Chapter 11

BLACKWOOD, The day before.

I sat back in my office reeling from my confrontation with that Jackson kid, wondering what ease he had getting under my skin. My fists had unclenched but I remembered how much I wanted to bury a punch in his face. Why his interest in Sophia? Why wouldn't he leave her alone?

I crossed my fingers together as I rested my back on my chair, hoping Sophia would be okay. “I should check on her later.” I murmured to myself.

My eyes strayed on to the art on my office wall that had a masterful color blending that illustrated the lunar constellations. I clocked the red moon painted somewhere in the art—the blood moon.

The blood moon was a reddened full moon that appeared in the night sky only once a year, and it was a chance for the wolves who had reached the age of turning to finally be able to do it. If what I knew about the silver wolf was true, it's power was also strongest under the blood moon. Its blood would be at full potency and could even give powers to anyone who knew how to harness it. This was why the council wanted Sophia. Why they ‘kept’ her.

I devised means in my head on how else I could keep Sophia safe, as Jackson had gotten me very paranoid. I hadn't thought for long when a call came into my phone and made it buzz on my table.

“Nolan here.” I answered.

“Quite a while, Professor Blackwood,” the deep low voice over the phone called. It was Ryker. I wiped my face with one hand.

“Ryker.” My voice stiffened as I sat up in my chair. “Um, can I help you?”

“Hm, not anymore, Nolan…” his voice had a hint of disdain. “But the council wants to meet you tonight.”

“Why?” I hated talk of the council.

“Why?” He mocked over the phone, “If the council asks to meet, you meet!”

I scratched my temple with a finger, his words putting me in distress. “Okay, what time?”

“Three o'clock. Don't be late.” The line beeped dead.

I dropped the phone on the table and rested my back on the chair wondering what the council had to say to me. It couldn't be good. A ticking clock on the wall brought my thoughts back to reality.

2.12PM.

I confirmed by glancing at my watch and the time tallied. My hair suddenly itched and I scratched it into a mess. I told myself I wasn't nervous, I probably wasn't but the anxiety had gotten to me.

I soon arrived at a resolution and braced myself for whatever they had to say to me. I stood up and slipped my keys into my pocket as I threw my jacket on, stepping out of my office as I headed to the council's chambers in the college boardroom.

The council chambers were a portion of the boardroom that hid behind a well-arranged bookshelf and three buttons behind a hanging picture of Creston's founder had to be pressed in a particular order for access to be granted.

I walked past the receptionist who tried to greet me as I made my way to the boardroom. I stood in front of the old picture and glanced at my watch to re-confirm my punctuality. 2.58PM.

The bookshelf creaked open loudly in the middle as I pressed the buttons that revealed the slightly less lit room where only two members of the council were seated. It was Ryker and the head of council, Headmaster Aldrich.

I strode slowly into the room and bowed my head to show my respect. “Headmaster. Ryker.”

“Nolan….” Ryker's gravely voice called, as he leaned back on his chair, “The council is unpleased with your operations, especially with Sophia.”

I immediately got defensive but controlled myself from overreacting and kept my tone calm. “I've done everything you asked of me.”

Headmaster Aldrich spoke up in a coarse deep voice. “I'm not convinced about that, Nolan.” He coughed loudly before continuing. “We believe you have given the girl a little too much freedom.”

My jaws clenched as I fought hard to subdue my frustration. “I've done what I believe is best for Sophia, Headmaster.” I said, keeping my cool.

Ryker laughed as if I had just cracked a joke. “What you believe is best?” He laughed again. “What is best for Sophia is what we say is best!” He said, hardening his expression into a stern one.

He paused for a moment before continuing. “You're incapable of watching over some girl. It's a shame, I had high hopes for you.”

“She's not just some girl, Ryker. You wouldn't understand.” I retorted, boldening up.

“Excuses upon excuses, Nolan.” Ryker snorted.

My composure was cracking. “You're not listening!” I fired back, almost losing my temper.

“No, you're not functioning!” Ryker jerked.

It was escalating until Headmaster Aldrich raised a hand, signalling us to be silent as he sat up. “What's best for Sophia, Nolan, is what the council agrees on. And right now, that means having someone else oversee her… development.”

A chill ran down my spine as I saw Aldrich raise his hands toward the door behind me and it creaked open. “Mena Collyer would be handling your operations in the meantime.”

My fists tightened as a woman with long curly brown hair stepped into the chambers and stopped to stand right beside me. “Headmaster Aldrich, Ryker.” She spoke in a buttery voice. “Professor Blackwood.” Her eyes landed on mine but I looked back at the Headmaster and Ryker who I could swear I heard chuckle.

Anger rose within me and I felt cheated. “What happens to me, huh?”

“Goes without saying, Nolan” Ryker nagged. “You're not longer needed here. You're fired.”

Fired? I damn near well lost whatever ‘cool’ I had left, but before I could react, Aldrich replied. “No, no. Not so fast.” He turned to me, “We will be watching you Nolan. You will take care of other… affairs in the meantime.”

Ryker's face creased with dissatisfaction. “Whatever you say, Headmaster.”

Headmaster Aldrich cleared his throat as he faced me, “You're dismissed.”

I gnashed my teeth, my emotions filled by anger and frustration. A hint of fear also hit me at the base of my chest, as I wondered what this would mean for Sophia. I glanced at Mena who was watching me studiously as I turned around to leave.

I walked into the main boardroom, contemplating my next move and I heard Mena call from behind.

“Tell me, Nolan...” She started, arriving in front of me, “you have anything about the silver wolf that I should know?”

She was referring to Sophia. This fucking bitch was referring to Sophia.