Nightworld Academy - L.J. Swallow Page 0,31

I being accused of sabotaging the play? “They were not mine! That’s makes no sense at all. Why would I do something like that, Sofia?”

“I don’t know,” she replies in a tired voice. “I’m confused by the whole situation. Now I have an incident where somebody’s safety was threatened, and I’m in damage control.”

My hands shake and I sit on them. “This isn’t fair. I did everything right.”

“It’s okay, Amelia. Accidents happen. People play pranks, but this was too far.”

“It wasn’t a prank!” I exclaim. “Katherine told me she’d have me taken off the committee, right from when she didn’t get the part. I bet this is because of Matt.”

“Matt? How’s he involved?” Sofia’s eyes widen and worry flicks across her features.

“No, he isn’t. I’m involved with him. Sort of.” I pause. “Katherine believes I need to stay in my ‘place’, and keep away from people like him who are too good for me.”

Sofia sits forward. “No, Amelia. Stay away from Matt. He’s dangerous.”

“He isn’t,” I protest. “He’s a good person.”

“Good people can be influenced by bad forces, Amelia,” she says and pats my hand. “I don’t want this to happen to you by associating with him.”

I scoff. “Nobody influences me. Besides, my magic isn’t exactly skilful.”

“But has Matt offered to help you with spells?”

“Yes.”

“Amelia...” Her tone is despairing. “Please, don’t let him. Matt could teach you, but his help could cost you.”

“Matt isn’t like that! Why won’t people understand?”

Sofia’s attitude to Matt shocks me—she’s the one who stood up for Matt and offered him the opportunity to work on the musical, to allow him a last chance Theodora wasn’t prepared to give.

“You know I care deeply about your personal situation, Amelia. I’ve seen witches swayed by the opportunity to gain magic skill and power from dark forces before. I sense Matt is dabbling in this and could drag you in.”

I moisten my dry lips. “No. I haven’t seen him perform any magic he shouldn’t.”

If Sofia can detect the truth from her hand on mine, she’ll know I’m not lying but she’ll sense that I know something. I want to pull my hand away but don’t want to arouse suspicion.

Sofia’s expression is genuine concern. She’s always been kind to me and forgiven mistakes I’ve made in divination class, or stood up for me when teachers complained about my poor performance. As head of Walcott house, she has a duty to protect Matt too—not accuse him without evidence.

Finally, she withdraws her hand. “Blackwood?”

“Pardon?” My palms perspire.

“I sense Blackwood magic.” She looks at me with eyes that send a chill colder than the Yorkshire winter along my spine. “Be very careful, Amelia.”

I’m a whirlwind of anger and upset once I walk away from Sofia. I’m over this bullshit. I will not be bullied and accused of doing something wrong, especially not hurting people. By the time the day ends, I’ve progressed to a raging mess. I need answers and I need to confront Katherine. Is this really all over Matt? Because I can’t imagine how else I’m a threat to her.

I make a decision: if I go backstage, I can investigate the lighting rig and see what happened. I spent last year studying stage design and lighting—I’ll spot if this was magic or physical sabotage.

A thought hits me. No. There’s a way I could get real evidence. Jamie is developing an affinity to objects and the ability to read their history through touch—I could sneak the fallen light from backstage and ask his opinion.

I’m worked up to the point I forget I’m due to meet Matt for dinner and receive a ‘where are you?’ text. He’s in tune with me enough to spot something isn’t right as soon as I walk into the room.

I scan the cafeteria for Katherine, but she isn’t there. Matt appears in my line of vision and waves a hand in front of my eyes. “Earth to Amelia, can you read me?” I focus on his smile and the hug drains away some of my stress. “What’s happened?” he tips my chin. “Has Katherine upset you again?”

I tell him about my meeting with Sofia, and his eyes darken with anger. “The stupid bitch.”

“Matt!” I agree wholeheartedly but hate name calling. “Yes, Katherine’s making life difficult for me.”

“Difficult?” His face reddens. “She’s obviously done something to make you look responsible for Celeste being hospitalised. I’ll talk to her.”

“No!”

A group of Gilgamesh guys at a nearby table twist their heads to look at us, and I give a small smile