Chapter 33 They Must Pay
Even if Wren wasn’t Cursed to feel the anxiety of those around her, she’d be on edge. The academy was trying to combat that feeling by serving tea and lavender-vanilla biscuits, but she wasn’t fooled. They were announcing Soren and Ambrose’s verdict today.
“I wish they would dispense with the pageantry and just tell us,” Kierana groused from beside Wren.
The two were standing on the outskirts of the ballroom the entire academy had been herded into after breakfast. The headmaster had only taken a day to come to a conclusion.
It was just as well, since it took no time at all for the entire island to be overrun with gossip.
This would dispel most of it, though Wren was certain some students would find a way to incriminate her somehow.
Wren searched the crowd for Calypsia. She found her standing alone across the room, drinking from a goblet instead of a teacup.
As if she could sense Wren watching her, her gaze cut to Wren. Calypsia sneered.
“I agree,” Wren murmured her reply.
Though it was wrong, Wren wished Calypsia had been involved.
It would make things easier if Wren didn’t have to worry about watching her back around the viper.
Her threats to Wren before had seemed more bark than bite, but Wren couldn’t be too sure.
Especially since—if found guilty—Calypsia was about to lose her beloved to prison.
And the entire academy knew Wren had played a part in his detainment, due to someone spotting her and Castien leaving the assembly hall.
Wren tore her gaze away from Calypsia’s contemptuous expression and sought out a much better sight.
Castien stood at the head of the room, near where the headmaster was to make her announcement.
Finn was to his right, and Eindar, his left.
She could only see the back of his head, but still his presence comforted her.
He’d left yesterday before she could give him his letter, so she’d tucked it into her glove today, the parchment warm against her palm.
The headmaster entered the room and the crowd hushed. Not so much as the clink of a teacup against a saucer could be heard. She took her place before the crowd. Her hands were folded primly in front of her, and her lips were pressed into a thin line.
“I am sure all of you are aware that early yesterday morning, Soren Galestrom and Ambrose Bannington were taken in for questioning due to evidence that they were involved in the murders of three students.” She paused.
Whispers filled the room for a moment before falling silent again.
“After further investigation, we have determined that they are the ones who committed the horrific crimes.”
Another pause. Wren couldn’t help but steal a glance at Calypsia. The woman was gripping her goblet like a weapon. Her expression was hard, betraying no emotion.
“As you know, I am the ultimate authority when it comes to actions committed on my island. I put together a council of staff from each of the Seven Havens in order to ensure that my punishment was not too harsh nor too light. They all agreed with my decision.”
Anxiety burned like an inferno inside Wren’s chest. The entire room waited with bated breath.
She wished she would have stood near Castien, but she hadn’t wanted to increase the rumors that were spreading about them.
His steadiness would have been appreciated, though. Wren pressed a palm over her heart.
“Soren and Ambrose took three innocent lives. They betrayed the oath of peace the academy seeks to uphold. For that, they must pay. The only thing they have that could come close to what they stole is their lives. Therefore, they will be cast into the Tides to endure the fearful end they doled out upon others.”
A loud clatter made Wren jump, and the entire room broke out in a series of startled gasps.
The goblet Calypsia had been holding was now on the ground, spilling a puddle of crimson across the polished floor.
Her fingertips pressed to her lips, the mask she wore now shattered as distress stole over her features.
Wren’s stomach rolled as the emotions of the room collided with her own.
She hadn’t saved them from death after all.
But she couldn’t have simply let them go.
That would only result in more bloodshed.
Wren drew in a deep breath. Their blood wasn’t on her hands.
The headmaster and her council would bear the weight of their decision.
“Within the hour, their punishment will be complete. As I know many of you cared for those who were killed, I have permitted the entire academy to spectate.” The headmaster’s gaze narrowed.
“If you watch, let it also be a reminder: the academy does not tolerate such crimes. Anyone who lifts a finger against their peers or professors will meet the same fate.”
Calypsia bolted out of the room, her exit peppered with murmurs from fellow students.
“Considering they kill for much less where she’s from, you’d think she’d be more accustomed to this sort of thing,” Kierana said under her breath.
