“Thanks, it doesn’t feel like it. Maybe you should be teaching me words, and how to conjugate the verbs and stuff.” I sigh.
“That would make sense, but we have orders from the Praesidium, Miss Lawrence.” Brennus shakes his head, his lip rising in disgust. “Though I’m not sure how he thinks you’ll learn to read these books this way.”
I stand up and knock on the wall, determined to make my voice heard. He’s crazy if he expects these men to teach in this fashion. It’s not fair for them.
“Yes, Miss Lawrence?” A surprised expression crosses Coventry’s face when he opens the wall and his eyes land on me.
“This is a ridiculous way to learn a language. I’m quite good at them given the proper structure. This will take at least four times as long. If you want me to learn fast, please allow them to teach me the correct way.” I stand tall and meet his eyes, refusing to back down.
“Very well, but I want to see daily progress then.” Coventry glares down at me, though his voice sounds polite. The contrast throws me off guard.
“Thank you, sir.” I curtsy for impact.
“You’re very welcome, Miss Lawrence.” A confused expression crosses his face but is quickly replaced with a smile. “I trust that you will work hard now.”
“Of course.” I smile innocently then walk back to the table as he closes the wall behind him.
“You have bigger balls than I do.” Treyton stares at me wide-eyed. “I can’t believe you just demanded something of Coventry.”
“It’s appreciated, though I don’t know if it was wise to do, Miss Lawrence.” Brennus shakes his head, but a small smile plays on his lips.
He walks over to his bag and pulls out a primer and sets it in front of me. We spend the rest of the morning going over the basics, learning simple words and their meanings. By the time we break for lunch, I’m halfway through the first primer.
“You really do have a knack for languages.” Brennus pats me on the back. “We’ll have you reading at an acceptable level in no time.”
“It’s what is expected of me.” I smile at him, not wanting my frustration at the situation to land on him.
“As a treat for your progress, why don’t you and Treyton go get lunch somewhere. I’m sure we can come up with a reason it’s necessary.” Brennus winks as he walks to the wall and gives it a quick rap.
Coventry opens it and appraises the situation before turning his attention on Brennus expectantly.
“Miss Lawrence really does have a mind for languages. She’s making excellent progress, though if we want her to continue working at this pace, I suggest allowing her to go out and get something to eat. Treyton can accompany her. It will allow the previous lessons a chance to settle and her mind to be fresh to accept new ones.” Brennus wrings his hands together nervously.
My heart grows towards the old man. He is putting himself out there for me when it clearly makes him uncomfortable. I have to play this learning game very carefully now. I need to show enough progress to keep him out of trouble but go slow enough they can’t figure out I instinctively understand. Why does this have to be so complicated?
“I’ll allow it.” Coventry nods once and leaves the wall open.
“Let’s go before he changes his mind.” Treyton grabs my hand as I stand up. “Thank you Brennus.”
He pulls me out of the library and through Coventry’s office, letting go once we are outside of the capitol building.
“Where do you want to eat?” He glances around nervously.
“Why don’t you pick? I don’t know many places.” I smile encouragingly.
“I know just the place.” He grabs my hand and wraps us in his tendrils.
When we are released, we are in the shopping district standing in front of a building with the sign Bodacious Burgers.
“Bodacious, huh.” I snort. “It sounds like it’s from a bad eighties sitcom.”
“It really does but they have outstanding burgers and you have to try the chili fries.” Treyton laughs as he holds the door open for me.
We step inside and we are greeted with a cheery voice from behind the counter.
“Welcome to Bodacious Burgers, please seat yourself and I’ll be right with you.” A middle-aged lady with ‘Flow’ on her name tag calls out.
We grab a booth in the corner and glance at the menu.
“What’s good here?” I peek at Treyton over the top of my menu.
“Well the double is always my go to, but if you can’t eat that much, I would suggest the classic combo, with chili on the fries of course.” He wiggles his eyebrows up and down.
