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“Alina,” I whispered. “Alina!” She didn’t stir. I gave her shoulder a shake and said her name a little louder. Nothing. Finally, I took a pillow from my bed and smacked it on top of her head. She finally came around.
“What the hell?” she spat, rubbing her eyes with her fists. When she moved her hand back it was covered in sweat from my pillow. “Did you take a late-night bath?” she asked.
“No,” I said.
Her vision adjusted and she saw the state I was in. Sopping wet hair, white as a sheet, and clearly startled.
“What happened?” she asked, sitting up straight in her bed. “Didn’t the mixture work?”
I glanced down to the floor at the herbal mixture of special herbs Rodrick gave me to stop the visions in my dreams from consuming me and engulfing the room in a rage of magical fire.
“Yes and no,” I said. “The room didn’t burn down though. So I can count that as a small victory.”
Alina threw the heavy white comforter off her legs and rested them over the side. “Tell me what you saw,” she said. “You woke me up. The least you can do is tell me.”
I took a deep breath and recounted the vision. The silver hue to Devon’s skeleton, the box, the way it acted as a key to the crypt below it, and most of all, the coffins that lay on the bottom in a star-like shape. She listened curiously with squinted eyes through her fatigue and tried to focus.
“Five coffins,” she repeated after I was finished. “I know why Devon took you there. Or at least I have a theory.”
“Why?” I asked, eager to know the answer myself. “It must be the burial site of the original five members of the Dolch Erbe. The founders of the order from centuries ago. That’s why it held magical power.”
‘Okay. So I’m not insane. My suspicion might have been right.’
I sighed in relief only to feel a pit form in my stomach seconds later. This meant it wasn’t just a dream. It was, in fact, a vision. In the end, I was only left with more questions. “But the Dolch Erbe were humans, weren’t they?”
“That doesn’t mean they didn’t indulge in magical workings. Or at least gain allies with those who could. Perhaps the area is cursed.”
If she was right, there was no way I would ever get the Vontex to help me find it.
“Look,” I said, taking a nearby chair and sitting in front of her. The droplets from my wet pajamas were starting to weigh me down. “I know we need to go there. I need to go back. This didn’t feel like a normal dream. It had to be one of the Blackatter visions Lothar told me about. I can feel it. I need to go back. I need to find it. The answers we’re searching for are waiting for us there.”
“Or its some sort of trap.”
“Since when do you consider a challenge unworthy?” I teased her. “If the Vontex comes with me, we can protect each other.”
“You mean you can help us in a pinch with your magic if things go south quickly.”
I sneered at her. She could read me a little too well sometimes.
Alina leaned back on her hands and considered my words. I could see her easing to my way of thinking and not liking the idea of holding back.
“There might be a way to further investigate,” she finally caved. “But it will take some cooperation from the vixra. We’ll have to call in a favor and get their approval. Be prepared for a rejection though. Given they’re keen on protecting whatever Blackatters they can find I think they’ll be rather apprehensive.”
“Or willing given it might help us protect future Blackatters if we discover more secrets about the Dolch Erbe.”
She smiled as though she liked my grit. I wouldn’t give up on this. I had to go back there. One way or another. I think she was well aware that if she didn’t help me find a way I would simply go by myself.
“I admire your determination, Riley, but I won’t do this without the vixra’s help. Or without a vixra tunnel.”
I swallowed hard, wondering already if I had bitten off more than I could chew. “You mean that awful time warp thing that made me feel like I experienced all stages of the flu in the span of sixty seconds?”
She grinned. “Who’s not up for a challenge now? And besides, it’s not a time warp. It’s more like a location warp.”
I narrowed my eyes at her, not liking how she was already using my tactics against me. “Why do we need the vixra tunnel?”
“Tunnels,” she said. “Plural. They’re not all bad. Yes, they have been used for bad reasons but the vixra are actually very strict with who can use them and for what purpose. If Devon had lived long enough he probably would have been found by the vixra and punished for his misuse of them. They monitor the tunnels very carefully.”
“But why do we need them?”
“Because it’s quite possible that such a burial ground would be protected by magic. Or even booby traps. Especially from what your vision showed you. We need a way to get in and out of there as quickly as possible and escape should something go wrong. Swords, daggers, and guns can only get us so far when it comes to dealing with magic. The tunnels were created in the 18th century by a powerful vixra for ease of travel. When used the right way, they’re extremely convenient. But like I said, the vixra restrict them. We need to have special permission. And we need vixra blood in our systems.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Come again?”
“Have Rodrick show you in your next lesson. You’ve been learning from him for a few months now. You should be up to the task. Just know that once you start using vixra blood, you’ll change.”
“Change how?”
“It’s addictive. Vixra blood contains the most potent magic in the world. It will fill you with a sense of power. Which is why the vixra police it so thoroughly. Even more so than the tunnels. If the place where Devon took you is cursed or in any way protected by magic, we need to have extra muscle behind us. So ask Rodrick about it during your next lesson.”
