The Coven Awakens (Hollow Hill Academy #1)

11. Audrey

Chapter 11

Audrey

A s I sat in the Head Witch’s office, I felt so overwhelmingly tired. My head hurt from all the information I was given the night before, and the lack of sleep wasn’t helping. After the ritual, all I had wanted to do was curl up under a blanket. I wasn’t sure why I had moved when Henri tried to kiss my forehead. I didn’t even know why he had done that in the first place; it wasn’t like we were close. Maybe he had been trying to comfort me, and then I’d gone and monumentally screwed it up.

After all the talking, I hadn’t been able to sleep well at all. Henri insisted we talk to the Head Witch first thing in the morning, and the anxiety of the impending discussion kept me up. The hundreds of ways this could go wrong was all I could think about all night. I was dreading all of them, even being thrown out. I wasn’t sure when I started wanting to stay at the school, but I certainly didn’t want to get thrown out for something like this. My great-grandmother disliked me enough, I didn’t need her adding harlot to the list of things she called me.

The old woman had sat behind her desk and listened as Henri did almost all the talking. He hadn’t told me he was going to tell her everything, but before we had come to the office, he warned me she could tell when someone was lying. Starting from the beginning seemed like over sharing, but maybe it would put everything into perspective.

While Henri explained how the kiss happened, and this whole fated mates mess came about, she looked directly at me. Stared was a better description, and her yellow eyes felt like they pierced directly into my soul. It was like every mistake I’d ever made was laid bare for her to see and judge. The urge to study my hands was almost overwhelming, but I kept my eyes up. I had done nothing wrong.

Silence fell as Henri reached the end of the story. The Head Witch clasped her hands, and her eyes finally left me to take in both of us. My breath stuck in my throat and my hands squeezed the arms of the chair as I waited for her judgment, like a prisoner on death row waiting for a reprieve.

“That is quite the story, Mr. Beaudelaire. And it sounds as though you have had a lot of trouble settling in here, Audrey. I will need to talk to Counselor Delvara about her work with you.” That didn’t sound good, and I was glad I would not be part of that conversation. Tatiana had done a lot to help me, and I did not want to get her into trouble. I opened my mouth to come to her defense, but the Head Witch simply spoke over the top of me.

“Fated mates are not required to have a romantic relationship. I hope Mr. Beaudelaire has told you that. And while you are not in any of his classes, and you are not the first student to attend who has been mated to an instructor, you will both conduct yourself in a way so no one can question Mr. Beaudelaire’s integrity.” She looked between us again, and my brow furrowed in confusion. I knew better than to interrupt this time and let her continue. “But I am old enough to know those who fight Fate are fighting a losing battle, and I plan on living for a while longer yet. I am sure whatever Fate has decided you will require Mr. Beaudelaire’s support for is going to happen during your time at this school, Audrey. Perhaps the coven games, as it is one of the more dangerous times during a student’s education. Or perhaps there are bigger plans for you yet. I am not one for looking into the future myself. Regardless, I suggest you find a way past your troubles with his coven-mates, as it is likely you will need their help too. Even if you don’t, you will spend a lot of time with them.”

I hadn’t thought of that. Henri explained how being fated mates didn’t mean we were meant for each other romantically, and I’d had to bite back a small wave of disappointment. I wasn’t in love with him or anything silly like that—it was barely a crush. He was very handsome, with his green eyes and his French accent, and he had been nice to me. But it didn’t mean we were destined to be together, especially with him being a teacher.

Both looked at me now, like they were waiting for me to say something. I hadn’t been asked a question—I knew that—so I frantically thought back over the last things she had said. “Just because they are his coven, it doesn’t mean I should put up with their disrespect. I will not let them do whatever they want and get away with it.”

Henri looked disappointed, and I forced myself to focus on the High Witch instead. She studied me, searching for something and she must have found it, because she gave me a nod. “Very well Audrey, you seem to have your mind made up. I hope you are making the right decision. There is no room with the covenless witches, so you are going to have to return to your room, regardless, so I suggest you talk to your mate about some warding magic to protect your room. It is a skill most first-years develop, most of you seem to think you have something worth hiding.”

I wasn’t sure whether I should be insulted, so I only nodded. I didn’t need to hide anything other than the words written across my collarbone. There was a small poppy flower underneath it. I didn’t understand the meaning of the flower, but Henri had told me it was the symbol of his goddess. He was a Scion of Pasithea. I knew nothing about her, and she was next on my list of things to research. It felt like I should know more about what kind of goddess Henri had descended from.

