PENSIONNAT - VERSION ENGLISH - BOOK FINISH

° 8 °

I walked, head down, like a convict through the corridors of the mansion. I had spent two days searching the school for Derne. But no trace of him had presented itself to me.

Grayce had begged me to give up on him. No one seemed to care about him. Except me. Because I knew something no one else did.

*****

It goes back to the party that Marie and Thibault had organized for me, and Mr. Strange had crashed it. In spite of his transparency and his detachment to everything, he seemed to be amazed by this little party.

He had taken a seat in front of the stage where our three best singers were sharing their lovely voices. And for once, Grayce had left him in peace.

It was hard for me to smile. My mind was completely taken up with Derne. But to please Marie and Thibault, I had started dancing and drinking, then like the others I had stuffed myself at the buffet.

- How are you? Thomas asked me, a glass of shot in his hand.

I sat down on one of the armchairs that occupied the room.

Shots did not have the same meaning as for Humans. Shots, for the Ghota, were a non-alcoholic drink, but it "sparkled" our soul. It made us party and a little crazy, but all the while keeping our spirit holy and not making us go over the "red" limit.

- Yes, it's okay. I was hoping to show her a smile that I wanted to be perfect.

- Even after twelve shots, you can tell you're not fully there. Is that because you won?

- What do you mean, you won? I should be happy because I won!

- But you're not. He had become serious. His voice was almost dark and his look forbade me to lie to him. His eyes accused me of betrayal.

Why was he looking at me like that? He himself could be worried about his cousin. So why this pseudo betrayal in his eyes? However, he was right. I couldn't enjoy this victory when it wasn't really a victory... And then I was worried. My ego took over and I decided to leave the party. I couldn't stand the pressure he was putting on me.

- Well, I better go to bed. I didn't want to stay any longer to argue about it.

- Okai see you tomorrow! He got up and went to join the others on the dance floor. He was letting off steam as if our conversation had never happened.

I walked out of the common room where the party was going on and headed to the girls' dorms.

The hallways were dark and it was freezing cold. Yet the mansion was heated! Not by radiators, but by fireplaces. They were all gigantic and their flames were blue and for some of them, they did not move even under the wind.

Their frames were often decorated with zany or even fairy animals. They seemed to come out of another world! But for those that were between the dormitories, they represented both clans. As for this one, she was nicknamed "the Watchful". That's what she looked like. And it was as I was passing by it that a noise called out to me.

The flames were still. Strange. Normally they moved. Was there a life cycle to the flames? No. Of course not. They are just flames!

I moved a little closer and heard a small crackling sound. Intrigued, I leaned over and watched the fiercely intense flames. Something was happening! I knew it!

- BOUH !!!!

I staggered backwards and backwards. I concentrated on my legs so I wouldn't fall backwards. Mr. Strange came out of the flames and laughed.

- But you're completely insane! I yelled at his head.

- You should have seen your face!

- What are you doing in the fireplace?