Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Selene
Islammed the book shut, the sound echoing through the massive library.
A few students glanced my way. It was Thursday afternoon and most students were attempting to finish their assignments before the weekend.
None of them seemed concerned about the event that took place Monday; that is, if they were even aware of the danger they could’ve been in if the rock creatures made it to campus.
The library was the most beautiful, enchanted library I’d ever been in—the only library I’d ever been in—and a fresh sage aroma should have helped quell my anxiety, but it crept along my skin, staying attached like little weights.
I rocked back in the wooden chair and shoved aside the book I’d been skimming, revealing dark knots in the wooden table.
There hadn’t been a single book that contained any useful information about who may have killed Mom.
The black circle on the dark mage’s palm must indicate they were from a clan, as John had suggested, but I couldn’t find any locations of previous clans or names.
The books barely even touched on blood or dark magic.
It mentioned that dark mages, if powerful enough, had some control of all the other elements—which I knew—and basically stated how terrified you should be if you ever encountered a turned mage who dipped into dark magic and killed an innocent, consuming their soul.
I let my head fall back, sighing at the massive glass-domed ceiling, then glanced at the upper two levels of the library. Three stories with stone bookcases all filled, and I’d come up empty so far.
My mother had told me stories of the dangerous spells hidden in the books in the academy’s forbidden basement, and I believed I had encountered it Monday.
There was something else I wanted to look into before planning to sneak into Fives Academy’s basement.
I stood, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and grabbed my books.
I placed them in the return cart and headed over to the librarian’s desk where a tall, slender man with grey-speckled black hair stood.
“Miss Thomas.” The elderly librarian nodded. “Checking out another book?”
“Not at the moment.” I had taken the first book without checking it out and it had practically seared my hands the moment I stepped out of the library.
The academy took great care keeping its books safe and accounted for.
“I was hoping you could tell me where the yearbooks are kept?” I specified to the librarian one of the years my mother had attended.
“Ah.” The librarian adjusted his wood-framed glasses. “Your mother’s senior year.”
I tensed but told my body to relax and carefully chose my next words. “You know my mother?”
“Yes.” His head slightly tilted before giving me a warm smile, and I couldn’t tell if my lack of past tense had thrown him off. “I’ve been here awhile. You look just like her.”
“I get that a lot,” I lied, not wanting to give anything away about my previously secluded life and unsure if he knew what had happened to my mother. “Did you know her well?”
“Not particularly well,” The librarian said. “She did visit the library daily.”
“That sounds like her.” Mom loved her books. “Her senior yearbook is available?”
“Yes.” He waved above me. “The yearbooks are on the third floor opposite the greenhouse—in the back corner.”
I nodded in thanks. I’d have to watch what I said around him.
I headed toward the wooden stairs, careful not to trip over the large vines weaving through them like the steps were in a jungle.
The stone shelves were sprawling with vines and blooming purple and yellow flowers.
Glass windows on the far side rose all three floors, like a looking glass into a magical library sanctuary.
I reached the top of the stairs and headed in the direction the librarian had indicated.
The yearbooks were in a back corner, and I quickly found the one I wanted.
Snatching it, I headed to the nearby table and began flipping through the pages.
Midway through, my hand froze. A young version of my mom stood at a lab table, working on some kind of creation next to a young, handsome student with broad cheekbones and a narrow nose—her lab partner.
I studied him a little longer, his features becoming decipherable. Headmaster John Sanders?
John hadn’t acted like he knew Mom, and in the photo, they were both smiling together. Which reminded me … I pulled out my phone—which John had annoyingly given to Viv and me after the rock creature incident in case we needed to contact him—and glanced at the time.
Shoot.
I had a meeting with him and was going to be late if I didn’t leave right away.
Good.
I could question him about being lab partners with Mom.
I grabbed the yearbook and headed down the stairs.
The librarian didn’t say anything when I asked to check it out.
Once it was, I shoved it in my backpack and left for John’s office.
I knocked on the door before trying the handle, surprised to find it unlocked and the room empty of the headmaster.
Aura briefly raised her furry little head from her curled ball on the desk, not caring about my intrusion.
After a short walk around his office, I went over to the chairs to sit but paused and stared at his desk.
Now was my chance to find out if he was hiding anything.
I rummaged through the papers on his stone desk and the little fox cracked an eye open but closed it midway through my digging. Nothing stuck out to me.
I began searching through the ebony wood drawers of his desk until I came to a bottom drawer that wouldn’t budge. It had a tungsten lock.
Smart choice, Headmaster.
If I was hiding a key, where would I keep it? I searched the open drawers again, checking for the obvious spots. Aura raised her head again, giving me a curious glance before stretching and coming to sit at the end of the desk. Sun glinted off her collar as she yawned.
“Don’t worry,” I reassured the little fox. “I’m not here to cause any harm to your master.” Aura tilted her head, the dangling oval charm catching my eye. “What do you have there?”
