by LJ Swallow
Jamie has set out four mugs on a tray, and I smile even though it triggers the sinking feeling again. There should be six. "Biscuits?"
"That's Ash's department. He usually eats them all and brings replacements."
Ash. "I hope Tobias brings him today."
"I'm sure he will."
The brief moments I saw Ash stick in my mind. He wasn't hurt or unhappy, but confused and his hesitance around me has to be for one reason. Vincent. What happened when they went away? Ash told me he'd break free from Vincent's controlling attitude, but his grip on Ash looked firmer.
I take the tray and walk back into the lounge to place it on the scratched wood table, before wandering over to the window again. From here, only one side of the main academy building is visible, with a pathway leading towards the cottage, at the edge of the woods. Two figures round the corner, but from this distance I'm unable to tell if they're pupils or the two guys I'm waiting for.
My eyes strain as I spend the next few minutes staring at them, willing this to be Tobias and Ash. They set foot on the path leading towards us. The mid-morning sun silhouettes them, adding more frustration as I'm unable to see the pair clearly.
But as they draw closer I recognise the two people's figures and gaits. The tall guy who walks tall and slowly, plus the broader guy who strides purposefully.
This has to be Ash with Tobias.
I fling open the door and run towards the pair along the narrow pathway. With each step, the clearer they become and I pick up my pace.
"Ash!"
He strides over and gathers me in his arms, lifting me off the floor in a strong embrace. I bury my nose into his neck, inhaling his subtle scent and the perspiration on his skin. Relief pours into my heart as I cling to his broad back.
"Things are fucked up, Maeve," he whispers into my ear.
I wriggle so he puts me back down and before I can ask him to elaborate, he pushes his lips against mine and grips my head, kissing me as if we've been apart years, not days. Throwing my arms around his neck, I kiss him back.
How long since we last kissed? With Vincent in the way, we've had little contact since the evening in his room. My worries that he'll reject me again are wiped away in this moment—but this kiss adds an extra complication to my situation.
"Can we go inside?" asks Tobias from beside us.
Ash drops his hold and wraps an arm around my shoulders, hugging me close. "Yeah. Come on."
Briefly, I meet Tobias's eyes and he immediately looks forward. What the hell happened between us last night? He blinks and walks in front of me and Ash, leaving me with the certainty he heard my thoughts.
I rest my head against Ash as we follow him, and the words 'I don't know' cross my mind. Not my inner thoughts—Tobias's words.
We've never before transferred thoughts as clearly as we did last night. Has something changed?
Another complication.
Jamie appears in the doorway and Ash drops his arm from my shoulders. They clap hands and embrace with one arm in that strange way guys do—‘I want to hug you but this is acceptable'. "You okay, Ash?"
"Yeah. Mostly."
His voice is steady, but there's a rasp as if he's shouted a lot recently, and once we walk into the house, I take a closer look at his appearance too. He's as pale as the hungover Jamie a few days ago, the smile he gave me outside gone, and his eyes don't shine with the same life as usual. He's washed out—why?
"Are you sick?" I ask him. "You look like you have the flu."
"Rough couple of days." He forces a smile then kisses my forehead. "It's good to see you though."
Tobias pulls out a chair. "Sit, Ash. You wouldn't say anything on the walk over, and something is wrong. Why did you need to sneak from Gilgamesh to find me?"
Ash drops into the dining chair and rests his forearms on the table. He's dressed in the Gilgamesh rugby shirt again, his muscular figure slumped forward. "Vince's attempt to control me is worse. A lot of things are worse."
"What do you mean?" I ask, sitting beside him. "Did Vince hurt you?"
Ash clasps his hands together in front of him. "I don't know."
"What do you mean?" asks Tobias sharply. "You would know if he assaulted you."
Ash's tired expression grows. "I don't know because I can't remember what happened two nights ago."
Tobias swears and drops into a seat opposite Ash, rubbing a palm across his face. "Can you remember anything about your time away with Vincent?"
