“If they knew about Ebony—”
I squint my eyes at her. “She’d be at risk if more people find out. Or maybe that’s what you want — if she comes to harm, if she’s even killed, that’ll put your mind at ease, right?”
My question hangs between us, Cordelia’s cheeks blushing at having been found out.
Unable to think of any more criticism to unleash on me, she moves to the side and allows me passage into the kitchen. In truth, I don’t care for the room, its drab decor an awful reminder of the pitiful life Ebony led up until moving to the school. Nonetheless, there’s chairs in here, and if we intend to talk at length, I wish to do so sat down.
Spotting a chair already dragged out from the table, I head to it, wiggling my butt comfortably into place as I sit. Cordelia glares at her immediately, I’ve clearly taken her place. If I was sitting on a throne, I’d understand. But considering all that holds me is a common chair, I leave her to sulk and return to the matter at hand.
“Cordelia, while your approach is questionable, you mentioning Ebony is why I’ve come here,”
“Would you like some tea?” Cordelia asks, seemingly out of nowhere.
Furrowing my forehead, I give her a curious look then nod my reply. Tea’s hardly the issue here, but if it gets her to open up, I’ll drink whatever she puts in front of me. It’s not like she can poison me — I’m not as gullible as Ebony. I lack trust, and ultimately, it’s what always keeps me safe.
People constantly jest that pride comes before a fall. However, all my pride has done is keep me wary of others’ intentions. By being prideful, I’ve avoided falling victim to easily trusting the wrong kinds of people.
If pride is a sin, I’ll gladly be wrong.
As Cordelia busies herself with pouring the tea, I return to what I was saying, eager to move our discussion forward. At this rate, I’ll never leave. The school will have to send out search parties; come help, the wicked stepmom has gone mad and abducted the headmaster! It would be funny if it wasn’t half true.
I clear my throat. “As I was saying, Ebony is why I’ve come here.” Setting a cup of steaming liquid in front of me, I reach for it as Cordelia stares with frighteningly rigid conviction.
“She needs to die.”
Mid-sip, I spit the contents of my cup out, its burning liquid spraying everywhere. Did I just hear her correctly?
“What did you just say?” I ask, still reeling from shock.
“Ebony needs to die, Leo.” She repeats herself so matter of factly, I’m as chilled as I am angry. The woman is insane. “Oh, I can see your reservations, but I say it out of love not out of ill will. If she’s left to live, she’ll bring back the Demon Queen, we both know this.”
“You don’t even know if she’s kissed anyone yet, Cordelia, and already you want to kill her!”
“Because it makes sense, Leo. Why does everyone fight me on this? Ebony is an impure girl, whether it happens now or later, eventually she’ll kiss someone. Rhiannon will come back and we’ll all be damned. Snow wouldn’t want that, you know I’m right.”
Still keeping her eyes trained on me, she takes her own teacup to her lips and gives it a slurp. The sound is so offensive in the moment, so irritating, I can hardly stand it.
I’m face-to-face with a woman who wants to kill her foster child. And while Ebony isn’t her blood relative, the idea of that perplexes me to the point of despair. Wiping away the discarded tea dribbling down my chin, I try to find some semblance of reason still inside of her.
“Cordelia, what you’re suggesting goes against the promise you made,”
“How so?” She queries, her face filled with genuine interest.
“You said you’d protect her, would only take action if she’s been compromised. She’s not been possessed and isn’t at risk of it, at least not that I can see, so why suggest killing her?” I long to know, to see the logic guiding her.
“As you rightly point out, my promise is about protection, and that goes beyond Ebony’s life. I believe I’m protecting her better by doing this for her. It’s the right thing to do, Snow would agree.”
“Oh don’t come that with me, everyone says that, but Snow isn’t here to say whether she agrees or not. It’s just something people say to justify their actions.”
Cordelia takes her cup in hand and drinks once more. She seemingly hasn’t got a care in the world right now. When I arrived, she was manic, yet now she sits calm and determined. She knows what must be done (in her eyes), and intends to carry it out. I’d admire her if she wasn’t so crazy.
Allowing the silence to linger, I ponder further on her motivations, are they born out of real concern or out of more sinister designs? Cordelia isn’t under my watchful eyes at the school, so I can’t be certain of what drives her. For all I know, Wrath has contacted her and the two of them have planned this whole operation. It seems far fetched, but plausible.
I can’t sense his presence, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been here. For all I know, he could be here right this second, watching, waiting. Hell, he could be masking his power to confuse me, throwing me off his scent.
I didn’t think him powerful enough yet to manage such a feat, but maybe I’ve been wrong all this time…? I know I don’t wish to find out.
“I’ll return to the school with you and we’ll finish this together,” She announces. “I think it's for the best, Leo. You can’t do anything to save her, look at all that’s happened: students attacked, teachers trying to kill students. It’s bedlam there!”
Quietly, I stand.
My feet carry me around the table to where she stood when making up the pot tea. She’s so sure that I’m not a threat, she fails to see the determination in my eyes that matches her own. Only mine is searching for truth, while hers looks and sees only deception.
Coming up behind her, I slide my hands around her throat.
