Page 20 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“The forest?”

“Adeline…”

“No, sorry… forget it. I’m fine, I’ll text you tomorrow.”

“By the nightshade then, ten minutes.” I agreed with a laugh, to his confusion, and hung up.

I walked directly to the forest, only a slight bite to the autumn air. The path curved, becoming smaller and less defined as I passed the tree line. The moon light and glow of the Academy filtered through the trees enough to light the way, for now. I kept my silencing charm around me as I walked swiftly along the path. The trees grew increasingly denser the further I ventured. The darkness which drew in didn’t frighten me. Nothing much did when your own mind could rival any real horror that could possibly be lurking. I just had to keep my eyes open and everything would be fine.

I scratched at the skin of my exposed wrist to remind myself I was awake.

“Adeline?”

“Bigfoot?” I whispered back.

Cillian stepped out of the darkness, barely visible. His fitted uniform of a black shirt with black trousers held up by black suspenders, gave the impression he was dressed in the shadows themselves. Though I supposed I looked the same to him. Both of us with our raven hair, mine spilling down my back like ink while his was swept back, just so.

“You look shit,” Cillian commented.

“Gee thanks!”

“When was the last time you slept, Adeline?”

“Pshh,” I brushed his comment off walking past him. He gripped my arm, turning me towards him.

“Why are you working yourself so hard?”

“I’m not!” I replied with a shrug, wrenching my arm free. “My mother’s just… I can’t sleep, that’s all.”

“What’s she done now?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary… just treating me like…” I laughed as I sat down on the ground against a tree trunk, away from the deadly nightshade patch growing wild across the ground near us in a flurry of twisted leaves amongst deep purple berries and flowers, “like…”

“…A student?”

“Yeah. I know it’s dumb.”

“It’s not.” Cillian sat down beside me, his broad shoulder brushing my own. He twirled a stick between his fingers as he spoke, “You just need to keep your head down and ignore her, Adeline. If you keep letting her get to you you’re going to make yourself ill.”

“Yeah. You’re right…” Scratching my wrist I tilted my head, looking into his cerulean eyes. “You’re so pretty Cillian… It’s a shame you’re celibate.“ I dodged the elbow I knew was coming my way and laughed.

“Says you. I don’t see you sneaking out to the lake with any tall, handsome strangers.”

“Ooo handsome are they? Please share!”

He frowned and leaned on my shoulder as he stood upright, brushing himself off, “none of them are good enough for you.”

“Always protecting me.”

“Well someone’s got to. God knows you don’t look after yourself.”

“Hey! I’ll have you know I am perfectly showered, shaved and smelling delicious!”

“Gross. That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“Well how about I start going for a promenade round the lake with a ‘handsome’ suitor when you start having your own Mr Darcy moments with a beautiful young lady.” He looked guilty for the briefest of moments, I wasn’t altogether sure I’d even seen it… He snorted and pulled me up from the ground.

“Go on, Jane Austen, get to bed and forget about your wicked mother.”

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