13. Adelaide

13

ADELAIDE

I wake with a start, disoriented and groggy. The book I was reading lies open on my chest, and I realise I must have dozed off while studying. Rubbing my eyes, I sit up and glance at the clock. It's late at night now. I must've slept for hours.

When I stretch, something feels off. There's a strange sensation tugging at me, like an invisible thread pulling gently but insistently. I can't quite put my finger on what it is or where it's coming from, but it's there, a constant presence at the edge of my awareness.

"What the hell?" I mutter, shaking my head as if I could dislodge the feeling. But it persists, a subtle pull on my soul. I guess being here at MistHallow is transforming my body in more ways than I'm aware of.

Trying to ignore the sensation, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up. That's when I notice a small, ornate bottle sitting on my desk. I frown, certain it wasn't there before I fell asleep.

Cautiously, I approach the desk. The bottle is beautiful, made of what looks like smoky glass with intricate silver designs etched into its surface. Inside, I can see swirling mists of something. It's hypnotic, and I reach out to touch it before I can stop myself.

As my fingertips brush the cool glass, I feel a jolt of power and magick. I'm not sure, but it makes the strange tugging sensation intensify for a moment before settling back to its previous level.

"Okay, this is officially freaky," I say to Orby, who's hovering nearby as nonchalantly as a magick orb can. "Where did this come from? And what the hell is it?"

Turning it over, there's no label, no instructions, nothing to indicate its purpose or origin. But something about it feels familiar. Like it's meant for me, somehow.

Shaking my head, I set the bottle back down. I've got enough mysteries to deal with right now without adding a mysterious magical artefact into it.

Turning back to my bed, I pick up the library book I was reading before I fell asleep. "Vampires: A Comprehensive Guide to the Children of the Night." Right. Because that's my life now. Studying up on what I am - or at least, half of what I am.

I flip through the pages, trying to focus on the words, but that persistent tugging feeling keeps distracting me. It's like an itch I can't scratch, a thought I can't quite grasp.

Determined to ignore the sensation, I throw myself back into studying. I read about vampire strengths - enhanced speed, strength, and senses. Not that I've noticed any of that within myself yet.

Then there are the weaknesses that are lesser known. Silver burns on contact. I don't wear jewellery, but I tuck this away anyway, just in case.

I glance at the clock when my stomach growls. It's well past dinner time now, and that blood, while particularly satisfying at the time, did not fill me up. I need human food. I guess I'm going to have to find a balance. Steak pie washed down with a cup of blood. Or maybe a rare steak would be amazing. Slicing into that juicy goodness with blood oozing out all over the plate. My mouth starts to water, and it gets me on my feet and heading towards the door. Unfortunately, there is nothing else for it. I'm going to have to brave the dining hall again. The thought makes me nervous. After my last encounter with Corvus and Zephyr, I'm not exactly eager to put myself in their path again.

But hunger wins out over caution.

Hearing the soft patter of rain on the windows, I grab my coat, remembering the black card tucked away in my pocket, and head for the door. Before I leave, my gaze falls on the mysterious bottle again. Without really thinking about it, I pick it up and slip it into my pocket. Something tells me I shouldn't leave it behind.

The corridors of MistHallow are buzzing with activity, which makes me feel safer, in a way. Finding the dining hall easily this time, I push open the doors, relieved to find it busy but not heaving. A few students are scattered around, some hunched over books, others chatting quietly. There is no sign of Corvus or Zephyr.

I make my way to the serving area, eyeing the selection. Almost as if it knew I were thinking about rare steak, one appears on a plate in front of me with fries and a side of veg. Narrowing my eyes suspiciously, I shrug, eager to get my teeth into it, and carry it over to a table in the corner.

I take my coat off and settle into my seat, keeping my back to the wall so I can see the entire room. As I cut into the steak, the rich aroma makes my mouth water. The first bite is heaven, the meat practically melting on my tongue as the blood fills my mouth. I close my eyes, savouring the deliciousness.

"Enjoying your meal?"

My eyes snap open at the unfamiliar voice with the strange, but light accent. Is that Australian? A guy is standing by my table, a friendly smile on his face. His amber eyes seem to glow slightly in the dim light of the dining hall, and his scarlet hair is artfully tousled.

