by LJ Swallow
Now I'm trapped in the Walcott common room, in a corner with Jamie, too scared to turn my back on the witches whispering poisonous words about us. Jamie and I are ostracised. Friends of the witch killer.
He's half-asleep, the hangover interfering with his ability to stay focused on our situation. I tease him, but inside I feel sick.
My body feels as if someone has put weights in my pocket, every muscle dragged down. Each way my mind turns there's more worry. Andrei. Ash. Amelia. Some commented on her absence, but nobody knows when she left and they're too preoccupied with Lorna's death to care. Events churn in my head: I didn't return to our room after the club—I tended to Jamie and then went to Andrei. Guilt eats at my decision to pursue Andrei—could I have stopped Amelia instead? But I know Amelia. She plans. She's careful. No doubt Amelia left earlier, while we were out. Why would she run the risk I'd discover and stop her?
One thing is sure—someone will track her down.
My biggest fear? That Amelia is planning something to guarantee her a place at Ravenhold. A life with Matt.
Tobias's shock when I told him proves to me that he didn't help Amelia, and he's promised to ask his contacts to help locate her before she runs into trouble. The phrase sends tremors through me. Trouble she creates, or trouble that finds her?
One group of witches switches on the TV and laughter from a comedy show interrupts the solemnness, the fake hilarity out of place in a room filled with shocked and angry people. I daren't look around; Lorna's best friend, Yvette, already accosted me and unleashed her anger and grief.
Maeve, the witch who's friends with a witch-killer.
More than one witch-killer. I moisten my dry lips as Tobias's confession echoes in my mind. If his employers know, how could they let a convicted murderer work here?
Sofia saw Tobias and me leave the small room, once he'd calmed me enough to re-join the rest of Walcott. Her displeasure was palpable as she regarded Tobias as if he were the murderer, not Andrei. If Tobias were supposed to keep an eye on Andrei, what position does this put him in?
As Tobias walked away, I wanted to grab his hand and ask him to stay with me. To help me escape before anything else happens. But he's right—creating a scene puts me under a brighter, hotter spotlight than I already am.
My gut tells me to trust him, but my mind is messed up.
Sofia sits in the velvet red armchair closest to the door, her face strained and pale. Her red-rimmed eyes betray the fact she's been crying, but she sits upright, watching her charges and giving concerned students the occasional smile.
I cross the polished wooden floor, my cheeks heating at my house head's quiet scrutiny as I approach. "How long are the Confederacy keeping us confined here?" I ask.
Sofia's eyes are distant—cold, even. "Until their investigators have finished with forensics."
A glimmer of hope appears. I've watched enough true crime shows to know what this could mean. "They'll be able to tell who did this?"
"They'll confirm this was a vampire attack," she replies stiffly.
"And they can find out who from DNA?" I press.
"Most vampires are from the same bloodlines, Maeve. This isn't human DNA profiling." Her scorn heats my cheeks further. "Not much investigation is needed. They need a confession from the person who did this, that's all."
"Do you mean Andrei? He won't confess because he didn't kill Lorna. Somebody wants to frame him. I can help prove he didn't."
"The boy is guilty," she says, eyes hardening. "Why would you help him and how? Has the professor influenced your mind?"
I blink at her. Sofia's grasping at straws, trying to click together a puzzle with pieces that don't fit. "No. I'm close to Andrei."
She stands abruptly, eyes wide. "Close? How close?"
"I've become friends with him. We have much in common—neither of us are understood. We're outsiders."
She scoffs. "You're a foolish girl. Your naivety about this world never changes."
"Perhaps I am naive, but I have people who help me. Who understand me."
Glancing around, Sofia then leans closer to me. "Who you were with earlier interests me. Are you close to Professor Whitlock too?"
I blank my mind as she subtly attempts to push her way in. "Professor Whitlock helps me, yes. You know he does."
