by LJ Swallow
Typical Amelia, interrupting the uncomfortable direction our discussion was headed. Although she asks Ash to tell her about his Christmas, Amelia enthuses to him about her trip to my place.
Jamie shifts towards me, so his back is to the pair. "Can I ask you something?"
I swallow. About Ash? "Sure."
"What happened in that room with you and Tobias? I don’t understand how you were in there together."
Jamie’s agitation, and fear Tobias might reveal his secret, stopped him asking questions on the night, but with two weeks to mull everything over he has plenty, I’m sure.
"I saw Tobias outside the hall and spoke to him. Then he decided we should speak in private."
"What did you say to him?"
"That I knew he lied about his age."
Jamie’s eyes widen. "Maeve! I told you that in confidence. Didn’t you think that Tobias might be dangerous?"
I wave a hand to ask him to keep his voice down. "No. Not until he mentioned Ravenhold. But I also knew something happened to me on the field trip, and I had to find out if he Tobias magic on me."
"And?"
Tobias’s effect on me works across distance and time, because I’m instantly pulled back into the memory of the time together arguing in the room, as strongly as if it were a vision. "And I’m happy he’s back."
His mouth drops in horror? "What?"
"I found my way into Tobias’s mind once. If he’s asked to teach me again, I’ll work on his mind. Find out the truth."
"That could be dangerous. We don't know what Tobias would do if he knew."
"Isn’t everything dangerous here, Jamie?" I glance at where Ash and Amelia continue their chat. "I’ll let Tobias think he can control me because he believes I’m weak against him."
"Maeve..." Jamie warns.
The one thing nobody realises—maybe even Tobias too—is that he’s weak against me.
Let the battle begin, because if Tobias returned to threaten my new friends or my life, he’ll suffer before they do.
Chapter Five
MAEVE
I never dream, but do wake several times in the night with my mind churning. I won’t rest until I speak to Theodora and hear the truth from her.
Or until I tell Theodora about Tobias’s lies.
After a breakfast I barely eat, I head to the headmistress's office with Jamie, Ash, and Amelia. Andrei should be with us, but we can’t wait until the evening. Would he want to anyway? He’s back to ‘weird Andrei’, and I don’t know how he’d respond to me if I did ask.
I knock on the imposing oak door, and Theodora calls for us to enter.
I’m through the doorway in seconds, straightening my shoulders as I take a deep breath and step towards Theodora’s desk. "You need to listen to us."
My promise to myself that I'll be cool-headed drops away the moment the door closes and reveals a second person in the room. Tobias stands to the side, hidden by the door when I opened it and now in full view.
Faltering, I step back and grab Ash’s hand. Jamie stands beside Amelia, the four of us united in our determination to challenge the man.
"And you need to listen to Theodora," says Tobias calmly.
The headmistress sits behind her long desk, her glossy hair falling around her shoulders and a warm smile on her pale face. I’ll never see her as a centuries-old vampire—to me she's a young woman with a beauty only ever found in airbrushed images. Theodora’s unperturbed by my sudden entrance, instead, her expression is enquiring.
"Tobias told me to expect a visit from you," she says in her gentle tones. "He's explaining the situation to me. This is all rather unfortunate, as I’d hoped to keep the situation under wraps."
My blood ices in my veins. "Do you mean everything Tobias told us is true?"
Theodora folds her hands on the desk, sitting straight. "Explain to me what Tobias told you."
I stammer out a repeat of his words the evening of the ball—his age, his past, his undercover work at the academy. With each piece of information, she nods but her blue eyes harden.
"Tobias wiped my mind too," I blurt. "Not that night, but in the past. He's not permitted to do that."
Jamie snaps his head around. "What?"
"Is this true, Tobias?" asks Theodora sharply.
"Yes," he replies, no guilt or concern in his voice. "Remember the situation I informed you about? The issue with the hunters on the field trip."
"Ah." She smiles. "I remember."
