Chapter 25
1675 Words
25
Twelve minutes until death.
The dining hall was loud with chatter and the clattering of plates and cutlery. Almost all tables were occupied by the usual cliques and clans. On all accounts, it looked like a normal day. A day just like all the others.
But it wasn’t.
I exchanged a last longing look with Ryoko before we both headed to our own tables. Hers was with the other Shinigami in the corner and mine…
On the right, Aellyn sat at a table by herself. My usual seat was next to her, with my back to the Reapers so they didn’t accuse me of making faces. On the left, the main Valkyrie table seated Flavia and her squad. I didn’t really know the other members of her gang, but she was my friend. A dear friend.
I didn’t have much time left. Where was I going to sit? Who was more important to—
“Attention, attention.” Brynhild’s voice suddenly boomed through the speakers and slowly, the dining hall came to a silence.
What was going on? Was she going to tell people someone was about to die? But she was the one that made me swear not to tell anyone.
“This is a Valkyrie announcement. I can confirm that the missing dusk wolves have all been safely returned.”
Excited chatter washed over the student body, especially from the tables around Flavia’s. The girls in my class cheered and shouted, jumping in joy and some even cried in relief.
“They’ll need some time to readjust, but dusk wolf practice will recommence in two weeks. Let’s take a moment to thank the person who saved them”
Oh no… She wasn’t going to announce my name, right?
“Ylva Helgudóttir.”
As soon as she said my name, the cheers died down and an awkward silence fell over everyone. Most of the students seemed genuinely surprised or pleased, but others glared at me with eyes as accusatory as ever.
Nobody spoke for a moment, until one person rose from their seat. Even from the entrance, I recognised Astrid’s blonde head.
What was she going to say? She admitted that she knew I hadn’t stolen them, but she wanted to be popular and siding with me wouldn’t really do that.
“I hate public speaking, but this is important. I know we’ve all had our doubts about Ylva and who stole the wolves. But I can tell you one thing.” She looked at me, but her expression gave nothing away. “Don’t believe what they’re saying. She probably just stole them so she could pretend to be a hero!”
Oh! That little b***h. She knew I didn’t steal the wolves, she told me she was there when it happened. And yet, she was going to tell people I did do it?
I knew I shouldn’t engage with her, but that was just too far. She shouldn’t drag my name through the mud just for her own amusement.
“I didn’t steal the wolves!” My voice squeaked, which certainly wouldn’t help people convince I was innocent. I didn’t even want credit for bringing them back. That didn’t matter to me. As long as they didn’t think I was a thief. I’d never do that.
More murmurs travelled through the crowd of students. Who were they going to believe? A first-year, albeit popular first-year, or their teacher?
“Hey! Silence!” A new voice boomed through the hall. One that I recognised all too well. “I know Ylva and she’d never hurt or steal. I don’t know who this girl is—” She gestured to Astrid and pulled up her lip in disdain. “But she’s spreading lies. I believe Ylva. In my eyes, she’s a hero. And that’s the last I’ll hear of it.”
Astrid raised a hand. “But—”
Oh, big mistake.
Thick wings exploded from Flavia’s back, dominating the dining hall and silencing any gossiping and speculating. She spread them as wide as they went in an impressive display of power.
She directed herself towards Astrid, her wings so big they cast a shadow on my classmate.
Her voice boomed, her tone final. “I said, that’s the last I’ll hear of it.”
Astrid might be reckless, she wasn’t that reckless. She bowed her head in obedience and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Anyone else that wants to question her integrity? Mmmm? No, I didn’t think so.”
Immeasurable gratitude flooded me. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve Flavia’s friendship or protection, but she didn’t have to stand up for me like that. She didn’t have to vouch for me. And yet, she did without hesitation or doubt. Now that was a true friend.
Shit. Friends.
I turned to look at the big clock hanging above the entrance and counted the time. Two more minutes. There was no time to waste.
I rushed past Aellyn and towards the Valkyrie head table. If I only had a couple of minutes, I needed to thank her. Before it was possibly too late.
“Flavia!” I almost collided into her.
“Woah. What’s the rush?” she joked, not knowing how serious I was.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, it was nothing.”
I grabbed her hands, just to show how much it meant to me. “No, I’m serious. You’re the best friend I could’ve ever asked for and I’m eternally grateful to you.”
She frowned. “You’re very welcome, but… What’s going on?”
