Academia of the Beast: A Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (2 page)

“Enough,” she said, feeling like an idiot as the words escaped her lips. She knew that Aude was right, but what would she do without Byron? Allyn crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you coming with me or not?”

Sighing, Aude nodded, putting her hat back on. “Let’s go before it gets dark.”

Outside, the bitter cold assaulted their exposed faces, and Allyn pulled her red scarf across her mouth and around her head. She shivered and groaned, hating how the wind roared down the black streets, nearly knocking her over.

Winter in the magical kingdom of Elastria was a time of darkness and frost. Allyn pulled her navy wool coat tighter to her body as a swift wind blew her crimson hair around her pale face. She stepped onto the icy sidewalk, careful to avoid slipping.

Allyn looked down at her gloved hands, feeling heat radiate from her palms—heat that could warm her and Aude—but too afraid to chance it.

She had enough to worry about with an eviction notice stamped to the door to the flat she shared with Byron to add to the witch hunt that plagued Elastria.

“Let’s hurry before the shop closes,” Allyn said, taking careful steps along the sidewalk. Her black boots crunched salt that had been sprinkled along the roads and sidewalks of the inner city. No amount of salt could keep the onslaught of snow that would soon fall from the perpetually gray sky.

“Yes,” Aude said, as they walked down Gilded Street toward the largest indoor market in the entire kingdom.

The crowds were already lined up outside the golden doors, prepared to buy everything they’d need to survive the cold winter. Allyn checked her brass pocket watch that hung from her waistcoat. Like the others, she’d waited until the last minute to do her final shopping. In just a few days, all shops and centers would close, and the city would enter a form of hibernation. If she hadn’t had to wait for her last check of the season to arrive, she might have been able to avoid the long lines.

She stood there at the back of the line, anxious to get in and get out. “This is going to be fun,” she said with a sigh.

Aude looked around, her blue eyes scanning the two separate lines that filed into Grand Castile Plaza. “I don’t see anyone that we know.” Her shoulders slumped. “So, we are stuck.”

Allyn shrugged. “It’s fine. I’m in no rush. I’ve been stuck in the house all day, cleaning, and trying to keep my mind off things.” She put her hand to her forehead as all of her worries flooded her mind. With a sigh, she forced a smile. “I’m lucky to have such an amazing friend.”

Aude hugged her, seeing how fragile her new friend was. Within such a short time, they’d become close, closer than Allyn had been with anyone back home. Back home she didn’t have friends, just painful memories. There were good ones too, up until a point. While the memories she fought to repress continued to haunt her most days, Allyn was determined to look forward.

“Everything is going to get better, sweetie,” Aude said, smoothing Allyn’s hair. “You have Khia and me and we both love you like a sister. There’s no way we will let anything happen to you.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

They stood under the red awning as fat snowflakes continued to cascade from the sky.

Allyn glanced back at her house, her heart dropping when she saw a black police van pull in front of her apartment building. She clutched Aude by the arm.

“Oh no,” she whispered and Aude followed her gaze.

“Shit,” Aude said. “I’m sorry.”

Tears burned Allyn’s eyes as she watched another truck pull up behind the police. Four big men jumped out and followed the officers inside the building. She knew what was happening and there was no longer any use shopping for supplies.

They’d come to put her out of her home and take her things.

––––––––

K
HIA OUTSTRETCHED HER
arms to Allyn, her pretty heart-shaped face saddened by the news of Allyn’s eviction.

“Come here, honey,” she said and wrapped her arms around Allyn. “It’s going to get better. I promise. Aude and I are going to take good care of you. Don’t you worry. We have enough to get all of us through the season.”

Aude kissed Khia on the lips. She took off her hat and coat and hung it up on the coat rack by the door before going directly to the fireplace to warm her hands.

Allyn sucked up tears. “You’re too kind. Thank you,” she said, hating herself for crying over Byron. Just when she thought she had no more tears to shed, he ushered them forth once again. “I’m really looking forward to better times.”

