‘You’d think so. They’re extremely secretive about what information leaves Agate’s tower. You should see the headmaster’s collection; he has his own room down there that’s restricted for everyone.’
‘Wait, let me get this straight. You’re telling me that beneath Agate is anentireroom of information that’s being kept hidden?’ My mindstarts to race. I can’t begin to imagine the wealth of knowledge about this academy that might be stored in that restricted section.
Lillian wasn’t lying when she said each unit has their own secrets, though a bloody bathing chamber isnothingcompared to this.
‘How is that allowed?’ I press. How has no one refuted this? Knowledge is power, it’s no wonder every headmaster that’s ever lived has been from Agate. For all we know, they could be sleeping on top of centuries of history down there. Each headmaster over time adding their own chips to the pile.
‘It’s kind of expected though, isn’t it?’ Tilly says. ‘When you think about the history of this place and who created it. Of course he would have built his own secret horde of knowledge for only him and his people.’
‘Wait. Who are you talking about?’ I ask, confused. Did I miss something?
Xavier and Tilly look at me like I just grew a second head. ‘Achates,’ they say in unison.
TWENTY-ONE
‘Oh,’ I grimace. ‘You really think there are things in there from his time? That was almost a millennium ago.’
‘Achates was the Star of knowledge, Aria,’ Tilly says. ‘I have no doubt he found some way to preserve his history down there.’
In the grand scheme of things, I realise that I know very little about Achates. Other than he and his celestial siblings helped create our world and the academy we stand within today. I know of the battle that raged between the Stars. How three of them came together to defeat the youngest and most menacing Star, while being led by Achates, the oldest of them all. They chased their sibling all the way back to the tip of the continent where they eventually killed him. I know upon his death a monumental force of magic burst from him, dredging up the blackest of dark magic possible and creating a veil from the place where he fell to his knees and beyond.
When I think about Achates and his siblings once walking the very ground we do, it makes me feel entirely insignificant to this world. Makes me remember how little time we get to spend here before we’re just more ashes and bones in the ground.
Tilly and I proceeded to riddle Xavier with questions about Agate’s library as we dodged hanging webs and jumped at every shadow lurking around corners. Until eventually, Xavier and I found an aisle that was a lot tidier than the ones we previously walked through. The booksdidn’t leave a dusty outline when we pulled them from the shelves and didn’t make me feel like I’d inhaled the ashes of someone’s bones when I flipped through the pages.
Xavier and I each checked out a book on sympathetic magic and amplification, while Tilly found one that delved into Divination. Before we parted ways after lunch, because Xavier had a Ceremonial Magic class he needed to get to, he promised he’d have a look tonight in the library beneath his unit for anything else that could help us with our mutual problem. I wanted to press him about the restricted section, thinking again about the door inside Bartollo’s office. I couldn’t help but wonder if those two things were connected. Did that door lead to his restricted section? I needed to know. But at what cost? If Xavier were to help me and land himself in trouble, would I be able to forgive myself? I decided to leave it for now.
For the next few hours, Tilly and I read our books out by cliffs, curled up against a tree. It was nice to sit there in companionable silence, listening to the waves crash and the scratchy pages flipping as we sank into our own little bubbles. Every now and then she’d share something she found interesting with me, and I’d do the same, smiling inwardly to myself at how comfortable I felt.
I learn that if someone wants to amplify their element of fire, it helps to wear or carry red garnet or amber. For water, the book recommended a moonstone or amethyst. For air, there was blue lace agate, celestite and fluorite. Beneath these three elements were jade, carnelian and smoky quartz, listed under the headingEarth Magic. Someone had crossed the entire paragraph out in black ink, making it impossible to read any other information than the stones that amplify the elemental magic that no longer exists within our world.
I file that information away for later.
I’m also hoping to ask Professor Kroff in my next Sympathetic Magic class if students can get access to certain stones. Not that I particularlywantto talk to him right now, after the way he spoke to me this morning, but he’s my best bet in learning more about amplification.
I sigh. If only I could get in contact with Corvin, I’m sure the sneaky shit would smuggle a crystal or two my way if I asked him. Stars, I miss him. I miss our easy banter; the comfortable silence and way we moved around each other that only comes from knowing someone half of your life. I wish I could confide in him now. I wish I could tell him about Sebastian. ‘I never liked that big fuck,’ he’d say. God, just imagining his voice has my throat swelling.
Tilly and I read together until the sun begins to set, then we eat dinner together, choosing a corner of the dining hall where the least number of students can stare at me. We part ways with plans to meet tomorrow morning for breakfast.
I’ve been so preoccupied all day, that I forgot about one specific problem. Sebastian. I step into the Grand Hall and spot him leaning against the wall beside the Malachite gate. Arms crossed over his chest, dark hair messy like he’s just come from training, and wearing his signature ‘I’m an asshole’ scowl.
Blowing a stray strand of hair off my face in frustration, I step into the alcove with an irritated huff. ‘What are you doing out here?’ I ask, not bothering to hide my annoyance.
‘I was waiting for you,’ he replies, barely blinking.
‘How nice. If I knew that, I would have taken longer.’
‘I have no doubt,’ he responds flatly then steps back to give me space to pass him. His hand stretches out and slaps on the gate, flames engulfing his fingers.
I don’t spare him another glance or thank him. I slip through the gate wanting to head straight for the stairs and get this over with.
There are several students scattered around the common room, lounging on sofas, soft chatter bouncing between them. Two of them are practically dry humping one another on the rug in front of the fireplace, lips locked, hands roaming shamelessly. And not a single person is watching them or reacting, as if this is a normal thing.
First the baths, now this? Stars.
‘Haven’t you heard that staring is rude?’ Sebastian mutters darkly behind me.
I whirl around, fixing him with a look. ‘Haven’tyouheard of a shower? You smell like shit.’ I bite back and pivot on my heel, heading for the staircase.
