by LJ Swallow
Amelia’s someone who replies instantly, but as I stare at the screen, nothing happens.
Crap.
I’m half-dressed and my mind scrambled further before I notice Andrei watching.
"In a hurry to leave?" he asks. "Wow. I’m surprised you didn't run last night."
His mussed hair sticks up in places and his eyes are bright as he regards me, but his lips pulled tight. Unamused.
"Not because of you. This. Amelia’s gone."
Andrei slides to the edge of the bed and sits. I train my eyes away from his body and back to his face before I distracted. "I don't understand."
I sit beside Andrei, who takes my phone in the other. As he reads, he absentmindedly places a hand on my leg and rubs his thumb across my thigh. "Uh. Where do you think she is?"
"I don't know. She can't do this. What if somebody hurts her?"
Andrei hugs me to him as panic rises in my voice. "Everything will be okay. We’ll find her. She probably went home to see her sister."
My shoulders drop slightly. Has she? He kisses the side of my head. If I weren’t so worried about Amelia, I’d pay more attention to how Andrei hasn't immediately retreated back into himself.
"I’m not running from you, Andrei."
He gently turns my head to his and his mouth tips into a half-smile. "I couldn't follow you, if you were. It’s daytime."
Because he’s a vampire. The words sound weird in my mind. Imagine if I told Tessa—she’d ask my parents to lock me up again because I was delusional.
As delusional as if I told her ‘Hey, I’m a witch’.
Andrei’s lips touch mine with soft affection and he then rests his forehead on mine. "I understand that you need to leave."
His bare chest presses against my dress as we hug, his skin smooth and warm as I touch the sinewed muscle in his back. I want to stay here. Stay hidden with him in the dark for a little longer.
But we’re no longer in the dark.
And we never will be again.
I manage to leave Petrescu without any attention, half-running from the building and across to Walcott. If anybody sees me charging through the academy grounds dressed like this, there’ll be questions to answer.
I’m unsure if anybody does, because I’m busy calling Amelia, and all I hear is a 'this number can't be reached' message.
I cling to my theory she's left to find Matt. But how would she get into Ravenhold? And if she did, where would they go? My biggest concern? What if she lands herself in there too.
I'm tired even though I slept late. It’s late morning, but Jamie probably hasn't surfaced yet either. Good. I can avoid questions and focus on what matters.
The Walcott building bustles more than usual for a Sunday morning, with groups loitering on the stairs talking in hushed tones. Eager to get by before anybody takes a good look at me, I attempt to push my way through a group and stumble as one guy deliberately shoves me with his shoulder. I stumble into the wall and look up at his scowling face.
Duncan, a witch in my elemental magic studies class. "Where've you been?" he asks.
"A walk." I straighten my dress as he narrows his eyes.
"Is that her?" asks another, a female voice, and someone cranes their head from a higher step to look down.
"Yeah." Some, like Lorna, dislike me, which I accept, but the disgust in this guy's eyes sets the hairs on my neck.
"Is everything alright? Why is everybody on the stairs?"
He doesn't respond, instead turning his back. I elbow my way higher up the steps.
Two academy security stand halfway along the hallway, their bulky figures either side of an open dorm room door. A jittery girl approaches and they speak to her in gruff tones. She scuttles towards a group, eyes brimming with tears, and the three girls hug each other.
My stomach turns over as the energy from the scene around me takes hold. Anger. Horror. Disgust.
Whose room are they outside?
"Your blood-sucking scummy boyfriend went too far." Hot breath brushes hair against my ear and I snap my head round to meet eyes filled with the same disgust as Duncan. Lorna’s friend. She’s never spoken to me before—I don't even know her name.
Desperately, I scan the area for Jamie but with more than a dozen people crammed into the stairwell, I can't make out every face.
What has this to do with Andrei?
Sofia steps from the guarded room and she clutches a white handkerchief in one hand, the other over her mouth. I can't see clearly from here, but her eyes look puffy.
