by Dylan Steel
Sinking back against the wall, she listened as all the other girls lamented about all those who had vanished.
“Do you think they would take any of us?” Pippa voiced the concern on everyone’s mind.
“Students?”
“They haven’t yet,” Marnie pointed out.
“But what if they do?”
“Please. There’s no way they can get to us in here. We’re safe,” Yavelle chimed in. She sounded almost bored by this turn in the conversation.
“Yeah, but if they could…”
Just then, Sage noticed a woman standing outside the Common Lounge doorway. It took a moment for Sage’s eyes to adjust to her back-lit figure. Her dark, almost black hair tumbled in large curls over her shoulders as she stood there, staring at Sage with bright, piercing eyes. Once she was certain she’d gotten Sage’s attention, she placed a hand delicately on the side of her neck, brushing aside her hair and revealing the pair of earrings she was wearing.
Sage stiffened. The jewelry looked familiar. Much like the other gemstone relics from the Archives.
She pushed herself off the wall, brows furrowed in curiosity. With her eyes still locked on Sage, the young woman tilted her head slightly, as if inviting her to follow her. Sage watched as she stepped to the side, disappearing from view.
None of the other girls noticed as she slipped away—except Penelope, who made a motion to join her and only stopped because Sage shot her a disapproving look. She couldn’t be sure of the woman’s motives, but she doubted she wanted any extra attention, even if it was well-meaning.
As she neared the door, she glanced around, making sure she was still alone. Satisfied no one was planning to follow her, she held her breath and stepped into the hallway.
Her eyes darted around in the direction she’d last seen the mysterious visitor. Sage glanced down the hall, meeting the woman’s gaze once again before she abruptly disappeared around the corner, her skirt fluttering behind her.
Attempting to catch up, Sage rushed silently along the corridors. The woman’s pattern of disappearing around corners repeated itself several times. Sage began to feel uneasy. After all, she’d never seen this person before, and she was only following her because she thought there was a chance she was wearing relics. For all she knew, this could be a trap. Maybe someone was trying to prove she was a Lawless.
Chest pounding, Sage slowed to a stop and then peeked around the corner.
Unlike the previous times she’d spotted her at the end of the hallways, the woman was now standing halfway down the corridor, near the wall. Her eyes darted from Sage’s to the door beside her. She paused for a moment, making sure Sage had seen the same door, then she turned on her heel and hurried away.
Doubts crept into Sage’s mind. She had no idea what she would find on the other side of that door. Yes, in this part of the Institution, it was likely just another classroom, but she got the impression there was more to this detour than just a stuffy classroom.
Sage was still worried this was some sort of plot against her. Hesitating for only a moment, she dashed down the hallway, turning the corner once more to see where the woman was now.
But there was no trace of her. Somehow, she’d vanished.
Muttering curses under her breath, Sage turned back and walked down the hall she’d just left. Stopping just outside the door, she stared at it for a few moments as if daring it to open and spill its secrets. She swallowed hard. She couldn’t keep standing in the hallway—she had to hurry up and make a choice. Trust that the stranger who’d led her here meant her no harm, or turn back around and make her way to the Common Lounge again.
If the woman meant to lead her into some sort of strange ambush, she was likely working for the administration. The headmaster, perhaps? Or Mr. Gaztok? Either way, they would have seen her chasing after the relics with more than a passing curiosity. If that was the case, she was already in more trouble than she cared to think about, and she wouldn’t be able to talk her way out of it very easily.
But she couldn’t think about that. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. Her choice was clear.
She held her breath as she pushed open the door.
***
End of preview.
Continue reading The Vanished: Sacrisvita Book V.
READ MORE BY DYLAN STEEL
Sacrisvita
THE PRODIGY: A Sacrisvita Prequel
(FREE and only available HERE.)
THE INSTITUTION: Sacrisvita Book I
THE ARCHIVES: Sacrisvita Book II
THE RELIC: Sacrisvita Book III
THE ESTATE: Sacrisvita Book IV
THE VANISHED: Sacrisvita Book V
THE CAPTIVE: Sacrisvita Book VI
THE OUTCAST: Sacrisvita Book VII
THE TRIALS: Sacrisvita Book VIII
THE ROGUE: Sacrisvita Book IX
THE CITIZEN: Sacrisvita Book X
THE SURVIVOR: Sacrisvita Book XI
***
Third Earth
SLEEPER: A Third Earth Prequel
(FREE and only available HERE.)
ALONE: Third Earth Volume One
***
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