She quickly throws her hands over mine, her cup smashing on the table. The varnished tabletop is instantly laden with broken china and amber liquid. Her hands claw at me as my grip tightens, but I won’t let go.
This is the only way. If I leave her alive, she’ll kill Ebony, and my poor love will be stolen from me for a second time. After all of the progress I’ve made, I won’t suffer that fate. I refuse to.
Rasping gurgles wheeze from her as she chokes, my pressure builds and time slows.
Her eyes become veiny, fit to burst from their sockets as they bulge in place. The last look she gives me is of abject horror: she’s scared of death, scared of never having fulfilled her duty.
In my hands she dies a harrowing death.
Releasing my grip when I’m certain she’s gone, I whisper a hurried spell under my breath. It erases any trace of my fingertips as it whizzes around the kitchen. Not only will it work on her flesh but on all the objects I’ve touched since entering the house. No trace of me being here can ever be found.
I flee the scene of my crime, my hands heavy with the burden of murder.
24
Ebony
“Ebony, are you okay?” Ivora’s standing at the entrance to the greenhouse. We haven’t officially made up from our disagreement but we aren’t fighting anymore either. We’re in a weird no-man’s-land right now. Ironically, my relationship with her is the least complicated of the bunch.
“Yeah, why?” I try to sound like I have it together, but I don’t.
“Because you’ve been staring into that cauldron for ten minutes and class ended five minutes ago.” When she giggles, her wings flutter hard enough to lift her heels off the ground.
My head shoots up. I look around the greenhouse. Ivora’s right. Everyone, including the professor, is gone.
“Don’t worry. I covered for you every time the professor looked over. If she sees me fluttering around, she assumes you’re working hard to.”
“Thanks,” I smile. “I totally zoned out. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”
“Did you try the tonic I gave you?” Ivora
’s brows furrow with concern.
“No,” I admit sheepishly. “I feel strange at night. Even though I’m tired, I don’t want to sleep so I don’t take the tonics.”
She gives me a reproachful look.
“You’ve put yourself in a vicious cycle.”
“I know. I’ll dig myself out of it eventually,” I sigh.
“You don’t have to do everything alone, you know? That’s what friends are for.”
I scoop up my book bag and sling it over my shoulder. Ivora and I leave the greenhouse together in silence.
“I feel like there are some things I have to work through alone. This is one of them,” I say before we part ways.
“I figured. Still, if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”
“Thanks.” I reach out and give her shoulder a squeeze. She grins at me before flittering away. For the hundredth time since I met her, I envy her wings. Maybe I can craft some out of magic. I wouldn’t trust them with the way my magic tends to blow up and take over.
While I walk, I let my brain shut off. I’ve been doing that a lot lately. It’s so much easier to get through the day when I rely on muscle memory to get me from place to place, especially when it’s enhanced with a touch of magic. If I think about things too hard, I start looking for enemies in everyone’s eyes. I can’t let fear get the best of me now, otherwise, I’d never leave my room. Then I’d be a sitting duck for Rhiannon, Wrath, or anyone else who feels like killing me.
I come to a stop in front of the door to my magic theory class. Dread fills my stomach. I completely forgot I had this class today.
This is the one class I have with Lucien, Gabriel, and Seth. Kashton is the teaching assistant. I’d been avoiding all of them for so long. I’ve already skipped this class twice. I can’t skip it again. If the professor hasn’t noticed by now, they surely will. Cordelia will be notified. That’s the last thing I want to deal with. I haven’t forgiven her for what she did to me. I’ll never forgive her for that. That doesn’t mean she stops being my guardian.
I take a deep breath and walk into the classroom. I’m careful not to make eye contact with anyone while I settle into a seat. Kashton’s already in the room. He’s sitting on a stool in the front corner near the professor’s podium. I don’t have to look up at him to tell that he’s watching me. I feel his eyes.
“Nice to see you in class.” I try not to react to the sound of Lucien’s voice. He slumps into the seat next to me. I should’ve chosen a more crowded place to sit. Just being in the same room as him is enough to make my heart pound. I hope he can’t tell.
“Not speaking, are we?” He leans close to me, trying to tease or a smile or some kind of reaction out of me. I don’t look up even though it kills me to do so. As much as I’d love to banter back and forth, I can’t allow myself to let my guard down. After what happened with Leo, I’ve learned for good that I need to stay away from anyone who makes me feel things I shouldn’t feel. It’s the only way I’ll survive this nightmare I’m trapped in.
“If the silent treatment is what’s going to get you through this, go right ahead. However, don’t expect me to be silent.” I can tell he’s smiling without looking at him. The knot of tension in my chest loosens just a tiny bit.
Seth strolls into the classroom. I look at him out of habit and offer him a small smile. The corner of his mouth twitches upward when he looks at me, but his gaze slides over to Lucien and goes cold. I expect Lucien to make some sort of remark, but he stays quiet.
Something’s obviously happened between them, not that they were the best of friends in the first place. I want to ask but I hold my tongue. Whatever’s going on is something they’re going to have to work out themselves.
“And in rolls the thundercloud,” Lucien smirks.
