Instigated (Daywalker Academy Book 3) Read online

  Instigated

  Daywalker Academy Book 3

  Maya Daniels

  Copyright © 2020 by Maya Daniels. All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references, real places, real events, or real persons names and/or persona are used fictitiously. Everything in this story comes from the author’s imagination and any similarities, whatsoever, with events both past and present, or persons living or dead, are purely coincidental.

  Cover design by Jessica Allain, Enchanted Whispers

  Edited by Cassandra Fear

  If you are unable to order paperback copy of this book from your local bookseller, you may contact the author at [email protected] or visit the website

  www.authormayadaniels.com

  Contents

  Untitled

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  From the Author

  Also by Maya Daniels

  This one is for you, Jessica Lee.

  For being my own instigator, and an amazing person.

  Thank you for believing in me <3

  “Of all that is written, I love only what a person has written with his own blood.” - Nietzsche

  1

  My nails dig into the mortar between the bricks where I’m clinging for dear life, making my fingers ache. The tips of my boots scrape between bricks, searching for purchase just as a fat drop of rain splatters on the tip of my nose on my upturned face, spraying my eyes. Blinking fast to clear my vision, I finally find one brick protruding from the others, letting the tip of the boot rest there as I press my face to the wall.

  “This was a very dumb idea.” Huffing under my breath, I try to slow my breathing.

  I’m suspended two stories up on the outside of the Academy building, hanging for all to see like an idiot. I’m counting on no one looking up, but if I don’t move fast I’ll eventually be spotted. My arms and legs burn from the effort it takes me to crawl up like a spider in the middle of the night. Hopefully it’ll pay off, if my guess is right. With one last slow breath, my heart galloping in my chest, I continue the laborious climb. I’ve seen humans doing this for fun on TV. Rock climbing they call it, the idiots. Who would do this for fun?

  Sweat trickles from between my shoulder blades down my spine by the time I see the curving rooftiles within reach. I can’t feel my fingers anymore, and my muscles scream in pain all over my body. Maybe I should do more than just the calming yoga exercises I’ve been sticking with the last couple of years. I almost laugh at the thought, but I’m too tired. Running for your life is exercise enough, right?

  Summoning all the energy I have left, I swing my lower body like a pendulum, arms shaking from the weight as I fling one leg over the edge of the rooftiles. Everything around me swims, dizziness making me lightheaded when I end up hanging with my head down, my braid like a rope tapping the wall. Wedging my foot between the tile and a pipe, I pull my other leg up and finally plop on my back.

  Another fat drop of rain splatters my cheek.

  Keeping my eyes closed, I take slow, deep breaths, grinding my teeth with the effort to move my hands, which are cramped like claws with my fingers curled from over an hour of gripping bricks. My heart leaps in my throat when a howl breaks the silence. It’s answered by the hoot of an owl a moment later. The echoes of the sounds keep me company while I try to catch my breath and kick my butt into gear to get moving. More raindrops pepper my face and I roll to my belly before lifting up on all fours.

  They keep an eye on me wherever I go inside the Academy. This is the only way I can think of to follow the demon guards I’ve seen sneaking around. They all go up the wide stairways past the third floor disappearing from view. When I try to follow, a few of them get in my face and I have to fight them if I want to see where they are going. Making a quick decision, I back away from the fight—yeah, I know I was surprised as well—and this is what I come up with as an alternative. Climbing walls Spiderman style like an idiot.

  Snorting at my stupidity, I get on my feet and look around the rooftop. The moon casts her silvery glow, breaking apart the shadows. There must be a way to get to this roof from the inside. The tiles look new, the dark gray color not faded or cracked. Either someone is maintaining them or they just use magic. Throwing a glance down to the pebbled path circling the building, my stomach drops in a free-style flip flop. If it’s magic, I’m screwed. No way I’m climbing back down the way I came. I’ll just sit here until someone finds me. I’ll say I am sleepwalking, or something. I’m sure that will go as well as trying to pet a snake.

  Rolling my shoulders to release the tension, I shake out my hands and hunch down, creeping closer to the other side of the roof. Stepping lightly on the angled tiles to not make a sound, I get as close to the edge as I can. A hum disturbing the air freezes my movements. Holding my breath and straining my ears, I inch closer, noticing for the first time a raised frame just to the left of where I’m crouched. It’s either a door or a window but I couldn’t care less. I feel like crying from excitement that I will eventually get out of here like a normal person and not a thief. The hum is slightly louder the closer I get, two distinct voices ringing clear in it. I can’t make out any words yet, the darkened window reason enough for the sounds to be muffled. Pressing my knees on the hard tiles, hands braced on the frame on either side, I lean in as close as I dare without pressing my ear on the glass.

  “What are we doing?”

  Swallowing the scream that lodges in my throat at the hushed whisper next to my ear, my fist connects to a warm, unforgiving palm. Thick fingers wrap around my knuckles a second before my body tilts sideways, gravity pulling it straight toward the window. My eyes scrunch up as I brace for the impact. A muscular arm snakes around my waist, yanking me back into a broad chest and the scent of rainforests and rain fills my nostrils. Clenching my jaw, I beg the fates for patience.

