I grab the front of his shirt and tug him upwards.
“Leo! Soldier! Up! Now! Do you hear me?”
His eyes snap open, his whole body jolting against the ground.
“What the—”
“I need you to get up, soldier! Now! We need to move!”
He blinks repeatedly.
“Snow?”
“That’s right! Get your ass up right now! I’ll help you, but I’ll be damned if I drag your sorry corpse all the way back to school!”
I put out my hand, letting go of his shirt. He takes it and pulls. I lean back on to my heels and get him to his feet.
He staggers but stays up. I pull myself close to his body, supporting him, careful not to put pressure on his broken ribs.
“Now march, soldier!”
His eyes are glazed. He leans on me but supports his weight on both feet. Every now and then he gasps or stumbles. I don’t show him any sympathy, dragging him up and forcing him to keep walking.
When the woods thin out and the school becomes visible, I almost cry with relief. Leo falls on my shoulder, head lolling. It doesn’t matter now; I can feel my strength kicking in.
We stagger across the courtyard and into the dark, warm foyer. I fall down as we reach the great staircase, depositing Leo against the bottom step.
We both pant, shaking from the exertion.
“You need to… get out of here, Ebony.” He’s so out of breath from the damaged ribs I can barely hear him.
“No. You need my help. I’m not just abandoning you here.”
“You have to.” He grips my arm, looking around like a frightened child. “What if someone sees us?”
“I don’t give a damn! I’m taking you to the infirmary. You need treatment, right now!”
“Ebony.” He murmurs. “I can handle it. Please. You got me back to the school. Let me get myself to the nurses. Too many questions.”
He closes his eyes, taking a few shallow breaths. I hadn’t thought of that.
What will I say, when I get to the infirmary? How do I explain us both arriving together, Leo beaten almost to death and myself clearly scarred from a fight?
How to explain, Leo got his butt saved by one of his students? Not their best student either. Sure, I’ve got power. No discipline.
“See?” He whispers. “Too hard. You have to go. Now.”
“I’m not leaving you!” I turn towards him, letting my body fall next to his on the step. I touch his face gently.
“Everything happened because of me. I can’t just abandon you here.”
“You have to.” He says, mouth close to mine. “I don’t want you to go either, but we have to separate. Right now.” He looks around furtively.
“Why?” My voice comes out in a shocked gasp. “What do you see?”
He shakes his head, coughing painfully. Blood stains his lip.
“Could be… Spies… Anywhere. Even now. Might be… Too late.”
I’m so frightened by that it feels like my hair stands on end. Hot needles race across my skin, up my spine, and crawl across my scalp.
“Do you really think we are being watched?”
He shrugs then winces like he wishes he hadn’t.
“Possible.”
“But you can’t even walk by yourself! How are you going to get to the infirmary?”
His face goes hard as steel, and he takes a deep, rasping breath.
He pulls himself up, letting out a harsh growl. It makes me cry out in sympathy. What it must have cost him not to scream!
He holds on to the bannister, swaying,
“I’m fine. See? I’m okay. I’m going.”
As he shuffles off, he throws a glance over his shoulder.
“Don’t follow me, Ebony. Please.”
I watch him go, tears brimming in my eyes.
I don’t know what to do now.
I cover my face with my hands, letting my frustrated tears come. I’m wrung out, emotionally and physically. Part of me wants to crawl into bed, pull the covers over my head. Another wants to soak in a hot bath.
When I can’t do anything, I can’t even move.
With each new trauma, they seem to compound on each other. I don’t have time to heal from the last before the next is thrust upon me. No matter how strong my soul, how determined my will, how long can I keep this up?
The feeling of being exhausted, terrified, and hurt is beginning to feel more natural than being carefree and happy.
Is any kind of life worth this? What exactly am I fighting for? I can’t even go and comfort Leo in his pain. It seems like I fight, and fight, and I get nothing out of it that I actually want.
