Fae Hunter: Slayer Academy Whychoose Romance, #2

By Amelia Shaw

From Fae Slayer to renegade rebel.

My instincts are flashing like a neon sign—the Academy can't be trusted. I've glimpsed the true heart of a Fae prince. Fiore is kind, merciful and saved my life. But now he's missing and I think the Academy is at fault. I must journey to the Fae realm, but it couldn't be more treacherous.

Especially as I'm journeying to find Nyeer, the Fae prince who tried to kill me. But loathing soon turns to lust and Nyeer strips away my defenses—along with my clothes... Until my heart's in just as much danger as my life. #whychoose.

Magic lessons and weapons classes were child's play compared to the fight to rescue Fiore and protect the Fae Kingdom from the Slayer Academy.

Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and J.R. Ward will love the whychoose romance, Slayer Academy series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harley Romance Publishing
• Release date: Apr 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393989073

Book preview

Chapter 1

MY TWO-WEEK WINTER break was over.

I’d spent my holidays in the best possible way—back home with my parents and everything familiar. I’d stuffed myself full of Mom’s food, bought new clothes for the icy nights at the Academy, and caught up with my friends.

Holly practically moved in with us, and didn’t leave until I reluctantly shoved her out the door. I’d missed her, being so far away. Not in distance, though she didn’t know that, but in the world I was now inhabiting at the Slayer Academy.

It couldn’t be more different from the one I’d left behind.

I made the best of my two weeks at home. Holly and I went out for coffee and shopping trips at the mall. And we shared the type of gossip I’d missed—about normal stuff. Fun, going out, and guys.

Holly had attended a local community college for the semester, so we got to compare notes about the guys at our new schools.

Holly, being bubbly and blonde—my polar opposite—had won the admiration of more than one guy. And several girls, too.

And for once, I had some stuff to tell her as well.

I left out lots of details about my new school, of course. The Slayer Academy was still meant to be a complete secret to all humans. And Fiore. I couldn’t begin to explain my sensual and intense connection to the Fae prince, nor the strange pull toward his fellow princes, Everly and Nyeer. That would simply sound crazy to Holly.

Heck, it sounded crazy to me.

But I’d had enough normal experiences to be able to discuss them with my best friend. The tales of my run-ins with Brutice were a prime example. He was the bully I’d been slightly attracted to, against my better judgment. I’d somehow managed to kiss him at one point, then got dumped at the end of the semester.

Mostly because I refused to go along with the party line that all Fae were monsters. Not that I could tell Holly that.

I exaggerated everything about Brutice, of course. Drama was Holly’s specialty and I played it up. I had to make it seem like he was the only guy for me and that I was totally heartbroken that things had ended.

Holly gave me enormous amounts of guidance about how to get him back. Most of it was good advice that I would not be taking. But it was great to bond with her over such things.

What I didn’t tell her was that, instead of pining over Brutice, I’d spent most of the Christmas break dreaming of Fiore and wishing I could see him once again.

Sigh.

After craving my family and my home for so many weeks while I was away, there was a large part of me that wanted to get back to the Academy.

And not only because that’s where I would be closer to Fiore.

Though it was hard to admit, that Academy, somehow, had become the place I was most at home. Comfortable in a way I’d never been, even with my parents and grandmother, and hanging out with Holly.

Not that I could complain about my holidays. My folks had been great, buying me awesome winter clothes for Christmas and letting me sleep as much as I liked.

But it was time to head back to college and my skin tingled with impending excitement.

Thanks for the best winter break ever, Mom.

I wrapped my arms around my mother and hugged her neck tightly. She squeezed me back and I closed my eyes. After managing to survive my first semester of Slayer Academy, it was time for round two.

Only this time, I would be slightly more prepared.

I love you, sweetheart. Mom pulled back and glanced at my freshly packed suitcase, full of all my new winter clothes. Getting it zipped had been no easy feat. You sure you’ve got everything? she joked.

I didn’t know how all my new things were going to fit in the communal closet I shared with my three roommates, but I wasn’t averse to having clothes tucked under my bed if necessary.

I laughed as she gestured to my bulging luggage. Ah, I think so. More thermals, two jackets and lots of warm training clothes for those practical classes I still suck at.

Mom ignored my jibe about my less-than-impressive fighting skills and opened the trunk of the car for us with a push of a button.

I hugged my dad. He never said much, but the love in his eyes was clear as he smiled at me.

Bye, Dad.

He squeezed back. Bye, sweetheart. Give ‘em hell.

I smiled back at him and swallowed the lump that rose in my throat. They had so much confidence in me. It was lovely, but completely misplaced.

Yeah, I’ll try.

I hadn’t told my parents about my battle with the two Fae princes, nor how Fiore had come to my rescue. I wasn’t even sure how to begin to broach the idea that the Fae weren’t the heartless monsters everyone in the Slayer world believed them to be. I had the feeling Mom and Dad—trained at the Slayer Academy themselves—would be horrified at my suspicions.

