The Secret of Spellshadow Manor by Bella Forrest (classic english novels txt) 📗

the air around him. Derhin had even bestowed mild approval.

“That’s certainly an improvement, Webber,” he had said as Alex lowered his hands. “I’m glad to see you settling in at last.”

Alex had shot a look at Natalie, and she had smiled before making a motion with her hand under her desk. The rain had disappeared.

Aamir’s examination had followed Alex’s, and the older boy had caused a full tree to burst from the classroom floor in a shower of splinters and leaves. Derhin had been knocked to the floor, where he had adjusted his glasses and sighed drearily.

After some thought, Alex and Natalie planned their break-in to the Head’s quarters for New Year’s Eve. Alex had related his previous encounters with Elias and explained that he could very well have lied, but Natalie still insisted on coming along. She had heard from a girl in her dorm that the Head always gave a speech on New Year’s Eve, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity. The students, teachers, and the Head would be distracted. They would still need to contend with Finder, but Alex had the advantage of stealth where the old master of Spellshadow was concerned.

“The main thing is you can cross the golden lines,” Natalie said, even as worry touched her voice.

“Yes,” he said emphatically, then hastily dropped the subject. He was troubled and curious about why he was so mildly affected by the lines, and had wanted to explore forbidden areas of the Head’s domain immediately. But Natalie had pleaded with him not to unless it was absolutely necessary, and he had reluctantly promised her he wouldn’t.

As Christmas approached, Professor Esmerelda hung mistletoe and garlands above the doors, and the students dove into the rituals of the season. The windows showed them more and more snow, falling softly apparently just outside, but just out of reach.

Jari, whether in an attempt to lure Aamir from his studies or just out of pure festive spirit, decorated their little room with a collection of trees and constant, warm snow that tasted faintly of chocolate. Aamir, in response, stopped studying in his bed, telling Alex that he couldn’t concentrate under these conditions.

“He can’t dodge me at Christmas,” said Jari, his brow scrunched up. “That one I’ll get.”

On Christmas Eve, Alex and Natalie found themselves sitting in the library yet again, but for once, neither of them could focus. The two of them stared at the ice crystals that were blossoming from the frame of the huge window, spreading in glittering strands across the view beyond.

Distantly, Alex could see lights again. He stared at them, wondering, as he always did, if that was their home. He pictured the Christmas tree he usually set up, twinkling with colored lights in their darkened living room, and thought with a pang that his mother wouldn’t have it up this year without him.

What was she doing now? How was she managing everything? How was her health? Did she think he was dead?

His gaze became hazy as tears formed in his eyes. He blinked them away just as Natalie sighed, looking down at the book she had propped open in front of her and then shutting it.

“I cannot focus,” she muttered.

“Neither can I,” Alex replied quietly, attempting to rein in his emotions. “What do you say we take a little time off for Christmas?”

Natalie shrugged, looking down at her hands. A little trail of fire wove between her fingers. “I guess,” she said. “It just doesn’t feel like we have time for anything.”

Alex looked between her and the quiet lights outside, then rose to his feet. Perhaps a celebration would feel odd under the circumstances, but it might be just what she needed. They had been lost in their plotting too long now, and Natalie was growing increasingly gloomy.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go for a walk. We’ll get Jari and Aamir.”

They found Jari sitting in his room, staring up at where he had conjured a collection of bubbles in the air above him. As Alex and Natalie entered, they popped, and the boy looked over sulkily.

“You two need the room or something?” he said.

Alex chuckled. “Funny, Jari. We actually came to get you.”

Jari perked up at that, swinging his feet off the bed to look hopefully over at them.

“Get me? For what?”

Alex gave his best smile. “It’s Christmas Eve, Jari,” he said. “Let’s get Aamir and do something other than what we always do.”

Jari didn’t need to be told twice.

Aamir was in the study, tucked away into a corner of the room, far from where the other students were gathering around the fireplace and sharing mugs of cocoa bobbing with little marshmallows. He looked up as the group approached him, scowling.

“What is this?” he said. “An intervention?”

“No, it’s Christmas Eve!” Jari proclaimed, darting forward.

A look of puzzlement crossed over Aamir’s features, followed by a sheepish smile. “Is it?”

“It is,” said Natalie gently. “Come on, we are going for a walk in the snow, and you must come with us. It will be fun.”

The four of them made their way out onto the grounds, where a chill wind had gathered. The grass crunched under their feet as they walked, Jari darting out ahead and spinning around in the drifts of white. Aamir smiled.

The cold didn’t seem to bother Natalie, who was in short sleeves again. She exhaled through her nose, and twin jets of steam speared out into the air, swirling up as though she were some sort of dragon. She laughed at the sight, looking over to Alex.

“You really aren’t cold?” Alex said, sidling up to her as he shoved his hands into a pair of gloves. He was wearing not one, but two coats today, and he could still feel the chill whirling in his gut.

“No,” Natalie said. “Perhaps that is one advantage of being magical.”

They set out across the grounds, coming to a large, frozen lawn before Jari turned.

“Aamir!” he called.

Aamir looked over from where he had been watching the snow falling.

“Do that thing with