by LJ Swallow
The Jamie with me is again the guy I met when I arrived at the academy, before he discovered the secret I'd kept. His eyes are filled with hope and the worry no longer ghosts his face. He seizes my hands. "But I'm safe now, Maeve."
Jamie's touch often triggers a subtle energy I don't feel with others, but this time a pain surges through as if I touched an electric fence.
My brain buzzes and eyesight blackens. I take a deep breath, convinced I'm about to have a vision, before stumbling back and holding my head. I drop onto the sofa before I collapse to the floor, holding my head in my hands.
Taking a couple of calming breaths, I look up and the room sharpens again. The cottage is cooler.
Empty.
Where did Jamie go?
Chapter Twenty-Two
MAEVE
I stumble to my feet. "Jamie?"
The front door is open, and I walk outside and into the dusk.
Did I pass out and the afternoon pass by? Jamie wouldn't leave me unconscious, surely. The evening air is warmer too, which is odd. Today was sunnier than the recent dull weather, but still held a November chill.
My head feels as if I've spun around on a roundabout at a children’s playground, and the world isn’t entirely upright. I make my way across the lawn towards the main academy building.
Where the hell is Jamie?
Close by, I hear voices and cheering, and I turn my head. The world lurches again. Floodlights shine down onto the sports pitch, and the number of voices sounds like a crowd watching a match and not a practice.
Apart from the voices, the grounds are quiet. I don’t pass anybody as I make my way across the neat lawns towards Walcott house to catch up with Jamie and Amelia.
A figure waits in the shadows to the left of the entrance and I pause, wary who this might be. I recognise Andrei before I fully see him, as if something inside instantly reaches out. He always stands in a certain way—his body wound tight; chin tipped to watch people from beneath his hair but not far enough that they can see his eyes.
His clothes are a giveaway too—I’m unsure the guy possesses anything apart from his uniform, black jeans, T-shirts and the hoodies he occasionally hides his face behind.
Andrei moves from his half-hidden spot when he sees me. I'm in no physical or mental state to deal with him right now, and as he strides over, I ready myself to deal with his onslaught.
"I thought you'd never arrive," Andrei says and strokes my hair from my eyes. “Is everything okay?”
I startle at his hand on me as I stare into his concerned eyes.
Is he smiling at me?
"I don’t understand what—"
I’m interrupted as Andrei's mouth touches mine. He cups the back of my head and presses his other hand into the small of my back as he draws me to him. I've seconds to register the warmth from lips and the instant desire to kiss him back, before I regain my senses and pull away. I shove Andrei hard in the chest.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" My lips tingle and heat rushes through my body. Once, I daydreamed what kissing Andrei would feel like and imagined his lips would be cold and harsh. This kiss held a tenderness that lingers on my lips.
His brows dip with consternation. "Kissing you? You don't usually mind."
I cross my arms and edge backwards in case he tries again. "Very funny, Andrei. Touching me without permission is assault."
He chokes a laugh, and I narrow my eyes. "Whoa. You're serious, aren't you? What's got into you?"
"Me? What about you?" He steps forward and I move back. "Don't you dare touch me again."
“Wow, Maeve." He drags a hand down his face. "Fine. I’m only showing you I've missed you. You’re so bloody confusing.”
“I’m confusing?”
Andrei shakes his head. “Forget it. But we need to find Theodora."
The ground below my feet undulates, but Andrei doesn't appear to notice. "What for?"
He blinks. "Has somebody mind-controlled you, Maeve? To talk to her about Vincent. Come on."
Andrei strides away and his image blurs as if someone scrubbed him with an eraser. My stomach lurches and I twist my head around looking for something to grasp onto as the ground moves again.
I'm too far from the building and walking feels like wading through cement. The world swirls around me, and I collapse backwards as my legs buckle.
Chapter Twenty-Three
ASH
I storm through the door to the cottage with Amelia at my heels. Maeve lies on the sofa with Jamie kneeling beside her, his face ashen.
