10. Evelyn
10
Evelyn
I t was the morning of Theo’s funeral, and I was a mess.
My emotions were all over the place, and my wings kept popping out, tearing the black dress I had just put on. Every time I tried to calm myself, they fluttered out again.
The day ahead would unfold with a series of formalities: first, the greeting of Theo’s family, followed by a ceremony led by Morgana. After that, we would burn well-wishing notes, cards, and letters in a ceremonial urn—an ancient practice meant to send our goodbyes to the deceased spirit. The public farewell at the academy would be followed by a private ceremony at Theo’s family estate, where his ashes would be laid to rest in the family crypt.
A knock on the door startled me.
“Come in,” I called out, trying to force my wings back.
Lucien stepped in, his eyes immediately taking in my wings and torn fabric. He sighed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out two familiar cuffs.
My heart sank.
“No,” I panicked, backing away until I hit the wall. “I can’t. Not again.”
“You have to,” Lucien said gently. “If Morgana sees your wings or senses your increased powers, she’ll know something’s up. These cuffs are our best bet to keep your abilities under wraps.”
“I promised myself never again.” My voice broke as memories of my time spent in that cell flooded back. The feeling of being utterly powerless, trapped.
Lucien’s eyes softened. “I’ll be right beside you the entire time. If anything happens, if you need to defend yourself, I’ll take them off. But we need to be smart about this. We must uncover how big this is and what it entails.”
He took a step closer. “Too many people will be asking questions if you start sprouting wings and igniting during Theo’s funeral. We’ll lose our advantage.”
Tears blurred my vision as I nodded reluctantly. “Fine,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lucien approached slowly, securing the cuffs around my wrists with a gentle click. The moment they locked into place, I felt my magic being suppressed—a suffocating feeling like being buried alive.
Tears flowed freely down my cheeks now. Lucien reached up and gently wiped them away with his thumb.
“I promise I’ll protect you no matter what,” he assured. “You’re no longer alone, Evelyn.”
I nodded again, unable to find my voice through the tightness in my chest.
Lucien left quietly after that, giving me space to change into another dress that wasn’t torn to shreds at the back. The black fabric felt heavy against my skin as I slipped it on, every movement a reminder of the cuffs’ oppressive weight. At least it was backless. Something I should have thought about in the first place.
I added a coat over the dress, trying not to focus on how each breath felt harder than the last.
Not only was I going to face my tormentors and a murderer, but I was facing her unarmed without one ounce of magic. I had placed my entire trust in my new friends and I sure hoped I hadn’t made a mistake again.
* * *
I made my way to the outdoor amphitheater, feeling the chill of December seeping through my coat. Despite the cold, witches preferred holding ceremonies outside. Funeral rites demanded a connection to nature, even if that meant freezing. The sky was a dismal gray, mirroring the turmoil inside me.
Lucien kept a steady pace behind me, his presence both reassuring and comforting as we moved forward.
The amphitheater loomed ahead, its stone seats already filling with people dressed in dark, somber clothing. I could see Adrien, Felix, and the twins standing near the front, their faces etched with grief. As I approached, they noticed me and immediately pulled me into a group hug.
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” Adrien murmured against my shoulder.
Felix nodded, his eyes red-rimmed. “Who would want to kill him? Everyone loved Theo.”
“Yeah,” the twins, Raven and Aurora, said in unison, their expressions filled with sorrow.
I swallowed hard, pushing down my own rising emotions.
“I want to give my sympathies to his family,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
“We’ll come with you,” Adrien offered, and the others nodded in agreement.
Whispers rustled through the crowd as we approached Theo’s family. Heads turned, eyes fixed on me.
My skin prickled.
I looked around, trying to find other familiar faces. Lucien had disappeared, but I caught sight of Ryker at the edge of the amphitheater. He nodded at me when our eyes met.
I’d begged them all to stay away, especially Rafe. But it was an open ceremony—students and shifters included. His presence made me feel safer. Ryker tilted his head to the right, and I followed his indication to find Chad.
His usual cheerful expression had been replaced with seriousness. Among the crowd, Ryker and Chad’s presence was a source of comfort and security.
A few tears rolled down my cheeks as I made my way to Theo’s family. Although I hadn’t seen his parents often since starting at the academy, I knew them well from my childhood and had always admired his older sister.
When it was our turn to approach them, they stood solemnly near a large portrait of Theo.
His mother’s face was a mask of sorrow, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Her grief was palpable, a heavy aura that seemed to weigh her down. Theo’s father stood beside her, looking lost and broken, his shoulders slumped and his gaze unfocused, as if he couldn’t quite comprehend the reality of the loss. His older sister Josie, who had graduated a few years ago, and his younger sister, who was still in grade school, stood next to them, their tear-streaked faces etched with sadness.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” I said softly to them.
