by LJ Swallow
Ash slides into the seat and apologises to Professor Turlington for his tardiness. I place my hand on his leg. "Is everything okay?"
He moves my hand. "Vince needs extra support."
"Oh?"
Ash purses his lips and pulls out his potions book. Jamie rejoins us and sets bottles of dried herbs and red and blue liquids in containers on the workbench, then shuffles onto his stool.
"Hey, Ash."
"Hey."
There’s a stiff formality between them and I hope to hell this isn’t a shift in his attitude to Jamie too.
Ash moves so his face is close to my ear. "I need to talk to you later."
The words could mean anything, but my mind leaps to the worst conclusion. This isn’t good. "Everything alright?"
"Mostly."
"Thanks for helping last night," I say and look pointedly at Jamie.
Ash shrugs. "One thing I hate is a cheater. Plus, I don’t want any of us in trouble. We need to stick together."
I relax a little at his encouraging words: ‘stick together’.
"Andrei put his neck on the line for us again," I say and indicate him with my head.
"For you." Jamie sprinkles herbs into the bowl and begins counting heads of dried flowers.
"For us," I insist. "We need to avoid situations like that again."
"Why are you mixing that?" Amelia picks up Jamie’s small ceramic bowl and sniffs the contents. "This isn’t wyrmroot and nightshade."
He gestures around him. "This is a lesson where we create potions to aid us. Therefore, I’m making something to help in the games. I’ve found new recipes."
He taps the leather-bound book on the desk beside him and Ash flicks open to the first page.
Snatching the book from him, Amelia flicks over more pages. "These potions heighten normal human powers to a magical level, Jamie. Only witches can use these and that’s an unfair advantage. You can’t cheat."
Jamie closes the book. "Everybody has advantages. Vampires, speed and night sight, shifters, stamina and strength. Witches can use magic to match that."
I chew my lip as I listen to the conversation. Jamie’s right—we’ve already proved Walcott will come behind in purely physical challenges and we need some help.
"Is this a superhero potion?" I ask in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Ash snorts. "Don’t worry. Advanced potion making. Jamie would need to practice all term to perfect one."
"How do you know?" retorts Jamie. "Or are you worried Walcott will win?"
There’s a friendly rivalry between the pair, but Jamie’s attitude edges towards hostility, not helped by Ash’s mood today.
"Sure. Like that happened… never."
"I guess with some more cheating from teams, you might," Jamie continues.
Ash leans across the desk. "And using potions isn’t cheating?"
"Well, according to you, I can’t successfully make one," he snaps back.
I absentmindedly stir the liquid in the jug on my desk, watching the blue swirl into the yellow. I understand academies and schools have competitions, but with such division already in the school, is this wise?
"The games are only a small part of the school," says Amelia, and she places a hand on each guy’s arm, where she sits between them. "Let’s work together when we’re not competing in any challenges."
Ash pulls a face and continues to measure out the red tincture from the small bottle while Jamie continues mashing herbs together.
Clive sits with Remi and a couple of other shifters, every student in their regular place. His and Remi’s cheeks are still discoloured, and Remi’s eye has swollen to twice the size.
I curse myself again, something I’ve done over and over since yesterday. Amelia tells me not to worry, that everything is fixed, but that doesn’t stop the possibility it could happen again.
I told Theodora about my slip up this morning and waited for her to give me a dressing down, but she responded with quiet awe that I can control people at will. But she and Sofia are right—when I’m emotional is when my powers are closer to the surface.
Controlling my emotions matters as much as my controlling my powers. And that will take a lot of practice.
Chapter Twenty-Six
MAEVE
Andrei joins us at dinner and Katherine glares at him across the room. But there's little she can do. We're interlinked. The games last night proved again how working together is the way forward.
Clive sits with Katherine, but as usual she studies Ash and me too, a silent warning in her displeased eyes. She knows there's something between us, but would be overjoyed to know Vincent has similar plans to split us.