  “This is how you get killed.” Hissing under my breath, I open my eyes to glare at Fenrir.

  “You were really sneaky, so I figured we need to be quiet.” Placing me gently next to him and off his lap, the Fae leans over the window like he can see through the dark glass.

  “I was sneaky so you wouldn’t follow me around.” Pushing the words out, I try my best not to yell at him. He tilts his face my way lifting one eyebrow in an unspoken question, “How did that work out for you?”

  “How did you get here, Fenrir?” He doesn’t look one bit tired, his hair smooth as silk while my braid looks like dogs have been gnawing on it while stray hairs stick to the sides of my face.

  Not turning, he points behind him and I follow the direction of that one graceful finger to a small trap door gaping open a few feet behind us. I didn’t even see it there. It takes everything in me not to whack him across the head, my body screaming at me in pain from the climb.

  “What are we looking for here?” Murmuring under his breath, he tilts his head t
his way and that as if trying to catch a stray word through the thick glass. “Who’s down there?”

  “We were not looking for anything.” Shoving him away with my shoulder, I kneel where I was before he came along. “I, on the other hand, was trying to see why the demons were sneaking up to the top floors and not letting anyone follow.”

  Eyeing the window frame, I trace my fingers around it to search for a latch, or anything really that will help me open it. Fenrir grunts something I don’t hear, blowing a frustrated breath through his nose. It’s funny now how I stupidly think I’ll do anything without the Fae knowing about it.

  “Let me see.” After watching me for long moments, he pushes my hands away and nudges me out of my place. “I’m not sure these windows were meant to be opened.” His lips barely move with the huffed words, a line forming between his eyebrows.

  Chewing on my bottom lip, I glance from Fenrir to the open trap door and back. My body coils up and all my muscles stiffen, ready to spring into action. The Fae is fast, but I am faster. I can get through it and lock him out here if I time it right.

  “I wouldn’t do that if you don’t want the demons to know you’ve been following them.” Not looking away from his task, his tone is so soft I actually have to lean forward to hear his words. “If you lock me out, I’ll break this window and catch you before you step foot out of the attic.” An arrogant grin stretches his lips when he looks up. “Don’t be so surprised, Hellion. I’ve watched you long enough to anticipate your actions.”

  “That’s because you have stalker tendencies.” Blowing out a breath, I keep my eyes locked on his, my mind spinning with ideas. No way I’m getting rid of him tonight. “Can you open it or not?” I sound snappy but the frustration is more from being unable to shake him off than anything else.

  Without looking away, Fenrir’s hands keep moving, tracing the frame inside and out. A slow smile replaces the concentration on his face just as I hear the soft click. He winks at me before squeezing his fingers into the tiny gap and pulling the window silently open.

  I stick my tongue out at him, which only widens his grin.

  “… regardless of what you say. I think the timing is right,” a deep voice grumbles from beneath us, pushing all other thoughts out of my head. I lean eagerly forward to hear better. “With all the shit going on, no one will be paying attention to us.”

  “I donno about that,” another one answers, followed by the shuffling of feet. “It might look like Alexius has the upper hand, but I wouldn’t bet against Zoltan unless I see his head separated from his body. Do you really want to be the one standing in front of him answering why the book is missing if he survives?”

  “You saw Zoltan led like a dog through the portal, yet here you are still afraid of him. I should’ve known you were a coward. I’ll do it myself,” the first demon snarls.

  Fenrir snatches my arm to hold me in place. I’m not even aware I lift off my knees to to jump down and kill the asshole for calling Zoltan a dog. Fury burns through my chest, my whole body trembling with the effort it takes to stay still. The Fae keeps his firm grip on my arm, but the look on his face is calm and collected.

  “You are a fool.” The voice of the second demon pulls me out of the murderous thoughts. “Don’t look at me like that. You are an idiot if you think Zoltan is the only one you should be afraid off. Azgor and Fenrir will have your head if you get caught, as well as Astara. I don’t even want to think what the half blood will do.”

  My eyebrows crawl up my forehead all the way to my hairline. Fenrir’s arm shakes slightly where he still holds me back, so I grab his wrist to prevent him from pouncing on the demons. I guess hearing them call me a half blood makes him upset. But then his shoulders start shaking too, so I angle myself to get a better look at his downturned face. The jerk is trying incredibly hard not to laugh. As if they have their own mind, my hands shoots out so I can punch the humor off his face. My finger bumps the slightly-opened window, my nail catching on a splinter of the weather-worn wood. The sharp piece stabs underneath my nail bed, crippling me in pain.

  I grind my teeth.

  “Did you hear that?” The second demon sounds alarmed, so I bite my lip even harder to ensure I don’t scream, my eyes crossing from the throbbing of my finger.

