COBALT: The Red Phantom (Book One)

Chapter 22: the Power of Secrets (Part 2/2)

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So, this most certainly wasn't updated on July 4th and you have my apologies.

It was a mix of work and Stranger Things that delayed my editing a bit.

Mostly Stranger Things.

And a bit of The Good Place.

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          Vera sat outside of Mr. Mudelin's room alongside Talli, flicking a ball of paper back and forth with Cinder. There was always the random muffled explosion or worried warble from Puff that would sound off, but by now even Talli had stopped worrying about it.

          But when there was a loud meow the two immediately shot their heads up. 

          Jeremiah trotted up to them with a small letter shoved into his collar, drawn to Talli's broad smile as she showered the cat with affection.

          Puff's not gonna be happy about this. Vera thought, looking at the letter impassively. She always wondered what Káel's strange uncle tucked in the unlabelled envelopes, a tantalising secret kept to Káel's eyes only. 

          All at once the light flickered on, Vera striking Talli with a determined smile. "Do you have any paper?"

          Talli pulled a little piece of paper and a pen out of her satchel, presenting the objects to her friend.

          She grabbed them and immediately scribbled, smiling contently as she folded up the piece of paper and wedged it in Jeremiah's collar. If Ray was in on the investigation she'd have to tread carefully. Ears were far too open for messages, especially when she had yet to tie their true plans together.

          "Wh-what's that?" Talli whispered, her concern growing as Vera's grin intensified.

          "It's a note."

          Talli flushed red. "A-a note? Like a-a l-l- um.."

          "It's just a note."

          The giant doors creaked and Káel tiresomely walked out of the room, a smudged butterfly meticulously drawn in black ink on his cheek. There was a distinct burning smell coming off his combat suit, and he barely noticed Jeremiah until he almost tripped over him.

          Puff wasn't far behind with his excited bound, ecstatic to be free at last and licking Káel's face to try and cheer him up. He quickly retracted though, coughing and spitting from the bitter tang of Mr. Lightwood's artwork.

          "Four more days," Káel sighed, rubbing his eyes with a drawn yawn. He was too tired to even utter an ouch as Puff spotted Jeremiah and scurried up his back as a tiny drake.

          "And a half," Vera added.

          The three walked casually through the halls, Talli shooting Káel worried glances as he limp along. He already explained he'd rolled his ankle while falling on his face to avoid one of Mr. Lightwood's attacks, but that didn't provide any comfort to their conversations. It was completely overboard to Talli, running into unicorns didn't justify allthe fireballs and immobilization seals. After all, Unicorns didn't shoot spells.

          As the trio entered the nursing quarters, Ms. Metulas, one of the healing and chemical sciences teacher stopped, giving Káel an amused smirk. "Right on time."