Ash tells me I'm paranoid, but since the night in his room and the party, he touches me less. In normal circumstances, I'd put that down to not going far enough with him, but this is different.
Andrei sits with his back to her, quietly listening to our conversations.
"Where is Amelia?" I ask.
"Matt." Jamie sips his coffee.
"Matt's here?" That can't be possible.
"No. He has phone privileges this weekend. Ten minutes. She won't be long."
The table drops into silence at the mention of Matt's name. We never speak about him in front of Amelia, just as Vincent is a taboo topic.
"Amelia is dreaming if she thinks she'll see him again," remarks Andrei.
"I disagree," says Jamie. "Some Ravenhold kids are freed. Only the really nasty ones stay. He'll be fine."
Tobias. I don't understand why he was there, or why he was freed, but I intend to find out.
"You know Dorian Blackwood is still out there somewhere?" asks Andrei. "He's one person who should be locked up for life."
"Who's he?" I ask. "I thought the Blackwoods were in hiding."
"Most of them are dead," says Ash. "And he’s not a witch. He’s worse."
Jamie drops into silence and unease seeps in when his hand goes to his chest. He'd know all about the Blackwoods.
"He's a hybrid. People like him would destroy Matt if he were still there." Andrei spins the plate around in front of him. "I know what Matt's like. He wouldn't take shit from people, and he isn't as strong as the hybrids."
"But Matt is okay. Amelia says he's—"
Andrei jerks his chin up and I look to where Amelia stands behind.
Her face clouds. "Are you talking about me?"
"Yeah." I kick Andrei under the table. "What? Isn't the gang motto 'tell no lies'?"
Amelia scowls and sits. Her face is red and eyes puffy from tears, so I reach out and give her a hug. "Don't," she mumbles. "I don't want to cry again. I only came here because Andrei says he has something urgent to tell us."
Andrei enjoys his moment, hands behind his head. For somebody still hovering at the very edge of the group, he can be too cocky sometimes.
"Spill, Andrei," says Ash.
Andrei shakes his head. "Let's enjoy our meal first."
"Andrei..." I warn.
He leans forward, his face too close to mine for my body's comfort. "I can't say anything because a certain someone is close by."
"Oh." I fight looking over at Katherine.
"But I have a suggestion for some bonding time."
"Go on," says Ash, voice heavy with suspicion.
He smirks. "How long has it been since you guys went into the city? I reckon we should plan a night out."
"We’re not allowed off campus, remember?" asks Amelia.
He pulls a disappointed face. "Oh, come on. Students head out all the time and nobody says anything."
"That's not a good idea." Amelia looks around warily. "Who'll be there?"
"Us." Andrei scratches his head. "Don't you want a night away from campus? A little bonding time now we’re all in this shit together."
Jamie scotches his cheek. "Where?"
"Demon’s Lair."
"Whoa." Ash straightens. "We can't get in there. Demon’s Lair is exclusive."
Andrei coughs. "Uh
. My cousin’s dad owns the club. I'll get us in, no problem."
I look between them all; again, I’m out of the loop.
I snap my head back. "A vampire club?"
"I’m not sure," says Jamie. "Not my scene. I hear dubious stuff happens there."
"No more dubious than human clubs." Andrei nudges me. "What do you say? A little more immersion into your new world?"
I do miss my weekends out with Tessa. The small taste of freedom I had at the Halloween party wasn’t enough, the evening stressful.
"When?" asks Jamie.
"I already spoke to my cousin. He reckons we can get in within a couple of weeks."
"There’s a waiting list? Is Demon’s Lair that exclusive?"
Jamie nods at my question. "Because Dominion members are mostly vampires, the place is strictly controlled to keep them out. Invite only."
"They’ve learned to stay away," says Andrei stiffly. "Last time any Dominion tried to get in, there was a mysterious death."
I watch Jamie. This would be his cue to make a snide comment about Andrei and ‘mysterious deaths’, but he remains quiet. Is he finally accepting our mismatched friendships?
Instead, Jamie runs his tongue along his teeth. "I bet I know what someone will say next."
