by LJ Swallow
"Including Tobias?"
"Including Tobias. Gabriella and Anastasia are there—I think."
My heart races. "You've seen something below the academy in a vision and never told anybody?"
Marie purses her lips and frowns. "A fire, yes. I've told Theodora in the past, but I'm unsure whether she believed me."
"But she didn't investigate?" I frown too. This doesn't make sense. Something could be threatening Theodora's academy—and probably is—and she had warning.
"You would need to ask her. Not everybody trusts my visions."
Oh, I will.
I swallow down the lump in my throat that tries to stop my next question. "Have you seen my death, Marie?"
"No."
Her eyes shift away from mine and my stomach lurches. "But you've seen somebody else’s?” Marie doesn't respond and hairs lift on my arms. "Whose?" I press. "One of my friends?"
The pause tells me everything. "I'm sure that in your heart you know the answer to that question," she says softly.
"I don't!" I protest.
But I do—Marie has seen what happens to the man who's cursed to protect me. Tobias's face appears in my mind and I again struggle to connect him to the stories of massacres and evil. Since I've known Tobias, he's only helped us. Tobias already put his neck and life on the line for me and the others. I can't hate him, but is my reaction caused by the curse binding us, or more?
"Only you can answer that, Maeve." I blink at Marie catching my thoughts. "You're in a difficult situation. Tobias needs to remain close to you and you'll struggle to stay apart from each other. His decision to visit me didn't come from a sense of duty to you, but from a place of love. Tobias cares deeply and when I told him, I felt his soul ache for you. Not himself. You."
My temples throb as tears threaten. "But Tobias killed my family."
"They were never your family, Maeve," she says softly. "The people who died were your blood, but your family is the Fosters. Your parents. You could accept Tobias's abhorrent past before you knew the connection. I see no reason for you to change your mind."
My mouth parts. Is she insane? But there's an edge of truth. Is it wrong I accepted Tobias's murders until I knew who he killed, because I believed in redemption? "I reacted to Tobias that way because of this curse."
"Partly, yes, because you need him close, as intended."
"To match the Blackwoods?" I drag a hand down my face. "I'm a pawn."
"No. You're a survivor and your strong desire for peace and stability will ensure you take on the Blackwoods, not because you're a Winterfall. The person you grew up to become is more important than a name, but you need to channel the magic."
My gaze drops to my hands in my lap; I'm unaware how hard I'd dug my nails into my palms. I look back up. "And who will teach me? Is there a grimoire?"
When Marie shakes her head, my belief I can learn spells to take on Anastasia and her family evaporates. She leans over and takes her large, black handbag from the floor before rummaging inside. She pulls out a small brown leather pouch and an envelope, then places them on the table. "This is all I have for you, which I promised to keep until you knew who you are."
My fingers tremble as I take the pouch and loosen the leather before peeking inside. Stones. I tip them onto the table and touch each as they count them. Six smooth grey stones with symbols carved on one side.
"Old Norse runestones," says Marie as I take the envelope. "I only have these because nobody knew they were in my possession when the Confederacy searched for any surviving Winterfall items."
I'm wary—the last time I opened a letter, the contents confused and shocked me, but this isn't Marie's handwriting. A small sheet of cream paper is folded around a small white card. The words on the card are in a language I can't read, but I can understand the words on the letter.
Maeve
You can choose to use or destroy the spell contained in this envelope.
Your runes will protect you if your heart is clear.
I take the card and stare at the strange writing. Norse? A cryptic puzzle?
Fight for us.
Astrid
The welling tears spill from my eyes. "Did my mother write this? Was her name Astrid?”
Marie's face is blurred by my tears as I look at her for confirmation. "Yes."
"And that's all she had to say?" I say, my voice breaks with the building pain in my heart, and I pass the letter and card to Marie.
She purses her lips as she reads. "I thought Astrid might tell you who your father is."
"You don't know?" I rasp out. "Is he alive?"
In the shock, I'd never considered the man, the thought pushed aside by the enormity of the last few days.
"I don't know."
"Did they love each other?" I swipe at the tears with my sleeve.
"I don't know who he is.”
The paper crumples as I snatch it back from Marie before shoving both the letter and card back into the square white envelope. "One more secret," I mutter, and my tone hardens.
"Your father's identity can’t be a secret if nobody knows."
My hackles rise. "Yes, Marie, but I don't believe you. Somebody must’ve told you.”
Her mouth falls open. "Maeve, I promise I'm telling you everything. Your father could be one of four men."
"Oh." Her reply knocks the breath from me. "She had more than one lover?"
Marie chuckles. "Consorts. Yes. I'm surprised you're shocked, considering your current relationships."
"I-I'm not shocked but confused. Can you give me the men's names?"
"Would that matter if you don't know which is your biological father? Honestly, finding them could be difficult and take time. I've not heard them mentioned for many years."
My head aches. This is more confusion I can't deal with. "One day I want to find them. You have to help me—it's the least you can do after the years lying to me."
Marie's eyes are moist with tears too and I look away. Yes, this must be hard for her, but I can't accept everything. Not yet. "I will, I promise, but for now the events from your vision are more important."
