“Sorry, Principal Silverstone,” said Xanthe looking regretful. I couldn’t decide if it was because of what we’d done or whether it was because we’d been caught.
“We thought you’d never let us have a look, let alone show them,” complained Rhonen.
“I don’t show students because you don’t need to see. You have your moonstones,” said the principal like she was patiently trying to reason with one of her own children, “and knowledge isn’t always power, sometimes it can be a burden.”
“We promise we won’t tell anyone,” Ulric stepped in. and reading his mind, I could tell he meant it with the utmost loyalty he felt.
“I trust you,” said Principal Silverstone, “all of you,” she said looking from Valenthia to Natalie and finally at me.
“We won’t let you down,” said Valenthia, surprising me.
“Good,” came the answer, “now I take it you guys were here because you must have a lot of questions,” said Principal Silverstone looking only at me.
“I do,” I said, feeling overwhelmed. I had always had questions and the only other person who’d ever answered them truthfully for me had been my late mother. I looked down as my face flushed and a lump rose up in my throat. My blooming prickled with the rest of my body.
“You look exactly like her,” said Principal Silverstone, breaking the ice for me as she gestured all of us to sit down. Was she not going to punish us? Would she actually provide me with answers about my witch-blood?
“Why?” was all I could say.
“Because you’re a direct descendent of the most powerful witch in all of our history,” replied Principal Silverstone.
“But…how can that be?” I asked, flabbergasted, “I was tossed out of my coven the second they found out about the other side of my lineage.”
“And?” replied Principal Silverstone, as though she was trying to coax me to answer a riddle.
“And every single time I’ve needed help from the S.L.A. – who have the most prominent witches walking the planet right now – I’ve been shortchanged if not outright refused.”
“Mm-hmm,” urged Principal Silverstone.
“I don’t get it,” I said.
“Rivalry!” declared Ulric, making me jump.
“Go on,” encouraged the principal, staring eagerly at Ulric and then me.
“Like two distinct packs competing for dominance, Esmeralda Quartz must have been a threat those who weren’t from her line of witches!”
“Spot on,” said Principal Silverstone. “You were part of the Quartz Coven, correct?” she asked me as I nodded. “What does the name Rose Quartz mean to you?”
“She…she was the founding witch of the Supernatural Light Alliance. Someone who worked relentlessly for the good of all witches, light magic beings – and the world,” I reeled off the line that I’d been taught since I’d been taken in by Lorna and Babette, the Circle of Quartz’ High Priestesses.
“And Rose Quartz was the most powerful Crystal Witch. But only after she’d succeeded in getting rid of Esmeralda Quartz,” said Principal Silverstone, causing all of us to gasp.
“But it can’t be,” I whispered, realizing that was exactly what it was. Safi was a direct descendant of Rose Quartz. She was from a very specific group of Quartz Witches and it was an unspoken rule that they were more important than the rest of the witches. Carved out for greatness in a way that no one else was. And as it turned out, that was only the case because her lineage had wiped out part of mine.
“I thought Bathory led to the downfall of Esmeralda Quartz?” said Ulric, interrupting my thoughts.
“She did, although technically Esmeralda Quartz took her own life to extinguish the blood-bond that her and Elizabeth Bathory had developed,” answered Principal Silverstone with an utmost sincerity that I had only encountered before in Professor Frewin.
“In school, we’ve always been taught how Esmeralda Quartz’s life could have been saved by other witches and warlocks but they chose to let her perish for their own ends,” elaborated Rhonen as his principal nodded.
“We heard that the witches and warlocks were too busy running from pitchforks to save anyone,” offered Ulric, causing me to remember what Frewin had said and it had been in the company of Pearl Quartz. I guessed it wouldn’t have done to piss her off and that too for a couple of outcasts like us.
“A convenient lens for the S.L.A. to view history through,” frowned Principal Silverstone.
“And he said the Grey Guild had been decimated by humans and vampires,” continued Ulric.
