Blood and Betrayal

Elise Callisto, a determined and sharp-tongued Vampire, is still reeling from her brother Gareth's mysterious death. She's infiltrated Aurora Academy, a school ruled by ruthless gangs and dangerous magic, to hunt for his killer. Her investigation is complicated by her entanglement with the four Kings of the school—Ryder Draconis, Dante Oscura, Leon Night, and Gabriel Nox—each a suspect, each a temptation. Elise's quest for truth is fueled by grief and vengeance, but the lines between friend and foe blur as she uncovers secrets that threaten to consume her.

Poisoned Nights

At a wild academy party, Elise is drugged with Killblaze, a soul-corrupting substance, and dragged into the woods by a cult-like group called the Black Card. There, she witnesses a boy's ritualistic death and barely escapes with her life, rescued by Gabriel. The trauma leaves her isolated and doubted—her claims dismissed as hallucinations. The event sets off a chain reaction: Elise is now a target, and the killer is still at large, hidden among the students and staff.

The Brotherhood's Shadow

Aurora Academy is divided by the violent rivalry between the Lunar Brotherhood and the Oscura Clan. Elise navigates this treacherous landscape, where territory means survival and alliances are forged in blood. She's drawn into the orbit of Ryder, the cold and brutal King of the Brotherhood, and Dante, the charismatic Oscura Alpha. Both are haunted by their own pasts and the legacy of gang violence, and both see something in Elise that threatens their carefully constructed walls.

Stolen Magic, Stolen Trust

Elise discovers that her brother Gareth was blackmailing Gabriel Nox, the enigmatic Harpy, for reasons tied to their family's survival. Gareth's burner phone and a trail of secret payments reveal a web of lies, debts, and desperation. As Elise digs deeper, she realizes that trust is a luxury she can't afford. Gabriel, meanwhile, is hiding from powerful enemies and haunted by his own guilt, making him both a protector and a potential threat.

Tangled in Desire

Elise's relationships with the Kings become increasingly complicated. She shares electric chemistry with Dante, whose pain and loyalty run deep, and with Leon, whose warmth and humor offer her a rare sense of safety. Ryder's darkness both repels and attracts her, while Gabriel's conflicted loyalty keeps her guessing. Their connections are fraught with jealousy, rivalry, and the ever-present threat of violence, but also moments of vulnerability and unexpected tenderness.

The Lion's Den

Leon brings Elise home to meet his powerful Lion Shifter family, exposing her to a world of tradition, competition, and sibling rivalry. The visit is both a test and a respite, as Elise navigates the expectations of Leon's parents and the challenge posed by his brother Roary. The experience deepens her bond with Leon, but also reminds her of everything she's lost—and the dangers of letting herself care.

Blackmail and Broken Bonds

Elise's investigation leads her to uncover more about Gareth's final days, including his involvement with both the Oscura and Lunar gangs. She finds evidence of his participation in violent acts and his desperate attempts to protect their family from ruin. The truth is messy and painful, forcing Elise to confront the reality that her brother was not the innocent victim she'd imagined—and that his choices may have sealed his fate.

The King's Dark Game

Ryder and Dante's rivalry escalates, drawing Elise into their dangerous games. Ryder's leadership of the Brotherhood is challenged by internal dissent and his own emotional turmoil, while Dante faces betrayal within his own clan. Both are forced to make brutal choices to maintain control, and Elise becomes a pawn—and sometimes a player—in their ongoing war. The boundaries between love, loyalty, and survival grow ever more blurred.

Dancing with Enemies

Dante takes Elise to the Oscura family's infamous club, the Black Hole, where fantasy and danger intermingle. Their flirtation is interrupted by a violent Brotherhood attack, orchestrated by Ryder, that leaves the club in ruins and the city on the brink of gang war. Elise's quick thinking and loyalty help save Dante's life, but the night's events set off a chain of vengeance that threatens to engulf them all.

The Price of Vengeance

Elise's relentless pursuit of Gareth's killer leads her to make dangerous alliances and take risks that put her in the crosshairs of both gangs. She uncovers the involvement of faculty members, including the manipulative Miss Nightshade, in the Black Card's deadly rituals. As she gets closer to the truth, Elise must decide how far she's willing to go—and what she's willing to sacrifice—for justice.

The Unraveling Web

The secrets Elise uncovers threaten to destroy the fragile bonds she's formed. Gabriel's lies and evasions come to a head, forcing a confrontation that leaves both reeling. Dante's loyalty is tested by family betrayal, and Ryder's darkness threatens to consume him. Elise is left to question whether anyone can be trusted—and whether vengeance will bring her the closure she seeks, or only more pain.

