Frost Arch (21 page)

I flinched. We had left a little lamp flickering in the corner before we had started the flying lesson.

I couldn’t see where Camryn was any more. I worried. What was she doing? Beside me and Jack, Hawthorne had a worried look across his furry face. I tried to convince myself that everything would be okay before I could reassure him.

Three banging knocks on the stable door made my heart stop. Jack and I looked at each other fearfully, and we tried to be as still as possible.

“Coming!” Came Camryn’s voice. What was she doing?

I listened hard, and heard Camryn open the stable door a crack.

“Hello Charles, and, uh, George?” Camryn guessed.

“Ralph.” Grunted the other man.

“Close enough.” Camryn had a hint of amusement in her voice, “To what do I owe this pleasure, so late at night?” She said. Obviously she was barring the way as to not let them enter.

“Why are you here so late?” Charles said suspiciously.

“Midnight here hasn’t been feeling too well.” Camryn lied, obviously referring to one of the Pegasi.

“Oh. So you’re here … keeping an eye on him, are you?” Charles guessed.

“Of course. Can’t have my pride and joy feeling under the weather, can I?” Her voice dripped with false cuteness.

“Indeed.” Charles trailed off.

Ralph huffed impatiently, “We heard something out here, like a wild animal. Sounded close.”

“A wild animal?” Camryn faked her shock, “I thought I heard something, but it sounded as though it ran off into the woods.”

“Woods.” Ralph mused, “It’ll be long gone.” He sounded annoyed. I assumed he liked to hunt, hence the gun.

“Oh well.” Charles sounded glad, “We’ll be off then. Don’t stay out too late, Miss Dreghorn. You’ll catch a cold.”

“I won’t.” Camryn promised.

After a few moments I heard the stable door close again. I heaved a sigh of relief. It sounded as though Charles and Ralph had gone back to the manor, for I could hear their chit-chat fade away as they walked back.

I grinned at Jack, and he smiled back, thrilled by the sudden adrenalin rush.

“That was fun.” I whispered.

“Let’s never do that again.” Camryn said faintly as she came and unlocked the stall door.

We got up and brushed ourselves off and waited half an hour before we left the stables, ensuring that Charles and Ralph would be back in bed by then. I kissed Hawthorne’s forehead and he whined gently as I left with Jack and Camryn.

At lunch the following day the three of us sat in the staff room, munching away and discussing the previous night.

“Who do you think it was in the trees?” Camryn wondered.

“Three guesses.” Jack rolled his eyes, “It was obviously Swaggart.”

Jack explained the story of Seth Swaggart to Camryn, who did not know the whole tale. He told her of how he had tried to curse me on my first day in Frost Arch, and how he had been caught on the grounds a few times since.

“Creepy.” Camryn shivered.

I felt the need to change the subject, for the topic of my impending doom was growing tiresome.

“So what do we do about Hawthorne flying?” I whispered to them so no one might over hear.

Jack though for a moment, “I had an idea this morning we might be able to try. I suppose we’ll just have to wait until the moon comes out again.”

I nodded, “All right.” I wished that Hawthorne learning to fly did not go hand in hand with his immediate departure from my life.

A gentle tapping noise caught my attention.

I looked over to the window and gasped. Sitting on the ledge was a beautiful black bird, with a scroll of parchment clamped in its beak.

“Ræven!” I exclaimed, jumping from my seat and dashing to the window. I noticed Jack and Camryn exchange confused glances.

I jerked open the stiff window and Ræven fluttered inside elegantly, and morphed back into her Mage self a moment later. She handed me the small scroll of parchment and I gave her a tight hug as my thanks. She remained stiff but her expression was slightly shocked. I had almost forgotten about the letter that I had sent home.

“Did you send a letter?” Camryn asked.

“Yes, to my family.” I glanced up at Jack who nodded in understanding. Jack knew my situation with home, Camryn did not.

I became aware that Ræven was still standing near me. I looked at her. Perhaps I had forgotten something? She was staring at me. Her piercing blue eyes raked over me, studying every inch as though expecting me to explode at any moment. I flinched away from her.

“Sorry.” I muttered, intimidated, “I’m Ava.” I held out a hand to her, which she did not shake. She continued to stare at me and I let my hand swing to my side.

I looked at Jack nervously who shrugged but stepped forwards.

“Hello.” He said with a polite smile, leaning on the window sill, “I’m Jack.” He too held out a hand which she ignored, “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.” He continued, less confident in his flirting abilities this time.

I heard Camryn sigh behind me and caught her rolling her eyes. I looked back to Ræven who was still watching me.

“T-thank you for bringing me a reply.” I stammered, “Um, I hope you found the place okay.”

I was starting to feel very uncomfortable now. I wish she would look away, or look at someone else. Did I have something on my face? I flattened my hair, self-conscious and licked my lips nervously. Why wouldn’t Ræven talk? It was frightening. Her beauty scared me.

Jack seemed very frustrated that he was getting ignored by a very good looking girl, “Hello?” He waved a hand in front of her. She blinked and slid her eyes to Jack in an annoyed fashion. “Do you ever talk?” He shot at her.

“Jack!” I hissed.

Ræven nodded slowly to Jack, glanced at me one more time before turning on her heel and morphing once again into the black bird. A second later and she had flown out of the window.

I looked at Jack furiously, “You can’t just ask questions like that.”

“Why not?” He complained.

“It’s rude!”

“She was being rude too, you know!” Jack said defensively.

I sighed and sat back down next to Camryn, unfurling my letter, ignoring Jack’s muttering about ‘difficult girls’.

“I don’t think you’re Ræven’s type anyway.” Camryn said to Jack whilst spooning more food into her mouth.