"Um, yeah," I mutter, caught off guard. "It's good."

He grins wider. "Mind if I join you? I'm Ignatius, by the way."

Before I can respond that no, I'd rather he didn't, he's already sliding into the seat across from me.

"Adelaide," I say curtly, hoping he'll take the hint and leave.

No such luck. Ignatius leans forward, his eyes sparkling with interest. I get over my annoyance a fraction at the sheer cuteness of this guy. He's adorable. "So, Adelaide. You're causing quite a stir around here, you know."

I frown, stabbing a piece of steak with more force than necessary. "I'm not trying to cause anything."

He chuckles. "Sometimes, just existing is enough to shake things up, especially when you're Randall Black's daughter."

I stiffen at the mention of my father's name. How does everyone seem to know who I am? "You know who I am?" I ask anyway, getting pissed off.

Ignatius grins, a mischievous glint in his amber eyes. "Everyone knows who you are, Adelaide. The mysterious daughter of one of MistHallow's founders suddenly appears after being hidden away for years. You're the hottest topic on campus."

Great. Just what I needed - to be the centre of attention. Wait! What? One of MistHallow's founders? Well, he fucking kept that quiet, didn't he, the fucking arsehole. I guess that makes sense, though, seeing as how he's managed to get me in here, given me what I think is the best room and this orb thing that Lyra was so envious of.

I take another bite of steak, chewing slowly as I consider my response. "I'm just here to learn," I say finally. "I'm not interested in shaking things up or being a topic of gossip."

"Fair enough," Ignatius says. "But you might not have much choice in the matter. Especially with certain people taking an interest in you."

I narrow my eyes. "Certain people like Corvus and Zephyr, you mean?"

He nods, looking impressed. "You catch on quick. Yeah, those two don't usually pay much attention to new students. But you've got them intrigued."

"Lucky me," I mutter sarcastically. "I guess that makes you the, what was it now? Oh, yeah, ‘really cute fire elemental'?"

Ignatius laughs, the sound warm and genuine. "Aww, who told you about me?" As he speaks, I notice the air around him seems to shimmer slightly, like heat waves rising from the pavement on a hot summer's day.

"I was warned about you," I correct him, "and that is none of your business."

"If someone is talking about me, I want to know who it is." His amber eyes bore into mine.

"Do you now? Well, now you know how it feels."

He grins. "Oh, touché, Miss Black. You're a firecracker, aren't you?" He holds out his hand, and sparks dance around his fingertips.

"And you're a bit of a show-off," I state, shovelling the last piece of steak into my mouth before standing up while I'm still chewing. The plate disappears, and I pick up my coat and put it back on, feeling the weight of the bottle in my pocket.

Ignatius stands up, too, his amber eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, come on, don't run off. We were just starting to have fun."

I roll my eyes. "Your idea of fun and mine are probably very different, firestarter."

He steps closer, lowering his voice. "Prodigy. Great song, but I wouldn't be so sure about that, Adelaide. I think we could have a lot of fun together."

The air around us seems to crackle with energy, and I feel a flush of heat that has nothing to do with his elemental powers. For a moment, I'm tempted to stay, to see where this banter might lead. But the memory of Corvus's compulsion and Zephyr's touch makes me wary.

"Thanks, but no thanks," I say, stepping back. "I've had enough ‘fun' with supernatural beings for one day."

Ignatius holds up his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. But just remember, not all of us are like Corvus and Zephyr. Some of us actually know how to play nice."

"I'll keep that in mind," I mutter, turning to leave. As I walk away, I can feel his eyes on me, that strange tugging sensation in my chest growing stronger for a moment before fading back down to a soft simmer.

Outside the dining hall, I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head. Between Corvus, Zephyr, Zaiah and now Ignatius, it seems like I can't go anywhere without running into trouble. I just want to focus on my studies and figure out what the hell I am, not get caught up in whatever games these supernatural beings are playing.

"Why aren't you more concerned about all of this?" I mutter to Orby, who is happily floating along next to me. "Do you sense danger? Or are you just a magickal guide, slash companion, slash, key to my room?"

Not unsurprisingly, he doesn't answer me.

As I make my way back to my room, I can't shake the feeling that I'm being watched. The corridors seem darker, the shadows deeper. I quicken my pace, eager to get back to the relative safety of my room.