CHAPTER 30
Aelys
During the week following Lucy Jones's death, the students wander the monastery grounds, attending to their favorite activities as classes are suspended so we could pay our respects to Jones.
My cousin, Nancy, seemed the most affected of our group.
Given she had confided in me that she was having a secret relationship with a fairy, I could only guess that the fairy in question was none other than Jones.
O'Connor and Dawson have been keeping an even closer eye on us, probably thinking we are up to something. Arthur and Mattheo were therefore unable to make any progress on their task. The barrier protecting the Academy grounds is still intact, which definitely won't please the Master.
As for me, I’ve read what Mattheo found about shapeshifting transformations.
I finally know how to activate my animal side, however, I admit I'm not very enthusiastic about the idea of doing so.
As, to do so, I have to undergo an extremely stressful situation that will cause my animal cells to awaken and the animal that represents my second nature to reveal itself.
Mattheo reassured me that I wouldn't have to do anything until I was ready, and I'm grateful to him for that.
We haven't revealed the truth about Jones's death to our friends. They're bound to find out one way or another, since the Dark Mage sent us a letter informing us of a meeting the day before we resume classes. That's today, Sunday.
The boys have already left, waiting for us at Leroi Manor. Arthur thought his mother might need help preparing for the meeting she's always organizing.
Carmen being a second mother to each of them, the boys did not hesitate to volunteer and accompany the young blond home, eager to lighten the matriarch's schedule.
Early in the afternoon, Matt and I get ready, him donning an all-black suit and me a long black robe with long, puffy sleeves. A very basic outfit, but it's enough to meet the Dark Mage.
I put on my black heels and tie my hair in a high ponytail.
My makeup is also simple: emerald green eyeshadow, black mascara and red lipstick.
I'm checking myself in the mirror to make sure I look presentable when I see Mattheo coming up behind me.
He places his hands on my waist and pulls me back against his chest.
“You look divine, my angel,” he whispers in my ear before moving his lips against the skin of my neck and kissing it lightly.
Goosebumps rise on my skin and shivers run down my spine. My cheeks turn a soft pink and my lips curl into a shy smile.
“You too, Matt.”
He asks if I'm ready, and as I nod, the unpleasant sensation of being crushed by a powerful force makes me gasp.
I close my eyes for a few seconds to push the feeling away before opening them again, my gaze settling on the magnificent Leroi Manor.
It's still elegant and as beautiful as the last time we were here, but my stomach twists painfully once I see the gardens.
Everything is dead.
There are no more flowers, the trees have lost their leaves and look diseased, the grass is so dark it looks like it has been burned.
The manor itself seems darker than I remember, and I can feel the dark magic emanating from its walls.
I'm used to it, but this is different. It's overwhelming, it seems to be trying to seep through my skin.
I've never felt the call of darkness like this.
It's drawing me into its embrace, and the scariest part is, I have no desire to run away.
On the contrary, I'm dying to succumb to it.
I'm brought back to reality by Mattheo's hand lightly squeezing mine. I hadn't noticed he let go of my waist to intertwine our fingers.
“Let's go,” he whispers.
I nod and follow him to the entrance of the mansion. Carmen opens the door for us, a small smile on her red lips. She hugs me before doing the same to Mattheo, who awkwardly hugs her back, clearly uncomfortable.
“Oh, how are you, my dear children?” She asks softly.
“We're fine, Carmen, thank you,” I smile shyly and relief floods her features.
The boys appear behind her, their usual cheerful expressions gone.
They're all wearing black suits similar to Matt's, and their hair is neatly styled.
It's quite unusual to see them like this; they're always so carefree in their dressing.
They look me up and down with slight smiles on their faces, and I roll my eyes teasingly.
“Hi guys.”
They answer in unison, making me laugh softly. Enzo comes over to me, grabs my hand, forcing me to let go of Mattheo as he spins me around so they can get a better look.
“You are truly magnificent, beautiful!” He smiles with all his teeth.
“All right, Berkeley, don't touch my fiancée,” Mattheo pushes him away, frowning, his gaze dark.
His arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me to his side, holding me protectively and possessively while glaring at the boys. I roll my eyes, amused by his stupid jealousy. He knows perfectly well that nothing will ever happen between any of the boys and me.
