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  THE ARCHIVES

  SACRISVITA BOOK II

  Dylan Steel

  THE ARCHIVES: SACRISVITA BOOK II

  Dylan Steel

  Heritage Publishing

  Copyright © 2016

  www.DylanSteel.com

  Cover design by Flappy Dog Designs.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places, and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ALSO BY DYLAN STEEL

  1. LEVEL EIGHT

  2. THE FIGHT

  3. TWO PARTS

  4. THE INTEREST SOCIETY

  5. TRAINING BEGINS

  6. CONFRONTATION

  7. THE ARCHIVES

  8. THE TRUTH

  9. SPARRING

  10. THE BOOK

  11. HAPPY BIRTHDAY

  12. GETTING STARTED

  13. THE TOURNAMENT

  14. DETOUR

  15. INTERRUPTED

  16. THE CATALOGUING ROOM

  17. DISTRACTED

  18. RETURNED

  19. SECOND THOUGHTS

  20. ROSALIND

  21. THE PRESENTATION

  22. THE PHOTO

  23. PAIRED

  24. CAUGHT

  THE RELIC: SACRISVITA BOOK III - EXCERPT

  READ MORE BY DYLAN STEEL

  ALSO BY DYLAN STEEL

  Sacrisvita

  THE PRODIGY: A Sacrisvita Prequel

  (FREE and only available HERE.)

  THE INSTITUTION: Sacrisvita Book I

  THE ARCHIVES: Sacrisvita Book II

  THE RELIC: Sacrisvita Book III

  THE ESTATE: Sacrisvita Book IV

  THE VANISHED: Sacrisvita Book V

  THE CAPTIVE: Sacrisvita Book VI

  THE OUTCAST: Sacrisvita Book VII

  THE TRIALS: Sacrisvita Book VIII

  THE ROGUE: Sacrisvita Book IX

  THE CITIZEN: Sacrisvita Book X

  THE SURVIVOR: Sacrisvita Book XI

  ***

  Third Earth

  SLEEPER: A Third Earth Prequel

  (FREE and only available HERE.)

  ALONE: Third Earth Volume One

  ***

  For the most updated list of Dylan’s books, visit www.DylanSteel.com.

  Join Dylan’s Insiders Club to find out when her next book is out! Plus, get an exclusive prequel scene to Sacrisvita.

  1. LEVEL EIGHT

  “Over the course of the next two weeks, you will have an opportunity to visit with a variety of these groups. If you’re below Level Twelve, I would strongly encourage you to try a different Interest this year than you have before. And please remember, the choice you make two weeks from now will be final for the remainder of the year.”

  As was customary at the beginning of each new school year, Headmaster Alexander rattled off rules and announcements while pacing his three foot loop. He then flashed the class an unsettling smile and flickered from view.

  Sage was once again aware of the man who had been seated quietly behind the headmaster’s image. The man rose slowly, raking his fingers through his hair and giving his vest a slight tug before making his way to the front of his desk.

  “I never seem to be able to follow that speech well enough.” A slight grin played at the corners of his mouth.

  “I’ve had most of you in my class before, but for those of you that haven’t had the pleasure of learning our great nation’s history from the best teacher in the Institution, I’m Mr. Walsh.” He gestured dramatically and bowed.

  Soft laughter rippled through the room. Mr. Walsh feigned hurt before straightening and continuing.

  “Of course, I would be remiss not to encourage you to at least give the Historical Interest Society a chance during your two-week tour.”

  Mr. Walsh threw his hands in the air as he surveyed his students. “I mean, obviously, history is everyone’s favorite subject, and I can’t think of a single reason why you wouldn’t want to spend more time digging deeper into it. Not to mention, it’s led by this handsome mug.” He jerked his thumb at his chest while sporting the cheesiest grin he could muster.

  Sage smirked along with the rest of the class, but when her instructor’s eyes met her own, a look of somber agreement quickly fell over her face.

