Noah looked between the two of us and pulled a book toward him. “Well, I’ll help you research.”
When the curfew chime went off two hours later, Gray and Noah walked me back to my room before heading to their dorm. Immediately, I clicked on the light, hating the dark, empty feeling of my room without Ivy. I climbed into bed, leaving the lights on.
Alone in my room, there was no one to wake me from my horrible dreams, which had grown worse after the attack. Even though I was exhausted, I dreaded sleeping, knowing it’d bring the nightmares instead of rest.
The next morning was no different: I woke, feeling more exhausted than when I went to sleep. Gray met me outside my room to walk to breakfast with me, and our morning classes passed in a blur. Exams came and went, but my mind had no room for Rewis Dene or Arithmetic.
I spent every lunchtime with Henry. He insisted I work on my meditation, but I didn’t have the heart to tell him I wasn’t progressing like he hoped. Once I spent my half hour on meditation, we went to the library to research the Crystal. After school, Henry usually stayed until Gray joined me.
As Henry said goodbye, I didn’t raise my head from my translation until two people sat across from me instead of just Gray. Gray and Oliver were both grinning. “What’s up?”
“I can feel Ivy.” Oliver’s knee bounced as he sat in his chair. “She’s close. Like, only a few hours away at most, or I wouldn’t feel her this clearly.”
“Are you serious?” I stared at him in shock. After two weeks of constant disappointment and tension, a hint of good news was kind of hard to believe.
“I am. I’m on my way to talk to Headmistress Elsie again. I’m hoping they’ll let us go search for her since she’s so close now.”
I leaned toward him. “Is she okay? Is she safe?”
“I can’t sense her mood or anything like that,” he replied. “It’s not like sensing someone through a bond. My magic only lets me track her location.”
Gray squeezed my hand. “Hey, we might be able to get Ivy back. That’s good news.”
I tried to return his smile, but my cheeks were stiff. “Now we need to make some progress with Neil.” I stared at the book in front of me.
“We will.” Gray’s quiet confidence flowed over me, constant and reassuring.
Did his Light Magic somehow make him more optimistic? Or was that something he learned from Neil? They were two of the strongest people I’ve ever met. I’d learned more about Gray the last few weeks than the last ten years of being his friend.
The words ‘Arresting Crystal’ caught my eye. Hurriedly, I scanned the rest of the paragraph. “Wait.”
That one word was enough for Gray to tell something was up. “What’s wrong?”
I put my finger on the sentence and pushed the book to him.
Gray scanned it, and his face lost the color and happiness Oliver’s announcement had provided. “If we don’t get Neil out soon, we’ll run out of time.”
Oliver pulled the book to him and read aloud. “During the Shadowed Days, the longest known case of someone surviving in a crystal was nineteen days.”
“Assuming Neil can last that long, it gives us less than a week.” The panic built inside of me.
“Neil can last.” I couldn’t tell if it was confidence or desperation that made Gray so resolute, but listening to him was better than listening to my own dark thoughts. “We’ll keep researching here. Let us know what Headmistress Elsie says, Oliver.” When Gray took charge of the situation so calmly and confidently, little pieces of Neil peeked through.
“What if we’re too late?” I voiced my deepest fear.
“We’re not too late. If the crystal is here, Neil’s still fighting, which means we won’t give up.”
“When I find anything, I’ll let you know.” Oliver looked back and forth between the two of us, concern etched on his face.
“Thanks, Oliver.” Ivy was out of sight but finally within reach, and Neil was right across the room but impossibly far away.
“Emmie, we need to focus.” Gray put a hand on my shoulder and shook me a bit, bringing me back to the task at hand. “We will figure out how to save Neil.”
“Gray Mastiff and Emmie Lyland, please come to the headmistress’ office.” Headmistress Elsie’s voice, traveling with her Light Magic, sounded as if she was next to me and jolted me out of my stupor. It was only a quarter past nine, but since the curfew chime had gone off an hour ago, everyone was trapped in their own rooms.