“If Fate thinks whatever is coming for Audrey is dire enough she needs a mate, wards aren’t the only thing I should teach her. I will spend some time in the evenings helping her to catch up and round out her education. I can co-ordinate with Tatiana, to make sure we aren’t covering the same area.” Henri wasn’t talking to me; he hadn’t even asked me if I was interested in learning from him.

Other people making my decisions grated on my nerves, and I could taste the frustration in the back of my throat—a bitter, metallic taste. My entire life felt like it was being decided by everyone except me. However, I didn’t know what to do about it, as while I was grateful for his help, it would have been nice to have been asked. I would have to talk to him about it later.

“It likely has to do with the prophecy you mentioned, Mr. Beaudelaire. One I suggest you keep to only the people in this room. I have never heard of a progenitor taking over one of their descendants, but if anyone is capable of it, I am sure it is Morgana. I will do what research I can, but maybe talk to the necromancy professor about some kind of ward for your mate.”

Necromancy? I knew the school offered it as a subject, but I’d deliberately not thought about the course. Bringing people back from the dead sounded messy, and like something I didn’t want to be involved in at all. They couldn’t think some ghost of my long dead ancestor was really going to take over my body, could they? That was the most ludicrous thing I’d heard yet, and there had been a lot of ludicrous things lately. But since neither of them was overly interested in anything I said, I kept my mouth shut.

They decided on some other things they thought I should learn before they turned back to me. Silence thickened until the High Witch spoke. “Prepare for your afternoon classes, Audrey. You have a lot to learn. I suggest you take in as much as you can, as quickly as you can. I know the followers of Christ are fond of saying, ‘God never gives you more than you can handle.’ But trust me when I say that our gods and the Fates are not the same. Fate is coming for you, whether you are ready or not.”

With those ominous words, we were dismissed. Henri placed his hand on the small of my back as we both stood, and he guided me out of the room. “Take the morning to get your head around things. I will ward your bedroom so only those you invite may enter. I will teach you how to use warding magic later, but there are other things we need to cover first. Symbols, intent, those sorts of things. Also, maybe try to eat something?”

His concern made me uncomfortable, so I simply nodded. “Could you take my bags up with you? Just leave them on the bed, and I’ll unpack later this evening.” He didn’t seem like the type to go through them. I wanted to delay going back to the room for as long as possible. I needed some fresh air and some time to sort out the thoughts spiraling through my mind. As soon as he nodded, I awkwardly stepped back, unsure how I was supposed to say goodbye to him. Did fated mates hug? Was a handshake too formal? Not wanting to embarrass myself again for at least twenty-four hours, I nodded and walked away. Nods were friendly, weren’t they? Maybe not as friendly as it could have been, but I needed some space.

It wasn’t far from the High Witch’s office to the door outside. Stepping out and sensing the sunlight touch my skin was the first good feeling I’d had all day. The warmth on my skin was surprising, and I took a moment to breathe. I closed my eyes and lifted my face to the light, but I couldn’t stay there for too long. I hadn’t put sunscreen on this morning, not having the time or the space to go through my usual morning ritual. My pale skin took very little sun to turn red, and the last thing I needed on top of everything else I was dealing with was sunburn.

I left the main building behind and walked toward where I had fallen when Ewan and his dragon chased me. The combat building was one which was set closer to the tree line. Maybe it was time to investigate the woods a little. I wouldn’t wander far, but it was a good way to get space from everything happening. If I kept the spire of the building in sight, I should be able to find my way back easily enough.

Any combat classes happening this morning must have been indoors, which was lucky for me. Sometimes classes happened in the square outside the building, where there were ranged targets set up, as well as a sandpit. I’d seen students wrestling with each other, even outside of class. The last thing I needed this morning was one of the boys from Henri’s coven to see me sneak off into the woods and follow me. Even with what the High Witch had said, I wasn’t ready to talk to any of them yet. It was likely going to take me a few days to calm down. Maybe I could ask the kitchen staff for some ice cream; nothing made things calmer than chocolate.

Once I passed the building and no one had stopped me, I took a deep breath and let myself relax. The fog I passed through to get here was still visible among the trees. I stepped into it and let the cool wisps brush against my skin, suppressing a shiver. It was good to feel something other than anger or overwhelmed. Like the first gasp of air when you finally get your head above water.

