Chapter Ten

Maureen

A fter taking two showers to get all the mud and grime off my body, I dress, grab my book bag, and head down the twisted path toward the main hall of Tenebrose Academy. I'm not more than a few feet away from The Nest when a willowy figure pops out from between the trees.

"Hi, Maur!" Jessamine shrieks, sending a flock of birds to scatter.

I jump and nearly twist my ankle on a piece of fallen dogwood. "For fuck's sake, Jess. You have to stop scaring me like that."

And in true Jessamine fashion, she shrugs, looking wounded and surprised all at the same time. I have to remind myself that she's a ghost from another century and has zero awareness of her ability to defy space and time. "Ugh, sorry, Maur. I was trying to announce myself louder this time, so you didn't think I was sneaking."

The trees are taller and closer together than I remember from last night. It provides an eerie blanket of darkness that creates more shadows. More places for creepy things to lurk. I sigh and start walking again. "Well, it had the opposite effect. Maybe next time, try just walking up like a normal person and saying hello."

She sticks out her lower lip in a pout. "Okay."

I feel bad. It's not her fault she's a ghost. "It's fine. I'll get used to it."

Her blue eyes sparkle, and she perks up again. "Are you excited for your first day of school? I remember my first day. At least, I think I do. Professor Erebus says I get my days confused."

What the actual fuck was up with that? "Jessamine, that's the third time you've brought him up. What's the deal with you two?"

Her eyes widen. "Nothing! We're friends. He's not like the others."

Oh, not like his psycho nephew who terrorizes girls he barely knows?

I'm about to press for more details when Villette calls my name from behind. "Hey, wait up!"

I turn to see her svelte figure jogging toward us. Her makeup and hair are flawless as usual. "Well, aren't you perky in the morning," I tease.

She laughs throatily. "The curse of having an insomniac for a brother. Someone had to be cheery in the morning."

As we walk, I catch traces of rose, hyacinth, and the faint trace of something familiar. Something I can't quite place. "So, are you from Raven's Gate or did you transplant in like my dumb ass?"

Villette scrunches her nose at me. "Already hating it here, I take it?" She shakes her head and laughs. "No, I'm from Ever Graves."

Jessamine skips around us as we walk. "Villette Crane," she chants. "The prettiest girl in Ever Graves."

I stop, making a decision that may make her wish she'd never befriended me. "I'm a Blackwell," I say abruptly.

Villette smirks. "I know."

"How? Oh, wait, let me guess, Riot and his hellhounds have told everyone." Fuck. I came here to start fresh and yet I'm once again the subject of drama.

Villette fumbles with the buttons on her black cashmere sweater. She shakes her head. "It wasn't hard to figure it out. Tenebrose only accepts students of a certain… caliber. I knew you weren't related to anyone from Nocturnus. Or me. Plus, you are sharing an entire floor with Libra Thorn. Only founding members of Tenebrose and Ever Graves get those rooms."

There's so much my mother has kept from me…

I dig my heels into the soft dirt. "Can you tell me why everyone hates my family?"

Her eyes widen. "You don't know?"

I sigh. "My mom was cut off from them when she got pregnant with me. I was raised in Wickford Hollow. I've never met anyone from her family, and she never talks about them."

Villette's face falls. She looks at me with what appears to be pity. Great.

Jessamine nods. "The ravens know."

I try hard not to roll my eyes. Because there's another part of me that senses something strange about these birds.

"Do you really not know anything about Ever Graves? About all of us?" Villette looks concerned now.

My stomach knots. We have gotten closer to the main hall without me even realizing it. With each step I take, more students appear. The front lawn is crowded with an array of the gothiest-looking goth people I've ever seen in my life. I feel like I've been dropped into an episode of a young adult vampire show where everyone is beautiful, intoxicating, and dangerous as fuck.

My head tingles a little as a burst of ice-cold air whooshes past me. "You catch on quick," I retort. "I know nothing, Villette. Please tell me." It's getting hard to breathe again. I can't figure out why. It's like there are these little airless pockets in the atmosphere that I keep slipping into.

Her eyes dart around the grounds. "Not here. Let's meet up after school."

I nod and try to swallow, but my mouth is dry.

