by LJ Swallow
Confused, I look to Garrett’s stern face. His arrival isn’t a coincidence. “Theodora is from one of the original vampire families, as you know. Despite her wealth of knowledge and long life, she gave up her powerful role with the Confederacy in order to oversee a Nightworld academy.”
“I know. Theodora told me. She wants to stay out of politics but shape the future leaders, by teaching the races to not only tolerate but also work with each other,” I say.
Sofia makes a derisive sound. “And the opposite occurred.”
Garrett sits forward. “Theodora established this academy and taught here from the beginning; I was one of the first professors. The building had been empty for two decades, after the asylum closed. I wasn’t keen on teaching children at a place with such a violent history.” He catches my frown. “I’m as old as Theodora and was also a high-ranked Confederacy member at the time Theodora insisted we take the building back and convert the estate into a Nightworld academy.”
“Back from who?” I ask.
“This estate originally belonged to her maternal grandfather’s family, but they were driven out and killed during the Purge. Humans stole the estate from her family. I thought this was the reason behind Theodora’s obsession with the place and why she wanted the Confederacy to buy the estate—but now I’m concerned this is more,” says Garrett. “I’ve known Theodora for many years, and she is a pragmatic woman who has risked her life for others in the past.”
“I’m not sure what you’re telling me,” I say cautiously.
But my mind leaps all over the place. If Theodora knows her family’s history, she’ll know about the tunnels. And if she’s aware the tunnels exist, she must know what’s held behind the wall.
And Theodora has said nothing about the situation.
This would explain her lack of urgency but throws up the worst thoughts of all.
Is she the Dominion spy? What did she ask me to do?
I squeeze my eyes closed, stuck on what to say. If I tell Garrett and Sofia about the magic, I’ll need to tell them who I am.
And they could be Dominion spies.
My head aches with the confusion. Why can’t Jamie be here? Or the others?
“The tunnels beneath the academy are out of bounds, but I know she took you and Jamie down there, along with Professor Whitlock.” Sofia’s voice is stiff with disgust. “Whereas, I was not involved at all.”
“What happened?” asks Garrett, capturing my attention with his watery blue eyes. “What did she show you? Tell you?”
Oh no you don’t. I throw up a block and he looks away, unimpressed.
“I’m not sure what to say,” I say and fidget in my seat. “Theodora could answer your questions.”
“Theodora refuses to speak to anybody currently,” says Sofia stiffly. “She’s agreed to oversee the final academy assembly but will not speak to anybody but Confederacy officials before that time.”
“Do they know about her connection?” I ask.
“No, but they will once I inform them,” Sofia retorts and glares at Garrett.
“I had the situation in hand,” he says in a low voice.
“Evidently you did not!” Sofia fixes her steely eyes on mine. “Maeve. What happened in the tunnel?”
Oh, crap. “Theodora...” I trail off.
“Does Theodora want to hide what you did?” suggests Sofia stiffly.
“How many times have you been down there, Maeve?” asks Garrett.
I swallow. If I give them something, would they accept that as enough for now? “Twice.”
“And?” asks Sofia. “What did you see?”
I rub my head, perspiration growing against my back. “Can’t you ask Theodora and the Confederacy?”
Garett chews his lip. “Few people know about Theodora’s connection to the place. If you could work with us and explain everything Theodora has said and done, that would help.”
I know Tobias well enough to spot Garrett’s attempted pneuma influence, and I clench my jaw against his magic.
“There’s a sealed barrier,” I say.
“Yes. We are aware—myself and Sofia checked the tunnels after the attack last night.”
I blink at their admission.
“Sealed by magic,” says Sofia. “Vampires cannot use magic capable of sealing places, which means there’s a connection between her family and witches. Powerful witches.”
My heartrate picks up. Is Theodora connected to the Winterfalls? Or the Blackwoods?
I need to see the others. Now.
“If you know about the academy’s history, do you know what’s down there?” I ask Garrett.
“Do you?”
