Oliver nodded. He trusted Professor Amethysthis mentor had not let him down yetbut he didnt know David Mendoza at all. He didnt know if he could trust him.
Here are some things you will need, the professor continued. He produced an amulet from his pocket. This is a sephora amulet. You can use it to check in on Esther. It will show her to you.
He handed it to Oliver.
Frowning, Oliver peered at the strange black jewel. He could just make out the beautiful face of Esther Valentini shining on its surface, as if drawn with charcoal. Her eyes were closed and she looked gravely ill. Olivers heart ached at the sight of her.
Is this real time? Oliver asked.
The headmaster nodded. Yes. It will help you keep your heart pure. If you ever find yourself wavering, look into the amulet and remember why you are on your journey.
Oliver slipped the precious amulet over his neck. He would treasure it, his link back to Esther.
Next, Professor Amethyst handed him a bejeweled scepter. Oliver looked at it with awe. It had a hollow inner tube through which sand flowed, and no matter how many times Oliver turned the scepter, the sand continued to flow in the same direction and at the same speed, like it had been enchanted.
What is this? Oliver asked.
When you strike the scepter it will create a brilliant light that causes temporary blindness. So use it wisely. The sand inside shows you how long Esther has left to live.
Oliver gasped, horror taking hold of him. A sick feeling raced through him as he watched the sand flow.
The headmaster took him by the shoulders, breaking through his thoughts. This is about more than Esther, he explained. She is fated to die. You will be changing fate to save her. As you well know, that will have a knock-on effect. There will be other changes we cannot foresee. But I have looked through many timelines and if Esther dies, the outcome will be worse.
Olivers stomach dropped. What do you mean?
Her life is tied to the school, Oliver. Her death will have a ripple effect throughout time. But I cannot say anything more specific than that. You know I cannot divulge what Ive seen of the alternate timelines.
Oliver understood. But it caused him great anxiety to think that there was more at stake here than just Esther. The school was also, in some way, in peril.
He looked again at the sand timer within the scepter. Every second that passed allowed another grain of sand to slide through.
Likewise, so will her survival, the professor continued. The Elixir will not only cure Esther, but it will enable all seers to travel to difficult moments in time and return safely, to accomplish urgent missions as necessary. That sort of unlimited time travel is risky. So you see now, Oliver, why this is so important.
Oliver felt his nerves rising through his throat, making it tighten as if squeezed by a boa constrictor. There was so much more at stake than hed ever realized.
He looked at Walter and Hazel, his best friends, and then at David, his new companion. Finally, he looked to Professor Amethyst.
I wont let you down, he said.
Professor Amethyst nodded with finality. He clapped him on his shoulder. Then perhaps now it is time to say goodbye.
Oliver nodded. Yes. But first, I need to see Esther.
Of course.
The professor led Oliver to the elevator and they rode it to the hospital wing. As they entered, Oliver scanned the ward for Esther. When he found her, he noticed a hunched figure beside her. His chest tensed. It was Edmund.
Edmund turned sharply as Oliver approached. He glared then leapt to his feet, furious.
What is he doing here? Edmund demanded of the headmaster, pointing an accusatory finger at Oliver. Hes the reason Esthers in this state.
His words sent a bolt of grief through Oliver. It was true. Esther contracting time travel sickness in the first place was all his fault.
But Professor Amethyst shook his head. Esther knew she was dying before she even left for England, he told Edmund. Oliver had nothing to do with it.
Oliver couldnt bring himself to believe the professor. Esther had told him as much herself, but he still felt that they were just lying to make him feel better and not blame himself. How else could Esther have contracted time travel sickness if not from her journey back in time with him? Nothing else added up.
As Edmund stood there fuming, Oliver noticed that his hands were pulled into fists. He knew that Edmund loved Esther, too. It must have been easier for him to blame someone for her predicament, especially if that someone was Oliver, whom he already hated.
I dont believe you, Edmund shot back. She was fine before she went on that mission with Oliver. Now shes like this. He threw his arm out to where Esther lay very still, her eyes shut. And yet you still trust Oliver to save her life?
His eyes flashed with anger.
Oliver couldnt quite believe that Edmund was speaking to Professor Amethyst that way. This was their revered headmaster, and Edmund was arguing with him like a child with their parents!