  He pursed his lips together while his eyes swept over the rest of the class.

  “Alright, enough of that. It may be the first day of your new level, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start learning. Pull out your databooks and open the first file in your new history folder.”

  The students let out a collective groan.

  Sage dragged the databook out from under her desk and started pulling up the file. A Brief Overview of the First Hundred Years of Eprah. She sighed. Somehow, she didn’t expect the overview to actually be brief.

  A sharp jab in her shoulder blade made her spin around. Penelope’s finger was dropping into a fist on her desk as she leaned forward.

  “Gonna join the Historical Interest Society?” she whispered mischievously.

  Sage shook her head. “Of course not. Did you hear the list of options? Pretty much everything else sounds better.”

  Penelope nodded. “Yeah, I’ve heard Mr. Walsh has to beg students to join him every year. And besides, it’s mostly just older kids interested in that stuff anyways. I want to check out th—”

  “Sage Indarra,” Mr. Walsh boomed, “would you please stand and read the selection aloud?”

  Sage whipped around in her chair.

  “Sorry, sir, which selection?” Her face was burning, but Mr. Walsh either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

  “The first one. It’s in the highlighted box.” Mr. Walsh’s eyes never moved from his databook as he spoke. She couldn’t even be sure he’d seen her talking.

  She took a deep breath and willed her heart to stop racing as she stood and read.

  “The first hundred years after Eprah’s birth were pivotal to determining the ultimate success or failure of the great experiment of this nation...”

  ***

  Sage followed closely behind Penelope as they picked their way through the crowded cafeteria. Their trays clattered onto a table in the unofficial Level Eight section.

  She had no idea why, but she had hoped the food would somehow look more appetizing now that she had advanced a level. No such luck. A colorless mass was heaped carelessly on her tray. It wasn’t even worth trying to identify.

  “So which Interest are you going to check out after classes?” Penelope shoved her fork in her mouth.

  “Dunno,” Sage said, wrinkling her nose. “I was thinking about the art one.”

  A tray thudded loudly on the table across from Sage. She sighed as she watched Carnabel sit down.

  “The art one?” Carnabel sneered. “That’s pointless. No one cares about art.”

  Penelope furrowed her brow. “Sure they do. And how would you know anyways?” She turned to Sage. “I was thinking that one sounded like fun too.”

  “Great,” Sage grinned. “It’d be nice to have good company.” She shot a look of irritation at Carnabel.

  “Well, I think I’ll pick one that’s actually useful,” Carnabel announced. “Unlike some people.”

  “You guys are so lucky. Interest Societies aren’t until Level Eight. I have to wait a whole year.”

  Sage jumped. She’d been so focused on her unwelcome lunch companion that she hadn’t even noticed Aura slip into the seat beside her. />
  “Aura,” Carnabel said, stiffening, “you shouldn’t be eating with us. Level Sevens sit over there.” She jerked her head.

  “Can it, Carnabel, we can all sit wherever we want,” Marnie said, sliding into the seat next to her.

  “Obviously,” Sage muttered under her breath.

  Carnabel opened her mouth but then clearly thought better of it.

  “Have you heard who the Bokja trainers are yet?” Aura continued, completely unfazed. “You have to show me what you learn. All the best stuff starts in Level Eight.”

  “Just because we get to start training doesn’t mean we get to compete. Not ‘til next year at least.” Pippa joined the conversation with an uneasy glance toward Sage.

  “We’ll find out trainers this afternoon, Aura,” Penelope said. “They don’t tell us until we get to the session.”

  “What I want to know is when we find out who’s going to be ambassadors this year.” Marnie jabbed her fork at something that may have once resembled a carrot.

  Penelope stiffened a little. “Ambassadors carry over from last year. At least for a month. Then instructors vote on new ones.”

  “That long?” Marnie frowned.

  “Ooooh, look!” Aura squealed. “It’s Kai and Rosalind!”

