Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
IRIS
Iris
He wasn’t a killer.
I sucked in a long breath.
He wasn’t a killer.
I closed my eyes.
He wasn’t a killer.
Archer, Adora and I sat in our dorm room.
Rory had chickened out of feigning illness and gone to class, but he had covered for me and Adora, at least. Maybe it was best he wasn’t here, anyway.
It was very strange, having Archer and Dora sitting across from each other. I think they found it strange, too.
As the world outside Ashcroft continued on, oblivious to the horrors going on within, Archer filled Dora in on everything he’d just told me.
At first, he was sceptical to tell her anything at all, flicking his concerned gaze to mine.
His shoulders were tight, his posture rigid, but after I’d looked him right in the eye and whispered, ‘She’s my best friend,’ something in his expression shifted.
With a quiet exhale, he’d launched into the story.
I watched him closely as he spoke to her, revealing everything he’d kept buried for so long.
I noticed how his voice eventually steadied, and how his hands stopped fidgeting.
The tension in his jaw slowly eased with each passing sentence, as if a weight was being lifted off him as the confessions spilled out.
He’d seemed to calm down now he knew I wasn’t frightened of him. That was the strange part, because I probably should have been… he’d still kept secrets – and how was I to know there weren’t more? Some other skeletons lurking in the closet just waiting to jump out?
But…
Maybe it was the way he spoke, or the honesty in his eyes when they flicked between me and Adora, that made me trust that this was it. He’d told me everything.
I wasn’t exactly happy – far from it, in fact. A knot of unease still twisted in my stomach. But at least now I understood.
While confessing to Adora, he’d added that “Discipuli de Neptūno” roughly translated to disciples – or students – of the sea god. And he’d also said that the cult had different tiers…
He told us that initiates who had not completed a ceremony where they kill in cold blood, are not permitted to know who any other members of the society are – this is why they wear their terrifying masks and black robes whenever they meet.
He then told us that even after you’d completed a ceremony, you only get to find out the identity of two out of the three leaders.
The leaders, he explained, were in charge of the society, and ensured its topmost secrecy.
‘There’s always been three leaders, and a new one steps up whenever an old one dies,’ Archer was saying.
‘There’s one for Stonewall, one for the University, and one top secret arsehole who oversees everything.
’ His eyes darkened. ‘No one, except the two other leaders, know who he or she is. It could be literally anyone… My best guess is that it’s a super powerful alum.
Someone who has the authority and jurisdiction to cover up the messes that the cult leaves in its bloody path. ’
‘Hence Sinclair for the Stonewall leader,’ Adora said quietly.
‘He’s literally in charge of investigating anything that happens.
If he says one thing, who are we to question it?
’ She was angry, and I’d never seen her that way before.
Her usual soft, pale skin was flushed and her nails were bitten to nubs.
‘Exactly.’
‘And who’s the leader of the school?’ I asked, bracing for the worst.
Adora gasped, but I… I somehow wasn’t surprised when Archer spoke.
‘Headmaster Agnar Draven.’
Neither Adora nor I spoke for a while, and just sat, quietly considering. He was in charge of the whole school… In charge of countless lives. He could do anything he wanted. Draven having so much power was dangerous.
A thought struck me.
‘Wait, so when you told me you had to go and meet Draven in the middle of the night… you really were telling the truth?’ I laughed despite myself, and Archer smiled.
‘I never lied to you, Iris,’ he said, taking my hands in his.
‘Yes, I—’ he shook his head. ‘I … omitted the truth, sure, and trust me, I hate myself for it. But I promise you, I never lied about anything.’ He paused, cheeks heating slightly.
‘Especially my feelings for you. I need you to know that.’
It was silent for a moment.
‘Okay, so,’ Adora said suddenly, grabbing both our attention.
‘I know I should be really mad at you…’ she threw me a withering look.