"Some. The evening started ordinary—met his friends, pizza, beers, and watching the match. Then Vince preached his weird ideas about the future and how shifters should separate themselves from vampires and witches. Aggressively weird—like the night was a recruitment drive. I argued with him, but Clive and the others were caught up in his excitement."
"And then?" asks Tobias.
"We went outside and from then on I have a memory blank, until I woke up hungover the next morning. I didn't think I drank that much."
"Shit," mutters Jamie. "Spiked drinks?"
"Dunno. I had a few beers, but not enough for that to be the reason. I woke up back in the house, but Remi told me I left and they never saw me come back before they fell asleep."
"Where did you go?" asks Jamie.
Ash shrugs and his mouth turns down. "I don't know. I'm sure this is more than an alcohol memory blank. I remember me and Vince argued at some point, but that's all."
"And you think something happened?" I reach across the table and take his hand.
"There's something in here, y'know? Like it's wrapped up tight and I can't get inside."
I exchange glances with Jamie.
"Is it possible somebody wiped your memories? Were any witches and vampires at the farmhouse?" Tobias asks.
Ash snorts. "Not likely. Vince hates them."
"Do you have any injuries? Feel like magic was used?" he continues.
He scowls. "Obviously magic was used, and I need you or Maeve to get inside my head and find out what's blocked."
"I think it would be wiser for me to try," says Tobias. "Untangling the magic used to block memories is difficult. Maeve can see the future and has learned to use mental magic in the present, but she cannot see memories as clearly as I can."
"When?" he asks. "Now?"
Tobias rubs his lips together. "I'd like to say yes, but I'm exhausted after last night."
He avoids my eyes as he speaks, as he has since we stepped inside.
"What happened last night?" Ash rubs his eyes. "I heard Andrei has gone."
"We tried to stop them taking Andrei, with magic. Our plan backfired," I mumble.
"What's the story? I heard the bare bones from gossiping, but why did he leave?"
"Taken, not left," I say softly. I give Ash a staccato rundown on the events, leaving out my alibi story, and his eyes widen with each word I say.
"Shit. Poor Andrei. You can sort this, right?" Ash looks at Tobias as if he holds the solution to everything.
Tobias may've spent time convincing everybody he's infallible, but recently I've sensed differently.
"Tobias has a suspect," I say.
"I told you, Maeve, I have a suspicion with no evidence."
"Maybe his mind is blanked too?" I suggest.
He sits. "I spoke to Oliver this morning, as I said I would, but I'm certain he isn't responsible. Oliver was in the common room at Lorna's time of death. Several other students confirmed this and I saw the truth in their minds."
"No!" I protest. "That's not true. I saw your memory!"
"Oliver wanted to taunt me, until he realised his stupidity in almost implicating himself." The defeat is clear in his voice. "I'm sorry."
Be glad you didn't run and accuse him last night. His words.
Get out of my head. I glare and he blinks again. Was that deliberate or not?
"But we think we have a lead on what to do," puts in Jamie hopefully. "We think one of Lorna's friends knows who the real killer is."
"A
fter I left you last night, Tobias, I caught a glimpse of Becci with Lorna and a vampire. Nothing clear, but I discovered they shared a room."
Tobias's eyes brighten—ever so slightly. "This was a vampire attack, yes, but we need clearer faces."
"My psychometry could help. I couldn't find my way into the room last night, but I'll try again today," says Jamie apologetically.
"We'll find the killer," I say to myself as much as to Tobias.
He nods. "Come to me later, Ash, and I'll see what I can find in your memories."
"If Vincent lets me out of Gilgamesh to see you," he mutters. "He watches us like he's a hawk not a bloody dragon. Nobody can leave."
"What the hell is Vincent doing—is this connected to Maeve somehow?" Tobias's frustration returns. "Or is this another issue our world is facing?"
"I hope not, because his plans would be a big help to the Dominion," says Jamie. "A distraction."
Tobias shakes his head. "No. Not a distraction. A split between the races could destabilise everything. The Dominion would love this."