“Khia is right. It will get better, especially now that Byron is out of your life,” Aude said. “When the season starts up again, you can actually save your money and not have him spend it all on stupid shit.”

“I don’t want to hear his name. I really don’t,” Allyn said, pulling away from Khia. She held out her arms. “Let’s just stay warm and try to make the most of this season.”

“Good. That’s the plan.” Khia was almost a foot taller, with perfect brown skin, waist-length brown hair and hazel eyes that made her one of the most sought after models in the city. Khia’s earning potential alone paid for their lavish apartment in the Heathrow area.

Allyn’s eyes scanned the studio apartment. The studio apartment was compartmentalized to show the definition of space. A king-sized bed was at the far end beneath a large window, separated by a half wall just before the office space. Shelves lined the entire wall from waist-length to a few inches below the ceiling.

The living space was the biggest portion of the studio, with black sofas and a red coffee table, a flat screen hanging on the wall, and a piano that Aude played on when they had parties.

She hated charity, but at least she would be warm for the winter. With nowhere else to go, she’d have to do what was necessary to survive.

So, she shrugged off her waistcoat and put it on the coat rack.

“Make yourself at home. Like I said, Khia and I are happy to sleep out here and you can take our bed.”

“There is no way I’m taking your bed. I’m completely fine with the sofa. It looks comfy anyway.”

“Okay. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. We have plenty of pillows and blankets.”

Allyn smiled. Was this what a sleepover was like? She’d always wanted to stay up late talking and laughing with girlfriends. Her days were quieter, spent alone in her room or by the bank of the river with a bag of books and her favorite music.

“Thank you.”

“Would you like a drink?” Khia asked, heading over to their stainless steel kitchen to the right of the front door. Her hair swung as she walked as if the world was a runway.

Allyn nodded and took her hair from its ponytail so that it hung to her mid-back. “Yes. Whatever you have.”

Khia held up a clear bottle, a thinly arched eyebrow lifted. “How about a shot of Chronos?”

“Make it a double,” Allyn replied, as she walked over to the window that stretched from floor to ceiling and looked out onto the city.

“Babe,” Aude said. “How do you feel about me dying my hair red? I have hair envy right now.”

“Do whatever you want. I hear it’s going to be the hottest trend in the fall. But blond is taking over spring.”

Allyn knew nothing of fashion or trends. She couldn’t afford to follow such things. Her heart soared with books, and art, two things that Byron never understood. Dating a soldier whose idea of a fun night was drinking and throwing darts or playing video games, Allyn had lost sight of what she truly wanted. Sometimes she wished she’d learned more about boys and men from her mother.

As she looked out to the windows, she missed her more than ever.

From that high up, she could see the entire city, all the way to the Briar Woods that separated Elastria from New Prussia, the next kingdom over. The sun was setting, and the city was awakening with color and light that were enchanting, hypnotizing Allyn as she imagined what life would have been like if she’d never met Byron. Perhaps she would have done something with her literature degree. Something other than waitressing just to scrape by.

She sighed, pressing her forehead against the cool glass. She’d been attracted to his royal army uniform and his charming smile. Like Wickham in her favorite Jane Austen book, he had tricked her. She just wished she had a Mr. Darcy to give her the happily ever after her heart desired.

Her heart still ached as she tried to push Byron from her mind.

“Here you go, love,” Khia said, tapping Allyn on the shoulder. Aude stood beside her, two shots in her hands.

Allyn took her shot glass and together, they held their glasses out to each other.

“Cheers to a new beginning,” Aude said.

“And saying goodbye to trifling men,” Khia added.

Forcing a smile, Allyn nodded. “Cheers to that.”

They tapped their shot glasses together and drank down their shots of the potent liquor that burned Allyn’s throat as she drank it down.

She winced at how strong it was.

Khia looked up from her phone, her thin eyebrows lifting. “You guys aren’t going to believe this,” she said, a grin spreading across her face.

“What is it?” Aude asked.

Khia jumped up and down, her bangs bouncing. “I was approved for a curfew pass! I can bring three guests with me to the Pre-Season Party.” She ran toward their bedroom area and threw open the wardrobe.