My blood freezes further and I look wild-eyed to Ash, whose horror matches mine.
"He wanted the two hunters to kill each other that night," I continue. "Did you know that?"
Theodora’s brows shoot up and she appraises Tobias. "I hope this is not true."
"Maeve’s imagination is a little overactive. Surely I’d blank her mind if this were true?" Tobias smiles down at Theodora and my hackles rise.
"Andrei told me," I protest.
"And I would've wiped his mind too, would I not?" Tobias gives me a sweet smile that sets my teeth on edge. "Why would I allow either student to remember something incriminating against me?"
Apparently satisfied by the explanation, Theodora nods. I attempt to catch Tobias's eye, but he still refuses to look at me. So, there are things Theodora doesn’t know.
Theodora gestures at us to sit, and I perch on the edge of the sofa beside Ash, who keeps a tight grip on my hand.
"I can confirm Tobias’s story is true. I believe the academy is under threat from within. Tobias works for the Confederacy undercover and he’s here to help me. And yes, he’s watching you all because there seems to be a connection."
"We were talking before you interrupted," adds Tobias. "The Dominion attack on Maeve, hunters stalking Ash’s home, the predicted attack on Jamie. This is not coincidental, and perhaps more will come to light."
Ash’s grip tightens on my hand.
"And I explained to Tobias that I would like the five of you to work together. Now you're aware of the situation, this make sense."
"Five?"
"You must inform Tobias of anything and everything untoward that you witness inside the academy." She nods at me. "I know your natural inclination is suspicion, Maeve, especially as Tobias hid his true identity from you, but you must put that aside." Her eyes shift to the others. "All of you. I have been headmistress of this academy for longer than most remember. I've given years of my life to teaching students to work together, and I refuse to let my academy crumble in the hands of the Dominion."
Her face shadows with anger and at that moment I know however strong my suspicions are about Tobias, I need to do as she says.
"Working together is also necessary for everybody’s safety," she says more gently.
"Do you have anybody under suspicion?" asks Ash cautiously.
"Everybody." Her tone is flat. "Which breaks my heart because we’re family here."
"Yet you’d trust an ex-inmate from Ravenhold?" puts in Jamie.
Theodora blinks at him. "Does your friend Matt belong at Ravenhold?" she asks. "Would you reject him if he became an ‘ex inmate’?"
He drops his head to look at his shoes. "No."
"Then why not offer Tobias the same trust?" she replies harshly. "His story is not mine to tell, but Tobias has my utmost trust."
Tobias's eyes finally meet mine, and my scalp prickles as his whispered confession rings in my ears: ‘You don’t want to know why I was at Ravenhold.’
"You must tell he and I everything, and you are not to interfere with Tobias’s actions. You are also not to discuss this with anybody else or the consequences will be severe." She looks directly at me. "And you are to do as he tells you."
Ash chokes a laugh. "He’d use his magic to persuade us if we say no."
Theodora’s lips thin. "No. Tobias is forbidden to use his powers on any of you. That I will not allow."
"Apart from Maeve," Tobias says in a quiet voice.
Jamie stiffens. "What the hell?"
<
br /> Theodora sighs. "Sofia may be resistant to the idea, but Tobias needs to work with Maeve to develop her mind control skills. He’s the only person I trust to teach Maeve and not interfere with her mind."
I clench my jaw. He already did and she allowed that. "Oh? Tobias told me he didn’t want to teach me."
"Tobias, like you, must do as instructed."
He blinks and his self-assured expression flickers. Yes, Tobias, I’ll get into your head. That's what you're worried about.
Theodora sighs and leans forward. "One more thing, to demonstrate how little you can hide from me. I’m aware of your escapades on Halloween. The so-called field trip with Tobias was sanctioned by me, in order to fix your mess." Amelia makes a panicked sound and Theodora smiles. "Nothing in this academy slips past me."
Crap. I stare at the floor, my hair shielding my face.
"You mean Tobias told you?" says Ash. I glance up at him looking at the professor with harsh distrust.