Silence. But we're all thinking the same, I’m sure.
"‘You can't go, Jamie. It’s too dangerous’," Jamie adds in a mocking tone. "Right?"
"Nobody said that, dude," says Andrei.
"Are you sure Jamie will be safe?"
"His choice," says Andrei and shrugs.
"I'll be fine," he says. "No problem."
Amelia’s eyes fill with alarm. "You don't even like vampires!"
"No, I don't like them, but witches go to Demon’s Lair too."
"Uh. Cough, cough, vamp sitting here," retorts Andrei, but he’s smiling wryly. "Helpful vamp with something interesting to tell you."
He tips his head to the side towards Katherine’s group. I glance at Clive's swollen face and focus on not meeting his eyes. What if the magic wears off and he remembers?
"Cool. I'll ask Vincent to come with us. He could do with some time out," adds Ash.
The atmosphere chills several degrees and Jamie shifts in his chair, briefly meeting my eyes.
"Anyway!" Andrei slaps his hands on the table and the icy atmosphere snaps. "The other news I have is about Katherine’s plans."
"What now?" Ash sighs and slumps back in her seat.
"She's planning to cheat in the mental magic challenge."
Jamie purses his lips. "How? Nobody knows what the task will be until the day."
"I heard Katherine talking to Clive about creating a potion to help her get ‘an advantage’ in the game. Katherine shut up when she noticed me nearby."
"She'll be detected. Not possible," says Amelia.
"Katherine can always hide what she does," says Andrei with a snort. "Clive already tried to cheat in the first game. I’m not surprised she is too."
"I can report her to Vince?" suggests Ash.
Andrei shakes his head. "No. Not without proof. We'll figure out a way to counteract what she's doing."
"What potion?" asks Jamie. "I'll make one to counteract the effects."
"I didn't hear that part. I bet it’s something to confuse her partner. Maybe send them to sleep? I don't know."
"This is dangerous," says Jamie with a frown. "All the potions I know that affect the mind could do serious damage."
"Katherine wouldn't risk that," I say.
Amelia snorts. "Believe me, Katherine doesn't care if someone gets hurt, if they get in her way. I know."
She exchanges a look with Andrei, who rubs his hand across his mouth and says nothing. "Yeah, well I thought I’d tell you."
Andrei’s decision to confide in us reinforces what I keep telling the others—that we’re a group. Mismatched, but united. Jamie rests against the wall close to Andrei, but without his usual guardedness. Ash stands arms crossed, face drawn into displeasure. Amelia’s not quite with us still, and her reddened eyes worry me—what happened when she spoke to Matt?
"We only have until tomorrow afternoon to figure out what she’s planning," says Amelia, chewing on her lip.
"Tomorrow afternoon? So soon?" I ask.
"Apparently Sofia needs to attend an urgent meeting at the witches' council later this week. The challenge has been brought forward, because all house heads need to be present."
Jamie tips his head at Ash. "How do you know this?"
"Vincent." He grins. "You guys have an advantage thanks to my insider info."
"Good." Jamie crosses his arms. "This gives Katherine less time to work on her cheating."
"She’ll know too," says Amelia. "Nothing happens here without her knowledge."
The fact the challenge has been brought forward doesn't concern me as much as Sofia’s summons to the witches' council.
"Did Vincent mention why Sofia needed to go?"
He shrugs. "Witch business, I guess. Ask her?"
"I will."
Andrei jumps down from the desk. "I’ll try to find more info from Katherine, but she’s cagey around me."
"The best we can do is be alert to what she does on the day," says Amelia. "If we don't know the potion, we don't know how to counteract it, but we can stop her. Her victim would need to drink shortly before, for her to be sure the potion has an effect."
"If that’s what she’s choosing to use," puts in Jamie. "She could use a balm or powdered herbs."
Ash swears. "Then this is impossible for us to stop. Someone should tell Tobias."
"And what? He can’t disqualify Katherine based on a rumour from a group who don't like her. Plus, we’re on opposing teams. Even if Tobias believes us, I doubt the other professors would." Amelia’s face sours.
