Chapter Seven
It feels like I have been walking forever.
Finally, I see the familiar columns of Sun Castle.
How did I get out without anyone seeing me?
I think about each door and how they are probably all locked at this time, but my mind goes back to the library window.
If I can get there, I can possibly squeeze through it.
I tiptoe around the perimeter of the castle, acknowledging the number of rooms with lights on so I can avoid them once I’m inside.
Ryder’s black hoodie is swamping my frame and restricting movement around my knees, but at least I can blend into the dark corners of the castle.
When I reach the outskirts of the library wall, the window is still cracked open.
Thank the Gods. It’s still a little high up, and I have to get on my tiptoes to reach the lip of the ledge, but it’s a way in.
Hoisting myself up, I push on the window until the gap opens far enough for me to slip in quietly, trying not to make a sound.
My foot levels on the cushion of the alcove I was sitting on earlier.
The warmth of the castle hugs me, and the hairs on my arms finally stand down, like they are saying thank you for getting them out of the cold.
I sneak over to the library door and twist its handle gently.
I wait for its latch to click and apply pressure, opening it ever so slightly, just enough to squeeze myself through and into the dimly lit hallway.
I take a left and scurry towards the big double doors that lead back to the First Quarter.
I am only a couple of metres away from the door now, but I notice a series of muffled voices coming from the Dining Hall.
I thought everyone in Sun Castle would surely be asleep by now.
My curiosity gets the better of me. I position myself with my back against the wall so I can shuffle quietly towards the voices.
They are getting a little clearer with each step I take.
When I reach the ajar door, I poke my head around its frame, spying on the figures inside.
My eyes first adjust to see a lady with a recognisable haircut.
Short black and purple hair shaved on one side. It’s Veronica.
“I need to know more about the incident in the taming quadrant…” She is cut off by another voice.
“The circumstances were highly unfortunate.” I know that voice.
It’s Miss Worthington. “But we are no strangers to losing tamers in the taming quadrant. You of all people should understand this.” She gestures at the three large, raised scars on Veronica’s left bicep.
Veronica’s face reddens as she brings her right arm up to conceal the mark between her fingers.
“Not that… the girl. The one with the eyes…” She points to her own eyes as she says this. “I have never seen an elion act that way to a first year; it is unheard of.”
My body stiffens, and I subconsciously breathe a little heavier. They are talking about me.
She stares intensely at Miss Worthington, and I hear another voice join in, but I don’t recognise this one.
“I did not call this meeting to talk about some student… Veronica, could you please give us the room.”
A tall, dark figure pops into view. He stands facing them with his back towards me. I cannot see his face, but I can feel his presence from here. Miss Worthington’s face pales a few shades, and her ginger curls bounce as she nods in agreement with him.
His presence is daunting. He is wearing a crisp black suit with a white pressed shirt.
He turns slightly, and now I can see him more clearly.
He has a healthy head of brown hair gelled to the side with a scar that runs down the side of his face, cutting his right eyebrow in half, stretching all the way to his cheek.
He clears his throat and swirls around a glass of brown liquor.
He ushers Veronica out of the room. She nods her head and walks quickly towards the door at the far end of the hall.
“I heard you had some issues with the last shipment?” Worry lines form on Miss Worthington’s forehead.
“I wouldn’t call it an issue per se. One got away, but we managed to track it down and neutralise it,” she says, her voice trembling a little. “You know how they are, slippery little fuckers,” she continues, swaying unnervingly in her position, shifting her weight from left to right.
Who is this guy? He is definitely powerful enough to have the head of Sun Sovereign scared. Anxiousness boils in my stomach. I know I should leave, but I can’t seem to peel my eyes away.
“Well, I would call that an issue. You assured me the facility was airtight.” His voice holds weight as he takes a step towards her, his posture ramrod straight and soldier-like.
“I know bu-” He cuts her off with a wave of his hand, and her brows furrow even more. He leans in intimidatingly close to her.
“You realise what could happen if word gets out. This cannot happen again.” He aims a fierce stare at her.