  “You really are a coward. First a captured Daywalker makes you shake in fear, then a fucking girl scares you, and now even birds freak you out. You are a disgrace,” the first demon spits angrily. “I’ll get the book tomorrow night. Alexius is sending someone to pick it up in two days’ time. You can explain then why you were sitting on your ass when everything we’ve ever wanted is within reach.”

  A door slams, and I jump out of my skin from the loud crash while Fenrir searches my face in concern. Swallowing the bile in my throat, I shove my forefinger in his face. Flinching, he rears back, his eyes crossing when he tries to see what I’m showing him. A tiny, sharp splinter is sticking out from under my short, blunt nail, the bigger part of it embedded in the nail bed. Tears gather at the corners of my eyes. The second demon mutters something intangible before we hear the door open and close again.

  Fenrir folds his lips inward, biting on them hard.

  My eyes narrow to slits.

  “Let me see.” Clearing his throat, he tries and fails to keep a straight face while reaching for my hand.

  I say nothing when he takes my fingers in his, pinching the splinter between his thumb and forefinger. Clenching my jaw I squeeze my eyes shut when he yanks it out. Another sharp pain stabs through me from the now-bleeding puncture, this one spearing all the way to my shoulder.

  “I believe the humans call this instant karma.” Holding the offending splinter like a trophy between us, the jerk grins so wide it looks like his face will split from it.

  I punch him.

  Sprawling on his back on the rooftiles, the Fae roars with laughter. His hair escapes the rubber band holding it at the base of his neck, the platinum strands contrasting against the dark gray tiles. Head thrown back, I watch his chest shake, the moon casting shadows and sharpening the line of his cheekbones. A snort escapes me when I shake my head at his antics.

  He laughs harder, slapping his thigh with one large hand, and his eyes glitter with tears when he looks at me. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Fenrir laugh and the knot in my chest loosens at the sight. Plopping on my ass next to him, I giggle.

  “It hurts like a bitch.” Peeking at my nail, I can’t see anything other than blood pooling under it.

  “I should frame it.” Still chuckling, Fenrir sits up holding the stupid splinter like his life depends on it. “Nothing can make agent Drake blink an eye, but this splinter made her almost pass out.”

  “You are such a jerk. I did not almost pass out.” Shoving him away by the shoulder, my eyes drift back to the slightly-opened window. “We have a lead, Fenrir.”

  He locks his gaze on mine, the too-blue color of his eyes looking as silver as the giant orb in the sky matching the moonlight. All the humor is gone as we stare at each other. It’s been days since Roberti took Zoltan and we did nothing but chase our tails the entire time. We have no idea where to look, what to look for, or who to ask.

  Myst, the strange female I met when I crossed the portal to the human world, disappeared after the hunters that night and I haven’t heard anything from her either. Despair is eating a hole inside me as I think about what may be happening to Zoltan all while I sit here doing nothing. I’ve been avoiding Astara as well, because I can’t look at her. I’m too afraid I’ll see disgust and betrayal in her gaze.

  Until now.

  “I’ll tell Azgor …”

  “Don’t you dare say a word to anyone.” Hissing at him, I take a fistful of his shirt and yank his face to mine. His eyes widen comically. ‘No one hears about this, do you understand me? I will wait in the library to see what book Alexius needs. If he needs it, I want it more. The demon will lead us to his contact and that will take us to Zoltan. If you screw this
up with your rules or whatever, I’ll skin you Fae.”

  “I was only suggesting a backup, Francesca.” Lifting both hands in surrender, he frowns at me. “I want to find him as much as you do, but we don’t know who this contact is. You can’t help Zoltan if you are dead, or taken away just like him.”

  “You can come.” My hand twists his shirt tighter. “No one else Fenrir. I’m not planning to engage; I’m going to follow.”

  “Even through the portal.” He searches my eyes as understanding dawns on him. “You think they’ll lead you to Zoltan. It’s a risky move and hardly the case. It sounds too easy.”

  “Would you or anyone you know have done it?”

  “No.” As he answers, his eyebrows shoot up.

  “Exactly. Alexius knows how you think. He doesn’t know shit about me.” Releasing his shirt, I lift on my feet, slapping dust from my pants. “Unless Roberti has spilled his guts—and he is not one to share what he knows—they don’t know what I’ll do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Where are you going now?”

  “To get some sleep.” I feel his eyes on me until I disappear through the trap door. My mind is spinning with worry and excitement.

  Finally a lead.

  2

  Zoltan stands stock still, fists clenched, and a muscle jumping angrily on his chiseled jaw. Alex and Cassius flank him on either side, both holding daggers dripping with black poison under his chin. His entire body is vibrating in rage, but he doesn’t move. When I see Cassius's daughter standing right behind them with a hand pressed on Alex's back, everything becomes clear. All the fighting has stopped, and everyone is staring at the entrance of the portal. A hunter thrusts his blade at my chest, but I spin, grabbing his arm and wrenching it out of his socket. The hunter screams a bloodcurdling sound when his arm dangles in my hand. I drop it at my feet, my eyes never leaving Zoltan’s.