She clasps her hands together. "Ashley. Tobias’s ultimate loyalty is with the academy and keeping everybody safe. He tells me everything. You may be interested to know that I wanted to impose severe punishment on you all, but Tobias persuaded me not to."
Does this mean she knows that Andrei killed? Tobias’s loyalty is to the academy, but has he kept more than one of our secrets?
"How is your brother, Ash?" Theodora asks him and my anxiety drops as the subject edges away from Halloween night.
"Vince is still recovering. Physically he’s okay, but he refuses to talk about what happened." Tobias makes a low sound in his throat. "What?" snaps Ash.
"Does Vincent lack memories, or is his forgetfulness something different?" He scratches the corner of his eye. "Is the man really who he says?"
My stomach lurches as Tobias voices what I’m sure many have thought, either in passing or still do. I had my doubts until Ash spoke to me about his family Christmas, and how Vincent remembered all their little traditions. If Ash believes Vincent is his brother, then I do too.
"That’s bloody hypocritical, coming from you," retorts Ash. "And of course, Vince is my brother. I’d know if he wasn’t."
Tobias looks to a painting on the wall and pushes his tongue into a cheek, his silence worse than if he’d pressed his opinion further.
But Ash is correct—the man is a hypocrite. Theodora must sense the discord between us all.
How can we meet Theodora's instructions if Tobias asked me to stay away from him? Theodora is putting him in a position he doesn’t like, not just us.
"Now, why not spend a morning relaxing before class," says Theodora clapping her hands together.
The tension doesn’t break.
"Please ensure you’re in the main hall by six o’clock. I have some exciting announcements for the school games this term."
Theodora cleverly shifts the focus from Vincent and Tobias to the academy again, but she must realise this meeting is the tip of a large iceberg.
I chew my lip and look down at my shoes. Theodora trusts Tobias implicitly, but why would she trust a man who was once detained at Ravenhold? Especially one who hasn’t been a hundred percent truthful with her.
Or a hundred percent truthful with me. I’m instructed to work with Tobias, yet I can’t trust the guy.
How important will trusting each other become?
Chapter Six
MAEVE
We file into the hall and sit on rows of wooden chairs, segregated into our houses. My blazer with the green trim matches everybody in the Walcott section, and almost every student is dressed in full uniform.
Some students chat quietly while others sit upright, craning their necks to watch what’s happening on the low stage. The last time I was in this room, magical Christmas decorations and ice sculptures filled the hall. I danced beneath the witchlights with Jamie and Ash, lost in an evening that ended in chaos.
The whole academy gathering like this is rare—the academy games must be more serious than I heard.
On stage, Theodora waits in front of a mic stand, looking every bit a star about to break into song. Does she look this perfect when she climbs out of bed in the morning? The three house heads sit to her left on chairs that match the ones the students occupy.
I’m close to the back of the hall and can’t see faces clearly, but Professor O’Reilly is slumped in his chair, which is unusual for him. I’m used to his ramrod-straight, chin-tipped stance.
Tobias is angled away from Sofia beside him, and there’re three empty seats to his left.
Theodora takes the stand in one hand and curls her slender fingers around the mic. "Welcome to the team games," her voice purrs around the room.
"May the odds be forever in your favour," mutters Jamie under his breath and I nudge him. He grins at me.
"Are the games that bad?" I whisper.
He wrinkles his nose. "As with anything competitive, some people take things seriously." Jamie inclines his head towards Ash, who sits with Gilgamesh house. Ash leans forward, elbows on his knees, expectant.
"This is one of the only times Petrescu involve themselves in academy life," puts in Amelia.
The bored-looking vamps talk, ignoring Theodora—a brave move.
"Because they usually win," mutters Jamie.
"Against shifters? How?"
"This isn’t only physical games, Maeve. Yeah, the shifters usually win that element, but there’s the magic and the academic too."
Theodora clears her throat and the sound silences the assembled students.
