Instead of making me feel clear headed and focussed, the blood I’d downed was making me want to fight someone. By contrast, the night was tranquil with just a crescent moon lending its’ silvery glow from above. The clouds that blanketed the otherwise blackened sky gave a murky hue to everything. Part of me wanted to share all my recent developments, including that my father might be known to Nadasdy. And that doing the unspeakable was the price of his name and whereabouts. Of Nadasdy’s trust.
“Has Winnie come back?” I asked.
“You’re going to call me crazy. But I think the Supernatural Light Alliance has her,” replied Ulric, hopefully.
“You’re crazy,” I said. Although, what he had said was certainly a possibility. They’d done that before in an attempt to try and bring werewolves who were Black Banes back into the light. Working on the right side again. “What makes you think that?”
“I heard Duquette talking to Devin that day, after you came out of Nadasdy’s office. I’d covertly stuck around to make sure….to see that you came out okay.”
“And?” I said, grateful for the coolness in the air, as I felt my face redden. Why was my body such a sellout? First Moldark and now the werewolf who’d all but kicked me to the curb? It had to be the blood drinking coming home to roost. And of course, Ulric didn’t need to look at my face. He was fixated by my blooming, which instantly gave me away by exceeding the moon’s splendour in its’ glow.
“They were saying how Professor Volke – our werewolf prof – had come to report my sister missing. He’d wanted to know if they’d taken her into protection the way they had with Lilith and the rest of them.”
“Okay and had they?” I said. Some theory we’d had that Lilith had been staked or thrown into some dank dungeon below the school. They’d likely been rewarded for their behaviour. And taking them out of Bloodline Academy hadn’t been a punishment but a protective measure, after all. It wasn’t out of the bounds of reason anymore, that maybe a few if not all of the profs had been aware of Lorna’s kidnapping.
“No. Or at least that’s what they said. But Nadasdy was pleased with my sister’s loyalty to Lilith and how she’d been their…lapdog, he’d called her,” Ulric inhaled a sharp, frustrated breath.
“So where is she then?” I asked.
“Duquette had promised to look into it and I heard her telling Devin how she was certain the Supernatural Light Alliance had nabbed Winnie and taken her back with them. They said that if that turned out to be the case, they’d never find her anyway. And if they did, it would only be when the Dark Legion killed her as a foe who’d crossed over to the other side.”
“And you think I have some kind of sway with the S.L.A?” I asked, trying to take it all in, “because I really don’t.”
“No, I’m not saying that. Or asking you to do anything. I just thought you’d want to know. If anything, if Winnie really is with the S.L.A., I’m glad. And, I’m so sorry I’ve been avoiding you lately,” said Ulric, taking my hand in his and looking into my eyes.
“You were worried, I guess,” I said, pulling away even though I didn’t want to.
“I thought she was dead, Kat.”
“It looks like she might be okay,” I said, hoping it was true.
“I promised I’d be there for you. And I’ve really let you down.”
“I don’t really have time to get into all that right now,” I said, feeling the sting of his shutting me out, all over again. No matter who it was from, abandonment always sucked.
“What did Nadasdy say to you?” asked Ulric, taking a step closer to me.
“That he knows who my father is.”
“Really? Do you think it’s true?” Ulric’s eyes lit up in a way mine should have but hadn’t.
“I don’t know. But that wasn’t why he’d called me,” I said slipping into the familiarity of how easy Ulric had always been to talk to. To be with.
“Then what did he want?” Ulric asked, concerned. I filled him in on how they’d come to know everything that had transpired, thanks to the Witches’ Council hearing and how, as some twisted test of my loyalty, they wanted me to turn Safi. “But that’s never successfully been done,” said Ulric, “they’re trying to get you to kill her. Probably as revenge on the S.L.A. And, on you.”
“I figured.”
“Have you been drinking blood?” asked Ulric. This time, I thought I saw him pull away.
“No. A little. I haven’t drunk directly from anyone or anything,” I said, feeling defensive.