The Heir's War

The simmering feud between the Oscura Clan and the Lunar Brotherhood erupts into open warfare. Betrayals within the clans lead to deadly confrontations, and the city is plunged into chaos. Elise, caught in the middle, must use all her cunning and strength to survive. The Kings are forced to choose between love and loyalty, and the cost of power becomes painfully clear.

Masks and Monsters

As the violence escalates, the true natures of the Kings—and Elise herself—are revealed. Ryder's sadism and pain are laid bare, Dante's struggle with his legacy comes to a head, Leon's insecurities are exposed, and Gabriel's haunted past is finally confronted. Elise must reckon with her own capacity for darkness, and the realization that the line between monster and victim is thinner than she ever imagined.

The Heart's Confession

In the aftermath of violence, Elise and the Kings are forced to confront their feelings for each other. Confessions are made, hearts are broken, and the possibility of healing emerges. Elise's grief for Gareth is given new shape by the connections she's formed, and the Kings must decide whether to let her in or keep her at arm's length. The bonds between them are tested, but also strengthened by shared pain.

The Storm Breaks

Elise's investigation reaches its climax as she uncovers the final pieces of the puzzle behind Gareth's death. The truth is more complicated and devastating than she could have imagined, implicating not just her enemies, but those she's come to care for. The revelation threatens to destroy everything she's built—and forces her to make an impossible choice between justice and forgiveness.

The Cost of Survival

As the war between the gangs reaches its bloody peak, Elise and the Kings must make sacrifices to protect those they love. Old debts are paid, new alliances are forged, and the price of survival is revealed to be heartbreakingly high. Elise is forced to confront the reality that vengeance may not bring peace—and that sometimes, the only way to survive is to let go.

The Enemy Within

The true mastermind behind the Black Card's killings is revealed, and Elise must face the fact that evil can hide in the most trusted places. The faculty's complicity, the Kings' secrets, and her own willingness to cross lines all come to a head. In the end, Elise must decide who she is—and what she's willing to become—to see justice done.

To Death and Back

In the aftermath of war and revelation, Elise and the Kings are left to pick up the pieces. Some wounds may never heal, but the possibility of redemption remains. Elise's journey has changed her—and those around her—forever. As she stands on the threshold of a new future, she must decide whether to let the past define her, or to forge a new path from the ashes of everything she's lost.

Characters

Elise Callisto

Elise is a Vampire driven by the loss of her brother Gareth, whose mysterious death propels her into the dangerous world of Aurora Academy. She is fiercely independent, resourceful, and unafraid to challenge authority or tradition. Her relationships with the four Kings are complex, blending suspicion, attraction, and genuine connection. Elise's psychological journey is marked by grief, guilt, and a relentless need for justice, but also by her struggle to let herself feel joy and vulnerability. Her development is a dance between vengeance and healing, as she learns that survival sometimes means letting go.

Ryder Draconis

Ryder is the King of the Lunar Brotherhood, a Basilisk with a brutal reputation and a heart scarred by trauma. He is both a sadist and a masochist, finding power and solace in pain. His relationship with Elise is fraught with tension, desire, and mutual recognition of darkness. Ryder's loyalty to his gang is absolute, but his emotional walls are tested by Elise's refusal to be cowed. His development is a struggle between his violent legacy and the possibility of redemption, as he confronts the cost of his choices and the pain he inflicts on others—and himself.

Dante Oscura

Dante is the Storm Dragon and Alpha of the Oscura Clan, torn between his family's violent legacy and his own code of honor. He is passionate, loyal, and deeply wounded by betrayal—both given and received. Dante's connection with Elise is electric, blending humor, sensuality, and genuine care. He is haunted by the things he's done in the name of family, and his development is a journey toward self-forgiveness and the courage to break the cycle of violence. His rivalry with Ryder is both personal and political, and his willingness to sacrifice for those he loves is both his strength and his weakness.

Leon Night

Leon is a Nemean Lion Shifter, the golden-hearted King who uses humor and charisma to mask his insecurities. He is fiercely loyal, protective, and surprisingly vulnerable beneath his easygoing exterior. Leon's relationship with Elise offers her a rare sense of safety and acceptance, but he struggles with feelings of inadequacy—especially in the shadow of his brother Roary and the other Kings. His development is a journey toward self-acceptance and the realization that strength comes in many forms.

