The Shadows of Blackbriar Academy Page 12

  “Great. I need some girl time.” She turns her attention to the herbs and nods once. “How are you doing, absorbing all of this?”

  I shrug. “I’ll get it. Eventually.”

  “If you need a study buddy for when Milo and Jesse are busy, come to me. I’ve got your back.”

  “Thanks.” I chuckle.

  I turn my focus to my own notes and jot down everything I think will be useful, but I have to admit it’s a bit overwhelming with the sheer number of herbs in the greenhouse. Not to mention, many of them seem to have both healing and injuring capabilities, depending on what they are blended with. It’s going to be a lot to pin down.

  But I’ll do it.

  I have to.

  Besides, I never know when this knowledge may come in handy someday.

  The bell chimes through the air, signaling another class time coming to an end. Some of the students near me groan.

  On the way out, Savannah stops me. “I forgot something. I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  She twists as she walks to wave bye at me, a smile stretching her lips and brightening her violet eyes.

  That girl is something else. Always so bubbly and happy. It’s contagious.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I move along the halls, avoiding the crowds and idle chatter that rings in my ears. Once I turn a corner, it’s empty. I sigh in relief and quickly move along the hall as I try to make it to my next class. I’m not paying attention to where I’m going when a figure steps in front of me. He grabs my attention just before I slam into his body. I stop as realization dawns on me. I frown as Anderson smiles, seemingly rather proud of himself. Of course, he would corner me when no one else is around. But one thing stands out more than the fact that he’s smiling like a madman. He looks… sick.

  His skin is unusually pale, and his eyes are sunken in and his lips chapped as if dehydrated. Sweat beads down his face, and he has an odd, desperate expression that I’ve never seen him display before. It actually takes me by surprise, because he seemed fine when I saw him in alchemy class. Well, whatever it is, it’s not my problem. And an energy-stealing creep like him probably had it coming.

  I stare him down. “Not you. Not now. Not ever. Leave me alone.”

  “I need to talk to you.”

  I groan. “Really? No. What is so hard to accept about that?”

  I step around him and start to walk off.

  Jesse and Milo approach with confused expressions. Jesse’s eyes focus on Anderson.

  “Hey guys!” I say loud enough to let Anderson know that I have backup.

  “What’s going on?” Jesse asks.

  “Anderson won’t leave me alone.” I look over my shoulder at him. His eyes are wide and wild. His shoulders rise and fall with each breath which he takes in an exaggerated motion.

  He reaches toward me, stepping nearer to close the gap between us. As he moves, my energy starts to seep away as his hand gets closer to me. I take a sluggish step backward. Jesse and Milo approach. Both of them push him back. I barely hear the echoes of what they say as words seem like they are coming from underwater. My whole head feels buzzy, and a lump forms in my throat.

  As the sensation passes, anger burns through me.

  That’s the final straw.

  Anderson breaks free, twisting out of their grips and taking a few steps back as he adjusts his clothes, smoothing out the wrinkles from his shirt. Milo shrugs and shakes out his arms, scowling at Anderson with a look that makes me want to cower. I’m not used to seeing that expression on such a beautiful face. He returns to my side, a look of concern twisting his features as he glances me over.

  “I’m fine.” I give Milo a confident nod before glancing back over at Jesse, who’s still positioned between me and Anderson.

  Jesse looks like he’s seconds from destroying Anderson in the halls as he acts as a barrier between me and Milo and Anderson. “I dare you to take another step forward.”

  Anderson only stands there and glares at Jesse. His eyes shift toward me. Jesse steps in the way. “If you ever come near her again, I’ll end you.” Jesse shoves a finger into Anderson’s chest.

  His darkened glare settles on Jesse, and I want to jump in and stop whatever is forming in Anderson’s twisted mind. “Try and stop me.” Spittle shoots from his lips. “She belongs to me!”

  The hell I do. I belong to no one.

  Time to end this.

  I step forward. “I will never belong to you. And after I get done speaking with the headmaster, you will be lucky to step foot anywhere near this island again.”

  Jesse smirks at me with pride. He knows I’ve got this, and I know that he’ll always have my back. I try to ignore the pull in my lips… I let them quirk a little.

  “Come on,” I say to Milo and Jesse. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Without waiting for them to follow, I head straight to Gideon’s office.

  Chapter Twenty

  We file through Gideon’s office door and I’m surprised to find Soren standing there. He has a look of concern as I storm through, stop, and take in his gorgeous form.

  “Soren!” I rush to him.

  “What’s going on?” Gideon shuts the door behind us.

  I face him as Jesse answers. “Anderson.”

  Gideon’s brows knit together as a frown pulls down the corners of his lips.

  I shrug. “He tried to steal more of my energy. He looked… sick.”

  Milo steps forward. “I think he’s obsessed with Wren’s power. He’s got a taste for it, and now it’s like a drug for him.”

  “He also said I belong to him.” I cross my arms over my chest as I take a calming breath. Repeating those words angers me.

  The nerve.

  “He did what?” Soren stomps forward. “Let me handle it.”