“I’m not saying you have - or judging, I’m just asking because the more you drink, the more you’ll want. But at least you’ll be a lot stronger.”
“Duh,” I replied.
“I know you’re a witch too so same rules probably don’t apply anyway,” said Ulric, realizing he’d hit a weak spot, “besides, when I look at you, I don’t see a Sanguine. I only see you.”
“Well, I am. At least part of me,” I replied. What did he want from me? Was I meant to pretend I wasn’t part Sanguine? It’s not like it was something I could help.
“I know. If I stayed away earlier, it was because I thought it was this lot that had my sister,” he said waving his hand at the great stone building we were standing outside, “I didn’t want them to harm you too. And, I was scared.”
“I hope Winnie will be safe with the S.L.A.,” I said, meaning it. The way Black Banes were treated, they were really neither here nor there. Outsiders, on the fringe of both supernatural societies. Much like me.
“I know I’ve been an idiot,” said Ulric drawing closer again, “let me make it up to you?”
“How?”
“Talk to me. Will the witches take you back after all you did to help them?”
I filled Ulric in on the verdict of the Grand High Witch, begrudgingly at first but then, grateful to have someone to talk to who wouldn’t worry like Natalie. I still had no idea if I could even trust Valenthia. I needed to look into it as soon as our chat was over. I wanted to trust her but no matter how convincing she sounded, I needed to be certain that I could.
“What would you do if you were me?” I asked, as Ulric gazed intently into my eyes, like he was trying to find an answer concealed within me.
“I would contact Safi,” he said after a few moments had passed.
“I can’t do that, I’m forbidden.”
“They’ve basically disowned you, right?” Ulric asked. That word again. For some reason its’ sting was far greater than anything else.
“Correct.”
“Then what does it matter if you disobey them now? It’s not like you have anything to lose?”
“But Safi does. She can’t be seen to be hanging out with me. She’s at Superno, now. If they found out she’d met me, it could ruin her chances there,” I spoke quickly, like I always did when I was upset. I kept it to myself that the most worrying part for me was if Safi refused to have anything to do with me.
“Man, your so-called Light Alliance is full of assholes,” said Ulric.
“Hey, they’re not mine anymore than they are yours,” I shot back, adding, “but this doesn’t mean that your sister is in any danger with them.”
“What if you just met up with her once, to warn her of what you’re being asked to do to her?”
“I have a better idea,” I said, “I’ve been thinking of leaving here.”
“You mean the academy?”
“The one and only.”
“You can’t do that!”
“Why not?” I whispered, “I’ll disappear. It’s a win-win for me – I won’t be tormented until I do their bidding and Safi will be safe.”
“Do you think if it were that easy, that generations of werewolves like me would have been stuck here? Trust me on this, Kat – they’ll find you. And when they do, they’ll punish you in ways you’d never imagined. They’ll destroy the very people you were trying to protect and they’ll do it right in front of you,” said Ulric with absolute gravity.
“The
n I’ll just have to make sure that no one ever finds me!” I said in a hushed voice, pulling him up to me so my mouth was up against his ear. “I have to go. There’s something I need to find out that will be handy to know either way,” I said, releasing my grip on Ulric’s arm.
“Wait,” said Ulric, “if you’re serious about leaving, then I’m coming with you.”
Chapter 8
I walked into the library. Natalie and Valenthia were sitting where I could see them easily. Ulric and I had decided to leave the following night. I had come away very torn about whether I wanted him coming with me at all. On one hand, he too would get to escape once and for all, from Bloodline Academy. A place where he didn’t matter. On the other hand, if we were found, his alpha, Kane, would throw him to the vamps himself. Not only would he be going against the rules imposed upon Black Banes by vampires, he’d be doing something even worse – abandoning his own pack selfishly. Just like I assumed his sister had done. Running away seemed like the perfect idea. Yet, him wanting to do it too, had made me realize that I had no clue what we’d do after leaving the academy.
