“Everything okay?”
Glancing at the others, I swallowed when they indicated that I should take the lead. Oh great, the one who had been under suspicion would be the one to lead the bizarre quest. Although, it was myself who had come up with the idea. Why did I get myself into such situations?
“Professor,” I started, almost cringing when I heard the shake of my voice. “We know who’s draining the students. Well, we think we know…”
His eyebrows were still high on his head as he listened. My confidence waned when he stared at me, unblinking.
“Who is it?”
If I had expected a different reaction, I didn’t know why. He could’ve at least told us that it was impossible, just so we could gloat a bit. But, no, he had asked us outright.
“A guy named Damian. He’s on the academy dating app, although he doesn’t attend. I spoke to several students and they confirmed that they’d been on a date with him.”
Mrs Hinley tutted as she sat on a chair beside the desk. “And who gave you permission to question the students?”
Her nose screwed up in disgust when we looked at one another, each showing our discomfort with a clearing of the throat or shuffling of the feet.
“We have the same evidence. We’re currently working on a plan to track this Damian’s IP address.” Seaton sighed as he sat back and put his hands on his rotund belly.
Frowning, I took a step forward. “That won’t work. Mobile phones don’t have the same rules as a computer or laptop. It’s much harder to find data on a phone. So, we’ve come up with our own plan.”
“You have?” Mrs Hinley sat forward. “And who do you think you are to-?”
“Enough!” Seaton put up a hand to Mrs Hinley, his gaze soft when she glared at him. “Let us hear them out.”
Her huff resounded in the room as she flicked her hand in the air and muttered a spell. Three chairs flew across the room and landed behind us. “Well,” she snapped. “Sit down!”
We quickly did as we were told, putting our bags beside us. Mrs Hinley had suddenly become demanding, at the same time as making sure we were comfortable. It was a strange combination.
They watched us, waiting for our genius plan. Of course, they wouldn’t think it was genius, but I did. And I had good judgement. Sometimes.
“We’ve set up our own dating profile. We want to try and match with him in an attempt to lure him into a false date and capture him.”
Seaton’s mouth dropped open. “Are you crazy?”
“They may be onto something,” Mrs Hinley said, reaching out and squeezing his hand. “Just hear them out.”
The role reversal was sudden and totally unexpected.
Helissa and Isabel stared at me, probably wondering why the Mother Earth I was telling them our plan. I had to agree that it was a little crazy - both wanting to arrange the date, but also letting the teachers know.
“I don’t have any magic to drain. However, I can fill myself up before the date so it feels like I have plenty to the culprit. I can steal a piece of his hair before he tries to drain me. Once he’s cast the spell on me, I’ll leave and we can do a locator spell on him using his DNA.”
“Why can’t we just jump him while you’re on the date?” Helissa asked.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Seaton rested his chin on his hand as he scratched his stubble.
Mrs Hinley chewed on her fingernail, cringing when she spat out the pink nail varnish. I had never seen them look almost vulnerable.
Why hadn’t they hired the Hunted Witch Agency? Surely, they would keep the investigation secret from Paranormal MI5 and the institute?
“Because we wouldn’t be able to scope him out first,” Seaton said. “Alishia has the right idea to track him so we know his patterns and whereabouts. This will help us to form an idea of how he’s draining the students.”
“He probably won’t answer any questions if we jump him,” I added, smiling to myself when the professor looked impressed. If his slight nod was a sign of being impressed, of course.
“Plus, we don’t have jurisdiction to question him. We’d have to get the Hunted Witch Agency involved.” Mrs Hinley watched Seaton as he sat up.
Biting his lip, he watched us, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t like it, but we can’t show the institute, or the human government, that we have a problem that we cannot solve in our own academy.”
“I agree.” Hinley sat forward, her hands primly folded on her lap. “We have to be seen to be able to handle this problem. I shall escort Alishia on the night of the date. With an invisibility spell, I’ll be able to sit nearby and make sure she’s safe.”