“It won’t,” Miss Worthington says, cowering under the man’s presence.
“Remember what is at stake for you.” He brings a hand up, and a dark shadow emerges from it, causing Miss to step back. “Don’t make me call our little deal off.”
An unknowing gasp escapes my lips… He’s a Moon. His head snaps in my direction, and I dart back, hiding myself from view.
“You told me all the students were in bed,” he spits.
“T-they are,” she stutters. “It’s just an old school.”
Shit. I really should be getting out of here.
“Hmmm. Don’t fuck this up. Next time I won’t be so understanding.”
He spins on his heels and walks towards me.
I don’t bother waiting around. The sound of his footsteps are getting closer.
I unstick myself from the wall and rush over to the door to the First Quarter, pushing it quietly and slipping my small frame through it.
I warily make my way up the left-hand stairs to my faction.
I arch my back low and grip onto the bannister, cradling the stairs and proceeding quickly and with caution.
Still hearing his footsteps loitering through the corridor, he swings the double doors open, but I am already at the top of the stairs now.
With light feet, I run through the long and windy corridor until I am finally outside my dorm room.
Damien Solice is staring all high and mighty at me through the picture frame.
I shoot him a look as if to say, ‘quit judging me,’ and open my door lightly.
My breath is still shaky from the rush of adrenaline.
I don’t worry about waking up Nala; she can sleep through anything.
I fling off the hoodie and chuck it onto my bed.
glancing down at my dirt-stained pyjamas.
I take them off, add them to my washing pile and throw on a clean set before getting into bed.
What on earth was Miss Worthington doing with a Moon?
I pull the hoodie on over my head, liking the way its huge size makes me feel small.
A strange wave of comfort washes over me as I find myself drifting deeper and deeper into the slumber’s abyss.
***
Thank the Gods it’s morning. I’ve never been so happy to see the sunrise over the valley.
I sit up in my bed, still wearing Ryder’s hoodie.
I quickly remove the evidence before Nala wakes up.
I don’t know how I would even begin to explain to her what happened last night.
Holding the hoodie in my hands, I brush my face against it, only for a moment.
It smells like him. Butterflies begin to roam around in my stomach, but I bat down their wings and squash the feeling.
Nala fidgets a little, making me panic, and I quickly shove the hoodie in my suitcase along with the rest of my contraband. My conscience is getting heavier.
I get out of bed, swinging my legs out onto the floor.
My feet stare back at me, bruised and muddy.
Another thing that’s completely and utterly unexplainable.
I grab a pair of fluffy socks and pull them onto my feet.
Good enough, I think, looking at the temporary fix.
Nala is still sound asleep, so I walk over to her bed and nudge her slightly.
Of course, she slept through first bells again. She turns over and squints at me.
“I’m just getting in the shower. First bell rang a minute ago,” I whisper to her.
“Okay,” she sighs. “Thanks for waking me.”
I turn on the shower and stand in front of the mirror waiting for the water to turn from icy cold to steamy hot.
I get lost in my reflection for a moment.
I don’t recognise myself. My hair is frizzy and wild, and my face is smudged brown with dirt.
Ryder’s words play on repeat in my head, ‘there’s something off about you.
’ I stare a little harder, wondering if his words ring true, and pluck out a twig from the tangled nest that is my hair.
The thought of seeing him again tonight makes me shudder, but the butterflies start to fly again.
***
The first years gather by the combat area after first meals.
Ciara got her Gift last night, visited by Shirin.
Looks like she will be joining her parents after all.
She hasn’t stopped going on about it all morning.
The first one of the year to get her Gifts.
Becoming a healer right before combat—how fitting.
No doubt she’ll be on the sidelines waiting eagerly for blood to be spilt, like a hungry shark, so she can use her Gifts.
Five other classmates are getting their Gifts tonight, from what I’ve heard.
Maybe more. Nala only has to wait three more days for hers.
“Come in closer, first years, I don’t bite,” a husky voice jokes as he ushers us all in towards the platform.