Chapter 8 You Were Here #2
The heavy doors groaned as they opened, revealing a man in a uniform nearly identical to Everson’s. I followed Isabella in, momentarily stunned by the castle’s massive foyer.
It was several stories high, with tall arched windows.
Candles glowed from several wall sconces.
Columns were carved with intricate designs throughout the room, some of which held railings that led to the upper floors.
A sweeping double staircase flowed gracefully to the other floors, and the soft rays of twilight filtered through from above. It was as beautiful as it was haunting.
“This way,” Everson said, drawing us into the hall on the left.
We entered a large chamber where several others were already seated at long wooden tables with high-backed velvet-padded chairs.
Crystal goblets and golden platters were set amongst ivy and candlesticks.
Above, chandeliers lit with hundreds of candles hung from arched ceilings, where frescoes were painted between the columns.
Warmth heated my cheeks from multiple blazing fireplaces.
At the opposite side of the hall, Roslyn stood at the top of a few stone steps that led to a raised dais. Her gown flowed past her feet, her fiery hair glowing in the light of the flame.
The eight of us stood side by side, the others who were seated turning their attention to Roslyn.
“Welcome, Initiates, to Veynara Hall,” she said.
“My name is Roslyn Talonhart, and I will be helping oversee your initiation. Tonight, we will induct seventy-three new members into Nightfall’s ranks.
After passing the tasks and proving themselves, they join us as we partake in this journey together. ”
I hadn’t noticed it before, but Roslyn had an accent I didn’t recognize. She spoke formally, and the cadence of her voice was smooth and well-paced, like the way a high-born medieval lady might’ve spoken by over-enunciating.
I was warm. I glanced at Isabella. She gave me a quick grin. My eyes flicked to the fireplace. It wasn’t the heat, though. It was something else, but I couldn’t figure out what.
“This castle is over a thousand years old.
It functions as it did when it was first built, by candle and firelight.
You will see hearths burning constantly, and most of the light will be sourced from torches, hearths, and naturally from the windows.
We do not use technological equipment here, with a strict preference for research being done in our vast libraries.
You will find this serves all your academic needs.
Nightfall also boasts hundreds of acres of greenhouses and farmlands, where agricultural experts locally source our food.
You will find no better meal anywhere on Earth than the delectable meals our chefs create.
“Tonight,” Roslyn continued, “we celebrate your presence here at Nightfall with the other Initiates. You will be shown to your dormitory after the gathering. Tomorrow, you will attend four introductory sessions. These sessions will answer many of your questions and get you started here. Until then, relax and enjoy your evening. Thank you.”
Everyone seated began clapping and smiling our way. They rose from their seats, and many came over to congratulate us. A few shook my hand; others bowed deeply. Their voices were blurred together.
But I couldn’t pay attention to the present moment. It was as if something was nagging at me, calling to me, but from where?
Isabella grinned at a joke I missed and mingled with the other Initiates. I stuck close to her and tried to mimic her expressions. I tried to keep up with the conversation, but my head was thrumming.
Then it hit me.
Cody.
Panic twisted my insides as I looked around for him, but I didn’t see his bright red hair anywhere.
“Hey,” I whispered to Isabella. “Where’s Cody?”
She looked at me, creased lines forming at her brow. “Who?”
I scowled. “Cody. The redhead who jumped first? We talked to him throughout the tasks?”
There was no hint of teasing in her body language.
“What are you talking about?” she whispered, sounding annoyed.
“Cody,” I whispered a little harshly, looking around the hall. “Where is he? I didn’t see him in the intake building, or when we came up to the castle.”
Isabella frowned and glanced at Riya. “There was no one named Cody, Anna. Maybe we should see if we can get you to the dorm early.”
Was she serious? I saw Skylar and brushed off Isabella’s hand as she reached for my forehead. She’d remember. She was sitting at a nearby table.
“Hey,” I said. “Have you seen Cody?”
Her eyes tightened with a nearly imperceptible flicker.
“Who?” she asked, her voice curious.
I groaned and began searching for Everson.
Spotting him with a woman about his age with her hair pulled back into a tight bun, I darted between groups, but when I got there, he was ahead of me in a crowd.
Everyone was filtering in and out, making it hard to keep track of him.