A few minutes later Flow comes by the table and takes our order then disappears with a wink.
“So how did you end up in an apprenticeship? Don’t you usually get those after finishing school?” I hope he doesn’t mind the question.
“I’m in a fast track program so I school half the year and apprentice the other half. Keeping the ancient tongue alive is handed down through the family and I’m next in line. Grandpa Brennus isn’t always going to be around to spread his wisdom.” Treyton smirks and his emerald eyes sparkle.
“Wait… Brennus is your Grandpa?! That’s so sweet! I bet he really enjoys your company.” I reply
“Yeah, but he can be a crotchety old fart sometimes. I miss him when I’m at school.” He chuckles. “So, what about you? Why are you learning such an old language?”
“Coventry wants to further my studies. He thinks I’m special because I placed in all the houses.” I shrug my shoulders.
“But couldn’t he have just increased your studies at the academy? Why bring you here?” Treyton’s brow creases. “Don’t get me wrong I’m glad he did... but it’s still a bit weird.”
“He says he sees me as a valuable resource and wants to oversee my studies himself. We will have to see what he has planned.” I smile then pick up a fry and pop it in my mouth.
When we finish, we reluctantly go back to the capitol. As we arrive on the steps, Treyton pauses, rocking back and forth on his feet.
“You weren’t what I expected. Thanks for lunch.” He smiles.
We slowly make our way back to the library and I settle in for the rest of my lessons.
When we are done for the day, Coventry escorts me back to his house and has me shown to my room. The maid comes in and smiles sadly at me.
“The Praesidium has requested that you dine alone in your room.” She announces before leaving.
It’s no skin off of my back. The thought of suffering through another dinner with that horrible man and his vapid wife makes me shudder.
I lay down on the bed and stare at the ceiling until the maid returns with a tray. The smell wafting off it has my mouth watering. As I go to the table and take the cover off, I’m greeted with roast, carrots, and potatoes all smothered in a thick brown gravy.
I yawn as I finish eating and decide to shower, then call it a night.
Getting ready for bed, a sudden debilitating wave of homesickness hits me. I’ve been so caught up in the craziness of this world, I haven’t taken two seconds to think about my family back home. They were my everything. In all of my weirdness, Shadow was my person who was there for me no matter what. What does that say about me? The second something new comes along, I get swept up and put them out of mind?
I know they said we can never go home, but I still want to see them again. I didn’t even get to say goodbye. Damn, I really am a horrible daughter and sister. There’s only one person I can really talk to about this. Let’s just hope he’s asleep. I lay down and will myself to relax and finally drift off to sleep.
As soon as I’m in the Hollow, I close my eyes and search out my Sam. I let out a sigh of relief when his thread appears, and I tug him straight to me.
When he appears in front of me, I throw myself forward, wrapping my arms around him. Tears are streaming down my cheeks as I hold onto him like he’s my life preserver on a sinking ship.
“Whisper, what’s wrong?
” His voice washes over me, full of worry as he wraps his arms around me and holds me.
“I just need you right now.” I sniff. “Everything I’ve buried down just resurfaced and hit me all at once.”
“Let’s sit down and talk about it,” he coaxes.
I nod as I unwrap myself from him, grabbing his hand and leading him to the base of the tree. We sit down and I lean my head on him as he wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“Start from the beginning. What’s bothering you?” He glances down at me as he runs his hand absently up and down my arm.
“I feel like the worst daughter and sister in the world. I was getting ready for bed and it hit me like a freight train. I miss my family and until now I’ve barely given them a second thought. You know how close we all were, especially Shadow.” My voice catches in my throat as a sob threatens to overtake me.
“Oh, Whisper.” Sam leans over and kisses the top of my head. “You’ve been so strong with all the insanity life has thrown at us. You aren’t a bad daughter or sister. Anyone in your situation would have to compartmentalize things just to survive. Hell, I’ve pushed down thoughts of home so deep…”
An expression of pure agony washes over his face.
