Ashley hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. My chest tightened with every second of silence, until she finally closed her eyes and whispered, barely audible, "Elara…" The name struck me like a blade. My heart beating violently against my ribs, the world narrowing to the sound of her voice.
I stared between Luna and Ashley, my breath breaking. "What? How?" Confusion twisted in my stomach. None of it made sense... Ashley had gone inside first, then Luna and Ashley had spread the moondust, so why was it after Elara now?
Luna bit her lip, hesitating. "Because… the moondust was given to us by her."
Ashley nodded quickly, cutting me off before I could respond. "I honestly didn't know it would target her… I swear. If I had known..."
But their words blurred into nothing. A ringing filled my ears, drowning everything out. I didn't care about excuses. I didn't care about mistakes. I only knew one thing: Elara was in danger.
Taking a step back, I spun on my heel and started running, my legs carrying me faster than thought, past the shadows of the old walls, toward the only person who might know how to stop this.
Professor Rayna, the spirit-handler, was trained in the ancient tongue of the dead.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, texts from Elara, I knew, but I didn't answer.
_____________
Her cabin was dim, curtains drawn tight against the daylight, the air heavy with incense. She sat hunched over a book, lips moving in a murmur, ink staining her fingers.
"Professor!" My voice broke as I burst in, panting, sweat sticking to my temples.
Her head snapped up, brows furrowed. "Arin? What..."
"I… I need your help, Professor." My voice cracked on the word help.
She tilted her head, pushing a glass of water toward me before leaning back in her chair. "Can you come later? I was in the middle of some work."
"No!" My voice trembled. Tears burned behind my eyes. "Please… it's Elara. She's in danger."
Something in my tone silenced her. She rose, walking over and resting a firm hand on my shoulder.
Her brow tightened, her lips pressed into a thin line, "What happened to her?"
I bit my lip, forcing the words out. "That spirit from the South Wings… it's after Elara."
Her sharp intake of breath cut through the silence. Disbelief crossed her features. "But… you and Elara… you've never been involved in any of these… paranormal things."
I swallowed, nodding. "Professor… someone spread that moondust in that room. Even though Elara didn't spread it herself, it came from her… and now…"
The professor's eyes softened, pity and something serious mixing in her gaze. "I understand… Honestly, we were searching for the person who spread the moondust. Do you know who it is?"
I shook my head hard, cutting her off. "Forget that. Just… please. Save her."
She exhaled sharply and sank into the chair beside me. "I've been looking into the history of the South Wings… and what I found is… terrifying."
I let out a desperate sob. "We don't have time for that. Just tell me how to save Elara!"
The professor rubbed her forehead, closing her eyes. "There isn't any other way… If that spirit finds her, Arin… it will kill her. Or worse, it will take her body."
My blood ran cold. My hand shot out, gripping hers. "There must be a way!" I pleaded, voice breaking.
She hesitated, her gaze darkened. Finally, she spoke. "Sacrificing… with will."
I froze, frowning, and leaned closer. "What… does that mean?"
Her fingers were drumming against the edge of her desk. Her voice was low but firm. "The moondust... the powerful, blessed dust that can only be found in Caelthorn's moonlit river."
She turned and looked at me with something which looked like sympathy or fear, "You know it's used to destroy evil spirits… but if it's applied to a spirit that isn't evil, one that's a victim, it only makes the soul restless, stronger… more dangerous."
I bit my inner cheek, heart hammering, as she continued. "And it thinks Elara tried to destroy it. But… if someone..."
Her words faltered. I gripped her hand tighter, desperation burning through me.
She exhaled and walked to the cabin window, pressing her palms against the frame, "If someone goes to the South Wings before the spirit reaches her… if someone offers themselves willingly to the soul… it might let her go."
The air left my lungs. I swayed on my feet. And then, without hesitation, I whispered, "Then let it take me instead."
The professor's head snapped toward me, her eyes widened in horror. "Arin, no. It's dangerous."