  Everyone’s eyes shifted toward the doorway. The Bokja champions stood surprisingly close for their status as rivals. They made their way across the room together, seemingly unaware of their fame and the stares that followed them.

  Sage sat a little taller as she watched the two athletes walk by. The pair moved with ease and confidence, and she was desperately envious. They certainly didn’t seem burdened by secrets.

  As they settled into the Level Sixteen section, Kai draped a muscular arm over Rosalind’s shoulders.

  “They’re so cute together, aren’t they?” Aura bubbled.

  Carnabel snorted. “They’re only cute if they’re not our instructors.”

  “She’s right.” Penelope nodded. “I’ve heard the student Bokja instructors are awful every year.”

  “Awful?” Sage raised her eyebrow.

  “Yeah. Really scary, I mean,” Penelope said.

  “Super intense,” Pippa agreed. She continued with an air of authority. “But I wouldn’t be too worried. It’s not like we’ll spend much time with them anyways. They usually focus on more advanced students. You know, training future trainers.”

  Sage glanced back over at the possible new instructors. She was taken aback when Kai suddenly looked up from his tray and met her gaze from across the room. She turned a deep shade of red and looked away quickly—but not before she noticed the grin that spread over his face.

  2. THE FIGHT

  Sage gasped for breath. A painful throbbing reverberated throughout her body.

  “Again!”

  A frowning woman paced the room as Sage scrambled to her feet.

  Carnabel’s face twisted into an unpleasant sort of smile. Her hand shot out and clamped around her opponent’s wrist.

  Sage winced at the vice grip. Pain shot through her arm before blackness swirled in front of her eyes once again.

  She blinked up at the ceiling.

  Bodies thudded to the ground around her. Sage gulped in air and pulled herself up again. She rubbed her arm, glaring at Carnabel.

  “That’s enough!” The woman stopped and surveyed the class. “We’ll finish up with some free-sparring today. Everybody, line up!” She gestured toward the wall. “Ninety seconds each with an instructor.”

  Carnabel quickly turned and jumped in line, eyeing the student instructors with eagerness. Sage hung back for a moment, slipping in just behind Pippa.

  “Can you believe we’re already learning throws?” Pippa asked.

  Sage shook her head. “But I like it—except for when I’m the one being thrown.”

  Pippa laughed. “I know! Marnie’s a lot scarier than she looks.”

  “At least I know what to expect with Carnabel,” Sage grinned. “But I’m glad we get to switch partners a lot.”

  The line surged forward as a new batch of students faced off against instructors. Pippa smirked at Sage when they heard Carnabel sigh loudly as she took her place opposite Rosalind.

  “She’s been talking for ages about going against Kai,” Pippa whispered.

  Sage snorted. “Like it would matter. None of us can beat any of them.”

  “Oh, that’s not it,” Pippa giggled. “I think she has a thing for him.”

  “Oh, brother.” Sage shook her head. “She likes anyone with a pulse.”

  Pippa shrugged. “Well, he is kinda cute.”

  Sage rolled her eyes. She tried to pay attention to Pippa as she continued talking, but she was mesmerized by the instructors’ movements. Defeating their young opponents looked completely effortless.

  She scanned the room and counted the students still in line in front of her. She was set to face Rosalind. Great. The only person that would be more terrifying would be Kai.

  “Water break!” The stern-looking woman held her hand up before Pippa could take another step forward.

  “Thanks, Ms. Batrille,” Rosalind panted as she trotted to the edge of the room.

  “What, you’re getting tired, Ros?” Kai playfully jabbed her shoulder.

  Rosalind glared at him over her bottle. “Of course not. I’m fine.” She stooped over to set her bottle down and tripped.

  A look of genuine concern spread over Kai’s face as he reached to help her up. “Ros, are you ok?”

  She blinked. “I—I’m ok. I think my injection was just messing with me a bit.”

  “You should be done for today.” It was more of a command than a question. He made eye contact with Ms. Batrille. “Rosalind’s treatment didn’t settle well with her.”

