32. Adelaide

32

ADELAIDE

My heart is still racing from our encounter with the phoenix as Zephyr and I make our way across the moonlit grounds of MistHallow. The feather in my pocket feels warm, almost alive, and I marvel at the events of the night so far. The cool night air carries the scent of magick and possibility, and I'm excited by what might come next, with both the hunt and Zephyr.

"What's next on the list?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. My vampire senses have kicked in on a massive scale from drinking Zephyr's blood. I can pick up the rustle of all the leaves, every shift in the shadows, every shuffle from the woodland creatures… every beat of Zephyr's heart. It's slow. Almost as if it is too cold to pump faster. It makes sense. His blood was cool to drink, not warm like the synthetic blood or the human blood from the flask. It has given me a kick that I know is going to be hard to resist seeking out again.

Zephyr pulls out the list, his remarkable eyes gleaming in the moonlight. The way the silvery light catches his features makes him even more cruelly beautiful. "A book that writes itself," he reads, his voice low and melodious. "Now that's an interesting challenge."

I furrow my brow, thinking. The logical part of my brain, the part that still clings to the normalcy of my old life, wants to dismiss the idea as impossible. But after everything I've seen since I arrived, I'm starting to believe that anything is possible in this new world. "Surely that's not going to be hard to find in this place?"

"You'd be surprised. That is next level magick."

"Next level?" I murmur. "As in faculty type level?" My voice cracks at the end, and it draws Zephyr's attention away from the list.

His eyes narrow, but the smile curving up his lips is wicked. "What do you know, princess?"

"The library," I murmur, remembering something I saw while looking for the book on the Dark Fae.

Zephyr nods, taking me seriously, which surprises me. I thought he would dismiss me and my ideas. There is a lot more to this creature than his savage exterior, but I would be a fool to forget those things I've seen him do.

As we make our way to the library, I study Zephyr out of the corner of my eye. I'm drawn to him in ways that, before coming here, I would say were impossible. But feeling the way I do about a certain djinn and a certain vampire, I can't really say that this is wrong, or irrational. It feels right. Perhaps even more so with him than the others, if that's possible. The way he manipulates the shadows, the casual display of power... it's arousing both my body and my mind. I can't explain it, and I don't want to resist it.

I move in a bit closer, marginally so he won't notice and brush my hand against the back of his. There is a spark of electricity, like a mini lightning bolt. I hiss and draw my hand back as he frowns down at his. Without looking at me, he reaches out and grips my fingers tightly. I suppress the groan of undeniable lust that shoots through me at his touch.

The library looms before us, a massive structure of stone and magick. Its spires reach towards the star-studded sky, and as we approach, I can see the faint, luminous script running along the walls, ancient words in languages long forgotten. The doors swing open silently, welcoming us. Inside, the air is thick with the scent of old books and ancient magick.

I love it. It's my new favourite place.

"So, how do we find a book that writes itself in this labyrinth?" he whispers.

I'm awed by the endless rows of shelves stretching into the darkness. The sheer scale of knowledge contained here is overwhelming, and I feel a sudden, intense desire to explore every corner, to absorb every bit of magickal lore I can.

"This way," I say, leading him deeper into the library.

We wind our way through the stacks, the shadows seeming to part before Zephyr. Books rustle on their shelves as we pass, whispering secrets to each other. I reach out to touch the spines, feeling the magick contained within each tome. It's mesmerising, and I find myself wanting more.

Finally, we reach a small alcove where a single book rests on a pedestal. Its pages are flipping on their own, words appearing and disappearing in a dizzying dance. The air around it shimmers with magick, and I can feel the power radiating from it.

"This was written by Ellis," I whisper. "I saw it the other day, but it vanished before I could get a proper look at it. Something about it… I don't know. What do you think?"

"I think you're right," Zephyr murmurs, his gaze turning to mine with a look of admiration. "Now, we just need to convince it to come with us."

I step forward, drawn by an instinct I don't quite understand. As I reach out to touch the book, this time, it lets me, and I feel a surge of power rise up. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before, a warmth that starts in my core and spreads to my fingertips. "May we borrow you for our quest?" I ask softly.

To my amazement, the book's pages flutter in what almost seems like agreement. It floats gently into my waiting hands, its weight both substantial and ethereal. I can feel the magick pulsing from it, responding to my touch.

Zephyr's eyebrows shoot up, genuine surprise etched on his features. "Well, well. Looks like you've got a way with words, princess. And more power than you realise."

I grin at him, feeling a sense of accomplishment and a growing confidence in my abilities. "Four down, four to go," I say. "What's next?"

