The Dark Society

23

Tatum sat exhausted as evening approached, but while she readied for bed, an unexpected knock broke the silence.

"Who is it?"

"Got a minute?" a familiar voice called out.

She opened the door and stepped aside as Lyndsey entered and made her way to the sofa.

"Where are Kyle and Logan?" Tatum asked. "And Trina and Jasmine, for that matter?"

Lyndsey shrugged. "Taking a break." She hesitated before continuing. "I hate to ask, but have you spoken to Sabrina lately?"

Tatum stiffened. "Not recently. Why?"

The question surprised Lyndsey. She knew Tatum and Sabrina spoke often, which made her wonder about their relationship.

"I thought she was traveling home."

Tatum stared. "She didn't mention any holiday plans to me."

"Really?" Lyndsey's voice carried doubt. "Don't you think that's kind of weird?"

Tatum glanced toward the adjacent apartment. "No, not really."

Lyndsey had expected this hesitation--she understood the complicated dynamics between Tatum and Sabrina. Meanwhile, Tatum felt hurt that Sabrina hadn't confided in her, though she tried not to let the slight dampen her mood.

"Is Karen mentoring you?" Tatum asked, changing the subject.

Lyndsey chuckled and relaxed. "In occultism and tarot reading."

Tatum's mind drifted as she thought of Sabrina. Like the others, Sabrina advocated for divination, but there was something darker about her approach--something that set her apart.

Lyndsey patted her thigh. "Pay attention, will you?"

Tatum snapped back to the present and laughed. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I thought you were learning from Sabrina."

The statement immediately caught her attention.

"A few things," Tatum admitted. "Though she keeps certain aspects to herself."

"Have you ever asked why?"

Tatum sighed. "It's not that I don't want to know. It's just the way she operates."

Lyndsey moved closer on the couch. She'd done this before, so Tatum thought nothing of it, even though her posture seemed almost flirtatious.

"I know what you're thinking, and I get it," Lyndsey said. "But you're not like other girls."

Tatum looked puzzled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You look like a cheerleader," Lyndsey explained, "yet you're drawn to studying witchcraft."

Tatum shifted uncomfortably. "I guess I have Sabrina to thank for that, because, she explains things in a way that makes sense."

Lyndsey turned to face her directly. "I wish Karen had that gift."

"At least you're not a member of the coven. That's what matters."

For the moment, Lyndsey sat transfixed. With everything happening, this was the time of year when new relationships often bloomed. More importantly, after weeks of tension and sleepless nights, everyone needed a reprieve.

Lately, such complications had become part of life at Imperial University, yet for the housemates of Evelyn Gardens, things had taken a turn for the worse. Some adapted to the changes while others withdrew, but with Sabrina, there was always something more lurking beneath the surface.