CHAPTER SIX

The air at Nevermore High was really creepy that Tuesday morning. It was not the usual tired feeling I get in the mornings. The whole atmosphere felt heavy and weird like the air was charged with electricity. This made the tiny hairs on my arms stand up. Every shadow in the hallway seemed long and every whisper from the other students felt like a needle poking at my nerves.

I kept looking down at the floor trying to blend. The school was really quiet which was scary. Usually the social groups were like a war zone with insults and mean stares.. That day it felt like a funeral. I just wanted to get through the day without anyone noticing me. The silence was like a predator waiting for me to make a mistake.

During my class I could not focus at all. Every time the door opened my heart started racing. It was just a late student or a teacher. I was wondering where Timothee was. My mind kept going to the thing he found the one connected to the name Kaelen. I remembered how Timothees face turned white when he heard that name. I had seen him stand up to the kids in school even Nathaniel Fangs but the name Kaelen really scared him.

I was in the library during my time staring at a math book that might as well have been in a different language. Suddenly a shadow fell across my desk blocking the light.

 "You look like you are trying to solve a problem that does not exist " a voice said, really low and scary.

I looked up thinking it was Timothee. It was a girl I had never seen before. She seemed calm and cold like ice. Her features were sharp. Her hair was a pale silver color. 

"Can I help you?" I asked, closing my book.

She sat down across from me moving smoothly like a predator.

 "I am Talon " she said,.

 It did not sound like an introduction it sounded like a warning. She looked at me. I felt like she was taking away my defenses. 

"I am a friend of Timothees. I heard he has been really distracted lately."

My blood went cold. I held the table tight. 

"I do not know what you are talking about " I said.

Talon leaned forward resting her chin on her hand smiling in a way.

 "Do not play dumb Mercy. I know about the bond between you and Timothee. I know he is here to heal his heart. I know what he is using you for."

She stopped, her eyes glinting with meanness.

 "What you do not know is that he is not the one looking for a cure.. He is definitely not the only one interested in you."

I got really angry.

  "He is my mate " I said, trying to sound firm.

Talon laughed, a mean laugh.

 "Is that what he calls it? How cute."

 She got up smoothing her skirt and turned to leave.

 "Keep an eye on him Mercy.. Better yet keep an eye on your own back. There are things in this school that're much older and much hungrier than a demon prince with a bad heart."

She disappeared into the shelves leaving me shaking. The library felt like it was closing in on me.

 Was Timothee lying to me? Was I a pawn in his game? I could not sit still the silence was unbearable.

For two hours I looked over the school for Timothee but he was nowhere to be found. I checked the cafeteria, the gym, the hockey rink but he had vanished.

Finally I went to the courtyard behind the science wing, a place that was forgotten and overgrown with bushes and old trees. I sat down on a bench burying my face in my hands trying not to panic.

"You should not be here alone " a familiar voice said from the shadows.

I turned around gasping. Timothee was standing at the edge of the trees looking really tired and hurt. 

"Where have you been?" I asked, standing up.

 "Who is Talon? And why is everyone talking in codes?"

Timothee stepped into the light his face tense. 

"Talon? You met her?"

"She found me in the library " I said, my voice rising.

 "She told me you are just using me."

Timothees jaw got tight. For a second his eyes turned red. Then they went back to normal. 

"She is a liar, Mercy. She is just trying to get to me through you."

"Tell me the truth!" I shouted, really frustrated. 

"Who is Kaelen? Why are you fighting? Why is your life a mystery that I am being pulled into?"

Timothee came closer looking like he was at the end of his rope.

 "Kaelen is my brother " he whispered. "He is the one who knows what is wrong with me and he is the only one who does not want me to find a cure."

The ground felt like it was moving under my feet.

 "Why would he want you to die?"

Timothee laughed, a laugh.

 "Because if I die, Mercy he becomes the next in line for the throne. He has been waiting for this moment his life. If he is really in this school he is not here to help me. He is here to make sure I never leave."

I stood there frozen. 

"I am not going to let him " I said, trying to sound strong.

Timothee looked at me his eyes softening. He touched my hair his hand shaking. 

"You do not understand the danger " he said, above a whisper.

 "You are a wolf, Mercy. You should be with a pack. Being with me makes you a target."

"I have been a target my life " I said, leaning into his touch.  "At least with you I feel like I am fighting back."

We stood there in the silence the world around us disappearing. He leaned down his lips touching my forehead like a promise. 

"Stay close to me " he whispered. "Do not trust anyone. Not Talon, not the students, not your own pack. Especially not them."

". If I get hurt?" I asked, my breath catching.

He pulled back his eyes burning with intensity. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

I looked into his eyes and, for the time I knew he meant it, I believed him.

I didn't have time to think about what he said before the school bell rang. It was a harsh sound that broke the quiet in the courtyard. Timothee quickly moved away his fake look of sadness gone, replaced by his cold expression. He signaled for me to leave, looking at the trees where shadows seemed to be moving.

"Go " he said, his voice tight. "Do not let them see you with me. Not yet."

I Ran. My feet hit the ground hard. My mind was on his words. Burn the school to the ground. He wasn't joking; it was a threat, a promise of violence that felt both scary and exciting.

Inside the hallways were buzzing with energy. Students were in groups their faces pale, their eyes looking around like they were waiting for something to happen. I felt like I was invisible walking through a room of people who knew something I was just starting to figure out. I went into the locker room to splash some water on my face. It was freezing.

I stopped in front of my locker. Someone had drawn a symbol on it a twisted crown that looked like it was bleeding. My hands shook as I touched the metal.

Suddenly a hand hit the locker next to my head. I jumped, turned around and found Rose standing there. Her eyes looked different; they were cloudy frantic. She was holding a dagger so tight her knuckles were raw.

"You think you’re special Mercy?" she said, her voice shaking.

 "You’re a sacrifice waiting to happen. He isn't saving you. He’s getting you ready."

Before I could scream the lights in the locker room went out. It was dark. I felt a pain, on my throat the prick of a blade. A voice, deep and old spoke in my ear

 "The brother is watching, little wolf.. He wants to see you break."

I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. Then the locker room door. A little light came in. Someone was standing there watching us. For a second I saw two sets of eyes in the dark one green and one red.

I didn't know which one was Timothee and I didn't know which one was holding the knife.