Page 86 of Validus Vale Academy 1
I know I’m being a dick, but I can’t seem to help myself. Instead of answering, I look at the ceiling and count backwards from ten. It doesn’t help. “I just want to know,” I say through gritted teeth, “if you’ve learned anything new.”
Feniks, the dud, and the janitor exchange more of their speaking glances, making me feel like a fourth wheel. “We have,” Wilson says calmly after a beat. “We learned that Wes, Donovan, and Maximus were together on their last day, and Maximus wanted to show them something he’d found beneath the laundromat.”
Huh. Actual information, that’s unexpected. “Was he talking about strange energy?” I ask in a more moderate tone.
“Not explicitly,” she answers. “But I’m thinking Max was in the tunnels, found the energy, told the twins who went to check it out, and then….”
And then, what? At least it feels like I’m getting a step closer to the truth. “How did you get this information?”
The dud doesn’t reply to me, but instead turns to speak to the janitor. “We haven’t had a chance to discuss this yet, Lu, but there seem to be patches of strange energy around the campus. It has an aura, a glow to it. Have you seen anything like that?” She moves closer to him, turning her back on me. Dismissive little bitch.
He shrugs, then shakes his head.
"Still, if the energy is below the laundromat, and in the dive pool." Feniks’ professor-brain is obviously ticking. "Both are locatedunderValidus Vale. This isn't enough data to definitively establish a systemic pattern, but it suggests a trend."
“Alexis, something just struck me,” Wilson interjects with a screeching yelp. “You know I told you about Claw’s Cradle?”
The professor nods, I have no clue what they’re talking about—again.
“Claw’s Cradle had loads of converging ley-lines. The high council summoned an earth-whisperer to guide the land into a perfect funnel, directing ancient energy into the academy. There is already a source of power beneath us, and it has been moved or altered by an earth whisperer. What if that energy is leakingout? Or trying to draw us in? Could it have snatched up Wes and Donovan?”
Reasonable hypothesis, but they’re barking up the wrong tree, completely off base. “The energy you’re talking about has been withering for years,” I scoff. “Sure, WMO built academies in places of power, that’s common fucking knowledge, but there has been a steady decline in how much earth-energy the academies received from the land ever since. It’s going the way of innate magic—soon to be extinct.”
“Extinct?” Theo exclaims. “But, Mr. Quinlin said it was weakening, not dying altogether.”
“And how do you know so much about ancient power becoming obsolete?" Feniks snaps. “There have been no official statements on the matter from the WMO.”
“It’s my family's business to knoweverythingabouteverypower. How else can we stay at the top?” Or rather, how does he think The Conclave stays on top? Knowledge is power. Always was, always will be.
“Gods, you make me sick,” Wilson spits. “Listen to yourself, is that how you really think?”
Of course, I think like this, I have to. Without power, I will never get free of my father.
“Ludo says there’s an entrance to the tunnels in Defectivum,” Wilson suddenly adds.
I must have missed more of their cryptic sign language. Figures. More secrets. “Then can we just fucking go check it out? All this talk is giving me an earache.”
“For once, I agree with you,” the dud says. “No need to wait, right?”
“We’ll go, pulu. But not without getting you something to eat first,” Feniks toadies. “I don’t want you passing out on me.”What a fucking simp. I watch the professor fall further under her spell as she smiles sweetly at him.
I can’t tell if it’s genuine or just a new level of manipulation.
“Fine! If you insist. I can’t deny I’m ravenous,” the dud replies, batting her eyelashes. “How about Ludo and I go grab sandwiches for us all, then let’s meet back at my room in thirty minutes?”
Oh, how nice. A picnic in a Defectivum dorm with a dud, a moron, and a pussy-whipped teacher. The thought makes my lip curl. But then I admit to myself—it’s still a more appealing lunch date than Jordan.
???
The little dud and her overgrown shadow head out, and I spin around to face the Professor. "Where’d that information come from?” I demand, “About the twins and your cousin on their last day here?" I need to know, because whoever Feniks talked to, I’ll get more info from them. I have no scruples about getting informants to talk.
Feniks ignores me and picks up his laptop, then a battered leather jacket, and stalks out. I didn’t think it was possible to feel more irate than I already do.
Learn something new every day.
He stops in the shadow of the administration building, fishes out a cigarette, lights up, then blows smoke right in my face. I know it’s a deliberate taunt because he smiles at me as I take a step further back. The urge to wipe that smug look off his face with my fist is almost unbearable, but I can overcome my instincts if I have to. "You are walking a dangerous line, Feniks. How did you find out Wes and Dono were hanging out with Max on November 1st, and all this business about the laundry facility?"
Hmm, maybe I should compel him to answer me.