  Gideon shakes his head. “No. I will. As headmaster of the school, I’m in charge of delegating punishments. And considering the sensitive nature of this one, I think there is only one thing I can do.”

  “And that is?” I ask.

  “Suspend him for the remainder of the semester. It’ll be like detoxing from Wren. It may be enough for him to wizen up. Especially if it’s anything like Milo suggests and it’s Wren’s power he’s attracted to. This is all still new territory, so it’s possible the meteorite is what’s drawing him in. Being confined to his room for the rest of the semester will give him the chance to make the right decisions.”

  Honestly? I don’t like it. I want him expelled so there’s no chance for him to try again. “And if it’s not enough to make better decisions?”

  Gideon sets his gaze on me. “Then he will be expelled.”

  “Oh, so we just leave Wren out there on a silver platter with an engraved invitation? Please, come and steal my power.” Jesse shifts and leans against the wall. His arms cross over his chest as his steel blue eyes settle on Gideon with a dangerous glint.

  Soren growls. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Jesse is right.”

  “I can’t just expel him. He has to be suspended first. According to the treaty that allows him to attend here, there are steps I must follow. For all involved.” Gideon rubs a hand through his hair. “Trust and believe, I don’t like the fact that he remains at Blackbriar anymore than any of you.”

  Soren shakes his head. A sarcastic laugh leaves his mouth. “He’s grown cocky of his place here. More needs to be done.”

  Gideon holds up a hand to stop the onslaught of arguments. “I understand and agree with each of you. Believe me, I do. But even I have rules I have to abide by. Per the council, I have to give students a chance to prove themselves here. I hate him just as much as everyone else. He won’t be an issue for the remainder of the semester. If he steps out of line just once,” he holds up a finger, “after he’s back, his ass will be thrown out of here fast enough to make his head spin.”

  Milo steps forward. “We can’t risk him finding out about her po
wers. It’s bad enough he won’t leave her alone, but to have him siphoning her power whenever he pleases is unacceptable.”

  Gideon nods. “You’re right. However, it’s possible he’s already aware and has become possessive over it. Thus, his comment about her belonging to him.”

  “That’s great and all,” I step forward. “But that doesn’t fully explain my power’s effects.”

  They all shrug.

  “Which reminds me…” I take a deep breath. This seems like as good a time as any to bring up my magic. “My magic responds to each of you in a different way. Only you four. No one else.”

  They all stare at me with a mix of surprised expressions and raised eyebrows.

  “Well that explains so much.” Milo shoves his glasses up his nose and smiles.

  “Huh?” I stare at him as if he’s grown a second head.

  “You feel it too?” Soren asks.

  “Wait. You all feel the same thing?” I shift my gaze between the four of them. “And none of you decided to bring that up?”

  “Pot calling the kettle black, darlin’.” Jesse smirks.

  I glare at him. “Oh, don’t you start with me.”

  “Just calling it as it is.” He shrugs, arms still crossed over his chest.

  I shake my head.

  “I feel it too.” Gideon faces me. “I just didn’t know how to bring it up. But it is an interesting development.”

  Milo steps forward, brows furrowed in concentration. “If we all feel something near Wren, then it’s possible that the meteorite has more of a story behind it. If it’s able to choose us and not others, perhaps she fused with something sentient. Or, maybe, there is a deeper explanation. I can do more research once I’m done with my current project. However, if my suspicions are correct, that’s exactly what’s going on here based on what I’ve already learned about magic and its history in the world.”

  “Oh good. I’m invaded by an alien life-form.”

  “Well,” Jesse says from his perch, “I always felt there was something otherworldly about you.” He smirks.

  I shake my head, but damn it all, I can’t help but smile.

  Still, even I can’t deny the feeling inside me. It feels right. My magic churns through me even now, prompting me toward some purpose that I have yet to fulfill. I know, deep down, that he’s right. Although it wouldn’t hurt to have some sort of proof.

  With proof, and my men backing me, I can do anything. Maybe my purpose is to change the world. Right the wrongs and create a lasting peace.

  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

  For now, we’ll dig deeper into this. It’ll take time and patience on my part.

  Besides, my father is still out there somewhere. I’ll also need to deal with the Order.

  “It makes sense.” Gideon’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “And if that’s the case, this changes everything. Wren could usher in a new age. New magic.” He shakes his head as he falls into his own thoughts.

  “I suppose that explains Anderson’s persistence.” Soren paces at a slow canter. His gaze catches mine, and I’m frozen in place with the intensity of his stare. “What does this mean for the Order though? What could they possibly want with her?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Jesse joins the rest of us in the middle of the room. “Power. And she has a lot of it.”

  I shake my head. “No. That’s not it. It’s deeper than that. I just don’t know exactly what it is, yet.”

  “Either way,” Milo says, “it’s nothing good.”

  “Speaking of…” I shift toward Soren. “What did you learn on your trip?”

  “There is some unexplained movement. But there’s no confirmation of who or why. However, it is a considerable group, and it appears they are on high alert.”

  “That’s it?” I ask, dumbfounded. There has to be more.

  “That’s it. Basically.” He shifts and faces Gideon. “I have suspicions they are moving throughout the country to all of their compounds in an effort to throw off the magusari. Especially now. They’re covering up something.”