“I scoped the place out, luckily there’s no one else here right now,” said Valenthia as I awkwardly sat down beside her. She was so determined that she hadn’t even asked what Ulric had wanted.
“Is everything okay?” Natalie asked.
“Couldn’t be better. Let’s do this,” I said, trying to calm my nerves. I couldn’t be scared about sneaking into some hidden old room in the library. If I was serious about running away in about twenty-four hours – or less, I’d have to be bolder about what I was about to do.
“Where do you want us?” asked Natalie.
“Just be here. And if someone’s coming, warn me by knocking on the wall or something,” I said, knowing full-well that there was probably no way to knock on a magic wall.
“Seriously?” said Valenthia, with a frown.
“I don’t know,” I mumbled, getting an idea, “if one of you allows me permission to read your mind – just while I’m inside…”
“We could tell you!” Natalie almost screamed in excitement.
“Shh!” said Valenthia, “Please read mine, Kat. I give you my permission,” she said.
“If you’re sure?” I asked.
“Of course.”
“Okay,” I smiled, “thanks. And if someone’s about to enter, distract them. Keep them talking. If they see you lurking near that section, they likely won’t go inside in front of you anyway,” I suggested.
“Okay,” said Natalie. I got up and pretended to look for a book, to survey the room and make sure no one was there. We couldn’t have chosen a better time. I walked to the back of the room and in a quiet corner between two tightly packed bookshelves, I began to summon my magic, envisioning myself turning invisible.
I felt tingles radiate throughout my body but nothing happened – at least I didn’t think it did. The last time this had happened, I hadn’t had to picture myself invisible as I hadn’t even known I could be. I tried to recreate the scene with Lorna so I could bring the same sense of urgency to this situation. But my brain – and my magic – knew better. I wasn’t in any immediate danger so that instinct simply wasn’t there.
I was about to give up when I heard footsteps approaching. I crouched behind one of the shelves and watched. It was Madame le Boursier and discreetly behind her, was Valenthia. “Le Boursier!” I heard Valenthia’s thought. If she was going into Tempus Fugit, I’d do best to follow her in and out. I needed my powers to kick in or we probably wouldn’t get another opportunity like this on the same night.
“Madame, I was wondering if you could help me?” Valenthia called out.
“What is it I can do for you?” said le Boursier in her thick, French accent, spinning around to face Valenthia. Come on, I willed myself, you need to do this! My blooming began to glow and I put my arm behind my back to try and conceal the silvery glow coming from the otherwise softly lit library.
“I want to read up on the history of vampire hexes. I’ve always found it such a fascinating topic,” said Valenthia, “Professor Varga has really inspired me.”
“I am sorry, Miss… Lauden, isn’t it? But do you think I’m the resident librarian?” came le Boursier’s curt reply.
“No, of course not, Madame, but I know you go back a long way with the academy and seeing as there’s no one else here right now who knows as much as you do… I just thought…”
I closed my eyes and concentrated. Valenthia was making a good attempt but le Boursier wasn’t stupid. If in the next minute I couldn’t conjure up my invisibility shield, she’d walk through the wall, that I could just about see from my hiding spot, and I likely wouldn’t even be able to figure out how to get to the other side.
“Why do you want to know about hexes? You’re only a first year, and whatever you’re being taught is enough. Anything else would be too advanced,” I heard le Boursier’s voice, which was starting to sound smudged and distant. Something was definitely starting to happen.
“Oh, well fair enough. Can’t I read about them in theory without having access to the more advanced materials?” said Valenthia, sounding sweet and fully insincere.
“I guess you can. Now I must get on.”
“Okay, yeah, sure. Could you just point me to where I might find the books?”
“Miss. Lauden, take some initiative and locate them yourself…” sighed le Boursier.
“Apologies, I didn’t mean to bug you. It’s just so inspiring how we see you in here, all the time. You really seem to know your way around.” My whole body was buzzing, as though I’d just had blood a moment ago.