"A mirror that shows the future," Zephyr reads, his eyes scanning the parchment. "That one might be tricky. Divination magick is notoriously unpredictable."

As we leave the library, I notice Zephyr watching me with a growing lust in his eyes.

I can relate.

I'm this close to forgetting the hunt and taking him back to my room to ravage him. The only thing that stops me is the knowledge that I have my period. Something tells me he won't be as turned on by that as Corvus was. Or let's just say, I'm not willing to find out.

"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Adelaide."

The use of my actual name, rather than one of his nicknames, catches me off guard. I look up at him, searching his face for any hint of mockery, but find only sincerity. It's a side of Zephyr I haven't seen before, and it makes my soul ache for his touch. All this time, pushing people away, not wanting their hands on me, suddenly has a reason. I was waiting for these four idiots. It's as clear to me as nothing ever has been before.

But I don't understand it fully. Why these four in particular and no one else?

We reach a small courtyard, where an ornate fountain stands silent in the moonlight. The water's surface is perfectly still, reflecting the stars above like a mirror. The entire area shimmers with an unearthly energy.

"Here," Zephyr says, his voice low and intense. "This fountain is said to show visions of the future on certain nights. Maybe we can convince it to work for us."

I step closer to the fountain, feeling the magick humming in the air around it. It's different from the magick of the library or the Lunar Lily - older, wilder, less predictable. Without thinking, I reach out to touch Zephyr's arm. As our skin makes contact, I feel a surge of power flow between us.

He rasps softly, gaze on mine. Zephyr's Dark Fae magick is cold and potent, mingling with my growing Vesper abilities. The combination is potent, filling me with a sense of limitless potential.

The water in the fountain begins to swirl, images forming and reforming on its surface. I see flashes of possible futures - some bright and hopeful, others dark and foreboding, and in many of them, I see Zephyr and myself, side by side. Fighting together against unseen enemies. Laughing in moments of joy. Standing before a crowd, leaders of some great change.

As the visions fade, I look up to find Zephyr staring at me with an intensity that takes my breath away. His eyes are glowing faintly, and I can feel the mystical energy still crackling between us.

"What did you see?" he asks.

I gulp, still processing the images. "Lots of things," I reply, my voice shaky. "Some good, some bad. But in a lot of them, we were together. Fighting, leading, changing things. It was intense."

Zephyr's expression is unreadable, but I feel his hand tighten around mine. "Now, do you see why I call you princess?" he murmurs.

I blink, unable to answer that loaded question.

The moment is broken by a distant bell tolling, giving us the halfway mark. Zephyr shakes his head, as if clearing away cobwebs, and consults the list again. "Grab a vial of that, will you, and we'll move on. A key that opens any lock," he reads as I take the vial he conjured up that is floating in midair near my face and do as he asks. "Now that's going to be a challenge."

"Aren't they all?" I drawl, making him snicker.

We make our way towards the centre of the campus, laden down with our items, where the administrative buildings stand. The architecture here is more imposing, with sharp angles and gleaming surfaces. I can feel the protective magick humming in the air, warning away those who don't belong.

"The key we're looking for is kept in the Headmaster's office," Zephyr explains as we approach the main building. "It's one of the most heavily guarded artefacts in MistHallow. Getting to it won't be easy."

I eye the building warily. "How are we supposed to get past all the magickal security?"

Zephyr grins, a mischievous glint in his eye. "With a little bit of Dark Fae trickery and a whole lot of whatever you've got going on there. Are you ready to push your limits, princess?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "And what would those limits be, exactly?"

"You enhance my magick," he murmurs, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair away from my face. "I felt it at the lake, and again before. I know what you are, princess."

"What am I?"

He gives me that wicked smile. "I'm not saying it out loud. There is a reason you and the faculty are keeping it a secret."

"I trust you," I blurt out.

His gaze softens, and that sinister smile turns genuine for the first time ever. "That means everything, Little Dollie."

"You had to go and ruin it, didn't you," I murmur.

He chuckles. "Have to remind you who you belong to."

"I don't need the reminder."

The words hang there; the unspoken ones screaming louder.

Zephyr clears his throat. "To be continued… right now, we need to focus on this. I'm going to use my powers to create a distraction and slip us past the outer defences. But once we're inside, we'll need your ability to boost my powers enough to break through the final barriers. It's risky, but it's our best shot."

I nod, fear and excitement coursing through me. "Let's do it."

Zephyr closes his eyes, concentrating. The shadows around us deepen, coalescing into shapes that look like living creatures. With a gesture, he sends them scurrying towards the building, creating a chaotic dance of darkness that draws the attention of the magickal wards and makes me gasp in wonder.

