Page 47 of Midnight Reign
I stare at Orby, my mind struggling to process what I’ve just witnessed. The orb that’s been my constant companion since arriving at MistHallow has fought off one of these shadow creatures. Not just fought it off but tore it apart.
“Orby?” I whisper, reaching out a shaky hand towards the pulsing light. “What are you?”
The orb begins to change. His surface ripples and shifts, the light coalescing into a more defined shape. I watch, transfixed, as the orb transforms before my eyes.
In a matter of seconds, where the orb once floated, there now hovers a tiny, pixie-like creature. He’s no bigger than my hand, with delicate, translucent wings that shimmer in the dim light. His features are sharp and angular, distinctly male, with eyes that glow with the same inner light as the orb.
“Holy shit,” I breathe, taking an involuntary step back. “You’re... you’re alive?”
The pixie-like creature grins, revealing tiny, pointed teeth. He opens his mouth as if to speak, but before any sound can come out, a loud knock at my door makes us both jump.
“Miss Black? Are you in there?” a stern voice calls out. “We’re conducting a headcount. Please open the door.”
I turn back to the pixie, a thousand questions on the tip of my tongue, but he’s already darting towards the broken window. “Wait!” I call out, but it’s too late. He zips out into the night, leaving me alone and more confused than ever.
Another knock, more insistent this time. “Miss Black?”
“Coming!” I call out, my mind reeling. I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself, before opening the door.
Professor Thornridge stands in the hallway, her usually immaculate appearance slightly dishevelled. Her eyes widen as she takes in the state of my room - the broken window, the overturned furniture, the knife still clutched in my hand.
“Miss Black,” she says, her voice a mixture of concern and suspicion. “What happened here?”
“There was an attack,” I say, deciding a partial truth is better than an outright lie. “One of those shadow things. It tried to get in.”
Professor Thornridge’s eyes narrow. “And the window?”
“It smashed straight through it,” I lie, not wanting to throw Corvus under the magick school bus.
“You saw one? It broke through the wards?” Her concern is genuine, and it scares me a bit. I let that fucking thing in. Well,shedid. “Well, I’m glad you’re alright, Miss Black. Please stay in your room for now. We’re trying to account for all students and assess this situation.”
I nod, relief washing over me that she’s not pressing for more details. “Of course, Professor. Is... is everyone okay?”
A shadow passes over her face. “We’re still determining the extent of this attack. For now, just stay here and stay safe. We’ll provide more information as soon as we can.” She throws her hand out, and her magick fixes the window in a flash.
With that, she turns and heads down the stairs, leaving me standing in my doorway, feeling more alone and confused than ever.
I close the door and lean against it, my mind racing. What the hell is going on? Shadow creatures attacking, students disappearing, Orby turning into a pixie... and let’s not fucking forget the constant, nagging presence of Crimson Shadow in the back of my mind.
You are seriously annoying. Do you know how long I’ve waited to see my pets again?
“FUCK OFF!” I roar. “Get the fuck out of my head, cuntface!”
I’m going to squash that fucking bug of yours when I get out of here.
I stand still, a grim smile on my lips. “Well, you know what, sweetie. You aren’t getting out of here. If you have to stay in there for the rest of eternity, I will never let you out and you can try to kill me, you can force me away from the guys, you can do whatever the fuck you want, you are not getting out.”
Ooh, so bold. I love it. You and I could be such good friends if you’d just let the darkness consume you.
“You meanyou?”
I don’t intend to consume you, Addy, dear. You aren’t paying attention. Go to page fifty of the book.
“What?”
I dislike repeating myself.
I pick up the ancient book we found in the hidden library that was lying on the bed. Its secrets seem to mock me now, promising answers but delivering only more questions. I reach for it, my fingers tracing the worn leather of its cover.
