Chapter 240: Dark Secrets

Chapter 240: Dark Secrets

Authors Note:

Hello,

As I mentioned in a previous post, Ive recently been dealing with myofascial pain. I will be undergoing a minor surgery next week to treat the problem and may take a short hiatus during recovery; it really depends on how well Im feeling post-op. Thank you for understanding,

~Frostbird

P.S. Although the schedule will continue to be erratic for the next few weeks, I will be releasing another chapter tomorrow.

Hollow Shades four chosen students stepped out of the academys administrative building and sighed in relief.

Finally, its over, Sylvie stretched her arms and yawned.

I didnt think Ive ever heard Lord Noir talk so much in one sitting, let alone in my three years here, Callum said dryly.

We had to cover our travel route. We dont want to get lost, Stryg said.

Sure, but its not like well be traveling alone, thank the gods, Freya said. Therell be several wagons and carriages with us, along with a dozen centaurs and everyone else it takes to keep our little caravan running smoothly.

You seem to know more about our journey than any of us, captain, Sylvie grinned.

Freya smiled abashedly, Yeah, well, my dad taught me since little what it takes to run a caravan. Ill try to put my knowledge to the best of use for the team. Freya ran in front of her friends and took a deep breath, I want you guys to know that I take the rank of team captain very seriously. If you guys need anything, Ill be there to help. You can count on me, I wont let you down.

Hard pass, Stryg stepped around her.

Anger briefly flashed in Freyas eyes, but it was quickly replaced with disappointment. If you change your mind, Ill still be here, I guess, she mumbled.

Im glad your team captain, youll do great, Callum forced himself to smile.

Freyas eyes widened, Oh, uh, thanks. I really appreciate that coming from you.

Well be counting on you, Sylvie patted her shoulder and smiled. Im going to head to my dorm room and get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. See ya all later!

Take care, Freya waved.

Good night, Sylvie, Callum smiled.

Stryg grumbled a response and kept walking.

As soon as Sylvie was out of sight, Callum clapped his hands and bowed his head to Freya, I need your help, captain.

That was a little faster than I expected But Im ready to help, she beamed.New novel chapters are published on

Sylvies birthday is in a few days and I still dont know what to get her. I was hoping you might be able to help, Callum said.

Hehe, you came to the right person, Freya said proudly.

Stryg groaned, sometimes he really hated his sensitive hearing.

~~~

Sylvie arrived at the dorms and giggled brightly, He remembered!

A basket sat on the floor in front of her door. It was filled with scarlet roses, a bottle of expensive-looking wine, and a small gilded note:

To the most beautiful woman in the world,

Happy Birthday, Sylvie.

~Callum Veres

Sylvie swooped up the basket, unlocked the door, and walked inside her dorm room with a skip to her step. The room was empty, save for a simple bed and a small dresser. It was a far cry from the bedrooms she had grown up with, but here she was free and no amount of lavish rooms could ever compare.

Sylvie slipped off her boots and jumped on her bed.

She picked up the wine bottle and pulled out the cork. A faint whiff of blood and grapes wafted up. She licked her lips and drank down a few gulps. The flavor was strong, it reminded her of a bottle she had tasted from her fathers collection, but this one was a tad sweeter, and there was something else, a flavor she couldnt quite place.

The room suddenly started to spin, her body felt numb. The bottle slipped from her fingers and rolled on the ground, the bright red liquid spilled over the floor. Sylvie opened her mouth to scream, but her throat felt tight. A horrible weariness began to overtake her.

The door creaked open, a stranger dressed in a dark cloak walked in.

Sylvies vision darkened and blurred. Her mind panicked, desperately searching for a way out. She tried to move, but her body didnt respond. All she could think of was was

The cloaked stranger watched and waited as the poison overtook the vampiress. Shh, dont fight it. Its okay, just enjoy the dream, he whispered.

Sylvies ragged breaths fell into a quiet rhythm.

There, now that wasnt so hard was it? the stranger said softly. He reached down and carefully tossed aside the aurum aegis from her neck. Even better, he chuckled.

The stranger pulled off his glove and hovered his hand over Sylvies forehead. Weaves of purple light seeped from his fingertips and curled around her skull. The mind tendrils flared bright wherever they touched her skin.

He smirked, Now, lets see what secrets youre hiding.

~~~

Sylvie kicked her bedsheets and blew out a sigh of frustration. The winds howled and rattled her windows as the storm raged outside. There was no way she could sleep like this, but her parents had already sent her to bed. She had tried pleading to her big brothers and sisters to convince their parents otherwise, but they simply chuckled and ruffled her scarlet hair.

Poppy pushed herself to her feet and stared at the two men, cold determination in her eyes. She tossed her glasses aside and rolled her shoulders, ...Is that so?