"Sofia?" I break away from the group and the security guards step closer together so I can't pass. Her eyes harden before she turns her back on me.
Tobias steps from the room too, his face grave. Sofia speaks to him and her body shakes as he looks back at her, replying in low, urgent tones. I almost call out to him but bite my tongue.
"What the hell is going on?" I ask the burly man in front of me.
He tips his chin. "There's been a death."
"Murder," puts in the second guy and his pupils are pinpricks of disgust.
His words slap me around the face and I reel. "The Dominion found their way into the school?"
He sneers. "Vamp attack."
"Who died?"
"Lorna," says Sofia, turning back to me.
"Lorna, who Andrei threatened," says the girl who spoke before. "I found her this morning with her throat ripped open."
The girl's voice chills my blood. "Do people think Andrei murdered her? That's impossible!"
A guy at her side snorts in derision. "A vamp killing a witch? That’s not impossible. Especially one who told Lorna to watch her back."
"No!" I protest. "Andrei doesn't kill. When did this happen? He couldn't!"
"God, you're so fucking naive," spits the girl. "All your years as a human screwed with your loyalties. Witches and vampires don't mix. Look what happens."
The world around me lurches in and out of view, but this isn't a vision. "Nothing. Nothing happened. It wasn’t him."
Tobias closes his eyes and shakes his head. At me? Or the situation? I step backwards. I hold my hand over my mouth and again look for Jamie. Finally, I spot him sitting on the hallway floor, hands wrapped around his legs as he stares forward. He doesn't register what's happening around him.
"Excuse me," I mutter and attempt to pass the accusers.
"He was here last night," the girl announces. "Someone saw him in the building around midnight. The bastard is guilty as hell."
"He was with me and Jamie," I retort.
"All night?" She cocks her head at me.
"Perhaps we should talk to Maeve later." Tobias stands between me and the girl, arms crossed. He's pulled on his authoritative air, but he's not okay. Even without sensing how he feels, the shock in his eyes is visible to everybody.
Sofia joins him, but at a distance to match her dislike of him. "All students are to congregate in their common rooms. Nobody leaves their respective houses until the authorities arrive."
Authorities? I attempt to catch Tobias's eye, but he refuses to look at me.
"Has anybody informed the other professors?" asks the security guy.
"Yes. Theodora is contacting Confederacy police. The students must remain in their houses. Nobody may leave the academy."
Shit. I rub a hand down my tired face. Andrei isn't responsible. He can't be. No way did he have time to silently kill a witch and return to his room before I joined him.
"Common room, now!" Sofia claps her hands together, her voice tinged with hysteria.
I hold a hand out to Jamie, who takes hold and struggles to his feet.
"Come with me," I whisper. "There’s something I need to tell you."
I drag my hungover friend to one side. "Does this ‘something’ explain why you’re still dressed in last night’s clothes."
"Partly. Listen. Amelia’s gone."
"Gone where?"
With a tr
embling hand, I pull my phone out and show him the message. He blinks and re-reads several times, the way I did, as if this would change the words.
"What the hell? Where is she?"
"This is about Matt. It has to be," I whisper.
"She can’t get to Matt. Nobody can get onto Ravenhold island unless they're staff or students."
I wave the phone at him. "What if she does something to get herself arrested and sent there?"
Jamie’s dark-ringed eyes fill with horror. "Oh, shit. No. She wouldn’t be that stupid."
"Haven’t you noticed how obsessed she’s been about him recently?" I ask. "How can Amelia say she’ll be okay?" My raised voice attracts attention from two girls nearby and I give a hesitant smile before lowering my voice again. "We need to tell someone. She can’t be far. I only saw her this morning."
"Agreed." Jamie stands. "Theodora?"
"Shouldn’t we tell Sofia first?" I ask.
"Uh. She’s busy." He leans sideways against the wall. "Do you think Andrei is involved?"
"What?" I shout the word and draw more attention. "How can you ask that question?"
"Calm down," he urges. "I’m asking because it’s possible. The guy is a vampire with a history of violence who threatened her. If he wasn’t involved, he’ll need a watertight alibi."