  “Where my father is being kept.”

  He shrugs. “We don’t know that, however it is possible. And that leads me to the next thing on the list.” He takes a deep breath. I almost want to shake the words out of him. “I couldn’t find anything on your father’s supposed criminal activity.”

  “Really?” Joy fills me and I almost jump with excitement—until Soren holds up his hands.

  “Magusari don’t have official criminal reports or warrants, and they are usually the ones who deliver those. Because there is none, it means your father isn’t a wanted man in the mage community.”

  Still, I’m relieved.

  “For now, this is a good sign. But please don’t get your hopes up. Just because there isn’t anything now doesn’t mean that there won’t be later, especially since a search was conducted.”

  I nod. “Thank you.”

  “He still can’t come here. We have to be sure beyond a doubt. For now, the safehouse is best until things settle down.” Gideon’s attention settles on me and I nod in agreement.

  Well, that’s disappointing.

  “We need a plan to keep Wren safe. Knowing now what we do, anyone could be after her. Especially the Order.”

  I shake my head. “If that’s the case, why don’t they just come here and take me?”

  Gideon’s blue-green eyes ensnare me again. “Because of the special protections and provisions this island has that covers the students and faculty.”

  “Meaning?” I ask.

  “Meaning, no individual or group may come onto the grounds without express permission from the council and myself. This is a Switzerland of sorts. So long as you are here, you are protected by these regulations.”

  Soren pulls my attention to him as he speaks. “Which also means, the Order, as vast and powerful as they may be, would never go against the protections here. It’d come across as an act of war, and expose their existence to the world.”

  “I don’t like where this is going.” I shake my head and start to pace the floor myself.

  “Think of it as a sanctuary.” Soren stops my pacing to gaze deep into my eyes. “You’re always going to be safe here.”

  I nod. “But what about when I’m not?”

  “For now,” Gideon says, “you won’t leave the island.”

  I shake my head. “That’s not fair, and you know it.”

  He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.

  My mind goes full tilt as I think of my father and our quest to rescue him. They’re not going to kick me off the team that easily. “What if I had some sort of protection charm? Savannah mentioned she can’t see my aunt well because of one. That may be useful. So, when I’m off the island, I can still be safe.”

  “The people who are after you could see through that,” Milo adds.

  Traitor.

  “You’re going to side with them? Knowing how important this is to me?”

  “I’m sorry, Wren. No one here wants to see you get hurt.” His eyes are soft and my heart skips a beat at the sadness that pours through me with his look.

  “Then we’ll make provisions around that. What I’m suggesting would allow me to be on my own and attend classes without an escort. It’ll further protect me off island so I can come with you. So please stop trying to keep me locked away like a porcelain doll.”

  Gideon sighs. “Very well. Let’s give it a shot at least. It’ll provide some extra security. Milo, you should help Wren and Savannah gather ingredients and the right spell for this.”

  Milo nods. “I’ll start now.”

  I smile. “Thanks, Milo. I’ll meet up with you in a bit.”

  He heads for the door, then halts and looks over his shoulder, nodding once before leaving.

  Jesse steps forward. “This little shindig isn’t going off without a bang. I’m adding an illusion enchantment to the item. It will help keep others from sensing her power. For all inten
ts and purposes, she’ll look like an ordinary mage.”

  Aww. I’m touched.

  “Excellent suggestion, Jesse.” Gideon leans back in his chair, seeming more relaxed than just a moment ago.

  “I’ll go get started then.”

  “I will handle Anderson’s suspension.” Soren starts for the door.

  “No. I’ll do it.” Gideon stands from his desk.

  I slap my thighs with my hands. “I guess I’ll go meet up with Milo and Savannah. Thanks for everything, guys. I really appreciate you agreeing to this option.”

  Because if they rejected my idea, I would’ve raised hell.

  Gideon and Soren nod. I softly smile as I walk toward the door.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I’m a little disappointed that Milo isn’t in the library when I enter. I find Savannah scurrying about with a large stack of books, moving shelf to shelf and slipping them back into their spots. She glances at me as I step through the door. A few students, books filling their arms, move out of my way toward the exit as I walk to my favorite table. A couple of first-year students from my herbology class look up from their reading at a table nearby. They pop in their ear buds and return to their studies. I cast them a brief glance and continue on.

  “Just missed Milo. He’s off to see what he can do about the ingredients for the spell we found.”

  “Oh?” I wait for her to appear around the edge of the bookshelves before continuing. As soon as her violet eyes settle on me, I ask, “You guys did all the work without me?”

  She looks at me intently. “I already had an idea of what spell to use. I found it while going through the old books in the back. Thought I’d pick up a spell for my sister, but a warding spell stuck out to me.” She shrugs. “Are you really that upset?”

  I slump forward on the table, using my bent right arm to prop up my head. “No. Just sort of feel useless.”

  “Well, it will take a week to prepare. Maybe you can help Milo gather the ingredients? Some of the things we need will require the headmaster’s approval as they’re high-level items. Maybe you could get a list of those from Milo and get permission while he’s gathering the rest?”