“This is all hypothetical, of course,” I muttered. “I might not even match with him. Plus, he might have heard of me through the grapevine. Illusionist witches aren’t very common at the academy.”
“Either way.” Izzy shook my arm gently. “It’s worth a try.”
The professor scratched his head before licking his lips. I could see the shake of his hand as he lowered it. I understood why he wasn’t happy involving us with the investigation, but he didn’t have a better option.
“Very well,” he said quietly. “Just don’t put yourself at risk. Otherwise, the institute will close us down.”
Nodding, we waited for our dismissal. It quickly came from Mrs Hinley.
“Make contact if you can. As soon as you’ve arranged something, let me know. Do not, under any circumstances, try and see him without me. You will be expelled if you do. Now, get to class.”
Agreeing, we almost ran from the room. A giddy excitement made me almost trip over. Helissa managed to grab my arm to steady me as we piled out through the door.
Bashing straight into a hard chest, I stumbled, my feet flying out from under me. Two strong arms gripped me around the waist, hauling me upright.
“Are you mad?” Dracian’s hot breath attacked my ears with his words.
“Dracian.” Isabel gripped his arm as the professor’s door swung shut. “Not here.”
If the male witch dared to undermine our plan, I would have to resort to physical violence. Okay, that was extreme, but my inducer might take too long, plus I was currently fighting the urge to punch his handsome face anyway. Why not give in?
As we marched towards the classroom, Dracian kept hold of my arm. Shaking him off, I snarled when he looked down at me. Did he not realise that I lied to him in his room?
“What’s going on? Why are you planning to put yourself in danger?”
Isabel stopped him in the corridor, not far from our classroom. She was about to explain when Mrs Hinley’s heels clicked on the wooden floor.
“Get into class,” she called as she came into sight.
Unfortunately, it was her class we had to go to. I followed the others as they led the way, ducking their heads when we entered. The other students stared, some greeting Dracian, of course. I kept my footsteps strong as we moved to our desk. Dracian didn’t break off to sit with James, instead staying with us until we were all seated.
As he plonked himself next to me, I shuddered. His arm brushed mine, making me cringe away. He noticed that I wasn’t fawning over him, a frown coming to his face when I didn’t return his small smile. Yes, I was sending mixed signals. Surely, he could see that I wasn’t actually into him? Just because my stomach flipped when I saw him, didn’t mean I actually wanted him.
“What’s the plan?” he asked as Mrs Hinley fiddled with her bag.
Helissa leant forward. “We’re not telling you.”
A spark of warmth ignited my chest as my new friend sat back and shook her head determinedly. They had heard my request when I’d asked them to keep our secrets to ourselves. That made me feel more confident in our mission.
“I heard most of it.”
“How dare you eavesdrop?” I hissed under my breath as Mrs Hinley addressed the class.
Shrugging, Dracian dropped his deep dark gaze to the desk. “I’m concerned about you.
Why are you putting yourself in danger? Going on a date with a stranger to lure him out is dangerous.”
“Yeah, well,” I replied, trying my hardest to keep my cool. “You don’t need to worry about me. This is our investigation and the Principal is backing us up, so stay out of it.”
His cheeks flushed red and before I could react, he flicked his wrist and disappeared. Mrs Hinley was waffling on about casting spells for forensics at a crime scene. She didn’t notice that Dracian had transported himself elsewhere. Oh well, I didn’t care that he was getting his knickers in a twist. It was rude of him to listen to our conversation with the teachers.
“He’s got a thing for you,” Isabel said, laughing when I scowled at her.
Shaking my head, I got my book out and buried myself in it. No, he couldn’t have a thing for me. I couldn’t have a thing for him either, even though my heart beat faster every time he cropped up somewhere. It was a traitorous beast, my heart.
“I think the feeling is mutual.” Helissa’s voice was whispered, but I still heard.