She sniffed the air and leaned toward me only to recoil with her hand over her nose. “Go take a shower. Then get another few hours of sleep,” she said. “I’m giving a pop quiz today and you’ll need the extra rest.”
I stood up from the chair and removed my fresh pajamas only to toss them in her direction.
“Ew!” she whined, throwing them to the side.
“Oh come on, you clean up dead bodies. You can handle a little sweat.”
“Can I go back to sleep now?” she asked. “Without getting attacked by a pillow?”
I huffed and threw off the rest of my pajamas. The bathtub in our bathroom never looked so inviting. I could hear her slip away into sleep with deep breaths before the tub was done filling with hot water.
I waited until the sound of scampering feet over cobblestones dwindled into nothing. The students were in the dining hall, feasting on fresh meats as the moon began its descent from the sky and the sun peeked through the trees in the distance outside the academy. I pulled the leather hood of my trench coat over my head, making sure the long locks of black curls were concealed. Each footstep through the hall echoed from wall to wall. I had to walk slowly, making sure each corner to the next hall was empty before walking onward. Rodrick gave me strict instructions to make sure no one saw me heading for his hidden study. Our lessons were meant to remain a secret. Not just because I would be accused of receiving special treatment but because the things he sometimes taught me weren’t on the usual curriculum. Things such as creating a flame of fire magic in my hand and extinguishing it with perfect control and ease. Shutting my eyes when the scarlet red glow consumed them and channeling it into my irises so it wasn’t quite as noticeable to onlookers. And my personal favorite, weaving my magic inside my body where no one could see. When I first came to the academy to endure the trials, my magic always projected outside my body. I didn’t even know that I could use it without the fog or red sparks barreling from my body. He showed me otherwise. I could sometimes wield it without anyone knowing or seeing. But it was tricky. The extra effort of c
oncealing it always left me a bit winded afterward.
I took one final look around to make sure I wasn’t being watched once I reached the hidden compartment of stairs leading to Rodrick’s study, then I placed my hands over the proper stones to activate the hidden passageway. It opened up to me with the sound of stones rubbing against one another and I walked down the dark stone stairway. The opening closed behind me and I continued onward, watching with gleeful eyes as the enchanted torches lit the hallway one by one.
I knocked on the door at the end of the hall to hear Rodrick on the other side.
“Enter,” he commanded.
I opened the door to see him sitting at his large wooden desk. He didn’t look up to greet me.
“Come sit down,” he said. “I’ll be with you in just a minute.”
I did as he requested and folded my hands in my lap just the way my mum taught me growing up, waiting patiently for him to finish what he was doing.
Rodrick wrote feverishly in a large leather-bound notebook. His fountain pen etched over the rough parchment surface as he wrote. I looked away at first, not wanting to intrude. That was after I caught a glimpse of what the ink was doing. It disappeared on the page only to return molded into different words.
My brow furrowed in curiosity. I looked away once more the second Rodrick placed the cap back on his fountain pen and closed the notebook, not wanting him to notice that I hadn’t exactly respected his privacy.
Rodrick was a strange sort. I was drawn to him no matter how hard I tried. Even when he was rude and sought to keep secrets from me. And yet, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of shame when I disrespected him.
He took the notebook and placed it on a nearby hutch alongside many other leather-bound notebooks. Then he finally turned to me and acknowledged my presence.
“My apologies,” he said. “Business ran a little late tonight.”
“It’s fine.”
“I’ve spoken to Alina,” he said, sitting back down in his large study chair with both hands extended over the wooden arms. It made him look regal in some way. Composed and yet still severe. I lowered my eyes, not wanting it to be too obvious that I was admiring him.
“What did she say?” I asked.
“That the mixture seems to be working but you’re still having visions.”
“Do you ever have them?” I asked. I didn’t intend to divert the subject but I had been curious since Lothar first told me Blackatters experience them.
“From time to time,” he answered. “Alina says this area Devon took you to might have greater significance than we previously thought. It might be necessary to visit and have a look around.”
‘That sounds promising.’
“You noticed the unique feature of the notebook I just held, did you not?” he asked, taking me a little by surprise.
“Yes,” I admitted, wondering if I’d get a lecture about minding my own business.
“It’s a form of communication the vixra use to keep tabs on those they consider assets or allies. When one writes in them, the response is seen by a corresponding notebook in a vixra’s possession. Once the message has been seen, it disappears. It’s their preferred method of communicating with a little privacy.”
“Oh,” I said, trying to sound curious but not painfully obvious in my nosiness.
“I was writing to Ellinor just now. I’ve asked her for permission to use the tunnels so the Vontex can visit this site and investigate it further.”
It didn’t take me long to realize he had excluded me from that sentence. The Vontex would investigate. Not me.
“I need to go too,” I insisted. “I was the one who was there. I had the vision. I can tell the Vontex the details in person so we can-”
“It’s out of the question,” he cut me off.
“Why?” I argued. “Because everyone needs to protect me? I’m getting really sick of hearing that.”