The tears slip down my cheeks. I don’t sob or rock myself back and forth. I’m beyond all of that right now. It’s probably just the exhaustion talking, but I wouldn’t fight the final solution at this point.
Above me, I hear heavy footsteps racing down the hall. I sit bolt upright, shock blasting away my grief.
No one should be running in the halls at this time. It must be some kind of emergency. Another one.
I get up off the step and walk into the foyer a little, so I can see the upper level. A big shadow is coming alright, something big and bulky, moving fast.
I’m ready. Let’s go. More evil doers, misguided angels, friends trying to knife me in the back. Let’s do this shit.
As the person comes running towards the main staircase, they jump the bannister and drop down towards the floor. Mid jump, their face flashes through the light coming in the window.
“Gabriel?” I cry in disbelief. The way he leaps the bannister, plunging to the floor with a grin, reminds me of growing up together. As if he’s found his innocence again.
“Ebony! Thank god you’re here. I’ve been looking for you.”
“Yeah. Everyone always is.” I haven’t got much humor left.
“No.” He shakes his head. “I mean it. It’s an emergency.”
“How did I guess.”
“Ebony! Snap out of it!” His face goes deadly serious. “It’s Seth. He’s missing. You have to help me find him.”
I want to step back, struggle out of this nightmare.
I want to fall on the floor and sleep for days.
I want to find Seth, right now, and tell him I love him. Tell him I’m sorry and that the way my life is, I shouldn’t take anyone for granted, not ever. Even for a second.
With a weary sigh I take Gabriel’s hand and let him lead me back up the stairs. I don’t need to worry about feeling sleepy—the adrenaline is kicking in now, spurred by my fear.
I can’t lose anyone else. I won’t survive it.
Maybe, I won’t. But my magic will save me, like it always does.
Will there be anything of me left, afterwards?
As usual, my questions have to be put on hold while I deal with the next disaster.
31
Ebony
I gather all of the Huntsmen, save for Leo. Thankfully, none of them ask where he is.
“Where was the last place anyone saw Seth?” I ask.
Lucien, Gabriel, and Kashton look between one another and shake their heads.
“He’s been keeping to himself more lately,” Kashton offers.
“I haven’t seen him since we fought,” Lucien seconds.
“Great.” I’m too tired for this. I close my eyes for just a moment, hoping to quiet my mind enough to focus, but it doesn’t work. “Gabriel, where did you already look for him?”
“His room, the library, the dining hall, and the training rooms,” he recites. That’s a good portion of the school. I doubt Seth would be lounging in a random classroom in the middle of the night.
“We’re going to split up and do a sweep of the grounds,” I decide. There’s no use going into a panic until we’ve checked every nook and cranny of the school.
“No way,” Gabriel protests. I’m not surprised. “We’re not splitting up. If Seth was attacked, whatever did it could still be around. Remembe
r those other students?”
“Yes, I remember.” I press a hand to my temples. “If Seth was attacked, then we need to find him as quickly as we can. That means splitting up.”
“Don’t fight him on this one, Ebony,” Lucien gives me a gentle warning. I roll my eyes.
“I’m too sleep-deprived to argue. Lucien, you’re with me. Kashton and Gabriel, have fun.”
“Wait a minute,” Kashton protests, but I hold my hand up to stop him.
“Lucien and I will check the roof first, then we’ll make our way down through the gardens. Gabriel, take Kashton every place you haven’t already been, then double-check what you’ve already checked. Does that make sense?”
“Slightly,” Gabriel nods.
“Good enough. Now, move. If Seth’s out there, we’re going to find him.”
“And if he’s not?” Lucien asks.
“We aren’t going to think about that yet.”
I chew on my bottom lip and Lucien, and I make our way to the roof.
“Why the roof?” He asks after a few moments of tense silence.
“Seth came up here once when I was looking for some peace,” I explain. “I had the feeling he’d come up before, though.”
We reach the roof and check the perimeter. Seth is nowhere to be found.
