30. Adelaide

30

ADELAIDE

After my informative chat with Ignatius, I know I have some major research to do, like I didn't have enough already. It's catching up on twenty-one years of missed supernatural study. My mind buzzes with thoughts of fire and the warmth of Ignatius's smile. Of the four men I've come to be acquainted with, well, five if you include Lucian, he is the least threatening. He is sweet and smart and super cute. I feel a friendship brewing, and I like it.

The stone walls seem to absorb the flickering light from the torches as I walk through the courtyard towards the library. The air is cool and slightly damp, carrying the scent of the forest and something else, something distinctly magickal that smells like ozone.

I nearly collide with Professor Blackthorn as he marches across the courtyard, lost in his thoughts. His tall, imposing figure looms suddenly before me, and I have to stifle a gasp of surprise.

"Miss Black," he says.

"Professor," I mutter, but then a thought strikes me, pushing past my embarrassment. "Actually, I'm glad I ran into you. I meant to ask you earlier. I was wondering... is there any way to get a magickal signal on my phone? I'd really like to call my mum. I've seen students on their phones, so there is a way, right?"

Blackthorn smiles. "Of course. Your phone?"

I pull it out of my backpack and hold it up. He places his hand over it, and, with a zing, it goes warm but then settles again quickly.

"There you are," he says. "You should have a signal now. You can contact your mother on the outside, but she can't contact you. Okay?"

I nod, clutching the phone to my chest like a lifeline. "Thank you, Professor. I understand."

As Blackthorn walks away, his robes swishing softly against the ground, I sink down onto a low bench near the edge of the courtyard, my fingers trembling slightly as I dial my mum's number.

It rings a few times, and then my mum answers. "Hello?"

"Mum, it's me."

"Adelaide," My mum's voice fills me with a rush of homesickness so intense it's almost painful. "Oh, sweetheart, is that really you?"

"Yes, Mum," I say, my voice thick with emotion. I have to clear my throat before I can continue. "Yeah, it's me. How are you?"

"I'm fine, love. But forget about me. Are you okay? Is everything good there?"

I can hear the worry in her voice, and it makes my chest ache. "I'm okay, Mum. It's different here, but I'm adjusting. But I really need to know that you are okay. No weirdness or strangers turning up?"

She giggles, and I frown. "No, no weirdness or strangers. Your father is making sure I'm quite safe."

My mouth drops open in, well, not surprise exactly, but a bit of eww, I think. The way she said that was… not good for my ears.

There's a rustling, and then Randall comes on the line, "Adelaide. You got a signal. Good. How are things?"

"Fine," I mutter. "Is Mum really okay?"

There's a pause, and I can almost see my parents exchanging glances, probably deciding how much to tell me. The silence stretches for a moment too long, and I feel anxiety building in my chest.

"Yes, she's perfectly fine," Randall says. "Are you? Has Luke started your training yet?"

"Luke?" I croak.

"Blackthorn."

"Oh, well, yeah, Luke and I have met a couple of times for training."

"Excellent." He breathes out what sounds like a sigh of relief and hands the phone back to Mum.

"Addy, we'll speak to you again soon."

We? Since when did they become a ‘we'?

"Okay, Mum. I'll ring again soon."

"Bye, love."

"Bye, Mum."

We hang up just as Lyra crosses the courtyard, aiming straight for me. "Hey, Adelaide," she says, her tone friendly but cautious.

I smile, trying to keep my expression neutral as I rise. "Hey, Lyra." After our last conversation, I'm wary of Lyra, but I remind myself that I need allies here at MistHallow. Maybe I judged her too harshly the other day.

"So," I say, forcing a smile and searching for a neutral topic, "how are things?"

"Good," she says. "Did you hear that they're naming House Captain tonight? All the students are here, so it's happening."

"Oh? No, I didn't, but that's nice. Which House did you end up in?"

"Troy," she says with a beam. "I was hoping for that this year. I need to stretch my leadership wings."

"Good, good."

"Yeah, I want House Captain," she says. "It's been a guy for the last five years running. I want to show them that girls can captain, too."

"Oh, fuck, yeah," I say with a grin as she laughs and holds her hand up for me to high-five. "Totally with you!" As our hands connect, I get a warm sense of, not camaraderie as such, but something, girl power , maybe. I dunno. Something positive, anyway. Maybe this can be turned around, and we could end up friends.

Lyra starts chatting about her class schedule as we make our way to the Hall. The massive doors stand open, spilling warm light and the buzz of excited voices into the corridor. As we enter, I'm struck again by the sheer grandeur of the room. The ceiling seems to stretch impossibly high, enchanted to reflect the night sky outside. Stars twinkle above us, occasionally punctuated by the streak of a comet or the soft glow of a nebula.

The room is buzzing with excitement and speculation as we stand around while the Hall fills up. I spot Corvus across the room, deep in conversation with a group of other vampires. He catches my eye and gives me a quick nod, which I return with a small smile.

Headmaster Ellis, I presume, seeing as I've never seen him before, stands at the podium, and claps his hands. The enchanted candles floating above us seem to dim slightly, focusing all attention on him.

"Good evening, students," he begins, his voice resonating through the Hall with a power that seems to vibrate in my very bones. "Tonight, we are searching for our new House Captains. In the spirit of inter-House cooperation, we will be conducting a series of cross-House activities."

A murmur ripples through the crowd. I catch sight of Ignatius across the room, and he gives me a small smile and a wave that sends warmth flooding through me. I wave back with a grin and then refocus on Ellis.

"For our first activity," Ellis continues, his eyes sweeping across the gathered students, "you will be paired with a student from another House for a magickal scavenger hunt. The pairs have been randomly selected to ensure fairness."

My stomach churns with excitement, but also anxiety as Ellis begins reading out the pairs. The names wash over me, meaningless, until I hear a familiar one.

"Adelaide Black from Carthage," Ellis calls out, and I hold my breath. "You will be paired with Zephyr Nightshade from Athens House."

My breath catches in my throat. The protection from Lucian and that kiss swim into my mind as Zephyr sidles up to me with a cunning smile. "Adelaide."

"Zephyr," I murmur as a faculty member I recognise as the Blue Water Lady hands us an envelope with our task inside.

When I look up, the familiar tug in my soul tightens, and I glance around. My eyes lock with Zaiah's. He's standing next to a golden-haired girl, but his gaze is fixed solely on me. He smiles, and I feel that inexplicable pull towards him. It's like a physical force, drawing me in.

Without thinking, I take a step in his direction, drawn to him by whatever this is growing between us. But before I can move any further, a strong, cool hand clamps around my throat, halting me in my tracks.

"Not so fast, princess," Zephyr's low voice murmurs in my ear.

I freeze, my body tensing at his touch. Zephyr's grip isn't painful, but it's firm enough to remind me of the power he holds. I can feel the inhuman strength in his fingers, the barely contained magick vibrating through him.

"Listen carefully, Little Dollie. I want to be Athens House Captain, and seeing as you are my partner, you're going to help me get there."

I turn my head, my face neutral of all expression as my gaze bores into his. He loosens his hold on me a fraction. "Yeah, well, I want to be Carthage House Captain, and I will hold you personally responsible if I don't get it."

He chuckles, but it's dark and deadly. "Then you'd better be good at scavenger hunts."

He releases me, and I resist the urge to rub my throat. I can still feel the phantom pressure of his fingers, a reminder of the danger he represents. "I guess we'll find out," I mutter, turning to face him.