The envelope sticks to my fingers and I swallow down the hurt at such a short letter from the woman who handed her daughter to strangers. "Tell me about my mother. What was she like?"
Marie leans across the space I've kept between us and her warm fingers touch the back of my hand. "She was very much like you, Maeve. Do you want to talk about her?"
I nod. This could tear me further apart, but would lay some of my obsessive thoughts to rest. Will I come to terms with what happened soon? I have no choice but to put this aside and deal with the news later, because Marie is right.
Preventing the death and destruction I've envisioned comes first. I won't need to wait long, because time ticks away towards the end of term as the heartbeat matches the seconds passing.
Chapter Fifteen
MAEVE
I sit in the school hall amongst the other students, trying not to think about the last time I saw them here, in my vision. To begin with, I'm on edge that something could happen, but the heartbeat is quieter today. Jamie picks up on my unease and holds my hand between his, on his lap.
My other thought is that Theodora has her priorities wrong—today she's announcing the academy's final challenge for the year and not dismissing us for an early end to the term.
The students are segregated into the respective houses as usual, but this adds an extra reminder that we're different. Shifter. Witches. Vampires. Now I know how precarious the balance is even inside the Dominion, I'm more concerned over what might happen. The division continues and the houses have switched from huddling together, ignoring each other, to glaring.
My place beside Jamie is a sensible distance from Yvette, and Ash sits at the front of the hall, facing the stage. Andrei hasn't appeared yet, but late attendance isn't unusual for him. The low conversations happening around cease as Theodora walks into the room.
She moves grace
fully along the aisle between the two long rows of students and climbs the steps to the stage. Last time the students gathered here, Theodora’s face was drawn with grief and sorrow filled the room. Today she's brighter, her flawless features and demeanour back to her usual self. Sofia and Professor O’Reilly sit behind, but a different man sits in Tobias's seat beside them.
He’s a vampire, I can see that from his familiar bone structure—the perfect symmetry in his beautiful face to match Theodora’s. The older vampires must be the most stunning, because even from here I can see how his attractiveness eclipses most in this room. Is he related to Theodora? Maybe not, since he has dark brown, almost black hair cut neatly compared to her red. He shares her impeccable dress though, looking every inch a professor in his well-cut dark blue suit.
Pausing until the students drop into silence, Theodora takes the mic.
"Good evening. I'm happy we meet under better circumstances today. As you know, this is the week we announce the final, longest challenge for the term. As usual, this isn't a few hours or a day of competition, but a term-long exercise." She pauses for effect. "This year, we've chosen the scavenger challenge."
A murmur ripples across the room, some students calling out a triumphant 'yes'.
Theodora clears her throat. "But with a slight difference this year. I am well aware and extremely concerned about the animosity between houses currently and would like this to stop." Her tone takes on a harder edge as she flicks a look at Yvette beside Kimberly and glances at Katherine. "To address this, I have decided not to make this a house challenge."
The double doors at the side entrance to the room creak open and the students twist in their seats to see the new arrival. Andrei ambles in with a smirk and without an apology.
Theodora watches him through narrowed eyes before continuing. "This year, instead of houses competing against each other, you will be in mixed groups and awarded points for co-operation as well as successfully completing the challenges."
"What the hell?" mutters Yvette. "No way."
A similar dissent rumbles through the room. "Quiet!" Theodora's expression darkens as she pauses and waits for the room to hush. "We faced unfortunate issues in the last two challenges. First, the suspicious injuries to Gilgamesh students in the physical challenge, and the incident involving the Walcott student in the mental magic challenge." I shift in my seat as some throw glances my way. "I will not tolerate this."
Jamie chuckles to himself. "Well this challenge will make or break the academy."
I share his and others' worry that she's making a mistake here. Mixed teams. I admire her optimism that this will mend division, but don't share her enthusiasm. "Each house head will choose a challenge they believe requires co-operation, and I will converse with them to decide the mix of pupils.”
Yvette swears and glares at the Petrescu girl who's muttering about 'witch bitches'.
Please don't put me in a group with her.
Theodora finishes her explanations while Jamie whispers to me how these final challenges involve solving puzzles linked to one of the academy subjects. Often, more than one team reach that point at similar times and victory comes down to the wire.
"This will be a nightmare," I whisper as the grumbling grows louder.
"I swear she's losing the plot," he whispers back.
Theodora claps her hands together to interrupt the growing chatter. "Due to the Petrescu head being indisposed for the remainder of the term, I've invited a professor who worked here in the past to take his place."
"Indisposed," says Katherine with a laugh and looks at me.
The man behind her stands and tips his chin as he takes in the students staring at him. "In the past." His stern expression breaks into a smile. "Some twenty years ago."
Theodora chuckles too. "But I'm in no doubt about your loyalty to myself and the academy."
I sit upright. A supporter for her crazy decisions?
"This is Garrett Lombard. I expect you to treat him exactly as you treated Professor Whitlock."
This time Katherine outright laughs before catching my eye and arching a brow before mouthing, "Will you?"
I snap my head away from her. I can add Katherine to the list of people I don't want to group with.