Their view of the world was black and white, at least in that regard. The Fae were evil, and the role of a Slayer was to kill the Fae.

Let’s go, sweetie.

My mom was itching to get going. I could tell by the way she drummed her fingernails impatiently on the roof of the car.

I hugged my dad once more, opened the passenger door and climbed in, a bubble of excitement making my throat catch.

Ready? Mom asked, as she threw the car into gear.

I nodded, struggling to keep the strange squeal from escaping.

Yep.

Mom put her foot down and we took off toward the Academy, my stomach tightening in anticipation of the moment I’d been both dreading and looking forward to since I arrived home for Christmas.

So, are you excited about your second semester? Mom asked, her voice more upbeat than I felt.

Yes, but...

I could imagine what my mother would have been like when she went to the same college years ago. Fierce, courageous, excited.

But... what? Mom glanced over at me and I shrugged.

It’s just... What direction should I take with this one? I only had a few hours to talk to her and then it would be five months until I saw her again.

You never told me that you were some sort of legend. One of the guys calls me ‘Legacy’. Well, they all say I am a legacy, but he refuses to use my real name.

Mom chuckled. So? That’s not a bad thing, is it?

I sighed. She didn’t get it. I don’t live up to the name. I feel like I’m going to disappoint everyone, because I’m not like you. I’m not some badass fighter.

Mom laughed fully this time and her cheeks brightened with pink.

I rolled my eyes. She looked way too flattered at that description for my liking. She couldn’t possibly make this about her. Could she? She was supposed to be sympathetic to my plight, not happy because it put her in a better light.

Mom!

She reached over and patted my thigh. Oh, sweetie, I left that life behind a long time ago. I may have been good at all the fighting and physical elements, but being a Slayer in real life was much harder than I ever thought it would be. I was actually relieved when I had you and I could step away from all that.

I twisted in my seat to stare at her. Then why send me there? Why even tell me about the whole Fae-Slayer world in the first place? Not that she’d actually told me. She’d kept me in ignorance most of my life. But in sending me to the Academy, she had finally opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed.

She stilled, silent for a moment, then swallowed.

Because it’s your birthright, Megara. It would be wrong of me to influence you or prevent you from going, especially when you showed signs early of being skillful in the magical arts. Besides, I was hoping you’d love the Academy as much as your grandmother did.

Now I was confused.

Hang on a second. Grandma said that you flourished at the Academy, and that you were amazing. And she must have been right, because now everyone at school thinks I should be amazing too. One, because I’m your daughter, and two, because I’m her grand-daughter. Didn’t you both love the Academy? Dad too?

In typical mom fashion, she ignored my query. Instead, she gripped the steering wheel tighter.

Megara, look. This is your legacy, your life. To attend the school and see who you become. I’ve known since the moment I gave birth to you that I’d be driving you to the Academy once you matured. It doesn’t mean you have to become a Slayer once you graduate, but I wanted you to have the choice.

That sounded like common sense. Which was one of things I loved about my mom.

I bit my lip and relaxed my arms.

Why were you so good then?

Mom grinned. I studied hard and had some natural physical abilities taught to me by my father.

I grunted. Sounds like you’re being modest. If you knew how much they compare me to you, you wouldn’t think it was funny.

She reached over and squeezed my hand. Megara, you are far smarter than me, more loyal, more determined. I know that you’re feeling overwhelmed, but... well, this is your destiny. I promise you. I’ve seen it.

That got my attention.

I beg your pardon? You can scry too? What have you seen?

I didn’t know my mother had scrying abilities like mine, though I hadn’t even begun to develop my skills in that area.

Mom withdrew her hand to grip the wheel once again. I’ve seen you change everything.

She didn’t look at me, but the hairs on my neck tingled and stood on end.

A sure sign of bad things to come. My spidey senses went haywire and I shivered.

Mom, maybe I shouldn’t go back. I know you think I should, but...

I didn’t know how to finish that sentence. Unlike last semester, I wanted to go back this time. Even with the Academy’s bullies and pressure and weird classes. But the feeling I was getting from this new year was something akin to what my mom was saying.

Things were going to change. Big things. And I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

But what? Mom pressed when I didn’t continue.

I sighed. We only had a little bit of the drive to go now, so I decided to tell her the truth. It was time I started acting like an adult and not a frightened child anymore.

I’m not sure I belong there, I said slowly. My beliefs are... not theirs. Probably not yours, either.

My mom’s narrowed gaze shot to me.

I don’t believe them when they tell me all Fae are... well... evil, I blurted out.

At Mom’s gasp, I rushed to recover the conversation.

I know you’re going to disagree with me, because I know you fought the Fae for a long time, but I...

I swallowed the lump that lodged itself in my throat. How did I tell her about Fiore? About him claiming me? And in doing so, saving me?

"Megara, you see more, and