Wren shook her head at the harsh sentiment. While she held no regard for Calypsia, Wren knew what it was like to lose someone you loved. She wouldn’t wish it upon even her.
“Those who wish to be present, you may follow me and the guards to the southern gate where the guilty will be disposed of.” The headmaster raised her voice over the students who were beginning to talk again.
“Are you going?” Kierana asked as the headmaster headed for the door. A flood of students followed.
“Are you?” Wren asked instead of answering.
“The only thing better than watching them die would be to kill them myself,” Kierana said darkly.
Wren caught sight of Castien walking toward them, flanked by Finn and Eindar. She turned to face them more fully, hiding her shaking hands behind her back.
“We’ve come to inquire if you’d like company to today’s festivities?” Finn asked with a wry smirk.
Castien shot him a glare, though Kierana laughed. She held out a hand to Eindar with a small smile.
“Escort me?”
A flicker of a smirk stole across Eindar’s lips before he offered his arm to her. She placed her hand in the crook of his elbow, and they followed the growing line of students exiting the ballroom.
“I can take you back to your chambers, if you like,” Castien offered gently.
Wren couldn’t think on account of the uproar surrounding her. Would it stain her if she went? Or would it give her closure?
“Based on his obsession with justice, I think if the roles were reversed, Heron would be down there cheering,” Finn said lightly.
Castien glared at him again, but a laugh bubbled out of Wren. It was one of the first times in a while that someone spoke of Heron so casually.
“I think you are right,” Wren said through her laughter. Castien watched her with a curious expression. “Though I don’t know if he’d be cheering. More likely that he’d try to push them off the cliffs himself.”
Finn’s smile widened. “I was close, then. I suppose I am more likely to cheer. I was thinking of having the chefs make a cake to celebrate. Like a turn of year but a turn of death.”
Castien pinched the bridge of his nose.
“For once, could you try to think before you speak? You sound as though you take joy in the morose,” Castien scolded.
“I do not take joy in these things, rather I seek to bring joy in spite of them,” Finn replied. “You’re just jealous because I made her laugh.”
Wren’s face heated. Jealous? She hated when Finn insinuated things like that. It made her wonder if they were true.
“Finnick—” Castien started, but Wren reached out and grasped his arm.
“Escort me?” she asked quickly, her tone not nearly as smooth as Kierana’s.
Castien’s eyes widened ever so slightly before he could smooth out his expression. He dipped his chin.
“If you’re certain,” he said in a low voice.
“I am not,” she admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. “But I don’t know if that means I should not go.”
Castien tucked her hand into the crook of his arm without a word. Wren instantly felt warmer.
“You can always close your eyes if you change your mind,” Finn said, taking up residence on her other side. “Though you might need to plug your ears, too, in case they scream.”
“Finn, I’m going to throw you into the Tides if you don’t stop talking,” Castien said through gritted teeth.
“Now who’s the morose one?” Finn quipped.
Wren fought a smile at their banter. Only they could make her want to laugh in a situation like this.
The trio ambled out of the building at a slow pace due to the volume of people ahead of them.
By the time they made it to the entrance, it seemed preparations had been made.
Soren and Ambrose stood with their hands bound in front of them.
Ivanhild held Soren’s arm, while Westover held Ambrose’s.
The wind whipped at their clothes and hair.
It cut through Wren’s uniform, making her shiver.
The gate was open, and the sound of the Tides hitting the cliffside was deafening.
This entrance usually led to the docks, but since Eventide was over, the water had engulfed the structures.
All of the academy stood back from the edge.
The spray coming off the waves wet Wren’s face and made her lips taste of salt.
Soren and Ambrose were silent as the headmaster approached them. Soren’s eyes searched the crowd. Wren suspected he was looking for Calypsia.
Castien bent down to Wren’s ear. “If you change your mind, we’ll leave.”
She nodded in response and clutched his arm tighter. The wind howled around them to a deafening degree.
“Soren Galestrom and Ambrose Bannington, you have been charged with the murders of three of your fellow students. Your punishment is death by the Tides. If you have any last words, you may say them now,” the headmaster shouted, her voice barely audible over the waves.
