Page 18 of A Touch of Madness

I nod, setting my bag down. “Still trying to settle back into my norm. Actually, that’s kinda why I’m here. I need a drastic schedule change, Mr. Fallon.”

His brow creases, but his voice remains gentle. “Go on.”

“I want to drop all of my current courses, except for my two magic-focused classes,” I blurt out. “Spellcraft Fundamentals and Elemental Magic: Theory and Practice.” I think better of it and add a quick, “Please.”

A beat of silence passes. He sits back, tapping a pen lightly against his desk. “That’s quite the request. Might I ask why?”

“Because… my life is hectic right now,” I say, trying to maintain composure. I decide to be a little more open with him. “I’m dealing with… some very serious supernatural issues. My sister’s safety is at stake, and I’m working to figure out how to help her. On top of that, I’m trying to hone my abilities as a witch. As you know, I thought I was a normal human before setting foot on Blackthorne soil. I just can’t juggle normal coursework right now.”

He studies me, concern etched into his features. “Does this mean you’re changing your major?”

“Eventually,” I admit. “But for now, I just want to focus on my magical side. Next semester, I’d like to switch to a fully supernatural-based schedule.”

Mr. Fallon exhales, expression thoughtful. “It’s late in the term, so you’ll lose credit for the classes you’re dropping. But given your… unique circumstances, I can arrange a withdrawal that won’t damage your academic standing too severely.”

My shoulders relax with relief. “Thank you. That’s more than I hoped for.”

He leans forward, folding his hands. “Just be aware this may delay your overall graduation timeline.”

I shrug. “I’ll worry about that later. Right now, I need to do what’s best for me, and for my sister.”

Mr. Fallon nods slowly, scribbling a note on a pad. “All right. I’ll file the paperwork to officially drop those courses. And we’ll adjust your schedule next semester so you can continue on a magical track.”

He glances at me over his glasses, a fatherly kindness in his eyes. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

A lump forms in my throat. “Actually, yes. I want to move off campus. I have a close place to stay,” I tell him, thinking it probably isn’t best to inform him of my staying with Lucian. I’m not exactly sure how it’ll look for a professor and student to be living together. “Things have been chaotic, and I don’t feel safe in the dorms anymore—for multiple reasons. And with Lara’s condition still uncertain, I…” I swallow hard. “…I need a calmer environment.”

His eyebrows rise, but there’s no hint of disapproval. “We usually require underclassmen to remain in the dorms, but given your recent troubles and your, er, extracurricular responsibilities, I’ll make an exception. You can file the off-campus request with Housing, and I’ll approve it.”

My gratitude is so strong it almost knocks me off balance. “Thank you,” I say, voice trembling slightly. “I really appreciate everything you’re doing.”

He rises and holds out his hand. I stand too, shaking it, struck by how supportive he’s being despite the unconventional situation. “Keep us posted if anything changes,” he says gently. “Remember, Blackthorne is here to support you, supernatural or otherwise.”

With one last nod of thanks, I leave Mr. Fallon’s office, breathing a little easier. My heart pounds with a mix of nerves and hope. I’m really doing this, I think. No more balancing a normal college life when nothing in my life is normal. I’ll live at Lucian’s estate, focus on becoming the witch I need to be, and figure out a way to save Lara.

As I step into the hallway, I allow myself a small smile. The future might be uncertain, but I’m no longer paralyzed by indecision. With each spell I learn, each step I take, I feel the momentum building—and I’m more determined than ever to see all of this through.

The damp night air wraps around us as we walk, leaves crunching furiously beneath our feet and a light layer of snow dusting the walkway. The occasional flicker of a streetlamp is the only sign of life as Lucian and I tread the narrow streets toward Petals and Potions to meet with Ravenna. The air smells faintly of rain and the dank earth, but there’s something else beneath it—a metallic tang that makes the hairs on my arms rise.

Lucian walks beside me, silent but on high alert. His head tilts slightly as if listening to something I can’t quite hear. His eyes narrow, scanning the shadows ahead.

“Lucian?” I ask, my voice breaking the stillness between us.

“Something’s wrong,” he says, his tone clipped. “Stay close.”

I do as he says, and his grip on my hand tightens. My heart thuds harder with each step. I can feel the tension rolling off him, a coiled energy that makes the space between us feel abundantly charged.

Then I hear it—a faint, wet, slopping sound, like something being torn apart.

“Lucian—”

“I hear it,” he says, his voice low and deep.

Before I can react, he moves. One second, he’s beside me, the next he’s a blur of motion ahead, his dark coat billowing behind him. I scramble to keep up—failing—my pulse racing as dread knots in my stomach.

When I finally round the corner after him, the scene before me steals all the air from my lungs.

A vampire looms over a young woman, his long fingers digging into her shoulders as its teeth sink into her neck. It’s feral. A gross display of extreme power. The vampire’s head twists and turns, like a dog with a chew toy, as he sucks her life from her body. Blood gleams like molten rubies under the flickering light of the nearest lamppost, pooling on the cracked pavement. The woman’s head lolls to the side, her breaths shallow and ragged, no longer able to yell or cry out for help.

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