Chapter 15 15: one more attack

Chapter 15 15 MENACE
DARYL
Having Sir Owen and Alpha Talon Farrow in the principal's office at my request was a luxury I could afford. I was Prince of Nevanda, after all. All I had to do was ask my father for help, and here we were.
I could feel the air of hostility radiating from both of them as I took my seat.
"Since you've come into Fenrir, it has been one trouble or the other. Now care to tell me why I should entertain the audience of a murder suspect?" Alpha Talon asked abruptly. His eyes bored into mine so intensely, it felt like he was trying to see beyond what I showed.
I smiled, lifting my gloved hands just enough for the light to catch them. That stopped him. He went still, and beside him, Sir Owen cleared his throat.
Thought as much.
"I’m not here to plead my case," I began. "If anything, I’ll let you carry on the investigation without involving my father." Not that Father would see to it that I was proven innocent. He’d tell me it was part of my learning curve—that’s why he sent me to Fenrir in the first place. To learn. They didn’t have to know that.
"You’re not trying to threaten us, are you?" Sir Owen scowled, regarding me like I’d stolen something from him.
"I wouldn’t dare," I said slowly. "I only came for clarification. How long are you going to keep me and the witch in that house?"
"Elroy," Alpha Talon corrected. "The house has a name."
"Ah. Is that why it speaks?"
"Excuse me?"
"The house—Elroy, as you call it. It speaks..." I paused for effect. "In blood," I finished.
I watched them closely, searching for even a flicker of guilt. Perhaps they knew more than they were letting on. Perhaps they had purposely put me there for whatever sick reason they could muster. I hoped not. But they showed nothing, not even an ounce of guilt.
Frustration bit at my skin.
"We have no idea what you’re talking about," Alpha Talon said. Nothing in his tone whispered foul play, and oh, how I hated that.
I opened my mouth to speak again—to explain what had happened—but something stopped me. Despite their innocent act, I didn’t trust them. It made no sense to go back into Elroy after what happened last night, yet something in me wanted to see it through. Telling them wouldn’t help.
"I must have hallucinated then," I said, forcing out a laugh. "I would still like to know, sirs, how long do you intend to keep us hostage?"
Sir Owen’s reply came sharp. "No one is keeping you hostage, and you will be there until the investigation is over. Now run along, Your Highness—you’ve disturbed us enough."
I grinned. "I have, haven’t I?"
I took my leave, but hovered at the door once I was outside, their voices dropped into a murmur.
"Do you think he saw it?" Alpha Talon’s voice had an edge to it—fear.
"That's impossible," Sir Owen muttered.
"And yet he mentioned blood."
A pause.
"If the prince saw it, the seal is weakening," Sir Owen whispered. "Elroy is waking just like we feared."
I left before I could hear more, my pulse quickening.
\---
SORAYA
"I think it's ridiculous that you're the murder suspect."
"You think?" I rolled my eyes. Even Sir Owen himself does not believe that I would kill the girl, I am sure of that. It seemed there was a greater force at play here, and I just knew Elroy was a part of it.
"Are you going to stop guarding the prince?"
I never actually thought of that, but my answer was quick and sharp; "No."
Adele startled at the nature of my response. I blanched. "I mean we are already in close proximity, and in a place away from everyone's sights. It is the more reason why I should guard him," I added quickly in defence, my words tumbling over each other.
Adele reached for a lock of her hair, twisting it as she nodded. "Right..."
Silence... Until she spoke up again.
"I hear rumours of the gala night showcase from our year."
Uninterested, I puff out a breath. "You always head rumours Adele, there's nothing new about that."
"But this is different," she protested. "Alpha Talon is actively involved this time. He will singlehandedly pick out the contestants of our year."
That stopped me. "He would?"
"With the help of Sir Owen, and some other instructors. There are rumours that the showcase at the gala night might be a gearing up for something else. Even the Alpha King will be in attendance for the first time."
"What does that imply?" I asked, my voice low and cautious. My curiosity was evident, and I could tell that Adele was suspicious of it. After all, I never forget once engaged her talks like this. "Will you tell me?" I pressed.
"The last time something like this happened, the history books has it recorded," She explained. "It is not normal."
I waited for her to speak again but it was like she had already spoken enough so she kept her mouth shut, shrugging as she helped me pick out my books and my toiletries.
"That's all?"
"If you want to know more about that, I suggest you read it Soraya," She remarked, and I could hear an edge in her voice, like she was reliving a memory she would rather forget.
I knew how that felt.
I sighed and said no more, knowing fully well that something was wrong.
First the incident at Elroy, and now the rumors about the gala night. Was there something going in the academy that we didn't know about?
When we had finished packing, Adele hurriedly left the room, apologising and telling me she had a class to attend. I knew that was a lie, because we both have the same schedule, but I wasn't going to fault her fear, neither would I press her. I was going to find out all that was happening by myself.
But first, I needed to find some archives.