Page 62 of Twisted Ties

“But Winnie? Pip?” I yell.

“Are not in danger. You are.”

And then he’s gone, swallowed by the trees, only the sparks of magic and the howl of the beast confirming I haven’t imagined this whole episode.

I watch the sparks for several seconds but then I hear the sound of doors opening, people calling to one another.

I pick up my feet and run towards the looming shadow of the mansion, more and more lights switching on as I approach. I see Principal York and some of the other staff rushing from the door, and I step back into the shadows and let them pass. Then I dash inside, climbing the stairs two at a time, and race through into Stone’s classroom and his office, slamming the door behind me, and casting a locking spell.

Then I drop into the chair at his desk and attempt to catch my breath.

What the hell just happened? What the hell was that thing? Another assassin sent by Lowsky?

I try to recall the creature’s words. But they’d all been nonsensical to me, like a riddle that I’d never be able to solve.

My cell phone buzzes in my pocket. Winnie.

I answer the call.

“Rhi, are you okay? There’s something going on in the woods.”

“There is?” I feign innocence. I’m not sure I want to alarm my friend. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. Probably just two students taking a fight too far. It happens sometimes. There’s staff everywhere.”

“Maybe I’ll stay here in the library then.”

“Yeah, if I find out anything more, I’ll let you know.”

I hang up. Then check my messages.

One from Azlan. Sent several minutes ago.

Are you in danger?

I’m safe now,I reply, but no further messages are forthcoming, and I slump back in the chair and try to collect my thoughts. As I do my eyes stray to the books on the table.

Many of them.

All on the theme of Fated Mates.

21

Stone

“Professor Stone!”the principal calls to me as I come striding out of the trees. She’s surrounded by a line of staff members, stopping the students, many dressed in their pajamas, from entering the forest.

I walk towards her and she steps away from the others, not wanting our conversation to be overheard.

“What did you discover?”

“Nothing. Gone.”

She straightens the collar of her jacket. “What was it?”

“A werebeast. It attacked Rhianna Blackwaters.”

The principal peers out towards the trees. There have been attacks on the school before. It is nothing new to her. You can’t house the children of the Republic without such threats. I doubt she’s ever encountered a werebeast before,though. They’re rare, deadly, restricted in many parts of the country.