"They shot you," I rasp out.
Did the bullet that hit Tobias instead of Jamie change my version of these events? And has Andrei stopped more bullets from firing?
"Better me than you or your friends." Tobias wipes his fingers on his jeans. "Now can you see what consequences your stupid teenage rebellion has caused?"
"Maeve!" Amelia calls my name again and I spin around to see Tessa charging away from the scene.
"Help!" Tessa screams. "Someone’s hurt!"
Tobias glares at me before sprinting away. He catches up to Tessa in a blur and steps in front of her. Tessa halts. As she looks up at Tobias, my heart sinks. I know what he’s doing and why.
I turn my attention to Andrei. "What did you do?" I ask hoarsely.
"I saved your bloody life," he retorts. "Again."
My trembling grows but I need to hold myself together. "You killed someone."
"He isn’t dead," says Jamie, who’s crouched beside him, holding his other wrist. "But he won't regain consciousness soon; he’s losing a fair amount of blood."
I bend and tear a strip from my dress and grab the torn wrist. Then I turn myself into the ‘Maeve who copes’—the one who hides her fear behind heavy sarcasm. "Oh, lucky guy, you didn't go for the throat or hit an artery."
The day I first saw someone hurt in a vision is the day I enrolled in a first aid course. I decided it made sense to learn skills to help the injured, although I never thought I’d need to bandage a vampire bite.
"I was tempted," he says.
"This is my fault," says Ash. "I let my nature take over common sense. I should never have followed him."
"No. My fault for coming here," I admit and yank the material tight.
"The whole thing is a mess." Amelia’s voice catches with a sob.
I stand and wrap my arms around her, hugging Amelia’s small figure to mine while she sniffles. I’m angry with myself, with my new situation in life, with what I caused to happen here. Resting my chin on her head, I stand with the others in silent solidarity while the minutes drag by. I’m helpless. Lost.
Tobias calls me and my body courses with dread as I release Amelia and walk over. His expression matches that on the day he cajoled Sally—open and friendly, his good looks sharpened by his sensual smile as Tessa gazes up at him.
"It appears that Tessa’s boyfriend went home without her," he says in velvet tones. "She’s wandered the school grounds looking for you."
Tessa pouts and pokes me. "Yes. Where did you go?"
Our group aren’t far from us, but she’s oblivious to them. Any memory about the attack left her.
Tobias eyes meet mine in shining warning: play along. He doesn’t need to ask. I can’t allow my friend to remember any of this, or it will scar her for life. "Sorry, Tessa," I reply, my voice quavering.
"I told Tessa you’d ensure she gets home safely." Tobias’s honeyed voice and the warm smile remain. I nod and he looks to Tessa. "Once we're sure you’re safe, I’ll take Maeve and her friends back to her academy. You know she wasn’t supposed to come tonight, don't you?"
She nods too, wide-eyed. I draw in a breath against what he’s doing, but there’s no other choice.
"I won't tell anybody, Tobias," she whispers. "Don’t worry. I wouldn’t want Maeve in trouble."
Tobias nods at me. "That’s settled. Maeve, why don’t you accompany Tessa to the front of the school? You can organise for her to travel home safely."
I nod. "Okay."
"Then we should go, before you disappear again." He clears his throat and adds pointedly. "I have to clear up something first, don’t I?"
Tonight confirmed to me everything I wanted to deny: I’m no longer safe, and I can’t do everything I want any more without consequences.
I need to accept reality and my new world. I need to grow up. Fast.
Chapter Forty-One
MAEVE
Ash’s car headlights illuminate the service gate as we drive along the gloomy track towards the academy. Tobias drives behind, and I resist the urge to glance back at his large black sedan. I’m relieved he decided not to parade us through the main gates as guilty parties, but I’m concerned why. Will he keep this a secret or march us straight to Theodora’s office?
Late nights no longer bother me since my sleep schedule changed, but tonight’s events exhausted me. My body wants to shut down and rest. Ash drives with Jamie in the passenger seat, and Amelia sits beside me. We’ve a lot to talk about, and nobody knows where to start the conversation.