Ash runs both palms down his face. "I don't understand. Vincent isn't a thinker. Yeah, he's powerful and proud, but could he plan a revolution? No. Someone must be behind this."
"Dominion?" I ask. "Andrei told me he saw into Vince's mind and it was blank."
"Huh?" Ash straightens. "Blank?"
'"But this doesn't fit," says Tobias. "If he were a construct under a necromancer witch's control, he wouldn't turn against witches and vampires."
"Unless that's their plan?" I suggest.
"Hang on. Necromancer? What do you mean 'construct'?" Ash asks, brow furrowing. "What's that?"
Tobias takes a deep breath, as if preparing to dive underwater, and I close my eyes not wanting to see Ash's reaction to Tobias's next words. "A construct is something—someone—created by a necromancer when the person dies. The necromancer has total control over the reanimated person, even though the construct keeps all their attributes and memories as if they're still alive."
Ash's chair crashes to the floor as he stands. "What the fuck are you talking about? Vincent might be spouting some crazy shit, but he isn't dead."
"If Vincent is a construct, he died," says Tobias.
I glare at him and his insensitivity. "I'm not sugar coating anything, Maeve. We have a lot to deal with here and all possibilities need discussing."
Ash's drawn face turns paler. "No. I refuse to believe this bullshit. Vince is my—" His pause alerts us all and he screws his face up before hitting the side of his head with a palm. "There. Something's in there. You have to get into my head. My memories."
Jamie picks Ash's chair up from the floor and sets it behind him. "Stay calm."
"How's Vincent since he returned?" asks Tobias.
Ash drops into the chair. "Vince is the one persuading Professor O'Reilly to keep Gilgamesh segregated, and he's taking a bigger role than helping train us for the games."
"Hmm. I'll speak to Theodora about this. We need to keep an eye on him until we untangle what happened to you."
"But first we need to get Andrei back, right. I get that."
"We can do both, Ash," I say.
"Yeah, but if Andrei is at Ravenhold, he's in the most danger. We need him back. I don't think Vince is about to act on his thoughts. Not yet."
"We hope," says Tobias. He reaches out and pours tea into the mugs as if we've met for a morning tea. The aroma grows as he pours. "Amelia's clarity blend?"
Jamie straightens as our last missing person is mentioned. "Have you heard…" He trails off when Tobias shakes his head.
"I will do what I can," he says and picks up his mug.
Exhaustion flickers through his eyes and the enormity of what Tobias is carrying strikes me. He's helping Andrei and Amelia, and now Ash. A leader is needed in any group, but Tobias takes too much responsibility. His position as a professor helps with this, but doesn't fix everything. Tobias's response to Andrei's situation last night told me he isn't coping. How big an impact does failing have on Tobias's life?
Chapter Twenty-Four
MAEVE
The tea doesn't taste as awful as I expected, and Jamie is right about the clarity as my senses sharpen and head clears. Tobias discusses our next move, while Ash listens but doesn't speak much. We hold hands beneath the table and he runs his fingers across the back of my hand, rhythmic and soothing. I've a lot to talk about with Ash and don't know where to start.
Our unofficial meeting has taken the four of us another step away from professor and students. We're not just witches, a vampire, and a shifter. The unity grows and once our missing are back, we can only get stronger.
"I will call Becci to my office and speak to her," says Tobias. "Her behaviour suggests that her memories are intact."
"But how do we force Becci to tell others if we find those memories?" I ask.
"That might be a job for you and Tobias," says Jamie.
Ash wrinkles his nose. "I don't have magic skills. How do I help?"
"You could go on the charm offensive?" suggests Jamie. "You know Becci's group follow the rugby team. Well, some of the players."
"Is that so?" Tobias smiles. "Perhaps hold one of your parties, Ash?"
"I'm not in a party mood."
"Yes!" I straighten. "That would give me the perfect opportunity to speak to Becci."
"Um. Guys. Someone just died?" says Ash.
"Then hold a party to celebrate her life. One organised by the shifters to help unify the other houses," suggests Tobias.
