Page 18 of In Between Darkness
“You tell anyone about this, and I’ll kill you myself!”
Of course, I spoke too soon.
“Trust me, I won’t!” I pull the hood over my head and begin making my way back to the castle.
“Meet me back here tomorrow at one a.m…”
“Are you crazy!” I reply in a whisper-shout.
“You didn’t think I was going to let you keep that, did you?” He motions towards his hoodie now drowning my body, and my eyes follow his stare.
“Fine. But I give you this, and that’s it! No funny business.”
“Do I look funny to you?” his voice serious again. Not one bit.
I scoff at him and carry on walking away.
He grabs my forearm. “What is your name?”
“If I tell you, will you leave me alone?”
He doesn’t reply, just stares at me menacingly and tightens his grip on my arm.
“Asha, my name’s Asha.”
He lets go of my arm, but I can feel his eyes following me as I wander off into the distance.
What the fuck just happened?!?
Chapter Seven
It feels like I have been walking forever. Finally, I see the familiar columns of Sun Castle. How did I get out without anyone seeing me? I think about each door and how they are probably all locked at this time, but my mind goes back to the library window. If I can get there, I can possibly squeeze through it. I tiptoe around the perimeter of the castle, acknowledging the number of rooms with lights on so I can avoid them once I’m inside. Ryder’s black hoodie is swamping my frame and restricting movement around my knees, but at least I can blend into the dark corners of the castle.
When I reach the outskirts of the library wall, the window is still cracked open. Thank the Gods. It’s still a little high up, and I have to get on my tiptoes to reach the lip of the ledge, but it’s a way in. Hoisting myself up, I push on the window until the gap opens far enough for me to slip in quietly, trying not to make a sound. My foot levels on the cushion of the alcove I was sitting on earlier. The warmth of the castle hugs me, and the hairs on my arms finally stand down, like they are saying thank you for getting them out of the cold. I sneak over to the library door and twist its handle gently. I wait for its latch to click and apply pressure, opening it ever so slightly, just enough to squeeze myself through and into the dimly lit hallway. I take a left and scurry towards the big double doors that lead back to the First Quarter. I am only a couple of metres away from the door now,but I notice a series of muffled voices coming from the Dining Hall. I thought everyone in Sun Castle would surely be asleep by now. My curiosity gets the better of me. I position myself with my back against the wall so I can shuffle quietly towards the voices. They are getting a little clearer with each step I take. When I reach the ajar door, I poke my head around its frame, spying on the figures inside. My eyes first adjust to see a lady with a recognisable haircut. Short black and purple hair shaved on one side. It’s Veronica.
“I need to know more about the incident in the taming quadrant…” She is cut off by another voice.
“The circumstances were highly unfortunate.” I know that voice. It’s Miss Worthington. “But we are no strangers to losing tamers in the taming quadrant. You of all people should understand this.” She gestures at the three large, raised scars on Veronica’s left bicep. Veronica’s face reddens as she brings her right arm up to conceal the mark between her fingers.
“Not that… the girl. The one with the eyes…” She points to her own eyes as she says this. “I have never seen an elion act that way to a first year; it is unheard of.”
My body stiffens, and I subconsciously breathe a little heavier. They are talking about me.
She stares intensely at Miss Worthington, and I hear another voice join in, but I don’t recognise this one.
“I did not call this meeting to talk about some student… Veronica, could you please give us the room.”
A tall, dark figure pops into view. He stands facing them with his back towards me. I cannot see his face, but I can feel his presence from here. Miss Worthington’s face pales a few shades, and her ginger curls bounce as she nods in agreement with him.
His presence is daunting. He is wearing a crisp black suit with a white pressed shirt. He turns slightly, and now I can see him more clearly. He has a healthy head of brown hair gelled tothe side with a scar that runs down the side of his face, cutting his right eyebrow in half, stretching all the way to his cheek. He clears his throat and swirls around a glass of brown liquor. He ushers Veronica out of the room. She nods her head and walks quickly towards the door at the far end of the hall.
“I heard you had some issues with the last shipment?” Worry lines form on Miss Worthington’s forehead.
“I wouldn’t call it an issue per se. One got away, but we managed to track it down and neutralise it,” she says, her voice trembling a little. “You know how they are, slippery little fuckers,” she continues, swaying unnervingly in her position, shifting her weight from left to right.
Who is this guy? He is definitely powerful enough to have the head of Sun Sovereign scared. Anxiousness boils in my stomach. I know I should leave, but I can’t seem to peel my eyes away.
“Well, I would call that an issue. You assured me the facility was airtight.” His voice holds weight as he takes a step towards her, his posture ramrod straight and soldier-like.
