The Gray Institute (The Gray Institute Trilogy Book 1) (22 page)

'You can't,' She says simply. 'Nobody is allowed to. Don't even think of it, just put it out of your mind. You'd be in serious trouble if you just so happened to bump into her and struck up a conversation, let alone go searching for her.'

'I'm not a child, Tia. I'm tired of these rules and forbidden secrets.'

'Are you tired of life? 'Cos if you are then sure, go looking for Katy. But if you value your existence, I'd do the opposite.' She warns, snapping a little.

'You know where she is. It's amongst all those other things you won't tell me.' I fold my arms, shifting away from her on the sofa.

'I really don't, Eve. I have no idea where he keeps her,' She sighs, desperate to change the subject. 'Don't you think you should be focussing on your more pressing task?' She frowns, pursing her lips irritably.

'But that's just it! This is part of it. If I can find out where Katy went wrong, I can stop the same thing from happening to me.' I don't know if the words are true as I speak them. I do want to know what happened and I don't want my fate to be the same as Katy's, but I'm yet to establish whether or not I have the will to convince Lorna to change her mind.

'Well, I don't think you should.' Tia shrugs, less dramatic than I assumed she would be. I lean back into the sofa, fed up of Tia, as she turns her thoughts back to Meredith's plight.

'It's a lost cause.' I state, shrugging simply.

'Yes, so don't go poking around looking for her.' Tia snaps.

'I'm not talking about Katy, or Lorna. I mean Meredith.' I reply and Tia sits up a little straighter. Finally we're touching on the subject at the forefront of her mind.

'Why do you say that?' She frowns, instantly defensive of her friend. 

'He's not going to miraculously fall in love with her. He's an Auctorita. It's sad but it's true. She can either face that fact, move on with her life and find someone who loves her back, or she can wander around for the rest of eternity wanting someone she'll never have.'

'It's not that simple.' Tia bristles at my words and for once, I don't feel kind enough to humour her.

'Seems pretty simple to me.'

'Oh my God! I don't believe this!' She shrieks, making me jump.

'Well, I'm sorry but that's just my opinion.' I snap to defend myself but she shakes her head dismissively.

'Not you. Him!' She nods her head towards the door and I turn in the direction of her gaze. Malachy Beighley hovers by the entrance, seemingly unsure whether to enter. I cast a glance around for Lucrezia but for once, she doesn't seem to be in tow.

'Meredith sat here and waited and now he shows up!' Tia barks, infuriated.

'Well he didn't exactly
know
that she was waiting for him. It's not as though he did it on purpose,' I remind Tia. She huffs, folding her arms across her chest. 'You're pally with him. Why don't you just tell him how Meredith feels?'

'I'm not
pally
with him,' Tia snaps, ignoring my glance. 'I've tried! She won't let me!' She screeches. I resist the urge to sigh with boredom.

'I'm going for a smoke.' I lie, choosing to walk away without waiting for a reply. I don't glance back as I make my way across the room, no-one pays any attention to me and as I slip by Malachy, I grip his arm.

'Need a word.' I mutter in his ear. No-one hears and he waits a moment, frowning, before following me through the doorway. I hear his footsteps behind me as I head for the same stairwell we met on yesterday. I stop in the shadows and impatiently wait for him to arrive. He looks perplexed as he shrinks into the darkness beside me.

'Look, Malachy,' I begin, facing him aggressively, losing all of my patience for the games and the secrecy. 'I don't know you and you don't know me, but I have a sneaky suspicion you're not as arrogant as you pretend to be,' I'm well aware that I'm treading dangerously; this is, after all, the future Auctorita. But my life hangs in the balance and I won't risk it for the sake of his seniority.

'I want to know what Katy's warning meant. If you won't tell me, you can at least point me in her direction.'

'I can't,' He shakes his head. 'I don't know myself.' He is lying.

'You do. You escort her. I was told that only Sir Alec and her escorts know where she is.'

'You mustn’t go looking for her, Eve. It's forbidden.' He growls, his usually untraceable German accent seeping into his words. The corridor is silent and his sentence echoes around us. In the dark, I can see his face clearly. He wears a scowl, his icy blue eyes narrowed, his canine teeth bared.