Carmen tells us that it is time for us to join the Master in the reception room and our faces lose all joyful emotion, becoming impassive.
In front of the Dark Mage, showing anything other than coldness and a thirst for murder can cost you your life.
Darkvis sits at the head of the large table, his murderous red gaze fixed on us as we enter. We move behind our assigned seats, bow respectfully, and he gestures for us to sit.
Mattheo sits right next to his father, I sit to his right. Enzo and Theodore sit in the chairs next to me, while Cameron and Arthur sit opposite us. Our eyes remain fixed on the black wood of the table, waiting for the Master to give us permission to speak.
“Ah, children,” he mumbles hoarsely. “It's a pleasure to finally see you here.”
I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat.
I have no reason to be afraid of him; I have completed the first part of my task after all.
But I know I will receive the Trace tonight and I know it will be painful.
However, it doesn't matter; I must remain strong and impassive in front of the Dark Mage.
Showing the slightest weakness would only get me killed.
“Arthur, tell me my boy, how is your mission going?”
“Good, Master. I had to put it on hold for the past few days since classes were suspended following the death of a student, but I remain confident. I will have succeeded in destroying the barrier before Christmas, as you ordered.” He bows, trying to keep his voice steady, but I can still hear the fear hidden there.
“Wonderful,” he claps his hands, making us all jump imperceptibly. “And you, Theodore? Have you discovered O'Connor's plans?”
He clears his throat with a nervous tic and bows as well. “Yes, Master. His only plan is to locate more cities and towns housing the disciples in order to eliminate as many as possible. I have yet to discover how far he has progressed with this plan.”
Darkvis clicks his tongue disdainfully. The hiss of a snake echoes through the room, and the Dark Mage's enormous reptile slithers across the table and toward Theodore. I stiffen, knowing the snake's reputation. The animal is fond of human flesh and is said to be able to swallow a large man whole.
I don't know what species it is, but I'm well aware that it's extremely dangerous. All the boys know it too.
The reptile stops in front of my friend and bares two sharp fangs, its forked tongue sliding between them and almost reaching the brunette's face. Theodore keeps his head down and his mouth closed, knowing it's safer that way, though I can see the slight tremor of terror he tries to hide.
“I'm disappointed, Theodore,” Darkvis growls. “But you still figured out his plan, so I'll be merciful this time. Find out how many towns and villages he's located and don't fail, or you'll become dinner for my dearest scaly friend.”
“Yes, Master,” he replies with a slightly trembling voice while bowing.
Then I feel Darkvis's cold, glowing eyes on me and I swallow, waiting for him to speak.
“Aelys,” he hisses like a snake. “I'm impressed by your success in killing Miss Jones.”
He claps, his lips stretching into a disgusting smile that exposes his rotten, yellow teeth. “You have proven yourself worthy of becoming one of my disciples, my dear. Come and claim your prize, sweet child.”
I stand up and walk over to his side, not once glancing at my friends or Mattheo. Yet I can feel their eyes on me. The Master's cold fingers wrap around my left wrist and he pulls, forcing me to be only inches away from him.
He pulls out a dagger with a golden blade and a handle that looks very much like bone, leaving me to wonder in horror if it is human.
I remain calm, maintaining a mask of impassiveness to avoid revealing any emotion. He rolls up my sleeve and presses the tip of the blade against my flesh. Then he carves a first rune, the one of Abyss, the demon of chaos.
I grit my teeth to keep from grunting in pain as my blood flows freely, sloshing against the expensive white tiles of the reception room of Leroi Manor.
Once the rune is etched into my flesh, he sets about engraving the second: the one of Camael, also called the destroyer.
My jaw tightens further as the pain increases, but I remain as stoic as possible.
Once the two runes are deeply embedded in my flesh, they begin to emit a faint white glow.
I watch, intrigued, as the Master presses the tip of the dagger against his palm and cuts himself deeply.
I bite my tongue to hold back a cry of pain as he draws his blood down my forearm and mixes it with mine.
The runes glow brightly for a few seconds before the light fades. My eyes widen in shock as I see my skin close, the wounds disappearing to leave only two pink scars that represent the runes.
“Welcome to our ranks, my dear.”
“Thank you, Master,” I bow.