“I saw nothing.” I moisten my lips and as I sense his mental magic push into my thoughts again, I picture the wall at the end of the tunnel as blank. No runes.
Sofia watches him and he gives a brief shake of his head. Her shoulders slump.
Garett didn’t say ‘no’. Does he know?
“What happened when you visited the tunnels last night?” I ask, tensing.
“Nothing.” Garrett tips his head. “Do you suspect us of tampering with the magic seal, Maeve?”
“No.” My muscles stiffen further.
“Neither Garrett nor I could interfere with the magic, but somebody is capable of breaching that magic. Theodora and Professor Whitlock are vampires, so they couldn’t.” Sofia stands and runs her tongue across her top teeth. “Jamie is skilled, but I don’t think Theodora used his magic, did she?”
“Which leaves you,” says Garrett softly.
I eye the door, unsure which direction this conversation is headed.
Sofia crosses to her bookshelf, long skirts swishing behind her. “I’m aware you don’t trust me, Maeve, and I’m sorry for that, but we need your help.” She runs a finger along her books and her charm bracelet tinkles as she pulls out a thin burgundy one. “I have a history of the original witch families here. Like the vampires, we all come from one of five original lineages. Most have weakened and few hold the original names. Blackwood you know, of course; also Thornbrook, Riverborn, Willowbrook, and Winterfall.”
I try not to respond to the name Winterfall but my eyes widen. One of the men in the picture with Astrid is called Willowbrook.
“I expect you’ve learned about the Winterfall massacre in history of magic. We teach a watered-down version to limit resentment between witches and vampires; the academy doesn't want students worrying that the evil exists and could rear its head again.”
“The perpetrator was caught,” I say and hastily add, “I was told.”
“The Blackwoods were behind the killings. They are also intent on invading the academy.” She walks over and looks down. “The Dominion and Confederacy are focused on you, the blonde witch with the mysterious past. I’m not stupid, Maeve. I’ve suspected who you are from the first day, but never dreamed you were here to help Dominion.”
“I’m not!” I cry in shock.
“Then who reawakened whatever is in the tunnels?”
“I don’t know, but Theodora wanted me to reinforce the seal, not help her open the way!”
“Ah.” Garrett sits back and steeples his fingers beneath his chin. “Then Theodora is also aware exactly what lies behind there. She denied this when I asked her last night, repeating that she wants to protect her academy.”
“With her Winterfall student.” Sofia’s aggressive stance continues as she attempts to probe my mind.
I falter. Why hide the truth when they know half? “Theodora thinks Blackwood magic and Winterfall are the key to the barrier. Maybe literally,” I mumble. “I had runes and a spell. Theodora seemed content that my magic solved the problem.”
Sofia throws her arms up and turns away. “This is insane! Why did the woman never tell us?”
“If something is hidden, Sofia, the less who know, the better. Perhaps that is her reasoning?” suggests Garrett.
“The deaths!” Sofia shrieks. “She failed to protect her stud
ents! She knew Dominion had located this… thing and did nothing to stop their interference.”
Apart from bringing myself and Tobias to the academy. Theodora knew who we were all along. I swallow down the rising sickness. Does this mean my aunt is involved too?
“The fire, Sofia.” I say, my voice barely audible. “I think that will happen before the end of term. I’ve seen myself beside a pit with Gabriella, and Anastasia Blackwood. We think the pit is behind the wall.”
Sofia spins around and I gasp out in shock as she drags me from the seat by my jacket collar. “You stupid girl!” she shouts in my face. “Why did you hide this?”
Frozen in shock, my eyes burn with tears. “I told Theodora…” I break off. “She didn’t want anybody else to know. We thought there was a spy in the school.”
Her grip on my jacket loosens. “Me?”
As she steps back, Sofia’s face crumples as hurt replaces her anger. I can’t reply as my head reels with the mistakes we’ve made.
