The Shadowseeker - Victor Kloss Page 0,38

to her locker. What if your parents have given each other access to their lockers? You would have access too.”

The thought produced a rush of hope, but it was swallowed quickly by rationality. “Even if I had access to their lockers, wouldn't the Institute have raided them already when they were looking for my parents?”

“Not necessarily,” Natalie said, with sudden interest. “The lockers for the top Institute members are extremely powerful. It wouldn't surprise me if nobody had managed to open them yet, not even the prince. And they would be the perfect storing place.”

They looked at each other. None of them spoke, but the hope and excitement were impossible to miss.

“We need to take a look. How difficult is it to get into their locker room?” Ben asked.

“I've never tried,” Natalie said. “It shouldn't be too hard, as long as the room isn't locked. The tricky bit is not attracting attention. Friday is the best day, as many of the Spellswords are on duty then and will not be at the Institute.”

“Friday it is, then,” Ben said.

“Also, it would be better if we did it late, after most members have gone home. Ideally no earlier than ten.”

Ben looked to Charlie, who nodded. “I'll tell my parents I'm sleeping at yours.”

“Great, we'll—”

Ben stopped mid-sentence, distracted by a small flutter of movement from the curtains.

“Did you see that?” Ben asked.

Both Charlie and Natalie nodded.

“A draught from the window?” Charlie said, raising his hand to feel for any movement in the air.

“I don't feel anything,” Natalie replied, her voice suddenly quiet.

The curtains were large, easily big enough to hide in.

“I checked them, remember?” Charlie said, his voice firm.

“Some things are difficult to see,” Natalie said.

They were all staring at the curtains, listening as well as looking for a sign of life. They heard nothing, except their own breathing, which somehow made it worse.

“There's an easy way to find out,” Ben said, breaking the trance that had befallen them. Ignoring protests from Charlie and Natalie, he walked up to the curtain and extended a hand, reaching for one of the ripples.

Something knocked Ben to the ground.

Natalie screamed. Ben saw something bulge in the curtain and then vanish. Seconds later they heard the door click behind them. Ben yanked his neck round but saw only the door shutting softly.

Ben's first instincts were to go after it, but by the time he'd gotten to his feet, he knew whatever they had faced would be long gone.

Natalie had a hand to her mouth and Charlie was taking furtive glances everywhere, as if it might still be in the room.

“Did anyone see it?” Ben asked. His heart was pumping and his words came out raggedly.

Both Charlie and Natalie shook their heads.

“Just a blur, but nothing more,” Charlie said. The look of fear had left him now they were sure it had gone.

“Was it the Shadowseeker?” Natalie asked.

Ben and Charlie exchanged glances.

“If it was, why was it spying on us? I thought it wanted to take me out.”

“If it's not the Shadowseeker, what else could it be?”

Ben was wondering exactly the same thing.

— Chapter Fifteen —

Broomstick Battles

For the first time since they arrived at the Institute, the days started to drag. Both Ben and Charlie had their eyes firmly fixed on Friday, and their lack of focus elsewhere reflected in their study.

“A word, Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Hornberger,” Dagmar said one morning. They had been about to file out of muster to polish the grand staircase. Instead they approached Dagmar's desk. She was sitting down for once, making her look even smaller than usual. Ben couldn't help staring at her long, tightly wound ponytail and her long eyelashes – two important features that helped clarify her gender.

They stood silently for a full minute while Dagmar finished reading. Ben resisted the urge to clear his throat, knowing it would have catastrophic consequences.

“Your progress – or lack of it – has come to my attention when reviewing your handbook,” Dagmar said, finally looking up. “You were running a commendable pace until the last few days. What has happened?”

“Nothing, Ms. Borovich,” Ben said. “Everything is just getting more difficult.”

“I don't buy it,” Dagmar replied. “Your progress has been smooth among all departments. You, Ben, have excelled in Spellsword.” She turned her hawk-like eyes to Charlie. “And you, Charlie, have shown some aptitude in Scholar. But the last few days you have slowed. What changed?”

Ben cursed inwardly and prayed Charlie wouldn't give anything away. His cheeks flushed, but he shook his head,