Ryder Read online

  We stood in complete silence, her words sinking in as we stared at her.

  "How...did you know?" Daniel whispered.

  "Winterlya went through all of our files when I was pretending to sleep. She read each of them to Saikikku to give them a better idea of how they're going to deal with five boys with various issues," EliaseAnne explained.

  The others looked at the floor in shame, realizing we'd already wasted three days and hadn't even tried to get to know each other. I tried to stay focused, multiple emotions hitting me— sadness, regret, shame, guilt. They kept flooding my mind, making it impossible for me to stay awake any longer.

  "RYDER!"

  I tried to figure out who called me, the melodic voice sounded like Daniel, but my consciousness was plummeting toward a dark abyss— my mind unable to handle any more of anything.

  From everything that had just happened, I knew one thing was true.

  We were all broken, but maybe...this mission could heal our wounds.

  I groaned, feeling hot and sweaty. I didn't know where I was and my head was pounding. I wished I could go back to sleep. But as the pounding continued, I struggled.

  I felt something cold lay against my forehead— the cool feeling made me relax as I sighed.

  "Stay still. Karen's working on something."

  It took me a few moments to recognize the seemingly calm voice, different from the usual anger-filled voice that had given nothing but insults to us the last three days.

  I opened my eyes, thankful that the light was dimmed. I looked up to see the ginger-haired male, a sketchbook in his lap as he relaxed in the chair next to what appeared to be my bed.

  "Where...am I?" I asked.

  "In your room in Heila. You went into sensory overload and passed out. Your parents are with the King and Queen of Heila, so your sister said you'd be more comfortable in your room. Karen's making something to help with your fever since she's worn out from helping a group of shifters earlier, and Winterlya had an emergency in Distala and was summoned by the King and Queen," Kai explained.

  "You're being too nice. Did you hit your head? Did I die? Hmm…if I did die then I managed to get a spot in hell with you? What did I do, gods?"

  "Karen said you'd be delusional so I'll ignore your bickering," Kai replied, going back to sketching.

  "How long have you been here?" I asked.

  "Since Marcus carried your ass here."

  "You swear a lot," I pointed out.

  "Bite me. Your best friend swears and he's an angel," he replied.

  "Best friend. We aren't best friends," I pointed out.

  "Well, you will be," Kai replied.

  "Do you use your gift all the time?" I asked.

  "I don't mean to. I haven't figured out how to control it," he whispered.

  I didn't need my gift to sense the vulnerability in his voice. He returned to sketching, his hand beginning to glide across the page.

  "Do you like drawing?" I asked. I wasn't the type to ask many questions, but I didn't want to focus on my pounding headache, needing some type of distraction.

  "Yes. It's a good outlet. My mom liked when I drew her stuff," he whispered.

  "Sorry."

  I didn't know what happened to his mother, only knowing what EliaseAnne had said earlier, but I couldn't imagine losing my mom. I'd broken down from losing Rosalina. I didn't know if I could function if I lost any of my family members.

  "Why?"

  "What?" I asked, confused.

  "Why are you apologizing? I've been nothing but an ass to all of you and you didn't push me away yet? Everyone else does. I insulted all of you and you didn't walk away. Shit, Elyion fucking punched me and Daniel was willing to heal me. Why aren't you guys acting like everyone else?" Kai whispered.

  "Because...I know you're not doing it on purpose. Your feelings contradict your words. It's just a front, right?"

  "Yes..."

  "We may be broken...but we all have something in common, don't we? We've all been through something that crippled us...and we're trying to cope with it. I may not go as planned, but we're trying," I disclosed, allowing my eyes to close.

  "I guess. That fever of yours makes you pretty smart," he commented.

  "I'll take it as a compliment and you can say thank you," I replied.

  "Thanks, Ryder. Sorry for pointing the blame at you. I heard from Xavier that it wasn't your fault," he apologized.

  "Xavier likes to defend me even though he hates my guts half the time. You two would get along."

  "Now that's the fever talking."

  "Maybe..."