Hesitantly, I peered into the empty hallway. I closed the door, quickly changed out of my pajamas, and then opened it once more.
The hall was still deserted, and my solitary footsteps echoed loudly off the tile. After a few turns, I met Gray in the hallway. He still had the permanently haunted look in his eyes, but it was mixed with a curious, wary look.
“I don’t know if I can take any more bad news.” Gray’s broken voice was so different than the confidence he’d been holding onto until now.
“It’ll be okay, Gray.” I slipped my hand into his. “Whatever this is about, at least we’ll face it together.” It was easier to be strong for Gray’s sake than for my own.
We walked in silence for a few steps, our paired footsteps strangely comforting. Arriving at Headmistress Elsie’s office, we stopped. For a long moment, neither of us spoke or moved.
“Should we go in?”
Gray looked at me, searching for something in my expression.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I reassured him.
He held my gaze for another moment before nodding. He knocked three times on the wooden door.
“Come in.” Headmistress Elsie's voice beckoned us through the door.
Gray stepped inside, and I followed him, only to run into his back when he abruptly stopped.
I rubbed my nose. “Gray?”
He didn’t react. His body was tense, and he stared straight ahead at something I couldn’t see. “Ivy?”
Chapter 16
“Ivy, you’re back!” I dashed inside and threw my arms around her. “I can’t believe you’re really here!” She didn’t say anything, and I pulled away to look at her, my grin threatening to split my face in two.
“Ivy!” Gray ran over, so I stepped out of his way. A small smile flickered on her face when he picked her up and twirled her in a circle. “I didn’t know if we’d ever see you again.” After a few seconds he put her down, but he kept one arm around her. “Emmie, look. It’s really Ivy. She’s back.”
I wiped away my tears and smiled at them.
“It’s good to be back.” Ivy’s quiet voice startled me. She didn’t sound like the enthusiastic Ivy from before, but the Ivy from before hadn’t just escaped after being at the mercy of a madman.
Her usual uniform was replaced by dark pants and a pale blouse. “Ivy, how did you escape?” No wonder Oliver had said she was close. She was making her way to us!
She snuggled her face into Gray’s chest.
Headmistress Elsie clasped her hands behind her back. “I’m worried about you, Miss Hart. You’ve been through something extremely traumatic, and we can’t be sure your mind hasn’t been tampered with. Over the next few days, I’d like you to talk to Nurse McKay.”
I put a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be w-with her most of the time anyway, and it’ll be harder for her to adjust to being back if she’s constantly monitored.”
Headmistress Elsie pursed her lips. “Nevertheless, with everything that’s happened recently, I’ll feel better if we keep someone monitoring you for a while to help you adjust back to your normal routine.” She walked to the door and held it open for us. “The three of you can go for the night. Miss Hart, please see Nurse McKay on your way to your room so she can check on you.”
Ivy wrapped her arm around mine and squeezed. “All right.”
Gray followed us out the door.
The three of us made our way to the infirmary in silence. We were the only ones walking through the empty halls, and it was
almost like old times again.
Nurse McKay’s mouth widened with shock. “Miss Hart, you’re back.”
“I am.” Exhaustion pulled the corners of Ivy’s smile down. “Headmistress Elsie told me to come get checked out before bed.”
“You poor dear. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through.” Nurse McKay busied herself checking Ivy’s vitals.
Gray took a seat next to her for her check-up, and Ivy smiled at him, but it didn’t light up her face like it used to.
“Ivy, your eyes!” I stepped closer.
“What’s wrong with them?” Gray put his hand under her chin and lifted her face. Her eyes looked exhausted, a bit frustrated, and blue. “What? What is it?” He turned her face back and forth.
I stared at her. “Sorry. Must’ve been a trick of the light.”
“I’m okay.” Ivy smiled at him.