“All I have ever done is protect my students, which is more than Theodora did! Is this because I tried to confirm my suspicions about who you are by focusing on your skills? Because I tried to find the truth about your strange connection to Tobias Whitlock and the disappearances?” Her voice rises as her hysterical questions continue. “Because I mistrusted Andrei Tepes? I won’t deny my prejudice against the boy, and I believed he was the Dominion link—that he was planted here to kill you. I wanted the people I saw as a threat gone. I had to discover why you were here, Maeve Winterfall!”
Garrett stands and breaks his new silence. “Sofia.”
As he places his hand on her arm, she pulls it away. “Tell me! Is this what you believed?”
I remain standing and my hands tremble as her anger heats up again. “Yes.”
Sofia shakes her head slowly before turning away with a palm pressed to her temples.
“I don’t know what to say,” I stammer out and look at Garrett.
He’s paled and looks at me through different eyes. “I think you need to tell us everything you know, and we will help you.”
“Don’t you dare refuse because you think we’re a threat.” Sofia spins around again. “I would give my life to protect my students and if I need to, I shall.”
I rub a trembling hand across forehead. “Then I think we need to ask the others to come here.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
TOBIAS
Maeve texts late morning, abrupt, asking me to meet her at Sofia’s office.
I leave Petrescu, where I’m satisfied that the Confederacy aren’t about to take draconian measures against the hemia students. Garrett’s position in the organisation appears to have some sway over the investigators, and I had a quiet word with him about Rupert, who Garrett insists he can deal with.
I hope so for Andrei’s sake, because I don’t trust in the judicial process anymore.
But why is Maeve with Sofia? Is she in danger? Mind running through all the scenarios, I hurry over. She and the others filled me in on her meeting with Matt and Amelia and I’ve kept an eye on the tunnels as promised. Neither Sofia nor Garrett appeared, but I’m still confused and suspicious.
Jamie and Ash are already at Sofia’s sitting either side of Maeve, along with Garrett. I remain in the doorway and study Sofia. Our mutual distrust stands, because her eyes are filled with more disgust than usual.
Do they know our suspicions? Surely they know not to attack us if we’re correct.
But I could never have predicted the things Garrett and Sofia tell us.
The moment Sofia mentions Maeve’s true name, my pulse hikes and I desperately reach out to Maeve.
Does she know who I am?
Maeve shakes her head, imperceptible to anybody but me. I blow air into my cheeks and refocus.
What choice do we have but to confirm what they know, but not elaborate any further? Whether we trust them or not, the pair know too much to try and exclude them.
I don’t trust they’ll stay quiet.
Straight after the meeting, we make our way to the cottage in silence, aware this is the end in more ways than one.
“I’m sorry,” says Maeve eventually from her place on the sofa.
“What for?” asks Jamie.
“Telling Sofia and Garrett.”
“You had no choice, Maeve,” I say. “They would’ve gone to the Confederacy investigators.”
“I don’t understand why Theodora didn’t tell them,” says Ash.
“Trust,” mutters Jamie.
I chew my lip. “Theodora thought she’d solved the problem herself.”
“All she cared about was herself,” Jamie retorts. “Her academy’s reputation. Her reputation.”
“No. I believe she wanted to stay here and watch over what she knows exists below the academy. She could stop anybody interfering—Nightworld academies are heavily guarded and Dominion have struggled to find their way in.” I scour my brain for any clues I may’ve missed. “I realise the Blackwoods always knew about this, which is why they wanted the Winterfalls killed. I don’t know any more details.”
“Do you think Sofia and Garrett will help?” Maeve asks. “Can we trust them?”
All eyes turn to me. “Sofia knows your magic could safeguard her students. If they tell anybody, authorities will remove you and she won’t want that.”
“I hope she persuades more kids to leave.”
“That’s what worries me,” says Jamie. “If she wants to keep them safe, she’d need to tell them about the danger.”
“We only have tomorrow before term ends,” I remind them. “Not all parents can collect their children. She’d cause panic and the secret would be out.”
