Chapter 18

BLACKWOOD

“Mena!” I shook her but her arms dangled around her as I propped her up. I tried to lift her so I could get some help.

Sophia had nearly returned to her human form by my side while the academy lights revealed her white wolf fur that still remained partially luminescent. The wild shift energy that used to light up her silver eye pupils now made way for uncertainty to pervade through them.

The unnatural position of her body showed signs of deep claw marks in her robes. A frozen expression of terror revealed her surprised face because she had kept her mouth open while saying something before someone killed her.

The guards who were tasked with guarding the entrance proved themselves just as ineffective. Their faces were torn open while their corpses lay exposed as if they were worthless prey.

A massacre.

Sophia made a faint cry and moved several steps toward the rear. I immediately realized that having her there would be trouble.

“Go.” I turned to face her while speaking with as serious a tone as I could. Her ears twitched. She looked at me as doubt appeared across her eyes.

“Now, Sophia,” I urged. “This looks bad.”

She didn’t move at first. She clearly avoided eye contact with me but she grasped my intention. The authorities would identify her as their prime suspect because she would be their first thought. Afterall, Mena and the guards were sent to keep watch on her, it definitely looked bad.

The school council had already declared her dangerous before the moment occurred. People could easily place responsibility on her due to her first transformation alongside her time in isolation and the known full moons.

Through her final look at me she sped into the darkness before vanishing completely. After drawing a breath I let my human body replace werewolf characteristics.

When I arrived at dawn to the council chambers the school had already transformed into a center of chaos. The news traveled quickly throughout the school since no official announcement had been made and students started spreading rumors through every corner.

I presented my account before the school council as my body stayed rigid with tension.

I told them that Mena was already deceased when I reached the scene. “The guards, too. The wounds on the fallen bodies point to an attack by a stranger.

Headmaster Aldrich occupied the central position of the extended wooden table platform which he watched me through his piercing eyes. His hands rested in front of his body as he remained unexpressive.

The school council members exchanged hushed voices among each other. Their facial expressions revealed doubt to some students while to others they displayed suspicion.

Councilman Greaves, a member of the board, broke the silence by raising his face with his heavy eyebrows knitted together. “And Sophia Langley?”

I met his gaze. “She departed the school before my arrival at the institution.”

Several council members exchanged doubtful looks among each other.

I stated to them that she stayed alone in the woods. “Under Professor Collyer’s supervision.”

Everyone remained quiet as the room continued its duration of extended silence.

Headmaster Aldrich finally leaned forward. His penetrating voice declared these circumstances to be serious. Our institution faces two major threats as someone murdered a teacher while wolves have appeared covertly around the school buildings.

Thunderous words from his mouth created a dark atmosphere which filled the room.

He declared that the entire academy must stay under curfew indefinitely. After dusk every student remains forbidden from exiting school grounds. Investigations will commence immediately.”

He scanned every person at the council table. Such circumstances demand that we maintain total control over the situation.

I stayed silent, listening.

Aldrich directed his words to me as he said “Professor Blackwood.” Your return to your former position will happen because Professor Collyer has left his post.

I straightened slightly. “Understood.”

Aldrich stated while looking at the students: “Safety stands as the top priority for you.” Students can continue with their day classes yet they must abide by strict curfew regulations while the night hours begin.

It was a clear warning. The school had been shaken. The institution was showing signs of being gripped by worried thoughts.

And the blame? The instructors had already selected Sophia to carry their blame.

Everything at the academy operated with a new atmosphere by dawn.

A hushed buzz spread through the student body while their eyes moved nervously all around the room. Several students displayed an air of excitement because they were focusing on the rumors from the previous night. People in the corridors exchanged apprehensive looks while they watched each other with suspicion. A strong odor of apprehension spread through every corner.

Learning activities proceeded as usual despite the increasing uncomfortable feeling in the school. And my first class back as an official professor? Mythology.

I stood in front of my classroom as I surveyed each student who busied themselves with their seats. Everyone in the class watched me from their seats with unusual attention. The students appeared glad to rediscover my presence at school. Others… curious.

My attention was drawn most to Sophia as she sat in the classroom.

She sat near the window, her posture impenetrable, her expression hardly legible; but I knew she was feeling the weight of the rumors. I could smell her unease.

I cleared my throat. “Let’s begin.”

For half of the lesson I went over the normal stuff with my steady voice guiding them through all the different werewolf myths as I tried to keep my focus on the class.

But even with the words I could feel something in the room move. A presence and truly, it wasn’t long before the door opened.

Some academy guards entered, their boots tapping the stone floor underneath. They did n't speak at first. They didn't need to.

The room fell silent.

Sophia tensed in her seat.

Suddenly the guard in front began to speak. "You are to come with us, Sophia Langley. The school council has asked you.

Their words weighed down on the room like weight of ice.

My hands clenched firmly in my throat. I knew this was about to happen, but that didn't help.

Sophia hesitated, then slowly stood.

She flickered her eyes toward mine and questioned me. A silent one.

I couldn’t stop this—not yet.

Instead, I gave her a single, subtle nod.

She swallowed hard, then turned to follow the guards out of the classroom.

As the door shut behind them, the room remained silent.

I walked back to the class, but my mind was somewhere else, and I knew it ain’t some questionable technique.

The school council had already made up their minds.

And Sophia?

She was walking straight into the lion’s den.