Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
IRIS
I was waiting in the greenhouse. Our greenhouse. I’d bought Adora’s blanket – she’d thrust it into my arms and wouldn’t take no for an answer, saying I’d die of hypothermia otherwise – and I’d laid it on the mossy ground amongst some towering ferns and flower beds of pale pink hibiscus.
I could hear the gentle rush of water from the fountain, and it was such a clear night that I could make out the glistening stars through the glass roof high above. Two butterflies flitted happily above my head as I sat on the blanket, my back resting against a low stone wall, watching them.
I wondered how trouble free they must be.
Then I wondered if I’d ever be the same way.
At least here, with Archer, he made me feel safe, even if in reality we weren’t. Even if in reality, a deadly cult was stalking the school and were about to sacrifice someone to a made up sea god any day now.
I shook my head and took a deep breath. We would figure out how to end this. We would end it.
Where was Archer?
He was late.
I heard the clanging from the clocktower. It was ten. He was usually already here when I arrived.
Two more minutes passed. Then five.
I moved from the blanket to a nearby stone bench, just to better see the entrance to the greenhouse. Just so I could see when he arrived.
I had no idea when I’d started pacing – and only realised it when I heard the clock strike eleven.
He would come any minute.
I was sure of it.
I forced myself to sit back down. Breathe. I closed my eyes.
Just as the clock chimed midnight, I bolted up straight. I’d somehow fallen asleep.
‘Archer?’ I called, but there was no response – only silence… and fear.
Maybe Draven had found him… I swallowed down my nausea at the thought.
But he was never late. He’d never forgotten. And if something had come up, he would have sent word.
I was sure of it.
I’d check his office, then his classroom. Archer is fine, I told myself.
He’s okay… He’s okay…
‘Dora!’
My voice tore through our room as I slammed the door behind me. ‘Dora! Please – Dora, wake up!’
‘Iris?’ she rasped, her voice thick with sleep. ‘What… what time is it?’
The colour drained from her face as she pushed herself upright. ‘What happened?’
My lungs felt as though they were collapsing in on themselves. ‘Archer didn’t show.’ The words scraped their way out. ‘He didn’t come.’
‘He didn’t meet you?’ Her brow furrowed, dread slowly blooming across her expression.
I shook my head.
Dora’s jaw tightened and she bit her bottom lip, clearly trying to think of something comforting to say, but there wasn’t anything. She knew that. She felt it too.
Silence fell heavy between us, the clock ticking loudly on the desk was the only sound, marking the time that he wasn’t here. A constant reminder.
Finally, she reached for me. Her fingers slid around mine, gripping tight. I kept hoping she’d assure me that he was okay. That he hadn’t been found out.
But she didn’t.
She knew better.