AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Right,” I snapped. “Thanks for the murder promise, you used fucking plunger of a person. Were you hoping I’d ask for your permission? Or is this just about anticipating my death?” Or planning it, I thought.
He crept closer, those eyes never blinking. “It is not my permission I’m concerned about, fool. It’s the danger lurking in this campus and your negligible capabilities. As if you could truly protect yourself against a murderer with the highest strength and magic.”
My blood had long run cold. It’s like he didn’t even care to hide his intentions anymore. Confusion still clouded me, though. Was Clave confessing right now? Even though he clearly thought a worm had more value than me. “Yeah, I’m getting to understand that, Clave. Pretty fast, actually.”
I formed my gift into an imaginary spear, gathering and gathering its force. I’d have to be quick with this one. If anything, the shock of my metaphysical attack would slow him down. Maybe it’ll give me the chance to run away or cause enough of a commotion to attract witnesses. But, if Clave was going to kill me tonight, I at least wanted the opportunity to get some answers.
Clave stopped a few feet before me and lifted his chin. The weak, orange light behind his head swathed his face in shadow. “Oh? What can you possibly know about the danger in this school? You fail to sense the death lurking around every corner. Waiting in the shadows. You are blind, Gray Wilder. Blind and stupid, which makes me wonder how you have managed to hang on to your life thus far. You should have stayed in your little coffee shop with your pretty sister and your homely business.”
“I’m touched that you care. But sorry, I’m not into friendship bracelets,” I sighed. The force behind my magic took longer to gather since I’d used it only ten minutes ago. My pool of energy could be depleted, apparently.
Just a little more. Time to stall.
“I have a question. How long did you help Benjamin sell drugs and blackmail students?”
Clave’s introspective hum was too collected, too casual. “I’m afraid I do not know what you are referring to. Note that any accusation pressed against me will be retaliated against with swift brutality. In that you will lose your job, of course.”
Now… this did throw me off. Even my magic faltered.
Why lie to me if he was here to kill me? Why even mention my job if he was planning to end my life?
“Stop the act already! Fucking hell, Clave, let’s be honest with each other for once. You’re spilling over with secrets, and you know more about the attacks than you claim.”
Like maybe the fact that you did it.
The flash of his white smile shook me to my core. I’d never actually seen him fully smile before. He really, really enjoyed cornering me like this and threatening my existence. “Everyone has secrets, Miss Wilder. Who are you to demand mine? Perhaps you should be looking toward yourself.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I demanded, desperation mounting.
“Language.”
“Oh, sorry. Go fuck yourself with a cactus, Daddy. Gonna send me to my room next?”
“And what would you know about parentage?”
I grinned evilly. “When two people love each other a lot—”
He hissed in irritation, cutting me off.
Anticipation rose as I finally felt my magic charge up just enough. I could do this. With a deep breath, I drove the truth-telling power into his chest.
Just as it touched him, my power bounced back like reflected light. Electrical currents snapped through my body with the shock of the deflection. My lungs stalled. My brain glitched. I struggled to take in a breath.
Clave’s mouth moved, but I heard no sound.
Finally, the world filtered back into my senses. He repeated, “Miss Wilder? Did you hear me?”
“What?” I asked.
“I asked whether you believe yourself capable of locating the identity of the killer before the next month’s beginning.”
“Um… yeah. Yeah, I do.” Why did my fingers feel like wood? Gods, it hurt to breathe. Clave must be protected with way too many talismans.
He sighed and looked up to the sky. “You are running out of time. I hope you are prepared for the consequences of both results.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” I spluttered. “Why should there be consequences in finding the truth? Isn’t that what everyone wants?”
He stared at me again. “There are consequences for everything. Even success. You should know that by this point in your life.”
