Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(17)

Nobody does.

Clive sneered at me and questioned why Maeve shouldn't be pranked too, and we almost came to blows. We're told not to treat her differently to other pupils, but I draw the line at this. It's unfair. I watched Clive—and asked some of the rugby team to do the same—and missed him sneaking away. I immediately went to the Petrescu common rooms to find him; positive he'd headed to find Katherine. I'm damn sure she's planned something. I will never trust members of that house.

The pair aren't in the Petrescu common room, and those who are treat me with the usual dismissive attitude but hold back on the rudeness. Clive may be on their side and hold more sway in the academy, but the Petrescu kids know not to mess with me.

I'm a popular guy who few want to cross because I have a lot of people who would have my back. For this reason, I was told to watch Maeve around the academy when she arrived, and liaise with Jamie, who's keeping an eye on her around Walcott.

What is a human doing at the Nightworld Academy?

The answer is simple: Maeve isn't human but is unaware what she is. The moment I discovered she'd been placed in Walcott house, I knew. Maeve is a witch—but what kind? She's lived as a human and can't have any skills.

Or so I thought. Her behaviour by the rugby pitch yesterday alerted me to what Maeve could be. The girl didn't faint. She had a vision. Then she told me her relative's name and it rang a bell, but not loud enough to know who her aunt is. I asked Jamie to look into it and use his relationship with Theodora to dig deeper.

How long will the faculty keep Maeve in the dark over this? She's not stupid. Maeve already asks questions any intelligent human would.

I stomp away from the Petrescu building and towards Walcott tower where Maeve is due to swear her oath. Nobody is there, including Jamie and Amelia, who said they'd keep an eye on her. I hope they disobeyed the rules to escort her away from anything untoward.

A dog howls and I recognise the cry. My scalp prickles. An alert. A call to arms.

Danger.

The academy grounds blur past me as I storm through the building in the direction of the howl. Tearing across the cloisters, I round a corner and smack into Clive, who slams a hand into my chest to stop me.

"Dude, watch where you're going."

He's with Katherine. Literally, with, because his other arm remains around her waist, and her skin glows pink. I knew they were friendly but not at this stage. She gives me a simpering smile. There is a lot wrong with this situation, but I only have time for or care about one question.

"What did you do to Maeve?" A human would be out of breath from my sprint, but I could run another ten miles at the speed I did and not struggle.

"Maeve?" His confusion is genuine.

"Katherine? What did you do?"

She tips her chin and looks down her nose at me. "I'm not wasting time on the human. She'll be gone by the end of the week. If somebody wants to scare her away quicker, fine by me."

"She isn't human, you idiot." I drag both hands through my hair. "Can't you hear the howling?"

She continues to look as if I'm a bad smell she wishes would go. "I expect your doggy friends are fighting with each other again."

I ignore her scorn. "No. This is more. An alert. Clive?"

He shrugs. "They'll sort whatever's happening. The guys are probably fighting the vamps."

Katherine nudges him hard in the side. "Excuse me?"

He sighs. "Vampires. The Pneuma. Remember last term when they mind-controlled the shifters to attack each other? They've been planning revenge."

I'm not buying his explanation. "You swear to me that this isn't you pranking her?"

I search both students' faces but already know the truth. They're busy with their secret liaisons in secret corners. Has Katherine used her Lamia powers on Clive or is this a genuine romance?

"Fine." I shove past them and leap over the wall towards the sound of the howl.

A girl screams and my blood heats in anger. Whoever chose to do this to Maeve will regret their actions. I'll have them on detention by the end of the night—unhurt if they're very lucky and I keep my temper. The terrified scream comes again, and rage blackens my vision. I can't shift yet, but I have a power rawer and greater than a human. Or a vamp.

Three cloaked figures are gathered behind a building, one holding Maeve over a shoulder. With a yell, I barrel into the middle, knocking them down like bowling pins. The one holding Maeve releases his grip as he falls, and she tries to crawl away. He seizes her ankle.

"Reveal yourselves, because you are in a hell of a lot of trouble," I snarl down at the one who lands by my feet. The figure sits and I push him down with my boot on his chest, tugging at his hood.

I frown at his face. He's not a student.

What the hell is this? Dominion members? Hunters?

I stagger forward as something hits me in the back. Righting myself, I turn to see a fireball headed straight for me.

Dominion.

I duck as the flames miss my hair. A second fireball emerges from the hand obscured by the cloak.

Am I dealing with an element affinity witch?

Behind me, Maeve yells and struggles with her attacker, and I'm impressed when he cries out in pain. What can I do apart from try to hold these people off her? I don't have the strength to take them all on, especially powerful magic users.