‘And I know that I should probably tell you both that this is literally insane… and that in the best case scenario, you could both get kicked out of the school, not to mention that the worst case scenario is probably death…’ She paused, letting out a frustrated breath and waving her hands in the air dramatically.
‘But for fuck sake, Iris…’ I sucked in a breath, ‘I’m really happy for you. ’
Relief flooded me, despite everything. We all laughed at her confession, the sound feeling foreign amongst everything going on.
‘I love you, Dora,’ I said, smiling.
‘I love you,’ she said back, then turned to Archer. ‘And I will end you if you hurt her.’ She said the words in the most polite and bubbly way ever.
He huffed a laugh. ‘Not a chance.’ He looked at me. ‘I’m glad you have such loyal friends.’
‘Too right,’ Adora laughed. ‘But Iris?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Rory…’ She paused, eyebrows lowering. ‘Do we tell him?’
I considered it, then looked to Archer for confirmation. He gave me a look that said I trust you, it’s your choice, and butterflies filled my anxious stomach.
‘I think, at this point, it’s probably more dangerous for him to not know…’ I said. ‘Besides, he was present for my… wobble… earlier, so he’ll know something is going on.’ I could feel Archer’s eyes on me. ‘Adora, can you fill him in? It’ll probably be better if he hears it from you.’
She nodded and looked at Archer, ‘You’re sure? That’ll be two people who know about your relationship, and also the cult – and your involvement in it.’
He chewed his lip, then nodded very slowly.
‘I’m sure.’ He stood up and ran a hand through his hair, walking over to the window that looked out over the forest and cliffs beyond.
‘I’ve had enough. The bloodshed, the pain…
’ He turned to us, and he looked how he did the first time I’d met him – strong and unflinching – when he said calmly, ‘It’s time to end them. ’
Adora had left to go and find Rory.
It was nice, being in my own room with Archer. Knowing we don’t have to flinch if the door opens.
Part of me was still so, so angry about all he was keeping from me… but the other half? My heart broke for him. For the fact he had to endure all of this alone.
We sat on my bed, talking.
He’d told me that upon finding I was gone, and seeing the mask and all his research scattered across his bedroom floor, he’d instantly come after me.
He’d apologised so much for keeping secrets. ‘I promise you, Iris…’ He kissed me. ‘Never, ever again will there be anything between us. I promise you.’
He asked if I could forgive him, and the look in his eyes… The pure, genuine agony and sadness… It had me nodding my head and embracing him.
We talked for a long time. About everything. He asked me more about the ghosts. When I’d first seen them.
I told him about the man in the bathroom when I was eleven years old.
About Robin and my inability to make friends – or even want them – because of it.
He held me through all the morbid details.
I told him that ever since that day, I chose to ignore what I could do, because to live a life where I pretended it wasn’t real was easier than the alternative.
I also told him all about Boo.
I couldn’t put into words how good it felt to talk about my ability. I’d lived in denial about it for so much of my life, and now, being able to speak freely? Without judgement? It was amazing. Euphoric.
What made it even better was his acceptance of it all. I could see actual, genuine ghosts, and he wasn’t even a little put off?
As though I’d summoned him, Boo appeared at the end of the bed, purring lightly. His head tilted to the side when he saw Archer, as though intrigued by the new person in my room.
‘Hey there little fella,’ I said.
Archer's brow crinkled for a moment before levelling out. ‘Boo’s here?’
I nodded, smiling widely. ‘Boo, this is Archer.’ The cat wiggled his bum slightly and then walked a wide circle around him, sniffing the air. ‘I think he’s trying to see if you're worthy,’ I giggled.
‘What? I’m definitely worthy,’ he joked.
Boo seemed to agree, curling up on the bed between us. I stroked his soft fur.
‘You seriously aren’t freaked out by this?’ I asked.
‘Iris, remember that I realised what you could do way before I properly got to know you. I still fell in love with you.’
