Oath Breaker

by Shelley Wilson

  ‘Fair enough,’ he said. ‘If you stick to the left-hand track it leads down into town where you’ll find a few stores and Taylor’s Coffee Shop. Don’t be long because Lizzie will kill me if anything happens to you.’

  The track did indeed lead into town, or at least to a farmer’s gate at the top of the high street, which I climbed over, then I headed down the hill.

  I’m not sure I would call Ravenshood a town. With only a smattering of local shops, one pub, a church and a bandstand, it looked more like those photographs of rural villages from the geography textbooks we’d had at my last school.

  I spotted Taylor’s Coffee Shop in the distance with its brightly painted green window frames and potted bay trees either side of the main entrance. The chalkboard outside boasted the best Bakewell pudding in Nottinghamshire. I dug into my jeans pocket and pulled out the ten pound note Sebastian had given me for emergencies. A cake sounded like the perfect fuel to inspire my search for Cody.

  A plump lady in a Robin Hood apron smiled at me as I approached the counter.

  ‘Hello, my love, what can I get for you?’

  ‘Hot chocolate and a slice of Bakewell pudding, please.’

  She busied herself with my order as I thought about my next tactic. If Ravenshood was indeed a small community, the smiling woman adding a mountain of whipped cream to my mug might know where I could find a certain farm boy.

  ‘Do you know if Cody lives nearby?’ I tried to act nonchalant, but the burning sensation rising up my neck and spreading to my cheeks was a bit of a giveaway.

  The lady lifted her eyes to meet mine and studied me for a long moment.

  ‘Friend of the Mills family, are you?’

  ‘Er, yes, Cody and I are friends but I’ve mislaid his address. I’m from out of town and promised I’d pop in for a visit the next time I was here.’ I was babbling but couldn’t seem to stop. If she believed anything that poured out of my mouth, it would be a miracle.

  She finished with the cream and shook a small silver canister over the mug, showering everything in chocolate flakes.

  ‘Cody will be in soon for his lunch. He delivers produce to Mr Thompson over the road and always stops for a cheese roll before heading home.’

  I handed over my money and tried to resist the urge to do a little jig on the spot. My face felt warm again and I had an odd sensation in the pit of my stomach.

  I positioned myself strategically at a table for two on the left of the entrance.

  The café owner was right and just as the hands on the clock above the counter turned to one o’clock I saw a truck pull up opposite the café. The signage down the side panel confirmed that it belonged to the Mills Family Farm. Cody climbed out of the passenger side and lifted a box of vegetables from the back of the truck. He wore the same jeans from earlier but a new T-shirt beneath a navy apron. The muscles on his arms flexed as he hoisted the box up onto his shoulder and disappeared into Mr Thompson’s store.

  I wiped my hands down my jeans and cursed the butterflies that were swirling around my stomach. I remembered thinking how good-looking he was when we first met in the forest, but as I sat staring through the window, I realised I’d underestimated how much. Cody was gorgeous. Drop-dead, blonde hair, blue eyes gorgeous. The stuff of movies or rock bands. I dragged the band out of my hair and shook out my ponytail, letting my long hair fall around my shoulders. I heard a chuckle from behind the counter but refused to turn around. I knew I was having a girlie moment, but I didn’t need to see the café owner’s amused expression.

  The door to the coffee shop swung open and a large man with a square jaw and shaggy brown hair stepped inside.

  ‘Afternoon, Jane.’ His voice boomed across the café and made me jump.

  ‘Hello, Byron, usual is it?’

  ‘That’ll be great, thanks love. I’m starving. Do me a cheese roll for Cody while you’re at it.’

  I wanted to turn around and look at the man now standing at the counter. This had to be one of Cody’s brothers, someone who could give me answers, but I kept my eyes fixed on Mr Thompson’s shop. Cody hadn’t come out yet and I didn’t want to miss his entrance.

  There was a hushed conversation behind me, and I realised too late that Jane was making Byron aware of my existence. I stayed as still as possible, straining to hear what she was whispering.

  I nearly flew out of my chair when a large hand landed on my right shoulder.