Over my shoulder, I could still see the spire, so I picked a direction, and started walking. My hand reached out and brushed against the tree trunks. I wasn’t sneaking anymore, though Tatiana had told me students rarely ventured into the trees unless it was for a class. The ground crunched beneath my feet; the fall leaves blanketing the ground.

I didn’t delve too deep and kept my walk perpendicular to the buildings. The last thing I needed was to get lost, now that would be embarrassing. Henri would have to be the one to come looking for me, or maybe Ewan. In our shapeshifting class, I had seen he could shift into a variety of forms. Again, I wondered if I could shift into more than an owl. It would need to be added to my list of things to research. I knew little about Morgana Le Fay, and most of what I knew had been from watching Merlin on the BBC, which was hardly a documentary.

Time didn’t exist within the fog. Sounds folded back in on me, and light dispersed among the vapors. While checking I could still see the spire to my right, a rustling came from my left. My head whipped around, but I couldn’t see anything moving. Taking my phone from my pocket, I turned on the torch, hoping it would give me more light. As I took another step forward, a branch cracked behind me and I whirled around, ready to run.

But nothing was there.

The fog swirled like something had moved through it, but I couldn’t see anyone. I bit my lip to stop myself from calling out. If it was a wild animal, I didn’t want to risk drawing more attention to myself. The spire was visible not far above the trees. It shouldn’t take me more than a minute or two to break the tree line and get back to safety.

I held my breath for a few seconds and tucked my phone back into my jacket. I didn’t want to lose it in the woods. This may be an overreaction to a couple of sounds, but after the week I’d had, I didn’t want to risk it. My nerves steeled, I turned to run. I only made it a couple of steps before a screaming figure came rushing toward me. I backpedaled immediately and almost lost my balance, but just as I threw up my hands to stop them from running into me, they rushed straight through me. All the blood in my veins turned to ice.

Spinning around, I watched as the figure faded into the mist. It didn’t run away from me—it became part of the mist. Fuck. What the fuck was that? I wasn’t ready to fight mist creatures. I turned again, having lost the direction I was going, my eyes searching frantically for the spire, which was my guide back to safety. A hand swung at me, fingers like claws, and I threw myself to the ground to avoid losing my eyes. Not wanting to leave myself vulnerable, I rolled onto my back, only to find there was now nothing above me. My blood pounded in my ears. Each panted breath became mist as it left my mouth and hit the icy air. The ground became hard and cold under my hands as I scuttled backward until I hit a tree. All around me, the mist swirled and moved menacingly, as shapes appeared and disappeared. Shadows moved, hard to make out, but getting closer.

I needed help. Henri programmed his number into my phone earlier, in case the boys did anything again and I needed to make a quick escape. As my hand scrabbled in my pocket and I tried to pull it out, the shadows in the mist became clearer, the outlines becoming more human and six figures stepped out, surrounding my tree.

Five of them were semitransparent. Ratty clothes clung to bodies which were barely there. Faces twisted, the details hard to make out, other than the mouths that were open way too far, stretched open in silent screams. But the middle figure was distinct—solid and familiar. Blonde hair, tan skin. Lydia towered over me as I pressed back against the tree trunk. Her hands were black, and liquid dripped from cuts circling her wrists. It dripped down her fingers, which ended in claws just like the others. She grinned at me, all teeth and no happiness, the grin you expected from a fiend.

I couldn’t move any further back as she stepped forward and crouched down, still above me, but now closer to my level. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, new girl, but Soren is mine. You had better stay away from him. Caius isn’t right about much, but he’s right when he says you will not join their coven. You will not be joining any coven.” Her voice was raspy and filled with a level of malice that chilled me as much as the figure which passed through my body.

I didn’t want to fight her, there was no way I was going to win. All I could do was nod and hope she left me alone. The feeling of defeat didn’t sit well in my chest, but there was nothing I could do. How was I supposed to fight against people who could pass through my body?

Her hand lashed out and gripped my chin. Her claws broke my skin and dug in harshly as she lifted my face. I could feel the black ichor dripping off her claws as it oozed against my skin, making me feel unclean.

“I can find you—anywhere you go. And I will if you don’t stop trying to take what’s mine. Soren is going to bring me into the coven. Don’t you forget it.” Her fingers squeezed harder, and pain flooded my body at the same time as a feeling of ice cold, until everything went black. The last thing I heard was Lydia’s laughter as she walked away, leaving me in the trees.