Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(70)

I need to accept reality and grow up. Fast.





Chapter Forty-One





MAEVE



Ash’s car headlights illuminate the service gate as we drive along the gloomy track towards the academy. Tobias drives behind, and I resist the urge to glance back at his large black sedan. I’m relieved he decided not to parade us through the main gates as guilty parties, but I’m concerned why. Will he keep this a secret or march us straight to Theodora’s office?

Late nights no longer bother me since my sleep schedule changed, but tonight’s events exhausted me. My body wants to shut down and rest. Ash drives with Jamie in the passenger seat, and Amelia sits beside me. We’ve a lot to talk about, and nobody knows where to start the conversation.

All I care about in this moment is that we’re alive.

Andrei travels with Tobias. Are they talking about the events and what’s next for him?

Once I put Tessa into an Uber, a voice inside urged me to go with her, but what’s the point? I don’t belong here. I’m uncomfortable that I’m here without my parents realising, and I’d do anything to run home and ask for help. To hide in the sanctuary of my old bedroom. But Mum and Dad can’t help me.

I headed back to the scene terrified what I’d walk into when I found the others. Everybody had gone, and perspiration spread across my back as I examined the area. Did they leave me? Tobias, as usual, stepped from the dark and commandeered me back to the school carpark where the others waited silently in the car.

I haven’t asked what happened to the hunters yet. Is it best that I don’t know?

Ash parks the car outside the gates and argues with Tobias to let him leave campus to return home, but Tobias refuses. I sink down in the car seat at the strength of their argument and Ash’s refusal to accept he’s unsafe.

If Ash is confident he can leave without being followed or attacked, I doubly don’t want to know what happened to the hunters.

Tobias instructs Ash to park inside the service vehicle car park, and he parks his car beside Ash. We all climb out, dirty and dejected. The stress hangs around Ash, but he won't speak.

A rush of relief spreads through when I step back onto the academy grounds. I may not be able to run home to my bedroom in the family house, but I can hide out in the room I share with Amelia.

I side-glance Andrei. Less blood than before coats his face. Has he wiped away the evidence with his black jacket sleeve? He left his cocky persona at my old school and his eyes are dull. I can’t deal with the violence obvious from the aftermath. Not only from Andrei, but Ash.

I need to persuade Ash to attend the meditation classes—my amusement that shifters meditate disappeared.

I’ve learned more about my world and place in it this evening than any other time.

"We will discuss this tomorrow," says Tobias tersely. "I need to speak with security staff about how you left the grounds unseen. This distraction should give you time to return to your dormitories and consider your actions."

Ash trudges away first. The guy I say goodbye to looks dejected and tired, his reaction to my hug stiff and hurtful when he doesn't return the gesture. I pull off my wig—feeling stupid that I forgot I’m wearing it—and prepare to follow.

"Not you, Maeve," he says. "I’d like to talk to you alone."





Tobias’s study is at the rear of his classroom—a small room dominated by a large blue velvet seat with worn arms opposite a second chair and beside a low table. A dark curtain shrouds the small window and matches those in the classroom, as do the runes painted around the study.

Like many teachers, a portrait hangs on the wall. Unlike Theodora’s, Tobias looks no different than he does today. I stand with my arms wrapped around myself, feeling ridiculous in my torn Halloween dress.

Tobias sits in the winged velvet armchair and rests an ankle across his other knee. His displeasure radiates from him. I understand how much older he is, and that he’s an authority figure, but every time he talks down to or chastises me, I’m annoyed. I need to remember that Tobias isn’t Jamie or Ash.

Not by a long way.

"I know what you're worrying about, Maeve. I’ve decided not to tell Theodora and Sofia about this," he says in a gruff tone.

"Why?"

"I’ve come across students like you before. They think they’re able to live as they want and believe they can be part of the human world. You decided not to pay attention to warnings about hunters and the Dominion, because all teenagers believe they’re invincible. Don't they?"

"I—"

"And many see authority as something to challenge." His mouth tips at one corner. "I made the same mistakes as you, Maeve, and it almost cost me my life. The more people told me not to do something, the greater my desire to challenge them grew. Does this sound familiar?"

I grasp my hands behind my back. This is worse than the times someone called me to Mrs. Peel’s office.

"I only wanted to help my friend," I say meekly. "I thought she would get badly hurt."

"I understand that, but you need to grow up and consider your actions." His words sting, but I bite back a retort. He laughs. "I can see you have something to say, Maeve."

"No." Tobias cocks a brow. I swallow. "Yes, but I don't want to be disrespectful."