CHAPTER 28
Aelys
That morning, I wake up with severe cramps in my lower abdomen. I moan softly at the pain, careful not to wake Matt. I get out of bed and rush to the bathroom. I sit on the toilet and groan in frustration when I see that my period has started.
Fantastic.
I open the small chest I carefully placed next to the toilet when I arrived at the Academy and take out a pair of menstrual panties.
I turn on the shower and slip under the hot water, sighing at the sensation on my skin. I wash my body with my candy apple shower gel, my hair with my cherry shampoo before rinsing off the soap.
I jump when I suddenly feel hands on my waist. I turn to look at Mattheo with a small, dark look, and he sneers. He kisses me on the forehead and walks away, grinning like a little devil.
“Hello, love.”
I roll my eyes, mutter a 'hello' in return before turning around again and shampooing my hair again. Mattheo raises an eyebrow, slightly confused by my somewhat distant attitude.
“Are you okay, angel?”
I nod, saying nothing, he sighs before turning me back to him, cupping my cheeks with his hands. His brown eyes are watching me intently.
“I was a jerk last night, wasn't I?” He asks in a small, ashamed voice, his eyes wandering between mine.
I sigh and place my hands on his. I smile softly to soothe his sadness and guilt.
Whenever he's drunk the night before, he's always ashamed of himself for being such a jerk to me.
It's one of the reasons I never resent him for being drunk and mean.
He's just an angry drunk, he's still my Matt when he doesn't have alcohol clouding his brain.
“You were, but it's okay, Matt.”
He doesn't look convinced by the pout that stretches his lips so I sigh again, rolling my eyes. “I just got my period and I'm having cramps. It's making me a little moody,” I shrug.
He relaxes and rests his forehead against mine, closing his eyes.
“I'm still sorry I'm like this every time I drink,” he sighs heavily. “Do you want to stay here and rest a little? I can tell the teachers you're not feeling well.”
“That would be great, yeah,” I nod as my lips curl into a grateful smile.
He pulls back, kisses me on the cheek, and smiles. He rinses my hair and applies my conditioner. He rinses it out as well, and kisses me one last time on the cheek, letting me step out of the shower. I put on my period panties, Matt's shirt and a pair of shorts.
I go back to bed, grab my book from the nightstand and lean my back against the headboard. Mattheo returns shortly after, dressed in his uniform. He slings his bag over his shoulder and comes over to give me a quick kiss. I melt against his lips, but he pulls away, smirking.
“I'll see you at lunch, love. I'll bring you something to eat. Try to get some sleep, okay?”
I nod, tug at his tie, and kiss him one last time before pushing him away and pointing to the door with my finger.
“Go ahead, don't be late, Rigast. And take some notes so I can steal them,” I smile.
He laughs softly, shaking his head gently, then heads to the door.
He winks flirtatiously before closing it behind him, leaving me alone in our dorm.
I roll my eyes playfully at his flirting, even though he can't see me anymore.
I resume my reading, a horror story this time, borrowed once again from my cousin.
A knock at the door pulls me from my reading, I frown as I look in that direction. I glance at the clock and am even more confused to see that it's only 8:15 am. Classes only started a few minutes ago. I get out of bed and go to open the door.
“Tom? What are you doing here?”
My confusion grows. It's been weeks since we've spoken. Why would he try now? He looks me up and down shamelessly, I cross my arms over my chest, clear my throat and glare at him.
“What do you want, Rigast?”
“Relax, Stevens sent me to get you,” he rolls his eyes in annoyance.
“Matt didn't tell him I was sick?” I raise an eyebrow, confused.
“He did, yes. But there's an assembly in the main hall. All students have to go there.”
I nod and tell him to wait while I change. He sneers and tells me to hurry up, but I just shut the door in his face.
I think I can say goodbye to my day off.
I sigh and put on my uniform and shoes before grabbing my bag. Since I'm dressed and have to go to the main building, I'll attend the rest of my classes as well.
“Finally,” Tom breathes as I leave the dorm.
I shoot him a glare and we begin walking towards the assembly in silence. I keep my distance from him, which he seems to notice as he snorts and rolls his eyes in irritation.
We quickly arrive and sit down with our group. Mattheo wraps an arm around my waist the second I sit down next to him, looking at his brother with a murderous glare. He leans towards my ear, his eyes never leaving Tom.
“I asked Stevens to let me come get you, but the bastard wouldn't let me.”
“It's okay, don't worry.”
“He didn't do anything, did he?” He asks abruptly.
I meet his gaze and notice his tense jaw. I rest my head on his shoulder with a sigh.
“No, he didn't do anything. Any ideas as to why we're here?” I ask, changing the subject.
He shakes his head, and just then, Principal O'Connor arrives and stands in front of the large staff table, his expression grim. He calls for silence, which causes the entire room to stop talking at once, as if everyone is affected by the man's sinister attitude.
“I'm very sorry to interrupt your studies, but I have some tragic news to share with you,” he pushes his glasses up his nose and clears his throat. “Miss Lucy Jones was found dead in her dormitory this morning.”
Loud gasps and a few shouts echo through the room, but O'Connor calls for silence, raising a hand, his lips pursed in a grave expression.
I already know what he's going to say about the cause of death. Polonium, being a natural substance, is undetectable since it is present in many elements in our daily lives, which means that it is not recognizable in the human body.
To everyone else, it will look like an accidental death.
“According to our nurse, Ms. Baxter, she apparently overdosed after consuming too much alcohol and illegal substances at a student party the professors and I were unaware of. We will therefore be more vigilant regarding these events. Classes have been canceled for the week to give you plenty of time to grieve, Miss Jones.”
With a quick movement, the students stand and leave the room. We follow the crowd, Mattheo's arm tightly wrapped around my waist. We don't say a word as we walk, listening intently to the other students talking.
Everyone is wondering about the presence of drugs at the party, but some are complaining that they won't be able to party again now that the teachers will be keeping a close eye on us to prevent another tragic death.
A student died, but they're thinking about the future celebrations they won't be able to attend. Pathetic.
When we arrive in building G, I hear boys chatting loudly in the common room. Some express surprise at learning that the famous know-it-all Lucy Jones was secretly using drugs, while others mock her for it, saying she must be using these substances to be so good in class.
My stomach twists with guilt and anger. Lucy seemed like a nice girl and didn't deserve to be insulted like this. I wish I hadn't had to kill her, but orders are orders.
The Master can only win this seemingly endless conflict, I must be on his side if I am to survive. This is what my father has instilled in me my entire life, I believe in the Dark Mage's cause just as much as he does.
Furthermore, I know that this conflict has only one outcome: Darkvis wins.
He has more supporters and power than O'Connor, and those who support the latter are aware of this.
As for me, I know where I'll be once the Dark Mage eliminates O'Connor and takes control of the magical world: alongside Mattheo, his greatest disciple and successor, as his wife.