Jessamine gives my pinky a hard pinch. " Don't get lost, Maur . Don't drown ."

I blink a few times and all the air rushes back into my lungs. Jessamine is gone and Villette is guiding me forward, her arm through mine.

"You've been marked," she whispers. "I'm so sorry."

What the fuck? Everyone is mad here. I'm sure of it. "Vi—"

She squeezes my elbow. " After school ."

Chills snake up my back to the sound of a large tower bell echoing through the grounds. What is this place really?

Villette gives me an air kiss. "Bye, girl. Enjoy your first day of classes. Text me if you need anything."

I need something right now , I angry scream in my head. I pull out my vape and inhale a deep puff. "See ya later," I say instead.

I pull out my schedule and the map and try to make sense of it. My first class is literally called Appreciation of Melancholic Music . Fuck me.

I follow the path around the main hall and shiver as I approach the spot on my map. The ominous black building with iron spires and purple stained-glass windows, resembles a church. Three black ravens perch on its highest point.

As I near the door, I notice a plaque on the side of it with the words, Nephthys , etched in gold. I trace my fingers over the warm metal and feel a surge of adrenaline spike in my bloodstream.

"It means goddess of death," a man's voice breaks through my spell.

I snatch my hand away and turn to see a handsome man standing next to me. His glasses sit low on his broad nose as he narrows his bright blue eyes down at me.

"Do people worship her here?" I ask like it's perfectly normal to hold a college class inside a creepy old church that has the goddess of death as their patron saint.

He sticks out his hand, avoiding the question. "Professor Harker."

So the teachers here are hot too …

I shake his hand. "Maureen Blackwell. You didn't answer my question."

He winks and runs a hand through his black hair. "I'm the teacher. I ask the questions."

I fidget with the zipper of my brown leather jacket. The way he looks at me makes me anxious. There is something about the men here. They all seem to have this underlying feral look in their eyes. Like they will snap at any given moment.

Students file past us, hurrying to get inside. A couple pat him on the back as they walk by. He smiles and nods back. I shake my head and start forward, not wanting to be the last person to go in. If Tenebrose is anything like a regular school at all, all the seats in the back will fill up first. No one wants to be head of the class on the first day. Especially not me .

Professor Harker steps in front of me, blocking my way to the door. "I'm sorry I didn't make it to your grandfather's service. Lionus was the epitome of stoic."

My mouth is dry again. It's one thing to know that I have grandparents in Ever Graves, but to hear one of their names out loud… It's like a punch to the gut. My grandfather is a man I've never met and now I never will.

I nod, concealing my surprise. "Thank you."

"Of, course. See you inside." He steps aside to let me pass.

As soon as I step into the drafty goddess of death church , I scan the room for my stalkers. Satisfied that they aren't in this class, I breathe out a sigh of relief and make my way over to an empty pew.

The doors shut with a bang and Professor Harker saunters to the front of the class. "Good morning everyone. Today we'll be listening to the ethereal music of the great Camille Saint-Saens, starting with Danse Macabre of course. But first, let's get that pesky roll call out of the way. I want to make sure you are all accountable ."

His gaze lands on me and every inch of my body shivers.

Fuck me.

After agonizing through three more roll calls in Alchemy, Latin, and Poetry, we finally break for lunch. Still no sign of Riot, Atlas, or Valentin, so I'm relieved. But I also feel a strange sense of longing.

I avoid the cafeteria by finding a small café on campus. Tucked between two stone gargoyles, I almost miss it. A guy with blue hair and face piercings snickers from behind the counter when I walk in.

The irony that I first wanted to be known as a Blackwell here is sickening. Now I'd give anything to just be the poor daughter of a small-town sheriff.

I look up at the menu, avoiding rude counter guy's snarky gaze. "I'll have a caramel latte and the chicken salad."

He raises a pierced eyebrow at me. "Are you sure?"

My annoyance builds as he continues to look at me like I don't belong there. "Um, yeah. Unless it's a bad choice."

"Your funeral." Blue-haired guy shrugs and punches in my order. "Have a seat, and I'll bring it over to you when it's ready."

Should I have ordered the soup instead? What the fuck was wrong with the chicken? I wonder if I'll have one day where something weird or creepy doesn't happen.