“He was right. It was thanks to Esmeralda that anyone was saved and the Silver Shadows were born,” agreed Principal Silverstone.
“But you can’t summon magic,” I remarked, suddenly wishing that the Silver Shadows did have witching magic. Either my mind was playing tricks on me or the witch in me felt a kindred-ness with these werewolves that I hadn’t felt before with any of the other witches I’d met.
“I haven’t yet met a Silver Shadow who can,” Principal Silverstone sighed, “instead, we use the moonstones that each werewolf is presented with upon entering this academy. I endow it with the magical font of Esmeralda Quartz’s crystal that you saw. It’s the most potent way – for now.”
“And then we draw the moonstone magic into ourselves,” said Xanthe, feeling a bit more encouraged.
“Ooh, what does that do?” asked Natalie, genuinely intrigued.
“It strengthens our supernatural abilities as werewolves,” said Rhonen.
“Do the Dark Legion vamps know that your pack originates in part from Esmeralda Quartz?” asked Natalie, thoughtfully.
“I believe so,” said the principal, her eyes twinkled as she thought about it.
“Then why don’t they come after all of you?” I asked, seeing where Natalie was going, “Or at least try and work with your enhanced abilities?”
“You clearly don’t know the Dark Legion very well, do you?” scoffed Principal Silverstone, “those vamps and all I’ve met apart from you two,” she said pointing at Natalie and Valenthia, “would rather meet their final death than work with the lowly likes of us.”
“And you don’t mind us – meaning Nat and I – knowing all this?” asked Valenthia, with her guard lower than it had been since we’d entered the premises.
“What are you going to do with it?” asked Principal Silverstone rhetorically, “you’re both as missing in action as Katrina and Ulric. I can’t imagine the consequences for you at the hands of the vamps would be pretty, even if you did decide you’re no longer loyal to your friend,” she said of me. “Might as well continue with the quest you’re on.”
“Besides, no vamps will touch you after you’ve been with us,” Rhonen winked. His eyes stayed on Natalie a split-second too long. Natalie visibly blushed and looked away with a goofy smile. Was he actually trying it on in front of everyone – including his principal? And that too, in the midst of the weird turn events had taken? Also, we had been sprung nosing through the secret nook inside the office of Silverstone Academy’s Head, with no immediate consequences – at least none that bothered Rhonen or Xanthe.
“Getting back to what you saw behind that wall and what you now know,” said Principal Silverstone, clearing her throat and addressing me. There we go, I thought. Those non-existent consequences were about to rear their head like they always did. “Katrina Quartz, you are now aware of exactly how powerful your ancestor was.”
“Right, but,” I tried.
“I’m not finished,” said Principal Silverstone, “there is definitely a war coming. And you have the power that each side needs.”
“How?” I asked, genuinely intrigued. What did she know that I obviously didn’t?
“You’re a Sanguine. And, not just any Sanguine – you’re a Bathory.”
“So?” asked Ulric. I immediately sensed anger coming off of him and his first thought was that this is why Silverstone Academy had taken us in. To use me like everyone else did.
“You want to destroy your murderous uncle, right?” asked Principal Silverstone, ignoring Ulric’s challenge.
“Of course, that’s the only reason I’m here,” I said.
“It’s a great reason, one I am truly behind – getting rid of an only too common enemy. As you know, from what I told you about my father’s demise.”
“But?” I asked.
“It is all but official. Such high-ranking members of the Dark Legion in these parts are heavily protected by the Sanguine Guild of Europe. That’s why your uncle fled right back here after what he did.”
“So, to get to him…” I began joining the dots.
“You’re going to need some kind of an in with the Guild. How? I have no idea. Werewolves are nothing to them but servants or lowly prey. They don’t even deem us worthy enough to drain our blood, let alone strike up an acquaintance with us.
“But between the three of you,” said the principal including Valenthia and Natalie, “you have one Bathory and one other Sanguine – that’s two more than I’ve ever known. Make an inroad with the Sanguine Guild of Europe and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you have all the muscle you need to kill Kellum Bathory.”
