Free Spearwood Academy Volume Three (The Spearwood Academy Book 3) by A.S. Oren

then Roseman warped your mind with that new personality, and we couldn’t wait for winter holiday.”
    “Why couldn’t I have just faked not knowing anything?”
    Maverick takes his ponytail out and redoes it. “You wanted it to be real.”
    “Then why have my memories returned during the winter holiday? Why not just leave me naïve for the rest of my school career?”
    “Because you had plans to take the power back.”
    My head starts to throb. I know what they’re saying is true. I can sense the memories just under the surface, but I can’t access them. What are they talking about?
    Igraine takes a seat on the other side of me. “Eat, please. After, I want to heal you, Avalon. Make it so your mind can never be warped again, by anyone.”

Mole
     
    I managed to eat a small plate of food. It was incredible, the best cheese and mushroom omelet I have ever tasted. But ever since getting sewn back together, I’ve gone back and forth between feelings of starvation, to not wanting the food set in front of me. Now, we follow Igraine down to the basement where she keeps all her things for magic.
    She turns to me once we’re down the stairs and takes my hand. “I’m so happy to see you. You have no idea how much I’ve dreamed of this day. I’ve cried for you every night. I never wanted to put you in hiding, but it was necessary to keep you safe until you could protect yourself and rise above them all.”
    “Why do I have to be protected? Who’s after me?”
    “People who think females shouldn’t be born into our world due to the curse. People who are old in their ways of thinking, scared of the unknown, or just want power.”
    “How could I stand in the way of someone who wanted power?”
    She smiles and touches her chest, because you have goodness in your heart and would not stand by while they try to rule the world. The worst of the threats is over now, locked away right after we put you into hiding.”
    Pulling me over to a shelf, she has me stand still. “I have the potion I need already made.” She pulls a tiny, blue genie-like bottle off the shelf and uncorks it. She tips it and pours the liquid into her hand. “Now, this will hurt a little bit, but no one, no matter how strong they are, will ever be able to modify your mind again. Okay?” I nod, not even sure what she’s going to do. “Give me your right wrist.” I hold it out to her. She pours the liquid from her hand near the top of my wrist and mutters words I can’t make out under her breath.
    I hiss when the initial sting starts, but it’s nothing compared to my transformations. The warmth of her magic flows into my arm and through my veins. It’s calm, peaceful, like a small stream.  She pulls her hand back, revealing a metallic gold symbol; it reminds me of a triton or a bird’s foot, almost. I touch it. It’s smooth. “Like a tattoo.”
    “It is a tattoo. It’s there for life.”
    “Does it mean anything?”
    “It’s a rune called Algiz. It means protection, among other things. No one will ever be able to touch your mind again.”
    “Thank you.”
    “No, thank you.”
    I frown at her. Why is she thanking me?
    “You turned exactly into the young woman I wished for you to be. I can see it in your eyes.”
    “One of you is missing,” Elex says.
    We turn back to the group. What is he talking about? I look over to the group. At first glance, they look to all be here, but then something dings inside of me. Triton is missing.
    “Where’s Triton?” I ask.
    Everyone looks at each other, as if the others have more information than they do. I fall into Igraine as the basement begins to shake. Her eyes go wide. “Oh, no.”
    Elex runs through a door at the back of the room. Igraine follows. Curiosity sinks in and the rest of us run after them.
    We follow them into an unfished dirt room. A young man stands at the center of the room, his hair long and white. Next to him stands Triton. The hair on my arms and neck stands in end.
    Elex