'I'm not your friend, Eve Ryder. You know who I am,' He reminds me. 'I don't know who you think you're dealing with but by rights I could have you thrown in the Confine simply for speaking to me this way. I'm certainly not going to participate in your illegal escapades.

Nobody, save Sir Alec and her escorts, is permitted to know where Katy is isolated. Do you really think I, of all people, would break the rules?' 

I take a step back, instantly casting my senses out for Lucrezia. I, like everybody else, have noticed a pattern in Malachy's behaviour; he only acts this way when Lucrezia is around. A presence lingers at the end of the hall, two students, both males, neither are Malachy's twin sister.

'So this is who you really are?' I raise an eyebrow, surprised at my naivety. Perhaps there is nothing more to Malachy Beighley after all.

'Don't pretend that you know me,' He sneers. 'And don't ever forget who and what I am. If you go looking for Katy, I will inform Sir Alec immediately. Consider the fact that I've warned you beforehand a gift from me.' With that, he slips past me, slowly and confidently climbing the stairs.

My mind wanders back to a few days ago, at this same staircase, when Malachy's eyes lit up over a comment about his smile. Could it be that he really does have schizophrenia? That he's carried it into this life and it's intensified with his transformation?

I glance up at him, watching his back as he fades into the shadows, but before he rounds the corner, his clenched fist releases and a small, hard object falls to the floor. I hear it clunk on the wood and I reach out my sense to smell it.

Plastic.

He disappears out of sight and I scurry up the first six steps, crouching down to peer at the small object. It's a key fob, a red piece of card encased in clear plastic, displaying bold, black numbers;
468
.

Malachy's room.

Chapter Seventeen

'Where are you going?' Tia stands with one hand on her hip, her eyes narrowed, her tone accusing. Lessons for the day are over and I shed my bag filled with heavy study books and pull on a thin jumper.

'Nowhere.' I mumble, ignoring her snort of contempt.

'Well you're certainly in a rush to get nowhere,' She taps her foot authoritatively. I ignore her again, grabbing my door key.

'Eve, I'm worried for you,' Her voice softens as she takes a step forward. Her amber eyes widen, pleading with me. 'You don't seem to care how much trouble you're about to get into. You need to sit down and think this through. Talk it out and decide what to do.'

'I have thought it through, Tia,' I sigh impatiently. 'It's
all
I've thought about since Sir Alec set me this bloody task. But thinking about it isn't getting me anywhere.

The situation stands: I've been given a near impossible task that I'm not even sure I
want
to do. If I don't do it, I risk isolation or worse, marring the rest of my existence.

I have to either find a way to do what Sir Alec wants, or get out of this thing entirely. Sitting around here talking about it with you isn't going to help. I have to do something, but unfortunately the only things I can do don't exactly follow the rules.' My monologue ends when I reach the door – as I intended – and now I'll slip through it before she can reply.

My hand finds the door knob and I turn it, pulling it open and taking a step over the threshold. I can get no further, however, as I crash into Sir Alec's towering frame. He startles me – a feeling I detest since becoming Immortal. I'm now so used to sensing presences before they appear, and only Sir Alec does this seem to fail with.

'Miss Ryder.' He acknowledges me with a polite nod as I stare helplessly back at him, my heart in my throat. 

'Sir Alec, I wasn't expecting to see you.' I stammer, slipping my hand in my pocket to protectively guard Malachy's key fob.

'Miss Carey, a pleasure to see you as always.' His eyes slip past to where Tia now stands, directly behind me.

'Sir Alec, what a pleasant surprise!' Her voice is smooth but she's as suspicious as I am. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Sir Alec visiting students' rooms personally is a rare – if non-existent – occurrence.

'Miss Ryder, I wonder if I might have a word with you?' He asks, his tone neutral and unrevealing. 

'Yes, of course.' I nod, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. There's an awkward silence before Tia and I both realise at the same time that Sir Alec wants to talk to me alone.

'I was just on my way to the library.' Tia barely attempts to conceal her lie, slipping past and shooting me a panicked stare. 

