I showered, ate, and dressed in some of my most comfortable clothes. The only question now was whether to wear my mother’s necklace, or not.
I stepped back into my room from the bathroom, sure that I was alone. I plucked up the locket I’d left on the nightstand up and looked at it like I could see mother’s face in the faded gold.
“Mother, what do you think?” I asked in a low voice. “Should I take the necklace off... or take it with me?”
I heard Mallory moving outside my room. Whether she was doing something around the house or she was trying to listen in on my conversations, I didn’t know. I still wasn’t sure I could trust her.
I don’t know, Ava, my mother responded, hesitating. I’d like to be there, to guide you... help you. But there is a chance the Council will sense my presence, and that would not bode well. For either of us.
“Then I’ll see you after the trial,” I said.
There was no way I was risking anyone else getting their hands on what was left of my mother’s soul.
I took the necklace off and conjured a jewellery box before me on the side table next to my bed.
I placed the necklace inside, and then spoke a spell to make the box disappear from view.
No-one could steal it, if they couldn’t find it.
“Ava!” Mallory called again and I tried not to groan aloud.
That woman’s voice grated on my nerves. It almost sounded as though she was trying to be maternal, but she was far from it. I was grateful for the roof over my head, but I was starting to get more and more concerned about Mallory and her behaviour. I was worried that she would see through my lies eventually.
I pulled open the door and walked out of the room, conjuring a hair elastic and tying my long hair up into a high pony tail.
“I’m ready,” I said to the woman who’d given me a safe to sleep, eat and rest since I’d arrived.
“Alright, let’s go.”
I tried to hide my surprise. “You’re coming with me?”
“Yes.” She nodded once, narrowing her eyes. It almost seemed as though she was upset, I would consider going without her. “I’ll close the shop for ten minutes and walk you to the portal. It isn’t far.”
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. I couldn’t just tell her no. Not when she seemed so volatile that I brought it up in the first place. “Thanks.”
I wasn’t expecting such attention, but I supposed it couldn’t be too damaging.
In the end, she only walked me to the same school institution that Tavlor had brought me to yesterday.
“Oh, it’s here?” I forced a smile. “Great.”
“Would you like me to walk you in?” She stepped forward, but I raised my hand to stop her.
“No. Thank you. I’m a little nervous and need a moment to myself.” I tapped my foot on the pavement nervously. “I appreciate that you’re here, that you’ve walked me this far already.”
“Oh.” Mallory looked crest fallen. She fiddled with her fingers and rubbed her lips together. She sucked in a breath and suddenly, her face contorted into one of indifference. “Alright. I’ll see you after the trial.”
Really?
Before I could think more on it, Mallory disappeared down the street. She stopped at the corner and glanced at me over her shoulder, then she strolled out of sight.
Now that was a bit weird.
I shook my head. I had a lot more to worry about than Mallory’s strange behaviour. I had to lie. I had to stop the Council realizing I was much more powerful than I seemed. I had to worry about hiding who my father really was. I had to worry about seeing Tavlor again, especially after those kisses.
As I walked, I reached for my mother’s locket only to come in contact with my own skin. I shouldn’t have been surprised. I had taken the necklace off to protect my mother and myself. And yet, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that I was alone.
Wasn’t this what I wanted? To finally do things on my own, without my mother telling me what to do in my ear all the time?