"What the hell happened?" I shout and drop on my knees beside her. "Maeve?"
I touch Maeve's face. She's warm and breathing, but motionless.
"Jamie?" I demand.
He glances behind me where Amelia stands. "She collapsed. Maybe she's having a vision?"
"Or maybe she doesn't like your magic?" Amelia retorts. “Did you touch her?”
I sit back on my heels. Magic? He didn't. "No bloody way. Did you use the book? Amelia, why didn’t you stop him?"
"I said I would and that nobody could stop me.” He’s only half paying attention as he drags a hand down his face.
"I should knock some sense into you!" I snarl.
Witches and out-of-control magic screwed up my life once, and now I spend my time around Walcott in an attempt to keep an eye on this shit. Sure, me and Jamie are friends, but that friendship can end pretty damn soon if he's a dumb bastard, like Matt.
"Go ahead." He looks up. “Because you won’t hurt me.”
"Stop that! We need to help Maeve." Amelia hovers close by, chewing on a nail.
The longer Maeve doesn't move, the more anxious I am. I'm serious, if Maeve’s badly injured, I’ll smack Jamie in the face. Hard.
"Explain." I hold the back of my hand against Maeve's cool cheek.
My anger grows as Amelia describes this afternoon's spell casting, and we both look to Jamie to finish the story. He looks worse than he did earlier— so much for magic helping him.
"When Amelia left, I took Maeve’s hands to tell her everything was okay, and she collapsed. That's all that happened. I swear. Maeve passes out when she has visions, remember."
"Usually for seconds, not minutes. How long has Maeve been unconscious?" I demand.
"Just before I called you." Jamie's gestures at his phone and trembles. "Ten minutes?"
“Stop arguing, you two. Something’s very wrong." Amelia's eyes tear up. "We need to get Maeve to the infirmary."
Jamie pushes his hands into his hair again and swears. "I didn't do anything to her, honestly."
I take Maeve's hand and enclose it between mine. She looks vulnerable and her face is colourless. Amelia's right—we can't deal with this.
I ready myself to gather Maeve in my arms. She'll bloody hate me marching into the academy carrying her like a damsel in distress, but right now, she is one.
Maeve stirs as my arms slide beneath her back, and my heart surges with relief, until she pulls herself away and jumps from the sofa. She stares around, eyes filled with confusion and fear, then drops back down.
"When did I come back here?" she asks.
I can barely hear her. "You collapsed. Jamie called us because you wouldn't regain consciousness."
"I saw...” She trails off and looks out of the window. "Isn’t it the evening?”
"No. Afternoon. Did you have a vision?" Amelia asks gently and sits beside her.
"No. Yes. I don't know." She meets Jamie's eyes. "When did I come back here?"
His fingers go to the pendant beneath his shirt. "You haven't left."
Maeve groans and bends her head to her knees with arms wrapped around her head. "I was there."
"Where, Maeve?" Amelia touches her shoulder. "What happened?"
She sits back and drags her hands down her face. "I walked out of the cottage and back to the academy. Only it was dusk and I spoke to Andrei and... omigod.” Maeve puts a trembling hand over her mouth. “Everything seemed real. I could fe
el everything."
Amelia takes her hand. “You must've had a vision. Did you see something bad happen? Do we need to tell Theodora?”
“No. Normally I only see things, and I'm aware I'm on the edge of reality. This time... I felt like I was physically there.” Her voice rises. "What if my visions become like this now?”
She doesn't say the words, but they echo in my head: what if she loses touch with reality like her aunt?
I force a reassuring smile. No. That won't happen. Not to Maeve.
MAEVE
Theodora stands over the bed in the small infirmary room, arms crossed, and lips pursed. Since Ash and the others brought me here, I've asked to leave. Partly because I’m embarrassed, and partly because I want to assure my friends that I'm okay. Ash, Jamie, and Amelia were sent away to allow me quiet, and I promised I'd catch up with them later. The academy nurse, an elderly woman with white hair and a gentle nature, insisted I wait until Theodora is informed.