"I’ll talk to him anyway," says Andrei.
"Or I could?" I suggest.
"I'm not comfortable with you and him alone," says Ash, and Andrei's expression reflects the same opinion.
"He won't hurt me."
"That's not what I'm worried about." Andrei's eyes meet mine.
"He’s on our side too," puts in Amelia, and everybody looks at her in surprise. I’ve never heard Amelia defend Tobias before, but she’s never voiced her suspicions as loudly as the others.
"She’s right," says Andrei in a begrudging tone.
Ash says nothing. Is Tobias somebody else Vincent told Ash to keep away from?
Amelia tugs my arm. "I’m tired. Tomorrow, we can practice our mental magic in case one of us is paired with Katherine."
Something in the pit of my stomach tells me to expect that honour.
Ash pulls himself from the wall. "I need to talk to Maeve first."
The group drops into another awkward silence as the conversation abruptly ends.
"Yeah, well, I’m headed off too." Without pausing for goodbyes, Andrei lopes away.
"Abrupt," says Amelia with a chuckle.
I’m disappointed he cut us dead and left as suddenly, but that’s Andrei. "I’m glad he decided to tell us."
Ash rubs his temples and glances around. "Maeve?"
I don't know what Ash wants to talk to me about, but the vibe I get is this won't be good.
My walk with Ash takes us away from the building and towards the rugby pitches. Each step we take, my hopes sink further into my shoes. Ash keeps looking back at the academy and his hands remain in his pockets. The spring sunshine touching and warming my face can’t reach my heart growing cold. I hate seeing Ash subdued and unhappy like this.
Ash finally wraps an arm around my shoulders and I rest my head against his chest as we walk in rhythm.
"Sorry I haven’t had a chance to speak to you since the party," he says.
"All good. I know you’re busy with other things apart from me." I nudge him in the ribs with an elbow. "Looks like Vincent demands a lot of your time."
"Yeah."
We stop by the goal posts and Ash rests against
one. He shuffles down to my height, which is nice but his legs crate a barrier between us. "Was Christmas difficult? Getting to know each other again."
He hunches his shoulders. "I hope you're not hinting he isn't Vincent."
"No," I protest. "I just mean the experience must’ve affected him and how he responds to you all."
"Everybody’s changed." Ash pauses as he takes both my hands again. "I missed you over the holidays."
The tenderness on his face, the way his eyes brighten when he looks at me sends the familiar fluttering into my chest.
"Me too," I whisper.
"Are you okay with people spreading the news we’re together?"
I blink. "Aren’t you?"
He inhales and then sighs. "This sounds shitty, but things are complicated. I mean, there’s something between us, but..."
He trails off as I try to hide the hurt with words that mean nothing. "Oh. Sure, okay."
The nausea I’ve fought since we walked away from dinner builds. Is Ash rejecting me? Since we returned to the academy, he’s been attentive, as if I’m more to him than I was.
Vincent changed that the moment he arrived on campus.
"We can still spend time together, but I think ‘official’ would be full on for you. I know you don’t like being the focus of attention, and if you’re with me—"
His words hit a raw nerve. "I’m not good enough for the school’s most popular boy?" I retort.
"No. Maeve, I want us to be together. Just not public yet."
"Wow." I’m speechless for a moment as I pull my hand from his. "I think I’ll head back now."
He strides to catch up as I walk away across the vast, empty pitches. "Maeve. Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not saying this because I want to play around with other girls."
If that bothers you, you’re a hypocrite, Maeve. You practically kissed Andrei. I spin around. "Look. It’s okay. We only kissed once. Hardly a big deal."
"But it must be. You’re upset."
"I’m not," I lie. "Like you said, students don't ‘do’ exclusive here."
I ready myself to tell Ash I saw what Vincent did to him at the party, but what do I say? Ash is beginning to distance himself from me and this could make things worse. I’ve no doubt Ash’s pride would cause a bad reaction and he’s already struggling.