“Sam?” I sniff, worried about him.
“My poor mom. I was all she had. You know how she spoiled me and called me her miracle.” Unshed tears brim his eyes. “Now I was taken away too, and she’ll never see me again.”
“I can’t accept that we will never see them again. I just can’t. It’s a stupid rule.” I growl in frustration. It’s not fair to us or our families. “That’s something else we should change. Even if it’s to go home just to say goodbye. It’s not like we had a choice or asked for this life.”
I think about how Shadow and I told each other everything… Or at least I think we did. My mom’s special birthday pancakes, and how much fun our family outings were when all my sisters were home. I have the solace of knowing that my family still had each other. Poor Sam, I never even considered how hard this would be on him… leaving his mom alone.
“Whisper… I would love to be in my mom’s life still, but wouldn’t it be more painful for everyone? To go home just to say goodbye… That would hurt so bad.” The tears break through and fall down his face, his eyes so full of pain, my heart aches for him.
“Then we will just have to hold each other up.” I bury my head in his chest and sob for all that I’ve lost. All that we've lost.
Chapter 4
The rest of the week passes by, each day the same as the last. Get up each morning, go to work with Coventry, then spend the day in the private library learning to read the ancient language. I long for sleep, because in my dreams at least I'm not alone. I can spend time with my guys and best friend. Aunt Nellie keeps me updated on how things are going for her. Recruitment is going well in the Dissidents, both at school and outside of it. I just wish I knew what to do when we finish.
I get ready for the day, trying to quell the sick feeling in my stomach. It's becoming increasingly hard to pretend like Coventry is a good person. He can't see how wrong his way of thinking is. He thinks he has me right where he wants me, at least. I stay quiet, not sure I can hold my tongue if I open my mouth.
As with every other morning, his butler collects me from my room and escorts me to the foyer where Coventry is waiting.
"You're learning quickly, Miss Lawrence. I believe we can let you return to school and just work on your lessons on the weekend," Coventry says when I join him. "I'll have your things returned later. Goddrick will take you back so you can resume your classes."
"Thank you. I'm trying, sir." I paste on a sickeningly sweet smile.
"I was told Maxwell Sutton was your Empyrean mentor." He grins, his eyes narrowed on me.
"He was..." I reply slowly, wondering what he's getting at.
"I believe he would be a positive influence on you. I'll make sure the two of you can spend some time together." he smiles.
"Thank you, sir." I nod my head, biting the inside of my cheek to stop the snarky comment that’s on the top of my tongue.
Coventry dismisses us, and I follow Goddrick out on the front steps. He offers me his hand, which I reluctantly take, before we teleport to the entry point of Crowfall and then immediately to the academy. As soon as we land outside of the entry point to the academy, Goddrick releases my hand, leaving a small piece of paper behind. He winks at me before wrapping himself in black tendrils and teleporting away. I shove the piece of paper in my pocket then enter the grounds.
Once I'm back in my room, I pull the note out and read it.
I'll see you at Midnight. We will rise.
What in the world does that mean? Did he join the resistance? How does he even know about it? He is on Coventry’s payroll… Can we even trust him?
I slip the paper in the pocket of a jacket in my closet, then prepare for class with Mrs. King. I check the time and I have a little while before I need to leave, so I sit at my desk and close my eyes. I want to access more memories.
As I focus, I feel myself fall into my mind again. The same room greets me as before and I'm facing the inner me sitting at the desk.
"Ready for more?" She grins.
"I'm here, aren't I?" I roll my eyes. Am I this annoying in real life?
"This time it will be easier. Just remember, once you unlock it, you can't put it back," she warns me before vanishing.
I approach the three remaining rolodexes, ready to learn more. But which one to choose? I toggle between choosing gifts and powers, not sure what separates them, then choose powers. I reach forward and pick it up, and my body vibrates as the memories run through my mind.
