I nodded, but I was more or less agreeing with him because I wanted some validation that what the hag said wasn’t true… even though I was terrified that it might be.
He nudged me. “Come on. Let’s go back to school and get some dinner in you. You look as pale as a ghost.”
I wanted to shoot back that he didn’t have a lot of color in his cheeks, either, but I was too shaken up for playful banter at the moment. Ethan kept on reassuring me on the way back to the palace, but to be honest, it felt like he was just giving me excuses.
“Before the first of the snow melts away at the end of the fourth winter, you shall meet your death.”
I had a rotten feeling in my stomach that Ethan Nowak wasn’t telling me the truth.
Chapter Thirteen
Ethan
If there was ever a time to be worried, it was now.
Hags were monsters, sure. They were known as the bringers of misfortune and woe. But despite their horrid appearance, they were subjects of the gods. In many Arcanean legends, the god king Tomir often sent hags to his heroes, usually before they were whisked off on some incredible deed or quest.
Many of whom never returned.
The fact that the hag hadn’t harmed us, either, also wasn’t a good sign. If she was hunting, she would’ve attacked first and spoken later, if at all. But she’d appeared suddenly, spoken her warning and left, as if she’d been sent to deliver this prophecy specifically to us.
I made excuses for Emma because I didn’t want to scare her. Yet I knew what the hag had spoken would come true. Within four winters, Emma would die.
Unless I did something to stop it.
I wasn’t sure how to prevent the future, or even if I could, but I had to do something. I couldn’t let my mate perish due to some strange oracle. It didn’t make any sense. Perhaps if I got some more information, I could change what was to come.
The hag had spoken about the Worldweaver. I didn’t know what that was. I’d never heard of the term before. I was sure anyone I could consult on the topic would think I was talking nonsense. I’d gone to the library and scanned for books on the subject, but nothing came up. It was a dead end.
Two names. The Worldweaver and the Hidden King. The hag said that he’d bring her death.
So I’d have to find out who he was, and kill him first.
The Hidden King was associated with the Black Claw, according to the note left behind by Professor Waldron’s murderer. That made things simple. I’d have to find a member of the Black Claw and interrogate them until I found out who the Hidden King was.
The idea of torture sickened me. But I would do it, if it meant protecting Emma.
For several nights, I searched the city and the woods for Black Craw tributes, but didn’t find any. The fuckers had been everywhere only a few nights ago, but now, they’d all but vanished. I couldn’t locate them anywhere. Similarly, the disappearances in the city had stopped. It was as if the group was pulling back— waiting for something.
The end of October neared, and I hadn’t gotten my teeth into a single Black Claw tribute. I wasn’t giving up, but I had the feeling that I needed to change my strategy. I was going about this wrong, but at the same time, I had no idea on how to proceed.
The Friday before Halloween, Professor Victor stood at the front of the Interspecies Cooperation class and made an announcement.
“We’re going to be trying something a little different today,” he said. “Now, as you know, most freshman Marked aren’t introduced to their Faction powers until their second semester, but Professor Lunesta and I think that this year’s recruits could use a formal introduction.”
His smile widened. “So, we’ll be mentoring them today. Everyone, follow me to the training arena.”
Some people groaned, but most guys were excited. It was nice when you got to spend class time with some girls for a change.
I didn’t get why we were doing this. Professor Lunesta taught Introducing the Monarchy, which had nothing to do with Interspecies Cooperation— or Faction magic, for that matter. Was this some new thing the school was introducing?
The training arena was outside, in the woods. It was more or less a large, circular patch of grass surrounded by trees. When I got there, I saw a long line of freshman girls waiting in the arena.
My heart immediately jumped when I saw red hair. I didn’t know Emma was in this class. That was a bonus.
Professor Victor shouted over the noise, “Partner up, everyone! Pick someone of your own Faction, please!”
I immediately made a beeline for Emma. She scowled as I poked her in the side and said, “Picked you.”
