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After my brief visit home, I didn’t expect the Academy to have changed. When I passed back over the magical boundary, a vibrant world returned to me. Almost all the other third-year Valkyries were fizzing with energy and anticipation. The reason was clear.
The sign-ups for the Valkyrie Games were almost closed, which meant they would soon post the first task. Everyone was excited for it and it showed.
Everyone, but me.
With lead feet, I dragged myself to the administrative desk. It didn’t matter what I wanted, Grandmamma wanted me to win, so that was what I had to do. Whether I liked it or not. The burden of being the Heir was still mine to carry.
“You’re back!” Stina’s chipper voice turned my stomach.
“Yo.” I gave her a short wave, but kept heading for the registration. I just wanted to get this done and retreat to my room. I’d have plenty of socialising to do once we met up with the other schools for the Games.
The woman at the desk smiled at me. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m registering for the Valkyrie Games.”
“Of course, you’re just in time. It’s the last day to sign up.”
I nodded. “I know.”
The woman pushed a set of papers towards me with a pen. “Just write your name here and then sign at the bottom that you’re aware of all the dangers and disclaimers.”
I scribbled my name on the lines and then handed it back. I didn’t need it to sign the document. Instead, I pushed my thumb on the empty box and allowed my wind magic to slice into it. “There.”
The woman nodded. “Perfect.”
Stina’s head popped up next to me. “I thought you weren’t signing up for the Games.”
“Looks like I am after all,” I replied dryly. I took my confirmation slip and left the main hall. There was nobody here that I wanted to talk to. Thea wasn’t here.
Dangerous thought. Abort.
“Where are you going?” Stina called, hurrying after me.
“I just have to sort something.”
“I’ll come with—”
“No!” Damn, that was too aggressive. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. “No, there’s something else I need you to do.”
“Oh?”
I didn’t want to talk to her, I didn’t want to be anywhere near her, but I had no choice. If Grandmamma didn’t believe me, I had to do more than find out what her plan was. I needed Grandmamma to catch them in the act somehow. But for that to happen, Stina couldn’t become suspicious of me.
I straightened my back, allowing the presence of my magic to boost some of my confidence. I would need it.
“I missed some classes in my absence. Fetch me summaries so I can catch up.”
A strange look passed through Stina’s eyes and for a moment, it looked like she was going to refuse. Then she nodded. “Of course.”
Only when I was sure she was gone did I dare route for the infirmary. I had some pressing matters to discuss with Doctor Wagner and they couldn’t wait. Heike’s life depended on it.
***
THE INFIRMARY WAS DARK and shaded as always. The penetrating smell of alcohol and strange herbs hung between the abandoned beds and the high metal shelving.
I approached Heike’s bed, but before I reached her, a figure appeared from the shadows.
“Miss Brynhild... You’re back.” Doctor Wagner’s voice was soft and calculated. Nothing at all what I expected from a caregiver, but he was the only doctor on site. Or at least, the only Wind Child doctor.
Did all the other students have their own doctors?
Not important.
I halted at Heike’s bed and pressed my hand on her forehead. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but people seemed to do that. “How is she?”
“Not dead yet,” he replied.
“Why isn’t she waking up?”
He sighed. “A multitude of reasons...”
“You don’t sound too confident.”
“There are still many mysteries when it comes to medicine.”
“Hmmm...” I patted Heike’s arm, foolishly hoping it would jolt her awake. “I think we should talk, Doctor Wagner.”
The man’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? About what?”
“Transfer.”
“Transfer?” He stared at me, then at Heike, then back at me. “I don’t think so. She’s in my care and that’s the end of it.”
“And she' part of my clan, I decide who and where she goes.”
“But—”
I summoned more magic, fanning my confidence into arrogance. “Did you not hear me? I am the Heir of the East, you would do well to remember that. Arrange her transfer immediately. You’re sending her to the East Infirmary.”
The slender man bowed slightly as he backed away. “Forgive me, but such matters have to be discussed with the Headmaster.”
“I think it’s best if he or anyone else was left out of the conversation. Heike is to be transferred to the East Infirmary, where you’ll hand her over to Ria Riadottir’s care and her only. Nobody can know where she’s going or she’ll surely never wake up. If you’re a real doctor, you’ll put her wellbeing above your own pride and you will do as I asked. Do we understand each other?”
Doctor Wagner nodded. “Yes, we understand each other perfectly.”
“Good.” That was one problem sorted.
Before I left the terribly dark infirmary, I gave Heike’s wrist a gentle squeeze. She was not the brightest girl or the strongest, but she had a good heart. She was my friend and she deserved better than this.
I smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure justice is served.”
With my head held high, I strode away, leaving Doctor Wagner in my dust. He would have to be stupid to ignore my wishes, nay, demands.
Was this how Grandmamma got things done? By intimidating people into doing her bidding?
My mouth was capable of saying the right things, but what about my hands?
I stared at my them, waving my fingers and curling them into loose fists. The natural position from where they could grow into any sign.
Could they grow forever silent and do what had to be done?
I balled them into tighter fists.
I’d taken up Banshee signing as a way to make myself feel better about being disowned. I thought if I had something to do, a purpose, a drive, then I would be happy if I stopped being the Heir.
But the reality was quite different.
I was still the Heir and Grandmamma expected great things from me. She wouldn’t accept anything but sheer perfection and a Valkyrie learning sign language was not picture perfect.
I had to give it up. And with that, my visits to Thea.