The strangers swung their swords in wide arcs, Poppy ducked under their blades with deft movements and dashed at them. Her dagger flashed in quick precise strikes, aiming for her enemies vitals. The strangers quickly fell back as Poppy overwhelmed them in a flurry of steel.

Sylvies eyes widened in shock. Was this really her best friend? The girl who could barely hold a sword without cutting herself? The girl who was terrified to step into the practice arena? Was this really Poppy?

The second stranger casted a durability spell over his skin in an effort to stop Poppys attacks. With her open hand, Poppy gripped his face and generated a small bright spell in his eyes. He screamed, blinded; his focus lost, the yellow scales shattered to dust. Before he could recover, Poppy dug her fingers into his left eye. The man cried in agony and dropped his sword.

Stop or Ill kill her! the first stranger yelled. He held his sword at Sylvies neck.

Poppy froze at the sight, her eyes filled with worry. She suddenly grimaced and spat a mouthful of blood. The tip of a sword poked out from her stomach. Poppy stumbled and toppled over.

The second stranger staggered to his feet, his left eye bleeding profusely, Fucking bitch!

Sylvie paled, a broken hoarse cry escaped her lips. She stared at Poppys body as blood pooled underneath her gut. Sylvie groaned with strain and forced her body to roll off the bed. She dragged herself to Poppy with what little strength had returned to her numb limbs.

We need to go before someone else comes, the first stranger whispered harshly.

Not without the target, the half-blinded man said grimly.

Sylvie ignored their voices and focused her all on reaching her fallen friend.

Poppy dimly noticed her approach. She smiled weakly, ...Syl Her amber eyes slowly glazed over and her breathing fell quiet.

Sylvie shuddered, a wretched pain stabbed at her chest. Her scarlet eyes burned with rage. She roared a thunderous howl, golden flames erupted from her voice and devoured the men in a flash of searing heat and light.

~~~

Stryg sprinted across the campus grounds. He ignored Callums and Freyas shouts of confusion. None of that mattered right now. He had heard it, an agonizing cry from someone who he never expected. Stryg channeled orange mana into his veins and casted an agility spell.

He ran up the dorms stairs in a blur. The scent of smoke filled his nostrils. He spotted an open burnt door, barely hanging by its hinges. He drew Nameless from his sheath and ran into the room without hesitation.

Stryg stiffened to a halt. The room had been scorched to ash and cinder, the walls had been blackened, and the windows had been melted apart. Sylvies aurum aegis lay amidst ash next to a pair of blackened broken bones. Sylvie sat on her knees in the middle of the room; she sobbed and cradled Poppy in her arms.

What happened? Stryg whispered.

T-they killed her, Sylvie whimpered.

Stryg narrowed his eyes, ...Shes not dead yet.

W-wha?

Cant you hear that? Stryg dropped Nameless and ran over to them. Its weak, but Poppys still breathing. We have to hurry to the infirmary, now.

Sylvies eyes brightened with hope, Shes alive?

Stryg frowned as he saw the extent of Poppys wound, Not for long.

N-no! Sylvie cried and held Poppy tight.

Stryg sighed and ran his hands through his silver hair, ...What am I doing? He glanced at the open door, Agh, god dammit! Move your arms, Sylvie.

Huh?

Theres no time to waste, move your arms!

Sylvie nodded numbly and gently laid Poppy on the ground. Stryg ripped open Poppys shirt and channeled white mana into his hands. A soft white light flowed into her red skin.

Healing magic, Sylvies eyes widened in surprise. You Youre a white mage?

Dont tell anyone, he muttered.

She shook her head, Wait Youre a quadra-manifold and you didnt tell anyone? Why not?

The same reason you didnt tell anyone youre a chromatic orange, Miss Hexa-Manifold.

Hexa? What? Im not an Orange.

Yeah, right, and this room burned to a crisp by itself too, huh?

Sylvie bit her lip and looked away, Thats

We all have our secrets, lets keep them that way. Stryg pulled his hands back and gently picked Poppy up. Ive closed the wound in her stomach. Its not perfect, but it should hold long enough for us to get her to the infirmary. The master healers will take it from there.

Thank you, Sylvie said warmly.

Its nothing, Stryg shook his head and headed for the door, Poppy in his arms.

You just saved Poppys life, thats more than nothing.

Stryg stopped at the doorway, but he didnt look back, ...Shes your best friend, right?

Yes?

Stryg breathed out shakily and cleared his throat, Just dont tell anyone about my magic and I wont tell anyone about yours.

Sounds like a deal, Sylvie smiled softly.

Stryg nodded stiffly and carried Poppy down the stairs without another word.