I pick a table in the corner and plop down. Only three more classes to go and then I can go back to my room and contemplate my terrible life choices. As I look around the sparse café, I don't see any other students. I'm grateful for the solitude but also curious.

Professor Harker walks in, making the hairs on my neck stand up. Fuck. I hope he doesn't want to sit with me. Although, maybe I can ask him more questions about my family.

I'm contemplating waving him over when the door swings open and in walks and the grown-up version of Valentin. That must be Professor Erebus…

His gaze lands on me and darkens.

Fuck.

He whispers something into Harker's ear and they both nod.

I jump as rude counter guy slams my food on the table.

"Thanks," I snap, emphasizing the s. I jerk my head toward the two teachers. "Don't they have like a faculty lounge or something?"

The guy snickers again. "This is the faculty lounge, genius." He laughs all the way back to the counter.

Ugh. Well, it's too late to get food anywhere else now. I'll just eat fast and then sprint out of here.

I shovel a huge bite of creamy chicken salad into my mouth seconds before Professor Harker stalks over. "Miss Blackwell, breaking the rules already?"

I chew for what feels like an eternity while he expectantly taps his fingers on the table. "Not intentionally. I'm still learning my way around."

He nods and smiles, but his eyes remain cold and full of malice. "We'll let it slide for today."

I slump back against my chair, relieved. "Thank you, Professor. It won't happen again."

But just when I think I'm in the clear, Valentin's clone from the future strolls up. "Tenebrose is easy to get lost in, Miss Blackwell. I've tasked my nephew with being your guide for the day."

Oh, no. Heat floods my cheeks.

Professor Erebus smirks as he continues. "Valentin will be here shortly and walk you to your next class."

Fuck.

I grip the bottom of my chair. "Oh, I don't think I need a guide. Thank you, though. I can find my way around."

His eyes darken. "Nonsense. Valentin's great-grandfather, my uncle, founded Tenebrose Academy. He'll be an excellent guide."

There's no getting out of this. Fuck. I'm going to be stuck with Valentin all fucking day. I bet he'll make sure I don't stand Riot up tonight too.

I take a big gulp of my now cold latte and force a smile. "Sure. Can't wait."

But before I have a complete and total meltdown, Villette comes barreling in like a dark angel. "There you are!" She grabs my wrist and pulls me up from the chair. "Sorry, Professors, I was supposed to show Miss Blackwell the cafeteria."

Professor Erebus's eyebrows pinch into a scowl. "Very well. I'm sure Valentin will be disappointed, though. He was looking forward to showing you around."

I bet he fucking was.

Villette drags me out of there so fast that I almost fall over outside. "Thanks for the save but please slow down."

She whips around. "Don't ever come over here again. The punishment…"

My skin prickles. "Okay, I promise."

Once we're back in front of the main hall, she lets go of my arm. "Sorry, if that was harsh, but there are certain rules you do not want to break."

I nod. "I'm starting to figure that out." Every sentence uttered in this place was subtext for something else. Every person here had something to hide. Their voices seem to be laced with sinister desire and craving. But they are so tightly wound, it gets stifled into something monstrous. I feel it in my bones.

I make it through the rest of my classes without running into Nocturnus, but only because they didn't show up for the last two. My stomach had clenched when their names were called. So when they didn't respond, I was able to relax and at least try to pay attention to the class.

But I can't help but wonder what they are up to.

As I wait by the path for Villette, three ravens fly at my face. I scream and lurch back just as they dive at me again. "Fucking hell." I cover my face and swat at them with the other hand.

"Leave her alone," Jessamine cries out.

The ravens squawk at her before taking off.

I feel my cheeks redden as two different groups of students laugh at me as they pass. "Yup, hilarious," I call out, which only makes them laugh harder.

Jessamine hands me the clip that must have fallen out of my hair. "They won't stop until you give in."

I huff as I pluck a few feathers out of my hair. "Give in to what?"

"I'm not allowed to say," she whispers.

I groan and brush past her. "Thanks for nothing," I call back.

Villette will understand. I hope.

The trees seem to cower away from me as I stomp through the woods. I'm fucking fuming so hard I don't notice until it's too late.

Fuck, I must have taken a wrong turn.