“What does that mean?” Allyn asked as she watched Aude throw several shiny, glittering dresses onto their king-sized bed. “Won’t everything be closed?”

“No, girl. We will get picked up in half an hour and taken to the secret location where the party is being held.”

Allyn sat down on the sofa. She knew they were looking at her, but she intentionally averted her eyes and turned on their TV. “You guys have fun. It has been a stressful day and I have no desire to be around a bunch of people I don’t know. I’m not going.”

“Like hell, you’re not. You get your skinny butt off the couch and get in here. We are dressing up and ending the season with a bang.”

With a groan, Allyn turned to her. “I can’t. I don’t really feel like being around a lot of people.”

Aude knelt down before her. “Sweetheart, that’s why you need to come with us. I know that Khia and I are fun and all, but after tonight we will all be stuck indoors for six weeks. Even if you don’t feel like it, you need to take advantage of this opportunity. Who knows what will happen? You might actually thank us for persuading you.”

When Aude gave her a smile that highlighted her dimples, she knew there was no more use resisting. So, she stood, and with a sigh, she nodded.

“Fine. But, you’re going to have to let me wear one of your dresses.”

Aude clapped her hands and then nudged her along to the bedroom. “I have the perfect one for you. Someone might find a new man tonight.”

––––––––

C
ONALL BARAN STOOD
on the balcony, looking out into the dark forest as white snow fell from the sky. He gripped the slick ice-covered railing with his bare hands, his jaw clenched as Hannah stormed into his private chambers, her high heels clicking against the marble floors so loudly that he almost cringed at how much the sound was intensified by his ultra-sensitive ears.

“I fucking hate you,” she said from behind him. The voice he’d once thought was husky and seductive now grated on his nerves. “Look at me, Conall! I didn’t waste nearly a year of my life to be thrown out on the streets. After all that I’ve put up with you and your mood swings!”

Conall didn’t bother to look back. If he looked at her face he might actually pity her.

Hannah Morse didn’t deserve his pity. If the streets were her only option after betraying him, then that’s where she belonged.

“You break up with me and then throw a party at the Digital Underground. What is wrong with you? Hey,” she yelled. “I am talking to you.”

When Conall turned to her, she took two steps back, her face paling. She’d been spared his glare until now, though she deserved it from the beginning.

“Get your things, and leave. I don’t want to have to get the guards to escort you out.”

She swallowed and made a feeble attempt to hide just how afraid she was at that moment by tossing her voluminous blond hair, and folding her arms across her small chest.

“I don’t believe you.”

He folded his hands before his black suit and stepped forward, and through the glass doors of his balcony. “You don’t have to believe. The curse is real, and if you don’t get out of my home, I will show you just how real it is.”

Her bottom lip trembled and her eyes darted from one end of his large, lavish bedroom to the paintings and tapestries. “Conall, darling. You know that I didn’t mean those things that they put in the paper. I love you.”

He paused and squeezed his eyes shut.

Love? Is she delusional?

Hannah didn’t know what that word meant. During their time together she’d been feeding stories to the tabloids and imperial papers. He should have looked deeper into her past, but even that wouldn’t have revealed her true intentions.

A buzzing sound came from his watch and he glanced down at it. It was Kyle, his oldest cousin. His shoulders slumped and he answered the call by clicking the button on the side. He walked away from Hannah, the device implanted within his ear clicking on with the call.

“What’s up?”

“Are you alone? Is Lennox around?”

Conall glanced at Hannah who still stood there, watching him like a hawk, her almond-shaped blue eyes following him from the center of his bedroom to the study that waited just through the white stone archway.

“What do you need, Kyle? You can speak freely,” he said. “Lennox isn’t here.”

“We found her.”

Conall froze. “What?”

“You heard me right.”

It can’t be
. Lennox never lost a prey, and the one time he did, he made sure to tell their father.

When Conall heard the story, he’d been amazed. A young woman had cast an impenetrable barrier, and gotten away. He ran his hand through his black hair, and grasped a handful as he imagined seeing the web she’d cast.