"Why won’t you listen to me?" he asks. I tremble at the break in our physical connection. He closes his eyes to take a deep breath. "I want to help you, but you need to help me. This can't happen."
My thumping heart refuses to slow, and I can’t find words as his spell remains around me.
"I said I’d help, but I refuse to be a predator, Maeve." He swallows. "I won’t take advantage of your weakness."
"I’m not weak."
Shaking his head, Tobias steps back further. "You are. You’re an emotional wreck with no control—exactly the type of victim a pneuma can bend to their will. You planted those thoughts, Maeve. Pulled me away from what’s right."
"I didn’t."
"You did."
My stomach turns over. "Are you saying I mind-controlled you?"
"No. But your thoughts took hold of mine and pulled out what I—" He shakes his head.
"Then you shouldn't have touched me."
Turning away, Tobias pushes a hand through his hair. "I thought I could help. I knew touching you would take self-control, but I didn’t know your mind would touch mine."
"I’m drawn to your energy and this blanks out everything else I think or feel. I can't help how I react."
"And neither can I, but I'm bloody trying, Maeve." A muscle ticks in his jaw. "I shouldn’t have touched you—I tell you to keep away and then do this. That was a stupid step of me. I’m sorry if I’ve confused you."
"I'm not confused," I say, voice almost a whisper, "I understand more."
He shakes his head slowly. "You don’t understand anything."
I bristle at his shift into patronising. "That’s always your answer, isn’t it? Every time I ask difficult questions, you dismiss me. Tell me I’m naive. Treat me like a dumb kid."
"You're not a kid, Maeve." He snorts softly.
He clears his throat. "I can’t talk about this anymore. But before you go, I want you to know I believe everything you saw was a vision and not hallucination. Sofia knows this too."
"Are you saying she's lying?"
"I have to see that as a possibility. I don't trust anybody here."
"Anybody?"
"Almost nobody." He rests back in his seat. Tobias may try to hide the effect our encounter had on him, but he's flushed too and eyes distant. "I'm watching Sofia, as I'm watching all professors and some students. One of them will slip up eventually."
"And Vincent?"
"Without a doubt." He scratches his cheek. "Have you managed to get close to him yet?"
"No." I play with my nails. "I'm not with him and Ash much."
"So, he has managed to separate you?" Tobias wrinkles his nose. "Don't worry. Once I uncover who he is, Ash will be back in your arms."
I look sharply at him, but he isn't teasing.
"The issue is how to get close enough to Vincent. We’re relying on you to push your way into his mind."
"We?"
"The academy, Maeve."
I sink back into the soft upholstery. Tobias's room has a familiar, sharply spiced scent, one I associate with him, as the room’s scent lingers on him.
"We need to untangle your memories too. I think the events you saw are in order, but they trouble me. This is one reason I'm suspicious of Sofia. She knows you had a previous vision of the fire."
"Why do you think you were there?" I ask.
"Why do you think you were in Andrei's bed?"
My stomach lurches. "I never told anybody that's what I saw."
"You did, though. When you explained the visions to Theodora and Sofia, you skipped that one." He places fingertips on his temples. "I caught the images."
If I could see my face right now, I swear it would match the trim around a Petrescu blazer. What must he think of me?
"That might not be true," I half-squeak.
"But this is more evidence, Maeve. You're not frightened of Andrei, and I'd be surprised if that situation didn't occur at some point."
I give a wry smile. 'That situation'. So proper. So Professor Whitlock.
"Then I should've seen Ash," I blurt. "He’s the guy I’m close to in that way."
He arches a brow. "I suspect there’s a significance to why you and Andrei are together, and that if this happens with Ash, it isn’t significant enough for a vision."
"I think it's significant to me whoever I have sex with," I mumble.
Crap, I cannot believe I'm talking about this with Tobias.
"At least it wasn't me," he says softly.
I meet his amused smirk and narrow my eyes. "Don’t say that, Tobias. Not after what just happened."
