Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(28)

Chapter Sixteen





MAEVE



My first weekend arrives, and students remain on campus. Most live too far from the academy to go anywhere, even if they were allowed. There aren't any compulsory classes, although there is private tutoring including more one on one between myself and Sofia. The same thing happened—a snapshot of a vision that reveals my friend at a party, presumably Halloween—and then it fades. I'm left frustrated, but Sofia tells me there's nothing I can do to stop them. Instead, I'm given 'homework' to practice channelling visions, once a day, in the hope that mastering this will allow me to control the unwanted ones.

After almost nineteen years, I'm doubtful but hopeful.

I haven't spoken to Ash much since the night I was attacked. Unless Ash chooses to speak or hang out with you, getting close to him is impossible. He's always surrounded by teammates or girls from all houses. I chastise myself for thinking he wanted to spend time with me in particular. Ash was just being nice to the new girl.

I'm jealous when Amelia’s allowed to head away for the weekend. She has special permission to go home at weekends, to help her parents with her sick sister. She won't tell me what happened to her sister and others clam up when I ask. All I know is that she was once a pupil at the academy and had an accident.

Did the accident happen inside or outside the academy?

I spend the morning outside despite the early October weather eager to escape the claustrophobia inside the building. I often spend spare time on a bench in the cloisters, listening to music to help me escape, where I can take in fresh air without drifting too far from the building. The nearest village is a ten-minute drive or long walk. We're not allowed off the grounds without permission, which is ridiculous considering our age. Since the attack on me, I'm wary about challenging that authority.

Nobody has spoken much about the Dominion, only that they are a group who seek to reveal the supernatural element in the world and are in conflict with the Confederacy—the council of leaders from the different races and founders of the Nightworld academies. Theodora explained my rare power has put me on the Dominion radar. No Confederacy representative arrived yet, and I’m unable to tell if this is an issue to Theodora or not.

I'm confused about the hunters they mentioned—the descendants of the original people who brought witches and shifters to trial, and killed vampires. Why bother now when the surviving bloodlines remain hidden? They're aware of the academies, but these are warded against humans with ill will. Yet entry must still be possible.

So, I've moved from troubled teen girl who could be schizophrenic, to future-sighted witch who is 'of interest' to two separate factions. Awesome. Amelia tried to reassure me the Dominion 'probably' didn't want to kill me. I laughed at her even though the words iced my veins.

I text Tessa daily and attempt to follow her life. Halloween is in a few weeks and I quiz her, but she's no plans yet. Halloween falls on a day in the academy’s half term, and I've started nagging my parents to allow me home.

So far, their answer is a big, fat no.

Jamie appears in the opposite doorway, also wrapped up against the cold. In the way Ash seems to avoid me, I sometimes avoid Jamie. Amelia not so subtly chaperones me everywhere, so I'm rarely alone, but I am today. Jamie strides towards me. I can't avoid him, and look away.

He stops in front of me and keen eyes search mine. His hands are buried in his hoodie jacket pocket, and his dark hair is unruly as if he's repeatedly pushed his hand through. I pull an earbud out.

"I thought we were all meeting in the library today," he says.

I smile. "Your natural environment?"

He frowns at my teasing. "Knowledge is power, as they say."

"Sorry. I decided to get some fresh air instead." Once I discovered Amelia was headed home and Ash busy with training, I decided against one on one time with Jamie at the library.

"Fair enough." He sits beside me. "Want to grab a coffee from the cafe? It's open for drinks and treats at the weekend."

"Treats, huh? Cake?"

"Plenty of cake." We share a smile.

Jamie pushes hair from his eyes again. "Can I ask you something?"

Again. "Sure." I pull out the other earbud. "But I don't know what next week's English test answers are, if that's what you're asking."

"I wouldn't need them anyway." He arches a brow. "But you do know something about me. You escaped telling me in the common room the other night."

I feign a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"

"Either that, or you're upset with me."

This time my puzzled look is genuine. "Why would I be upset with you?"

"The night you were attacked, I wasn't around to help." He looks down at his hands. "I found Amelia and her rainstorm, but I was too late."

"Don't be silly." I place a hand on his. His skin is warm and soft and the familiar buzz happens. Does he feel that? "Nobody knew where I was that evening. I guess I was lucky the others were around, and Ash was looking for me. Besides, you fetched Theodora to find us."

Jamie doesn't respond and continues to stare down at my hand. "You're uncomfortable with me, I can tell. My abilities mean I can see you're hiding something from everyone."