I smooth the front of my dress and the ache from our night together grows from physical to emotional. I broke a school rule, went against everybody's advice and spent the night in Andrei's bed. This isn't something I planned on telling people about just yet, but Andrei’s life matters more to me than this.
"I was with him, Jamie. He didn't kill her."
"We were both with him, but not all night." I stare at the floor. "Or were you? Maeve? Omigod, don't tell me… you and him. You’re insane."
I moisten my dry lips. "That’s irrelevant right now. I need to speak to somebody. Tobias? He’s innocent."
Jamie places a hand on my arm. "All night? Every minute after we returned to the academy?"
I swore I’d never hide the truth again. Promised I wouldn't lie to my friends, but I can't tell Jamie that Andrei was alone for ten minutes. Not yet. I refuse to believe that Andrei went anywhere but straight to his room. But Jamie doesn't have the faith in Andrei that I do.
"Yes."
Chapter Forty-Four
MAEVE
The Walcott students are herded towards the common room like sheep, and I shuffle along squashed between Jamie and others. I’m several steps from the door when somebody takes my hand and pulls me to one side.
Tobias.
The man who told me he’d never touch me, with his face pale and filled with apprehension as he half-drags me along the hallway. I have a weird sense of déjà vu as he leads us into a study room and closes the door.
Without speaking, he holds both hands on my cheeks. I don't have a chance to pull up a barrier against him, and his mind invades mine, taking enough energy to stop me moving.
"Let me go!" I drag at his hands, but he’s already dropping them to step away. "How dare you push into my mind."
He moves back and sits on the edge of a desk in the small room and holds his hands against his temples. I wait for him to speak, confused by the situation.
"I intended to talk to you. There was no need to do that," I continue.
"I needed to see where you were last night. But I’m not sure I want to see any more than I did," he mutters. "Show me your neck."
I splutter a laugh. "Pardon?"
"Your neck. Did he take blood from you?"
Omigod. He saw me and Andrei. I jab a finger at my throat. "My neck isn’t covered up. Take a look."
Swearing beneath his breath, he stands again and turns to the window. Silent. Closing me out.
"What happened is a good thing for Andrei," I say.
"What? That you had sex with him? Yeah, I’m sure he thinks that too."
"I mean because he has an alibi. Me."
He spins around. "I am struggling to control Andrei and you are not helping."
"He makes his own decisions. So do I."
I flinch as he appears in front of me, breath shorter as he glares. "No. The boy is uncontrolled. Without my influence on his thoughts, he’d kill."
"You control Andrei?" I choke. "Does he know?"
"No. Not control. I’m not only watching him, I’m smoothing over his thoughts. Dampening down his needs. Andrei has immense value to the Dominion and if he does anything that breaks Confederacy laws, he’ll fall into their hands."
"Does he know?" I repeat.
"Yes. And putting direct temptation in his way is both unfair and unwise of you."
"Andrei didn't hurt me."
"This time."
I grit my teeth. "Maybe give me the Blackwood pendant to protect myself," I throw back. "Oh, wait. You gave that to Jamie."
He straightens. "How do you know?"
"Because he caused a scene in the club last night and the pendant deflected an assault on him. Now Andrei has it. Do you think he needs it?"
"I’m not discussing Jamie with you. That’s not important right now. Did Andrei kill the witch?"
"You too?" I choke out at his blunt question. "How can you ask that?"
Tobias leans closer. "Perhaps because you awakened Andrei’s desire for witch blood, and he couldn’t take from you, he went elsewhere."
"That’s ridiculous! We were together. All night." He stares at me long enough to fill me with dread. "What will happen to him?"
"I’m headed over to Petrescu once I’m finished with you. I can speak to the Confederacy but there’s panic in the academy. He won't be able to stay."
"Ravenhold?" I whisper.
"I will do what I can to prevent that."
Ravenhold. Another thought bounces into my mind. "Amelia. Did you help Amelia?" I gasp out. "She’s gone."
