Me And The Dark

Chapter 31

Valentina

I returned to the castle perplexed and a little saddened by the way the day had turned out. Mattheo had left without a word, and although I wanted to hear his apologies, I didn't dare ask.

It was becoming more and more obvious that he was hiding something from me. His inexplicable absences since the beginning of the year had always puzzled me, and he'd never wanted to tell me why. Now I felt determined to find out the truth for myself.

I went straight to my dormitory via the common room. Several students were there, including Lorenzo and Theodore. They spotted me immediately, and I approached them, puzzled to see Theo there.

"Val? Aren't you with Mattheo?" Enzo asked, showing a hint of concern.

"I was, but... he left suddenly," I said, sadness showing on my face.

"What? Why would he do that?" asked Theo.

I squinted as I looked at him, increasingly sceptical about Mattheo's excuses.

"He pretended he had to help you with something," I said, crossing my arms, waiting for an answer from Theo.

"Oh..." Theo nodded, his expression a little evasive.

"What is it, Theo?" I asked, frowning.

He seemed to think for a few seconds, which increased my annoyance. "Theodore!"

"Oh, calm down, bella. I just asked him to help me with Arithmancy class," he said quickly.

"For arithmancy?" I raised an eyebrow, still wary.

"We have a homework assignment due on Monday, and I asked him to help me in exchange for another favour."

I looked at him, hardly convinced. "So he hasn't gone off to see another girl?"

"What?! No, he would never do that, Val. Mattheo only has your name on his lips," Theodore defended, and Enzo nodded in agreement.

I looked at them, still not completely convinced, but decided to let it go. Theodore kissed my forehead. "Go back to your dorm, bella, you look tired."

I just nodded and went up to my dorm. I threw myself into bed and sighed. Maybe Theo was right, but that didn't justify Mattheo's repeated disappearances.

I was thinking far too much, and I needed to put those thoughts to rest. So I decided to pick up the newspaper and dive back into reading it.

Maybe Mattheo was right. Maybe I should find these 'Keepers' and talk to them to find out more. And if they forced me to do these famous trials, all I had to do was refuse.

I flipped through the pages, looking for a clue. It seemed that Maxine Redwood wanted to make it difficult, but I wasn't going to be put off.

I noticed she often referred to a place called the "restricted section," but it didn't ring a bell. Maybe that was my next goal.

The question that remained was how I was going to find out where this restricted section was.

Mattheo

Having done the dirty work that the Hand of Death had ordered me to do, I set off for the castle, the weight of my secrets weighing heavily on my shoulders.

I felt deeply guilty for leaving Valentina so abruptly, but I knew I had to do it to protect her.

It was the only way I could ensure that the Hand of Death would leave her alone. Carrying out my tasks, however grim, was my way of making sure Valentina didn't get involved.