Page 50 of Crimson Shadows
“The one and only… that we know of,” I retort. “The question is, what are we going to do about it?”
Keira twirls her staff, electricity crackling along its length. “Whatever it takes, Fire-boy.”
Vex nods in agreement. “We’ll maintain surveillance, but from a distance for now. Our priority should be tracing these Strix back to their source. Our presence here is disruptive.”
“The Strix’s presence is more disruptive,” I murmur, but Vex is right. The Order of the Crimson Shadow is a force of elite warriors that operates in the shadows, and our presence at MistHallow could raise uncomfortable questions.
“Anything special about Adelaide Black that we should know?” Vex asks.
I shake my head. “Nothing we know of. She has a powerful father who is over a millennium old. I’m sure I don’t need to say that it’s likely he has more enemies than he has friends.”
Vex snorts. “Very likely, indeed. Now, we had better go and see Ellis. He is going to have questions.”
“Good luck with that,” I mutter and watch them disappear to speak to the Headmaster of MistHallow. I’m exempt from such a debrief unless called in. As a student, it’s my job to be here if the Order need me on campus. I’m fairly sure they will get to the bottom of this. After all, that’s what the Order does best. We find the truth, no matter how deeply it’s buried.
Something tells me that the truth about Adelaide Black and who wants her dead is going to be one hell of a revelation.
24
ADELAIDE
A siren blaresthroughout the MistHallow campus, and a loudspeaker crackles.
“Everyone back to their assigned room. We are on a temporary lockdown while we secure the campus.”
The adrenaline from the Strix attack is starting to wear off, leaving me feeling drained and more than a little overwhelmed.
“Well, that was exciting,” Zaiah says, his tone far too cheerful for my liking. “Nothing like a near-death experience to spice up your first week at school, eh?”
I shoot him a glare. “Is this normal for MistHallow? Because if it is, I think I might need to reconsider my educational choices.”
Corvus chuckles. “Trust me, Dollie, this isn’t normal. Even for us.”
“Quite right,” Zephyr adds, his purple eyes scanning the room as if searching for hidden threats. “Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble to get to you, Adelaide. The question is, why?”
I sink onto my bed, suddenly feeling very small and very alone. “I don’t know,” I mutter.
Zaiah snorts. “Oh, come on. You’re the daughter of Randall Black. That alone makes you a target.”
“Not helping, Zaiah,” Corvus mutters.
I look up at them. “So, what do I do now?”
“For now, you stay put,” Zephyr says. “The lockdown will give the Order time to sweep the campus and make sure there aren’t any more nasty surprises lurking about.”
As if on cue, a voice crackles over the intercom system as if it is speaking specifically to us.“Attention all students and faculty. MistHallow is under temporary lockdown. Please go back to your assigned rooms until further notice. This is not a drill.”
Zaiah stretches, his movements languid and cat-like. “Well, as much as I’d love to stay and chat, we’re being unduly kicked out.”
He moves towards me, and for a moment, I think he’s going to try to touch me, kiss me even. But he stops just short, giving me a wink instead. “Stay safe, babes. Try not to miss me too much.”
With that, he disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving behind the faintest scent of exotic spices and a pang in my heart at his absence.
Corvus rolls his eyes. “Show-off,” he mutters. Then he turns to me, his expression softening. “You going to be okay, Dollie?”
I nod, trying to project more confidence than I feel. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. You’d better go.”
He hesitates for a moment, then nods. “If you need anything…”