  ‘Hello miss, I understand you’re a friend of my little brother.’

  Byron slid into the seat opposite me and smiled. His eyes were warm and filled with good humour. He was clearly enjoying seeing me squirm.

  ‘How does a pretty young lass like you know our Cody?’

  ‘We, I…’

  Shit.

  He smiled again, wider this time until I could see nearly all of his perfectly white teeth.

  ‘No need to be shy. We could be family if the two of you are, you know, a couple.’ He winked and his shoulders began to shake as he laughed.

  ‘Oh, no, we’re not a couple.’ I said, finally finding my voice. ‘We haven’t known each other very long. I’m new in town and he’s the only person I know. Sort of.’

  Byron rested his elbows on the table and scrutinised me.

  ‘That’s a shame. I think you’d make a lovely girlfriend for my baby brother.’

  I felt my cheeks grow hotter as I lowered my gaze and nibbled on my lower lip. How had I got myself into this?

  Byron roared with laughter and slapped a big hand on the tabletop.

  ‘I’m sorry. I’m only teasing. It’s not often we get pretty strangers in Ravenshood. I don’t mean anything by it.’

  I looked up at him and found it easy to return his warm smile. His eyes twinkled with mischief, and I remembered when Zak used to look at me in the same way when he was teasing me about something or other. I suddenly missed my brother more than ever.

  The café door opened and Cody breezed in with a big smile and a cheery hello for Jane. His eyes slid towards Byron and me and he stopped dead, still clutching the door handle.

  ‘What are you doing here?’

  He looked shocked and confused, but he also looked scared. His eyes flicked between Byron and me as if he’d caught us doing something wrong.

  Byron didn’t seem to notice his brother’s discomfort and stood up, swinging his arm across the newly vacated chair.

  ‘I was just keeping your seat warm, baby brother.’

  Cody finally released the door and took a tentative step towards me. I tried to keep my face as neutral as possible. I was just a girl in a coffee shop enjoying a hot chocolate and hoping to make a friend.

  I smiled up at him in the hope that he would take that as a peace offering. It appeared to work as he slowly lowered himself into the seat. His long fingers rapped at the tabletop and his left leg bounced up and down on the spot. He had either become really shy since our time spent in the woods or he was a nanosecond away from making an escape.

  ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you,’ I said finally, keeping my voice low so Byron and Jane couldn’t hear.

  He looked at me then, his intense blue eyes boring a hole into my soul.

  ‘What you said to me earlier about the academy, I need to ask you about that. I didn’t know how else to find you.’

  He nodded and wiped his hands down his apron, constantly glancing behind me at where his brother was talking to Jane.

  ‘We can’t talk here. It’s not safe. Meet me in the woods after dark.’

  It seemed odd to assume the woods were safe after dark, and if I arranged to meet him, I was agreeing to something I knew was against Sebastian’s rules. However, if Cody had answers, then it was worth the risk.

  ‘Where shall I meet you?’

  ‘There are some cages on the edge of the academy’s land. If you follow the track on the right, you’ll eventually come to the overhang where we first met. I’ll meet you there at midnight.’

  He took a pen
from his apron pocket and scribbled something on a napkin, then slid it across the table towards me.

  ‘Here’s my number just in case you have any problems.’

  Without waiting for an answer, he got up and walked over to his brother. Muttering his thanks to Jane, he took a foil-wrapped sandwich from her.

  Cody stormed out of the coffee shop but Byron stopped by my table.

  ‘It was lovely to meet you…’ He spread out his hands and widened his eyes as he waited for me to fill in the blank.

  ‘Mia.’ I said. ‘Nice to meet you too.’

  Byron took a step backwards as if I’d slapped him. He looked through the window to where Cody was climbing into the truck and then back at me.

  ‘Right, of course, Mia.’ His smile was growing thinner by the second, and with a tight nod of his head he rushed for the exit. I watched him fumble with the door handle, all the earlier bravado and jokes a distant memory.

  I’d never seen anyone screech the tyres on a truck before, but the Mills Family Farm vehicle left a cough-inducing cloud of dust as Byron tore off down the high street.