'Come in.' I gesture to Sir Alec who glides elegantly through the doorway. It's odd seeing Sir Alec in mine and Tia's messy room. Our beds aren't made and an ash tray is overflowing on the window ledge.

'I just wanted to stop by and say thank you for approaching Lorna the other night,' He says, tactfully ignoring the state of the room. 'I wondered if you'd made any progress? I know it was your first real conversation but you seem to be a quick learner, I wondered if you might be a quick worker too.' He smiles as I fidget uncomfortably.

'She's very set in her ways, Sir.' I reply vaguely, avoiding his eyes and his question. 

'Oh, yes. I'm well aware of that.' He snorts, clucking his tongue against his cheek. There's a pause as I deliberate what's wise to tell him and what to leave out.

'She knew you'd sent me, Sir.' I admit sheepishly, bracing myself for his anger.

'Ah,' He nods knowingly, unsurprised. 'Well, that can't be helped, I suppose. As I said; she's smarter than she seems.' He sighs, taking one final sweeping glance around the room. 'Well, thank you once again for your help in this matter, Miss Ryder. I hope you will continue with it?' It is, once again, not a request as he steps towards the door.

'Of course, Sir.' I mumble, keeping my gaze lowered as he exits the room.

A fleeting visit indeed, I think as I stand alone next to Tia's bed. Sir Alec knew I'd approached Lorna once again, but how? Had she told him? Had he been spying on me? Had somebody else?

Of course, it doesn't really make a difference; what does it matter if any of it is true? What can I do about it?

I can do nothing but continue with the task I've been set. And in the meantime, find out what happened when Katy attempted it.

Malachy's key fob is still clutched tightly in my hand and I slip out of my room and down the corridor, watching warily for Sir Alec. He's nowhere to be seen so I take the stairs down to the fourth floor, counting the door numbers as I go.

465, 466, 467...

468
.

I had half-expected Malachy's room to be set far away from the other student dorms, in his own private quarters with butlers, French maids and room service. Instead, it's an entirely unsuspecting wooden door, the usual brass plaque pinned to the wall, the copperplate calligraphy simply reading
Malachy Beighley
.

The only difference, as far as I can tell, to the other students, is that Malachy shares a floor with the Professors, and he doesn't tolerate a room-mate. 

I glance around the corridor, watching for other students – but mostly watching for Lucrezia – before knocking lightly on the door. It opens straight away and before I can open my mouth, strong hands pull me inside and the door slams behind me.

I blink, my brain processing my sudden relocation, and glance around the modest bedroom.

It is, in fact, less luxurious than mine and Tia's, with pea green walls, an iron-framed bed and a sturdy oak desk in front of the window. Papers and books are scattered across one side of the desk, on the other, a modern laptop sits unopened. Two bookcases line the far right wall, one filled to the brim with dusty volumes of old books, the other lined from top to bottom with DVD cases.

I break into a smile as I remember that things like DVDs still exist. I step towards the bookcase and scan the cases with my finger, reading the titles. I recognise most of them, but some are very modern releases, all from different genres; horror, rom-coms, classics – all in alphabetical order.

'I'm a big film person.' Malachy's nasal voice startles me; I'd almost forgotten his presence.

'This is amazing!' I gush, my smile so wide it hurts my cheeks. It's such a subtle yet dramatic reminder of home, of life before and outside of the Institute. 'How do you get these?' I ask, not turning to look at him.

'Alessandro – my father's secretary – he brings them to me. He comes once a month with the biggest new releases. He brings me magazines too so that I can read reviews, then I just request the ones I want to see. I have more than those.' He states, stepping towards a closet door and opening it to reveal more shelves, lined with colourful DVD cases.

'This is my favourite,' I grin, pulling a case from the bookshelf. Malachy smiles. 'Pretty lame, eh?' I laugh. 'Everybody teases me about it but I can't help it. I love it.'

'I disagree.
Titanic
is a perfectly justifiable favourite,' He nods slightly. 'You can borrow it, if you like.' He shrugs.

'I don't have a player. Or even a TV.' I shake my head sadly.