“No, Miss Blackburn. Because doing so will involve the use of vixra blood and you’re far too inexperienced to have such potent magic in your system. Learning how to use it takes practice and efficiency. I can teach you how over the course of time but its not something you can learn overnight. Do you remember how sick you felt after going through the vixra tunnel?”
“Yes,” I grumbled.
“I don’t doubt your abilities, Miss Blackburn. You’ve proved yourself tougher and far smarter than most of the students who pass through these walls. It’s not just anyone who can complete the trials in record time. It’s rarely ever done. But vixra blood is another game entirely. If you wish to learn how to use it, I will show you. Slowly.”
I opened my mouth to argue. He cut me off once more.
“Tell me again what you saw,” he added. “Alina said something about Devon’s bones being silver.”
I could feel the agitation inside me already building up like a furnace. I wanted to push harder and let him know just how I felt about being left behind while the Vontex investigated my vision. I took a few seconds and controlled myself. Getting into a fight with the Dean of the Academy wasn’t the way to get what I wanted. At least not right now.
“Yes,” I mumbled. “His bones were solid silver.”
“Do you know why?”
I shook my head.
“But you do know that Devon was a master shifter?”
He opened up a drawer inside his desk and took out a small vial sealed tight with a dropper on the lid.
“This is liquid silver,” he explained. “Not pure, mind you, but still very powerful. Master shifters ingest very small amounts daily.”
“Why?” I asked. “That seems counter-productive.”
“To build a resistance, Miss Blackburn. If they have a resistance to silver being used as a weapon, it can never be used against them. At least not to the same degree it affects the average lycan. Devon ingested so much over the years that it coated his skeletal makeup. Think of it as a side effect of abusing it as a substance.”
“It didn’t seem to stop him from shifting into…well… other people.”
Rodrick shifted uncomfortably, darting his eyes away from mine. “The longer a master shifter can stay in their transformed shift, the more they must be invincible to being forcibly changed back. That requires the use of liquid silver. Only a single droplet once a night before bed. Nothing more.”
He moved the vial toward me as though he wanted me to take it.
“What are you saying?” I asked.
“I’m saying it’s time I start teaching you how to become a master shifter. You’ll need the skill if you’ll be working closely with the vixra. Like I said, one small droplet before bed. And don’t let Alina or anyone else see you do it. The fewer people who know you can shift into a human’s likeness, the better. It will keep others from suspecting you did things you didn’t do if they think you can be trusted to never take on another person’s form.”
I took the vial into my hand and examined it a little closer. The liquid was nothing out of the ordinary when looking at it on the table. When I held it closer to my face, I could see speckles of silver glowing inside.
“Will it hurt?” I asked.
“No.”
He stood up from his desk and walked back over to the hutch. His hand disappeared into his trench coat pocket and took out a small decorative iron key. He pushed it into a cabinet toward the bottom and pulled out a folder, placing it on his desk for me to see. Then he set two different images before me, one man and one woman in black and white surveillance photos.
‘What? Did you hack into the CCTV surveillance system?’
The two of them wore long coats that reached down to their ankles. Only the woman was dressed in a long satin style gown.
I leaned in closer, seeing the face of one of the men and instantly recognizing him.
“How long have you had this?” I asked.
“Do you recognize either of them?”
I pointed to the image to the right. “This one. This is the luxra witchling
at the ritual. He was the one helping Dirk. Why didn’t you show me sooner? How long have you had these photos?” I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling a little violated.
“We rarely show just anyone those we suspect have betrayed our kind to the Dolch Erbe, Miss Blackburn. Or those who might be on their hit list. Such details must be kept secret for the protection of their families. Our kind can be rather unforgiving when one joins the Dolch Erbe.”
“Don’t you think people can better protect themselves if they know who their enemies are?”
“Not in this case,” he insisted, taking the photos and placing them back in the cabinet before locking it. “You’re not a Vontex. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you are privy to all the details shared with them just because you’re occasionally permitted to accompany them. Police officers in the human realm don’t share evidence with the public for the same reason the Vontex don’t showcase a list of suspects. These things must be investigated thoroughly and only by those with the proper skill set. Which I intend to provide to you. In the meantime, I will give your eye witness account of his identity to Ellinor. Now stand up,” he demanded.
“You won’t even tell me his name?” I asked.
“Stand!”
I slammed my hands on the arms of the chair and pushed myself off.
“You said you fought off Dirk in your vision with crowning magic,” he said. “You did the same when the two of you last encountered one another, correct?”
‘Can you please quit with the formal chatter? It drives me mad!’
“Yes,” I replied.
“You need to learn how to control yourself when under attack with crowning magic. There’s a method to it.”
“Can I expect other Blackatters to attack me?” I asked.
“No. On the contrary. Your magic is drawn to other Blackatters on a much stronger level than other magical beings. When the two combine it can be overwhelming. Even destructive. Which is why we stress the importance of discipline and controlling our impulses here at the academy.”
A rush of pink struck my cheeks and I prayed he didn’t notice. I couldn’t be certain if ‘drawn to one another’ translated into ‘attracted to one another.’
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