Hopefully now she’s here I can leave soon.
Sofia stands beside her. How many students receive personal visits by professors when they pass out? Not many. She runs her index finger along her lips as I explain what happened—the vision and how real everything seemed.
Not Jamie’s actions.
Concern crosses Theodora's face too, and their reassurances I’ll be fine don't help. We all know what happens to future-sighted witches, and this incident happened the day after I saved a life.
"Can I leave soon?" I ask. "I'm absolutely fine now."
"What month is it, Maeve?” asks Sofia.
"November," I say with a confused frown.
"Did you have class today?"
What is this? "Not yet. It's early afternoon. I have History of Magic with you later, Theodora."
Sofia nods at Theodora, who smiles hesitantly. "I'm glad that you're with us again."
"I only passed out."
"For approximately ten minutes, I hear. I'm concerned what triggered this fainting spell. I'd like to see you later to talk about what happened, when you lost connection to the present. I understand you were with Jamie." Sofia peers at me. "What were you doing together at the cottage?"
“Oh my!" Theodora claps her hands together. "Don't intrude into the poor girl's personal affairs while she's feeling unwell."
I fight the heat flooding my cheeks at their suggestion, but I’d rather they thought that than knew the truth.
Jamie is a whole other issue. I can’t say anything about the book, but I’ve made a pact with Amelia that if Jamie does one more thing with Blackwood magic, we’ll tell somebody. At least Amelia has the grimoire now, not Jamie.
"Maeve, this isn't confirmation you'll become like your aunt. Please don't think that." Sofia hands me a glass.
I take a sip of water. I'm tempted to feel that way but remind myself that I'm different. My aunt doesn't have the same powers as me.
But is that enough of a difference?
No. I refuse to hide from my powers any longer. I have to harness them and become who I should be. They don’t get to control me.
"This is only the first time," I say. "Besides, I knew instantly that I wasn’t in the present, but experiencing a more vivid look at the future than usual.”
A future where I kiss Andrei. Is that true?
"You begin tuition with Professor Whitlock tomorrow," says Theodora. "How about we focus on that and not random visions?"
I stare as she pats my hand. Everything is always simple and straightforward, according to Theodora.
“I don’t understand why Andrei said I needed to talk to you about Vincent,” I say. “Do you have any idea why?”
Theodora wrinkles her nose. “No, but the good thing is nothing untoward happened. You and Sofia could explore what you saw today in your next session, perhaps delve deeper and see where you go with Andrei.”
"I agree. Rest today. I'm positive that we can teach you to keep control of your reality," says Sofia. I know she's trying to reassure me, but I'm not encouraged.
"I'm sure Tobias will help," I say and smile.
Sofia humphs.
They leave me in the uncomfortable bed, and I immediately seek out my shoes. My hair sweeps forward as I put them on. Are they right? Can they stop me losing touch with reality permanently? Everything felt real, but I wasn't walking around hallucinating. Yet.
The nurse is busy tending to a Gilgamesh kid who's arrived from sports practice with an ankle injury. The infirmary is small with just four beds and curtain dividers, a desk opposite the doorway, and a small treatment room to the right. I'm lost in my thoughts as I make my way to the exit and bump into somebody as they step out of the room.
His scent hits me at the same time—the sharp spice and sweetness combined. One that reminds me of Halloween, the last time we were close. The scent from my vision. I lift my eyes to meet Andrei's, which are half-covered by his hair. My gaze drops to his lips as my pulse hikes. Every sense was immersed in my clairvoyant dream, including the subtle mint taste in his soft kiss.
"Are you alright? I heard you passed out again." He frowns. "Why are you looking at me like that?”
I rub my eyes. "No reason. Are you okay?”
He reaches behind and closes the door. As he does, I notice a red spot on his arm which fades before my eyes. Andrei closes a hand over it.
Why would he be here? Tobias told me vamps can't be injured.
"I'm fine. Visiting a friend. I hope you feel better soon, blondie. You look like crap." He drags the door open, and I step after him.
