Nightworld Academy - L.J. Swallow Page 0,38

what really happened.

But how can I? Nobody will let the terrorist witch out of sight now.

"You used Blackwood magic," says Sofia harshly from behind. "You could’ve chosen any of the founding families’ magic, and you picked the most corrupt."

"No. This book is the first of the grimoires that I found," I say and lift my eyes.

"You sought this book," retorts Sofia.

Why is she this aggressive? Last time we were here, Sofia was on my side.

"I think the magic sought him," says Tobias. “Few could conjure a fire familiar.”

Familiar? Is he right? I unleashed something Blackwood, but I don't understand what.

"I’m sorry, Matt," Theodora informs me. "I have no choice."

But she does. Everybody has choices.

"I think that with rehabilitation, you'll leave Ravenhold. If your magic is limited and you learn to control your impulse, I'm sure you'll be released."

I blink at Theodora. Does she genuinely believe that? I want to shout 'how many people do you know who went to Ravenhold and left?'

There's only one question that has a definite answer. "When?" I ask.

"I can't allow you to stay in the school any longer, and definitely not without guard. You are not to be trusted with Blackwood in your soul." Theodora lifts the same form she had last time I sat here, but this time she's signed the paper.

"I don't think he's beyond help," says Tobias in his softest voice. "Andrei explained what triggered the magic and I believe the issue is impulse control, not that the magic possessed him."

"I wish I could share your optimism," says Sofia.

Her features are hard and she's refused to look at me since I walked in here. Tobias was the one who came down hardest on me over the magic in recent months—why is he now more supportive than her?

"I don't agree with Ravenhold," says Professor O’Reilly gruffly. "Not only as a solution for this boy, but for anybody. The place breeds corrupt, dangerous people."

"Who are imprisoned," says Sofia. "Physically and magically."

He grunts. His time in the Confederacy military division, before he was injured and took his role here, exposed him to more of the underworld around us.

How safe will I be at Ravenhold?

"The decision is effectively out of my hands, as I explained." Theodora shakes her head at me and sighs. "You had the brightest future of any pupil who’s attended this academy, and I have seen many."

And now I'll be another person who disappears from existence and is forgotten.

15

AMELIA

Finally, I'm allowed to return to my room.

They took me to a room away from the infirmary and Matt, and a security guard sat with me until Sofia returned with Theodora. For once, I was grateful that she could read me through touch and confirm none of Matt’s Blackwood power touched me.

They wouldn't let me see Matt but assured me he wasn't seriously hurt.

No, not yet.

I sat for hours, my head aching despite the healing poultice pressed to the wound. I called out to Matt psychically but heard nothing. Has the thread holding us broken, or has his magic faded?

I don't need a psychic link to know what happens to him next.

Now, I stand outside Theodora's office, nauseated by my worry how she'll react to me. I’ve waited all day to see her—a day I mostly slept through as the healing herbs worked their magic on my injured head.

The worst part of this is somebody wiped my memory, but who? The last thing I remember is walking into the hall to look backstage for a sabotaged light. That's where they found me with Matt and Andrei, but I don't remember why or how. I remember I spoke to Andrei outside, before I went backstage. Did he follow me? And why has nobody seen Andrei today?

I need to talk to him.

Night falls outside and though I know Matt is still here, the rumours are he’ll leave for Ravenhold tonight.

The tears spring again as I picture Matt in a place that will kill the good inside him. He doesn't deserve this. I swipe a tear with the back of my hand. But he broke the rules.

I'm deep in these thoughts when Theodora's door opens. Is it a coincidence that she wears black tonight? Her face shows more strain than usual, but there's no surprise in her expression.

"Amelia." I open my mouth to give my rehearsed speech but nothing comes. "You are too late."

I suck in a breath as her words are a punch to my lungs. "He's gone?" I ask hoarsely.

"No. Too late to petition me. Matt