The Chain (The Secret of Spellshadow Manor #3)(31)

Preparing to ask his questions, Alex opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say a word, Aamir raised his voice so the room could hear.

“Please, may you leave the room so I can speak with Alex alone,” he requested, his voice croaky.

Jari shook his head vehemently. “No way.”

Aamir smiled. “Please, Jari—I want to speak to Alex alone.”

Jari glared at Alex, seemingly suspicious about what he intended to do with his Spellbreaker powers. The boy would not budge from his place beside Aamir, the reluctance apparent on his determined face. Surprisingly, it was Natalie who came to the rescue.

“Jari, you must come with us now. These two have things they need to talk out,” she explained. “It is their opportunity to bury the hatchet. You have had yours—now it is Alex’s turn.”

The blond-haired boy flashed a look of displeasure at Alex, but he went nonetheless, ushered by Natalie’s stern hand upstairs to the rooms above, with Ellabell following close behind.

“Why didn’t you want them to hear?” asked Alex curiously, once he was certain they were alone.

Aamir sighed. “I think you know why.”

The memory of the offer Aamir had made to only him surged into his mind, transporting him back to the ballroom of Spellshadow Manor for a moment, and the trepidation he had felt there. Knowing that Aamir had been the Head’s puppet all along, he couldn’t help but doubt the sincerity of that agreement. There were other things too—inklings Alex had had, once given time to think about Aamir’s state. There were many unanswered questions Alex had for Aamir, and he wondered silently if his former friend was merely trying to lessen the collateral of his honesty. Jari, especially, took a rose-tinted view of their friend. Perhaps Aamir had chosen him for the truth, Alex thought, because he might be able to take the reality of it in a way the others could not.

“What things did the Head tell you when you became a teacher?” Alex began.

Aamir glanced around the room. “Where are we?” he asked, seeming disoriented.

“We are at Stillwater House,” replied Alex, trying not to let his frustration show.

Aamir frowned. “Stillwater House?”

“Have you been here before?” Alex asked.

“I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think so?”

“No… I remember now. I am certain I have not. What a funny place. How did we come to be here?” There was a glazed look in Aamir’s eyes as exhaustion began to creep through the older boy’s bones. Alex hoped he’d get to ask a few questions before Aamir became too weary to answer. Now, if only he could get him to focus.

“We escaped, remember?”

Aamir shook his head. “Everything is so hazy… Did you have a question?”

Alex sighed, trying again. “What things did the Head tell you when you became a teacher?”

“There were many things—there are many things that need to be explained when you become a teacher.” He shrugged wearily, his shoulders sagging.

“Such as?”

“What would you like to know?” Aamir asked.

It was hard to know where to begin. As much as he wanted to ask the personal, selfish question of why Aamir offered to let him leave, he knew he would have to leave it until last. There were more pressing concerns upon him for now.

“Why did the Head leave the manor?”

“You know why,” Aamir said simply.

“Does he leave the manor a lot?” Alex pressed.

“I’m not certain,” replied Aamir.

“You’re not certain?” Alex frowned, unconvinced.

“There are gaps in my memory—there are certain things I can’t recall,” he explained, prickling Alex’s suspicions. It seemed a little too coincidental that Aamir might have selective amnesia on certain topics. Alex changed tactic, going for the jugular.

“Why are they collecting the life essence from student mages?” he whispered. “What is it being used for?”

Tension rippled in the air between them as defiance flashed in Aamir’s tired eyes. For a good few minutes, Alex wasn’t sure the older boy was going to answer.

“A great plague will sweep the land if it is not,” he murmured, repeating the eerie warning he had cried out at the height of his cursed delirium.

“Oh, come on. You can do better than that,” challenged Alex.

“There is a Great Evil that must be kept at bay,” he replied, just as cryptically as before. It was not the first time Alex had heard a ‘great evil’ mentioned, but he was starting to get a little sick of not being told more on the subject.

“What does that mean?” he questioned sharply.

“It is why the essence is collected—that is all I know.” Aamir shrugged.

“You’re lying,” growled Alex.

Aamir smiled. “I am not. They were passages read to me by the Head from a dusty old book at the back of his office. I think you are familiar with the bookcase?” There was a taunting note in Aamir’s voice.

“Tell me the truth,” breathed Alex, trying not to lose his temper.

“I am, Alex. I know only what the Head read to me,” Aamir replied.

It didn’t add up, but he sensed he wasn’t about to get any more from Aamir on the subject. The hint of a jeer in the older boy’s voice had made Alex unsure of how much of the Head’s hold was still in play, controlling Aamir even after the curse had been lifted.