Page 44 of House of Ydril

“When you walked out of the forest, how did you feel? Apart from shaken up? Did you feel like yourself?”

As she talks, I feel the presence of her willpower in my own mind. It’s like having a phantom mind inside your head. And I’d tell her the truth either way, but this makes it impossible for me to tell any lies.

“No, I didn’t feel strange that way.”

She just looks at me for a second. I do my best to push the thought of the diary out of my mind, but when she tilts her head, I almost let it flood me, thinking I’ve messed up.

“Alright,” she finally concludes. “You can go.”

I practically jump out of my chair, heading straight for the door.

“Your friend,” I hear her say and I stop midstep.

I turn back to her with bated breath.

“You won’t be able to visit her until she’s released.”

“Thanks,” I say and practically run out of the office.

I rush to the House of Ydril, skipping steps on my way upstairs. It’s already late afternoon and the Ball is in only a couple of hours. But I’m desperate to talk to Moswen, the fear that’s been gripping me from before I even opened my eyes this morning finally taking a toll on me.

“And?” I ask as soon as she appears, my voice shaky with anticipation. “You think that that was an isolated incident?”

She doesn’t even have to answer. The look on her face is telling me everything.

Still, I’m surprised when she says, “I’m sorry, Quinn. I thought it wouldn’t come to this.”

I pin her down with my stare, barely able to control the urge to shake her until she tells me what the hell is going on.

“I think it’s best if I showed it to you.”

I gulp and I nod, not knowing what to expect. She places a hand on my forehead and just like last time, I’m sucked into one of her memories.

This time, we’re out in the garden on a clear, sunny day. I’m surrounded by a bunch of girls, all young, giddy and wide eyed. I can’t really make out everything they’re saying, despite how close we’re standing. But there’s laughter and mentions of both professors and sweethearts as people keep rushing past us, seeming to be busy with preparations for an event of some kind.

It strikes me as odd, considering how scared Moswen looked when she said she had to show me something. Odd that this would be the memory she referred to. It’s then that I notice all the posters. They look a little old-fashioned, but they’re basically the same as the ones we had for the First Round. It’s just that, here and now, it’s the Third Round that’s being announced.

A shiver creeps down my spine as my eyes dart from left to right. Something’s going to happen and I don’t know what or when. I want to go walking around, looking for signs of trouble, but when I try, I’m reminded of the fact that I can’t move unless Moswen does.

So when her eyes dart to the hedge at the far end of the garden and linger, I immediately prick up my ears. She seems to be absorbed in watching two figures approaching the castle, trying not to draw attention to themselves but obviously arguing.

My heart skips a beat. I can’t help but hope it’s notthem, because whatever’s happening, it can’t be good. When they’re almost at the Elevator door, I feel the need to curse. Is that really going to be it?

To my surprise, Moswen doesn’t remain standing in her friends’ circle. She excuses herself and starts making her way to the castle herself.

I admire the way she does it. Lingers in front of the castle until they’ve taken the Elevator. Stops to pretend to read a pamphlet in the entrance hall as she gauges which way they’ll go. Makes zero noise as she follows them down a series of deserted hallways.

“If she listens to us,” one of the figures starts and I immediately recognize the man who I think is my father, “then maybe we can get the Pied Piper on board.”

“And if she doesn’t?” the woman who I think is my mother snaps, albeit wearily. “Byrne is away. If you’re wrong and she turns on us, he won’t be able to protect us.”

The man stops and puts his hand on the woman’s shoulder. “It’s irrelevant. If we’re right, we’ve no time to waste. It’s happening. Tonight, Syllia.”

The woman shakes her head and lets out a deep sigh. Then she gives the slightest nod and they both keep walking, only stopping when they reach a plain wooden door at the end of the hallway.

I never get inside. They close the door behind them and I crouch before it with the keyhole at eye level.

Of course, I see absolutely nothing except a patch of candle light spilling through. And there are already words being uttered, words I can’t really make out.

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