Page 128 of Plug and Drain

Molly gave her a tired smile, crinkling the corners of her eyes. The lines around her mouth were deeper than Susie recalled.

“What can I do to help?” she asked, pulling the covers aside. She regretted the move at once, folding forward as the memory of Oscar’s bloody spine glimmering in the sunlight flashed in her mind.

A sunny day, a Sunday, with blue skies. Today should have been just an ordinary day.

“You can help me by resting, and keeping my secrets to yourself,” Molly said, standing on tiptoes as she made Susie swing her legs back up and tucked her in again. “And, once you’re feeling better, I’ll need some cranberries.”

Susie laughed. “What, are you making some kind of potion?”

“Yes,” Molly said simply. “Something to give me strength. It seems to slow the ageing process.” She gave Susie a sidelong look. “I’m trying to find a way to replenish my magic. The kitchens don’t have everything I require, and it’s becoming too dangerous for me to leave the grounds. One of the recruitment officers, Nathaniel…He has the ability to track; did you know that? He hunts people like me and reports them to his father for sentencing.”

Susie nodded. It was one of the reasons she’d never liked Nathaniel.

Molly continued. “Last week…he spotted me as I was returning from the morning market to the school grounds. He saw me using magic to climb over the fence. I barely managed to get away.”

Realisation dawned. That was why Molly had seemingly abandoned her when Arken had collapsed on the stairs. She’d been returning to the dorms—and she’d been fleeing Nathaniel. Which meant it wasn’t a coincidence that Nathaniel just happened to show up when he did.

Susie felt tension coil inside her as she pored over every interaction she’d had with Molly and Nathaniel in recent weeks. Including mere moments ago, when Nathaniel had been on the lawns, staring suspiciously after Molly.

“He’s still hunting you,” Susie said.

The witch nodded. “Yes. As my powers diminish, he’s becoming harder to evade. I fear that he’ll find me and turn me in to his father.”

Fear gripped her at the thought of what Henrikk could do to Molly. The bloodbath Arken had created on the academy steps was nothing compared to the slow, drawn-out punishments Henrikk was infamous for.

Then again, Arken had a reputation for impaling a teacher. She’d doubted it before, but now, it made her soul cringe to think that Arken might be capable of such torture…and that it was probably true.

What kind of person did that make him?

And he’d been inside her. He’d moved inside her, and she’d moved with him, her heart opening as she began to trust him, if only tentatively…

Hopefully…

A hope that was now a dying ember.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Susie said firmly, reaching to take hold of Molly’s hand. It was small and warm in hers, almost childlike except for the subtle wrinkles and mature nails of a middle-aged woman. Molly was neither young nor weak, but she was vulnerable. Resolve filled her chest as she gazed at Molly. “Join our pack. I mean it. At least come to our next book club meeting. It will help you blend in.”

Molly nodded slowly. “I think that’s a good idea. You know…I have thought about your kind offer to join your pack. You’re a good person, Susie. Ever since you helped protect me from those horrible wolves…” Her voice broke, and anger flared to life in her eyes as she turned them on Susie. “I’m glad he’s dead.”

Susie didn’t know what to say. Was the academy a safer place without Oscar? Was the world better without him in it?

Yes. Without a doubt.

But was she glad that he was dead? She felt like relishing in his death was a line she couldn’t cross. It was the kind of philosophical point Harry and Sarah would have argued over if she’d asked them.

“Join our pack,” she repeated.

Molly nodded solemnly. “Thank you, I will.”

They shared a long look.

Susie tried to smile, but she felt hollow and cold, and she suddenly wanted to be left alone.

As if on cue, alarm flashed across Molly’s face, and she gave Susie a wide-eyed look. “Oh dear, I forgot, I left the cauldron on! Goodness—”

The witch hurried from the room, swinging the door shut behind her.

Susie’s heart ached as she watched Molly leave, chortling to herself.