The Breaker (The Secret of Spellshadow Manor #2)(25)

“I know you’re new here, Nagi, and you haven’t quite gotten into your head how things work—despite being told time after time—but that doesn’t mean you get to bend the rules to your liking. This is simply unacceptable. The Head might turn a blind eye to it, but I won’t,” Renmark said, eyeing Aamir with the look of someone who had just stepped in something unpleasant. “You want to provide extra tutoring, you do it in your classroom or study hall—you do not bring students into our personal quarters whenever you feel like it. We come here to get away from students, not be followed around by them. Is that clear, Nagi?”

There was a strong animosity between the young new teacher and the seasoned professor, Renmark visibly displeased with the manner in which Aamir had forced his way onto the faculty. After so long with the same lineup of teachers, Alex imagined it hadn’t been an easy pill to swallow—to see Derhin replaced with some young upstart, especially one who seemed favored by the Head, at least initially.

Aamir tensed, a flash of anger passing across his eyes, as he leveled his gaze at Renmark. Touching Aamir’s arm lightly, Natalie stepped forward, the dim glow of Aamir’s magic glancing across her pale skin, revealing more of her face in the warm light.

“I am truly sorry, Professor Renmark. It was simply an opportunity to learn, and the time got away from us,” she explained gently, her eyes wide with sincerity.

“Ah, Natalie—I didn’t see you there,” said Renmark, a puzzled look creasing his brow. “Well… be on your way, then, and be quick about it. Don’t let it happen again,” he added, his tone softening.

“Of course, Professor Renmark,” Aamir spoke tersely. He skirted around Renmark, the others following quickly behind.

A melancholy air hung around the four friends as they slowly made their way down the corridors, toward the blue line at the entrance to the quarters, which was still broken at both ends. Nobody was willing to speak as the silence stretched unbearably, peppered only by the scuff of Aamir’s feet on the stone and the soft pad of the others’ socks. Aamir’s gaze was always forward, never looking down at Jari or back at Natalie and Alex as he led them closer to where the blue line had lain, buzzing and crackling. It seemed to Alex that Aamir was beyond their help, his face fearful, his eyes constantly looking over his shoulder.

Aamir’s urgency was palpable as he moved them over to the other side and knelt on the ground, before the broken barrier. Hurriedly, he began to repair it with his magic, the golden energy flowing from his palms and into the shattered ends of the line.

“I need to fix this before anyone else notices,” Aamir whispered. “If someone were to see it, they would suspect a student and start a witch hunt.”

"Sorry,” Alex said. “I would’ve fixed it myself if I could.”

“It’s fine. You must—” Aamir made a choking noise. He lifted his gaze up to his trio of friends, a wide look of anguish in his eyes as he slowly began to mouth something. Alex felt a prickle of fear shiver through him as he understood the unmistakable shape of the words:

“He knows.”

As soon as the words had silently slipped from Aamir’s mouth, his body doubled up in an instant burst of agony. He crumpled sideways onto the hard stone floor, clutching desperately at his stomach and raking at his lungs, as if the air was being squeezed from them by the pain. Aamir’s face twisted, and his eyes bulged, his cheeks turning purple. He clawed at his throat, his breath coming in short, painful-sounding rasps, as he convulsed on the floor in untold agony—the golden line on his wrist exacting its punishment for his whispered warning.

The blue line was back in place, bursting into life, preventing the others from running over and helping their friend.

“Aamir!” Jari cried out in panic.

Alex skidded to the floor to place his hands on the sapphire pulse of energy, but Aamir raised a desperate hand against his attempts, shaking his head as the veins popped and strained beneath his neck, begging him not to. They watched, helpless, as Aamir writhed against the savage bite of the golden band.

“Go! Go!” Aamir commanded over and over, his voice frantic and thick with the pain.

Grabbing Jari and pulling him back, Alex retreated with Natalie. Tears prickled Alex’s eyes at the sight of his friend’s suffering, knowing he could do nothing. Aamir’s mouthed words haunted them from the shadows as they turned and ran, his tortured cries ringing in their ears.

It was the Head. The Head knew.





Chapter 10





Alex had lain awake long after they had returned to their dorm, and when dawn arrived, he realized he hadn’t slept a wink. Across the room, he knew Jari had been the same, the boy uncharacteristically silent. Alex had spent the night staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing with the events of the night before, stirring up visions each time he had closed his eyes, a cold sweat trickling down his back and across his brow. Aamir’s mouthed words had played again and again, on endless repeat, making sleep impossible.

How much does the Head know? was all Alex could think, his heart racing along with his mind as he envisioned the skeletal creature beneath the hood grasping for him, wanting to destroy the Spellbreaker history coiled up inside him.

Unable to stay in bed any longer, Alex sat up and rubbed his itchy eyes. Jari sat up too, and a look passed between them. Aamir’s unmade bed drew their eyes, and Alex thought he saw Jari shiver as he turned his gaze away. The sound of Aamir’s cries, echoing behind them, had been a disturbing one, and Jari certainly looked haunted. His face was drawn, dark circles shadowing the skin under his red-tinged eyes, his shoulders slumped.