"The man has taken an inappropriate interest in you, Maeve. I am watching and if he oversteps the line, I will drag him in front of the school board."
"Professor Whitlock is not inappropriate towards me," I retort.
"What were you doing in that room with him earlier?"
Wow. This situation has interfered with Sofia's filter. How long has she thought this? "He saw I was upset. He was trying to help."
"Trying to get his claws into your mind. Your enemies lie everywhere," she whispers and the hairs on my arms raise. "Be careful who you trust."
"I came to ask when the houses were allowed to mix again, not talk about this."
She ignores me and continues, "I do agree on one thing. You're not safe here. You've made enemies amongst your peers. It is my role to police this, but I can't watch you all day, every day."
I refuse to let her scare me and press on with my questions. "I need to see Ash. Is he alright?"
"Ashley Greenwood? Another ‘friend' of yours?"
Her attitude adds more weight to me. How has Sofia changed like this so suddenly? The gentle, kind witch who helped me now looks at me as if I'm a thorn in her side. Not only as the badly-behaved student, but as one who's disappointed her.
"Yes. Is he okay?"
She pulls a noncommittal face. "Last I heard, the group hadn't returned. The whereabouts of Gilgamesh students is not my concern currently."
The weight grows heavier, my body at the edge of what I can cope with. How can a night with Andrei that changed my life, and brought me closer to my new world, be followed by a nightmare like this?
"I am interested to hear how you can prove Andrei is innocent," says Sofia, and I can hear the sneer in her voice.
"Once I speak to the authorities, I will tell them."
The barrier between us grows as our mutual mistrust manifests. Tobias planted a seed of suspicion that grows as I look back at Sofia's behaviour—how poor her help with my talents has been. And her resistance to me and Tobias—is that more than personal distaste?
The door beside us opens and Sofia springs to attention as blond man walks into the room—tall and official looking in his art suit. A Confederacy representative. He narrows his eyes at me, and Sofia clears her throat, mouth pulled tight as she regards me too.
I'm not stupid.
This is my cue to walk away.
Jamie looks at me expectantly as I cross back towards our exiled corner, still sick with worry.
Ash. Amelia. Andrei.
Is Jamie next?
Chapter Six
MAEVE
The last time I walked into the vast hall, Theodora announced the academy games. The time before that, I danced, relaxed and happy as I integrated into my new place in the world and the academy.
This time, the hall is filled with sombre students, and some Walcott and Petrescu students throw harsh words at each other. Many Petrescu students keep their heads down, the most subdued of all. This death shines a spotlight on all of them too, especially the hemia students.
Theodora stands on stage, dressed in black, her hair drawn from her face rather than falling to her shoulders as usual. This emphasises the strain in her features. She's attempted to disguise some of how she feels with heavier makeup, but the smile she gives is false.
The mic screeches with feedback before Theodora speaks. "You are all aware why we have assembled here. Today is a tragic day that has deeply affected us all."
My heart squeezes as her voice cracks. Theodora's school. Her students. Violated by this act.
A rumble of dissenting voices moves through the room.
"You mean a Petrescu kid murdered a witch?" pipes up a girl sitting i
n front of me as she flicks her long brown hair over a shoulder.
I grit my teeth. Yvette again.
"It is not my place to discuss events," continues Theodora. "My role is to ensure we support each other in overcoming this tragedy." Her voice breaks again and her hands tremble where they're folded in front of her.
This is wrong. The students shouldn't see the stoic academy head breaking down like this. Sofia rises and gently takes Theodora by the shoulders, murmuring something to her. Theodora brushes her off and audibly clears her throat.
"I'd like to introduce you to Rupert Briary. He is the chief investigator from the Confederacy police. He is here with his officers, and everyone must co-operate with him."
She gestures at a tall man who sits alongside Tobias and Sofia, as he watches the gathered students assessing every movement we make. His salt and pepper hair is cut as neatly as the black suit he wears, and his manner screams authority.