  "You think this will work? We're all different. We all have issues. Like jeez, Elyion is a girl," Kai pointed out.

  "Hmm...it will work. The gods wouldn't have brought us together if it was only going to end in failure. That's what I think."

  "Do you think she's still alive?" he asked.

  "...I don't know. I want to believe so. But is it bad that I'm fearing the worst? That I'm afraid that whatever is in store will all be in vain?" I tried to stay awake, feeling the exhaustion begin to take its toll on my body and mind.

  "No. I always fear the future...but it doesn't hurt to believe. And if it makes you feel better, deep within me, I feel she's alive and one day we'll find her."

  "Kai."

  "Hmm?"

  "Thanks. And don't be a dick to EliaseAnne or Elias for that matter. They’re the most fragile," I mumbled.

  "Whatever."

  I began to drift off, my conscious going in and out.

  "Ryder?"

  "...."

  "We'll find her. Mark my words," he whispered.

  SOLACE ROTATION- X, CYCLE 5018

  ~STRYKER~

  "You're a FUCKING ASSHOLE, YOU DEMON PIECE OF—" Hinotori yelled.

  "FUCK YOU, PHOENIX ASS! You got what you deserved!" I yelled, on the verge of summoning my dark flames to do my bidding.

  "Should we interfere before they kill each other?" Ryuu asked, focusing on applying the green nail polish on Eli's toenails.

  "Hmm... Let them duel it out. It's better than when Stryker gets into arguments with Azriel," EliaseAnne commented, filing her nails.

  "That's because Stryker pissed me off. He's always trying to pick a fight. I'm only sitting this out because I don't care about this leadership stuff," Azriel shrugged, reading a book — 100 Ways to Braid Hair.

  "Fuck you too, Azriel! I'll kick your ass too," I yelled.

  "I don't want to exhaust Daniel today. We'll argue tomorrow," Azriel retorted.

  "You two need to stop swearing like that. Karen's going to be mad," EliaseAnne countered.

  "From the girl who swears and flips out on us when you're on your period!" Hinotori argued.

  "You two really want her to kick both your asses...again?" Ryuu sighed, finishing off his work before blowing on Eli's nails. He nodded in approval before glancing up at her. "They're dry. Go kick ass if you want. Karen did say it's good therapy for you to find other means of releasing your anger," Ryuu reminded.

  Eli rolled her eyes, but gave him a smile. "Thank you, Ryuu. You and Marcus give the best pedicures!" Eli beamed, wiggling her toes.

  "Stop ignoring us!" Hinotori growled.

  "Ya! You got something to say, EliaseAnne? We both can kick your ass," I pointed out.

  EliaseAnne sighed, repositioning herself on the desk she was sitting on and crossing her legs— her green eyes narrowed as she frowned. "Do. Not. Tempt. Me," she snarled, her voice so low it actually caused me to shiver.

  I made a nervous glance to Kai who met my gaze, looking just as worried.

  "We're not afraid of you."

  "Ya! I can beat you without my tail. I’ll show you real manpower!" Kai pointed out.

  "Hey, Azriel should we bet?" Ryuu asked.

  "Why? We both would bet on Eli and this won't last longer than five minutes. Let's hope the classroom survives this time. I don't want a lecture from Karen. I always fall asleep," Azriel mumbled, looking unconc
erned.

  "Three minutes." EliaseAnne grinned, her eyes glowing a dark pink.

  "I swear to Starlight, I will get all of you fucking grounded for LIFE!" Karen screamed.

  "We can't go saving the Princess if we're grounded," Hinotori mumbled.

  Karen stopped mid-stride, her emerald green eyes glowed. Hinotori gulped.

  "Sorry."

  I sighed, trying not to move. Everything fucking hurts. Whose idea was it to challenge a dark fairy hybrid?

  "It was yours, Mr. I'm Not Afraid. You better make sure Azriel heals you before I take over or I'm not letting you have control for rotations," Ryder muttered, sounding pissed.

  I'm not letting Azriel heal me.

  "Okay. See you in three rotations," Ryder declared.

