I bumped into Moira Files in the hallway. She was wearing a plaid skirt and a shirt , all buttoned up. My breath tightened. She looked strictly official. In her Deputy Sheriff role, I guess. Jordan's Mom. One could not sniff the wolf in her. It seemed to be buried beneath crisp officiality, a worn smile , feet encased in flat, tired shoes and features that were almost too human.
I wanted to brush past her wordlessly but just like lightning, her eyes glanced up and landed squarely on mine . I hitched a smile on my face. She reproduced the same thing on hers.
Her feet propelled her closer.
"Jordan's friend " She beamed "The name eludes me though."
"Night Carter" I reminded her grittingly. " What brings you to The Academy? You here to check on Jordan?"
"Oh please " She rolled her eyes with a broad smirk " He's a big boy. I'm here with the Sheriff".
The Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff of Tish here in The Academy. Had something bad happened.
"Do we have to watch out for Sirens?" I asked worriedly. Moira waved a hand to wade off my visible alarm.
"Nothing nasty. " And then she added "Yet".
"Mercifully" I smiled.
"Just a case of two students almost on the brink of been expelled. For Prowling Tishian grounds at night and without a pass".
My stomach churned. Peach and Cassidy .
Moira went on "Well Ethan Scavenger might be an old bore but he's definitely not heartless. The Sheriff and I are here to make them sign a treaty of some sort. So no one has a reason to cry. " Her arms touched mine and I watched her shudder with fright as if she had been stung by electricity. A chill passed through me. Moira Files stared at me vaguely and then whispered "You have been marked".
I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry and heavy.
She sniffed me and said more grimly "Jordan."
Her face darkened, her eyes burned with a sudden wave of anger. I took a step back, tongue tied and dazed. My head suddenly throbbing. Yes , I had been warned. Jordan Files was trouble and like a child, I had turned my fingers over to be kissed by flames. I was the idiot who had been won over by dripping sarcasm and a ruthless ego.
"You want to dance with Fire?" Moira asked, her voice was a cold, stoic blast.
"I didn't ask for this" I blurted out like the idiot that I was.
"So did Furla"
Again that accursed name from the Shards of History. Furla. The human girl who had fallen hopelessly in love with a werewolf and shattered the peace of humanity. A love story that still breathed chaos and reeked of warnings. God. What had I gotten myself into.
"I know nothing about wolf lore. " I began , fidgeting with my hands like a nervous chicken. "I know nothing about markings. And I am not in love with your son." The lie found it's way out of my throat more smoothly than I thought. I seethed through my teeth.
Moira didn't bat an eyelid "He's in love with you. And that is enough ingredient for disaster" Her hand touched my arm and once again a wave of electricity jolted through me. And her. Because her face grew ashen pale and her voice was hoarse but the words were clear. "Wolfskull".
I froze as I remembered the previous day. I had almost died. Poisoned coffee. Wolfskull Poisoning. Minata Straus. God. Been linked to Jordan Files was already opening portals of horror for me.
"They will come for you" Moira said gloomily. I felt sick already. "Take this". Her hands went round to her neck and I stood perplexed while she extracted something from her neck. A necklace. She handed it to me. I stared at the jewelry. It wasnt exquisite . It was simple, plain, smeared with the monotony of a dozen hands but it's most regal feature was the half _moon crescent pendant lined with shards of silver.
"Wolfsbane" Moira said calmly, noting my curiosity. She took the necklace from my hand and wordlessly wore it around my neck. "Well being the curious child that literally wants to dance with Fire, you need all the help you can get. " And then almost like an afterthought "It belonged to Furla. And was passed down to me by my grandmother. Its literally been in our family for years. "
I clasped the jewelry tenderly, stroking the crescent pendant.
"Does your lineage have a relationship to Furla"
"Yes" Moira said with a faraway look in her eyes "Our clan ancestor was directly descended from Jason, Furla 's lover, and Life and Death. " Her voice sharpened "Just like Jordan will definitely be your Death if you don't step away from the Flames. God. Why should the world end in my time. "
My stomach felt hollow.
Moira went on "Jason married a werewolf from the Mountain clan after Furla 's death and after the end of the Blood Wars. My great, great grand mother, Tikora Whimbert. "
The bell rang brazenly. Dr. Fiddlestick's class. I mumbled an apology to Moira and turned to leave.
"Night Carter" She called. .I turned. .
Her voice was clear, like running water "Stay hydrated".
With confusion etched on my face, I had a dozen questions to ask. But when I glanced up again, the hallway was empty and Moira Files had vanished. I shuddered. I ran all the way to class.