“Shut up.” I recognize Gabriel’s voice. What the hell happened to make them all so aggressive towards each other? Aren’t we supposed to be on the same side? I guess I can’t say anything after being the opposite of a team player lately.
I risk a glance at Kashton. He’s not looking at me. Instead, he’s glowering at the other three. Seth’s staring daggers right back at him. Gabriel looks like he’s plotting where to hide Lucien’s body. Lucien’s smirking and soaking up the chaos.
“You look confused, Ebony. Are you all right?” He asks.
“She wants to be left alone,” Seth says. Our eyes meet. He gives me a knowing look. I mouth a thank-you, which Lucien blessedly misses.
“I just want to know if she’s all right. Is that a crime?”
“When you ask? It might be,” Gabriel mutters.
“Is there a problem, gentlemen?” Kashton stops in front of my desk even though he’s addressing the other Huntsman.
“No problem.” Lucien flashes a grin.
“He’s the problem,” Seth says under his breath.
“No one asked for you to butt in,” Gabriel snaps at Kashton. Kashton doesn’t seem to notice. He’s looking at me like I’m a puzzle to solve.
“Everything’s fine,” I say quietly.
“Right. Just let me know if you need anything.” Kashton slides his hands into his pockets and strides back to the podium.
The others fall into a tense silence. Even Lucien stops his endless stream of witticisms.
I barely notice when the professor arrives and begins the lecture.
“You might want to take notes,” Lucien leans over and whispers to me. I practically feel the Seth and Gabriel tense up. I decide, for Lucien’s safety more than anything, to not acknowledge him.
“Just copy off me later,” he whispers.
“Silence, please,” Kashton barks. Lucien presses his lips together to hide his grin. I find myself wanting to smile too but I suppress it.
The lesson is perhaps halfway through when a half-goblin boy opens the door. He’s wearing the crest of the school.
“Is Ebony in this class?” He croaks.
“What’s the meaning of this interruption?” The professor grumbles without looking away from his notes.
“I have orders to bring her to the Headmaster’s office,” the boy replies.
“Tell that child of a Headmaster that he can damn well wait until I finish my lecture,” the professor says. “I’ve been teaching at this school since before he was born! One of these days I’m going to teach him what respect means.”
“With all due respect, the Headmaster says it’s urgent,” the boy speaks up before the professor can really get himself worked up.
“With all due respect,” the words tumble out of my mouth before I realize what I’m saying, “if the Headmaster wants to see me, he can do so without disrupting my education.”
Titters and whispers break out in the classroom. The professor looks torn between scolding me and thanking me. Kashton gives me a warning look that I make a point of ignoring. Beside me, Lucien chuckles.
“He says it’s a family matter,” the boy presses. I can tell he’d rather walk away. He must be under some kind of oath to serve Leo. I can only imagine how inconvenient that must be.
“Tell him he’s misinformed. I don’t have any family.”
More shocked gasps and whispers.
“Ebony,” Seth says softly. I can hear the concern in his voice.
“He wants to meet with you in regards to your foster mother, Cordelia.” The goblin boy looks like he’d rather be swallowed whole by the earth than continue this conversation. A knot of anxiety twists in my stomach.
“I don’t want to talk about Cordelia with the Headmaster,” I say firmly. My hands tremble under my desk. I clench them into fists.
“Please, miss,” the boy pleads. “He’ll just keep sending me back until you agree to come in.”
“Fine,” I grumble and shove my chair away from my desk hard enough to slam into Gabriel’s table. I knock a few of his papers to the floor.
“Sorry,” I murmur.
“Don’t worry about it. Let us know what’s up with Cordelia, all right?”
; When I don’t say anything, Seth grabs my arm.
“She’s our foster mother too. We have a right to know.”
“You’re right,” I sigh. “I’ll keep you updated.”
The goblin boy looks relieved when I follow him out the door.
25
Ebony
“Did Cordelia say what she wants?” I ask the half-goblin boy as we walk down the halls.
“Cordelia isn’t present,” he replies without looking up at me. He looks annoyed.
“But I thought that’s why the Headmaster wants to see me.”
“That’s correct.”
“But Cordelia’s not actually here?”
“No.”
“You’re not being very helpful,” I say.
“Now you know how it feels.”
“That’s fair,” I nod. “Sorry about making your job difficult. Cordelia and I have a complicated relationship.”
“That’s nice.”
I decide to stop making conversation.
As much as I don’t want to see or talk about Cordelia, I’m glad to be out of that classroom. Something’s going on between the Huntsman and they’re obviously choosing to keep it secret. I have no place being upset by that. My secrets are piling up larger and larger by the minute. Lucien and Seth being angry with each other makes sense if they figured out I kissed them both. They’d all be upset if they found out about my lessons with Leo.
If any of them uncovered just one of the many secrets I’m keeping, wouldn’t they confront me? I don’t know anymore. Just thinking about it makes my head ache.
“The Headmaster is ready for you now,” the boy gestures to the open door and stalks away.
“Thank you,” I call after him. He doesn’t react.
I walk through the first set of ornately carved wooden doors into the foyer. The Headmaster’s quarters have so many rooms. I wonder what they’re for. Is one of them his bedroom?
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