“To the grounds, then?” Lucien asks. I nod and head back into the belly of the academy.
“Do you think we’ll find him?” I ask, attempting to hide the nerves in my voice.
“I know you want me to say yes, but I don’t think so,” Lucien replies. “Kashton used a tracking spell to sniff Seth out. He found nothing.”
“Tracking spells are finicky at best,” I point out.
“True but Kashton’s the best out of all of us,” Lucien counters.
“Except Leo.” I clamp my lips shut as soon as the words are out of my mouth.
“I didn’t realize you were on a first-name basis with our esteemed headmaster,” Lucien says.
“He’s not really the Headmaster,” I reply. “Not to us, anyway. Haven’t I known him for over a thousand years?”
“I suppose so,” Lucien nods.
Lucien and I make it to the greenhouse. Seth isn’t there. We make our way out to the gardens.
“You know, I always fancied the idea of a midnight stroll with you,” he says. “I would’ve picked the gardens.”
“Not now, Lucien.” I bite the inside of my cheek. As much as I would like to fall into flirtatious banter with Lucien, I can’t do it. It isn’t right. With each step, I’m more and more convinced that Seth really is missing.
I should’ve done more. I shouldn’t have kept my distance from him. He’s the reason I’m alive right now. I owed him more than what I gave him. All he ever does is try to help me. Now, he’s gone.
Lucien reaches out and touches my arm.
“Let’s search beyond the garden,” he suggests.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say.
“Yes, I do. Seth deserves for us to put in every effort.”
“You’re only saying that to make me feel less guilty.”
“Is it working?” He asks.
“No, but I appreciate the effort.”
We crisscross the grounds and even dip into the forest beyond. I see the same tricky creatures I passed by not long ago with Leo. I glare at the fey, warning them to keep their traps shut about seeing me. I didn’t want to have to explain anything to Lucien.
We search until I start stumbling and bumping into things.
“We’ve done all we can do,” Lucien says. “You’re no good searching when you’re this tired.”
I try to protest, but I can’t make the words go from my brain to my mouth. Instead, I nod in agreement.
“Come on.” Lucien scoops me up and carries me through the forest. I almost nod off in his arms.
When we reached the manicured grounds of the school, I make him put me down. He agrees but keeps hold of my arm, just in case.
Pale grey light bleeds through the thin layers of evening clouds. Dawn’s coming, and Seth is still missing.
We meet up with Gabriel and Kashton. They look as exhausted as I feel.
“Any luck?” I ask though I can clearly see they haven’t found Seth.
“No,” Gabriel shakes his head.
“We can start searching beyond the school after we’ve rested up,” Kashton offers.
“I think we know what we have to do,” Lucien says. Gabriel, who’s annoyed by every word uttered by Lucien, folds his arms across his chest.
“What’s that?” He asks.
“We need to go to Leo. The school needs to be notified.”
“Are you crazy?” Kashton argues. “We can’t do that.”
“We have to,” Lucien insists. “The school needs to know that it’s students are at risk. The first ones attacked were just normal kids. They didn’t have any links to us or Ebony.”
“So, you think Seth was randomly targeted like the others?” Gabriel asks.
“No, but I like to think the same thing that attacked the students is the same thing that took Seth.”
“Why?” I blink in surprise.
“Because it’s one less monster to deal with,” Lucien sighs.
“We also have to face the fact that Seth left on his own accord,” Kashton suggests. I admit, the thought never occurred to me.
“That’s crazy,” Gabriel scoffs. “He was the most dedicated to helping Ebony out of all of us.” I’m shocked Gabriel’s willing to admit that, but I try not to let it show.
“Speak for yourself,” Lucien replies.
“Hey,” I warn softly before a debate breaks out. The fight drains out of me. After how terribly I’d treated Seth, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got fed up and left on his own. Even if that’s the case, I’d like to find him. Better safe than sorry.
The four of us walk into the empty foyer of the school. It seems like a lifetime ago that I stood here with Leo begging him to let me help him.
