Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(46)

Andrei drags a palm across his mouth then heaves a sigh. "Ignore me then." He zips his hoodie. "Next time you need my help, don’t bother asking. But you’re dumber than you look if you think your little gang can protect Maeve without help."

He saunters away.





Chapter Twenty-Five





JAMIE



There are places in the academy few people go. The library is one of them, but I know others too. My connections to Theodora, and exemplary academic record, allow me access to areas on campus that others aren't allowed, in order for me to take time out.

Recently, the migraines I started experiencing around sixteen have intensified, and I'm annoyed because they interfere with my concentration. I've discovered that moving away from the classrooms and people eases them, especially if I stay away from other witches.

Magic gives me a headache.

One place I tend to go is the old gatekeeper's house, tucked into a corner of the estate. When this place was an asylum, the head physician and his family lived here too. None of the current teachers want to, despite its cosiness, because many believe in ghosts, which I think is ridiculous. Besides, if any were to haunt the estate, they'd choose the rooms in the academy that were once wards and treatment rooms. I shudder to think what horrors happened in there.

Visitors to the academy stay here on occasion but as most are Confederacy dignitaries, the small stone cottage with three rooms is beneath their level of required comfort.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've sensed Maeve grow more accustomed to the academy, but she often spends time outside, once telling me she feels she can't breathe in the academy's claustrophobic surroundings. Often, I see her on the rugby side lines watching or chatting to Ash, and they’re friendlier again.

I sense a protectiveness and saw it once, the day he thought Andrei had upset Maeve. They certainly spend more time together, and this draws attention. Especially from Katherine, who believes she should be the school’s paragon, and I've heard her loudly comment exactly who Maeve thinks she is walking in and pushing her way into Ash's life and the position this gives her.

I'm happy because this position means more accept Maeve, but I'm jealous.

Yeah. Jealous. There's something about Maeve I can't explain, but isn't that what attraction is? I've had girlfriends before, but they distracted me. I have enough to do, keeping up family appearances and slogging to maintain my high grades. My aim is achieving a place on the Confederacy council and making our family name relevant again.

Girls are hard work, even when they do all the pursuing. With Maeve, I naturally gravitate to her and can relax. Is that because of the connection we discovered in Sofia's room the other day? Or more?

I'm keeping Maeve close, partly because I love being around her and partly because I still don't believe she’s told me everything. I know when people are holding back. Maeve is.

Amelia occasionally comes along to the cottage, bribing me with promises of baking. The food at the academy is good, but becomes repetitive after a few weeks, and Amelia's cooking is worth the incessant chattering that comes with it. Ash comes too, but generally sits upstairs and stares across the moors. I can't fathom why. Does the popular guy enjoy the peace he can't have inside the academy? Although, he once attempted to persuade me to hold one of his parties here. I explained this is my space and only the lucky few get to join me.

I look out of the window in the small lounge as I wait for the flames to grow in the fireplace. The smoky smell from the wood fire fills the room and reminds me of home. Ash and Maeve walk across the field towards the house, her figure tiny beside his hulking frame. They walk close together but don't touch; both have their hands buried in pockets.

Hope rises. Maeve and Ash haven't crossed the line I thought they might. Maeve has only been here three weeks, and I'm glad Ash is keeping his hands off. She’s confused enough without dealing with more.

Air mists in front of their faces as they approach the door, and Maeve comments on the cosiness when she steps inside.

She pulls off her black gloves and drops them onto the table before unbuttoning her coat. She pulls down the hood and her white-blonde hair is mussed. Ash smooths it down and she swats his hand away. Jealousy bites again.

Ash drops his large frame into the tatty armchair close to the fire and Maeve sits on the sofa beside me. Amelia places steaming mugs of tea on the table.

"I hope there aren't any tea leaves to read in there," says Maeve with a smile as she picks up a mug. "I’m having a day off."

"No chance. This is relaxation away from all things Nightworld, right?" I say.

"Yeah." Ash takes a mug before leaning back and setting his heavy boots on the table. "Maeve wants you to persuade Theodora to let her leave the academy over half term."

I brush my fringe from my face and pick up a mug too. "I don't know if I can wangle that one. Everybody's supposed to stay here."

"Yeah, apart from the rich kids and those of us whose parents are forcing us to work." Ash pulls a face.

"Do you miss home, Maeve?" Amelia sits on the sofa arm and smiles kindly at her.

"I need to be with her," she whispers.

"Where?" I ask.

Maeve pulls her phone from a coat pocket. She scrolls across the screen then hands it to me. "There's an event on Halloween at my old school, and she's going. I saw her in costume at a party, but the surroundings weren't clear. The party must be at my school."