The Chain (The Secret of Spellshadow Manor #3)

“It’d be a nice distraction,” muttered Alex.

“Well… we are sent here at around nine or ten to begin our studies. There is a junior wing and a senior wing, and this is where we learn the ways of the Mage, beginning with the basics and working our way up to the more complex stuff. There are no barriers on the walls and no restrictions—we are free to walk the grounds and the nearby hills, if we so please. The teachers here are strict but fair, and treat us with a mutual respect, which is nice. They were students like us once, so they know what it is like. Our Headmistress rules over the school, but she is as strict and fair as the rest of the teachers. There are school rules she makes us abide by, like at any school, but they are not unreasonable. They are simply there so we get the most out of our education, and to keep us safe. There is free time too, to use how we please, and we are never forced to do anything.” She paused thoughtfully. “We are here, for the most part, of our own free will. Stillwater House is a necessary part of our transition into adulthood.”

Alex heard that curious robotic note in her voice again as she said the last couple of sentences; he could not get out of his mind how rehearsed they sounded.

“What if you don’t want to stay and study at Stillwater?” asked Alex.

Helena frowned. “Everybody here wants to stay and study.”

“You’re telling me nobody has ever tried to run away, or not wanted to stay?” pressed Alex.

There was a flash of confusion in Helena’s strange eyes. The question seemed to throw her for a moment, as if she had never fully contemplated it before. “I suppose there have been deserters,” she said finally, after a few moments of uncertain silence. Her choice of word concerned Alex. After all, it essentially described the five of them.

“What happens to the ones who try to run?” Alex ventured.

“They go somewhere else,” she said simply.

“Where?” Alex wasn’t dropping the bone; it was as he had suspected, and he was too intrigued to let it go.

Helena shrugged. “They go somewhere more suited to their needs, where they can get the help they require.”

It perplexed Alex that people who didn’t toe the line were always being sent ‘somewhere else,’ but nobody ever knew what or where that ‘somewhere else’ was. The memory of Blaine Stalwart rushed into his mind—that young man had been ‘sent’ to Stillwater, or so the Head had claimed. After discovering the manacles, with Blaine’s name written on the clipboard beside them, Alex had thought Blaine’s being sent to Stillwater House was merely a ruse. But now he was wondering if some part of Blaine had been sent here after all. It was a real place, but Alex couldn’t quite put his finger on how it related to Blaine’s disappearance. Alex had strongly suspected Blaine had been dealt with at Spellshadow itself—the slick, metallic-scented substance on the grim floor being a potent clue—but now, he couldn’t help thinking the result of Blaine’s demise might have been sent here for some reason. The thought chilled and confused him.

“I should be going,” said Helena.

“Are you sure? Stay as long as you like,” Jari chimed in, flashing a look of blame at Alex. Jari clearly did not want the beautiful girl to leave, especially after Alex had so monopolized her time with his line of questions. Alex had to wonder if he had, in fact, frightened Helena away.

She shook her head lightly, tossing her silvery blond hair. “Thank you, but I ought to be getting back. It’s getting late.”

“Will you come again tomorrow?” Jari asked hopefully.

“Yes, though do think on moving within the walls of Stillwater. It would be much easier,” she said. “I could even introduce you to the Headmistress if you would like. She is a wonderful, fair, intelligent woman. I’m sure if she knew what you just told me, she would welcome you all with open arms,” she added unexpectedly.

Alex frowned, and looks of concern passed between the four of them. Given their track record with Heads, Alex could see nobody thought that was a particularly good idea.

“It’s a kind offer, but we are a little bit cautious about Heads,” said Natalie with a friendly smile.

Helena seemed crestfallen. “I can understand that. She is honestly very nice, but I can see how it might be tricky for you to trust her… I don’t think the Headmistress would mind your arrival at all. In fact, I believe she might already know you are somewhere nearby, just not the exact location.”

Alex thought about the scouts again. “How might she know?”

“Oh, well, there was a disturbance or something that set off an alarm, so I think she knows something is up. She sent some people to see what it was, but they came back empty-handed. That’s how the gossip spread about intruders, but, obviously, I’m the only one who knows where you are.” Helena grinned, her smile fading as she saw the suspicious faces looking at her. “I won’t tell anyone where you are—I promise,” she insisted.

Again, there was that honesty about her face that made Alex want to believe her.

“Why will it really be safer within the walls?” asked Natalie.

Helena glanced around warily, lowering her voice. “We don’t often get outsiders around here, and there are others within the school who might not be so understanding. If they were to find you out here, there could be trouble.” An expression of genuine alarm passed across her face.

“Then why are you so intent on helping us?” asked Alex, trying to keep the cold edge from his voice. “What’s in it for you?”

She blushed, speaking softly. “I mean what I say when I tell you I want to keep you all safe from harm—after hearing your story—and that it’s a tradition of my people to take in those who are in need… But there might also be something you can help me with later. Nothing big, I promise; I would never ask for something major. Just a small favor I may need. A little exchange.”

Alex was wary of favors, but he could see a fragile, honest sort of hope in her striking pale gold eyes that he didn’t feel he could sputter out. Glancing around the rest of the group, he could see their mistrust had also been muted by the genuine note of faith in the beautiful young woman’s words. It was not a threat or an ultimatum, merely an optimistic request.

“Okay…” Alex murmured uncertainly.

“I have a suggestion to make,” she continued, her voice timid. “As a gesture of goodwill, I would like to try to remove the curse that is on your friend. If you decide to move within the walls of Stillwater, I can do that more easily, and it will be much better for your friend if he is somewhere where assistance is close at hand, should he worsen. We can move in under the cover of darkness, and I will put you somewhere safe.”

Alex exhaled. At this point, he wasn’t sure what other option they had.

“Will you give us a few minutes to take a vote?” asked Alex.