Marked: Black Water Academy: Book One

by Murphy, Sloane

  “Eden, you need to come with me.”

  “What’s going on?” I ask as she unlocks the door and ushers me out.

  “Another student was killed. Vampire attack.” She says swiftly, urging me up the stone stairs.

  “What? Oh my god, who?”

  “A second year, a Shifter. I’m not sure that you knew them, but his body was found just like the first student. So while the world is erupting into chaos, it’s enough for me to have convinced The Council for now that you didn’t hurt anyone but the boy who was torturing Aurora.” We reach the top of the stairs and she secures the stone door, and I see the goon Devon mentioned.

  “Is she awake?” I ask, hopeful.

  “No, she isn’t, but you and I need to talk.” She presses her keys into my hands. “I want you to go and lock yourself in my office, and don’t open the door for anyone but me, okay?”

  “Okay” I nod, still confused about what’s happening.

  “Good girl. I need to go sort out this mess, and then I’ll be back.” She turns, her robe flying out behind her and strides away from me like the world depends on it. I clutch her keys in my hand and head up the stairs to her office, locking myself inside. A newer gilded cage, but at least this one has windows. I watch from the window as the entire school enters the assembly hall, the alarm still ringing. The noise stops and I can still hear the ringing in my ears with the complete paralleled silence in Laney’s office. I take a seat in the window seat and stare out at the world, feeling the sun’s rays on my skin through the open window. I lean my head against the window and take in the scenery around me, wondering if there really is an original Vampire in the school terrorizing the other races, or if it’s just a rogue Vampire. I don’t know which I’d rather. Either way, something is going to end badly for someone.

  I wait for what feels like hours, but finally, the assembly hall empties, and everyone’s faces look far more somber than they did upon entering. It doesn’t take long until someone is banging on the door.

  “Let me in, Eden.” I hear Creed’s voice, and rush to open the door.

  “You’re okay?” he asks when he sees me, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight.

  “I’m okay.” I reassure him. I hear voices behind him, and he steps back from me as Laney enters the room, followed quickly by Ethan.

  “Hey,” I smile at Ethan, and he grunts back at me.

  “Right,” Laney says with a flourish as she sits behind her desk. “I suggest one of you starts talking.” She signals for us to sit in the chairs opposite her; so I sit, but I don’t really know what to say.

  “I …” I start, because while I know she knew Dannika, I still don’t know her. I still need to protect myself and while I’m sure I trust Creed, Ethan seems off and I don’t know if I can trust him with my biggest secret.

  “What is it you want us to say?” Creed says, taking the lead and letting me off the hook.

  “How about you start with hiding parts of Eden’s training from me, and not reporting back as is your duty as a buddy.” She leans forward, tilting her nose down at us.

  “Well, considering I had no real idea about any of that until about four days ago, I’m not sure what I can offer.” He shrugs and leans back. I can’t tell if he’s pissed at me still, or if he’s just being purposely abrasive.

  “Ethan, anything you’d like to add?” she turns her stare to him.

  “No, I don’t think so. Eden seems like a pretty typical first year Vampire to me.” He grins and then shrugs. “Not much else I can tell you.”

  “You boys are meant to be two of my best students, which is exactly why I paired you both with Eden. I knew she would need some extra guidance, but the two of you are the biggest let down I’ve had in a while. How on earth do you expect the poor girl to learn, and understand, let alone control what is inside of her, if you don’t guide her properly? If you don’t get the right help you need to help her. I have enough going on with the school and The Council at the moment, without having to tidy up behind you pair! Now get your acts together. Eden is going to have to face The Council, whenever they deem it necessary, and that means that you’ll both have to face them too. And Augustine, if I hear one word about how you’ll be fine because of your father, I might just strangle you myself. This is not a joke, gentleman. This could be life or death. While I have managed to convince the council that due to Eden’s incarceration during the last unfortunate incident, she cannot be held responsible for things we cannot prove; she will now only be tried for her actions surrounding Aurora. However, that means further investigations will be done, and it also means that The Council will be here longer, sticking their noses into whatever they see fit. Do you understand me?”

  They both have a grim look on their faces, and I am completely lost, but they nod and apologize before being dismissed. They both stand and leave, Creed squeezing my shoulder on his way past. The door closes behind them and Laney’s stare zeroes in on me.

  “As for you, young lady, I suggest that for now, you keep your secrets tightly guarded. I know you seem to trust Augustine, and from what I’ve seen, you seem to trust the Grayhart boy too… Kane. Just be careful not to give too much of yourself away, and that includes your heart, Eden. There is more to what you are than I’m sure has ever been explained to you, and unfortunately, we don’t have time for that right now. I also don’t want to know any more than I know right now, for your own good. The boys proved that they aren’t likely to talk. I need to make sure that you will say only what is necessary.”

  “I swear it. I’m not exactly one for broadcasting my business.”