Tuning them out, I started to read the journal of Dracian’s father and ignored the rest of the class. My mind would not be swayed, I had to find evidence of Dracian’s involvement in my parents’ death. And it had to be now.
Chapter Six
Crouching in the shadows, I watched them as their discussion became heated.
Dracian shook his head roughly when James Seaton-Hinley gestured wildly with his hands.
I had finished reading Nicholas Dread’s journal only an hour ago. In the last entries, he had been concerned about being watched, so had cut all ties with my parents. He also mentioned that the institute had questioned him in connection with my father. They had warned him to stay away because our family were attempting something that would be dangerous for witch society.
“I won’t do it!” James shouted, going to turn away from Dracian.
Grabbing his friend, Dracian forced him against the wall. We were behind the academy within the gardens.
I had come for a walk, even though it was past midnight. Unable to sleep, I wanted to stretch my legs after hours of reading.
Heated whispers were exchanged between the pair before they went quiet. Looking over his shoulder, Dracian let go of James.
My hands clenched as his gaze skimmed past me. I kept completely still, not quite sure what I was witnessing. I had trouble trying to keep my breathing steady, but I had to know what the pair were fighting about.
“Like I said, I’ll protect you with a spell.”
“I’m not gay,” James raised his voice. “He’ll see it a mile away!”
Dracian scowled as he searched the area again. “It feels like we’re being watched.”
“Let’s go, then,” James replied, his forehead pulled low. The light from a lamp above his head highlighted his frustration. “This conversation is a waste of time anyway.”
“You will do as I ask, otherwise…” Dracian’s sentence trailed off as he spun in my direction.
Staying completely still behind the bushes, I held my breath, trying not to make a sound. What were they talking about?
“You just want to stop Alishia in case she actually falls for someone else.”
“Let’s go,” Dracian hissed, grabbing his friend’s arm and turning towards the back of the gardens.
Following, I kept my footsteps as quiet as possible. The gardens led through to the sports fields at the back of the academy. Parkland extended beyond, although we were prohibited from leaving the academy so the boys couldn’t go-
Before I could finish my train of thought, they started running. My legs moved of their own accord, surging into motion. Trying to keep track of their backs was hard. They both wore dark clothes. I didn’t have time to question why the geeks were talking about me, or why they were running across the fields as if a scary monster was after them. I wasn’t that bad, plus, I was certain they didn’t know that someone followed them.
“Stop!” Dracian shouted, spinning and throwing a hand in the air.
My face smacked straight into an invisible wall. Ah, okay, maybe I hadn’t been as discreet as I’d hoped. Cupping my cheek as pain exploded, I froze, waiting for the boys to return and check who I was. They both growled when they saw me with one hand held up in surrender.
“What are you doing?” Dracian released his spell and came to stand right in front of me.
“I… I…”
“You stutter a lot around me,” he breathed, reaching a hand out and tucking a stray piece of blonde hair behind my ear.
A cough from James caused me to step back, almost jerking my head away from Dracian’s touch. My head pounded from pressure, the pain forcing me to rub my temples. This was stupid, crazy. I was so confused, and yet, Dracian watched me as cool as an ice lolly. Except, I was the one melting. Which sucked.
“What are you planning?” I asked James.
He shook his head, frowning when Dracian lifted his lips in warning. “He wants me to meet that dude.”
“Seriously?” I only just held back my bark of laughter.
“He’s not fussy when it comes to stealing magic.” Dracian almost shoved James, only just stopping himself from reaching out. “Why did you have to tell her?”
The pair glared at one another, their gazes burning. I couldn’t help the bubble of hilarity that rose in my throat. As the laughter exploded from my chest, they turned their fury-laced glares in my direction.
“Sorry,” I said, unable to stop. “But, I’ve already matched with Damian on the app. Plus, how would poor James explain the looking for men section on his profile to Helissa?”
“Exactly!” James cried. “Wait, what? How did you know-?”