But what was even more surprising was the way Professor Amethyst allowed him to. Any other student, in any other circumstance, would surely be punished for behaving in such a rude and angry manner. It only served to drive home to Oliver just how uniquely desperate Esthers situation currently was.
Professor Amethyst regarded Edmund calmly. Olivers heart is pure, he explained. His feelings toward Esther are pure. Yours, Im afraid, Edmund, are not.
Edmunds face flushed red. How dare you say that? I love her, too! I loved her long before he even set foot in the school! I could do this mission just as well as Oliver. Better, even.
But the headmaster just shook his head. Im sorry, but that is not true. There is only one person who stands a chance of succeeding. And that is Oliver.
Edmund stood there a moment longer, looking furiously from the headmaster to Oliver. Then he stamped his foot and stormed away, shoving Oliver with his shoulder as he went. The sound of stifled sobs filled the hospital wing as he hurried away.
Oliver watched him go. He couldnt help but feel bad for Edmund. Hed be crushed too if Esther had not reciprocated his affection.
With Edmund gone, Oliver turned his attention to Esthers sleeping form. He crouched down beside her and took her hand in his. Her skin felt cold, as if she werent able to generate enough body heat. He squeezed it.
To Olivers surprise, he felt her squeeze back. Oliver held his breath. She was waking up!
At that moment, Esthers eyelids began to flutter. A small moan escaped her throat.
Im here, Oliver murmured. Esther?
Beneath her lids, Oliver could see her eyes moving. She was clearly trying very hard to open them.
Then finally, as if it took her a great effort, her eyelids opened and Oliver found himself gazing into her beautiful emerald green eyes.
She regarded him silently. The smallest of smiles tugged at the corner of her lips. Then, with a sigh, her eyelids dropped again. Shed fallen back to sleep.
I wont let you down, Esther, Oliver whispered, feeling his voice warble with emotion. I wont let you die.
CHAPTER TWO
Christopher Blue sat soaked and shivering in Mistress Obsidians black-walled office. His dark blond hair clung to his head in wet tendrils. Hed brought the smell of the River Thames with him and the whole room stank because of it.
All the other Obsidians sat around the table with downcast expressions, arms folded, glaring at him. Malcolm Malice had the meanest glare of all, the kind of look that could turn you to stone.
All the other Obsidians sat around the table with downcast expressions, arms folded, glaring at him. Malcolm Malice had the meanest glare of all, the kind of look that could turn you to stone.
Malcolm clearly blamed Chris for their failure back in the year 1690.
With a painful stab of frustration, Chris recalled the moment hed almost killed Oliver on the banks of the River Thames. Hed had his hand around his ankle and all he had to do was drag him down into the depths of the water! But somehow his brother had just managed to slip from his grasp and slither through the portal.
The door burst open, tearing Chris out of his ruminations. Mistress Obsidian waltzed in, her black cloak flaring out behind her.
Chris watched her with cautious apprehension as she sank heavily into her seat and glanced into each pair of eyes with a piercing glare. The tension in the room grew with every second of silence.
Finally, she spoke. Youve let me down.
Her gaze roved to Chris. He sat up taller, straighter, and sucked in his cheeks. He braced himself for her scolding.
But to his surprise, she looked past him and focused instead on Malcolm.
You most of all, Malcolm Malice. Her tone was ice cold.
Me? Malcolm exclaimed. He threw an arm out at Chris. He was the one who let Oliver escape with the Orb of Kandra! If anyones to blame, its him. He was our leader.
You were supposed to lead, Mistress Obsidian shot back.
You said the strongest should lead, Malcolm protested.
Mistress Obsidian slammed her hands onto the table to shut him up. You should have been the strongest, Malcolm! You! A trained seer! Christopher had only just been imbued with his powers, yet after only a few hours, his strength surpassed yours!
Chris felt his chest swell with pride. Hed always suspected he was special. The look of embarrassment on Malcolms face was something hed cherish forever.
But suddenly, Mistress Obsidian turned to look at him. You can wipe that smirk off your face, Christopher Blue, she barked. Theres more in store for you.
Chris felt his pulse spike with anxiety. He quickly rearranged his features into a neutral expression.
Yes maam, he squeaked, his mind reeling through all the possible punishments she was certain to mete out.
Mistress Obsidian pinned him to his seat with her cold, mean stare, and continued in the same firm tone. Ive imbued you with the most powerful dark magic. You have a lot of potential. But you need to be trained.