  “No, I’m sure you’re not. Now you will be kept in your room until The Council calls for you. Fortunately, or not, tomorrow is the start of the two-week break, but I am sure some of your friends will still be around to keep you company, or get you anything you need.” She reaches down and pulls out a flask, handing it over to me. “Drink this, quickly. I know you’ve not had any blood for some time—part of The Council’s great idea to make you talk—but they have no real idea, even if they suspect the truth of it.”

  I take the flask and drink deeply, especially if I’m just being moved to another prison cell. At least my room has all of my things… and a shower.

  I pace around my room. I never thought this day would come. I tried so hard to keep my secret, to be worthy of the sacrifices so many made, so that I could survive, and I’ve let them all down. I clutch the locket around my neck, where it’s been ever since Laney let me out of that dungeon cell. The school is finally back from the two week break, which I think Laney was thankful for considering everything that’s happened. Just trying to get back to normal.

  I’ve been trapped in here for three days, with Ruby, Kane, and Cam each bringing me food and blood, helping me stock my fridge. I’ve not been allowed any contact with Ethan or Creed since I saw them in Laney’s office the day I was released. Everyone is under investigation and it’s all my fault.

  “Can I come in?” Kane’s head pokes around my door before slinking inside. I hug him, thankful for his presence before I climb out of my skin. “I was hoping you’d be alone. I was questioned earlier about everything, and while I think you’re going to be okay; you need to be careful. You can’t let them find out.”

  “What do you mean?” I question. I don’t know how he knows, but I know he does.

  “Don’t make me say it out loud; you never know who is listening, but I know. I suspected for a while, but after everything with Aurora, it just cemented the truth for me. I’m sorry you didn’t feel like you could trust me with knowing, but I promise you I’m not going to betray you.”

  I let out a sigh of relief and he wraps me up in another hug.

  “Thank you, Kane. It’s almost a relief, but at the same time, it’s terrifying. So many people already died… I couldn’t handle it if anything happened to you too.”

  “You don’t need to worry about me. What you need to worry about is The Council.”
/>
  “What do you mean?”

  “While the Minister is Gus and Aurora’s dad, and everyone thinks he’s the guy in charge, he’s just a puppet.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Look, I’m only telling you this because I want you to be safe, and I only know because of who my father is, but although The Council appears to be led by the Minister, he’s a puppet for the real power, which is the original council of the Fae.”

  “I’m sorry, say what?!”

  “I know, I’m getting there. Anyway, there was a prophecy a millennium ago about a Vampire who would bring fire to our world. One who was the strongest of them all, that would rise up. Essentially the Vampire would rule our world, but the prophecy is so cryptic that no one really knows how it happens, or whether it’s for the worst or not. But a group of grouchy old men who didn’t want their power taken away planned the Uprising, and then placed someone they could control at its mouthpiece. The best kept secret that no one seems to have clued up to yet.”

  “So you’re telling me that I could still be in deep shit? That even if Mr. Creed doesn’t investigate what happened, the old Fae council might, just because they’re scared of some fabled prophecy?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying, so just play it safe okay? I know you’re going to be summoned to face The Council tomorrow morning, which is why I came tonight. Just be careful, and maybe don’t trust too many people? The Council has spies everywhere, and since the latest rumors, I’ve no doubt there’s some here. I just don’t know who they are.”

  I sit back and try to process everything he’s just told me and feel the extra weight of the truth. Of course, it wouldn’t be simple. Why would it be? My entire life has been a colossal uphill battle.

  “Hey!” Ruby’s head pops around the door. “I come bearing goodies!” she almost sings. How she can’t feel the emotion of the room baffles me, but Ethan follows closely behind her.

  “Hey,” he says, nodding to Kane, but keeping his eyes fixed on me.

  “I should probably get out of here. Come on, Ruby,” Kane says, squeezing my hand before he stands.

  “But, I just got here,” she pouts, looking to Ethan who doesn’t acknowledge her.

  “Oh, okay. Let me just put this lot away. I’ll come and see you later, Eden.” She says as she opens and closes my refrigerator, and then shuffles out behind Kane, closing the door behind her. I feel kind of bad, but I’ve not seen Ethan in a while, and he looks like he needs to talk.

  “Do you want to sit?” I ask, as he stands awkwardly by the door.

  “No, I... I don’t really know where to start.”

  “At the beginning?” I joke and shrug when he looks at me funny. He takes a seat next to me, twisting so he can face me.

  “I have so many questions, but I suppose I should start. When I heard what happened to Aurora, I was so afraid. Afraid for you. Not many people could do what you did, Eden. And developing even more skills than you’ve already shown, and in a situation like that... It’s getting harder to keep denying everything. I’ve been wrestling with it all, and I don’t know if I even want to know, but what I do know is that I want to know you. You always turn up, and you always give every part of yourself. Even the bits you think you’re hiding. Be it when you’re pretending to learn something that you obviously already know, or when you save a girl’s life. Even when it’s just putting up with Ruby’s perpetual peppiness. You don’t want to let people in, but they’re drawn to you. It’s like a moth to a flame, and I can feel just how much I’m going to get burned, yet I can’t stop myself.” He leans forward and crushes my lips with his, his hands in my hair pulling me closer to him. He pulls back suddenly, leaving me to catch my breath, and he stands.