“What exactly, do you mean by that?” said le Boursier. Oh no, Valenthia had gone too far. The school’s security veteran’s tone had gone from irritated to suspicious.
“Nothing…I, only…” I felt swirls of silver, pure, quartz magic began to lift out of my skin and settle around me, like a silky cocoon of protection.
“You’ve been spying on me, is that it?” questioned le Boursier. I ignored her, scrunching my eyes closed so that I could block out the outside world and concentrate only on my magic.
“No, nothing like that!” protested Valenthia, “But I know you’ve been with the academy a long time, that’s all.” She said something else too but I missed it as I felt like I was no longer confined to my body. I began to feel an intense rush, like I was streaming. The sensation disoriented me a little as I wasn’t moving at all.
A wave of magic coursed through me and pulsed out over the bookshelves surrounding the little nook I was in. A few of the books that weren’t wedged in tightly between the rest, thudded clumsily to the ground. Footsteps quickly approached where I stood and le Boursier appeared, squinting her beady eyes at the books.
“Did you do this?” she asked Valenthia, who’d wisely chosen the distraction as a way to extract herself from the deteriorating encounter. I assumed she’d gone back towards where Natalie was, to keep a safe distance. Madame le Boursier narrowed her small eyes and scrutinized where I stood, trying to stay absolutely still in the midst of my surging powers.
All I wanted was to move. My body needed it. Le Boursier frowned deeply and edged closer, as something caught her eye. Although from her expression I could tell that I wasn’t fully visible to her, for a second I thought maybe I hadn’t become as invisible as I thought I had. She had definitely seen something and as she cautiously took another step towards me, she put her hand out in front of her. I edged sideways, holding my breath as I did.
I lurched out of the way as she reached forward to grab something near my left leg. She sighed in irritation as she plucked a book from near my foot. She looked around like a predator, trying to catch its’ prey off guard, even for a moment. She looked at the book and tucked it under her arm, finally making to leave.
I followed her, giving her as wide a berth as I could without missing where she was going. She stopped abruptly, spinning around once more, looking partly unnerved
as well now. I stopped about two steps short of bumping into her. She was onto something, thankfully just not enough to spring me. Duquette and Devin must have mentioned exactly how I’d been able to rescue Lorna. It was only a matter of time before my entry into Tempus Fugit would be discovered.
Definitely time to move on from Bloodline Academy. I followed her to the end of the large room, past a few more musty shelves, until she reached the wall, behind which lay Tempus Fugit. Unlike the last time when I’d managed to become invisible with Lorna in tow, maintaining my shield this time was incomparably easier without another person to lug around.
The tricky part was when le Boursier went up to the wall with the golden writing on it. I wasn’t sure what to do. I watched her carefully and as she went to touch the wall with one hand, I instinctively stood beside her and copied what she did. I saw her lift one leg and take a step towards the solid wall and I did the same. In a synchronized flash of crimson light, we both stepped through and into Tempus Fugit.
It wasn’t just a room but an entirely secret wing, with stone archways in the distance and a much larger and better version of the library we knew. Le Boursier shuddered slightly as though coming through to this side had thrilled her in some way. It was creepy the way her eyes glowed with the same hue as the light that had flashed as we’d crossed over. She straightened up and walked ahead while I stood there gawking at where we were.
Tempus Fugit held books but instead of being crammed on nameless shelves, each volume was showcased in its’ own spot. There was an eerie crimson glow that permeated throughout and lit-up the room, wrapping in it an ominous glow, making the text on each tome, legible. The red glow flickered from time to time, making me expect to see coffins strewn in the corners of the space.
I couldn’t even fathom which part of the academy this extremely large space occupied. Its’ space and dimensions didn’t make any sense. But then again, it was tucked below ground level and the way the surrounding tunnels that shot off, disoriented me. it was possible that each tunnel was many kilometres apart from the next. Either way, the whole space seemed like a large and supernatural crypt, that appeared to house books.
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