Page 69 of The Last De Loughrey Dynasty

We heard him speaking with Kane quietly as we trotted away in a hurry without saying a word. I couldn’t come up with a lie. Everything I thought about sounded terribly mad. And as much as I had started to trust Chadwick, I was frightened to be seen as a mentally ill teenager again. I knew how that would turn out for me because I’ve been through this so many times before, I couldn’t even count it on one hand any more.

“We’re so screwed,” Naomi whispered angrily from beside me as we sat on the couch in Chadwick’s office, waiting for him to return. How she could be angry instead of scared was a mystery. She kept mumbling insults at Rebecca while Maisie chewed anxiously on her nails next to me.

The door opened, and Chadwick came in, giving us the hint of a smile, which was definitely more polite than showing the true joy he might feel at seeing us in trouble.

“Are you okay?” was the first thing he asked as he sat down in his usual place in the armchair across from the couch.

“Yes,” we all answered in unison, our surprise evident in our voices. I knew Chadwick wasn’t like Kane and preferred humane communication to scolding or punishments, but it was still a little surprising to see no anger in his face or posture at all. He wasn’t balling his hands into fists. He wasn’t stiff, and he wasn’t grinding his jaw like Kane had.

Chadwick nodded. “I believe that Professor Kane already scolded you enough and that you understand the seriousness of the situation, girls.”

“We do, and we’re terribly sorry,” I apologised quickly. I just wanted to get this over with. All I could think about was exploring the book I was hugging to my chest—oh my God, the diary was still in my arms for everyone to see.

What if he reads it and it gets confiscated?

No, no, no, that can’t happen.

“I can see that. Now, are you willing to tell me why you decided to take a walk in the woods this early? I assume you weren’t planning on running away since you came back willingly,” he asked, his voice steady and calm, but his eyes revealed his curiosity. Chadwick’s gaze lingered on the book I hadn’t let go of once since we arrived back at Aquila.

Maisie sighed next to me, and I turned my head to look at my anxious friend, who now played with the tips of her chin-length hair, that had now come completely lose of her French braids. “It’s my fault, Sir.”

Chadwick looked up from Dottie’s book to focus on Maisie. “Could you explain to me why that is, Mairead? I’m not quite understanding how this could be your fault.”

Maisie shifted on the couch, and the way she fixed her expression made her look so innocent, it was fascinating how quickly she could switch emotions. If I had to guess who the best actor among the three of us was, I would have said Naomi, since she’s the one who has theatre class twice a week.

“My family is very spiritual, Sir. My grandmother loved to include me in her rituals, which are similar to the prayers Christians use to communicate with God. These rituals make people like me feel connected to the gods we believe in.” Maisie smiled, most likely at the memory of her grandmother. “Tonight was a full moon, which is a powerful time in the spiritual world. Since attending Aquila Hall and not seeing my grandmother regularly to do such rituals, I feel so distant from my beliefs, and it saddens me. I believe the moon holds the power of women, so I thought it might be beneficial to soak in the moonlight when it’s shining the brightest. Bathing in the light of the moon is also a way to take care of your body and mind. It helps with relaxation and spiritual awakening.” She looked a little ashamed as she stared at the coffee table in front of us. “I love runningaround in nature while doing so, but the thought of being alone in the dark scared me a little, so I asked Dorothee and Naomi to join me, and because they are the best friends anyone could ever have, they agreed,” she finished, looking back up at Chadwick, her cheeks burning bright red. “I wholeheartedly apologise.”

I looked from my roommate to Chadwick, who appeared as stunned as Naomi and I most likely felt. The lie was so clean, even I was at a loss for words.

Chadwick leaned back in his chair and inhaled sharply before he slowly nodded. “Firstly, thank you for your honesty, Mairead. While we at Aquila are fond of supporting all beliefs and religions of our students, I have to remind you that breaking the rules for… rituals still isn’t allowed. If you’d like, I can have a word with Headmaster Shaw and arrange for a teacher to join you in the backyard once a month on a full moon, a few hours before breakfast starts,” he offered thoughtfully, and if it hadn’t been a lie, I would have been so happy for Maisie to still be given the chance.

She shook her head, and tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank you so much for the opportunity, but I figured that without my grandmother and sisters, it just doesn’t feel right. No offence.” She looked at Naomi and me, and we both answered at the same time, “none taken.”

Chadwick gave her a sympathetic look. “Will you spend your Christmas holidays with your family? I understand that your parents thought it would be best for you to spend your fall break here, but given the circumstances, I suggest you go home and enjoy your time with your sisters and grandmother.”

We’d had a week off the week before Halloween, but most students decided to stay at school instead of driving home, me included. Everything was cosier here than having to be at home. My skin was already crawling at the thought of Christmas break.

For others, it means two weeks off school, but for me, it means being the centre of disappointment at family gatherings while everyone stares at my cousins in awe.

“I’m actually spending my Christmas with Nathaniel in Italy with his family this year. It’s the first time I’m meeting his mother’s side of the family, and I’m so nervous. What if they don’t like me? I mean, I can barely say a handful of words in Italian,” she suddenly started rambling as she usually does when nervous. But Chadwick took it lightly and chuckled.

“No need to worry. I’m sure they’ll like you regardless, especially when they see with their own eyes how fond their grandson and nephew is of you.”

It was nice that even in this situation, he assured her that everything would be fine.

I thank whoever put Anwir Chadwick on my path in life. This man truly is sent from heaven.

“Before I allow you to go to breakfast, I must have your word that this will never happen again and that you understand that if it does, it will lead to heavier consequences than just a week of detention.”

“One week’s detention?!” Naomi blurted out, and I lightly elbowed her in the ribs. We should be thankful it’s just a week and not a whole month. I mean, Aquila Hall has a no-tolerance policy.

“While I understand that you helped out a friend, which I must say is really noble of you, we do have to make sure you know that actions always have consequences, Naomi,” he explained calmly, and after a moment, Naomi thankfully nodded in understanding.

My heart had stopped pounding heavily in my chest, and I exhaled in relief.

One week’s detention I could live with. Being treated like something was wrong with me again? I couldn’t.

Chadwick stood up and walked over to the door, opening it with a kind smile. “Hurry, or the cinnamon buns will all be gone.”

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