“Why not?” Jack demanded, “I’m all right looking, aren’t I?” He checked his reflection in his spoon and frowned, “Aren’t I?”

“Of course you are. Very handsome.” I agreed half heartedly and Jack looked at me sourly.

“It’s not that.” Camryn smirked, “I mean to say, I believe Ræven might be …” She trailed off and looked at me, “Well, you saw how she was looking at Ava.”

Jack dropped his spoon in shock, “You think she likes Ava!?” He said incredulously.

I scoffed, “Don’t be silly. Even if she did, and I mean, who cares really, it doesn’t matter, of course.” I was blushing and fumbling over my words, “Not relevant really, is it? Besides, I think she was looking at me for another reason.”

Jack sulked, “Like what?”

“Like she knew something.” I frowned.

“Either way,” Camryn said happily, “She’s not interested in Jack, that’s for sure.”

I laughed with Camryn at Jack’s disappointed face.

I looked down at my letter now that Jack and Camryn were bickering playfully again. My heart pounded hard in my chest as I wondered what my family would say to me.

I hoped they hadn’t written anything that might make me cry in front of my friends

Ava,

You need to come home right this instant. This is madness. We have been frantic with worry, and you know we can’t leave Helena alone to go looking for you.

This girl you have used to deliver your letter won’t tell us where you are. She won’t even speak. Are you paying her to stay quiet?

We are glad that you are safe, but it’s time to come home now. Weird things have started happening here.

One of the town’s people has gone missing; no one knows where he is. Vanished.

Helena hasn’t been herself lately. She is always locked away in her room, sulking or crying.

Please come home, it’s been two months!

We are so worried.

Mum and Dad

My chest felt tight, like there was a gaping hole in my heart, but the pain was bearable. I folded the letter and put it in my pocket for safe keeping. I caught Jack watching me for a reaction, but I simply gave him a reassuring smile and continued eating.

So that was why Ræven had been staring at me. She had been interrogated by my parents about my whereabouts. It must have given her a bit of a fright. Perhaps she had been trying to figure out why I had run away.

And who had gone missing from Mortlock? Hopefully it wasn’t someone important to the family. If it had been, I was sure they would have mentioned a name. Surely.

I sighed and thought about Helena. They said she hadn’t been the same since I had left. She must miss me. I would see her again, perhaps sooner that I thought. After all, wasn’t I controlling my Powers a lot better now? I had discovered a way to prevent spontaneous combustion, simply by exerting the fire regularly. Did that mean I was ready to go home?

Three things prevented me from wanting to go home now.

Jack and Camryn, my new friends were the first reason.

Second, Hawthorne. How could I sneak him from the city’s walls without him being discovered? Besides, we hadn’t figured out a way to get him to fly yet.

And third, Noah. I was ridiculously intent upon learning more about Noah Forsythe, and why he seemed so interested in someone like me.

As six o’clock rolled around that evening I made my way to Noah’s personal study. I knocked upon the door as usual and went to let myself in. It was locked. How strange, I thought. I put my weight against the door and pushed, but it didn’t budge.

“Sir?” I called, hoping he would hear me if he was in there.

No answer. I decided to wait for five minutes, in case Noah was running late and had other business to attend to. However, fifteen minutes later he still hadn’t shown up. I was quite annoyed by this time and pacing in front of the study. Perhaps I should go looking for him. It hurt to think that I had been stood up.

I started down the hall and headed for Noah’s bedroom. Once I was in front of it I knocked lightly three times. This time, I thought I heard something in the room, but it sounded muffled and distant. I pressed my ear against the door and listened hard, praying that I wouldn’t be caught like this.

Clunk, clunk, clunk. What was that noise? It sounded like footsteps on stone. But there was nothing in Noah’s room, from my memory, that could make a sound like that. Holding my breath I tried the door, and found to my surprise that it was unlocked. I opened it slowly, peeking inside; rather unsure as to whether I should be doing this. I was starting to shock myself. I had become much more daring lately.

One quick glimpse around the room told me that Noah was not here. So what had that noise been? An intruder?

“Hello?” I called timidly, fear rippling through me. Would Noah be mad at me for my concern? Was I even allowed here when he wasn’t? After all there was no fireplace in this room that I could use as an excuse for my entry.

I took a few steps deeper into the room and noticed some things that were different. Noah’s bed was a mess as though no one had made it for days. I thought this was unusual seeing as the cleaners made every bed in the manor. What was their reason for neglecting this room? All the curtains were drawn shut and a strange smell filled the room but was somewhat familiar. My eyes fell upon his walk-in closet. The doors were slightly ajar showing me but a glimpse of all of Noah’s fine garments hanging one after the other upon many racks. I started towards it hesitantly, but the strange smell seemed to get stronger the nearer I got to the doors. I opened them wider and peered inside. It was completely full of handsome, finely made clothes that were no doubt very expensive. On the back wall of the large, walk-in closet, (which was bigger than my entire bedroom), was an archway that seemed to lead down into a pitch black passageway. The steps that led down were made of a hard grey stone. I assumed that this secret doorway was meant to be concealed, but it their haste they had left the curtain that concealed it drawn back. I contemplated upon whether I should descend these stairs.

My brain screamed no. I couldn’t see anything five feet in front of me because it was so dark. I was about to turn back when I heard a definite shattering of glass from inside the dark opening. Someone was definitely down there, and by the sounds of it, had just broken something. I heard a muffled voice, cursing to themselves. It sounded like Noah. Before I was aware of it, I had begun to descend the stairs of the dark, eerie walkway. I focused my Power and created a perfectly symmetrical ball of fire in my palm, lighting up the dank stone passage. I heard a dripping noise from somewhere nearby as I sunk deeper into the secret room. I walked for several minutes; surely it would end soon? I figured I must be underground now.