“It’s obvious.”
His gaze ducked to stare at the grass under our feet. A chill crept over me as the night turned into the early hours. Dracian almost smirked when I put my hand on James’s arm, although it quickly turned into a frown when I squeezed the skin there.
“You can leave. I promise I won’t let Dracian force you to do something that you don’t want to do.”
Smiling at me, he glanced over at his friend with a wink. “She’s cool, your girl.”
“I’m not his girl,” I snapped at the same time as Dracian widened his eyes in warning to his friend.
Spinning, I almost ran away as rage flew through me. I would never be his girl, he was the killer who murdered my parents in cold blood, he cast a spell to explode their brains inside their skulls, he… he…
“I need to speak to you,” I said to Dracian through gritted teeth.
James got the hint straight away, backing up when his friend gave him a nod. He turned and ran before we could call him back. Not that we would.
“Are you okay?” Dracian’s voice was tight, concerned.
Shrugging him off when his hand landed on my shoulder, I turned roughly, shoving him in the chest. He stumbled backwards, his mouth opening wide.
“What was that for?”
Blood rushed in my ears, almost drowning him out. “You killed them,” I spat, like literally.
Spittle flew from my mouth as I pushed him again. He held his arms up in surrender, allowing me to keep shoving him until he eventually caught my wrists.
“What are you talking about?” He gasped, forcing me to stop.
“You came to the house that night when my parents died. I saw my mother’s memory, you were standing at the window, casting a spell to kill them!”
Tears crept to the corner of my eyes as heat ran up and down my veins, giving me the strength to wrench my arms out of his grip. Backing up, I sucked in breath after breath, trying to calm myself. He had the decency to look appalled, his eyes wide and his cheeks deathly pale.
“How did you see your mother’s memory?”
Reaching into my pocket, I pressed the button on my magic inducer and instantly imagined Dracian surrounded by fire. Flames exploded around him as he swore loudly, swinging around to see that he was trapped ins
ide my wall.
“Why did you do it?” I cried, tears streaming down my face.
His yelp made me move closer to see him through the orange fire. The fear that crossed his face was quickly wiped away when he stopped trying to get away from the heat and stared at me.
“I didn't kill them,” he said, flinching when a spark of flame flickered towards him. “I promise.”
My limbs shook as the spell increased, blocking him from my view altogether. I wanted so badly to burn him, but his words... they sounded sincere.
“Alishia, perform a truth spell on me. I didn't kill your parents. Ouch!”
Releasing the spell, I dropped to my knees.
Dracian came to me and reached out. His hair was wild, the tips singed. It gave me no satisfaction seeing him in the state I had caused. When his hand grasped my shoulder, I tried to shake him off.
“See my memory,” he whispered, closing his eyes.
A shock of magic filtered into me as I also closed my eyes. I was suddenly walking down the street, clutching an envelope in my hand. Looking down, I read my father's name on it, written out in spiral writing. Wait, that was my street. I was heading towards my own house. What was happening?
My phone rang. Answering it, I jumped at the sound of my own voice. It was deep, masculine. Dracian.
“I’m just arriving now, Dad. No, I can’t see any officials on the street.”
Shuddering as I relived the moments leading up to my parents’ death through Dracian, I listened to the telephone conversation.
“Be careful, my boy. The tip off warned that both Mr Jones and I are wanted in connection with our experiment. Apparently, they don’t want Illusionist witches to have access to a safe stream of magic.”
Clearing my throat, I replied in Dracian’s voice. “I know, I’ll be careful.”
The phone went dead as I drew nearer my house. Woah, wait. It was Dracian getting nearer my house, not me. So confusing.
His breathing was heavy as he spotted someone dressed in black coming away from the front door. Pressing himself against the bush that lined the pavement, he waited until the hooded figure had got into a car down the street and sped off. Breaking into a run, Dracian went straight for the front door.
Undercover Witch Academy Box Set Page 18