Page 4 of Strength of Desire

She didn’t seem at all perturbed by the thought that we were leaving her up there by herself, with someone who might have been infected.

Been infected withwhat, I wondered as I trailed Keelan and Min to the ballroom. They split off and headed to the left side of the room as soon as we entered. I followed their progress with my eyes and saw them come to a stop in front of Dean Mansur and Noah.

I was grateful Ash had called my name, giving me an excuse not to follow Keelan and Min. The way Noah had looked at me, back in the gym—I didn’t need to relive that. I gave Felix and Ash a rundown of what had happened in the infirmary, and saw relief wash over both their faces.

“That’s good,” Ash said, and I only realized he’d been clutching Felix’s hand when he let it go.

“Really good,” Felix echoed.

“That’s what everyone keeps saying, but I’m still not sure what any of this means,” I said. “What’s a moraghin?”

“Moragh,” Felix said. “Moraghin is the plural. As for what they are…well, no one’s exactly sure. Or at least, no one’s sure where the first one came from. Nowadays, your average moragh used to be one of us.”

“Well, a witch.” Ash wrinkled his nose. “Not one ofusus, as witches will be quick to remind you.” He pointed between Felix and himself as he said that.

“But how does a witch become a moragh?”

“By infection.” Felix’s tone was somber. “A moragh is a walking disease vector. If a witch has any open wounds or cuts, just a drop of blood or bodily fluid from a moragh is enough to turn them. The moment the infection enters their bloodstream…” he sighed heavily. “It’s not pretty.”

“And that’s assuming they live long enough tobeturned.” For once, Ash sounded as serious as Felix. “Most of the time, moraghin don’t leave enough of you behind for that to be relevant.”

“But what do they want?” I asked.

“Magic,” Felix said, but before he could continue, a stir ran through the ballroom, followed by a hush.

I looked up to see Dean Mansur standing at the front of the room. Noah was still on the left-side wall, arms folded, face stony. He looked strange with all his knife sheaths empty.

“Students,” the dean said, his voice resonant but grim. “By now, I’m sure you’ve all heard the news. A small number of moraghin breached Vesperwood’s wards and attacked a group of students in Professor Braverman’s Combat class this afternoon.”

Maybe everyone had heard, but a ripple ran through the student body nonetheless. I heard whispers of ‘moraghin’ and ‘Erika, a freshman’ from the rows around us. I was glad no one seemed to have noticed my blood-splattered clothes. I hadn’t had time to change out of them yet.

“All students who were in close contact with the moraghin are undergoing thorough evaluation by Cinda in the infirmary. We will keep you apprised of anything you need to know in that regard.”

“That’s a fancy way of saying they’re not going to tell us shit,” Ash said under his breath. Felix poked his leg and shot him a look that clearly said, ‘Hush.’

“The most important thing to know is that the moraghin have been dealt with, and your professors are actively manning the wards to ensure another such incursion does not occur. You are safe and will remain so. We are launching an investigation into how the moraghin were able to enter Vesperwood’s grounds, and we will take all necessary measures to guarantee your safety moving forward.”

Dean Mansur scanned the room, his dark eyes steely. “Until further notice, increased security will be posted at all buildings on Vesperwood’s campus. All undergraduate students will abide by the underclassmen curfew, and be in their rooms by ten p.m. This includes students residing in haven quarters outside the manor. And as an extra precaution, Imbolc celebrations will be held inside this year.

This caused a larger ripple of reaction, accompanied by some aggrieved groans and, ‘Come on’s.’

“We’re notchildren,” called a male voice from across the room.

“And are we any safer inside or with professors?” added a female one. “I mean, weren’t the first years in a class when the moraghin attacked?”

“Yeah, but it was only with—”

“Enough,” the dean said.

His voice wasn’t particularly loud, but it cut off the objections and discussion before it could go any further.

“I understand that these policies will be unpopular, and I hope they will be of short duration, but we must all use the utmost caution going forward. Our task at Vesperwood is to prepare you to enter the world as responsible, critical-thinking adults who use their powers to serve others and to keep the vulnerable safe. If you cannot understand the need for caution at this juncture, then we have already failed.”

His severe gaze swept the room. “Have we failed?”

No one spoke. No one even coughed. Someone’s chair creaked, and it echoed through the silence of the room.

“Good,” Dean Mansur said. “That will be all. Dismissed.”

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