"This year, the games will follow the same pattern as previous years. There will be three competitions and scores kept. The top performers from each house will take place in the final competition. The winning house will earn a trip to the New Orleans Nightworld Academy."
An excited murmur ripples through the room.
Theodora continues before I can ask Jamie what’s special about that academy. "Your house professors will discuss the finer details and competitor lists will be posted on the main academy noticeboards. All students must take part, and any attempt to cheat will result in immediate disqualification." She lifts her head and stares directly at the troublemakers from the Winter Ball. "In some cases, expulsion."
"I should bloody hope so," mutters Jamie. "I wonder how much their parents had to pay Theodora to let them back in?"
"At least they’ll back off now," puts in Amelia. "Theodora won't stand for behaviour like that more than once."
The conversations happening around the room are interrupted by Theodora loudly clearing her throat, face close to the mic. "This term, I’m happy to report we’ve no staff changes."
I glance at the disgruntled Tobias. I’m not happy he’s back. Is he?
"However, Professor O’Reilly has decided to cut back his teaching hours and focus more on the pastoral role as Gilgamesh house head."
Professor O’Reilly shifts in his seat and his sour face rivals Tobias’s. Decided or was told?
"I decided to recruit a teaching assistant for the professor and between us, we chose the perfect candidate. I’d like to introduce an ex-pupil who made significant contributions to the academy’s sporting achievements."
I crane my neck to see over the tall guy in front of me as a man strides into view, his figure towering over the slight headmistress. He’s undoubtedly a shifter, over six feet tall with the build of a WWE wrestler.
"Welcome, Vincent Greenwood."
I jerk myself further upright and look at Ash. Did he know and not tell us? Ash’s parted mouth and widened eyes answer my question: he didn’t.
Vincent takes the empty chair beside Tobias, who angles his body away and sits stiffly, his clenched fists resting on his knees. Now I know why Tobias looked so pissed off on stage.
Is Theodora deliberately playing with fire by bringing Vincent back here?
"Hey," says Vincent and he attempts a grin. "It’s good to be back."
Gilgamesh kids put their heads together, faces lighting with exc
itement, and surprised chatter travels around the room.
"Wow," whispers Amelia. "Ash will be happy to have his brother around."
Jamie pulls on his bottom lip, but says nothing.
"The early rounds of the competition will take place each weekend so as not to interfere with classes. This term’s lessons will focus on activities to help with the games, and I advise everybody to attend."
Her gaze rests on the three Petrescu troublemakers from last term who are lounging back in their seats, ignoring proceedings. Andrei sits two seats away from them, staring at his feet.
I’m hurt that Andrei shut me out, as if each time he helps me he has to back away again to protect himself. Now I’m aware of his loneliness, I want to reach out, but how can I? He’s impenetrable and rebuilds any weak part of his defences whenever I manage to break through.
Andrei agreed to do as Theodora asks, welcoming any opportunity to piss Tobias off, but maintains his distance. I don’t resent him staying quiet about Tobias’s actions against me—I understand the position he was in—does Andrei feel guilt about that? He shouldn't.
"Please ensure you're friendly to our new staff member." Theodora raises both arms in the air, her smile growing. "Now, let the games begin!"
I shudder, terrified by the Hunger Games vision that Jamie put into my thoughts. I glance at Katherine, with her head bent whispering to a friend. She side-glances a girl at Walcott house, sitting across the narrow walkway between the chairs, and mouths something to her.
The witch glares and mouths something back.
Oh, hell. Please let this be painless.
Excited voices echo around the hallway as students file out of the main hall, some throwing jibes at the other houses. I’ve only one thing on my mind: Ash and Vincent. Amelia and Jamie wait with me, and we’re bumped by some students passing by.
Ash wanders out surrounded by his rugby teammates, but doesn’t join their enthusiastic planning how to win the physical challenges. He makes his excuses and joins us, but doesn’t greet me with a hug.
"Did you know about Vincent’s job here?" I ask.