They nodded through their tears. I felt the pain take over me again. I sniffled, trying to stay strong, but the tears were relentless.
“I tried to save him,” I mumbled, my voice barely audible.
“I know,” Theo’s mom said, her voice choked with grief. Her hand reached out, squeezing mine.
“There was nothing you could do,” his father replied, his voice hollow and distant, as if he were speaking from a place far removed from the present.
Josie stepped forward, her tall frame shaking with sobs. She looked so much like him. She hugged me tightly before returning to her place.
His little sister, however, walked up to me and grabbed my wrist. “Theo didn’t even like you. What are you doing here?”
I felt my face burn. “T-that’s not true.”
“Theo and Eve were best friends,” Adrien interjected.
“This is not the time or the place,” Theo’s dad warned his daughter.
The girl removed her hand and sneered at me. “You should be the one dead, not him. No one would miss you, anyway.”
Her words punched me in the gut, and I felt like my heart stopped beating.
“That’s not a nice thing to say!” Raven interjected.
“Emma! Don’t be rude,” her father warned.
I wasn’t sure how I managed to walk away from there, but I suspect that Adrien and the twins helped me. When I came to my senses, I was seated at the back with one of them offering me water from a bottle. Their presence was a small comfort in the midst of the overwhelming pain, grounding me in the here and now.
* * *
The service began, and a hush fell over the crowd. My racing heart had slowed until she appeared.
Morgana.
She took the front stage, dressed in her high priestess garb and wearing her hair in an intricate braid. She exuded an air of regal authority instead of emphatic grief.
As she talked, her piercing gray eyes scanned the crowd as if she owned every soul present.
This was my first glimpse of her since my rebirth.
The last time I’d seen her, she’d stood on a similar stage, watching as flames consumed me.
My nails bit into my palms, drawing blood. I forced my attention away from her voice, focusing instead on happier times with Theo—his laughter, our childhood playing together, even our time together when he was my boyfriend before he turned the first time.
There were a lot of happy and good moments. And I will cherish them always.
Watching Morgana’s theatrics on stage and hearing her speak of Theo, knowing she caused his death, made my blood boil. Every sanctimonious word she uttered was a knife to my heart. The irony of the person responsible for his death leading his mourners was not lost on me, and the audacity had me shaking with suppressed fury.
Maybe it was a good thing I had these cuffs on because if not, I don’t think Morgana would still be breathing at this point.
As the ceremony concluded, everyone praised Morgana’s words, which had woven a spell of mourning and remembrance that touched the hearts of everyone present—everyone but me.
My heart raced with anger.
As we rose and people began to leave, Morgana beckoned me with a wave of her hand.
My steps were heavy with reluctance as I made my way to her. To my relief, Lucien lingered not too far behind, his presence both a comfort and a reminder of my vulnerability.
Lia stood beside Morgana, looking unlike her usual graceful self. Her eyes were swollen as if she had cried all night. My anger flared—what right did Lia have to mourn Theo when her hands may be stained with his blood? The sight of her tears was a punch to my gut, each sob a mockery of the pain I was enduring.
Morgana’s gaze swept over me, assessing. “Evelyn,” she greeted, in her unmaternal tone. “You don’t look well. Your magic seems off—I can barely feel it.”
“I haven’t been feeling well since Theo’s death,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “Just my emotions getting the better of me. I’ll be better in a few days.”
She didn’t look convinced. “I’ll schedule a visit for you with one of the physicians during winter break.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said quickly.
Morgana ignored my protest and continued, “Lia told me you two had a falling out. I hope you will repair your friendship during the break.”
Lia’s swollen eyes darted away from mine, avoiding contact. I clenched my fists at my sides but forced a nod.
“Get your things,” Morgana ordered. “We’ll be leaving in an hour.”
“I’m staying at the Academy during the break,” I announced. “I have plans with my friends.”
Morgana’s laugh was dismissive. “Yes, I hear an angel has befriended you. But seeing no angel here today, he can’t be all that good of a friend. As your legal guardian, I cannot allow you to stay at the Academy unsupervised.”
Lucien stepped forward then, clearing his throat. “Matriarch Thornwood, I’d like to introduce myself…” he started.
Morgana cut him off, her eyes lighting up with interest. “Professor Lucien, the Potion Master .”
Lucien frowned before mumbling, “I’m surprised you know who I am.”
“Miss Clarissa has said great things about you,” Morgana declared. “I was planning to invite you for a discussion, but I was hoping to do so on a better occasion. This incident has left huge scars on our coven’s morale.”
“As it did to the student body and the professors. We feel guilty for not being able to protect one of our own.”
“The investigation ruled out foul play. The professors aren’t trained to deal with this type of black magic.” She waved in dismissal. “Who knows what this child was involved in?”
I was going to pounce forward, but Lucien’s hand on my arm stopped me.
