Inimical
Genevieve Iseult Eldredge
(Circuit Fae, #3)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: September 18th 2018
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Being a fairy princess isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially when you have to choose between saving your people…And killing your girlfriend. Oh, and let’s not forget having to pass summer school, too.
Talk about a hot mess.
First, there’s Rouen, princess of the dark Fae, goth-rock star Euphoria, and soon-to-be senior at Richmond Elite High. Her world is all things ice, snow, and death. And that death will include her own people unless she can defeat her evil father in a Battle of Wits and War and seize the throne. Trouble is, taking the throne is a death sentence for the princess of the fair Fae. In other words, a quick death for Syl, Rouen’s girlfriend.
And that’s so not good.
Second, there’s Syl, princess of the fair Fae, geek girl mathlete, and also an incoming senior. Things aren’t any easier for her. Syl must save her people by battling her old nemesis, the fair Fae prince, and the same rules apply: taking the throne means a death sentence for the other court’s princess, Rouen.
Even worse, Syl and Rouen’s enemies have figured out they’re a couple. Now, both Rouen’s father and Syl’s archenemy are teaming up to ensure neither of them makes it till Midsummer’s Day never mind to the fall semester.
In this scene, Syl meets the Xi, a dark Fae who is being controlled by Rouen’s father to destroy them.
The lights flicker. Darkness and shadow reflect off the trophy case. Like a corpse rising from a dark lake, a face appears in the glass.
A reflection.
Platinum-blonde hair in a topknot, angular cheekbones. Black leather. Knives. Blazing red eyes, glowing circuit-runes across one cheek. Roue’s told me all about the Inimicals. She’s given me the skinny on this dark Fae assassin, too.
The Xi.
Right behind me.
In the reflection, the Xi raises one hand, and crimson claws shear from those thin fingertips. Holy--! Inimical claws. Each one flashes with circuitry sparks, and trails of fire light up the glass.
Alarms flash in my mind. Move, Syl. Now!
I barely jerk aside as those glowing claws shatter the case instead of my head. Glass peppers me. Suddenly, the air is hot, stifling from the heat of that attack.
“Whoa! What the—”
But the Xi is on me, slashing, cutting, those claws flashing hot. Sparks fly off them, hissing in the air. Embers flare. My uniform blouse is suddenly riddled with holes like cigarette burns.
Fear racing in my heart, I rattle off the first two questions that come to mind. “What are you doing? Why are you here?”
“You’ll find out.” The Xi’s voice is mild. We might be talking fashion, the latest movies, torture methods—whatever evil dark Fae talk about.
I already know anyway. King Reinghûl sent the Xi. But why? He can’t kill me or Roue until Midsummer.
“Can’t you just tell me why?” My back fetches up against the far wall. Crap. “I hate surprises.”
“Get used to disappointment.” The Xi’s whip-fast, uncoiling from a fighting stance, claws lashing in at my stomach.
Desperate, I throw up my white-flame shield.
Shiiiiiing! Trails of fire carve into my shield, and it shatters like a glass bubble. I jerk back, throwing myself into the lockers. Slam!
The Xi cuts my shirt, missing my skin by a fraction. Inimical circuits leap from those fiery claws, chittering up the fabric toward my face.
Crap, crap, crappity crap. I flame on, pulling them off the way you’d pull spiders out of your hair. Yuck, yuck, yuck! Lucky for me, my fire’s hotter than the Xi’s Inimical.
In my flaming grip, the Inimicals burn to ashes.
Score one for the sleeper-princess!
I back away. “What do you want?”
“I do the will of the king.” The Xi’s heavy-lidded eyes narrow into two slashes of fire. The crimson Inimical circuits flash and burn in the gloomy hall. “These”—they clack their claws—“are meant for you.”
“To control me?” My heart’s slamming against my ribs.
“Yes.” The Xi seems steadfast, except for a pale green aura. Hesitation.
“But you don’t want to.” I’m hoping the Xi can see reason. “I can tell you’re conflicted.”
The Xi’s smile is cutting. “I’ve heard of you. Syl Skye, the sleeper-princess who sees the good in dark Fae.” The Xi stalks closer, those Inimical runes burning across angular cheekbones. “You can’t help me.”
“I could tr—yikes!”
In a burst of shadow, the Xi lunges.
This time, the claws flash by my face, so close I taste ash and heat, feel the fire. But…
That’s no ordinary fire. Fear lights me up like a Christmas tree. It’s sunfire.
The Xi’s power is like mine, but it’s twisted, corrupted by the Inimical.
I dodge, breathing hard. “What are you?”
The Xi’s smile is wry. “Should I say something quaint like, I’m your worst nightmare?”
Despite my immediate peril, I consider. The Xi’s got claws, knives, and a bad attitude—and can totally wield all three.
But I’m not exactly helpless either.
“You’re pretty badass,” I admit. “But I’ve got news for you. I’m not a sleeper-princess anymore.” I summon the power inside me. Heat rushes through me, tingling as Summer comes to my call. White flames burst to my hands. “I’m Awakened.”
Raised by witches and dragons in the northern wilds, GIE writes angsty urban fantasy YA romance--where girls who are mortal enemies kick butt, take names, and fall in love against all odds.
She enjoys long hikes in the woods (where better to find the fair folk?), believing in fairies (in fact, she's clapping right now), dancing with dark elves (always wear your best shoes), being a self-rescuing princess (hello, black belt!), and writing diverse books about teenage girls finding love, romance, and their own inner power.
She might be planning high tea at the Fae Court right now.
GIE is multi-published, and in her role as an editor has helped hundreds of authors make their dream of being published a reality.
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