All I care about in this moment is that we’re alive.
Andrei travels with Tobias. Are they talking about the events and what’s next for him?
Once I put Tessa into an Uber, a voice inside urged me to go with her, but what’s the point? I don’t belong here. I’m uncomfortable that I’m here without my parents realising, and I’d do anything to run home and ask for help. To hide in the sanctuary of my old bedroom. But Mum and Dad can’t help me.
I headed back to the scene terrified what I’d walk into when I found the others. Everybody had gone, and perspiration spread across my back as I examined the area. Did they leave me? Tobias, as usual, stepped from the dark and commandeered me back to the school carpark where the others waited silently in the car.
I haven’t asked what happened to the hunters yet. Is it best that I don’t know?
Ash parks the car outside the gates and argues with Tobias to let him leave campus to return home, but Tobias refuses. I sink down in the car seat at the strength of their argument and Ash’s refusal to accept he’s unsafe.
If Ash is confident he can leave without being followed or attacked, I doubly don’t want to know what happened to the hunters.
Tobias instructs Ash to park inside the service vehicle car park, and he parks his car beside Ash. We all climb out, dirty and dejected. The stress hangs around Ash, but he won't speak.
A rush of relief spreads through when I step back onto the academy grounds. I may not be able to run home to my bedroom in the family house, but I can hide out in the room I share with Amelia.
I side-glance Andrei. Less blood than before coats his face. Has he wiped away the evidence with his black jacket sleeve? He left his cocky persona at my old school and his eyes are dull. I struggle with the violence I saw tonight from Andrei and Ash.
I need to persuade Ash to attend the meditation classes—my amusement that shifters meditate disappeared.
I’ve learned more about my world and place in it this evening than any other time.
"We will discuss this tomorrow," says Tobias tersely. "I need to speak with security staff about how you left the grounds unseen. This distraction should give you time to return to your dormitories and consider your actions."
Ash trudges away first. The guy I say goodbye to looks dejected and tired, his reaction to my hug stiff and hurtful when he doesn't return the gesture. I pull off my wig—feeling stupid that I forgot I’m wearing it—and prepare to follow.
"Not you, Maeve," he says. "I’d like to talk to you alone."
Tobias’s study is at the rear of his classroom—a small room dominated by a large blue velvet seat with worn arms opposite a second chair and beside a low table. A dark curtain shrouds the small window and matches those in the classroom, as do the runes painted around the study.
Like many teachers, a portrait hangs on the wall. Unlike Theodora’s, Tobias looks no different than he does today. I stand with my arms wrapped around myself, feeling ridiculous in my torn Halloween dress.
Tobias sits in the winged velvet armchair and rests an ankle across his other knee. His displeasure radiates from him. I understand how much older he is, and that he’s an authority figure, but every time he talks down to or chastises me, I’m annoyed. I need to remember that Tobias isn’t Jamie or Ash.
Not by a long way.
"I know what you're worrying about, Maeve. I’ve decided not to tell Theodora and Sofia about this," he says in a gruff tone.
"Why?"
"I’ve come across students like you before. They think they’re able to live as they want and believe they can be part of the human world. You decided not to pay attention to warnings about hunters and the Dominion, because all teenagers believe they’re invincible. Don't they?"
"I—"
"And many see authority as something to challenge." His mouth tips at one corner. "I made the same mistakes as you, Maeve, and it almost cost me my life. The more people told me not to do something, the greater my desire to challenge them grew. Does this sound familiar?"
I grasp my hands behind my back. This is worse than the times someone called me to Mrs. Peel’s office.
"I only wanted to help my friend," I say meekly. "I thought Tess would get badly hurt."
"I understand that, but you need to grow up and consider your actions." His words sting, but I bite back a retort. He laughs. "I can see you have something to say, Maeve."
"No." Tobias cocks a brow. I swallow. "Yes, but I don't want to be disrespectful."