Maeve stares at her feet.
“I hope so,” says Ash.
Something bothers him; I sense tension beyond our conversation. “Do you have something to tell us, Ash?”
He huffs. “Some Gilgamesh kids left today. Including Clive, Remi, and Seamus.”
“Shit! Where?”
Ash’s eyes widen at Jamie’s outburst. “No clue. I let Amelia know. Maybe there’s another gathering.”
“Oh, fuck.” Jamie rests his elbows on his knees and head in his hands.
“Oh fuck, indeed,” I say and look to the ceiling. “I’d like to believe they’ve left due to the threat, but something is brewing.”
“Alaric can deal with them. We have enough to deal with on campus—whatever Vince is planning is bigger than the academy,” says Jamie.
I hope so.
What?
I shake my head at Maeve as she catches my thought.
“What should we do until tomorrow evening?” asks Ash.
“Watch,” I say flatly.
Nobody replies because there’s no other answer.
Now I understand why the heartbeat bothers Maeve so much, because a clock ticks in my head, counting down the moments.
I’m not frightened about what will happen.
I just want this over.
Maeve asks me to stay back and Jamie hesitates. She whispers something to him, and he nods curtly before kissing her cheek and whispering something in return. Ash remains distracted, his head the biggest mess of confusion between us all. He repeatedly complains he’s useless and despite our reassurances, I sense defeat in the aura around him.
I pull on my bottom lip as the cottage door closes.
“Don’t look worried, I haven’t trapped you here to complicate things between us,” she says. “I want to practice a spell with you.”
“Why me? Why not Jamie?” I ask. “I’m not a magic user.”
“Yes, you are. Mental magic.”
I stiffen and look back into her clear eyes. Her expression is hopeful but my stomach drops. Mental magic. “And?”
“Tobias. You know who we’re dealing with. I need to practice on somebody stronger—as strong as them.”
I rub my finger across my lips. Maeve doesn’t need to say their names. “Did you discover a W
interfall spell you want to try?”
“No. I want to control you.” My pulse picks up at her solemn words. “You’re powerful, Tobias. I need someone able to resist most people’s attempts to dig into their mind. You once told me I could practice these skills with you.”
Shit. But she’s right. “And that ended badly.”
“Yes, but you no longer need to hide how you feel about me, so that won’t be a problem. We can agree on limits.”
I close my eyes, fighting the memories of my past life where limits never existed. “I don’t know.”
“Please,” she whispers. “I could try Jamie, Andrei, or Ash. Or even ask Sofia, but I know you’re the strongest.”
What choice do I have? I’m her strongest adversary. I blink. No—I’m not her adversary.
Am I?
“What do you want me to do?” I say. Her mind flares with thoughts that I really don’t want to see. “Maeve. Not happening.”
“Omigod, no, I didn’t mean to think that. The way you said…” She shakes her head as if dislodging those thoughts. “I didn’t come here to assault you.”
I tense at her talk of assault, despite the sarcasm to her words. This could be a positive—if Maeve can control me, she may be able to stop me if... No. Also not happening.
“Good to hear,” I say lightly. “What will you do?”
“I can’t tell you,” she retorts. “Otherwise you’ll prepare yourself.”
“True,” I say, but I’m unable to drop the wariness.
“Don’t you trust me, Tobias?” she asks. “I won’t touch you. In fact, sit or stand over there, by the kitchen doorway. I’m never near the people I control. I can’t catch you off-guard, but I can try to distract you.”
“I’m happier with physical distance.” I move towards the spot she indicated before leaning against the wall.
“I know,” she mumbles. Biting her lip, Maeve shakes her head again. “Please fight my magic as hard as you can, Tobias.”
“Absolutely. That’s why you’re asking me.”
“And I promise no assault, apart from the mental one,” she says with a wry smile. I nod. “Can you talk to Andrei?”
“Andrei? What for?”
She squeezes the rune in the palm of her hand. “I’m worried about his mental state.”