"Now," he whispers, grabbing my hand. We dash towards the entrance, slipping through the momentarily distracted defences.

Inside, the air is thick with protective magick. I can feel it pressing against us, trying to push us out. Zephyr leads us through winding corridors, always staying just ahead of the building's awakening awareness of our presence.

Finally, we reach the Headmaster's office. The door is sealed with layers upon layers of magickal locks, each more complex than the last.

"This is it," Zephyr says, his voice strained with effort. "I need you to enhance my powers, Adelaide. Focus on the connection between us, on amplifying my magick. Can you do that?"

I nod, placing my hand on the back of his. He hisses as sparks fly, and the space between us heats up. I close my eyes, concentrating on the flow of energy between us as I did with Blackthorn. Zephyr's magick is cold and powerful, the complete opposite of Blackthorn's, and I focus on making it stronger, pushing my own energy into it.

The effect is immediate and overwhelming. Zephyr grunts. His eyes are glowing brightly now, filled with power that should scare the shit out of me, but all it does is make me pant with need for him. He raises his hands, mine still pressed against his, and the shadows around us come alive, attacking the magickal locks with a preciseness that is beautiful to watch.

One by one, the barriers fall. The building shudders under the assault of our combined power. But just when I think we can't possibly succeed, the final lock breaks with a sound like shattering glass.

We stumble into the office, breathing hard. In the centre of the room, in an open box, sits a small, unassuming key. It looks ordinary but is anything but. It's waiting for us.

Zephyr snatches it up, grinning triumphantly. "We did it, princess. You were magnificent."

Before I can respond, we hear footsteps approaching. "Time to go," Zephyr says, grabbing my hand again.

We race through the corridors, my enhanced speed that has sprung up, allowing us to stay just ahead of our pursuers. As we burst out of the building, Zephyr pulls me close, wrapping us both in shadows. For a moment, the world disappears, replaced by a cold, dark void. Then we're back on the grounds, far from the administrative buildings.

"Shadow walking," Zephyr explains, seeing my confused expression. "Handy for quick getaways."

I nod, still catching my breath. The adrenaline is wearing off, leaving me feeling drained but exhilarated. "That was wild."

Zephyr laughs, a sound of pure joy that I've never heard from him before. "You were amazing in there, Adelaide. Your ability is staggering. Be very, very careful who you give that to."

"Including you?"

His face turns deadly serious as he moves in closer and cups my face, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. "Especially me."

I lower my gaze and bite my lip in an effort not to suck his thumb into my mouth and slice his skin with my fangs so I can drink from him again. "We make a good team," I say softly instead.

"I'm not surprised, princess."

We stand there for a moment, the night air cool on my flushed skin, the weight of what we've just accomplished settling over us. I'm acutely aware of how close we are, of the electricity still fizzing between us.

Finally, Zephyr clears his throat, breaking the spell. "We should keep moving," he says, his voice slightly husky. "We still have two items left to find."

I nod, trying to ignore the way my heart is racing. "What's next?"

"A stone that whispers secrets," Zephyr reads from the list. "And after that, a cup that never empties."

As we set off in search of our next target, I can't help but feel that something has fundamentally changed between us. The connection we formed in the Headmaster's office, the way our powers intertwined... it was incredible. Powerful, addicting.

I steal a glance at Zephyr as we walk, clutching the book to me that has become a part of my soul since I picked it up. He's back to his arrogant self, but there's a new warmth in the way he looks at me, a respect that wasn't there before.

The temperature has grown colder as Zephyr, and I make our way towards the ancient stone circle near the edge of the MistHallow grounds. The mist is descending again, and our breath forms small clouds in front of us. I can feel the weight of our collected items, and I shuffle uncomfortably. We're so close to finishing the hunt, but it's not over yet.

"A stone that whispers secrets," I mutter, repeating the next item on our list. "Any ideas where we might find that?"

Zephyr's eyes gleam in the moonlight as he points towards a cluster of standing stones in the distance. "There. The Whispering Stones. They're ancient, older than MistHallow itself. If any stone can whisper secrets, it'll be one of those."

"How do you know all of this?" I ask as we approach the stone circle. I feel a chill run down my spine that has nothing to do with the cold. The air here feels different, charged with an energy that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The stones loom over us, their surfaces etched with symbols I can't decipher.

"Be careful," Zephyr warns, his voice low. "These stones are powerful. They don't give up their secrets easily. It's all nature. It's all been heavily explored by myself and those who came before me. My father has maps of maps relating to this place. There are very few nooks and crannies left that haven't been chartered already."

I purse my lips. "So, you knew about the book."

He grins. "Of course I did. But you were excited to contribute."