“Calypsia?” Soren called out as soon as he was given permission. “If you’re out there, know that I love you! I was trying to win your father’s favor, that is all. Forgive me for failing you.”
Wren dug her nails into Castien’s jacket. He sought forgiveness for his plan failing, not for stealing her brother’s life?
“Grimhaven scum,” Finn hissed at Wren’s left. “Can we raze the island once you’re emperor?” he asked Castien.
“Gladly,” Castien answered in a cutting tone.
“We were framed!” Ambrose yelled once Soren finished speaking. “Don’t believe them!”
The headmaster shook her head. She gestured to Westover.
“Take him first.”
Westover began dragging Ambrose to the edge.
Ambrose drug his feet, shouting obscenities the whole way.
A guard came to assist Westover as they neared the edge.
Wren felt an icy stab of fear to her sternum as they hurled Ambrose off the cliffs.
His scream pierced her ears before it was swallowed up by the crashing of the waves.
There was no sound of him hitting the water, nor any indication of him surviving the long fall.
If he did, it wouldn’t be for long. Even if Ambrose had learned to swim, his hands were bound.
Not to mention the beasts that sailors told tales of.
Wren had heard many in her time in the tavern with Heron.
Massive creatures who occupied the darkest depths where the light did not reach.
They only came up to feast on those unlucky enough to have fallen into the creature’s domain.
Soren was next. He did not fight, though doing so would be pointless when Ivanhild was the one holding him.
Ivanhild’s face was set in a scowl. He brought Soren to the edge and leaned down to say something to him that Wren couldn’t hear.
That was when she felt Soren’s fear twist her insides.
Ivanhild pushed Soren. A guttural wail echoed in the air. The silence that followed was chilling.
“It is done,” the headmaster announced. “While I do not relish in more death, I am pleased that justice has been wrought. Peace reigns again at the Obsidian Academy, due to the combined efforts of the council and two of our prize students: Prince Castien Valengard and Lady Wren Kalyxi.”
The headmaster started to clap her hands. Other students joined in, casting wary and curious glances at Castien, Wren, and because of proximity, Finn. Eindar and Finn deserved recognition too, but Wren did not wish to draw further attention to herself by saying so.
“Those who have stepped in to act as guards in the face of tragedy, thank you. You are relieved of your duties. Classes will resume tomorrow as scheduled. Let us all seek to return to how we were before as best we can.” The headmaster clasped her hands in front of her.
“For now, return to your chambers and rest.”
Students left, murmuring to their friends with every step. Wren did not move. She stared at the place where Soren and Ambrose had been standing just moments before. Castien and Finn said nothing, simply stood on either side of her like knights.
The headmaster approached. Wren stood up a little straighter but did not release Castien’s arm.
“I understand loss,” the headmaster said, her voice barely audible over the Tides. “So I know that their deaths do not bring back your brother. However, I hope you can be at peace knowing his killers were brought to justice.”
Wren was brought back to the portrait on the headmaster’s desk. The one of the little boy she had seen on her first day on the island. Perhaps that was who she had lost.
“Thank you, Headmaster,” Wren said, loosening her hold on Castien’s arm to allow for a curtsy.
“No, thank you, for your efforts. I will ensure they are properly recognized on this island and beyond.”
Headmaster Acanthia bowed ever so slightly, then passed them. It was silent for a moment, then Finn spoke.
“Do you think that means she’ll get us a cake?”
“Finnick!” Wren scolded.
“What? Too soon?” he asked with a laugh.
“You’re terrible,” Wren replied with a shake of her head, though a smile was tugging at her lips. Not because of Finn’s antics, but because of the relief taking root in her bones. She’d accomplished what she set out to do; now her brother could rest in peace.
“Are you ready to go inside?” Castien asked, ignoring his cousin. “I don’t want you to get Tidesick.” His eyes were lit with a knowing look.
Her smile broke free. Though small, it was a sign of new beginnings. Of hope that didn’t feel so sharp or heavy.
“Yes, I’m ready.”