Outside, I kick the stone steps with my heavy boots and swear. "People will blame me," I say. I'll always be blamed for anything happening to a witch, but the thought anybody would accuse me of harming Maeve pisses me off.
Nearby, two girls in uniform occupy mine and Maeve's bench, intent on phones and ignoring each other. My stomach knots at another reminder she's missing.
Jamie stands at the bottom of the steps close to the cloisters and his wary look remains. "Yeah, some will blame you for Maeve disappearing. Others will point a finger at Tobias once they realise he's missing too."
"Only those who know he and Maeve are close," says Ash.
Jamie shakes his head and I have to agree. This won't look good for him. "We need him right now," I say and look to the star-lit sky. "He's the one who always has a plan."
"Which is exactly why I'm happy he's with Maeve," says Ash.
I perch on the wall beside the steps as students wander from the building and head towards the classrooms. "Can't you get in touch with her, Jamie?"
"Her phone isn't working."
"No." I tap my head. "Your bond. Can't you speak to her? Matt and Amelia did...do."
"No." I've hit a nerve because his face sours further.
Ash rests against the wall beside me, arms crossed. "Where do the Blackwoods live?"
"No idea," replies Jamie.
"I don't know the exact location either."
Both guys stare at me. "Have you visited them?" asks Jamie in horror.
"Uh. That's how I know the witch last night is Anastasia. We're not best mates, if that's what you're implying. I was young and don't remember much, or how I got there." I scuff my boots again. "If I knew where, I'd already be halfway there."
"Theodora told us not to go."
"And you agree with her?" I ask.
Both guys gawk at me. "Alone? Yeah, that could be dangerous."
I heave in a breath and pick at the moss on the wall. "Does she want the Confederacy involved?"
"Maybe it's time they were." Ash pulls himself from the wall. "We need to be prepared for what happens if and when Vince returns."
"No way. He wouldn't," Jamie retorts.
My mouth parches at the idea of involving the Confederacy, who I swear are behind my stint at Ravenhold.
"Yeah. Maeve's life could be in danger, Andrei. This is one thing I don't think we can do alone." The defeat in Ash’s slumped stance hurts us all.
My heart beats faster as Ash walks back into the building. Jamie silently follows. I know they're right, but with truth and lies blurring more daily, Confederacy involvement scares me.
No. Maeve is the most important person here. Hell, the Confederacy would do anything to keep her safe.
Chapter Ten
ASH
I didn't spend time around Gilgamesh today, too busy talking to Theodora or sitting helplessly with Jamie not knowing what the fuck to do. Now I understand how Maeve felt when Andrei's life was threatened.
We wait outside Potions, the three of us silent, and half-watch Clive and the rest of Vince's little gang.
I may not remember much, but I'm positive the place is a base for Vince's army, which we now suspect has been created by Dominion.
How big is Vince's army?
Are any of them Mids?
Theodora takes the full story about Vince with her usual calmness and informs us Tobias mentioned his suspicions, although I caught her frustration that we'd hidden some truth from her. She'll tell the Confederacy of course, but I hope she realises this is a delicate matter, considering this will shake the unity with shifters. She'll be diplomatic, but what will happen?
Distracted by my thoughts, I don't realise I'm now staring at Clive. The powerful shifter jerks his head to indicate I should move to the wall and sidesteps the group. Do I go to him? I pause then head over.
Since I've avoided him for a few days, I've not noticed he's taller than me now and his blazer is tighter across his shoulders. Crap. I study his face—at least his features haven't changed.
"You seen Vince?" he asks.
I pull a noncommittal face. "Nah."
"We were supposed to meet up with him this morning for training." His heavy brow furrows.
"Rugby training? I didn't know we had practice today."
Clive scratches his nose. "Not rugby training."
"Oh?"
"Yeah." His mouth thins. "Where is he, Ash?"
"Did you try his rooms in the staff quarters?" I ask, knowing he isn't there. I already checked.
"Yeah. Called him too. No answer.” As he speaks, he scrutinises my face, as if I have the answers he needs. “Where d’you go last night? You were late back.”
“My parents.”
His eyes narrow. “You drove there and back in one night?”
“My mum’s birthday,” I lie. “As if I need to account to you.”
Clive perks up. “So, Vince was there?”
Shit. “I saw him briefly last night.” Not quite a lie. “Maybe he had a few too many beers and he’ll be back later?”
“It’s ten.”
I cross my arms. “Why the interrogation, Clive? I’m sure Vince will be back with his favourite boys soon.”
“You taking the piss?”
I gesture at him. “You been working out?”
“Yeah.” He grins and flexes his bicep.
Even with a more regular workout, Clive wouldn’t look like this in a couple of days. “Where was the training if it wasn’t rugby?”
“The moors behind the school. Endurance instead of practice with a ball.” I try to hold his gaze, but he shifts his eyes. The moors. The truth still draws a line between us. We both know what happened the night Vince took us to the farmhouse. How did Vince convince them to lie about what really happened?
“The night at the cottage—” I begin.
Clive blinks and turns away. “Remi. Ash hasn’t seen him either.”
The burly guy heads back to his mates. Last year, the group excluding me would’ve hit my pride and made me fight harder for the top dog spot. A lot in Clive's attitude reminds me the direction I could’ve headed. Yeah, I was the nice guy who charmed people rather than held court with my ego, but I know I would've taken on Clive if he'd tried to take over Gilgamesh.
If Vince doesn’t return, will I need to?
I turn back to Jamie and Andrei and catch sight of Katherine. She’s surrounded by friends as usual, but her attention is wholly focused on Clive. If she were capable, Katherine would burn a hole into the back of his head, judging by her expression.
Her eyes flick to me and judge me with the same disgust. Doesn't she remember that I stood up for her against Clive's arsehole behaviour? Irritation rises with the idea she'd tar me with the same brush.
The students file into the Potions classroom and the atmosphere isn't any different to last time—the animosity in the air is thick and the houses are tight in their groups. Andrei sits beside me and links his hands behind his head as he leans back, either oblivious to—or ignoring—Yvette glowering at him.