I rushed out of the hall, looking for him through the crowd, and saw him on an upper floor.
I made my way up the staircase, moving past the others, searching for him on the crowded balcony.
He was gone again.
Not seeing him anywhere, I searched blindly, turning down any corridor I could find, but it was no use.
This wasn’t right. Cody should’ve been here at the school with us.
I slumped against a stone pillar, sinking to the floor.
Breath ragged, I sat there, trying to piece together my fraying memories.
A biting wind comforted me in my solitude.
I’d gotten so lost that I was on one of the covered, open-air sky bridges.
The pillar sat in shadow, and I dropped my head into my hands.
Nothing made sense. Could he have drowned?
If he had, why not tell us? And why would the others not remember him at all?
Images of shifting shadows and blood flashed behind my closed lids. Was I crazy? I was beginning to think you’d have to be crazy to come to a place like this. But I’d never done something like this before. Conjuring an entire person? I laughed at the absurdity of it, tears falling down my cheeks.
“Everything alright?”
A voice, deep and smooth like dark chocolate, but gentle like a mist.
My head snapped up.
He was a few feet away. Dark hair fell loosely across his forehead, his dark gray eyes watching me with a hint of concern from behind dark lashes. His features were gently angled as if he’d been chiseled from stone, shadow brushing his cheekbones.
When he saw me, a flicker of surprise flashed across his features, his eyes focused on mine a moment longer than seemed casual, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
“Um, yes,” I blurted, wiping my cheeks quickly. “I’m sorry. Am I not supposed to be here?”
I risked another glance and regretted it instantly. Of course he had to be beautiful. It should’ve been illegal for men this beautiful to sneak up on you. Especially in a hallway that was public and clearly where confused young women found suitable places to cry.
I tried to think of anything that would clog the waterworks. Chickens. Bananas. Chickens eating bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
There.
Slipping into a fixed expression of composure, I looked up.
This man wasn’t only attractive, he was impeccably dressed. Tall and lean, he wore a slate shirt with a collar unbuttoned at the throat, and a black vest traced with red thread. An intricately designed raven was embroidered on the upper right side.
“Oh no, it is fine. You looked like you might need some help,” he said, running his hand through his hair and glancing behind us like he was uncomfortable. Perhaps he didn’t want to be seen with me. His accent reminded me of Roslyn’s—was he from the same place?
“I was looking for Commander Everson,” I said, quickly.
“Oh,” he said with a hint of disappointment. “He has probably retired for the evening, but if I can do anything, I would be happy to help.”
I frowned. I couldn’t exactly launch into how everyone had forgotten about Cody, and I might be losing my mind. Not to this guy. I’d have to wait for Everson.
“I could use some help getting to my dorm,” I admitted, realizing I had no idea where I was.
Pity flashed in his eyes, and he smiled, small and quick, like it didn’t come easily to him. “Sure. You are one of the new Initiates, then? I can take you there. Come on.”
He held his hand out for me, slowly, like he was unsure about it.
My cheeks grew warm as I took it, feeling guilty for holding up his evening.
Warmth flooded my hand when he helped me to my feet, static shocking me when I let go.
I stared at my feet in disbelief. What was that?
How did I let someone find me like this, and on top of that, someone like this guy.
I sighed internally. That spark, though.
It was odd. He was attractive and making me a little nervous, but that wasn’t what was odd about it.
This feeling was different—it wasn’t only within me, it was everywhere.
When I glanced at him, his jaw was tight, and his eyes darker than before. He’d felt it too.
It thrummed like earlier—subtle, but there, like a slight ringing in your ear. It’d been growing stronger ever since the tasks began, but now I could feel it.
“Come on,” he said, his voice low. “I will show you the wing where the dorms are.”
I stared at the raven on his vest as we walked.
“What does the raven mean?” I asked.
“It’s a symbol of my allegiance,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow. “Allegiance?”
“It represents a faction—there are several,” he said. “You will start to see more than just the raven as you spend more time here.
“So, your allegiance lies with a raven?” I asked, my nervousness making me braver than I felt.
A scowl set in features. “It most certainly does not.”
I pressed my lips together, not expecting that answer and hoping I hadn’t pissed him off. He noticed my silence and said, “I am Blake, by the way.”