Ash taps a teaspoon on the tray. "I don't know. Sounds a little insensitive to me. I don't think inviting Petrescu is smart either."
"I agree," I say.
"Okay, not a party—a few select people? The most popular guy in the school should step up and offer support," says Jamie.
Ash slumps back in his seat. "I don't know about you guys, but my head is screwed."
"We need to help Andrei," I urge.
"I agree, but man this will be difficult. What if Vince finds out and loses his shit?" asks Ash. "And Maeve and Jamie? Should they stay away?"
"We need to watch Vincent— and each other— closely. Vincent is still opposed to your friendship with Maeve, and I'd like to see how he reacts if he sees the two of you together." Tobias tugs his bottom lip with his teeth. "Talking of which, there's one more thing, Ash. Do you feel as if you shifted?"
"I think I'd remember that," he retorts. "Look at my face. Hands. If I were a Mid, you'd be able to tell."
"That's usually what happens, yes, but sometimes minor marks are left on the body if the juvenile shifter manages to shift back again." Ash scowls at the word ‘juvenile'.
"Maeve, would you mind checking him over?"
My pulse hikes. "Everywhere? Like, naked?"
Ash chortles and I slap him on the arm.
"Not everywhere, unless that's what you both want." Tobias can't hide an amused curve on his lips and I bristle. This is serious. "Often the marks are on the lower back, occasionally other areas that Ash can't see himself."
"His butt?" asks Jamie and snickers.
"Grow up, Jamie." I pointlessly fight the heat in my cheeks as my mortification grows. Ash. Butt naked. With me.
"Ash?" Tobias asks him.
"I'm good with Maeve seeing me naked." His eyes shine for the first time since we walked into the room.
"Not naked," I protest. "Just... partly."
"Either you do this, or Ash can undress in front of me." Tobias shakes his head. "I think you'd both appreciate Ash undressing more than I would."
Ash tucks hair behind my ear—the hair I tried to hide behind. I'm a hundred percent certain that my cheeks are now a deep pink because the heat radiates from me. "Say no if you're uncomfortable. It's fine."
"I'd rather get into your mind and see what's in there than get into your jeans," I say, attempting to cover my embarrassment with humour.
Ash cocks a brow. "Really?"
Jamie rests agai
nst the door, chewing on his thumbnail as he watches us. Does he feel pushed away already? I vow not to let our new closeness drop away because Ash is back to overshadow him.
Each guy means different things to me, and offers me something the other can't—Jamie's intuition and gentleness contrasts Ash's forthright and passionate nature. And Andrei? My misfit mirror who understands more than I thought possible. The guy who's one step closer to me than the others, but now he feels forever away.
"Perhaps we should give Ash and Maeve some time alone," says Tobias. "Jamie, walk with me and we can talk about our next move."
Jamie smiles at us as he drops the cottage key on the table. "I'm glad you're back and safe, Ash. We've missed you."
The door closes behind the pair and I'm alone in a room with Ash for the first time since we made out in his bedroom.
Hell, I have a lot to talk to him about.
Chapter Twenty-Five
JAMIE
I leave Ash and Maeve together and walk towards the academy with a quiet Tobias. My trust in him wavered when Maeve told me his history, but each day I realise our way forward is to trust him. He hasn't taught at the academy for long, brought in early this year as the new Mental Magic teacher, employed because he could provide 'extra tuition' for the failing Andrei.
I always sensed something strange about him. Now I discover he killed witches... and people complain Andrei is dangerous? Ha.
I continue to be suspicious about his motives, and the weirdness between him and Maeve bothers me, but currently who can we ask for help?
"We never discussed the other issue in detail," I say to him as we tramp along the moss-covered pathway.
He turns to look at me, blinking as if I interrupted his thoughts. "What issue is that, Jamie?"
The way he flicks between Professor Whitlock's formality and the guy who speaks to us on our level perturbs me too. Can't Tobias decide who to be?
"Amelia."
"Ah." He shoves his hands in his pockets as we slow the pace. "As I said, I don't have further information."