I held out my hand, and she sniffed it. Once I was sure she wouldn’t bite my finger, I ran my fingers through the white fur on the top of her head, slowly making my way to her chin, where the charm was.
Upon further inspection, I realized there was a release button on the charm and a faint tingle of magic radiating from it, only palpable when touched.
“I’m going to take your collar off, okay, girl?
” I softened my voice as if I was talking to a kid.
She only blinked at me, and I took that as my cue, slowly unclasping the collar.
Once I almost had it off, she let out a little hiss, showing her teeth.
I pulled my hands away, collar clutched in them.
Aura licked her paw and then went back to her corner, circling three times before lying down.
Okay, then.
I pressed the button and a small key folded out.
Magic and mechanics working together at their finest. Holding my breath, I tried it on the drawer, a small thrill of triumph running through me when it clicked open.
I went back over to Aura, testing her temperament by getting in her space before reaching around her neck with the collar.
She didn’t move, only gave me narrowed side-eyes.
I clasped it back on and went over to the drawer, opening it farther. I was running out of time.
An old phone rested on top of some papers in the corner. I picked it up and pressed a button. The screen lit, and it was still open to a message to a seven-digit number.
They’re coming.
The door to the office started to open and I dropped the phone in the drawer, closing it with my shin. I stood up straight as John walked in. He eyed me wearily, taking in my position behind his desk and then glancing at a sleeping Aura.
“Anything I can help you with?” He closed the door, clutching a cardboard box to his chest.
“You’re late,” I said, deflecting the attention off me and striding to the other side of the desk where I was supposed to be.
“Yes. I apologize.” He gestured with the box in his hand. “I had something to pick up. I see your sister has not arrived yet.”
“My sister?” I asked. “She’s joining us?”
“Yes. Viv—” The door to his office opened, cutting him off as she strode through.
“I was summoned by a guard?” Viv glanced from me to John. “I would like to make it known that a simple text goes a long way.”
“Yes but delivering a message through a guard ensures that you receive that message in a timely manner. It cannot be left unread in your inbox or ignored.” John strode over to his chair and set the box on his desk before sitting down.
She sat in the chair and I followed suit, giving her a shrug. She didn’t attend our meetings for one simple reason: She didn’t want to. The benefit was that it didn’t allow her a chance to accidentally say something she shouldn’t. The thought made me cringe. Had they found something?
“Any news on our mom?” I asked and noticed his gaze dart to the box in front of him.
“Unfortunately, no. There have not been any new findings.” He took a moment, studying me and Viv. “Your mom is here.”
John opened the box and gently pulled out a sleek, handmade-looking octagon urn, setting it on the desk. Aura jolted from her sleep, trotting over. She let out a mournful howl and lay down on her belly, staring at the urn. Foxes were intuitive, I suppose.
“I am so sorry,” John began. “If I can help either of you in any way—”
“I just want to find those responsible.” My eyes fixed on Mom, and I grabbed Viv’s hand. She only nodded. If they were found and taken care of, she would be safe.
“I do too.” He rested his hands on his desk, clasping them together.
“Black walnut?” I asked about the urn, staring at the smooth color variants in the dark surface.
“It is.” John nodded. I waited for him to explain its significance, but he remained silent.
Not that I needed an explanation, and Viv most likely knew.
Black walnut trees signified spiritual wisdom and guidance, as well as resembling the strong link between people and nature.
Picking out her urn hadn’t crossed my mind.
John—or whoever had decided—had chosen well.
My heart ached as tears threatened to fall. Without her ashes, it was easier to pretend she could still be alive somewhere. I knew she was gone—I had seen it with my own eyes. There was no surviving a horrific death like that.
A tear rolled down my cheek. Reality sucked.
I swallowed and wiped the tear away. Wallowing wasn’t going to help avenge her or keep Viv safe.
“I’m going to use the restroom.” Viv stood, letting go of my hand.
“I’ll join you,” I said and stood, not wanting her to be alone.
“Sal. Please.” Tears traveled down her cheeks. “I just need a moment. I’ll meet you in the hall?”
“Okay.” I nodded and hugged her.
She pulled away and walked out of the office. I faced John, who remained sitting. There was one thing he could clear up.
“You didn’t tell me you were in my mom’s class and lab partners,” I said, letting a bit of harsh accusation seep into my tone.
John was quiet for a moment before a grim smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Yes. We had been lab partners.”
“You led me to believe you didn’t know her,” I said.
“I don’t recall saying I didn’t know her.” He tapped a finger on his desk. “We were classmates. She was a very caring, gentle soul, and very educated. She was kind to all other students, including me. I want to find who did this to her, Selene, and I won’t stop until I do. I promise.”
My jaw clenched but I found myself nodding, wanting to believe him. But he was hiding something—and he was darn good at it.