24. Adelaide

24

ADELAIDE

A siren blares throughout the MistHallow campus, and a loudspeaker crackles.

"Everyone back to their assigned room. We are on a temporary lockdown while we secure the campus."

The adrenaline from the Strix attack is starting to wear off, leaving me feeling drained and more than a little overwhelmed.

"Well, that was exciting," Zaiah says, his tone far too cheerful for my liking. "Nothing like a near-death experience to spice up your first week at school, eh?"

I shoot him a glare. "Is this normal for MistHallow? Because if it is, I think I might need to reconsider my educational choices."

Corvus chuckles. "Trust me, Dollie, this isn't normal. Even for us."

"Quite right," Zephyr adds, his purple eyes scanning the room as if searching for hidden threats. "Someone's gone to a lot of trouble to get to you, Adelaide. The question is, why?"

I sink onto my bed, suddenly feeling very small and very alone. "I don't know," I mutter.

Zaiah snorts. "Oh, come on. You're the daughter of Randall Black. That alone makes you a target."

"Not helping, Zaiah," Corvus mutters.

I look up at them. "So, what do I do now?"

"For now, you stay put," Zephyr says. "The lockdown will give the Order time to sweep the campus and make sure there aren't any more nasty surprises lurking about."

As if on cue, a voice crackles over the intercom system as if it is speaking specifically to us. "Attention all students and faculty. MistHallow is under temporary lockdown. Please go back to your assigned rooms until further notice. This is not a drill."

Zaiah stretches, his movements languid and cat-like. "Well, as much as I'd love to stay and chat, we're being unduly kicked out."

He moves towards me, and for a moment, I think he's going to try to touch me, kiss me even. But he stops just short, giving me a wink instead. "Stay safe, babes. Try not to miss me too much."

With that, he disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving behind the faintest scent of exotic spices and a pang in my heart at his absence.

Corvus rolls his eyes. "Show-off," he mutters. Then he turns to me, his expression softening. "You going to be okay, Dollie?"

I nod, trying to project more confidence than I feel. "Yeah, I'll be fine. You'd better go."

He hesitates for a moment, then nods. "If you need anything…"

"I know where to find you," I finish for him, even though that's not strictly true.

He nods and turns to the door. He opens it and transforms into a bat to fly off through the arrow slit.

That leaves just Zephyr. He's been unnervingly quiet, his dark energy swirling around him like a cloak.

"I suppose you should also go," I say, not sure if I want him to stay or leave.

Zephyr smiles, and it's not a comforting expression. He takes a step closer, and I have to force myself not to back away. "What a shame," he murmurs. "You fascinate me, Adelaide Black. I like to protect what fascinates me."

"So, what does that mean, exactly?"

"It means you're mine, Little Dollie." His eyes are now completely black, and with that, he melts into the darkness, leaving no trace behind.

I'm left alone in my room, my heart pounding. The silence, after all the chaos, is almost deafening.

"Fuck's sake," I mutter. "This is ridiculous. Randall Black, you have a lot to answer for."

I spot the book on Dark Fae magick that I'd thrown on the bed earlier. Well, at least the lockdown gives me a chance to catch up on some reading, and to get on a proper night schedule, finally.

As darkness falls outside my window, I settle in with the book. The words swim before my eyes at first, my mind still reeling from the day's events. But gradually, I start to focus.

The book, "Introduction to Dark Fae Magick," is far more comprehensive than I'd initially thought. It's not just a dry textbook; it's a window into a world I never knew existed. The pages are filled with intricate illustrations of Dark Fae in various forms, from hauntingly beautiful to terrifyingly grotesque. I can see both in Zephyr. As much as I hate to admit it, he fascinates me as well, and the thought of being his isn't as unpleasant as it should be.

The first chapter delves into the origins of Dark Fae, tracing their lineage back to the primordial darkness that existed before light. It's a poetic, almost mythological account, but the author insists it's based on factual evidence.

As I read on, I find myself drawn into the complex hierarchy of Dark Fae society. There are courts and kingdoms, alliances and feuds that have lasted millennia with stakes higher than I can imagine. There is a coloured portrait of the Dark Fae King, who has been in power for centuries. He is regal and savage. I can tell from the cruel sneer on his face. I trace my finger over it lightly and see a familiarity that piques my interest.

"What are you hiding, Zephyr of the Dark Fae?"

The section on Dark Fae abilities is particularly fascinating. It talks about their power over shadows and darkness, their ability to manipulate emotions and dreams. Some Dark Fae, the book claims, can even bend reality itself to their will. I have seen Zephyr do that, so that raises even more questions about who he really is.