I'm amused when he doesn't hold the door open for me, but not surprised. With a sigh, I yank on the handle and step out after Andrei.
He’s gone.
Chapter Twenty-Four
MAEVE
Sofia suggests I postpone my first session with Tobias, due to the effect this recent vision had on me, but I tell her I want to go.
I have two reasons not to delay: firstly, to gauge if Tobias can help me at all, and secondly, because I have questions he may be able to answer.
With every new experience, the more determined I am to grow into my potential and gain control over this power—before it controls me. Yesterday was another wake-up call. Is it a coincidence that the present and future merged the day after I save somebody’s life? I don’t think so.
Trepidation fizzes in my stomach when I rap on the door to Tobias's classroom. He’s the only professor who doesn’t own a study in the main building, where academy administration is run from. Tobias reminds me of Andrei a little—he stays away from his peers; on the edge but close enough that nobody notices.
How many other similarities are between them?
Tobias doesn’t answer the door and I knock louder, listening for footsteps. A second later, the door opens.
“You’re impatient today, Maeve.”
He’s barefoot and out of his teaching uniform of formal shirt and trousers. Instead he wears slim-fitting jeans and a grey T-shirt that stretches across his toned chest. His usually slicked-back hair is free from control today, framing his face and accentuating the pneuma vampire features.
Tobias looks younger than usual. More human.
This is not good.
“Sorry,” I manage to mumble, continuing to stare.
He looks away. Is Tobias aware the effect his eyes have on me? Oh crap, I hope he can’t read my physical reaction to him. My mind’s blank, so at least he can’t read any thoughts. I shake my head at the garbled thoughts in my head.
“Excuse the lack of formality,” he says in his smooth voice and gestures at himself.
“No need.” I gesture at my ordinary clothes. “No uniform today.”
He blinks. “Indeed.”
I trail after him as he walks into his office and as I sit on a seat, I’m aware this is my ‘usual’ seat. The place is becoming as familiar as Sofia’s room.
“Sofia explained a little about what’s happening. I heard about the incident in town and your strange experien
ce yesterday.” Tobias lowers himself into the worn armchair opposite. “Are you alright?’
His concern stuns me as much as his appearance does. “Confused. As usual.”
He nods. “You cope well, Maeve. You’re a strong girl.”
“That adjective makes a nice change from ‘immature’, Tobias.”
He pushes a hair from his face and sits back, one ankle crossed over his knee, the way Jamie or Andrei would. “Everybody needs to grow up. I wouldn’t expect a nineteen-year-old to be fully mature. I wasn’t. Now, explain to me in detail what happened, when you saw yourself inside the car.”
My stuttered explanation doesn’t satisfy him, and he pushes me to examine more about the situation. The sensations. The sounds. Whether I could feel the objects, or the thoughts and feelings of my host.
Host. I grimace.
“Is there a problem?”
“I feel like I’m an evil demon in a movie who possessed someone.”
He chuckles. “Nothing demonic about this at all. Few people can possess a body, and those who can struggle to control the person for long.”
Waving a hand, Tobias asks me to continue. By the end of my explanation, my chest is tight with anxiety.
Tobias touches my hand. “Maeve. You’re coping well in a difficult time. Please don’t panic.”
I look to where his slender fingers rest on mine, and the cool metal ring warming on my skin. The energy drains from my body, and I pull my hand away to tuck them beneath my arms. "Are you feeding on me?"
“Just your fear, Maeve. I don’t feed on people in the way you think.”
“I know I shouldn't judge, and you're trying to help, but this creeps me out.”
“I’m a vampire, Maeve. It is what it is. I don’t need to prey on people, if that worries you. I can satisfy myself through soaking unwanted emotions—fear, upset, distress.” He shakes his head at my confusion and chuckles. “Teaching classes of eighteen- and nineteen-year-old kids means I'm never short of sustenance. The emotional overload that hums around students is detrimental to their studies—I help remove this. So, no, I don’t feed, but I absorb.”
