Adelaide

Chapter VIII

Sapphire Gibson
* TW: Blood *

"Your drawings are hardly simple, Saph; this one has so much character."

"Ah, it's just graphite lines on parchment. The eyes are always wrong; one simply cannot transfer soul to paper," I reply, shaking my head.

Since the fallout with Ruby that leaves me also missing Topaz, I've been spending more and more time with Adelaide — whenever I can steal a moment amidst her preoccupation with this glorified Julian character. The very thought of him pricks my conscience with envy.

I glance up from my sketchbook, towards Adelaide, who lies across from me on my bed. A contrast of warm orange candlelight and the deep shadows it casts contours her elegant features, her high cheekbones gracefully. She would make for such a lovely portrait, but I never draw my friends. Outside, rain beats incessantly against the stone walls and stained glass. Lulled by the white noise, I close the leather-bound notebook and tuck it safely beneath my chest as I prop myself up on my forearms.

"Do you believe in soulmates, Adelaide?"

Her initial reaction to my question is incredulous, then she sighs, tipping her head back to stare at the canopy fabric above my bed.

"I hardly know what that means, Saph. Perfect matches cannot exist, if everyone is flawed. Do you believe in them?"

"Not at all. Am I obsessed with the idea regardless? Absolutely."

I smile wanly, before rolling over to lie on my back. The small bulbs of light hanging from the ceiling always gave me the impression of shooting stars or maybe fireflies.

"Rue does — believe in soulmates, I mean. I used to wonder how one could put so much faith in such a quixotic thing, but I suppose everyone needs something to which they can attach themself, lest we lose sight of hope altogether."

Adelaide remains quiet for a moment, assessing my words. I know her thoughts wander discreetly to James, her dangerous lover of the past.

"I agree. You're quite right."

She pauses, glancing back toward me with an appreciative smile, which I gladly return. It's nice to share such timeless thoughts with someone. The moment ruptures however, with her next question.

"Have you spoken to Ruby recently?"

"No."

I close my eyes introspectively, but she awaits further elaboration.

"I mean, she's apologized several times, but I just don't know what to say to her — especially since she's been coping by sneaking out with random girls. Of course, I worry about her very much. I know I'm holding a grudge too long, and I know she didn't mean to reveal what she did. I ought to forgive her. But the last time we talked, it felt different, like she knew something I didn't. Even when we're quarreling, she always shares knowledge of value with me. I just don't know what happened."

I open my eyes again, remembering my audience. My expression feels void when I turn towards Adelaide.

"And you — have you spoken to Ruby recently?"

"Actually, yes, last week."

After the briefest second of hesitation, she leans closer to me, her voice dropping to a murmur of anticipation. Her variegated gray eyes bore into mine, surprisingly trusting and confidential.

"I found the dungeons with Julian, Saph, and we uncovered something. More so someone, actually — dead, stuffed in a chest."

Her eyes close against a chill, so she does not notice how I stare at her for a long time in silence. The idea of death jars me not as it might have a newcomer; instead, I try to picture this wide-eyed girl in such a situation. Clearly, no reports of a rotting corpse have reached the headmistress; the dark appeal of investigation prompts secrecy at its finest. A murder — for a dead body crammed inside a chest could be mistaken for nothing else — would likely cause quite a stir in the citadel, if uncovered by anyone unfamiliar. I suppose Adelaide belongs with the four of us after all, despite the blatant innocence of her countenance.