This time his laugh is louder. "Perhaps you are making progress then."
He stands and looks down at me and my mouth dries. "Do you understand why my lessons are important now? Your friend would’ve been traumatised by what she saw, if I couldn’t erase her memories. Her trauma would be your fault."
I look away and dig fingernails into my palms. I want to run. Check on Amelia. Not stand here being scolded by a man who confuses me on every level. He reminds me of Andrei in many ways, some I can’t admit to myself without heading down the path to inappropriate thoughts.
"I know. I’m sorry I questioned you."
Tobias places his hands behind his back and leans forward. "No, you're not."
His eyes sparkle with amusement. Is he angry or not?
"You do the right thing to challenge what doesn’t feel comfortable to you, but please be selective about what rules you ignore."
I nod. "Thank you for helping tonight." My eyes go to his torn sleeve crusted with blood on his upper arm.
"Ah. Yes. I almost forgot." He takes the bullet from a pocket and places it on the table. "Jamie should be able to find the item's history. Whoever has touched this bullet will have left their psychic imprint for him to see."
"You were shot. Doesn't it hurt?" I blurt.
"No, but the bullet almost hit Jamie. If I hadn't been with you and stepped in front of him, he may not be walking now."
My stomach churns. Tobias stopped the bullet hitting Jamie. Ash or Andrei wrested the gun from him. How many bullets were in the gun? Enough to create the Jamie I’ve seen in my mind? I blink up at Tobias.
"Don't look worried. Bullets can’t harm me. Or knives. Surely you’ve seen or read plenty of vampire stories. My body heals quickly though, which is why I had to pull this out. I wouldn't want a lump of metal stuck under my skin."
I pull my mouth tight at his condescension. "Yes. I’ve read vampire books and watched movies, but no vampires were like you."
"Nobody is like me, Maeve."
Do I push this and ask more? "I understand that there’s a lot I don't understand."
"Very much, Maeve." He pulls off his jacket and drops it onto the armchair. There’s a bloodied hole in the blue shirt underneath, and he frowns at it. "That was an expensive shirt too."
The hysteria I’ve held back bursts out as I giggle inappropriately. He frowns and his face darkens. He has more strength in his wiry frame than I imagined, and I stare at the ceiling in case I stare too long. Seriously, Maeve?
Tobias told me the first time we spoke that vampires are built to attract people. Hell, it’s not just Andrei and Tobias, almost all of Petrescu are enthrallingly beautiful. That’s all I’m feeling.
"You must be tired, but also happy," he says.
"Happy?"
Tobias tips his head. "You stopped what you imagined would happen, didn’t you?"
"Maybe. But I don't know why I had the vision about Tessa when Ash was the one attacked."
He scratches his head as he looks around the room for something. "Not that vision, Maeve. The other one that challenges you. I’m happy that Jamie is safe." Locating a clear glass bottle filled with a brown liquid, he pours himself a tumbler full.
"You knew I'd envisioned something hurting Jamie?" I whisper.
"I caught a glimpse on the night I dealt with Andrei’s indiscretion. I’m not a hundred percent sure what, but I saw Jamie’s face. It appears that I stopped the bullet and helped him avoid injury. Perhaps more."
I lick my dry lips. He didn’t see everything in my mind, but how words encourage me. The two visions—Tessa and Jamie—were linked.
We changed Jamie’s future.
"Your personal thoughts and clairvoyant abilities are well protected—against yourself too, I feel." He drinks.
"Then I’m definitely happy I went to the school tonight if I stopped Jamie getting hurt."
"But your attempt to change events led to a serious situation. Any of you could have been killed or injured, and we had to deal with those who were."
Tobias gazes at me over his glass. The hunters.
"Don't look concerned. The men are safe and somewhat forgetful." He chuckles at his joke and knocks back the rest of his drink. "They’ll recover."
"Right." I eye the door eager to leave.
"I understand how important a witch with your gift is, but I hold concerns I’m sure others share. If you can see the future clearly, and are determined to change events, this makes you dangerous."