Chris blinked with shock. All around him, he heard the sound of the other Obsidian students shuffling in their seats. Mistress Obsidians words had taken them all by surprise.
Trained? Malcolm spat. What about punished?
Mistress Obsidian ignored his outburst. Her eyes remained on Chris.
Trained? Chris repeated.
Yes. Properly. Your powers are too much for any of the teachers at Obsidians to handle.
The headmistress snapped her fingers and the door behind her flew open. A man walked into the office. He was dressed in a long black robe that covered the entirety of his face as well as his whole body. The only things showing were his brilliant blue eyes, the bright blue eyes of a rogue seer.
This is your new trainer, Mistress Obsidian told Chris. Colonel Cain.
Chris recognized the man instantly. He was one of the fighters from the dark army whod fought against Sister Judith alongside him in 1690s England.
His heart began to pound. He felt dizzy with emotion. Seconds ago hed been expecting a harsh punishment but now he was discovering instead that he would be trained by a soldier from the dark army! It was quite a shift for his mind to make.
Despite his best attempts to maintain a blank expression, Christopher felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth. When hed been back in 1690s England, fighting alongside the dark army, hed felt a pull toward them, a sort of calling telling him that he belonged with the army far more than the Obsidian school. Now his wish was coming true.
It will be extremely hard, Mistress Obsidian barked, forcing his attention back to her and out of his head.
Chris gave a series of hurried nods and spoke in a quick voice. I understand. Ill work hard for you, maam.
The headmistress paused, her lips pursed into a thin line as she regarded him for a couple of beats.
Chris felt his insides squirm. Mistress Obsidian had that effect on most people. Oddly enough, his fear of her just added to his admiration and desire to please her.
Youd better, she said finally, settling back into her throne. Because there will be no third chance.
The words struck Chris like a lightning bolt. He didnt need Mistress Obsidian to explain what that meant. Hed failed once. This was his final chance to prove himself to her. If he failed again, it was over.
Out the corner of Chriss eye, he could see that Mistress Obsidians warningno, threathad turned Malcolm Malices glower into a delighted, evil smile. The sight of his stupid face made determination swell in Chriss gut.
I wont let you down, Chris said forcefully, his attention directed at Mistress Obsidian like a dart to a bulls-eye. Whatever it takes. Wherever you send me. Whoever you need me to kill. I will do it.
Mistress Obsidian tipped her chin up, her gaze locked on his. Chris noticed the spark behind her eyes that told him she believed in him.
The tension in his chest released. He slumped a little in his chair, exhausted by the stress of it all but relieved to know she had faith in him. Her approval meant everything to Chris.
Good, Mistress Obsidian said with a sharp nod. Because theres no time to waste.
She leaned forward on her elbows and waved her arm over the vision bowl on the table before her. It was her spying device, the one she used to watch their rivals at the Amethyst School for Seers. Usually there was an image inside, but this time there was nothing but a smudgy blur, like a dark storm cloud.
Since your failed escapades back in 1690s England, the Amethyst School for Seers has been fortified even more, she explained. I can no longer see inside. But dont worry. We have people working for us on the inside.
Do you mean a mole? Madeleine, the ginger-haired seer, asked.
It was the first time any of the Obsidian students besides Malcolm or Chris had dared to speak.
Mistress Obsidian looked at her and smiled. Yes.
Madeleine looked delighted. She clapped her hands. How exciting. Who is it? A student? A teach
But before Madeleine could finish her sentence, Mistress Obsidian waved her hand in the air to mime a zipping motion. In the blink of an eye, Madeleines lips disappeared, leaving nothing but a fleshy covering where her mouth used to be.
Chris flinched in his seat. The sight of Madeleine with no mouth disturbed him. But what disturbed him even more was why Mistress Obsidian had decided to show off her powers in that way. It was a warning, Chris realized. A warning for him. This, or something similar, was the fate that awaited him if he screwed up the mission.
Madeleines eyes were wide with alarm as she pressed her hands to her mouth. Her voice was now nothing more than a muffled noise.
Does anyone else feel like interrupting? Mistress Obsidian asked, her glare roving across them all.
Everyone remained silent.
The headmistress carried on as if nothing had happened. The fortifications that obscure my ability to see only cover the school grounds. Which means the second Oliver Blue steps outside the boundary of the school, I will be able to track him again.