  Perhaps Cody had told his brother about our earlier meeting and that I was a student at the notorious Hood Academy. There was so much I wanted to know. So much I needed to know.

  I looked up at the clock above the counter. Only another ten hours until I saw Cody again. Maybe then I’d get some answers.

  WHEN ELIZABETH BURST through our bedroom door looking like a cross between the swamp monster and a yeti, I couldn’t resist laughing at my roommate’s misfortune.

  ‘It’s not funny!’ Elizabeth squelched across the floor towards the bathroom, shedding clothing as she went.

  ‘I know, I’m sorry. How was the marathon?’

  ‘Oh, you know. Long, tiring, wet and bloody awful.’

  ‘I’ll see if I can rustle us up a couple of hot chocolates from the canteen.’

  I left her to shower in peace and made my way downstairs. Clusters of students huddled in the corridors and sat on the stairs wrapped in blankets and dressing gowns, sipping from steaming mugs of chocolatey goodness.

  I spotted Felicity and her squad languishing on the sofas in the entrance hall. She glanced at me as I walked towards the canteen, a look of surprise and then malice registering on her features. She was evidently hoping I was still lost in the woods.

  Now wasn’t the time to confront her. I was happy to wait until the right moment to take my revenge on that bitch. In the meantime, I was going to follow Sebastian’s orders and keep out of her way.

  ARMED WITH TWO mugs and a large packet of popcorn, I hurried back to our room. Elizabeth should be out of the shower by now. She was easy to talk to, and although I didn’t want her to get mixed up in my crazy life, I knew the time had come to ask for help. It was new territory for me and my palms were slick just thinking about it.

  Surrounded by an army of stuffed animals, Elizabeth flicked through a schoolbook as I walked in.

  ‘I’m sure they’ll let you off doing your homework for one day,’ I said, handing her one of the mugs.

  Sitting opposite her, I watched as she sipped her hot chocolate and let out a contented sigh. Her long blonde hair was wet and hung loosely around her shoulders, and her bright eyes sparkled in the lamplight. I could see why Adam was so enamoured with her. Elizabeth was one of those rare people who were beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.

  ‘Miss Ross told me you got back first. She mentioned something about you getting lost again.’

  I nodded and fished a marshmallow out of my drink before answering. ‘Yeah, I missed a couple of flags and ended up in the middle of nowhere.’

  ‘Hmm, I agree with Miss Ross about your missing flags. It had to be Felicity.’

  I waved my hand dismissively. ‘I don’t care about Felicity’s stupid prank. As it happens I met a boy who helped me find my way back.’

  That got her attention. She put the mug down on the dressing table and shuffled forward until she was teetering on the edge of her bed.

  ‘A boy? Who is he? Is he cute? Ooh, tell me all about him.’

  I laughed at her wide-eyed expression. ‘Are you obsessed with boys and romance or something?’

  ‘No, but I believe there is a soulmate for each of us, and if we find someone who makes us happy, we should cherish every moment.’

  ‘Is that how you feel about Adam?’

  Elizabeth’s face lit up at the mention of Hood Academy’s groundsman. ‘Adam is sweet, kind and warm-hearted, and I love spending time with him.’

  ‘Is he a good kisser?’

  I watched her cheeks grow pink as she squirmed on the bed. ‘We’ve only kissed a couple of times and only recently.’

  ‘What took you so long?’

  Elizabeth frowned. ‘We had to overcome certain…problems.’

  Now I was intrigued.

  ‘Adam only arrived at the academy a month ago,’ she continued. ‘I’m sure you can imagine the impression he made on the girls—one girl in particular.’

  ‘Felicity!’

  Elizabeth nodded and dunked a marshmallow with the tip of her finger.

  ‘Felicity flirted with him outrageously. It was embarrassing.’

  I stifled a laugh at Elizabeth’s horrified expression.

  ‘So what happened? Did he only have eyes for you?’

  She blushed. ‘I used to share a room with Felicity and just before you arrived here she found me and Adam…together.’

