Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(44)

Curiosity flickers across his eyes as he watches my every move when I walk in and take my place.

"This is the girl?" The man’s heavy Eastern European accent adds an extra weight to his words: ‘the girl’.

Theodora smiles at me. She’s trying to reassure me, but it will take more than a gentle smile to erase my discomfort. "Yes, she is. Maeve, this is Oskar Petrescu. He is one of the Confederacy representatives."

Amelia makes a soft noise of understanding and Ash straightens, but Jamie and Andrei don't look perturbed. Petrescu? I swallow, aware I’m in the company of somebody I need to respect. I tense even though the man keeps his distance, but the unwavering gaze crawls across my scalp.

"I apologise that it has taken such a long time for one of the Confederacy representatives to meet with you," he drawls. "I can understand there must be anxiety around the school. I hope I can ease that."

"No," puts in Tobias, "because the majority are unaware of the attack on Maeve."

Oskar sits and props his cane beneath his chin, the silver bird digging into his skin. "But you are taking measures to protect her, I hope. I see nothing to suggest extra security."

"Of course," says Theodora. Her usual bright facade slips for a moment and annoyance edges her tone. "Low key, but effective measures. Does the Confederacy have news about the attack and perpetrators?"

The prickling from Oskar’s calculating gaze spreads down the back of my neck. "Yes," he says. "We believe the attack on the school was opportunistic and an attempt to take the future-sighted witch before she discovered who she was. The Dominion would rather the witch doesn't acknowledge or develop her powers."

He speaks about me and not to me, as if I’m a thing not a person.

"Do you know what they intended to do to Maeve?" asks Sofia softly.

Kill me?

Oskar grips his cane tighter. "We believe they intended to wipe the witch’s memory of the academy and educate her elsewhere. The Dominion are interested in her gifts, and they could manipulate her to work for them."

"I’m not easily manipulated," I retort.

I bristle at Tobias’s laughter behind me. "No, Maeve. But what if the Dominion found you first? They could fill your mind with stories of the danger posed by the human world. They could persuade you that the Confederacy are wrong and that revenge and power over humans is the only choice."

I shift in my seat to face him. "I wouldn’t."

"They have a different view about how to ‘manage’ the supernaturals' place in the world. If the Dominion spoke to you first, they could influence you."

"You mean brainwash me? Like you’re able to wipe non-human minds?"

He rolls his eyes. "Do you see what I mean about her impertinence?"

Theodora gives a wry smile. "We all know that Tobias can use mental magic on all races. That’s why he’s the Confederacy’s man on the ground here."

"Oh…" Every dealing I’ve had with Tobias runs across my mind. I side glance Andrei who’s maintained a stoic face.

"I’m watching you, Maeve," he says, and his eyes shine in triumphant amusement. "Sofia may teach you and watch you when you are in your house, but I am keeping a close eye on you too." He gestures. "And your friends."

"You work for the Confederacy?" asks Amelia in whispered awe.

"He does, doesn’t he, grandfather?" Andrei turns to smirk at me as he says the words and it takes a few seconds to catch up to him.

"Oskar is your grandfather?" asks Ash. "But I heard that your mother—"

Oskar slams his cane on the floor. "Enough. My daughter-in-law’s actions do not reflect on me. Her decision to turn away from the Confederacy is of no consequence."

Andrei scowls at Ash. "We can’t choose our family, can we?"

Beside me, Ash tenses. If others didn’t surround us, I’d lay bets he’d take a swing at Andrei. What’s happening? I rub my cheek. Politics. Everywhere.

"I agree. Enough," growls Tobias.

"Thank you." Oskar nods at him. "I did not want children involved in this. But as you witnessed the attack on your friend, the Confederacy feels you must be kept updated." His expression tells me he really doesn’t want us involved.

And children? We’re all legal adults.

"Oskar has informed me that those who attacked the school and Maeve were caught and dealt with." Theodora tries another bright smile but the atmosphere in the room is harder for her to light up.

"Yes. We eradicated the Dominion cell responsible shortly after Theodora informed us what happened. Their attack came out of the blue, and we suspect it wasn't officially sanctioned."

"And now?" she asks. "How much danger do we face on a day-to-day basis?"

"As far as we know, there are no other Dominion cells within the United Kingdom who have enough power to infiltrate the school."

Cells. Jamie’s right. They talk about the Dominion as if they’re terrorists.

"Other Dominion members live in the country," puts in Sofia. "That’s a worry."

"Tobias watches Maeve and the school, and we have troops around the country watching too." He looks to me. "The Confederacy aren’t a group sitting in a room making up rules. We have a military branch too—although our weapons are a little different to a human military."