"Once the house heads and I have spoken, we will post the lists on the main noticeboard. Please assemble in your groups at the place indicated tomorrow."
"This is bullshit," pipes up Clive, and Professor O’Reilly stares at him but doesn't speak.
"This is Theodora's decision, Clive," says Garrett in smooth tones. "If you cooperate with your team, you could still win."
Clive sneers at him. "Yeah, but if Vince were here, he'd tell you what a bad idea this is, Theodora."
I balk at Vince's name and look to the back of Ash's head, who shifts in his seat. "Shut up, Clive. Yelling in the academy hall won't help," he retorts.
Clive mutters something to Ash, who turns his head away.
"Do not speak to me in this manner," snaps Theodora, silencing the murmur that joined his outburst.
"This behaviour is inappropriate, Clive," interjects Sofia. "Like all of us, you must learn to deal with situations in life that don't meet your expectations. This will be good for all students."
Garrett stands and straightens his shirt sleeves. "This conversation is over. Professor O’Reilly, I suggest you speak to your student about this outburst."
I blink, shocked by Garrett's immediate dominance as he silences not only Clive but the whole room.
As we file out into the hallway filled with conversation about the challenge—good and bad— something strikes me.
Theodora ended the meeting without mentioning April.
Chapter Sixteen
MAEVE
"Maeve. Jamie. I would like to speak to you before lessons." Sofia's gentle tones call from the doorway.
Damn. We were so close to breaking away from the throng before Sofia found the chance to speak to me. I've avoided her as much as possible but can't escape her questions any longer.
I turn and smile pleasantly. "Of course. Some advice for the challenges?"
Her false laughter grates. "No. I believe you have a story to tell me."
Perspiration breaks out across my back and Jamie links his fingers through mine. Her expression lightens at his action: the good boy Jamie influencing the troublemaker. "We do?" he asks.
"Well, I know the story, but I'd like you to fill in some gaps for me."
Crap. How much of the story? Which story?
Thanking the stars we've only half an hour before mental magic, I follow Sofia as she leads us away from the hall towards her office. I aim for nonchalance, but she eyes my grip on Jamie's hand. We sit on the sumptuous sofa, surrounded by her crystals reflecting rainbows across the room. Our legs touch, hands still connected as we become one against her incoming intrusion.
Sofia smooths her long, black hair and picks up a grey stone from her desk, examining the pink crystal embedded inside. "I believe your aunt visited you. Such a fleeting visit; I'm sorry I missed her. Did Marie elaborate on the letter she wrote? More information about the fire?"
Jamie gives my head a squeeze as I stiffen at her barrage of questions. If I tell Sofia that I've already spoken to Theodora and that she should ask her instead, she'll accuse me of insolence. She hasn’t mentioned the Winterfalls, which I thought would be her first comment; perhaps she doesn't know the whole story.
"Marie is in the country and decided to check in on how I’m going at the academy, but she didn't have a lot to say." I pause. I have to give Sofia something to dampen her suspicion. "My aunt mentioned the fire again."
Sofia tuts and shakes her head slowly as she sits in the wing-backed chair opposite us. "Theodora needs to get a tighter grip on the academy. I'm not sure Confederacy wards will keep curious people from entering the tunnel."
"The tunnel?" I ask with mock innocence.
"Goodness, Maeve. All the professors know about Tobias Whitlock
's discovery." Her eyes narrow. Of course, she believes we're involved. "Few students do, but Theodora informed me that the pair of you are aware."
Her mental magic pokes at my mind and I instantly picture myself studying with Jamie, an image I'd prefer her to see.
Sofia sets the rock on the table. "I believe you've walked the tunnels. What did you both sense? I'm forbidden from visiting, which I'm extremely unhappy about as I'm the head of Walcott and a powerful witch. I have skills that could help."
I rub my sleeve across my mouth and nose and look to Jamie. "We snuck in before the Confederacy arrived and found nothing. There's a strange vibe to the place, but not one strong enough to sense anything," he says.
"And you, Maeve?"
"I never saw anything."
She moistens her lips and attempts to invade my mind again. I hold Sofia's look but keep her out. "How strange that Professor Whitlock made the discovery and then becomes 'indisposed' from teaching duties. I do wonder if his discovery and discharge from duties isn't coincidental. He’s connected in some way. After all, the tunnel is below Petrescu and he is a vampire."
I hold her searching gaze, refusing to look away which could reinforce her suspicions. "Speak to Tobias if you're concerned."
"I will. If I see him." She pauses. "Now. April. Do you know why she left the academy?"
Left? Theodora lied to Sofia?
"No. I'm not friendly with her," I say.
"Jamie?"
He shrugs. If she's suspicious of Tobias, she's doubly suspicious about April's whereabouts. "Maybe you could quash the rumours once they start?" he suggests. "There're increasing tensions between Walcott and Petrescu and the academy doesn't need more accusations against hemia."
She silently walks over and sits opposite us. "I would, if I knew the truth. I have reached out to April's family and had no response." Her hard tone is filled with accusation. "I am sick of secrets around the academy being kept from me. I'm more than aware that Theodora is not open about her recent decisions. At first, I was insulted that she might not trust me; now I'm worried for my students."