Gabriel Nox

Gabriel is a Harpy with a mysterious past, hiding from powerful enemies and burdened by guilt over Gareth's death. He is both protector and suspect, drawn to Elise by a bond he can't explain—or resist. Gabriel's psychological landscape is marked by isolation, self-loathing, and a desperate need for control. His development is a slow, painful process of learning to trust, to forgive himself, and to accept the possibility of love—even when he believes he doesn't deserve it.

Gareth Tempa

Gareth's death is the catalyst for the entire narrative, but his presence lingers through memories, secrets, and the evidence Elise uncovers. He is revealed to be both victim and perpetrator, caught in a web of blackmail, violence, and sacrifice. Gareth's choices are driven by love for his family, but also by desperation and fear. His legacy is both a burden and a guide for Elise, forcing her to confront the complexity of justice and forgiveness.

Miss Nightshade

Miss Nightshade is the academy's Siren counselor, using her powers to manipulate students and cover up the Black Card's crimes. She is both a gatekeeper and a villain, hiding her true motives behind a mask of concern. Her psychological profile is marked by ambition, duplicity, and a willingness to sacrifice others for her own ends. She represents the danger of authority unchecked by conscience.

Felix Oscura

Felix is Dante's uncle and the true architect of much of the violence in the Oscura Clan. He is a sadist, a manipulator, and a master of psychological warfare. Felix's influence is a constant threat, driving Dante to acts of brutality and betrayal. He embodies the legacy of violence that haunts the Kings and the city itself.

Cindy Lou Galaxa

Cindy Lou is both a victim and a perpetrator, driven by jealousy and a need for validation. Her relationship with Gareth and her rivalry with Elise add layers of complexity to the narrative, highlighting the destructive power of envy and the ways in which pain can be passed from one person to another.

The Black Card Leader

The true identity of the Black Card's leader remains hidden, protected by powerful magic and a network of loyal followers. This character represents the insidious nature of evil, the danger of cult mentality, and the difficulty of fighting an enemy who hides in plain sight.

Plot Devices

Multi-Perspective Narrative Structure

The story is told through multiple perspectives—primarily Elise, but also the Kings and other key players. This structure allows for a nuanced exploration of each character's motivations, secrets, and emotional wounds. It also creates dramatic irony, as the reader is often privy to information that the characters themselves lack, heightening tension and empathy.

Foreshadowing and Misdirection

The narrative is laced with clues, false leads, and subtle foreshadowing. The use of horoscopes, visions, and magical omens creates an atmosphere of fate and uncertainty, while also serving as a tool for misdirection. The true killer's identity is hidden behind layers of deception, and the reader is kept guessing until the final revelations.

Symbolism of Pain and Power

Physical and emotional pain are central to the story, serving as both a source of power (for Ryder and Dante) and a means of control (for the gangs and the Black Card). The characters' relationships with pain—whether they seek it, inflict it, or try to escape it—mirror their psychological struggles and the broader themes of trauma, survival, and healing.

The Love Polygon

Elise's entanglement with the four Kings is both a source of strength and a vulnerability. Their rivalries, jealousies, and alliances drive much of the plot, creating a web of emotional and political tension. The love polygon is not just romantic—it is a crucible for character development, forcing each player to confront their own fears, desires, and capacity for change.

The Mystery of Gareth's Death

The search for Gareth's killer is the engine of the plot, propelling Elise into danger and forcing her to question everything she knows. The investigation is complicated by unreliable witnesses, hidden motives, and the ever-present threat of violence. The resolution of the mystery is both a climax and a turning point, forcing Elise to reckon with the cost of vengeance and the possibility of forgiveness.

Analysis

Savage Fae is a dark, emotionally charged fantasy that uses the framework of a magical academy and gang warfare to explore themes of grief, trauma, and the search for justice. At its core, the novel is about the ways in which pain—both inflicted and endured—shapes identity and relationships. The story refuses easy answers: every character is both victim and perpetrator, and the line between hero and villain is constantly shifting. The love polygon is not just a romantic subplot, but a crucible for psychological growth, forcing Elise and the Kings to confront their own darkness and the possibility of redemption. The book's use of multiple perspectives, foreshadowing, and symbolic imagery creates a rich, immersive narrative that challenges the reader to question the nature of power, loyalty, and forgiveness. Ultimately, Savage Fae is a story about survival—not just of the body, but of the soul—and the hard-won hope that can emerge from even the darkest places.

Last updated: July 29, 2025