Mystic High ✓

MH │48

In the previous chapter: Oriane was given a conveyance ring that lets her create a temporary portal to communicate with anyone. The Student Council is set on stopping the ritual.

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CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

The first time she tried the conveyance ring, she caught Uilliam speaking with someone. Speaking wasn't quite the word for the way they were communicating, to be precise. It was more akin to growling at each other. While Oriane couldn't see who he was speaking to, what with the image of the person was obscured by black smoke, she had a distinct feeling he or she wasn't a person. When they eventually paused, finally noticing Oriane in the circular mirage emitted from the ring, what perplexed her most of Uilliam's response.

His eyes had first widened with anticipated surprise, but which immediately transformed into fear, moving to stand in front of his companion to block her view, not that she could see anything anyway. Then, he demanded, or barked out, in an unusually gravelly voice, that she remove herself this instant.

Startled by his temper, she did as told and spent the next half hour trying to recall what her great-granny looked like. If she couldn't contact Uilliam, she might as well try to contact the other more important person on her short list.

Sitting at the empty spot in front of her pantry, legs sprawled out on the floor in front of her, Oriane mixed herself a cup of tea and got to work, stirring her memory banks.

But in the middle of attempting to summon a clear enough memory of her, a portal opened right at the centre of her living room. Out came Gordon, who briskly told her to try Uilliam again in another half hour before disappearing again just as promptly.

Oriane was left slightly bewildered that someone could simply portal into her room without notice. It was good then since her most valuable belongings, save Toffee her cat, were often on her self rather than left lying around her room for anyone to pick up. On the other hand, she was immediately counting down the time so she could speak with Uilliam.

With really only a week to spare, she needed to effectively convince him to come along with her to the ritual in time. Perhaps figure out if Elle knew a bit more about the rest of the ingredients list too, that would help narrow down what the Rosicrucians were trying to accomplish. She was also going to do her damnedest to make sure her friends weren't intending to poke their heads into this terrible business. Given the perils, she felt like she was sprinting against time.

Crossing her fingers, Oriane hoped she didn't have to head to class the rest of the week. Certainly, she wasn't the only one. Last she looked out of her window, everyone was abuzz with energy, treating the incident as an excuse to rest and holiday. If only she had the luxury of viewing this time the same way.

Toffee darted out from her bedroom to rub against her ankles, sensing her distress. After mewling around her calves, she settled, belly-down right upon them. Good thing she wasn't too over-weight then, otherwise she would've had numbed legs when she stood later. Her cat usually stayed out of the way unless she was hungry. In this instance, Oriane was glad for the company and leaned forward to pat a hand down Toffee's black coat.

The minutes ticked away and Oriane realised she truly had trouble remembering exactly the way great-granny looked. Was she old and frail? Tall and pale? She couldn't quite recall. Regardless, it had been many years ago when she last saw her. For all she knew, great-granny might just have had changed quite a bit since. Sighing, she supposed she would get the truth out of either Uilliam or the master cultist.

Even though Uilliam had acted with little deference since she arrived at the college, at this stage, it would appear the latter would be more forthcoming. How irksome.