  You can't stop me from taking over.

  "I can if I ask Karen. Why can't Azriel, Hinotori and you get along?" Ryder asked, sighing.

  Because...we don't.

  "That's the stupidest excuse I've ever heard. Stop being an ass. I shouldn't have to scold you. You're my spirit and act mature eight percent of the time," he huffed.

  Whatever.

  "STRYKER! Don't go zoning out on me when I'm lecturing you!" Karen yelled.

  "Sorry," I apologized.

  "I can't understand this. TWO CYCLES and I still come to a barely standing classroom with YOU TWO provoking EliaseAnne! And EliaseAnne! You can't keep falling for their taunts. Boys are immature brats until they’re at least twenty-five. Ignore them," Karen disclosed.

  "Twenty-five! We hit puberty at like sixteen. I'll totally be mature by then!" Hinotori argued.

  "Hinotori. Was I talking to you?" Karen asked.

  He frowned. "No," he replied, fidgeting in his seat.

  "But! They're always picking fights with me, calling me weak. I don’t...like when they do that," EliaseAnne whispered, blinking her eyes.

  "Oh no. Eli, don't cry! Karen! Don't let her cry. You know I hate when she cries," Ryuu begged.

  "You hate when she cries cause you feel bad. Sucks that it doesn't have the same effect on idiot number one and two over there." Azriel sighed.

  "HEY!" Hinotori and I countered.

  "ENOUGH!" Karen screamed.

  We all frowned.

  "THIS has to stop. You guys are supposed to be a team! Not getting into arguments every waking moment." Karen placed her hands on her hips.

  "Stryker burned my fucking tail!" Hinotori yelled.

  "Not my fault! He fucking provoked me, my dark flames’ feelings got hurt! He deserved it," I retorted.

  "She's so grounding us." Ryuu sighed.

  "Maybe we can sneak in some cards to play," Azriel suggested.

  "I'll bring my manga collection," EliaseAnne announced.

  "..."

  We all turned to Karen who stared at us in astonishment.

  "You know what? I give up," she huffed.

  What?

  She went over to her desk, grabbing her stuff.

  "Where are you going?" I asked.

  "We aren't training any of you until THIS is solved. You think you can save Rosalina when you can't even work together? Look around." Karen gestured to us.

  I looked around the classroom; it was a chaotic mess— the desks and chairs had turned to ash from our fighting. Azriel and Ryuu were leaning against the blackboard, away from the pile of broken chairs, while EliaseAnne sat on the single desk that had survived the impact. Kai and I stood in the middle of the room; Karen was the closest to the door, holding onto her purse.

  "In order for all of you to help your hosts achieve their goal, you have to learn how to work together! I get it. You all have differences and shitty pasts. Well, guess what? Everyone does. Yet, you don't see us bickering and acting like we’re in grade school. In a few cycles, you guys are going to be sixteen and be given the privilege to help out with the search for Rosalina, but if you think Matthew and I are going to approve of your team, think again." Karen turned.

  "But...the Princess," Hinotori asked.

  "Ya. We have to get stronger," Azriel reminded.

  "And Rose..." I whispered, the others glancing over at me.

  Karen looked over her shoulder. "When you, Azriel, and Hinotori argue every day, what does that achieve? Rosalina could be going through experiments or fighting for her life at this very moment, yet here all of you are. Fighting and finding excuses to beat each other up," she said turning to face us once more, crossing her arms. She glanced over to Ryuu, Azriel, and EliaseAnne.

  "Don't think you’re innocent just because you are sitting and watching on the sidelines. You're all in the same boat right now and won't ever get strong enough to find our Princess. Class is cancelled. I'll make sure to contact your parents and distribute the bill to fix this classroom equally...again," she finished, sliding the door open and slamming it shut.

  We stood in silence; no one wanting to be the first to admit we had a problem. I let out a sigh, walking to the back of the classroom and sitting against the wall.

  "She's right you know," Ryder whispered.

  I could feel both his disappointment and sadness. I knew how badly he wanted to grow in strength, to get strong enough to help locate Rosalina.

