Chapter 7

7

ROWAN

I retreat to my familiar spot in the library and spend the afternoon lost in potions and transmutation homework. If only the mustiness from the old books stacked around me could infuse knowledge using the magic in those books. With constant research into Violet's cases, and my own exploration of magic before I met Violet, I'm behind with my studies. Not the practical side; I have no problems with grades when I create the more complex potions or transmute elements, but I have assignments to finish.

I promised to contact Violet if somebody messages her Instagram account while she's with Leif—she isn't impressed that nobody replied to her semi-threat yet. I've added Violet's account to my phone so two of us could keep an eye on things, but mostly because Violet doesn't really know how to use the app. I also kindly added a profile picture for Violet, and I smile before slipping the phone into my pocket since she hasn't managed to change the image.

My mind drifts towards Holly several times. Where is she? I'm as concerned as Violet that there may be something threatening human students happening inside the academy. But is that possibility better or worse than Viktor being responsible for Holly's disappearance?

I passed Mrs. Eldridge when I entered the echoing library, and we exchanged pleasantries. Once, I would've paused to chat, but now we both eye each other with a mutual suspicion. In my recent visits, I've snuck a look at which books she's shelving and where, but nothing stands out as unusual. Even snooping around her desk area when she walked away to help another rare library visitor revealed nothing odd.

But there must be something . Somewhere. The woman has keys to out of bounds areas and a book listing confiscated items.

Where would we start with investigating threats within the academy? Mrs. Lorcan's room, but she'd hardly leave evidence of anything around. No. We need to find a weaker link, and Mrs. Eldridge isn't someone I'd count as weak.

The only female voice I usually hear in this part of the academy is Violet's when we meet, but I'm drawn away from a history assignment by several girls' voices coming from between shelves close to me.

I attempt to ignore the girls, but the whispering becomes more irritating than if they had a loud conversation. "This is a study area," I say, as I round the bookshelves towards the desks.

Marci, with a stack of old books on the table in front of her. She's with her mini coven and the human girls from the caféteria earlier. Why is Darwin's head girl involved? Isabella discourages human involvement with supes and here she is—again.

Although Marci regards me impassively, the two human girls startle and place their hands in their laps. Isabella's friend, Helen, turns pink but smiles at me. Now that's odd.

"This is a study area," I repeat.

"We are studying." Marci gestures at the hefty, blue-spined books—human history books—but I swear there're thinner-spined ones beneath that are spell books.

"Only books containing magic are shelved in this part of the library," I say pointedly. "Are you teaching the human girls spells?"

Nita scoffs. "No. We're working together on the history project."

I suck on my teeth. A possible truth. "Why would you work with humans, Nita?"

"We're fostering better relations between the races as there's too much division recently." Marci smiles sweetly—too sweetly.

"By teaching humans spells? That's pointless. No spell works without magic energy, and humans don't possess any."

"Nita told you—we are working on a project. Not spells," says Zoe.

I step closer, and Isabella snaps a black notebook closed before tucking it into her bag.

"This isn't the right place for project meetings," I inform them. "You should work in one of the rooms attached to the library downstairs."

Zoe chuckles. "Are you the assistant librarian now?"

"We prefer to meet here," says Marci. "And we'll work silently if we're upsetting you."

No. There's something odd happening. I study Isabella's blazer. A brooch. Helen wears one too. Marci and the witches? None.

"Are you staring at my breasts?" Isabella asks in disgust.

I blink. "No. The brooch."

She scoffs. "Sure, you were."

"I was!"

"How crude, Rowan," says Marci.

"Seriously?" I mutter. But who'd believe a denial from a male teen in this situation? "I thought Violet might like a brooch."

"A skull pin is more her style," says Nita, and the others snicker.

"Yeah, I guess Violet isn't mindless enough to wear something just because everybody else does." I'm on the verge of querying the brooches' significance but I might never get my hands on one if the coven sees I'm suspicious. But Violet's correct—I need one for psychometry.

"Is that all, Rowan? We're busy, as I'm sure you are too," says Marci and picks up her pen. "I heard your grades are slipping due to your infatuation with Violet. Or are you bonded to her? I heard a rumor."

My jaw tightens. "I need to concentrate, not listen to whispering girls hidden away for secret meetings."

"Secret meetings? Violet's paranoia rubbing off on you, Rowan?" she replies.

There're so many things I could say or ask about regarding the changes in the academy atmosphere and the possible threats to students. But Marci can't know we're investigating more than Holly.

"Where's Holly?" Isabella asks, and her harder eyes hold mine. "Nobody's heard from her since the message that she sent Marci, and her single post."

"Isn't she sick?" I reply. "That's what Holly posted. Mrs. Lorcan would've told us if a student is missing."

Which she still hasn't, and neither has Dorian pushed her to.

"That's a lie. Everybody knows Holly is missing," puts in Nita. "And that the people who killed Wes are involved."

"Or the ones who cursed the tiara," replies Isabella.

"Or the werewolf," says Helen.

"Either way, Holly's missing, not sick," says Marci. "Who sent me the fake message?"

"Yes, I'm Holly's best friend and we're in touch, like all the time, and she'd have to be unconscious to not message me ," says Isabella.

Best friend? I'll fact check that one.

"Unless Holly posts something else on Instagram or replies, I won't believe she's okay," adds Isabella.

Soft footsteps cross through the shelves. Mrs. Eldridge glares at us. "You should know better, Rowan. This is a quiet space. Use the meeting rooms if you need to discuss anything."

Marci tips her chin. "We're at the top of the library. Who'll hear us?"

"Irrelevant," snaps Mrs. Eldridge. "Rules are rules." She eyes the table. "All books in this section of the library are not available to borrow. I suggest you replace them when you're done."

With an exaggerated sigh, Nita stands and scoops a couple of books into her arms, the other girls doing the same. "Which meeting room is free?" she asks coolly.

"McGowan Room." Mrs. Eldridge thins her lips, and as she watches them go, she calls out, "I expect to see those books back on the shelves by the end of the day, or there'll be trouble."

The girls don't reply.

Mrs. Eldridge turns back to me, blocking my way. "How are you, Rowan? We haven't spoken much recently."

"After your threats to report me and get me expelled?" She merely stares at me. "We're not investigating the tiara."

At the moment.

"Which upset Julius even more." Her expression sours. "You should never have interfered."

"I'm not having this conversation again," I reply, not giving a crap about impertinence. "I'm busy. Studying."

Mrs. Eldridge is still on Violet's suspect list for academy subterfuge, but now isn't the time to quiz the woman. There's something else I need to check up on.

"Thank you for moving the girls," I say, give a tight smile, and walk away.

I examine all the shelves close by, looking for an empty space between the books. I've spent enough time in this part of the library that I have a precise mental catalogue of what belongs where.

Here.

Missing spell books.

One is potions related and another an encyclopedia of runes. What are Marci and her friends using them for? Humans can't cast spells and don't study either subject.

As I head back to my desk, another thought strikes. Why didn't Mrs. Eldridge ask about Holly? Because she didn't have time, or chose not to because the librarian knows where Holly is?