The sadness is due to a closeness between us he's backed away from but aches for.
"We'll work through this together," I whisper and hug him.
Tobias tenses for a moment before embracing me hard against him. "I'm sorry for everything you go through."
Tobias told me he needed to back away; asked me to do the same, but at this moment we both realise that new bond could never break.
Tobias holds me away from him, brow dipped. "I can see blood in your mind that's not connected to Andrei. Why?"
My mouth dries and I relax when there's no metallic taste. I can tell Tobias anything —he's told me everything. "Ever since I took over Leon’s body, I have moments where I taste blood."
"What?" he asks hoarsely.
"Not that I want to," I hastily add, and perspiration breaks out on my neck at his shocked expression.
"And that's the only thing that has stayed with you since we escaped the Blackwoods. No magical impulses? Dark thoughts?"
“Just the nightmares and blood.”
Somebody raps on the door and I sidestep Tobias to look around. Jamie and Ash walk in, Ash rushing forward to take my face in both hands. "How are you? What happened?"
"I passed out. Don't worry."
Jamie stands at his shoulder with a stony expression. Has he told Ash I connected minds with Andrei before I fell to the floor? "I'm surprised Andrei isn't here," he says and meets my gaze.
"Andrei was called to Theodora's office," puts in Tobias quickly and saves me from attempting an answer from the mess in my head.
"Oh?" Jamie's suspicion doesn't drop.
"We should take you back to Walcott. You need to rest. I knew returning to lessons would be too much for you." Ash presses his lips against my forehead in the soothing spot between my eyes.
"Ash, I've dealt with more than fainting in the last few days. Let me carry on with my evening's lessons." I smile reassuringly and touch his lips. "We have Potions. You and Jamie can keep an eye on me."
"Maeve is right. Perhaps you should all leave," says Tobias stiffly, and he turns to his desk. "I have matters to attend to."
I link my arm through Ash's. "Come on. I want to see if Katherine pulls another stunt."
"She's banned from Potions," says Tobias.
"Aren't we going to tell Tobias about Amelia?” asks Jamie. “And what I found in the book?”
“Amelia?” Tobias stiffens. “Is she alright?”
Thankfully, this shifts the conversation and Tobias’s energy in a new direction as we outline events. Tobias remains silent throughout both stories, pulling on his bottom lip.
“The cellars aren’t an issue; I can take us down. But Amelia... I’m uneasy with her situation and why Alaric wants a closer connection to us.”
Jamie rubs his cheek. "At least we can stay in touch with her this way."
"We’ll talk later. Time for class." Tobias suddenly pulls on his Professor Whitlock guise, instructing pupils and shutting down dissent. But instead, I sense unease, despite him cleverly blocking his thoughts from me.
The events last week have further reaching effects than any of us realise.
Chapter Forty-Eight
MAEVE
I'm unable to focus in Potions. Andrei isn’t here. Jamie doesn't comment but he's back to asking if I'm alright. Ash struggles with his Potion of Luck, which fortunately distracts Jamie as he helps out.
"I bet this one is for the last challenge," says Jamie as he holds up the bright green liquid. "Witches can infuse this with magic and heighten the effect—a great contribution to everybody to use."
The academy challenges. I’d forgotten all about them. “Is there another soon?” My heart rate kicks up a notch. I’m not only concerned something else will happen to me, but the animosity amongst students could turn this into a violent situation where rules are broken, and nobody cares. How would the professors deal with that?
“The last challenge is delayed due to Lorna’s death, but we should’ve started by now. There’s an announcement next week,” says Jamie. “Usually the last challenge involves the houses attempting each others’ skills.”
I frown. “How? Witches aren’t strong enough to emulate shifters.”
“But we have magic to heighten physical prowess.” He holds up the potion again.
"Shit!" Ash spills the elixir again and wipes at the mess with his blazer sleeve. "Good thing Gilgamesh have other skills to offer too."
"Don't the academy staff worry about strong potions? Isn’t using luck potions cheating? This sounds like something that could cause trouble," I ask.
Jamie laughs softly. "The whole situation will cause trouble."
The students sit around the class, some focusing on mixing the ingredients into vials and others staring into space. Katherine's empty seat stands out, and the room is quieter without her interruptions and opinions. Clive and Remi sit with their massive forearms resting on the table beside discarded glass vials and spilled ingredients. Without potion or mental magic skills, how do shifters fare in the games?
Once the lesson finishes, I climb from my stool and follow Ash and Jamie from the room. Yvette blocks my way.
"Why did you pass out?" she demands. "What did Andrei do?"
"I had a busy weekend and I think I'm getting the flu." I sidestep her and she matches my move. "Excuse me."
"Did Andrei attack Jamie? We saw the mark on his neck." Her eyes narrow.
"That's not a bite."
She scoffs at me and her laugh draws attention. "Sure, it isn't."
"I caused the mark."
Her laughter abruptly halts, and she flicks a look the length of me. "You bit Jamie."
"I uh... got carried away. You know. Making out." Oh hell, where did this lame excuse come from?
Yvette's lip curls in disdain and she lowers her voice. "I know you're lying, Maeve. I've told you before; I won't rest until Andrei gets what he deserves."
I can't respond because she stalks away with her friends, muttering to them. As she moves, she reveals Andrei resting against the wall opposite the classroom. He's slumped down and staring at his shoes, his head tipped forward, hair flopping forwards, and I'm unable to see his eyes. My heart and stomach lurch. I'd expected Andrei to keep away and worried we'd struggle to deal with this if he withdrew from me. I’m happy he came back.
"Can I have a minute alone with Andrei?" I ask Ash and Jamie.
Jamie narrows his eyes as he looks between us and I wait for him to comment. Ash shrugs then gives me a brief kiss. "Sure. Let him know we need to get together when he's not in a bad mood."
Thankful Jamie doesn't mention anything to Ash, I walk over to the dejected Andrei. How do I broach this subject?
"You missed Potions," I say.
He peers at me from beneath his fringe. "I wasn't sure you'd want to talk to me after... that."
"I don't know what to think," I say quietly. "I'm shocked and we can't ignore the situation. But, you came to see me—I won’t ignore you."