The unspoken hovers between us. Again. This tension will kill me—ruin us both.
"What do you think causes the fire?" I ask.
"Dominion related, if you saw Gabriella there."
"And Katherine and Amelia? What was that?"
"I want Katherine sent away, Maeve, but I didn't realise her home life was unhappy, but that might explain a few things." He nods. "I'll keep a strict eye on her, in case something is influencing her too."
Something that could make her hurt Amelia?
"Oh, she'll love special attention from Professor Whitlock," I say with a chuckle.
"No. She won't." He shakes his head. "I certainly won't."
Tobias's exaggerated eye-roll makes me laugh and he does too.
"What the hell do I do?" he says with sudden exasperation and the laughter cuts dead.
"Teach me to beat this," I say. "To stop whatever will happen. I can’t spend my time running in circles not knowing what to do. If Sofia won’t help, you need to.”
"Entirely my intention." He pauses. "I'll look into this and see if I can make any links. Keep working with your friends."
"I will. But I need your help. Soon.”
He nods. “I’m unable to work with you tomorrow, but the following day we must start taking serious steps to hone your powers. Obviously Sofia is no help.”
His mouth tightens. Is this their rivalry—or something more? “Okay.”
I have my planned night out tomorrow, so I can relax for a few hours before getting stuck into a session with Tobias the next day. No more spinning in circles. No more delays. Time to take control.
I’m about to step outside when Tobias adds, “Maeve. I’m sorry about earlier."
I can’t cope with this similarity to Andrei—the constant protests that they need to keep away that hide lies. These guys are more similar than they admit and both toy with my emotions.
Perhaps when Tobias teaches me to properly use my powers, I’ll use the time to see into his mind and take control of our situation.
“Don’t be,” I say and leave before he can add more.
Chapter Thirty-Four
MAEVE
The meetings with the three professors ran late, and Jamie and Amelia aren't around when I head back to Walcott. But there’s one person I know I can find. I haven't seen Andrei alone since we kissed, and the evening plays on my mind constantly.
Especially since the vision earlier. If I were sensible, I’d go straight back to my room, but I need to clear my head after the meeting with Tobias. Amelia will fuss and want to know answers, and I don't feel like running through everything again today. Tomorrow, I’ll explain my visions to all of them.
At least Andrei won't force me to talk about anything that happened or make a fuss.
The academy grounds are eerily quiet in the evenings. The imposing building against the stark landscape and moon behind clouds adds to the mystery surrounding the place. Since the day I saw Tobias beneath the school amongst the flames, I’ve become more curious about the school’s history. Is there something different that gives the place the discomforting vibe?
Jamie spends time in the library running through local history, but hasn't found anything yet. The day I arrived, I joked about the place as an ex-mental institution from the Victorian times, but what was the building before this? I stare up at the rows of windows, some lit but most darkene
d behind curtains.
Are the secrets in this place more than those held by some residents?
Andrei sits in our unofficial meeting place, the bench beneath the willow tree. He’s rubbing both hands on his legs and looking sharply from left to right.
What happened to him?
I move from behind the cloister pillar, ready to tread through the darker night, but Andrei’s in front of me before I take a step closer to him.
"Shit." I place a hand on my chest over my heart. "I wish you wouldn't do that. You freak me out."
"Sorry. I forget how quick I move." He reaches out and strokes my hair, concerned eyes glinting in the dark. "You okay now?"
"Uh. Yes." His sudden and intense concern takes me by surprise, which grows as he takes my hand and pulls me around the corner, behind a pillar.
"Are you sure? You scared the shit out of me before."
"No lasting damage." I hope.
He places his other hand over mine. "Promise me you're okay."
"Yes. I promise."
"Then why are you out here? You only come here when you can’t sleep."
I moisten my lips. We both know that isn't true.
"Because I wanted to sit quietly with the person who doesn't ask me questions all the time. I guess that isn't you tonight."
