Basilisk Eyes

Chapter 71: Vow of secrecy

In the middle of the shocked silence that followed Arig's introduction, there was a wave of water that splashed over everyone who was seated in the semicircle around Mei's tank. She had disappeared dramatically through her portal. Healer Jordan quickly cast a drying spell and as the warmth settled over them, she addressed the group.

"Before you comment, please listen. Arig has requested that I have this conversation with all of you in his presence. He is very much aware of the prejudice that Lycanthropes encounter in the wixen world. Just like you, he is adapting to a dramatic and unexpected alteration of his body and the way that he goes about his everyday life, and at the same time, he has encountered fear, ignorance, and shunning for something that was foisted on him in the most brutal and traumatizing way.

Unfortunately, it is not widely known that the effects of the full moon on a Lycanthrope can be controlled and rendered harmless with the Wolfsbane potion—mostly because it is a complicated and expensive potion that most Lycanthropes don't have access to. We are trying to change that here at the Center.

You have my absolute assurances that you are in no danger while you're rooming with Arig. You are in no danger of being exposed to the Lycanthropy contagion nor to the dangers of a fully actualized werewolf.

The next full moon is on Saturday, July 3rd. This week preceding the full moon, Arig has been taking the Wolfbane potion which means that he will transform, but peacefully and sleep through the full moon. For extra precaution, he will stay in a warded and heavily armored room for the weekend of the full moon—and this is at his request—because he is very concerned that you feel safe in his presence and during his transformation.

All of your parents and guardians have been notified and have signed secrecy agreements. I'm going to ask you each to make a vow of secrecy as well and understand that you are not to share information about any of your fellow residents.

It is my expectation that you will welcome Arig and make him feel at home at the Center, just as you have been welcomed. Arig, is there anything else that you'd like to add?"

"Uh. Well, I guess. I asked if I could be placed in the dormitory with you all because I thought you might be a little more accepting of me than the older folks, even though I'm technically a bit older than you. I am eighteen. Um, do you have any questions?" Arig added nervously.

The room was quiet except for the lapping of slight waves against the sides of Mei's tank.

Harry was too shocked to think of any questions. His brain was still wrapping around the concept of the werewolf. He remembered someone commenting on the werewolves in the Forbidden Forest, but he hadn't taken them seriously.

"Welcome to our dormitory, Arig. I'm sorry to hear about all that you've been through. It sounds rough." Gemma was the first to speak.

"Thank you, Gemma," Arig's voice broke a bit when he answered.

"Yeah, man. I can't imagine," Tony said.

"Arig, thank you for sharing your story with us. I know that's hard. I... I'm nervous about sharing a room with a werewolf, to be honest. But I also know that Healer Jordan wouldn't put us in danger, so I'll try to get over it," Aminah added.

Harry felt like he should say something, but nothing that was coming to his mind sounded good and he kept rejecting it.

"Yeah, welcome to our room and the Center. In the morning there's a bright flashing alarm that talks and wakes us up, so don't be surprised by that," Harry said.

The others laughed nervously.

"How do you... oh, yeah, you can see bright light. I forgot," Arig said.