

Forbidden fae magic.

I’ve only ever seen my mother use this kind of magic, and she told me I would get powers one day. One day the Otherworld will grant you a gift, and that gift will be decided on your twenty-first birthday. My mother’s softly spoken promise whispers in my ear like she is right next to me as I get to the shimmering yellow light. On the other side is a beach, the gentle water lapping against the shore, but it’s covered with a yellow haze. I look back as blue and yellow fire blasts into the air, and I hear my uncle scream as the floor shakes under my feet. Terror chokes me as I turn around and do what I was told, jumping head first into the magic and hearing my mum’s voice sing to me like she is right here. I fall into another world with only a monkey in my arms and my mother’s necklace in my pocket, hearing a song my mum will never sing to me again.

* * *

“The fae are cold and dance in delight,

To see them is to love their sight.

Never trust a fae, my dear,

And never trust your heart.

In the presence of a fae, your heart is naught but a part.”

Chapter 1

Twelve years later…

I’m going to kill the queen.

With a fae monkey’s help… Easy. Hopefully.

I watch the half angel, half Protector queen, who stands not too far away from me, much like every single supernatural and human in this room does as well. The beautiful queen has long blue hair and eyes like azure diamonds that cut down anyone who even dares to approach her. I’m pretty certain her large ass tiger, who sits at her side, could eat me with one bite. I’m not sure which is more intimidating, the tiger or the queen.

The room is full of supes of every kind, and the magic in this room is suffocating, pressing against every inch of the magic I use to protect myself. Glamour magic costs a pretty penny, and the glamour I currently have on, which is making me look like one of the invited guests (who “accidently” got herself thrown off a boat), is slowly waning under the pressure. Dammit, my plans have gone to shit. Typical for me, and now I have to rely on my old favourite, plan B: sheer damn luck. I move around the crowd, careful to dodge anyone who tries to talk to me, and I focus on who else is in the room. Protectors are easy to spot, they stand taller, like they have a stick up their arses. The demon’s stand out thanks to their brightly coloured hair or skin, and the witches have a certain glow to them. A few shifters are dotted around, and I spot at least one reaper, which makes me want to get out of here as quickly as possible once my job is done.

Back to my target.

Queen Evelina of the Protectors, demons and frankly the whole damn world, according to her. She is a hero, loved and admired by so many, but unluckily for her, there is one person who isn’t a fan.

And that’s my boss.

I don’t want to kill her, but my boss is the only reason I have air in my lungs, even though I figure he would prefer me dead most days. He found me on the streets, a