Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(14)

Chapter Eight





MAEVE



Amelia was in bed when I returned to the room last night. Her clothes were hanging over a chair and soaked, even though the night had been clear. I come to the fanciful conclusion swimming is part of the advanced program and students train by swimming fully clothed. I've spent years creating stories to explain the unusual and reassure myself. I'm honing those skills since I arrived at the academy.

I begin my third day here looking for people to talk to. A trip to the playing fields to find Ash isn't fruitful; nobody is training today. Amelia isn't around. She visits a local business to help out in the day but doesn't elaborate.

Following my talk with Clive and company last night, I located Lucille, the head girl, and asked if I could organise a time to meet her and Ryan. The willowy girl with the shining brown hair was less aloof than I expected but took pleasure in passing on a mysterious message: await further instructions.

Irritated, I toy with the idea of another trip to the library but decide to do maths homework in my room. I'm nervous without people I know, considering the hostility I've come across. Will things change once I swear allegiance and become a fully-fledged member of Walcott?

I text Tessa a few times, but things between us are strained already. I'll hardly see her now, thanks to boarding at the academy. The home-town gossip about who's fallen out with—or is dating—who is outside my new world and we’ll both move on. Tessa's new friends are girls I never socialised with. We run out of things to chat about and instead of a 'goodbye' the texts fizzle out.

As I'm changing for class, I spot a folded piece of paper on the floor pushed beneath the door. I'm hungry and eager to get to dinner before class, plus this could be for Amelia, but I'm too curious.

House Allegiance Ceremony

8.30 p.m.

Walcott Tower

There's no further explanation, which is enough for my stomach to churn and push away my appetite.

I change and sit on my bed, waiting for Amelia.

I don't know what this involves or if anybody else will be there, but I'm scared to go alone.





Why am I nervous about a meeting with two older students? I'm not a scared kid starting my first year at high school—the oldest here are only three years older than me. Swearing allegiance to my house feels like swearing an oath on the Bible, but tradition is tradition. Jamie and Amelia assured me I won't be subject to bizarre rituals, but since bizarre is the top word I associate with this place, I'm not sure.

The ceremony takes place alone with Lucille and Ryan, which soothes my nerves a little. I'd hate to screw up in front of an audience. Amelia and Jamie walk me over to the tower and tell me to relax; that it's nothing.

Why do I feel like they're hiding something?

The head girl’s and boy’s main room is at the top of one of the turrets visible from the front of the academy. There are three turrets for the three houses, and it makes sense the heads’ rooms would be located up there. This area inside the academy looks untouched from when it was first built. There's a spiral brick staircase and uneven floor, both created from the grey stone that matches the building's. Some of the academy has the old tiled floor from when the place was used as an asylum, especially in the classrooms. Other areas are upgraded to polished floors and modern lighting. This area is lit by old-fashioned candle-lit lanterns on the walls. Deliberately creating an atmosphere?

Jamie and Amelia accompany me up the winding staircase. Heart hammering, I take in a deep breath and turn to Amelia as we reach the door. "Wish me luck."

She pushes me on the arm. "You don't need luck, silly."

Jamie remains quiet, which unnerves me. "Are you sure I won't need to sacrifice a goat or something?" I say with a light-hearted laugh.

He gives a rueful smile. "No, but some of what they ask you to say seems over the top. This will fully bind you to Walcott house, and we protect the house and each other above all else."

"I promise not to run off to a different house." His lips purse. "Kidding." I flex my knuckles and straighten my shoulders, making a display of a fighter entering the ring.

Amelia places a hand on the door handle, ready to open. "I'll see you in class later."

"Why? Can't you wait?" I try to hide the panic.

"Do you want us to?" asks Jamie.

Amelia shakes her head at him. "We can't. You know that."

"Why?" I repeat.

They glance at each other. "It's the rules. We'll wait for you in the cafeteria," she says.

"Wearing your beautiful new blazer," Jamie adds. She pushes open the arched wooden door. "You'll be fine."

Inside, a low ceiling and dark-painted walls make the room seem smaller than it is. Beneath the arched window with bars, there's a wooden desk which two people sit behind. The high chair backs stretch above Lucille and Ryan's heads, and the pair face me.

A huge crest is pinned to the wall behind them: a five-pointed star inside a circle of runes. I glance down at the matching rug and I shift away in case I'm standing in a weird ritual circle. A blazer is folded on the desk in front of Lucille, who gives me a warm smile.

"You look terrified," she says. Her face is open and friendlier this time, but Ryan's face is solemn.