'Request one,' He rolls his eyes. 'That's what your Creator is there for.'

'Oh. Of course,' I nod, clutching the DVD to my chest. 'Thank you.'

'You're welcome.' Malachy nods. An awkward pause rolls out before us as we desperately avoid eye contact.

'So,' I clear my throat. 'I imagine there's a reason you wanted me to know your room number?'

'Yes,' Malachy nods, shifting his feet uncomfortably. 'You asked about Katy Branch.'

'And you told me if I went looking for her you'd inform Sir Alec immediately.' I recount Malachy's words precisely.

'Yes. Well, that's certainly what I should do. And I don't condone your pursuit of her.' He adds before pausing, holding something back.

'But..?' I prompt him.

'But...' Malachy sighs heavily. 'She's kept on the top floor of the West wing. It's doubtful you'll be able to get near her – she's guarded around the clock – and you'll probably get caught in the process, but it's your funeral.' He shrugs, trying to act blasé. I pause, not sure what to say.

Of course, I should thank him, but I can't help wondering if this is a trick. My mind plays visions of me reaching the west wing to find Sir Alec and a small army waiting.

'Why are you helping me?' I frown, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.

'Beats me,' Malachy shrugs, and I burst out laughing at his unexpected informality. 'What I mean is, I really shouldn't be,' He corrects himself, straightening his posture. 'But I'm aware of the predicament you're in, and I don't think you should enter into this... task, without preparation.'

'You know what Sir Alec has asked me to do, don't you?' I fold my arms, letting my weight rest on one hip, my stance accusing. Malachy wilts a little under my gaze and he shuffles from one foot to the other.

'Never mind,' I shake my head, his discomfort too awkward. What does it matter that he knows? It doesn't change anything. 'How do I know I can trust you?' I ask, resting a hand on my hip, the other still clutching
Titanic
.

'You don't,' Malachy shrugs. 'I don't have time to prove it to you. But what choice do you have?' He asks, cocking an eyebrow.

I realise that he's right. Malachy's information is all I have, and Katy Branch is my only hope of gaining reliable information about Lorna Gray.

'So, I'm just supposed to put my life into your hands?' I mutter, more to myself than him but he answers me regardless.

'Look, Eve, this isn't a trap. I'm not sending you to the West wing on false pretences. You asked where Katy Branch is kept, I've answered your question. What you do with the information is entirely down to you.' His tone is dismissive, eager to end the conversation and send me on my way.

'Okay,' I nod, relaxing a little. 'Thank you.'

'You're welcome.' He crosses to the door and opens it for me, keeping his gaze on the floor. I eye him warily before stepping towards it, holding the DVD close to my chest. I slip past him slowly, my shirt brushing against his jacket as his scent of cloves washes over me. Before I cross the threshold, I stop, turning to look at him.

My face is alarmingly close to his but to draw it back would seem rude, so I boldly keep it there. His eyes are even brighter up close, and they stare quizzically at me.

'Really, thank you.' I nod sincerely, watching his expression flicker into something unfamiliar. His stony expression melts for a moment, replaced by something softer, more human. He pauses for a long time, his eyes searching mine. Suddenly, he clears his throat, snapping himself out of it and regaining his usual frosty expression.

'You're welcome.' He repeats, but despite his expression, he fails to keep a little feeling from seeping into his voice.

*

Tia is in the courtyard with Richard when I eventually find her, perched on his lap atop the grey stone bench. The air is cold, but both of them wear thin cotton shirts, their bodies immune to the temperature. I hover by the main entrance, not sure whether to approach them.

I had initially wanted to run straight to the West wing and go searching for Katy Branch, but something told me to hold back for now. Malachy's information may well be sound, but I still have no idea what I'm going to ask Katy or how it might help me.

Tia is at her happiest with Richard. Her pretty face is carefree and mischievous as he flirts and taunts her playfully. They make a good couple and I have no doubts they will stand the test of time, which is useful as they both have so much of it to spare.

Tia laughs at something Richard says, throwing her head back, her mouth wide. He smiles and nuzzles into her neck, his dark curls brushing against her pale cheek.