Tobias’s cheeks redden. "Gone where?"
"She texted me. I don't know where she is. I think she went to Ravenhold. Did you help her?" I half-shout. "She could be hurt. In the Dominion’s hands!"
"Maeve. You're getting hysterical. Calm down."
I shove him with both hands. "Did you?"
"No!" He grabs my hands. "You need to calm down, otherwise you’ll attract attention."
I choke out an indignant sound. "You dragged me in here."
"Because I could sense you were on the verge of losing control. How would that have looked to those investigating?"
"Then take my emotions away," I say, voice thick with tears. "Stop this."
Tobias cups my face in his hands and looks me in the eyes. "I will fix this. Everything happening here is connected. Ash and Vincent. Andrei and the witch’s death. Amelia and Matt. Jamie’s future. You can’t give up. We need to fight this, because I’m damn sure the academy is in danger. Ash and Amelia have left. Andrei will be taken from here. That’s why I gave Jamie the pendant. That’s why we need to work together."
Harsh male voices in the hallway call at people to get into the common room. He swears and stands, staring at the door, deep in thought as he drags a hand across his mouth. "We have to leave."
"Yes. They’ll look for me. I’m not where I should be?"
"No. Leave the academy." The strain on his face shocks me. The composed guy who holds us together isn't the Tobias with me right now. "I’ll tell Theodora that I need to get you and Jamie out of here. Amelia is missing, Andrei’s about to be arrested, and fuck knows where Vincent took Ash." He inhales.
"Isn't Ash back?" I hold my hands over my face again. "Oh, god. No."
"Vincent and his group of Gilgamesh kids haven't returned."
"Where are they?"
"Nobody knows."
I sink to the floor. Ash is safe. He can look after himself. "Did Andrei tell you he thinks Vincent is something created by a necromancer?"
Tobias gives a sharp nod. "Yes. Andrei’s experience when he touched Vincent supports a theory I’ve had for some time. That man is not Vincent."
"Have you told Theodora your theory?" he nods. "And does she believe you?"
"No. She won’t listen. We can’t stay Maeve. Somebody is moving closer to their aim to divide you all, and if we stay here, I don't think it will be long before one of you dies."
I look up and clamp a hand over my mouth. He can't be serious. Is Ash in danger?
"And I need to leave," he whispers. "Your alibi will help Andrei, but Confederacy investigations will lead to me. I don't have an alibi, Maeve."
"Why would you need an alibi?" Tobias holds a palm against his face and shakes his head, and my stomach twists with fear at what he might say. "Your past. Ravenhold."
He nods, eyes pleading with me not to ask my next question.
"What did you do, Tobias? Why were you sent to Ravenhold?"
"I killed a witch."
The room lurches and fear leaks into my body. "What? Who?"
"More than one." His voice is flat and emotionless.
I struggle to my feet. "What the hell are you doing at a school full of witches if you kill them?" I can barely look at him, the trust I’d built for him shattering in this moment.
He closes his eyes. "I’m not dangerous anymore, Maeve. There’s a block in my mind that stops me wanting to consume their energy. I no longer chase that high."
High.
"But you want my energy." My palms slick and I struggle to stand again.
"No. I can’t look at you without seeing the faces of the witches I killed, Maeve. Without the guilt eating into me and reminding me how depraved I was. That’s why I push you away."
Tobias’s horrific confession should terrify me, but I sense his guilt. His pain. The endless struggle he must face.
But that doesn't stop me wanting to run screaming from the room.
"Did you kill Lorna?"
"What?" He’s hoarse and shocked. "No. But Theodora knows what I did in the past. So do others. I’m not safe."
I squeeze my eyes closed, wanting to believe him, but my head is a tangled mess. "Do you think somebody is trying to frame you—or Andrei?"
He looks out of the small window which overlooks the drive towards the gates. "I don't know. But I hope you and Jamie understand why you need to leave. I’m begging with you to come with me. I promise you’re safer with me than if you remain at the academy."
