Witch Born - LJ Swallow Page 0,73
hoping a guard doesn’t pass by and see me. The moment I hear footsteps from that direction, I start walking towards the offices. Francesca rounds the corner and I tense as she pauses.
“Is everything alright, Eloise?”
Her face is as bright and open as usual and I relax. “I need to see Marcus.” I swallow. “I can’t stop thinking about Samuel’s death.”
“Oh, Eloise,” she says with genuine sympathy, patting my arm. “If you’d like to join my after-hours meditation sessions, that might help.”
Hell, no. I smile. “Thank you. Is Marcus around?”
“Yes. I think he’s attending to the funeral arrangements.” She pats my arm again. “Sorry, I shouldn't have said that.”
“Samuel’s parents must be devastated.”
“Mmm.” Francesca flourishes a hand and her charm bracelet tinkles. “I’m expecting a few students to attend my extra meditation today. I’d best go prepare.”
Her evasion prickles my scalp. Have the authorities not told Samuel’s parents yet?
Or don’t his parents care?
Steeling myself, I head down the hallway towards Marcus. I’ve made up my mind—I won’t shout at or make demands to Marcus. Instead, I’ll pretend to agree to his demands of me. How else will I find Zeke?
He’s no longer outside his room, so I rap on the door. The man who answers has a face creased with stress; very different to the one I normally meet, but he steps back to allow me inside.
“Eloise. This is a surprise.”
“I’ve thought about your offer,” I stammer before the questions and demands spill from my mouth. “I don't feel safe here. I’ll help with Dorian.”
His face brightens. “Good girl.”
Ugh.
“But could you tell me what happened to Zeke?” I ask. “Why did he behave like that?”
Marcus purses his lips and sits. “Now that’s a good question.”
More evasion.
“Where is he now?”
“Eloise.” He smiles. “Zeke is out of control. He’s relapsed back to the guy who arrived here. Extremely unsafe—even to you.”
“Is he dead?” I whisper as fear grips my stomach.
“I understand you were close to him, but you honestly are safer now. It’s a shame, as he could’ve helped you with Dorian.”
A shame. Gritting my teeth, I look away. Nobody will answer my questions. I itch to ask about Samuel too, but this man isn't stupid. Too many questions will look suspicious.
“I’m worried about Ethan too,” I say. “He told me he’s worried about his self-control.”
“Ethan isn't your concern, apart from his willingness to help.” He sighs. “Really, Eloise, getting close to other students is never a good idea. Dorian is your concern here.”
I slump into the chair. “How do you want me to do this?”
“Mental and elemental magic—seduce his mind and set fire to him.”
I balk. “What?”
“He’ll heal quickly once he recovers, but that fire will be enough to kill him for long enough that you can perform your magic.”
Marcus’s enthusiasm sickens me. “I thought nobody could kill Dorian.”
“Everybody can die, Eloise.”
“But he has people around him all the time.”
“Following Samuel’s death, Dorian has been segregated from others. You can visit him.”
I stare. The sinister side to Ravenhold that accosted me the day I walked through the doors engulfs the place.
“Is something hurting the students?” I blurt.
“You ask me this again? No. Some do not cope with Ravenhold and lose their minds.” Or don't cope with whatever Francesca instils in their minds. Only the strongest. “If you mean Samuel, you saw how hard he found life here.”
I nod but I’m not convinced. Not for a moment.
“Now, Dorian…” He smiles as if we’re ready to chat about something fun. Fun for him maybe. “I believe the sooner the better, then we’re all safe. I can take you to visit Dorian this evening.”
Chapter Forty-Two
I’m issued with my instructions and told to meet Marcus outside his office at eight. What the hell do I do?
I feel as though I’m floating through another world for the rest of the day, now unsure if this is deliberate or my mind not coping with the situation. I believe the academy messed with my head the first day in art class—a test to see if their magic could influence me.
Every meditation session, that control grew.
Ethan avoided many lessons, but have they got to him in other ways?
For the first time in my life, I want to be with my family. But they manipulated me in the same way and had plans of their own. Death will always be part of my life.
I attempt to find Ethan, and when I can’t, my panic continues to rise. Is he still locked in his room? I’d approach him, but if something