Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(52)

This can't be happening.

"I'm unsure what to do with this information," says Theodora evenly.

"We need to focus on discovering what happens in these events Maeve sees," Sofia replies. "She has little information currently."

Maeve swallows and focuses on her fingernails instead.

"Yes. We must switch all Maeve's training to deducing this." Theodora's voice is firm and her sympathetic gaze rests on me.

"I agree," says Maeve. "I'll try whatever I can."

I don't know how to respond to Maeve anymore. When somebody tells you they predict your death, it's hard to say anything else to them without this hanging between you. Perhaps I was unfair in the library, but my emotions aren't under control right now.

"What do you think would be the best course of action, Theodora?" asks Sofia. "More intensive tutoring? Perhaps daily?"

Maeve's tired face falls. She's told me how exhausting the one-on-one lessons are.

Theodora turns to Maeve. "Sofia tells me you repeatedly see a friend’s future when using the scrying bowl and that you saw more when Jamie was with you."

She nods.

"I think we need to focus on the pair of you working together." Sofia gestures between us.

Maeve stares ahead and I don't want to catch her eye. Yesterday by the fire, I enjoyed helping and loved the strength of our affinity. How can they ask us to do this? The room lurches sideways.

"To see my death?" I ask.

Sofia's mouth parts. "Oh, no, Jamie. I don't think that would happen."

"How do you know which vision I’ll have?" asks Maeve in a tiny voice. "I don't think it's a good idea for Jamie to see... it."

"I'll try," I say, hoping to hell I don't regret this.

Maeve pales and sits on her hands. "I don't know if I can."

"We will work on the Halloween vision," says Sofia softly. "We can use that as practice."

Theodora crosses to sit in the chair behind her desk. "But how long does Jamie have?"

Her words slug me in the stomach. Maeve told me the incident won't happen at the academy, but I’m the same age as now. The holidays?

Sofia reaches out to touch my hand. "I think the solution is to keep working with Maeve on her future-sight and ensure Jamie stays on campus. I'm confident between the three of us, we can make progress."

"Stay on campus for how long?" I ask. "I was hoping to go home over half-term."

Theodora shakes her head. "That's not a good idea. I'll speak to your parents and ensure there are no threats against you or the family and request that people are assigned to watch them. But I think you should stay here."

I drag a palm down my face. My selfish thoughts focused on myself, but this could be a threat to everybody. My sister. My parents. "Okay. Thank you."

"I can see you're unhappy about the situation."

I blink at Theodora. "With respect a future-sighted witch told me she's witnessed my death. I'm more than unhappy."

"I'll practice, every day," says Maeve.

"Together?" asks Sofia.

She looks at me with glistening eyes. "If that's alright with Jamie."

What choice do I have?

Theodora looks back to the window. "I don't want anybody outside of the four of us and Jamie’s family knowing about this. Maeve is correct that, without the full picture, we should wait to tell others. I will ensure Jamie is watched too and his safety is paramount to me."

"Are you sure?" asks Sofia.

"Yes." She’s firm, eyes flashing at Sofia’s semi-challenge to her authority. "Questions will be asked that may cause more pressure on Maeve than she can cope with right now. A future-sighted witch predicting student deaths? I refuse to cause panic if we don't have all the facts."

Maeve chews her lip and her cheeks flush. My heart goes out to her and the position she’s in. Maeve never asked for any of this.





Chapter Twenty-Nine





ASH



There's something weird happening between Maeve and Jamie.

Since the day at the groundsman's cottage, there's a tension between them when we're all together. I know Jamie’s into her—that's obvious—and maybe she likes him? That's why I thought they both stayed at the cottage the other day.

Did something happen between them that afternoon, after I left? Their response confuses the hell out of me. Whatever happened caused a lot of trouble.

Recently, they’ve had conversations that stop whenever I or somebody else approaches. There’s a secret between that becomes a wall surrounding the pair. Even Amelia is on the outside, and this creates a new tension between her and the other two witches.

Maeve's withdrawn again and hyper-vigilant to those around her. I get Maeve alone sometimes and attempt to talk to her, but she switches on a light happy-go-lucky air and drags me back into the throng of people who usually surround me.

We sit together at dinner, the four of us, and Maeve spends more time than usual on her phone. Eventually, she places it down.

"I've decided to go home for Halloween."

Amelia straightens. "You don’t have permission."