Cole was going to see if he could find anything out about what was going on with the Director. I have no idea how he planned to do that and it’s only occurring to me now that we probably shouldn’t have let him go off by himself. I have no doubt that he can take care of himself he’s massive and just gives off that vibe but if the Director is somehow involved with all of this shit then she is a very dangerous woman and has things at her disposal that would render a supernatural useless.
“No but then I haven’t got his number or anything like that.” Levi says as we all gather in our room.
“I’m worried. What if he got caught asking the wrong questions or something?” Erin says, worriedly.
“I’m sure he’s fine. We all know that he’s not an average Centre and has tricks up his sleeves.” Kai says, although worry is starting to cloud his expression.
“But so do whoever took Rebecca and her Bonded and she bragged that she had two gifts in our first Centre class so they weren’t exactly weak.” I frown.
“Ok, that’s a good point.” Nate says.
“Why don’t we go and see if we can find him?” Kyle suggests.
I’m about to answer when a void split opens up beside Jax and out steps Cole.
“Dude where the fuck have you been?” Levi says.
“We were just about to come looking for you.” Damon adds.
“There’s no time to explain. The Director’s up to something. She’s just taken the passages through the walls out to the back courtyard. She’s heading towards the woods. I think this is our best chance to finally get some answers about what’s going on.” He says urgently.
“Let’s go.” Levi replies with no hesitation at all.
“Follow me, it’ll be quicker to go out the same way she did. There’s a tunnel just before you get to the instructors side of the building that leads out by the woods, if we hurry we should be able to catch up. She slowed down as soon as she reached them.” He says.
We’re all still armed and quickly follow him out of our room and down to the instructor corridor, thankfully not running into anyone that we would have to give excuses to. Before we turn the corner where the giant serpent was, Cole turns to a blank expanse of rough rock wall in between two large portraits and then presses a random rock that opens up a small split in the wall.
“It’s like Scooby Doo!” Kai exclaims making us laugh despite the seriousness of the situation.
“Probably complete with ghosts and everything.” Erin chuckles as Kai’s eyes go wide with excitement. “It’s going to be a tight fit for you guys.” She adds frowning at the small space.
“I got through fine and it’s only a few metres long until we hit the outside, I promise.” Cole reassures us stepping straight in without hesitation.
We all share a look and follow him through. The guys grunting as they try to squeeze through the small gap. Fortunately the tunnel really isn’t that long.
“Thank fuck for that.” I grimace as we exit the tunnel.
“Come on this way.” Cole says and we silently follow him further into the woods.
I start to think that we’re not going to catch up to her and that we’ve missed our opportunity to finally get answers until I spot a figure in a hooded cloak push through some trees ahead of us and not being quiet or careful about it in any way.
“Guys.” I say quietly and nod in the direction of the figure.
We all slow down making sure to keep our footsteps light as we spread out slightly so we’re not all caught if she spots us. We get to the place where the figure pushed through and I barely stop myself from stumbling into the small clearing beyond. I crouch down and watch as the figure removes their hood and reveals the Director.
There wasn’t really much doubt to who it was, let’s face it.
She sets a black candle at four points in the circle lighting each one as she mutters something I can’t quite hear and from what I can just about make out is in Latin anyway so I wouldn’t be able to understand it even if I could.
She then takes out a knife similar to the one that she used to cut her palm and let us into the ritual circle where my powers were unbound.This time though she slices her palm deeper and lets blood rush into a large gold bowl placed in the middle of the circle. She wraps her still bleeding hand in a strip of cloth and then walks over to the far edge of the circle to an animal crate that I hadn’t even noticed.
My stomach sinks as she brings out a beautiful black raven similar to Knot’s raven form but almost twice the size. I start to panic that she’s somehow gotten hold of her. I haven’t seen her since the first night here but a nudge on my leg has me looking down and smiling as Knot’s fox form gazes up at me. I turn back to the Director just in time to see her slice the magnificent birds throat over the gold bowl, it’s life blood pouring into it and mixing with hers.
My soul cries out, the creatures eyes meeting mine as it’s life fades to nothing. I know I should be being strong right now but I can’t help the single tear that escapes as the Director carelessly throws the Ravens body to the floor.
“I hear you child.”Nyx’s voice echoes through my mind and confuses me.
Suddenly a weight appears on my shoulder and something rubs against the top of my head gently. I gape up at the giant raven sat on my shoulder as the others stare at me in disbelief. Sure enough when I check the space where the Director carelessly threw his body, he’s not there. Around the Raven’s neck is a silver scar, further proof that he is the same creature we just watched die. He looks at me with eyes full of love and I grin when Knot hops up onto my other shoulder in her much smaller raven form.