“Will the Silver Shadows be fighting in this war?” I asked, trying to blot out thinking of what it might actually mean for me. I wasn’t sure but my gut told me it couldn’t be good that she was pointing us in the direction of the Sanguine Guild of Europe.
“It’s probably quite obvious that we will never fight on the side of darkness. But as was the fate of Esmeralda Quartz, no matter what we do for light magic, we will be left to defend ourselves in the end. The S.L.A.’s interests don’t lie with our survival.”
“Like for all of us now,” I said surveying Ulric and my friends and realizing that we were pretty much supernatural outlaws. I instinctively thought of Safi and how it was good she had gone back to Superno as she too would have been included as an outcast. I quickly corrected my thinking. If Safi had been with us, she’d have been retrieved and we’d likely all have been thrown in a supernatural prison the second Pearl twigged her daughter had been with us. I hated myself for having the thought but like Professor Frewin had said, Safi would have been a danger to herself and to us.
“That’s exactly what I’m getting at,” said Principal Silverstone, crouching down next to me so her face was close to mine, “the time has come for you to pick a side and stick to it – until the end.”
***
“Well, that was intense,” Ulric mused as the four of us found ourselves in the common area outside where the dorms split off into separate rooms for guys and girls. Rhonen and Xanthe had gone off to class but Ulric had a free and from what I could tell, the only classes he had as mandatory were physical training and tactical stuff.
“Yeah, I’ll say,” said Natalie with a sympathetic smile.
“You need to make sure you’re really inducted into the pack,” I blurted to Ulric, remembering our conversation with Sibel and Glennis and the other werewolves.
“Rhonen told me,” Ulric furrowed his eyebrows, “like with everything else, the S.L.A. screwed me over.”
“From what I could tell, the werewolves at Superno didn’t this one time,” I said annoyed to be standing up for those who perpetually did not give a crap about us. “The werewolves back in New Orleans are different. Most of them call themselves Silver Shadows but it’s a different pack. They don’t use moonstone magic.”
“True,” said Ulric pensively, “how do you feel about what she said about you?”
“I don’t know,” I said, “I mean, what difference does it really make? I have two of the most powerful and conflicting bloodlines and neither side has taught me to use my so-called powers.”
“It’s probably for the best in the case of the Bathory bloodline,” offered Valenthia.
“Sure, but my point is, the vamps have always only sought to control and use me which is about one notch up from witches who discarded me at the first sign that I was different,” I pouted. It didn’t help that after that hit of Esmeralda’s magic, my thirst for blood had grown from a dull noise in the background to an almost deafening timbre.
“There’s a war coming though Kat,” said Natalie and it seems that it’s going to kick off sooner rather that later. Do you really think it’s a good idea to pursue…” she trailed off, looking quickly from Valenthia to Ulric.
“To pursue what?” I asked with narrowed eyes.
“Is it safe for you to be going after your uncle?” said Natalie, not meeting my gaze.
“It was never safe,” I argued, trying hard not to direct the anger that was shooting up inside me, at her.
“I guess what Nat’s saying,” began Valenthia, “is that it’s going to be even more unsafe for you.”
“What do you think?” I asked Ulric, exhaling all my frustration into a large sigh.
“I think that your friends are right,” said Ulric, holding up both hands to stop me from attacking him verbally, at the least, “What I know is that like me, you’ve spent your whole life doing what others wanted just to get some approval thrown in your direction every now and then. And now, the time has come where you need to do what is right for you.”
“Thank you,” I said, relieved that at least one person was on my side. I shot my friends an accusing glance. “Then nothing changes, I’m here to hunt out the vampire responsible for my mother’s death. And my late father’s too.”
“If a war is coming, Kellum Bathory would be a central member of the Dark Legion to take down,” said Natalie meekly, offering up her support, “so of course, I’m behind you.”