‘Okay,’ I chuckled. Then, realising what he’d just said, ‘Wait…’
He smirked. ‘You heard me.’
‘I—’ my words caught in my throat.
He shifted slightly so he was facing me.
Boo began softly snoring between us. ‘I can tell you, in no uncertain terms, that I am in love with you, Iris Blackthorne.’ He spoke so clearly.
So confident. ‘I can also say that there’s nothing you could do that would make me feel any differently.
Nothing you could say that would change my mind.
No where you could go that I wouldn’t follow.
You told me you’re mine, and I am yours,’ he reached for my face. ‘Always.
My eyes grew damp. ‘Archer—’
‘I know you’ve had it hard… I guess we both have.
But I swear to you, Iris, that I will make your life worthy of the girl living it.
You are stronger than you know. You are beautiful, brave and resilient.
You’ve been beaten down by the world, yet still possess the ability to love, and to trust, and that, to me, is the mark of a truly strong person.
I love you, and will continue loving you, through anything that this damned world will throw at us.
No matter what, no matter how bad, we will get through it. Together.’
I wasn’t breathing.
‘When I thought I’d lost you… when I came into my room and you were gone…’ I saw his throat bob as he swallowed. ‘It just made me realise how deeply in love with you I’ve fallen. I don’t want to navigate this world without you by my side.’
I didn’t realise I’d started crying until he reached up and brushed a tear from my cheek, his hand lingering for a moment. I stared into his beautiful, stormy eyes before leaning in for a kiss. It was deep, passionate, honest.
‘I love you, Archer,’ I breathed into his lips. He moaned in response. His hand reached up to my hair, playing with the loose strands. I deepened the kiss, but then he slowly pulled away. I frowned at him, confused.
‘I genuinely cannot believe I'm saying this, but we can’t…’
‘Why?’ I asked, desperate for him to be inside me.
‘Because I’m pretty sure I’m being cock blocked by a ghost cat?’
I was silent for about two seconds before we both erupted into laughter. Full, borderline-painful, laughing fits.
‘I’m sorry, I forgot he was there,’ I said between chokes of laughter.
‘You forgot? I can’t even see him!’
I began softly stroking his fur, apologising that we woke him up.
Archer followed suit, blindly stroking the air and I laughed even more at how funny it looked. I grabbed his hand, skin to skin, showing him where to touch. Suddenly, he jerked his hand back at full speed – all laughter vanished from his face, draining so fast it left him pale.
‘What is it?’ a thin edge of panic slipping into my voice.
‘I just—’ the words died on his lips.
‘Archer?’
‘I… um.’ He swallowed, blinking hard. ‘Iris. Touch my hand again.’
‘What?’
‘Touch my hand again.’
‘Okay…’ I leaned forwards and slipped my fingers through his. His skin was warm, solid, steady. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Woah…’ His gaze had dropped to the bed. ‘That is… That’s…’
My heart began to pound. ‘Archer, what is it?’ I said, pleading.
His voice fell to a whisper. ‘I can see him.’ His eyes were wide, shining. ‘I can see Boo.’
What.
The word echoed hollowly in my head.
I dropped his hand, letting go of him without meaning to, and Archer blinked.
The focus vanished from his face. He looked up at me, breath catching.
He gingerly reached out to touch me again and I let him.
The moment our skin touched, a slow, disbelieving smile spread across his face.
His hand hovered, trembling slightly, before lowering to scratch gently between Boo’s ears.
His little pink nose tilted up towards him, whiskers catching the light, as if he was just as shocked as us. He leaned into the touch, purring softly.
‘Hi,’ Archer said quietly.
I pressed my spare hand to my mouth. ‘I can’t believe this…’
‘I can,’ he said, still staring at Boo like he was witnessing a miracle. ‘I told you. You’re strong. You can do anything.’
He looked at me then with something warm and certain in his eyes. He leaned in and kissed me, soft and reverent, and we sat in awe, as Archer and Boo got to know each other.