My chest tightens and I swallow hard as I find myself in front of Nocturnus House. The wind picks up. It tickles the back of my neck and sends goose pimples over my flesh.

I'm mesmerized by its vulgarity. In the light of day, I can see that its lines are sharper, the decay uglier, and the ground muddier than it was the night of the party. And the plants. Holy fucking shit. No wonder I couldn't breathe. The entire front of the house is covered in hemlock plants.

The iron gates open with a wail and Atlas stands there like a Greek god. He's so fucking beautiful it hurts to look directly into his eyes. They remind me of the ocean—soft yet dangerous. He's kinder than the other two. Just as psycho, I'm sure, but warmer. Or maybe it's just a trick to lure me.

He waves and a tingle floats through my body. "Come and hang out with me, Firecracker."

Moisture pools between my thighs. I lick my lips, thirsty all of a sudden. "I got turned around. Can you just point me in the direction of the dorms?"

He flashes me a devilish smile. "I want to show you something. Don't be scared."

Butterflies flutter my belly. I want to melt inside his voice, his chiseled arms, his thick thighs… Fuck. Not again. I need to stop bending over for these fuckboys. But I can't make myself leave. I'm captivated, drawn in, by all that he is.

I blow out a deep breath. "It takes a lot to scare me, Atlas."

He holds out his hand. "Is that a challenge? Nothing gets me more excited than making pretty girls scream."

I swallow hard and take his hand. "It's a fact."

As soon as our fingers touch, he laces them and pulls me through the gates. It feels ceremonious like I'm crossing a sacred threshold.

"You're turned on. Also a fact," he whispers.

I clench my thighs together as his scent envelops me. It's fresh and earthy like rain. "Don't flatter yourself," I quip back. The smirk on his face lets me know he's not buying my attempts to seem disinterested.

"This way, Firecracker." I let him lead me to a massive greenhouse behind the mansion.

"Plants? This is what you want to show me?" I scoff.

Atlas takes a vial from his pocket, pops the cap, and waves it under my nose. I wince as the pungent scent burns my nostrils. "What the fuck?"

"Foxglove." Without hesitating, he downs the whole thing.

"Are you crazy?" Oh, fuck. Did this asshole just off himself in front of me? Fuck.

Atlas rubs his lips. "Mmm. So good. I bet your pussy tastes like poison too."

I'm dumbfounded. Is this a joke? No, it couldn't be. I smelled it. He fucking just drank Foxglove and is not even breaking a sweat.

I hug my arms to my chest. "How are you not dead after drinking that?"

"You have a lot to learn, Firecracker." He brushes his finger across my chest, and I quiver. "And I'm going to teach you."

I clench my thighs together. His voice is deeper, raspier, more feral than the others. "I don't trust you," I murmur.

He runs the pad of his thumb up and down my collarbone. "Good. It's more fun when you don't."

I take the empty vial from him and smell it again. The fumes instantly send a searing pain through my head. He really fucking drank poison. "How are you immune?"

He inches his thumb up my neck and across my lips. I fight the urge to lick it. "I can make you powerful, Firecracker. Say yes, and I'll show you a world better than any fucking wet dream you've ever had."

I was close to passing out from tension and anticipation. There's no way in hell I can trust him but where's the harm in learning a few new tricks?

Besides, these plants grow all over the campus. I need to learn how to breathe around them.

I swat his hand away from my face. "What are you getting at, Atlas?"

He opens the door to the greenhouse and gestures for me to go inside. "I'll teach you how to be like me. Immune to all types of poison. But you have to do everything I say. Understand?"

My eyes dart between him and the door. "How do I know you're not just trying to kill me?"

Atlas laughs but it's not malicious. "Listen, pretty girl, if I wanted to kill you, you would have keeled over the second you took a sip of that caramel latte today. This isn't a trick. It's an invitation."

Fuck. Of course, he knew I was at the teachers' café today. He even knows what I fucking ordered. It's impossible to do anything discreet around here. That makes me really fucking nervous.

"Fuck it. Teach me." I instantly regret it as soon as I say it because I know this just pulls me in deeper with them. But I also can't pass up an opportunity to learn more about Nocturnus and the Blackwells. He thinks he'll be teaching me about poison while I'll be watching his every move. Sooner rather than later, I need to get some leverage on them .