  I was aware that my mouth was open but no sound came out. The revelation that sweet, gentle Lizzie had been paired up with that red-headed monster startled me more than the love triangle.

  ‘Felicity went mad. She was screaming and shouting, and in the end Adam dragged me out of the room for my own safety. Miss Ross assigned me a new room, this one, and I tried to keep out of Felicity’s way.’

  ‘Something we have in common,’ I mumbled.

  ‘Felicity tried to get Adam fired while Sebastian was out of town collecting you, but Miss Ross was brilliant and stood up to the governors. I don’t think Felicity will ever forgive me.’

  ‘Well, all I can say is Adam has great taste. He’s smitten with you, that’s obvious.’

  ‘Do you really think so?’

  ‘Hell yeah. When I mentioned your name earlier, his eyes twinkled. Of course, that was when he helped me escape the academy.’

  Elizabeth’s head jerked up at the mention of my extracurricular activities, and she scrunched her brow.

  ‘Why did you want to escape?’

  I took a deep breath and launched into my day’s activities, then told her about Cody appearing in the woods and the strange conversation about Hood Academy.

  ‘If I hadn’t got lost and met Cody, I may never have ended up in Sebastian’s office and seen the file on his desk.’

  I paused to check she was taking it all in. She studied me for a moment then urged me to continue with a wave of her hand.

  ‘The file was a list of fatalities and at the bottom was my mum’s name. There’s more to Hood Academy than just training and taking an oath. I think Cody can help me find out what that is, so I’m meeting him again. Tonight. At midnight.’

  ‘Are you crazy?’ She jumped off the bed and began pacing the floor. ‘You can’t meet a strange boy in the woods and especially not in the middle of the night. It’s too dangerous.’

  ‘I know it sounds dangerous, but I’ll be careful. It’s odd but I feel like I can trust Cody.’

  ‘You don’t know anything about him!’ Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips and towered over me as I sat on my bed.

  ‘I know you’re worried about me, but I can take care of myself, and besides, I need to know what he was talking about. There’s something going on at this school that potentially involves my family. Something is not as it should be and I need to find out what it is.’

  Her shoulders sagged as all the fight drained out of her.

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ she said.
>
  I wasn’t expecting that. Elizabeth was full of surprises, and it felt nice to be able to confide in someone and have them back me up.

  ‘I can’t ask you to do that, but I do need your help. Do you think you could ask Adam for a spare key to the front door?’

  She flopped down on her bed and wrapped her arms around herself.

  ‘The front door is bolted from the inside after lights out, but he does have a key to the kitchen door. I’ll ask him.’

  We smiled at one another and I had the strangest sensation of being at peace. I’d shared a part of my life with someone and they hadn’t pushed me away or laughed at me.

  ‘Thanks, Lizzie,’ I whispered.

  She came and sat next to me, threading her arm in mine and resting her head on my shoulder.

  ‘That’s what friends are for.’

  Friends. I had a friend. Zak would be so proud.

  ADAM AND ELIZABETH turned out to be the best wingmen anyone could wish for. Adam gave me a spare key to the back door off the main kitchen that led to a dark courtyard which housed the wheelie bins. A short jog across the side lawn took me to the animal cages and the track that Cody told me to follow. Adam even loaned me a torch and a black waterproof jacket.

  Elizabeth pushed a small penknife into my hand with strict instructions to use it if my life was threatened. I sincerely hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

  They waved me off and told me they would wait up until I returned. I prayed that I would come back in one piece. Glancing up at the night sky, I noticed the moon had started to wane, and once again I kicked myself for not asking Miss Ross how many nights the wolves would be roaming the forest.

  I FOUND THE overhang easily this time as if I’d memorised the route after using it so many times. Ravenshood lay below me, the town in darkness apart from the odd lamp in a window. The air was so still that all I could hear was the beating of my heart.

  ‘You made it. Did you have any trouble finding this place?’

  I spun around at the sound of the voice behind me. Cody stood a short distance away dressed in dark jeans and a black jacket. He looked like a secret agent. I tried not to think about his role as the next James Bond and dropped my gaze to his feet.