Shadowbook

Chapter 6: Warnings

When I got back to school, I was met with the incredulous stares of my four friends as I explained the events of the previous night. Even Senka, whom I thought for sure would believe me, looked skeptical.

"No offense, Nyx, but this is getting harder and harder to believe," said Amaya.

"Why the hell would I lie about this? You really think I'd tell a story like this if it wasn't true? I know how unbelievable it sounds!"

"You lost me at the wings," said Amaya, proceeding to take a big bite of her sandwich.

"Look. I know it all sounds like an insane fairy tale, but—"

"I believe you, Nyx," said Lilah. "But I don't trust this 'Astor' person. It's a little too good to be true, don't you think?"

Actually, that's exactly what I'd been thinking, but I'd been trying to push that thought out of my head.

"Come on, guys, don't rain on her parade," said Noire. "She just had an awesome date with a Shadow prince! Even if it's a little, um... dramatic, she was so happy about it until you started grilling her."

"Thanks Noire. You believe me, right?"

"I really want to believe you, Nyx, but... I mean... it is kind of..."

"Senka?"

Senka had been silent and expressionless. She took a deep breath before speaking. "The important thing is that we've learned some information. The Shadow Realm is called Umbragard, and Shadows wear folds instead of clothing."

"Folds seriously sound so cool," said Noire. "I want folds."

"And they have an extrasensory power called a Nightsense," I added.

"I remember seeing all of this mentioned in the Ars Nocturna, so that leads me to believe that what Nyx experienced was real, or at least some of it was real. But we really need to meet Astor. Okay?"

"Yeah, I'm sick and tired of you going to the Shadow Realm without me," said Amaya.

"I don't know when Astor will show up again," I said. "But when he does, I'll tell him that he needs to meet you. Okay?"

I'd left out one detail — I hadn't told them that I'd kissed Astor. I didn't want them to know that yet, and besides, they were suspicious enough without adding that to the equation. And because I wanted that to be my secret, for now.

☽

As I was leaving, I was accosted by Karrine.

"So," she sneered, "what were you doing at Sasha's house the other night?"

"The hell is that any of your business?"

"I can't believe she replaced me with you of all people." Her face was uncomfortably close to mine, close enough for me to see the sweat on her cheeks, making her makeup look slimy. "Who are you? You're a freak with no parents who just showed up one day out of nowhere, and now you and Sasha are doing all this witchy-occult-voodoo shit... Look, Wilson, I don't know what your deal is, but Sasha's been even weirder since she met you. And I didn't even think that was possible."

"Well at least she isn't a generic rich bitch like you."

Karrine pursed her lips. "Cheap, Wilson. Start being realistic. You're just some foster kid. You don't deserve her. You don't even deserve to be here. The only reason you're here is because no one wants you anywhere else."

I felt like a venomous snake had burrowed into a black pit in my stomach. My brain flooded with blind anger, and I started screaming curses at her that echoed down the hallway. She ran, and I chased her, barreling past other students and knocking at least one person to the ground. I was ready to pound her hide.