Kill the Light

9 - Enigma

As I entered the dining hall, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sight of an opulent breakfast spread greeted me. The usual hustle and bustle of students preparing for the day was accompanied by a heightened sense of anticipation, as if Sir James' death was just a thing of the past.

I joined the line, marveling at the lavish offerings before me. Golden croissants gleamed temptingly under the soft glow of chandeliers, their flaky layers inviting me to indulge. Beside them, platters of smoked salmon and caviar sparkled like jewels, a testament to the opulence of the school.

As I reached for a plate of poached eggs drizzled with truffle oil, a commanding voice cut through the genteel murmur of conversation, freezing me in place.

"Clytie."

The voice belonged to none other than Lord Caleb, his tone as infuriating as ever as he addressed me from across the bustling dining hall. My heart skipped a beat at the unexpected summons, my appetite momentarily forgotten in the face of his commanding presence.

With a sense of trepidation gnawing at my gut, I turned to face Lord Caleb, my eyes meeting his with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

"Lord Caleb," I acknowledged, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "Is everything alright?"

Lord Caleb's expression was inscrutable as he regarded me with a measured gaze, his eyes betraying nothing of his intentions. "Come with me," he instructed, his tone brooking no argument.

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with questions. What could Lord Caleb want with me, and why now, of all times? But I knew better than to defy his command, and with a resigned nod, I followed him out of the bustling dining hall and into the quiet solitude of the corridor beyond.

As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over me like a heavy cloak. Lord Caleb's presence was as imposing as ever, his demeanor aloof and distant as he led me through the labyrinthine halls of the university.

"Where are we going?" I ventured, my voice hoarse with nervousness.

Lord Caleb didn't answer, his silence adding to the sense of foreboding that hung heavy in the air. Instead, he continued to lead me down a series of winding corridors, his pace steady and determined.

Finally, we arrived at our destination—a secluded alcove tucked away from prying eyes, shielded from the hustle and bustle of daily life within the university walls.

"Wait here," Lord Caleb instructed, his voice clipped and authoritative as he disappeared around a corner, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As I waited, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over me, a nagging feeling that something was amiss. Lord Caleb's sudden summons had caught me off guard, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this.

Before long, Lord Caleb returned, his expression unreadable as he regarded me with a scrutinizing gaze. "Prince Dylan wishes to speak with you," he announced, his tone betraying no hint of emotion.

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Prince Dylan, my mind racing with questions. Of course it had something to do with Prince Dylan. There was no way that Lord Caleb would summon me out of his own volition.

Without waiting for a response, Lord Caleb turned on his heel and disappeared down the corridor, leaving me standing alone in the secluded alcove.

With a deep breath, I gathered my courage and followed in Lord Caleb's wake, my footsteps echoing in the empty corridor as I made my way to meet with Prince Dylan.

As I approached, I found Prince Dylan seated at a table of his own private dining hall, his expression serious as he regarded me with a penetrating gaze. I had wondered why he wasn't at his usual place in the cafeteria.