  Even after two and a half cycles, the teams had no leads as to where the Princess was. Kade and Xavier were training day and night to get stronger, working their butts off to get early acceptance into Knightwood and be granted the privilege to join the investigation.

  Kade already informed us that he and Xavier were going to conduct a search together, into all the different facilities until they found their sister.

  I envisioned doing the same— all of us who were destined to be Rosalina's knights would venture across the realms to locate her. Yet, as their knights’ spirits, we couldn't get along, or should I say, we weren't trying to get along.

  I rested my arms on my knees, laying my forehead on them.

  "Stryker?" Azriel asked.

  I ignored him, closing my eyes, and hoped to hide the tears that streamed down my face.

  I wanted this to work. Every time I took over, I vowed we'd have a productive session— following Ryder's wishes of trying to make this teamwork thing work, but every day was the same. Lounging around before Hinotori or I said one word that pissed the other off, or better yet, Azriel and I spontaneously throwing daggers at each other because that was what demons and angel spirits loved to do. Ryuu would try to ignore us, keeping EliaseAnne from sulking about her predicament and boom, before Karen arrived we'd be at each other's throats.

  We'd wasted two and half cycles and weren't even close to being strong enough to find Rosalina. What frightened me the most was that all of this might be in vain, and my Rose was no more.

  I felt a hand rub my back as I began to sob, unable to hide my sadness any longer. I could feel their remorse for me, hearing the shuffle of footsteps as the others crowded around me.

  "Stryker, don't cry. We'll find Rose and the Princess," EliaseAnne whispered, continuing to rub my back.

  "Why is working as a team so fucking hard? Why can't we just get along like our hosts? Is it because my resolve is stronger? Or do you guys not like me? I want this to work. I want us to work hard like our hosts. But every damn day I fuck it up. And you know what I do when class is done and I get home? I fucking cry. Every damn night. Because just a glimpse of night sky brings tears to my eyes. Every time I pass by the garden or smell the scent of roses, it reminds me of her and how we couldn't stop her from being taken. I get we're different. I really do. But can't we...just once, work together on this? I don't even care if when we walk out those doors we act like strangers. Just when we enter this classroom and work on anything regarding the Princess, can't we set aside our differences and work together?"

  I didn't care if they replied, continuing to sob. I didn't even have a glimpse of hope that they would agree and that alone made me cry harder.

  "Stryker, stop," Azriel whispered, feeling another hand rub my back.

  "Stryk
er..." Marcus whispered.

  The room was quiet— only my cries could be heard. Moments passed till I calmed.

  "Okay."

  I lifted my head, my eyes went wide as I felt the other spirits’ shock— all of us turning to Hinotori.

  "What?" I asked, swearing I heard him incorrectly.

  He walked toward us; Marcus made his way to EliaseAnne's side while Azriel kneeled next to me.

  Hinotori stood before us, crouching down.

  "Okay. Let's work as a team. It's obvious that you and Ryder care dearly for the Princess and Rose. We may not admit it, but we can feel the love you have for her...as well as pent-up sadness and fear. Every time you walk into the classroom, we can feel how nervous you are. You want this to work, and we haven't been doing our part to meet you halfway. I'm sorry for always getting into fights with you," he apologized.

  Azriel sighed. "I'm sorry for butting heads with you. I'll try to ignore the urge to annoy you," he whispered.

  Ryuu nodded, continuing. "Sorry for not interfering and stopping you guys from fighting," he apologized.

  EliaseAnne rose, crossing her arms as she glanced around. "Sorry for beating you up...and breaking the classroom for the 67th time, and for telling Karen about the time you guys broke her collection of flower pots, and—" she began.

  "So you DID tell her!" Hinotori pointed.

  She shrugged. "You won't call me by my girl name. And you were an ass that day anyway."

  "Alright, EliaseAnne. We forgive you." I smirked, shaking my head.

  I don't think any of us needed to know the list of things EliaseAnne was responsible for. Karen always had a soft spot for her just like the rest of us, so she got away with a lot.