"Everybody I’ve met here is dangerous," I protest.
Tobias places his glass down. "Changing the future can be catastrophic."
My neck prickles. "I have a role to play in my new world. I will play it."
"Of course, but next time don't take matters into your own hands, Maeve. I will continue to watch you, and next time I may not be as understanding."
"Like you are with Andrei?"
He blinks at my impertinence. "Andrei is complicated. He needs my help or he’ll become a danger to more than humans."
I’m too tired to talk back to him and relieved he’s allowing me off a very large, sharp hook. "Can I leave?"
He gives a curt nod. "Yes. Good night, Maeve."
"Good night." I back up to the door, and he watches with a bemused smile as I fumble behind me for the door handle.
"I have one other thing to say before you go," Tobias says. "Now is the time for you to accept your situation. Immerse yourself in the Nightworld Academy and everything the place has to teach you. You’ve barely scratched the surface."
"I intend to."
He replies with a curt nod, before he turns back to his bottle. Relieved to escape, I close the door behind me and rush through his empty classroom until I stumble out into the hallway.
Chapter Forty-Two
MAEVE
The main school building would normally teem with students attending lessons, or teachers in their offices, but at half term the place is ghostly quiet. I haven’t dismissed the idea the place might be haunted yet, and I hurry through the dimly lit corridors, unable to get out of the place fast enough. Almost tripping on the stairs, I make a beeline for the front doors.
Someone sits on a bench below the coats of arms, and following my thoughts about ghosts, I almost run screaming. A girl watches me, back straight and hands folded over a small handbag on her knees.
Katherine.
I pause. Do I bolt out of the building or face her? I knew she’d corner me alone one day soon, but she picked a bad time.
Katherine stands. "What were you doing with Tobias? I saw you crossing the school grounds with him."
There’s curiosity in her voice, but she’s thin-lipped with narrowed eyes.
"Did you follow us?"
She ignores me and gestures at my ripped dress. "Interesting look, Maeve. Did he tear your clothes? I mean, gross, you're a bit young for Tobias, aren't you? Like a hundred and thirty years too young."
I guess you nev
er saw Twilight. I slap away the thought. Tobias is no Edward Cullen.
"That’s not what’s happening," I retort. "Why did you follow us?"
"Oh, I’m nosey, that’s all," she says sweetly.
‘Nosey’ isn’t the word I’d use to describe Katherine. With a shake of my head, I walk towards the front doors.
Katherine shoots over and steps in front of me. She’s immaculately dressed in skinny jeans and a pink shirt half unbuttoned over a darker pink tank top, where a pale stone pendant hangs above the low-cut material.
"I’m here to tell you to stay away from Ash," she says, voice dripping acid. "I don't care what you do with the witch nerd, or the dumb emo vamp, but hands off Ash."
"You followed me and waited here, in the dark, to tell me to stay away from a guy who doesn't like you?" I scoff. "You're stupider than you look."
Her eyes widen at my insult. "You’ll find I’m much cleverer than you think, sweetie. I can make your life at the academy unpleasant."
"Is that so?" I retort. I hold my ground but my scalp prickles. I don't doubt her words. What if the unpleasantness starts now?
"Yes, that’s so, Maeve." She half-spits my name. "I’ve spent over a year working on Ash, and I don't appreciate you batting your eyelashes and believing you can have him."
Working on? I stare. Lamia. "But what about Clive?"
"He’s a way to get into the Gilgamesh house." She waves a dismissive hand. "Ash will be twice as powerful as any shifter our age, and that’s the guy I want."
"Good luck with your nefarious plans, Katherine," I mock and side step her. She matches me and engulfs my personal space. "Excuse me, I’m tired."
Katherine places her lips close to my ear and her heavy perfume winds around my head. "I have friends in every academy house who’ll do what I ask, and when. If you don't back off from Ash, watch yourself."
"Don’t threaten me," I say through clenched teeth.
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