Rupert stands and straightens his jacket sleeves as he takes slow steps across the stage towards the mic. "Thank you, Theodora." He pauses and watches her as she sits before turning back to us.
"To clarify the situation, a young lady was discovered deceased in her room this morning. There is no doubt that she was murdered. We have arrested the perpetrator and will deal with him swiftly and in the manner he deserves." His voice is hard, words precise—the type of man you wouldn't dare argue with.
Blood floods from my head to my toes. "He can't say that," I whisper to Jamie. "Andrei should be ‘suspect' not perpetrator."
Jamie stares ahead and a muscle in his cheek twitches.
Deal with him swiftly.
I attempt to catch Tobias's eye, but he's focused on a spot to the rear of the hall, ensuring he doesn't make eye contact with anybody.
"We intend to question friends and acquaintances of both parties, and you may be called to speak to my colleagues. However, I won't waste time. I can reassure you that once I receive the correct paperwork, the individual will be removed and the threat to the academy gone."
"Does he seriously believe that?" Jamie says beneath his breath.
"What does he mean by paperwork?" I ask.
A sour-faced guy sitting beside Jamie leans forward and scowls at me. "The academy will sign Andrei over to the authorities, then they can deal with the murderous bastard."
My mouth parches. "What about his parents? Won't they be involved? Somebody has to stand up for him."
The witch raises both his eyebrows. "His parents? Like his mother?"
I close my eyes, annoyed I said something so stupid without thinking.
"They should kill the bastard. Ravenhold will be too good for him," says Yvette as she turns to face me. Her hazel eyes are reddened, face blotchy from her tears today. Earlier she whispered at me to 'watch my back' and her expression tells me I need to. "I think all hemia should be thrown out of the academy. We can't trust them."
I fight the growing panic, chest tightening with each word spoken. Death. Ravenhold. The hall lurches and I grip the edge of my seat as reality hits me. I might never see Andrei again.
Emotions in the room run too high for a gathering like this. Now I understand why we've been held separately all day.
Rupert scans the room and his gaze rests on me before flicking to Jamie.
I know who he'll want to talk to.
Chapter Seven
MAEVE
The students file out of the hall in silence, clouded by grief. Many Petrescu kids' faces are indifferent, but a handful show genuine concern. Katherine changed into black, but in the most stylish manner, with the Walcott colours as stones in her necklace and earrings.
Lorna and Katherine spent time together, but were they true friends?
Should I approach Katherine and ask if she can back up the alibi I'm determined to give? Could she? Katherine only saw me pass in the Petrescu halls. I'm unsure she saw him at all. She can account for my movements, but not his.
We're shepherded into our separate houses and instructed to make our way towards our house buildings. Katherine's blonde head disappears into the shadowy sea of Petrescu kids. Oliver and his two friends slouch along, yawning and muttering with bored nonchalance. If I had to point a finger, it would be at the hemia in his gang. They all scorn the Nightworld academy's racial mix.
But would he risk death or Ravenhold?
My head fills with fanciful theories that the Dominion recruited the gang and they're the insiders feeding information. Distracted, I almost walk into Yvette, who blocks my path. With an apology, I move to pass her, but she steps in the way.
"Why are you defending him? Don't you have any loyalty?" Her tone is harsh.
Yes, loyalty to Andrei. But I don't dare say that. "I believe in innocent until proven guilty."
"You're delusional. Has he used his mental magic on you, or do you genuinely care what happens to a vampire who could kill you too?"
I bristle at her not using his name. "Andrei? Yes, I care about him."
"That's both gross and wrong," she spits.
Other students bump into us as our standoff continues. I crane my head. Where's Jamie? I need him by my side right now. "Because he's Petrescu? You're friends with Katherine."
"Not anymore. Besides, she's lamia. Not a bloodsucking demon."