If only I could tell, I’d explain. But this wasn’t the time nor the place. All I had was utter appreciation and respect, which I needed to tell her before the clock struck—
Twang.
The long clock hand snapped into place and my breath stocked. It was time.
My eyes darted around the room, seeking out the dark-haired girl on the opposite side. Ryoko. Was she okay? She had to be. I’d never forgive the universe if she wasn’t.
My gaze was met with one with the same intensity, the same desperation. The panic ebbed away and my breathing returned to normal. My Dragon was alive and Flavia was still standing. The most important people were alright.
That gave me time to check the rest of the dining hall. Back at the lonely table, Aellyn shot me an uncharacteristic angry glare, but I didn’t mind. That meant she was still around to glare.
There were no cries or wails anywhere in the dining hall, which meant most students here were safe. Then who was it? Who got struck by fate?
Brynhild? Hagen? Rada? The headmistress? Any of the other teachers?
“Ylva? What’s going on? You look a little frantic,” Flavia remarked.
“No, no, I’m fine.” I wasn’t. I wouldn’t rest until I knew.
My friend placed her hands on my arms and pushed me towards the table. “Why don’t you have a seat? Oda isn’t here yet.”
Oda.
“Where is she?”
“What?”
“Where’s Oda?” Even I knew I sounded a little deranged, but that was irrelevant right now. I just had to make sure she was alright.
“Ummm… I think she said she was going to run by the library. She should be here any minute.”
The library. That was in the back of the main building. If she was going to come here after, she’d have taken the south corridor.
“I’ll be right back.” I pushed past Flavia and sprinted through the tables. My heart pounded in my chest, matching the beat of my feet on the ground.
I almost crashed into a couple of Guardians just entering and only narrowly swerved past them.
“Sorry!”
“Ylva?” Flavia’s voice echoed behind me, but I didn’t have time to look back and wait. I needed to find Oda, right now.
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I followed the marble lines through the south corridor. Maybe she hadn’t left yet? Maybe she was just reading a book and all would be fine. We’d laugh about this later.
The more I neared the library, the more worry consumed my mind. Corner after corner, I expected to find her collapsed on the floor. Corner after corner, the hallway was empty.
“Ylva! What are you doing?” Flavia caught up with me and grabbed hold of my arm. “What’s going on?”
“I can’t tell you.” I pulled myself loose from her grip, never faltering, never slowing down. I just had to make sure she was okay. She just had to be alright.
The last turn of the south corridor came in sight and with a heavy heart, I sprinted past it.
Empty.
Temporary relief flooded over me. Maybe she was fine then. If she’d collapsed in the library, someone would’ve probably seen it. We’d have already heard about it.
Even so. I had to be sure.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead and marched to the front desk. I heard rumours that the librarian wasn’t to be messed with, but I didn’t have another choice.
“Hi.”
She shot me a look of disdain. “Your tie is crooked.”
Hastily, I smoothed myself down. “I’m looking for Oda… Ummm… Oda—”
“Oda, daughter of Octavia,” Flavia supplied.
“Yes, here. Is she here?”
The librarian adjusted her thin glasses and pulled up her nose. “Miss Oda was here.”
“Was. So, she left?”
I crossed my fingers in my pocket. If that was the case, we might just have missed her.
“Hmmm… I didn’t see her depart. Maybe that little rat stole some books.” The librarian emerged from behind the wooden desk and shuffled through the rows of tables. Students were studying there, but she mowed right through them.
The rows of books started behind the little study area. Endless shelves with all the books imaginable were housed here. It held a good chunk of all the elemental knowledge on the continent.
Once I made sure Oda was safe, I’d come back and research Shadow Walkers. That way, I’d know what I was dealing with.
“Miss Oda was studying here earlier.” The librarian patted one of the empty in-row desks.
“Are you sure?”
She shot me another dismissive look. “I know everything that happens in my library. If she’s not here, she must’ve left.”
Flavia suddenly pushed past me.
“Wait. That’s Oda’s bag.” She held up a dark handbag with a foreign crest and rummaged through it. “Yes, that’s definitely hers.”
“She wouldn’t have left without her bag,” I reasoned, venturing further into the library. “No girl leaves without their—”
A little away from the small desk, a pale arm was lying on the red carpet. Attached to the arm, the body of a young woman. A woman I recognised.
Oda. Time of death, thirty-two past twelve.
- Writer
