Reverence (A gothic Romantasy)

Chapter nine

Josie and Jane were sitting in the quad, the midday sun casting dappled shadows through the leaves of the ancient trees. Josie turned to Jane, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What do you know about the ruins?" she asked. Jane choked on her drink and coughed hysterically, drawing the attention of nearby students. "Don't ever ask me that again," she said sharply once she had regained her composure. "Stay away from that place, and I mean it, Josie. That place is cursed." At that moment, Corbyn joined them, her usual bright smile lighting up her face as she picked a grape off Josie's plate. "She's asking about the ruins," Jane said to Corbyn, her tone laced with concern. Corbyn's smile faded instantly. "Why?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in worry. Josie tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear, swallowing hard. "Creed told me I could find answers about my power there. He... saw me training with you, Corbyn. He knows about me."
Jane's face turned pale, and Corbyn looked equally shocked. "But... there was nobody there. I—I know nobody was there," Corbyn stammered, disbelief in her voice. Jane put her head in her hands and gave a deep sigh, silent for a moment before she spoke. "He saw you from the skies."

Corbyn closed her eyes and cursed herself quietly. "Gods, I forgot about that." Josie looked at her friends with a puzzled expression. "From the skies? What do you mean?" she asked, her confusion growing. Jane pushed her drink to the side and leaned back in her chair, sighing heavily. "He's a shapeshifter, like me, but his beast form is a dragon. He has inherited magic, one of the rare ones, like you." Josie's stomach churned at the revelation. She had always suspected Creed was different, but this was beyond anything she had imagined. "We have to tell the Headmistress what I am," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jane and Corbyn exchanged a worried glance. "Josie, do you understand what that means? I know we were the ones that said you have to tell the headmistress, but I'm not so sure anymore" Jane said gently. "If we tell the Headmistress, everything will change. For you, for us, for the entire school."
Josie nodded, her resolve firm. "I know, but I can't keep hiding. If Creed knows, it's only a matter of time before others find out too. And if the ruins hold answers about my power, I need to know."

Corbyn reached out and squeezed Josie's hand. "We'll stand by you, whatever happens. But you need to be sure. Once the Headmistress knows, there's no going back."
Josie looked at her friends, feeling a surge of gratitude for their support. "I'm sure," she said firmly. "I need to understand my power, and if the Headmistress can help, then we have to tell her."
Jane sighed again but nodded. "Okay. We'll go with you to see the Headmistress. But promise me, Josie, you'll stay away from the ruins until we know more."
Josie nodded, though her curiosity still burned within her. "I promise," she said, hoping she could keep it. The three of them sat in silence for a while, the weight of their decision settling over them. The quad, usually a place of laughter and relaxation, felt heavy with unspoken fears and the unknown future.

Eventually, Corbyn broke the silence. "We should go now, before we lose our nerve."
Jane stood up, her face set in determination. "Let's do this," she said, helping Josie to her feet.
As they walked towards the Headmistress's office, Josie felt a mix of fear and excitement. She was about to step into the unknown, she would finally be able to practice her magic in the open and be done with it.

Josie, Jane, and Corbyn walked through the castle's dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The air was thick with anticipation as they approached Headmistress Ashgrove's office. They stopped outside the large, oak door, and Josie felt her nerves settling in, her stomach churning with anxiety. Jane, ever the pragmatic one, rolled her eyes at Josie's hesitation and knocked three times on Josie's behalf. The sound was firm and echoed through the quiet hallway. They heard the headmistress's voice, warm and inviting, beckon them inside. As they entered the office, they were greeted by the sight of beautiful emerald drapes flanking French-style windows, allowing soft sunlight to filter through. The headmistress sat behind an ornate desk, sorting through paperwork. She looked up, her expression one of sweet concern. "What can I do for you, ladies?" she asked in a voice steeped in warm sunshine. Josie shifted on her feet, her nervous habit of picking at her fingers re-emerging. Jane, noticing this, smacked her hands lightly, prompting Josie to stop. Corbyn, standing behind her, gently pushed Josie forward, encouraging her to speak.