Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(50)

I wake early, unable to sleep as I deliberate what to do. Now this is out in the open, I can't hide the situation from others anymore. But I'm frightened what people will say and do if I tell them. Still undecided, I head to breakfast and hope Jamie is talking to me again. He didn't reply to any of my texts last night. Will he forgive me?

Amelia walks down with me, chattering about a fight between Petrescu and Gilgamesh yesterday evening. I don't care what happens between idiots who can't get along, although I’m surprised that Katherine wasn’t involved.

Ash sits at the table. Alone. His eyes brighten and he pats the seat beside him. My heart skips as it often does around Ash, but I'm confused by him, almost as much as I am by Jamie. Some days, I'm convinced he wants more than a friendship as looks linger or hands touch. If I'm around Andrei, Ash stands close and glares at him. I'm amused by his protection, but also secretly flattered.

Ash also withdraws. His explanation at the party, that I scare him, rings in my ears and he's never elaborated why. Once, as we sat together when he finished rugby practice, Andrei stopped to taunt me that Ash hates witches and to ask him why. A muddied, sweaty Ash broke away from a quiet moment between us to tell Andrei to piss off. Something in Andrei’s eyes told me his decision to interrupt was more than to wind me up.

I waited for Ash to elaborate, after Andrei left, but he pretended the encounter never happened.

Seems many in the academy have secrets to keep, which could be a bigger threat to us than the Dominion. Lack of trust will divide people and however hard the academy tries, divisions between the houses remain.

This helps my decision.

I'll come clean. Now is the time.

"No Jamie?" asks Ash as I sit beside him. The plate on his tray is empty and there're two tall coffee cups in front of him on the table.

"I thought he might already be here." Amelia steals a coffee and takes a sip. "Ugh. No sugar."

"Since that's Maeve's coffee, no sugar is fine." He shakes his head and hands it to me. "That’s how Maeve likes hers."

"Thanks." I take a drink. "Have you seen Jamie today?"

"Not since we left you at the cottage yesterday."

Amelia and Ash look at each other and they exchange sly smiles. Omigod. "If you think we made out, you're wrong."

"Then what happened?" asks Amelia.

"We chatted about my visions." I keep my eyes fixed on hers so there's no mistaking my words. "Okay?"

"Defensive much?"

I ignore her and drink while I scrutinise every face passing in and out of the cafe.

I'm on the verge of leaving to study when Jamie appears in the cafeteria doorway. He's pale-faced with dark smudges beneath his eyes. His hair is more dishevelled than usual and clothes crumpled. The same clothes he wore yesterday. Jamie backs off as our gazes lock, but Amelia calls his name.

He may be upset with me, but Jamie won't be rude to one of his best friends. Jamie avoids my eyes as he crosses to us.

"Okay, Jamie?" asks Amelia. "It's not like you to miss breakfast."

"You look like crap," adds Ash. "Pulled an all-nighter? I've told you before, the library will still be there in the morning."

Jamie doesn't bite and sits with his bag on his lap. "I'm grabbing a coffee and then headed to work. I'm not hungry."

Amelia cocks her head. "Are you sure you're okay?"

He gives a weak smile. "All good."

I wriggle uncomfortably beneath Amelia's accusing look. There's no point me asking if he's okay, because I know the answer.





I don't need to guess where Jamie goes after our awkward and silent breakfast encounter.

I find him at his favourite spot in the library but instead of bending over his laptop, he's staring into space with his arms crossed. He doesn't notice me until I'm by the desk and he jumps to alert before grabbing his bag.

"Don't go." I reach out and take the handle. "Please."

He sinks back in his chair and stares ahead.

"Jamie, I know you're upset with me for not telling you, but—"

"No, that isn't why I'm upset." He snaps his head around to look at me. "You've been at the academy for weeks and told nobody. I could be in danger."

I blink at his vehemence. "I didn't know what to do or say. Or if what I saw was real. If I'm honest, I pretended to myself the situation would go away."

"There are people here who can help," he retorts. "Sofia can help with your visions, Theodora can speak to the Confederacy and see if anybody is under threat. You’re future-sighted—whatever you see should be shared. With everybody."

His words sting. "Jamie. I'm sorry. Everything that's happened to me in the last few weeks scared me. Can't you understand that? I'm not thinking straight. I didn't want it to be true."

"You have to tell somebody. Today."

I dip my head. "I know. I will. But I don't know how anybody can help."

Jamie pushes both hands into the front of his hair. "Maeve. You've spent your life hiding from your gifts, I get that, but this has to change. You're here and you're part of this now. Accept it."