I watch as a man describes sharing thoughts. That quickly morphs into dream walking. I watch as a man changes memories, puts humans to sleep, and finally he moves objects with his tendrils. Wow! I didn't think we could access them on a physical plane like that! Though it makes sense since we can use them to teleport ourselves. Before I can grasp the scenes playing out before my eyes, they switch into new ones, going faster and faster, until they are just a blur. So many powers lumped together in one long scene makes my head spin.
The rolodex falls from my hand as my vision clears. I focus on the room around me and open my eyes. I let out a sigh of relief when I realize I was able to come back by myself this time. That was a trippy experience! I hope I will be able to use some of these new powers. It’s nice to know we didn’t lose everything. The Nightmares were able to change my parents' memories to make my absence easier on them. We can also still put humans to sleep, so there’s that. Using tendrils to pick stuff up has me intrigued. I wonder if anyone else can use any of these gifts and powers. If the Nightmares lost them slowly over time, maybe they started coming back the same way and no one knew it.
A knock at the door makes me jump. I stand up quickly and rush to open the door, shocked to find Mrs. King standing there. The older Fury was so intimidating when I first started. But now, the Demon Wookie, as the students secretly called her, is a comforting sight. I’m thankful that she is still my mentor.
"Whisper, are you all right?" Her eyes are full of concern.
"I am, what's wrong?" I stare at her with a puzzled expression on my face.
"You were supposed to be in my office thirty minutes ago." She checks me over as if I might be hurt.
"I'm so sorry. I guess I zoned out." I feel guilty for making her wait.
"No matter. Let's take a walk and we can speak about your progress." She motions to the door.
"That sounds nice." I smile at her and step out of my room, then close the door behind me.
She grabs my arm and teleports us to the trails behind the shifter's training area. We walk for a while in silence before she stops.
"We should be safe to speak freely here." She winks at me before her eyes darken. "What is that horrid man doing with you?"
I explain my lessons and how he's only focused on me reading the ancient language r
ight now.
"If I'm being honest, I don't need tutors. I just seem to know what the writing says without any help," I admit aloud for the first time.
"Gandore, myself, and Mrs. Bradbury are the only ones who know exactly what happened to you the day you touched the stone." Her forehead creases in concern. "We need to keep it that way. I have a feeling you will have access to powers that could destroy our people in the wrong hands."
"I haven't told him anything. I don't trust him at all. He has books on ancient history, pocket universes, and the Baku that I’m to read once I ‘learn’ how. The one on pocket universes has to be important. It was the first thing he bragged about to me," I explain.
"That is concerning, but without knowing more of his plans, we can’t prepare. Have you done anything with the lessons I've taught you?" She gazes at me expectantly.
"Actually, yes. I know how to dream walk. I've taught my friends and we are going to organize students in my dream place." I wave my hands animatedly as I get excited. "Would you like to join us?"
"I very much would, but how do I learn to do that?" She stops walking.
"I will find you tonight and pull you into Whisper's Hollow then you will be able to find it by thinking about it as you fall asleep. Oh… and if there are any other teachers we can trust, you can invite them once you've been there." I smile, excited to teach her. She will be a strong ally in this fight.
"That's amazing, Whisper. I knew we could expect great things from you." She beams. "But I think you need to come up with a new name. Something that will encompass your mission."
"I can do that," I reply, thinking of the note that Goddrick wrote. "I know, Midnight Rising."
"I love that." She checks her watch. "We need to be getting back, but I'm so proud of you. I know I come across as a hardass, but I just want what's best for all of my students."
"I do have one question before we leave, but it might be kind of personal." I chew on my lip.
"What's that?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Why do you want to help the Dissidents?" I fumble with my nails nervously. "I thought the other houses all looked down on us."
Obstruction By Nightmare (Academy of Broken Dreams Book 3) Page 3