There's a whole chapter dedicated to Dark Fae and their relationships with other supernatural beings. Vampires, werewolves, witches - each has their own complex history with the Dark Fae. I can't help but wonder where Vesperidae like me fit into this intricate web.

As I delve deeper into the book, I find myself both terrified and oddly excited. This world of darkness and shadow, of power and ancient magick, is all so new, but it feels familiar somehow. Like a part of me has always known this existed, has always been waiting to discover it.

I'm so engrossed in my reading that when a knock sounds at my door, I nearly jump out of my skin.

Heart racing, I approach the door cautiously.

Peering through the peephole, I'm surprised to see Professor Blackthorn standing there, looking as calm and collected as ever.

"Professor?" I call out, not opening the door yet. "How did you get in here? I thought the tower was protected."

I hear a chuckle from the other side of the door. "Ah, Miss Black. Always asking the right questions. I set the wards on this tower myself, my dear. They recognise me."

Okay, well, that's not suspect at all.

I hesitate, eyes narrowed, not convinced. "How do I know you're really Professor Blackthorn?"

"Well," comes the amused reply, "we did have quite an interesting conversation yesterday about your unique heritage. I left you in the library to do research."

Knowing all of that is true, I'm still cautious, but I unlock the door and open it, stepping back to let him in.

Professor Blackthorn enters, his eyes quickly scanning the room before settling on me. "I trust you're unharmed, Miss Black?"

I nod, closing the door behind him. "Yes. What were those things?" Might as well hear it from the Prof while he's here.

"Strix. Supernatural assassins sent by only the strongest of masters."

"And that would be…?"

"What we need to find out." He stares at me for a moment, making me uncomfortable. "You seem to have quite the protective circle forming around you already."

"If only I knew why," I sigh.

"Well, Corvus, I understand… he can teach you, guide you… but be aware that these men are trouble, Miss Black. Do not go into an alliance blindly."

"Alliance?"

He nods. "We need to work on building up your abilities." He snaps his fingers, and a tray appears on the dresser with a silver-domed plater and a large silver flask. "In the flask, you will find human blood," he murmurs. "This is not something we allow on campus, so do keep that to yourself for now, if you don't mind. But I believe this is the key to activating your dormant abilities."

"Oh?"

"Take small sips often. Do not try to drink the entire thing all at once, no matter how tempting it might be. We need a slow build, not a sudden, overwhelming rush. Tomorrow night, we will meet and see if your abilities have manifested at all. I had hoped being in the Labyrinth under pressurised circumstances with Corvus would have sparked something, but I fear it didn't."

"You set me up? It was fucking dangerous in there!" I snap, angry that he could've got me killed.

"Corvus wouldn't have let that happen," he says dismissively. "And all students have to go through it at the start of every year. Had we held you back, more questions would've been asked."

I growl softly, but I don't argue. He's not wrong, after all. "Do you have any idea why the Strix were after me?" I ask.

He gives me a slow smile that does nothing to comfort me. "Who said they were after you, Miss Black?"

Our gaze holds for a few seconds before he vanishes from sight in a way that makes me think he wasn't really here at all.

"Who said they were after you? Good fucking point. The guys said so. Zaiah, in particular, was adamant it wasn't him."

I sink back onto my bed, suddenly feeling very tired. "I don't understand any of this. My head hurts."

Orby sidles over and nuzzles me, offering me some comfort in this storm I've descended into the middle of.

"Thanks, Orby. I wish you could talk."

My mind whirls with questions and possibilities. I look down at the book on Dark Fae magick, still open on the bed next to me.

Well, they say knowledge is power, so I've got a lot of reading to do. Whatever's coming for me, or not; whatever I'm destined to become, or not; I'm determined to get on with it. I've gone twenty-one years not knowing who I really was in my skin. I know now, and I need to step up. These dormant abilities need to rise to the surface, and I need to show everyone at MistHallow that the new girl isn't a pushover.

Most especially these guys who have taken such a keen interest in me. As seductive as they are, as gorgeous as they are, as much as they make me feel alive and not like some dried-up old crone waiting to wither and die, I have to be wary of them. They are the most dangerous of them all.

Groaning, I flop back to the bed and then curl up on my side, propping the book up to keep reading. Vampires, I've pretty much got down. The truth isn't that far from the myth in most cases, but the rest? I don't have a fucking clue. The library and me are going to become real close in the next few days while I learn about these creatures who have set their sights on me.