"Contribute? How dare you? You couldn't have gotten this far without me. We are a team, remember!"

"I don't need reminding." His casual tone is infuriating, but that's the point. He is doing this on purpose.

Resisting the urge to growl at him, I nod swiftly, moving carefully between the towering monoliths. As I pass each one, I hear faint whispers, like voices just on the edge of hearing. Some sound enticing, others threatening. I try to focus, to find the one we need.

Suddenly, I feel drawn to a smaller stone near the centre of the circle. Unlike the others, its surface is smooth, unmarked. As I approach, the whispers grow louder, more distinct.

"This one," I say to Zephyr, reaching out to touch the stone.

As my fingers brush its surface, I'm hit with a flood of images and sensations. Secrets of the past, present, and future swirl through my mind. "Ahh!" I cry as it overwhelms me and becomes too much. I am dangerously close to losing my grip on reality when Zephyr's hand closes over mine, anchoring me.

"Focus, Adelaide," he says, his voice cutting through the chaos in my mind. "We need a stone that whispers secrets, not the secrets themselves."

With effort, I pull myself back, concentrating on the task. I feel the stone beneath my palm start to shift, and when I pull my hand away, a small, polished stone rests in my palm. I can still hear faint whispers coming from it, but they're contained now, manageable.

"Empathetic abilities?" Zephyr murmurs, staring at me as if I just crawled out of the rocks surrounding us.

I don't even know what he means, so I ignore him, tucking the stone safely away with our other items. "One more to go. The cup that never empties. Let's end this."

We make our way back towards the main buildings of MistHallow, both of us scanning our surroundings for anything that might lead us to our final item. As we pass by the dining hall, a thought strikes me.

"Wait," I say, grabbing Zephyr's arm. "What if it's in there? A cup that never empties would be pretty useful in a dining hall, right?"

Zephyr considers this for a moment, then grins. "Princess, I think you might be onto something. Let's check it out."

We slip into the dining hall and look around. "The refill station," I murmur and make a beeline for it with Zephyr hot on my heels.

I thrust the book at him, and he grabs it as I peer around the back of the drinks dispenser and laugh. "Gotcha. You, my friend, are out of order for a while." I snatch it up, just as Lyra and Corvus rush into the dining hall, scanning the area for whatever it is they were after. Apparently, it is the same item I'm currently waving about in triumph.

"Time to bounce," Zephyr murmurs as Corvus and Lyra charge us.

"Hey!" I yell as Zephyr grabs my arm and moves us through time and space to the main Hall, where we shimmer into view, making me feel nauseous.

Everyone in the room turns to us. Professor Ellis stands at the front, a look of surprise on his face as we approach with our collection of magical items.

"Well," he says, his voice carrying across the hushed hall. "It seems we have our winners. Congratulations to Mr Nightshade and Miss Black."

There's a smattering of applause, some genuine, some grudging. I can see Lyra and Corvus arrive. He is pissed off but not at me. He shoots me a grin, and I smile back, hoping things are okay between us.

"And now," Ellis continues, as the rest of the groups arrive behind us, "it's time to announce our new House Captains."

My heart starts to race. This is it, the moment we've been working towards. I didn't even know there was a House Captain until Lyra mentioned it and I didn't even want it until Zephyr threatened me. But I know, and I want it so badly, I can taste it.

"For Athens House," Ellis says, "the new Captain is Zephyr Nightshade."

I turn to Zephyr, grinning. He accepts the title with a regal nod, but I can see the pride shining in his eyes.

"And for Carthage House," Ellis continues, and I hold my breath, "the new Captain is Corvus Sanguine."

For a moment, I'm sure I've misheard. But as I see Corvus step forward, accepting the title with a gracious smile, the reality sinks in. I wasn't chosen. Despite everything I've done, everything I've accomplished tonight, it wasn't enough.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see Zephyr, concern etched on his features. "Adelaide," he starts, but I shake my head.

"It's fine," I say, forcing a smile. "Congratulations on your captaincy."

"Lyra Scott, for Troy Captain."

The crowd cheers as I clap half-heartedly.

"And our Rome Captain is Asher Stanton."

Corvus growls loudly, but I ignore him and turn away, defeated and embarrassed. Why did Zephyr get it and not me? We both worked hard for this hunt, and we won. Together. It makes no sense.

As the crowd begins to disperse, I slip away, needing to be alone. The night that had started with such promise now feels hollow. I've proven myself in so many ways tonight, pushed my abilities further than I ever thought possible. But in the end, it wasn't enough. Alone in the cold dead of night, as I make my way back to my room, I wonder if it will ever be enough.