“Where’s Leo?” Lucien asks. “We’ve got to tell him.”
“In the infirmary,” I reply. “Don’t ask. I don’t have the energy to explain.”
“Right.” I’m grateful that Lucien lets the matter drop. “Let’s go.”
“Can you guys do it?” I ask. “I want to help, but I just-” my voice wavers. “I can’t.”
“It’s okay, Ebony. Go get some sleep.” Gabriel gives my shoulder a squeeze. Kashton smiles gently. Tears well up in my eyes and I’m powerless to stop them.
“I’ll help her.” Ivora’s voice comes from behind, startling me. I put a hand to my chest as if that will ease my fluttering heart.
“Thanks, Ivora,” Gabriel nods. The three of them turn away, leaving me alone in the foyer with Ivora.
“I heard voices,” she says. “What’s going on?”
“We can’t find Seth.” My voice is thick with tears. “We think something bad happened.”
“Oh, no,” Ivora sighs. She throws her arms around me and holds me close. Even though she’s smaller than me, I curl into her. I let my tears flow freely.
“It’s all my fault!” I sob.
“What?” Ivora stifles a laugh. “That’s ridiculous.”
“I was horrible to Seth. I pushed him away. I made him feel like I didn’t care about him. Now he’s gone,” I sob. I feel like a child, but I’m too tired to care anymore.
“Come on,” Ivora says gently. “Let’s get you back to your room.”
I nod, feeling numb all over. I let Ivora take me by the arm and guide me back to my room. She goes slow on the stairs, so I don’t trip.
When we reach my room, my bed has never looked so good. I want to lie down, but Ivora stops me.
“Have you seen yourself lately? You don’t want to lay on your bed. Trust me.”
I groan in protest but don’t fight her on the matter.
Ivora helps me change out of my dirt and blood-streaked clothes and runs a bath for me. She gives me pr
ivacy while I wash up. I barely have the energy to wash my face. All I can think about is Seth. I’m such a fool.
When I emerge from the bathroom, wrapped in towels, Ivora has laid out my favorite silk pajamas. I shimmy into them and let her pull back the covers for me. I crawl into bed. The sheets feel cool and clean.
“Thank you,” I sigh.
“Don’t mention it,” she shrugs with a chipper grin.
“No, I mean it.” I grab her wrist and force her to look at me. “I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re always there for me, even when I don’t deserve it.”
“Of course, I am!” she beams. “That’s what best friends are for.”
32
The Assassin
I casually stroll down the halls of the academy. Morning light pours in through the stained-glass windows that line the east-facing wall of the corridor. I step in the colorful puddles of light on the floor. It reminds me of a game I played when I was a child.
Students pour in from their dorms and the dining hall. Some are bright-eyed and perky, ready to take on the day. Others are still half asleep.
“Your shirt is buttoned wrong,” I point out to one of the male students. He blinks a few times, uncomprehending. I point again. He looks down, notices the mismatched buttons, and looks up with a grin.
“Thanks. I’m not a morning person.”
“Neither am I,” I shrug. “Have a good day.”
“You too!” He waves as he walks down the hall.
I’m filled with glee.
There’s a special kind of pleasure derived from hiding in plain sight. I walk through the halls seen, but unseen. Other students smile at me. Some wave. One or two stops to chat. They have no idea what I really am.
Ebony is nowhere to be seen. She’s a scuttling little mouse of a girl. So talented at slipping in and out of rooms without drawing attention to herself. I don’t think she realizes she has that natural ability. It’s a good skill to have. I had to train for years to perfect it.
I’m not expecting to see Ebony today. That would be a damper if I didn’t know that she locked herself away to wallow. I’m glad she’s suffering. She’s the one at the center of the storm, the cause of all this chaos. It’s only right that she is weighed down by it all. Those insufferable Huntsmen trip over themselves trying to tell her it’s not her fault when it is as if that will get them into her bed any faster.
Forbidden Angel Page 15