  Ms. Batrille nodded. “Go ahead and change, Rosalind. We can wrap up without you. Do you need someone to go with you?”

  Rosalind shook her head. “I’m fine. Just a moment of dizziness. I can keep sparring.”

  “No,” Ms. Batrille said firmly. “You’re changing and going to see the physician. No arguments.”

  Rosalind frowned but silently acquiesced.

  As the class returned to normal and the line jerked forward once more, Sage found herself standing on a mat in the center of the room. In front of Kai.

  He was much taller than she remembered. Probably because she’d never had to fight him before. His green eyes twinkled with mischief as he braced himself in a fighting stance.

  She took a deep breath and lunged forward with her fist outstretched. He easily passed her hand to the side and resumed his stance.

  Sage wrinkled her forehead. She tried another punch, this time leading with her weaker arm and following up with a swing from the stronger one. Once again, Kai deflected the first fist, but he grabbed her second wrist and spun Sage around, pinning her arm behind her back.

  She grimaced in pain and squirmed unsuccessfully for a moment before he released her. As she stumbled forward, she tucked her head and rolled away, unaware that she missed Kai’s first offensive move.

  When she got to her feet and turned, she caught a glimpse of his surprise. It didn’t last long. Sage was already beginning to throw another punch, but Kai was no longer willing to maintain a mild defense. Her vision suddenly went dark as she doubled over at the pain in her stomach. She gasped for breath, but none came.

  He placed a hand on her shoulder. “You need to know you can take a blow and keep going,” he said in a low, gruff voice.

  Sage finally managed to suck in a breath and looked up. His eyes were much more serious now. Her face screwed up in pain, and rage welled in her now-aching abdomen. She pushed his hand off her shoulder and kicked at his shin with all the effort she could muster.

  While not exactly a fluid movement, the kick was extraordinarily effective because it caught him by surprise. The Bokja champion jerked backward and dropped to the floor, clutching his leg.

  Sage pulled herself up a little
taller and narrowed her eyes. “Can you?”

  Kai rubbed his leg one more time and stood to face her. Her unexpected boldness now seemed like a questionable idea.

  He met her gaze, unwavering. “Your turn is over,” he said flatly.

  She looked back at the line of students waiting to spar. They were all gaping at her.

  As she made her way off the mat, she felt a set of eyes boring into the back of her head. She turned to see Carnabel glaring at her.

  “If you’ve already taken your turn sparring, you may go change.”

  Ms. Batrille’s directions were a welcome relief. Sage hurried out of the room and into the girls’ changing room.

  “That was incredible!” Pippa caught up with Sage and grabbed her arm. She flinched. Soreness was setting in quickly.

  “It didn’t feel very incredible,” Sage retorted, rubbing her shoulder.

  “Yeah, but you actually landed a kick!”

  “So did he,” Sage muttered. Her ribcage was throbbing.

  “What’s your problem?” Carnabel stormed up behind Sage.

  “What now, Carnabel?”

  “Don’t you know the rules? Your time was up. You were done. You weren’t supposed to spar anymore.”

  Sage shrugged. “I guess I didn’t notice. I was having trouble breathing.”

  “You were having trouble breathing?” Carnabel frowned. “How ‘bout now?” She shoved her hands against Sage’s chest, sending her stumbling backwards into the lockers. “Having trouble breathing now?”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Sage regained her balance and immediately pushed Carnabel back.

  “Just because you come from a family that doesn’t follow the rules doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want, Sage,” Carnabel spat, shoving her again. “Filthy Lawless.”

  Sage tried to compose herself as her hands balled into fists at her side. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Carnabel leaned closer. “Sure I do. Lawless,” she hissed.

  She couldn’t be sure who swung first, but Sage was suddenly ducking and delivering blows. One particularly close call nicked her arm and landed partly on the lockers, causing Carnabel to cry out. The other students were gathered around them shouting. No one wanted to miss the fight.