Andrei swipes hair from his face before lowering his voice. "No. Yes. I mean, stay with me."
My heart speeds. Stay with the Andrei in the Dark. The one who kisses with a hungry need that frightens me.
"I need to talk to you about something that happened, Maeve."
About us? The kiss? "Okay."
"It’s Vincent. I managed to read his mind."
I breathe easy—I don't want to talk about the confusing bond between us. But this is worse.
I lower my voice. "What did you see?"
"Nothing. I couldn’t see anything at all."
"Magic block?" I suggest.
"I don’t know, Maeve." Andrei’s brow puckers. "I’ve never come across anything like this. He had hold of my arm, but I couldn’t feel him. Mentally, I mean."
"Vincent’s closed off. The times I’ve managed to move close enough to pick up on his energy, I’ve struggled to find anything."
"Exactly."
I rub a hand across my forehead. "I thought he’d blocked me. Do you think this is more?"
"I don’t know."
"We need to speak to Tobias about this. He’s asked me to use my powers on Vincent. This could help us decide how." But how can I use mind control on someone with no mind? "Shit. The poor guy’s mind is screwed."
"Brainwashed. Honestly, Maeve, he isn't normal. I've come across blocked minds before, but nothing like this." Andrei drags both hands through his hair. "I have a crazy theory. I don't think that man is Vincent."
I grasp for a possible explanation from my confusing world. "Are you saying somebody shapeshifted into Vince?"
"Shapeshifting into another human form isn't possible. I think Vince is a construct, Maeve."
I shake my head to ensure I heard correctly. "A what?"
"I believe this is Vincent's body but not his mind. Vincent has been reanimated."
I burst out laughing as images of Frankenstein complete with bolts in his neck cross my mind. Andrei's face darkens.
"This isn't amusing, Maeve. This is necromancy."
The word cuts my laughter dead. "There are necromancers?" I whisper in horror.
"Necromancy is illegal magic, not practised anymore. Those who could animate the dead were killed or imprisoned by Confederacy, to stop the magic passing along their bloodline. There's a possibility one exists. Somebody in the Dominion may be a necromancer."
"That's insane, Andrei."
"Is it? Then why is Vincent's mind empty? Once reanimated, there's no difference in how someone looks or behaves. They don't know what they are and hold the same memories and personality as when they were alive. The only difference is they're under another's control. They've lost free will." He pauses. "Their mind is gone."
"No. This can't be true."
"But it might be. The guy disappeared for years. Who knows what the truth is?"
I swallow. "If this is true, how could we prove it?
Andrei blows air into his cheeks. "We need to find proof. You need to get into Vincent's mind."
"Uh. No. We need to tell Tobias and ask what we should do." I chew my bottom lip. "Tobias told me he had a theory about Vincent but refused to share until he had more evidence. He could already suspect?"
"Possibly. I'll talk to him." He sighs. "I don't know what to say to Ash. What if he's in danger from Vincent?"
"Say nothing yet. Ash is drifting from us—we can't screw up by upsetting him without evidence. If we do, that could alert Vincent. And if he's not really Vincent, that could cause more problems."
Andrei pulls on his bottom lip. "Do you trust Ash?"
"Andrei! Yes," I snap. "What happened to me... I think it opened his eyes to the fact we need to stick together. He came to the infirmary. Stayed with the group after you left me."
Andrei doesn't respond, but his expression hardens.
"Andrei, we need to trust each other."
"Yeah." I narrow my eyes at his non-committal, unconvincing answer. "I don’t understand how nobody else has detected Vincent’s blank mind," he continues. "Powerful witches have looked into Vincent’s head and seen nothing."
My shoulders droop. "Maybe you did just meet a mental block."
"Maybe," he says doubtfully.
I straighten. "Hang on. Why was Vincent touching you?"
He waves a dismissive hand. "I had an argument with some witch, and she shouted out that I threatened to kill her. Vincent was around. Grabbed me."