"I don't care." My tears blurred her face, but my voice was steady. "Just tell me she'll be safe."
She stepped in front of me, blocking my path, her hands gripping my shoulders tightly. "Don't be a fool," she said, voice low but urgent. "If you give yourself, it could consume you, turn you into its puppet. You might even hurt her yourself."
I froze, the thought ripped through me like a knife, but all I could see was Elara's face, her eyes, her quiet strength.
I shook my head. "I can't sit here and do nothing. Not when it's her."
She guided me roughly onto the chair, then took her place squarely before me. "You're not thinking clearly..."
"I am!" My voice cracked. My lips trembled as I met her gaze. "I was alone my whole life, Professor. No one… no one ever stayed..."
My hand shook as I pressed it against my chest. "But then she came, and she stayed. She protected me. She gave me something worth breathing for."
Professor's hand slipped from my shoulder as my voice broke, words spilling in pieces. "She gave me… a home. Someone who is mine."
Tears spilled down my face, hot and merciless. "If I lose her now, then what's left of me? Tell me!"
I wiped my tears, a bitter laugh trembling from my lips, "I don't even have anyone to cry at my funeral..."
Her silence was heavier than any answer.
I lifted my head, eyes red and flickering. "I can't forgive myself if anything happens to her."
She swallowed hard, exhaling slowly through her mouth. She got up and walked away from me, a tremor in her voice. "I can't let my student be reckless because of… some foolishness…" Her words faltered, cracked with emotion.
I stepped forward, standing in front of her, voice shaking but firm. "Elara is your student too. She is… why then? Why can't you help her?"
Professor rubbed her forehead, closing her eyes. I knew I was forcing her into a battle of her own, but only she could help me.
She clenched her jaw, "You know what you are putting yourself into?"
I nodded desperately, my voice trembling. "I know… but..."
She turned and placed a steady hand on my head, though I could see the storm of emotions flickering in her eyes. "The spirit is free," she said firmly, "It will try to attack at night… You must face it alone… and call it yourself." She swallowed, the sound raw. "I can't tell you what happens after that."
Tears blurred my vision. I swallowed them down, straightening. "I'll take the responsibility, Professor. No one will ever know what happened in this room."
Having no way, she explained how to call the spirit to myself. A curse I might bear for life. As she finished, I nodded. Fear was there, but the need to save Elara was more than the fear itself.
She drew in a breath, crossing to her desk. "This might keep the spirit from controlling you, but it won't erase the danger." Her eyes clouded as she continued. "That spirit is a woman who was a bride betrayed by her fiancé. And your sacrifice may… enrage her"
My lips curved in a soft, trembling smile. "I understand. But… may I ask, how did she die?"
The professor exhaled through her nose, frustration flickering across her face. "I'm trying to find that. But it isn't written anywhere. If I could uncover the truth, perhaps then..."
I shook my head gently, cutting her off. She wanted to protect me before I even stepped into the fire. "Don't worry, Professor. Keep searching. I swear, I won't let that thing harm anyone until you find a way. No matter how long it takes."
Her jaw tightened, and she reached into a drawer. When she turned back with a silver knife. "Metal," she murmured, pressing it into my palm. "No spirit can bear its touch. If it tries to swallow you completely… press the blade to your skin. The pain will ground you. Even a drop of blood may be enough."
The knife felt heavier than its weight, as if it carried the promise of pain already waiting for me. I held it carefully, forcing a smile.
When I turned toward the door, her voice followed, hushed but piercing. "Arin… You're taking Elara's curse onto yourself. Her death. Won't you tell her?"
My hand froze on the doorknob. I couldn't let her see my tears, so I shook my head, keeping my back to her.
The professor stepped closer, her words almost a plea. "At least tell me who spread the moondust?"
A broken chuckle escaped me. I wiped at my wet face with the back of my hand. I didn't answer her, I just opened the door and stepped out.
I knew exactly what I was walking toward. And if saving her meant I had to vanish, then so be it. I'd rather she hates me than suffers.