  “I’m sorry, I couldn’t not do that, but I know that this isn’t going to work, not until you know everything, and you learn to trust me enough.”

  “What on earth are you talking about, Ethan?”

  “I didn’t want to, but I had no choice. So I tried to keep you at arm’s length, but that isn’t working either.” He paces in front of me, but I get a sick feeling in my stomach. He sits down again and bounces his knee.

  “Spit it out, Ethan.” I snap.

  “They wanted me to spy on you.” He says and I hear the crack before I realize that I’ve slapped him.

  “I didn’t want to!” he protests, “but they have something on my dad. They picked a bunch of us to spy on a few different students and report back. I didn’t report much; there wasn’t anything to tell, not really. I played down your birthday, and just updated about our defense lessons. I left out your extra abilities, but then you saved Aurora, and they know I was holding information back. I told them I didn’t know anything else, that there was nothing else to know. You’re just a girl, albeit a powerful one, but not someone they need to worry about.”

  “You’ve been here this whole time, trying to be my friend, kissing me like you wanted me, messing with me, and telling them everything you worked out about me? And telling who exactly? Laney?” Could she have been lying to me? Is this how she really knew who I am? A thousand thoughts rush through my mind mixed with the cold tinge of betrayal.

  “No, not Laney. I don’t think she has any idea. I had a visit from The Council before the year started. They just asked me to watch out for the fire-haired freshman and let them know if anything out of the ordinary happened. The fact that Laney paired us together was coincidence I think.”

  “I need you to go, Ethan.” Cold spreads across me as everything falls into place.

  “Oh my god… it was you, wasn’t it? You broke into my room? That’s why we couldn’t find any new scents. You were trying to find something out about me, because I wasn’t giving you any information.”

  “No, I swear it; that wasn’t me, Eden. I wouldn’t do that to you. You have to trust me.” He pleads, pulling at his hair.

  “No, I don’t have to do anything. Why did they want you guys to spy on a few of the students?”

  “I’m not sure. They only wanted us to watch a few students; the ones who had moved around a lot, who didn’t know much of their past: the orphans, those from group homes. The rumors about the originals aren’t new ones. The Council has been watching for the last couple of years since they found out that some people escaped. Kids with potential links back to the original families.”

  “So why would you… you of all people, agree to it?” I ask and he hangs his head in shame.

  “I know, my mom would be so fucking ashamed, but I had to. I don’t know what they have on my dad, but I’ve never seen him that afraid before. So do you see, I had to do what they asked? I’m sorry, Eden. I’ll go now, but know I never wanted to hurt you.” He leaves and closes the door behind him. I curl up into a ball on the sofa and try to process what he just told me. He doesn’t know my secret, but someone, somewhere suspects something, and while I’d never regret saving Aurora, I might have just given myself away.

  “Are you ready?” Laney asks me as I follow her to the assembly hall where The Council are waiting for me. These last few days have been a rollercoaster; from Ethan and his surprise revelation, to still not hearing from Creed. Kane has been MIA for all of it, and considering I thought I had such a tight circle at this point; despite everything, I feel like I’ve been left out in the cold. It’s not that I’m not used to being alone, I just thought that for the first time in a while I wasn’t.

  I straighten my shoulders and refuse to pout. I am not a pouty kinda girl.

  “I think so. I have no idea what to expect, so I guess I just need to stick to my truth, or as close to it as possible.”

  “Just answer their questions. No more, no less. Do not expand unless they ask it. It is the best way to protect yourself.” she says quietly, as her steps echo around us. “The council is made up of seven men. Two Mer, Two Shifter, Two Fae, and then, the Minister, who as you are aware, is also a Vampire. I know for a fact that the Fae and the Mer will try to vote against you, un
less you convince them you are not any type of threat; the Shifters are probably more on your side, and as for the Minister, well… anything is possible.”

  “What do you know about the prophecy?” I ask her out of the blue and her footing stumbles.

  “How on earth do you know about that?” she asks, and I shrug.

  “I suggest you don’t bring it up while you’re in there, or really at all.” She chides. “This is about protecting you, not stirring up a frenzy.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “And depending on the outcome, we can add this to our list of things we need to discuss, young lady.” She stops in front of the assembly hall doors and takes a breath. Pushing the doors open, she transforms into the confident, strict Head that I recognize from my first day here, which seems like a lifetime ago. I follow her in. The room feels lifeless with the lack of people in such a big space, but as I walk closer to the circular stage in the middle of the room, I feel it. The power.

  The seven are sat on one side of the stage, in huge chairs tucked behind tables, with the Minister central, and a single chair opposite them behind a desk. I follow Laney to the steps up to the stage, where she steps aside and motions for me to climb them. I take them slowly, my feet feeling like they’re cased in cement. Looking behind me once I reach the top, I see I’m alone.

  I take a deep breath and sit in front of The Council.

  “Please state your full name for The Council.” The lithe, dark-skinned man on the left end of the table in front of me booms.

  “Eden DeMontford.” I say clearly, trying to control the wobble in my voice.