This is the first time I've heard Petrescu demonised as a group and hairs on my neck prickle. "They're the same race."
Yvette snorts. "What do you know? Nothing. This event changes everything."
Which is exactly what frightens Theodora. I force a smile and finally Jamie appears, his tall figure pushing through the group towards me, in a move unusual to the quiet guy who keeps himself in the background.
"And you're no better," she snaps at him.
"Come on, Maeve," he says and reaches out to me. I take hold of his hand and place mine over his. Our touch is more than comfort—this is a symbol of our unity against those who look down on us because we support our friend.
Yvette's expression changes and she arches both brows. "Interesting."
The forced smile begins to make my face ache as Jamie leads me away. As he does, I catch Yvette's words. "Watch your back, Maeve. You're not as special as you think you are."
The words reverberate through my whole body as I follow Jamie and stumble as Yvette pushes past me, slamming her shoulder into mine before striding ahead.
"What was that about?" asks Jamie.
His hand in mine offers a comfort I desperately need, one heightened by our magical connection sending his calmness to me. I'm on the verge of stopping and hugging him but shake my head and keep walking. "Yvette's upset. I got the brunt."
"We all are, but there's no point getting nasty." He shoves a hand through his hair. "I've known Lorna since I was a kid. We were at the same primary school—her family aren't high up, but they're well-known and respected. That'll be another reason for Rupert's urgency."
Unsure how to respond, I squeeze his hand as we walk outside.
Night time at the academy holds the usual eeriness as the old building overshadows the grounds, the lights from the windows only reaching a few metres before the world disappears into darkness in this lonely location. Familiar guards in their smart, dark uniforms watch us pass, and with them stand the Confederacy police sent today. They're dressed differently in military-style black trousers and shirts, and a badge with an ornate letter C inside a triangle emblazoned on their right-hand chest.
I close my eyes as the badge reminds me that we may not have much time to help Andrei. I've spent the day waiting for Tobias to return and tell me we're leaving, and that he has Andrei with him, but he's remained away. Jamie reminded me that as he's head professor of Petrescu, he can't walk back into Walcott without causing drama.
I glance at the Petrescu building to my left as we make our way across the lawns. I always found it odd the vamps are located further away than the other two houses, as if there's always been worry about them mixing.
My stom
ach churns as I look up to the top of the building. To Andrei's window. How is he coping? The way he looked at me last night showed a different Andrei to the one I thought I knew. Not only the tenderness as we took a step across a line we'll never return from, but the hurt in his eyes when I accused him of Dominion connections.
I will fight for him, even if that includes tracking down the killer myself.
Chapter Eight
MAEVE
Jamie's grip on my hand tightens as we walk through the Walcott students who loiter outside the building, some reluctant to return to the common room. How long will we be held there as if we're the prisoners? I'm also reticent to return to the Walcott halls, where the bad energy thrown at me by other students adds to my sickness. My outburst in Theodora's academy assembly hasn't helped—I'm now a confirmed supporter of the person who murdered one of our own.
My mouth dries as we head inside and make our way along the hallway, the same I walked with Jamie the first day I arrived here. I'm as nervous now as I was that day.
Yvette stands with a friend outside the common room a few feet away from a guard. Although her back is to me, I easily recognise this is Becci.
The elemental witch's curly auburn hair makes her unmistakable. She talks to her friend, but Yvette's attention is elsewhere as she silently watches the kids pass her into the common room. As she catches sight of me, Yvette's face transforms into a mask of hatred, her eyes as narrow as her thinned lips. She flicks a look to Jamie but the bulk of her disgust rests on me.
Pausing, I turn away and pull Jamie closer. "I don't think I can walk back into the common room," I whisper.
The gentle concern Jamie's held in his startling eyes hasn't left today, and is now joined by a worried crease to his brow. "You have as much right to be in the room as anybody else."
"I know. I don't want to upset people and make things worse. I should've kept my mouth shut earlier."