Nurse McKay walked to the corner of the room to mix some powders together in a small pewter bowl. A minute later she came back. “Well, Miss Hart. It looks like there’s nothing seriously wrong with you. You’re a little dehydrated, but a few good meals and a good night’s sleep should work wonders for your body. Take this, mix it into your drink at dinner tonight, and it’ll help you sleep. If you need someone to talk to about the last few weeks, I’m here for you.”
Ivy nodded, and Gray threw his arm around her again as we walked out the door. We only made it a few steps before Gray couldn’t contain his questions. “Did you see Celia? Maybe we can figure out how to rescue her. Josh will be dying to talk to you.”
Ivy smiled. “I did, and a bunch of other girls, too.” She yawned.
“I’m sorry.” He drummed his fingers along his pant leg. “You must be exhausted. We can talk tomorrow. Let me walk you two to your room so you can get some sleep.”
Approaching our door, I looped my arm through Ivy’s. “I missed you so much while you were gone.” The dread that kept me from returning to an empty room these last few weeks dissipated with her tired smile.
“Me too, Emmie. I thought about you every day.” She smiled at me and rubbed her eyes.
“Good night, girls.” Gray waved and walked away, his whistle echoing through the empty hall.
I pressed my lips together to contain the questions while we got ready for bed. There’d be plenty of time to talk to her later.
I slid into bed. “Good night, Ivy.”
“‘Night, Emmie.” Her voice filled the darkness around me, and I fell asleep with a smile. If the nightmares came back, at least Ivy would be there.
The next day was a nightmare. Ivy was bombarded by inquisitive students from the time we stepped foot outside our dorm.
The only thing Ackley loved more than gossip was fresh gossip.
All day, she answered questions, exchanged greetings, and dealt with everyone’s concern and curiosity. I shrugged off the times she was a second too slow to respond to a question or when the smile on her face didn’t match the distant look in her eyes. By lunch, her shoulders slumped, and by dinner her smile looked pasted on with gummy sap. But she bore it much better than I could have had our situations been reversed.
I bit my lip and held back my own questions and concerns. That wasn’t what Ivy needed right now.
On the way back to our room that night, we finally had a moment alone.
“You know, you don’t have to act like everything’s fine. I can see it’s exhausting for you, and everyone would understand if you weren’t...you know, okay.”
Ivy rolled her neck to the side. “It’s easier to pretend.”
I grabbed her hand and squeezed.
She shot me a small smile. “Besides, maybe if I pretend long enough, it’ll be true.”
The following day was similar, but the fervor had died down slightly. After History class, a group of students flocked around Ivy as we walked to lunch.
“Did he use crazy Dark Magic on you?” one boy asked with wide eyes.
Ivy’s expression tightened.
A girl fell into step right beside Ivy. “Where did he take you?”
Ivy’s shoulders grew rigid.
“How did you escape?” another boy jumped in before Ivy could answer.
They were pressing her too hard. Couldn’t they see that? I put a hand to my forehead and grabbed Ivy’s sleeve. “I don’t feel so good, Ivy. Could you take me to Nurse McKay?”
The crowd of students grumbled as Ivy and I separated from them and turned down another hall.
Once we were out of sight, I straightened. “How about I go pick up some food for us, and we eat outside today? I’ll meet you at the willow.”
She sighed. “That sounds perfect. A little alone time is just what I need.”
I turned down another corner, and my expression fell. Did that include time away from me?
A few minutes later, I juggled a pile of food and walked to the tree. Kneeling down, I let it spill onto the grass. I picked up something random, took a bite, chewed, and swallowed before turning to her. “Ivy, are you really okay?”
She nodded. “I will be, Emmie.” Her gaze traced a cloud in the sky. “Soon. It just takes time to move on from something like that.” Her voice wobbled.
I took another bite. Patience, Emmie. She’ll talk to you when she’s ready.
She closed her eyes, no longer even pretending to eat. “We moved around a lot, you know.”
I straightened. “Who?”
“Damon’s group.”
Was that the man’s name?
“Were there others?” I leaned forward.
