The School for Good and Evil: Return of the School Masters (fanfic)

Chapter 7

Tears streamed down his cheeks and onto his knees. He hugged his legs against his heaving chest, shaking with the effort. Muscles tight, throat choked. Maverick let his emotions run their course as he sat alone in a closet. Though he didn't know when the brokenness would go away. When the loneliness would subside.

It hurts at first, but you'll learn to live with it. That voice. It came in whispers now, but it had been so loud. This place. It brought it into his head. Let it take control of his movements. Maverick pushed it away, not wanting to hear that a rhian's death was good. Whatever Rhian was. He just wanted his brother back.

The door opened. Katrina hugged Maverick's neck before he could hide his tears. "He's okay. Malcolm's alive."

What!

Maverick buried the voice somewhere in his mind. He wouldn't lose control again. Not when he had a second chance. "Can I see him?" he asked.

Katrina peeled herself off him and glanced over her shoulder. A pair of wolves guarded the door, same ones that carried him into the pink palace. She squeezed his arm. "I think it should be okay. Unless you're going to...." The question hung on the air, Katrina unable to finish.

Maverick wiped his face and shook his head. "No. I just want to see him."

Katrina pursed her lips. Another glance over her shoulder. She stood and helped him up. She gripped his hand as they walked out the door. The wolves snarled and followed them to the next room over.

The study had a mahogany desk with a full bookshelf behind its cushioned leather seat. Posters covered parts of the wall, references to princessy stories Katrina had made him read to her at a very young age. A window let in the fading light. It shone all the way across to a small vintage couch. Malcolm sat on the white upholstery, shirt torn, but wound healed.

"What's he doing here?" The professor from the gate stood by the desk, hand on his weapon. An older woman with thin spectacles stared wide-eyed at Maverick.

He didn't pay attention, walking toward his brother. The clink of metal against metal stopped him.

Malcolm stood. "Wait." The sword slowly slid back into its sheath.

Before Malcolm could say a word, Maverick closed the distance and wrapped his arms around him. He moved close to his ear. "I swear to you, it wasn't me. I would never hurt you." He could feel his brother's hesitation.

It slacked and Malcolm's arms came around him. "I know you wouldn't."

Maverick released his breath. They'd never gotten along, but he needed the conflict. Life without Malcolm wasn't possible. Losing his twin was losing part of him.

You would make do. You'd thrive.

'Nough out of you. Why was he talking to his brain? Why was there even a voice?

He let go, shrugging off the emotions and gushy sibling moment. Malcolm cleared his throat, letting it slide also. But neither could ignore their little sister.

Katrina moved up, still in shock as she grabbed their hands. "What happened? You've never fought like that."

The twins looked to each other, same thought crossing their minds. "We know less than you."

A woman rushed into the room. Lush blond locks framed her perfect features and accentuated her blue eyes. Contradictory to her deep purple dress and black lace gloves. Maverick avoided direct eye contact, something about her familiar. Like the professor that glared at him so harshly.

Wide eyes locked on the boys, Lady Sophie of Woods Beyond held her stance against the energy. The familiar aura that had haunted her in recent nights. Hort had tried every remedy to take away the nightmares, but not even his vows to her could combat the mark Rafal had left on her mind.