Sighing, she rubbed her forehead. “I’m awfully concerned about my child’s and Evelyn’s safety. I’m glad to know they will be safe with me back home during the winter break.”
“The professors have reinforced our wards,” Lucien explained. “In fact, this is the safest place that Evelyn can be. Especially because she’s taking extra classes during the winter break.”
“Extra classes?”
He nodded. “There are plenty of extra classes during the winter break that offer extra credits to our students. I’m surprised that your daughter hasn’t told you about it.”
Morgana’s face couldn’t conceal her discontent with Lia’s lack of good grades. “Theo’s death has left Lia in a bad place. She wants to be home with me.”
“I completely understand,” Lucien assured with a curt nod. “Nevertheless, I believe it would be beneficial for Evelyn to stay here and focus on her studies.”.
Morgana was about to speak, but he raised his hand to continue.
“I’ll be staying at the academy during the winter break, as will my younger brother, who is a good friend of Evelyn’s. I’m one of the professors teaching the extra credit classes. With your permission, I can supervise Evelyn and ensure her safety.” He bowed slightly, his face solemn.
“Professor Lucien is very responsible and trustworthy,” a voice said.
I’ve heard it too many times not to know who it was. Miss Clarissa decided to join our conversation with a sly grin and a fangirling gaze on Lucien.
“M-miss Clarissa,” Lucien blurted when she grabbed his arm and licked the bottom of her lip.
Ugh, gross!
Doesn’t she know he’s the one who had made a formal complaint against her?
Lucien stepped back to release his arm from her grip.
“He’s still a stranger, not only to our coven but to our family,” Morgana interjected.
“Evelyn is very close with Lucien’s brother,” Miss Clarissa said, holding Morgana’s hand. “You’ll be busy with the coven, and Lia has her boyfriend visiting. Evelyn has always been a well-behaved child. The academy is still a safe space for her.”
Not even in a million years, I thought I’d hear Miss Clarissa talking on my behalf. If anything, I thought she would want me home so they could spy on me.
What are they up to?
Miss Clarissa leaned closer and whispered something in Morgana’s ear.
“That’s a great idea.” Morgana smiled as she looked at Lucien. Narrowing the distance between him and her, “I’d be inclined to let Evelyn stay if you’d agree to drive Evelyn back home for the Yuletide Party so that you can both attend. I don’t want her to miss out on it. Plus, it would be an honor if you could visit us.” She softly touched his lapel before stepping back. “A gifted warlock like yourself should be better appreciated by their coven.”
“What do you mean?” I asked Morgana.
“Evelyn, dear, don’t interrupt when the grown-ups are talking,” she cut me off.
“I’m not sure if I’m following your reasoning, either,” Lucien interjected.
Morgana looked from him to me and then back at him. “I’m curious. You aren’t Evelyn’s professor. How did you get to know my protegee so well?”
“It’s not like Evelyn is a prodigy with potions,” Miss Clarissa snickered.
Lucien looked her dead in the eyes. “Evelyn is a natural talent with top grades. The faculty is, of course, aware of our best students, and as you pointed out, she’s also my brother’s friend. I feel responsible for her safety, especially after what happened to Theo. I was there when he bled to death. Miss Evelyn tried to help him. I also tried to help him.”
“We are aware of what went down,” Morgana cut him off.
“Shouldn’t you ask your protegee how she’s feeling? As far as I’m aware, no one in your coven reached out to know how Evelyn is doing.”
Morgana’s eyes narrowed slightly, though she maintained her cool demeanor. “I offered to take her to a physician. Grief can be a tricky thing, after all. As for Lia, they’re best friends—naturally, she tried to find Evelyn. But if our dear Evelyn wasn’t in her dormitory, there’s little more we could do, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I’ve been staying with friends,” I replied before the conversation got out of hand.
“Which friends, dear?”
I could feel the venom dripping from her voice. Looking around, I pointed at the twins. “They didn’t want me to be alone in the dormitory. Not after what I witnessed.”
“I’m glad you have such great friends,” Morgana replied.
“About the Yuletide Party,” — Miss Clarissa steered the conversation back,— “will you attend?”
Lucien glanced at me before replying, “Of course, it would be an honor.”
Miss Clarissa clapped her hands happily while I tried to understand their angle.
What do they want with Lucien?
“Being part of such a prestigious coven as ours would greatly benefit the progress in your career,” Miss Clarissa added as an afterthought. “Of course, there are only two ways to join a different coven, through marriage or by pledging alliance to another matriarch.”
Morgana nodded at Miss Clarissa’s words. “I’ll send an invitation to your office.”
Before we could say anything else, Morgana grabbed Miss Clarissa by her arm and left, with Lia trailing not too far behind.
“What just happened?” Lucien asked.
“Did Miss Clarissa propose to you?”
“Don’t even joke about it!”
“I think they are trying to recruit you to join their evil ranks.”