“Yeah, there were a lot of girls. Damon’s been kidnapping girls for years.” She shuddered and tears pricked her eyes. “You were right. Those girls from your notes, he took them all.”
I reached over and squeezed her hand. “You’re fine now. You’re back with us, and I’ll never let him take you again.”
The corners of her lips lifted in a small smile.
Thank the elements she was back and too strong for his influence to last.
Was Ivy really the princess? I opened my mouth.
She waved her apple at my tie. “When did that happen?”
I closed my mouth and glanced down. “While you were gone. Somehow I was able to heal Gray from his coma after he was hit by the Dark Magic.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand. “That’s great. It’s what you’ve been waiting for.”
I looked at her. “That’s what I thought, too, but when all of you disappeared from my side, I realized what really mattered. I’d rather be a magicless Mediocre anyday than lose you three again.” I retracted my hand and fingered the tie. “Besides, I still haven’t really figured out how to use my magic. There hasn’t been time.” My elbow knocked over my drink, spilling water all over my skirt.
“Elements above.” I scrambled to my feet and tried to wring out the water. “Um, Ivy, could you help me here?” I waved my hand toward the mess.
She looked at me with a small frown.
The silence stretched between us.
“Sorry.” She shook her head. “I haven’t used my magic since…”
I hurried to shake my head. “No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” I sat down and patted her hand.
Gray and Oliver ran over, sitting on either side of Ivy, and Gray gave her another hug. “Emmie told me you two were out here. What’d we miss?”
“Nothing.” Ivy beamed at him, but when Noah sat beside me, she averted her gaze.
What was that about? Was Ivy crushing on Noah now? I thought she liked Oliver.
She jumped to her feet. “Shoot, I just remembered Headmistress Elsie asked me to speak to her.”
Gray grimaced. “Right now?”
“Yeah, I think she’s worried I’m going to have a breakdown or something.” She rolled her eyes. “See you around.”
“Well that was odd,” Noah muttered.
Oliver watched her go, his mouth turned down in disappointment.
“I’d say,” Gray nodded. �
�Did you remember to shower today?” He leaned over to Oliver and sniffed him. “Ivy practically ran from the sight of you.”
Oliver pushed Gray’s head away. “Shut up. Obviously I showered.”
“That was weird. It was like…” Noah trailed off and shook his head “Never mind. I’m probably just tired and stressed.”
Gray took a drink of water and glanced at Ivy over the rim of his cup. “Ivy, are you coming with us to do some research after dinner?” Since it was Aerisday, we had all evening to spend in the library.
She shook her head. “Sorry, no.”
Gray’s shoulders slumped, and he picked at his food.
We were all feeling the pressure of knowing we were running out of time. The following day was the eighteen-day mark for Neil.
Ivy put a hand on his arm. “I have something to do tonight.”
“You’re sure you can’t come? We could really use the help,” I said.
The resolute set of her jaw spoke volumes. Whatever she’d planned, it couldn’t be postponed. “I’m sorry. I’ll finish quickly and hurry over. You’ll be in the library, right?”
“Yup, in our usual spot.” Gray stared down at the table, a frown pulling down the corners of his mouth.
“See you tonight. I feel like it will be a big night.” She beamed a smile at both of us before walking off.
“You think?” Gray’s knee bounced as he psyched himself up. “You know, you’re right. I feel it, too. Tonight’s the night.” He turned to me. His eyes had their sparkle back. “Ready to go? We’ve got a lot to do.”
I stood. “Maybe it’ll be a night of surprises.”
“A night of miracles.” Gray held open the door for me, and we walked to the library.
Noah paced outside the library doors.
“Hey, w-what’s up?”
Noah glanced between Gray and me. “Can I talk to you alone for a minute?”
Gray looked at me, shrugged, and pushed open the door. “I’ll start reading.”
Noah crossed his arms. “I’m not sure the best way to tell you this.”
Unleashed Magic (The Chronicles of Andar Book 1) Page 21