He’s nonchalant but hiding something. "Who was she?"
"Just a chick who hangs around with Katherine. Lorna. She was bad-mouthing you."
Lorna. The day I discovered I’d made enemies at the academy by doing nothing at all hurt me, but is there any difference between me not accepting the supernatural world when I arrived and them not accepting me?
Lorna shuns me and is part of a group whose distaste I can feel across a room, but she’s never approached me.
"Oh. Her. Ignore Lorna. Don’t cause trouble, Andrei, please."
He reaches out and touches my face again. "I think she’s involved with what happened to you. Katherine needed a skilled witch to make that powder."
My mouth dries. "Do you have proof?"
"No." He’s distracted, running a finger along my cheek. If this is to comfort me, he does the opposite, because with the touch my body remembers his hands on me the other night.
"Then leave it. Tell Tobias and we can work together to find proof," I murmur as my cheeks heat beneath his touch.
A flashback from my vision bolts into my mind. Andrei.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" He tips his head. "You’re pink, Maeve."
"Can I ask something weird? Do you have a tattoo?"
His mouth tips into a smile. "Why? Would a tattoo give me extra ‘hot bad boy’ points?"
I shove him in the chest. "Ha ha. Do you?"
Please say no.
"Yeah. I do."
"Where?"
He places a palm on his chest at exactly the point I saw. "A raven. Ironic, really, that Ravenhold is in my future."
Oh crap. I flick my eyes to where I saw the large raven on his chest.
"Why are your cheeks pinker?" He leans in to whisper, "Do tattoos turn you on?"
"Andrei!" I jerk away from him. "Don’t."
He runs his tongue along his bottom lip. "I don’t need a tattoo to turn—"
I clamp one of my hands over his mouth and his eyes shine with amusement. This is what I need. Andrei banter. Somebody treating me like a normal person.
Andrei speaks but I can't hear what he’s saying, and I press my hand harder over his mouth.
"Don't say anything," I warn as I move my hand away. "I want to tell y
ou something too."
Eyes still filled with amusement, he nods.
"Thank you for not treating me like somebody special."
His brow furrows and he drags my hand away. "What?"
"You treat me like Maeve, not the future-sighted, mind-controlling witch with powers the Dominion and Confederacy would fight over. When I’m with you, I can forget all this for a while."
He shrugs, Andrei-style. "Takes a misfit to know one. No judgement here."
But I judged him. "Thank you."
We face each other in a way that would be challenging or awkward last term, but despite everything that’s happened to me today, this is the calmest I’ve been. Andrei doesn’t have Tobias’s pneuma powers, but his laidback attitude towards my situation has the same effect. He soothes me and I’m drawn closer.
"Why thank me?" he asks.
"Because I judged you and you still accept me as a friend."
"I judge me."
"I know, and you shouldn’t." I take another step closer, his honesty dragging me to him again. "I don't judge you anymore. We have more in common than I first realised."
He rests his head against mine and I fight against the images from earlier, frightened he’ll see them in my mind. Standing together, we’re caught in our weird place again.
Andrei tips my chin with his thumb and forefinger. "Something else we have in common? Some people don't want us around because we’re dangerous. I don’t think many understand how that feels."
"I know." I shiver as his thumb skims my bottom lip.
"I understand, Maeve, and I will always be here when you need."
The last couple of days, I’ve imagined what would happen if Andrei kissed me again, because there always was going to be a next time. I pictured the sexual tension flooding out again, and into another slammed-against-a-wall, breath-snatching moment that would be over as quickly as it began. So, when Andrei gently presses his lips to mine for just seconds before withdrawing, I’m as stunned as if he had kissed me until I was breathless.
Andrei’s face remains close, his breath against my lips, hands remaining on my cheeks. Waiting. I tip my head and meet his mouth, curling a hand around his neck to pull him closer. Andrei circles an arm around my waist and holds me as his lips press harder against mine.
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