“And I’d be a dead Sanguine walking if I now decide I’m not in with whatever you’re doing,” admitted Valenthia with a smirk, “and plus the whole friendship thing.”
“Good,” I smiled, “then the time to talk is over. It’s time to act.”
Chapter 9
“Ugh, I wish I wasn’t starving!” groaned Valenthia as we stood in our group in a room that resembled a gymnasium. We had been instructed to attend classes on tactics and defense in evading and escaping capture by the Dark Legion. Apparently, the more physical classes were the only ones still running as Principal Silverstone had made the decision to suspend the more academic subjects until further notice.
“I know what you mean,” replied Natalie self-consciously looking around. Our classmates were huddled in their own spots as Professor Norden entered the room. He eyed us and nodded, searching out Ulric who was standing close by with Rhonen and two other guys I didn’t know.
I was starving for a hit of blood too but as the one who’d had it most recently a few days ago, I didn’t want to come off as ungrateful. I could only imagine how my friends felt and it had struck me that making contact with the Sanguine Guild of Europe would be worth it just for the hook ups in blood. I had often suspected Natalie and Valenthia as pure vamps had played down in front of me, how much their wellbeing depended on drinking.
“Good, good, you’re all here,” said Professor Norden as a way to stop the humdrum of chatter and get everyone to pay attention to him. He went up to the front of the sports-hall and looked out at the class. “As you all know, we have some new students with us,” he said.
The class gave us a mixed reception. There were some tuts and eye rolls in our direction while a few of our classmates, smiled and waved at us. I tried to ignore that they singled me out for the kinder gestures to show they weren’t meant for my friends.
“These students are our special guests. And for as long as they’re here they’re to be extended every courtesy that you show each other,” noted the professor.
“But they’re not Silver Shadows,” protested a guy with an ashen complexion and hair to match. His aquamarine eyes looked accusingly at Natalie and Valenthia, conveniently skimming past me.
“No, Wilhelm, but you are,” said Professor Norden firmly, “and if you wish to retain possession of your moonstone, I suggest you seriously consider what
I’m recommending – that goes for all of you.”
“Professor?” asked Esyn, putting her hand up tentatively. Norden nodded at her to go ahead. “What if the war starts?”
“What of it?” quizzed Professor Norden.
“What’ll happen to them – the new students – will they have to leave?”
“Not if you and the rest of the student body doesn’t have to” replied Norden, dismissively gesturing with one hand.
“But they’re still vampires and a Black Bane, aren’t they?” Wilhelm piped up again, “Sure, one of them resembles the hell out of Esmeralda Quartz, but…”
“Yes, there do seem to be a few concerns coming through don’t there?” said Professor Norden, frowning.
“I don’t mean to namedrop but aunt Savina is pretty strict and I don’t think she’d be cool with all this,” Wilhelm, pointed at us, like we were rubbish, lying strewn on the sidewalk.
“As it happens Wilhelm, Principal Silverstone is the one who not only approved for the four of these fine folks to be here, she also indicated that she will support them in any way they need. And that includes safe-housing for them if the war starts while they’re still here – which I can guarantee you, it will. Now if that hasn’t set things straight, you can go bug your aunt after class,” said Professor Norden, almost wearing a smile for the first time since I’d met him.
Wilhelm looked away, soured by the lack of traction his comment had gotten him, while I couldn’t help but think it was less than ideal that the principal’s nephew hated us. Ulric stared him out from across the room and I hoped the two wouldn’t end up scrapping over this. We really did not need any wrong kind of attention right now.
“Before we get started, can someone give our newcomers a summarized run-through of the basics that we take for granted in this class?” asked Professor Norden. Our classmates looked to each other and after a few seconds, most stared hard at the ground. Only Sibel, Xanthe and Rhonen, continued to gaze around in case someone else was interested in showing us the ropes. When it was clear that no one was, the three of them all raised their hands in solidarity. “Good, why don’t each of you say one thing?” Norden encouraged.
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